There weren't any fireworks last night, but it was a decent debate. Brian Williams did a good job moderating 8 candidates and it was a good format. Here is my analysis:

Barack Obama: On balance, I think he had a great debate. He gave great answers on Iraq, campaign finance reform, a woman's right to choose, and the Palestinian / Israeli conflict. I thought his best line was that the "confederate flag belongs in a museum." He proved why he is a top tier candidate. I don't think his microphone was turned up all the way and his voice seemed soft as a result. Also, Obama had the most presidential neck tie.

Hillary Clinton: She had a strong performance. I got a little bit squeamish when she started talking about her efforts in the 90s to reform health care, but I though she summed it up nicely as a learning experience. She seemed well prepared and was not visibly surprised by any of the questions. I thought her strongest answer was on the hypothetical bomb question. She stated that she would retaliate swiftly. I liked that answer and Governor Richardson came back to the question to basically repeat Hillary's answer. She honestly impressed me.

John Edwards: 2004 Edwards would have dominated this debate. 2007 Edwards stared like a deer in the headlights when asked about his haircuts and who his moral leader was. How do you not have a good joke response to this haircut issue yet?! Edwards seemed woefully unprepared and unpolished, which isn't like him at all. What kind of a campaign manager lets Edwards wear that unpresidential purple neck tie? Overall, I thought he had a poor performance given the expectations of a top tear candidate. I don't think this debate will hurt him that much, but I know John Edwards can do better than he did last night.

Joe Biden: He gives these "come on jack, let's get it right" type answers that work as a Senator, but not as a presidential candidate. Biden did have a great answer when asked whether he would be more careful with what he says as the nominee of the party by simply saying "yes." Brian Williams let the silence hang for a second and it got a good laugh. However, Joe Biden is not a funny guy. He tried several times to make these "but seriously" jokes that were pretty bad. Overall, an average debate for him.

Bill Richardson: Every time the camera cut to him, he had this expression on his face like he was in pain. That said, this is clearly a very smart man. He can take foreign policy questions and point to the fence with his bat and then knock it out of the park. I was surprised by how quickly Richardson wanted troops out of Iraq. He also gave a good answer when asked about the 2nd Amendment. He had a good showing.

Chris Dodd: He had a good answer on the difference between civil unions and marriage. He seems like a stand up guy who should also drop out of the race and work within the party. The reality is that no one supports him and his campaign has become a punch line for late night comics like Jon Stewart. He should save face and drop out.

Kucinich: His Iraq War plan is H.R. 1234. How was that not taken? Kucinich was his usual self. His answers to our nations problems are theories rather than applicable solutions. He should be thankful that Mike Gravel was on the stage because he made Dennis look moderate.

Mike Gravel: What a dick. He got pissy with Brian Williams because he wasn't getting enough attention. How did this guy even get on stage? Go back to Alaska.

Overall, it was a good debate. I proud that we have so many qualified candidates running and I hope the Republicans have a similar event.