Illinois Senator Barack Obama
A deeply flawed performance—but good enough to continue his forceful push towards the nomination.
Substance: Did not attempt to demonstrate more specifics than in past debates—and clearly didn't think he had to. Threw out bromides-masquerading-as-policy on college costs and health care, but little else.
Grade: C+
Style: Brilliantly and poetically played the Democrats-all-agree-on-so-many-things card that Clinton regularly used when she was ahead. Also adopted her crowd-pleasing brand of anti-Bush rhetoric. Occasionally let her get under his skin just a tad, and sometimes flashed a bit of annoyance—perhaps making him seem ungracious.
Grade: B
Offense: Tweaked her just enough on her vulnerabilities (divisive image, failed health care effort in the early '90s, Iraq war) to keep her off balance.
Grade: A
Defense: Got the crowd on his side with his pushbacks on talk-versus-action and plagiarism charges—was calm and stylish and firm, if a bit chilly. Filibustered regularly, as if to run out the clock.
Grade: A-
OVERALL GRADE: B+
by Mark Halperin