I think the Rich line on Republicans ending the Debacle is basically DOA, and that is a good thing. Because now we can focus on the one way that the Debacle can be ended, by use of the Reid-Feingold-Dodd framework

For someone who claims they want the war to end that could be the most short-sighted statement I have ever heard. But it is also he most self-centered.

Rational people don't really care how the war ends as long as it ends. They are open to all avenues to end the war. Irrational people only want it to end the way they want it to end so they can 'be right'. That is not what I would call supporting the troops. It really is an absurd and selfish statement.

Now, if you care about how the horserace aspect, you should realize that by the time the votes are cast early next year, NO ONE will remember this debate in the slightest. It will have ZERO effect on the election.

Again - Wrong. Elections are about impressions formed of the candidates over a period of time. If these impressions were not proven to be accumulative the candidates would not spend the time and money to travel the country or run early ads or appear on TV talk shows etc.

The run-up to an election is just a marketing campaign. And like any product that, for example, you see on TV it is rare that you remember 'specific' ads but over time you form a definite opinion of that product be it positive, negative, or indifferent.

So to say any exposure, in this case a debate, will have zero effect on an election is to not understand the dynamics of an election or any marketing campaign.

Honeslty, as you can see from my post, I am not even thinking seriously about this race yet.

I'm not wild about the idea of a Hillary candidacy for a few reasons.  She's far more centrist than I am.  But there's more. There's something in me that rebels at the idea of another Clinton. For 20 years we will have had a Bush followed by a Clinton followed by a Bush. I'd like a different family.  The other reason is that I live in a conservative state that absolutely hates Hillary beyond reason and I just can't begin to imagine the dirt that will fly if she's the candidate.  

But, I liked her tonight.  There was a moment in the second half, and I can't even remember what the question was, when all the candidates were talking at once trying to be heard and she won.  She talked through the cacaphony and ended up being the spokesperson. And she did it without looking too hard or losing any poise.   Since I spend so much of my time as the only woman in conference rooms filled with men who believe that the way to make your point is to talk louder than everyone else ... I can appreciate the skill she showed. And at that moment I could imagine her representing us at a G-8 summit.

Obama didn't impress me at all and seemed to lose energy as the night went on.  Especially when they were sitting.  The difference between his unengaged body language and Hillary's was striking when they were sitting next to each other. He didn't challenge the others, I didn't see leadership.

Edwards I liked.  I'm not too worried that he's faking liberal and will go to the center.  If he does, he does.  But that just puts him where Hillary starts. So I'd take that risk.