Kevin Drum and Robert Tagorda did it in real time. WaPo has a (currently partial) transcript.
I watched a little of it and listened to a little more but the format makes these things almost unwatchable for me. Too many candidates, too many questioners, not enough time to actually answer the questions.
The only things that really stuck out to me were:
Joe Lieberman didn’t seem to really want to be there. He has to know he’s done, can’t understand why, but can’t quit just yet.
Dennis Kucinich shouldn’t be there but really wants to be. I’m not actually sure where Dennis should be.
Al Sharpton is simultaneously clever and not particularly bright. An unusual combination. He clearly got one of those “word a day” calendars as a kid but just learned the words without memorizing the definitions. His quip
I wanted to say to Governor Dean, don’t be hard on yourself about hooting and hollering. If I had spent the money you did and got 18 percent, I’d still be in Iowa hooting and hollering.
was pretty funny–even Dean seemed to enjoy it.
With vastly lowered expectations, Howard Dean came across as almost human. Perhaps they tweaked his emotion chip. His attempts at self-effacement over the Yeeeeeeeeeeeyaaaaaaah from the other night were only mildly successful, but his best chance.
John Kerry likes to to talk about Vietnam. I give him a lot of credit for serving, with distinction, in an unpopular war when, as a rich kid, he could have gotten out of it. But, damn it man, that was over thirty years ago.
Something’s not quite right about Wesley Clark. Aside from the fact that his name is “Wesley.” He can’t help that. Although he could insist that people call him “Wes.”
I like John Edwards. I don’t think he’s experienced enough to be president, don’t think he’s a hottie, and certainly don’t have a growing male crush* on him. But he does come across as bright, earnest, and pleasant.
*Hat tip to Dan Drezner.
