Repat Teacher, (the "ex-" is not exactly accurate these days, is it? :))

I didn't get to watch the whole debate, but I've seen clips on several news shows. I was surprised by how critical Edwards was of Clinton. This was not his stance in 2004 and many observers seemed to think he was keeping his powder dry in the hopes of a VP nod, and it worked. I remember thinking during the Democrat National Convention of 2004 that in 2008 the race would be Edwards vs HRC, so I paid very close attention to HRC's words about Edwards when she spoke about the Kerry-Edwards ticket. She was mostly modest in her praise, but she gave some lines about Edwards that he could start using now. She liked him then.

She looked really weak when Edwards connected the dots from the night long attack on her nuancing to her nuancing of the NY illegal immigrant driver's license proposal. She basically walked right into the trap that Edwards and Obama laid all night. That showed really poor political skills on her part.

I suspect she'll take a hit in the next two weeks, but the machine, the money, the powerful and many supporters-- all this will exert a ballasting pull and she'll be back to a big lead. That's my hunch but I may be shown to be incorrect on either count soon.

Repat, I've got a question for you. Let's say, hypothetically, that Richardson fares poorly in the first 5 contests in January and February. At what point do you raise the white flag and consider which of the leaders to support? Do you carry a torch for Richardson all the way through the DNC in August of 2008? Or do you give up and jump on a bandwagon before that?

I realize Richardson may have lightening strike and he may get on a roll in the next couple of months. But, if that doesn't happen, how long do you carry the torch?

GL-

I can't change my name now. I've got a brand going. To rename myself would be to start all over in the blogosphere, but I'll accept your renaming as it is closer to the truth.

I think Hillary has really run on two things: unflappability and inevitability. You hear it all the time that she's faced the Republican attack machine and come out stronger. And you hear it ad nauseum that she will win the nomination because she has the money/name recognition/insider support, etc.

I'm not so convinced that her debate performance on Tuesday didn't really hurt her first claim. She looked very confused and within 2 minutes took both sides of the same argument. Edwards and Dood (to a lesser extent Obama - but he's always "to a lesser extent" on everything) really took her apart and she had two 'deer in the headlights' moments during the last 25 minutes of the debate.

If she doesn't win in Iowa, that hurts her inevitability argument. Then I think she crumbles like a house of cards because she really doesn't represent much of what the Democratic base wants. They want someone who supports their ideas and someone who can win the White House. If she doesn't have either going for her, she'll be out of the race on February 6th.

Re Richardson: I'm generally pleased with the Democratic nominees. I certainly like them more than the Republican ones. I believe each has a flaw, but I could see myself supporting them with a vote (although probably not time or money) in November. My support for Governor Richardson will probably extend until he concedes the race, if he needs to. I just don't think that will be the case. ;-)

Kucinich, hehe, I want to experience a Kucinich presidency for one day. One day of his, and one day of Paul's. These two remind me of the matter/anitmatter (libertarian/socialist?) dudes from old-school Star Trek.

[Really needed a picture of Bele and Lokai here...]

If Edwards becomes President, I'm expecting to join Kucinich among the fourteen percenters.

Come on, Expat. You can't blast Kucinich on the UFO business while keeping a straight face unless you also point out that Richardson made a point of saying that he would look into the classified Roswell UFO files. Seriously, while not quite as ridiculous as Kucinich's statement, it's up there with the great gaffes of the '08 campaign.

I know Richardson is your horse in this race, but didn't you find that comment the least bit embarassing for the Governor?

Look, Richardson was sorta baited and has recently asked about the Roswell incident at a campaign event.

All he promised was to release the files so that conspiracy theorists would get their questions answered. It is not the same as endorsing UFOs, like Kucinich. Richardson is simply endorsing governmental transparency...