Here is the full transcript of today's debate among Democratic contenders for the presidential nomination. Wesley Clark participated. The Washington Post reports that Kerry and Gephardt went after Dean and all the candidates avoided heavy criticism of Clark.

Al Sharpton, as always, provided the humor:

It was the feistiest of the trio of debates held so far. But it was also leavened with moments of humor, as when Al Sharpton described the field as "eight career politicians, an officer (pointing to Clark) and a gentleman (pointing to himself)."

As the laughter from the audience died down, former Illinois Sen. Carol Moseley Braun added, "And a lady."

Good for her. We're glad Mosely Braun is in the race. She's smart, liberal, poised and experienced. She won't win, and likely doesn't expect to, but she at least can get the country used to the idea that a woman easily can be as effective as a man in the position of President. And who knows, maybe she will end up as the VP candiate. A Clark-Braun ticket or a Dean-Braun ticket could really be something.