She was much more personable and engaging than than I had expected.
I spent a few minutes with the candidates and their families before they entered the debate hall, it was interesting to see them all together off-camera. A few impressions:
-John Edwards overpays for haircuts. Elizabeth looked healthy and vibrant, great to see her well again.
-Barak Obama was strictly business, no small-talk. Handled himself well in the debate, but not his best performance.
-Dennis Kucinich was Dennis Kucinich, and his wife is even more striking in person. Looks like a Killian’s Irish Red girl.
-Joe Biden was his usual affable self, very friendly, unguarded.
-Bill Richardson seems to have loosened the collar a bit since his first televised debate, very relaxed and comfortable in answering last night’s questions (except for the “who flew in on a private jet” question, to which he looked around prior to half-way raising his hand).
The youtube format was interesting, I saw many questions I don’t think pop up often enough in standard-format debates, although there was a noticeable absence of immigration questions.
Two questions I wanted to hear answered by all candidates (but only answered by a few) were on reparations (not that their opinion matters any) and free health care for illegals. No one who answered opposed it. I was disappointed to hear Richardson endorse “free health care for all Americans” when responding to that specific question. Maybe he didn’t get the memo.
As expected, Hillary carried the night. She projects confidence, competence, experience and strength like no one else on that stage. Despite solid answers and a commanding presence, Obama’s inexperience was palpable when paired with Hillary. She didn’t pull any punches, was willing to give unpopular answers and demonstrated why she’s the candidate to beat within her party - and likely the general election as well.
During the wrap-up, the longest line of autograph seekers targeted Anderson Cooper. Mike Gravel walked off the stage without so much as a nod from a stage hand.