The Screwups of Campaign '08

Joe Raedle / Getty

Mistakes Were Made

Presidential campaigns are so carefully stage-managed that few things on the trail are as entertaining as the mistakes politicians' make on the trail. Throughout the 2008 race, check out TIME.com's ongoing chronicle of each candidate's gaffes, and then vote on just how big a screwup each one is

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Jan. 30 GOP Debate: McCain Keeps Momentum

As a testament to his suddenly strong position in the battle for the GOP nomination, says Mark Halperin, the Senator showed off all of his worst traits -- and still easily beat back Mitt Romney's desperate efforts to knock him off his perch

The Jan. 24 GOP Debate

Mitt has a moment -- just when he needed one. But for the rest of the field, it was a snooze-fest of missed opportunities

Dems Debate: Hand-to-Hand Combat

Analysis: Any dreams of a Clinton-Obama ticket were probably ended after their testiest encounter yet. Mark Halperin gives Obama the edge

The Republicans Go At Each Other

John McCain acted the confident frontrunner, Mike Huckabee was the regular guy, and Fred Thompson played attack dog. Mark Halperin scores the South Carolina debate

Democrats Debate: Prepping for Finals

Mark Halperin grades the candidates in their last joint appearance

Dems Debate: Clinton and Obama's No-Friction Debate

The tone was upbeat, the sparks few in the last Democratic encounter before Super Tuesday. Mark Halperin reviews both performances