The August 19 Democratic Debate

The Democratic Candidates
Charlie Neibergall / AP

Hillary Clinton

Grade: A-
Article Tools
Print
Sphere
RSS

Careful preparation and cool confidence pay off again. The balance between her iron side and her sunny side was consistently strong and strongly consistent. Defended herself deftly (if evasively) against the charge that she is too polarizing to unite the country, and Edwards' insistence that she stop taking campaign contributions from lobbyists. She smoothly rendered her version of the Iraq War vote meta-mea culpa. Polished, if not quite perfect.

—Mark Halperin

Next: John Edwards >>

More Stories

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

Top Stories on Time.com