Mike Gravel
Benefited from the conversational format and gentle questioning, which allowed him to come across as more of a sagacious party elder than, say, an out-of-touch crank. Got applause when he advocated the legal sale of marijuana at liquor stores, and in touting his support for same-sex marriage, predicted that social attitudes toward the matter were changing so quickly that it wouldn't even be an issue in the 2012 election. Then took a shot at the frontrunners — Clinton, Obama, and Edwards — for not supporting same-sex marriage.
— By Mark Halperin