The Politico gives Edwards First Place in debate

[Adelante]

FIRST PLACE: John Edwards

Analysis: John Edwards has found a theme: He is angry and he is on your side. He is bold and he will use his boldness for you.

Here was his key response, his voice rising as he went along:

“Do you believe that compromise, triangulation will bring about big change? I don't. I think the people who are powerful in Washington -- big insurance companies, big drug companies, big oil companies -- they are not going to negotiate. They are not going to give away their power! The only way that they are going to give away their power is if we take it away from them!”

The triangulation line was a not so subtle whack at Bill Clinton and, presumably, Hillary Clinton. Edwards was not able to sustain his outrage for a full two hours, but he scored enough points throughout the debate.

We were forced to deduct 3.5 points, however, for his dumb attack on Hillary Clinton’s suit jacket. We like her suit jacket -- we thought it was a vision in coral -- but that is not why it was a stupid attack. Write this down, guys: Attack her policies, attack her past votes, attack her personality if you want to, but don’t attack what she is wearing. It looks sexist and cheap.

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