We got home late, missed the news on the debate, and are now watching the rerun. Our thoughts:

Sharpton rocks, he has the best lines.

John Edwards was surprisingly good-- he's not giving our civil liberties over to Ashcroft--and he's got presence and dynamic delivery. Very telegenic. We think he's going to move up in the polls.

Kucinich made great points. He also makes the most sense. He'd repeal the Patriot Act.

Dean fell a little flat. Not enough personality or inflection when he talks.

Kerry is depressing.

Gephardt had some snap but we can't remember what he said. He needs a new line besides "miserable failure." That only works once.

Lieberman was like the elder statesman. He was also rude. He talked the longest after his time was over and he interrupted Dean and demanded an extra sentence.

Bob Graham was witty.

Carole Mosley Braun held her own.

So who won? No one yet (the second round just ended.) But we're glad we watched. It was good to watch nine politicians all bashing Bush and his policies.

Update: Graham just lost his witty description. He opposes same-sex marriage because marriage is for the purpose of nurturing children and that takes a man and a woman? Wow....

Edwards scores again with "College for Everyone." This man's going to move up in the polls, just watch.

Dean was good on gun control and the need for white people to talk to white people about race.

Carole Mosely Braun scores on the Patriot Act--she showed some real passion.

Kucinich: Bring the troops home. Get the U.N. in and the U.S. out.

Final Update: It's over. Here are our impact ratings--who made the greatest impression--

The losers: Graham, Gephardt, Kerry and Dean

Middle: Lieberman, Mosely Braun

Winners: Sharpton, Kucinich and Edwards

Best lines and quickest on his feet: Sharpton
Most personable: John Edwards
Stiffest: Howard Dean
Worst Closings: Gephardt and Graham