Had to watch Inspector Lynley (who should be tall and fair) after the South Carolina, um, excitement, so my impressions are a bit delayed.

Unsurprisingly, Harry Reid’s colleagues ran from his war is “lost” assessment.

The most experienced candidate on foreign policy failed to show it with his plan for Iraq. Bill Richardson would withdraw all U.S. troops by the end of the year and use this (huge security vacuum) to “leverage” all the warring parties to come together. Then Iran and Syria would join the felicitous factions to help bring peace to the region.

The awkward/elephant in the room questions were awfully uneven. John Edwards – “about that haircut?” Clinton – “why do Republicans want to run against you?” Richardson – “Hispanic solidarity with Alberto Gonzales?” Senator Dodd made a reference to the need for “experienced” leadership, but otherwise the non-fringe candidates avoided even little shots at one another. Senator Gravel seems capable of physical assault

Veteran senators undercut the case for their indispensable leadership when they note the decades (Dodd- 26 years, Biden-30 years) they have been working on persistent problems.

In a show of hands, some indicated they had a gun in their house as adults. (Not Hillary, or Bill would likely be dead).

Limited to living justices (so slim choice), Justice Ginsburg is the big favorite.

Dennis Kucinich: “As President of the United States, I intend. . . ” Chilling.

To reform health care, John Edwards will raise taxes, Hillary Clinton says she doesn’t have to.

Asked about how they would deploy the military should there be terrorist attacks, Barack Obama began his answer with “first responders” while Senator Clinton spotted the question’s point/gift by saying “retaliate” and “destroy them.” She was prepared.

To do his personal bit for the global warming crisis, Senator Obama’s family is “working” on changing their lightbulbs. (Of course, that could take some work if his house were the size of John Edwards’).

Looong pause before John Edwards could come up with his “moral leader.”

Overall, I thought a comfortable and self-confident Obama held his own on a stage with far more seasoned politicians. But his demeanor was more impressive than his content.

The only obvious mistake of the evening was failing to figure out how to deny podiums for Kucinich and Gravel.