Here again Obama showed conviction, superior knowledge and his ability to handle attacts from Hillary with respect yet distinguishingly. I love Hillary but its time to call it. An Obama/Edwards ticket is shaping up. Dont you think with Edwards constantly siding with Obama in every issue raised.

Rick, I disagree with you completely- I believe Hillary showed strength in the face of a tag team attempt by Edwards. She stood up to all attacks tonight. She was the strongest candidate by far this evening, only proving that she is the right choice for the Presidency. It's often said she doesn't show enough emotion, yet when she does that is cricitized as well. Was she supposed to sit 'demurely' by while Edwards repeatedly referred to her- not even by her name- but by 'status quo'? Good try, but Sen. Clinton is not going to sit idly by - which is exactly what we need in a President. Instead, Sen. Clinton focused on what she has accomplished that makes her the most qualified candidate for the position. I don't see that as a negative.

I thought McCain's continual personal attacks on Romney were childish. I was undecided before tonight on McCain but now I know I will definitely not vote for McCain. I will either vote for Romney or Rudy G.

I have watched every debate this past year. I disagree completely with this read on the Dems debate. This was Hillary Clinton at her best.

Unfortunately, I could not watch the democrats debate. As for the republican debate I must say that I truly liked the format. I learned alot more about the candidates. My top runners are McCain, Romney, and Giuliani - in that order. I felt that both McCain and Romney held their own. Romney was a bit hypocritical when he moaned about personal attacks. His ads have been disappointingly negative and when the gauntlet is thrown, well be prepared for the consequences. I did not feel that McCain was childish - I felt that he put Romney in his place. That said, I still appreciated all three of my top contenders positions - even when they differed. Thank you to ABC for coming up with a more viewable format!

I agree with all of the comments about Romney. His adds have been described as attack adds. I have watched each of them and they have not been characterized by the childish sort of attacks that were made tonight. He is simply pointing out differences in issues. McCain and Huckabee cannot say the same.

The above article is so bias. Hillary Rocks!!!! She made a very powerful message to all Americans. This is a wake-up call to every Americans; we need to put the right candidate in the White House who will fix the damages and will get it right and get the job done. Hillary is very knowlegeable and experienced as well as the most prepared candidate. Everyone should learn a lesson about George Bush's slogan of change in the past and promises but not delivering them.

I just would like to say this debate was one of the best I have ever seen. The frank and open exchange of ideas (without too many restrictions from the moderators!) makes me proud to be in a country where we are allowed to debate the current issues.

The responses on these forums about the two debates has also reaffirmed my belief in the informed American voter. Thank you.

PB in nh is right, it's absolutely ridiculous and pathetic how when Clinton doesn't show emotion, she's criticised, and when she does show emotion like in this debate, she's still criticsed.

Mccain looked out of control and non-presidential. Romney responded well to the personal attacks. What an absolutely naive article!!!! I don't thing Rick Klein was watching the same debate. If so, he definitely has a thing against Romney.

If a man would have made comments in a similar tone as Hillary, they would have been given no attention. As a man, I am disappointed that other men are not acknowledging their own sexist attitudes that are influencing their perception of Hillary as a formidable candidate.

Don't confuse her passion and energy with "anger" or being a "bitter woman." Hillary truly did a great job in this debate. She stood her ground, but it seems as this is threatening to other men. Don't let your issues with seeing a powerful, intelligent, and capable woman cloud the reality that she is ready to lead our country and bring about the change we need.

I think Clinton had a great debate. She was substantive and presented herself as the candidate with the best experience to face the trying times ahead. It's surprising that you find Clinton's defense of herself as a low point. I thought it was a high point because she clearly distinguished herself from Obama and the other candidates in a positve way. I think that what she is encountering (from you and others) is the backlash (subliminal or not) of being the first woman candidate for president with a real shot at winning. (And, I am a male.) On virtually every level, she is the best Democratic candidate running. She's tested enough, tried enough and true enough to actually get things done, rather than just talk about getting things done. Talking about change is easy. Getting it done requires a dedication to hard work and sharp elbows. She's got my vote!

Hillary would do herself more good if she could only speak in more dignified way, and more respectful terms to others. Instead, she looks proud, and I might say also now harried, shrill and worried. Obama speaks with ease and confidence, as you would expect from the President of the United State and leader of the free world. Furthermore, there is a veiled racial undertone in many of her assertions against Obama. President Clinton used to speak of a more perfect union. Can the Clintons show at this time that they really believe in what they were saying, instead of being consumed with a sense of entitlement? Funny enough, this kind of challenge faced another well-known liberal Democrat, Dean Rusk. He failed the test when he disappoved of a blackman marrying his daughter! Finally, while one must agree the Clinton years in the White House was good for America, there were also many missteps in the Clinton years. And if Republicans believe in dynastic rule, Democrats of all people must reject it! That is where Obama's inspiration and sense of change count most.

I have to say that Hillary came off as a person that gets flustered very easily and she definitely has resorted to mudslinging.....you could see her stewing! She talks about the economy and her 'experience', but the wheels of change started when Bill began ruining our economy and his inner sanctum started talking about 'recession' right near the end of his term. The Clinton White House gave China the keys to the Cadillac (so to speak), never came up with a health care reform remedy (Hills pet project), told us it took a village to raise a child (how about parental responsibility?), and furthermore Bill embarrassed our nation by having extra-marital affairs (as a Commander in Chief that is unacceptable); And this does not include the horrendous military cuts. As a Democratic, you have to put your vote in for either Obama or Edwards as they showed class, hunger and a general likability about them.......And if I hear Richardson talk one more time about his experience in the Energy Dept., I think I'll puke. Best Regards to all.

I agree Hillary has more experience than Obama. But experience at what? Putting the best spin on she and her husband's performance as President and First Lady? I refuse to relive the past deceptions and attacks I remember during their tenure in the Whitehouse. They were so good at it! I think Obama or Edwards, either one, would at least give us their honesty DAY ONE as President. And their hopefulness and passion exceeds experience alone.

Romney deserved all he got and then some.

For someone to have the chutzpah to run negative ads on opponents attacking them on something he himself supported as recently as 2006 (immigration reform)

that takes a lot of chutzpah and or arrogance.

so slick boy Mitt deserved all the headslaps he got

And then some

I thought McCain's continual personal attacks on Romney were childish. I was undecided before tonight on McCain but now I know I will definitely not vote for McCain. I will either vote for Romney or Rudy G.

Bogey: Romney has not been dishonest about anything in his comparative ads! He has not responded with personal attacks like Mccain and Huckabee. He is definitely a more refined individual and much more capable of representing this country with dignity.

Hillary Clinton for too long was riding atop the polls by flaunting her name and using meaningless slogans besides having a large war chest. She, however, lacked substance and her claim of 35 years of representing change is questionable. The Senator's voting record and rhetoric, such as authorizing and funding the Iraq War, are at odds and quite hypocritical. In my judgment, Senator Clinton represents what needs to be changed, whining politicians who wish to have it both ways, such as support President Bush's wars while at the same time oppose them. You can not have it both ways. Sorry, Senator, you do not represent change at all but merely a continuation of what's wrong with our system.

It's alarming that some folks still support or defend Romney. We need to pass out some snake oil detectors.