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I got to see the replay of the debate and no one really set themselves too far apart from the pack. With nine of them up there, no one really gets enough time to say anything truly impactful or informative. But IMO :
Ambassador Mosely-Braun - well meaning, nice ideas, not a good speaker and no chance of winning.
Reverend Sharpton - entertaining but has no business running and no chance of winning(can you imagine our President using the work AX instead of ask? - I realize this is petty, but shoot me I can't stand it when Bush batters our language either)
Senator Edwards - smart, well spoken, earnest, but is having trouble connecting with people. I don't think he really has a chance, but he may resurface in the future and depending on the nominee, might make a decent V.P.
Governor Dean - Keeping to his standard themes - connected well with the crowd of mostly anti-war, anti-Bush dems. Has stong potential to take the Democratic Primaries but may have problems in the general election
Senator Lieberman - thoughtful, well meaning, but coming across very flat. He is a true centrist, and that doesn't usually play well in the Democratic Primary, but it does play well in the general election.
Senator Kerry - always does fairly well, but that debate was not his best. I have seen him on a number of cable news shows and he has done much, much better. He may be the most capable of defeating Bush.
Congressman Kucinich - passionate, informed, but not a great deal of charisma. A true long shot.
Senator Graham - probably the most experienced and complete candidate, haveing been both a Governor and a Senator, but he always seems a bit goofy to me (not a great description I know). His campaign really isn't setting off any sparks, but has a shot at the V.P. spot because he comes from Florida.
Congressman Gephardt - intelligent, experienced and well meaning, probably the best connected candidate running. His campaign seems VERY flat and when he gets too worked up, it doesn't really work as well as it does for Dean. He is the insider's candidate, so I won't count him out, but I don't think so.
Those missing: Al Gore(may still run and will get the nomination if he does). Hillary Clinton(should not run, but may if she thinks the Democrats are going to take it, thus ending her chance to run in 2008). General Clark(would be a great president, but the more he waits and hems and haws the less likely he will be to get the nomination and the more his grassroots supporters will fade away.)
And a question to Sixate - While I agree with you that the debates may not be the best way to learn about the candidates, it is one additional way to learn bits and pieces about them, what means do you use to learn about those who are running for office?
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