Greatest moment of the debate

Media Comments

The Nation’s Ari Melber

“Yet while Clinton and Obama exchanged their personal barbs, John Edwards broke through with the best arguments of the night.”

“Edwards Excels In Ferocious Democratic Debate…”

“Yet while Clinton and Obama exchanged their personal barbs, John Edwards broke through with the best arguments of the night. Edwards tweaked both his opponents for making the debate about political squabbling instead of public policy. Returning to his populist economic platform — especially salient as Americans ponder a recession — he reminded voters that he was the only candidate to outline a comprehensive plan to end poverty, and the first to introduce a national economic stimulus proposal. His plan came out weeks before Clinton and Obama. The program drove the ‘party’s policy agenda,’ as Paul Krugman explained, by advocating ‘aid to unemployed workers, aid to cash-strapped state and local governments,’ and alternative energy, (most of which Clinton later adopted in her plan). And while the debate moderators kept pushing trite racial questions, even asking Obama if Bill Clinton was the “first black president,’ Edwards outlined a vision of racial and economic equality, where ‘every American is of equal value.’”

Bet Edwards will win the focus groups again… he is dominating the debate.”

NBC’s Chuck Todd

ABC’s Rick Klein