The August 19 Democratic Debate

Toned down his white-hot performances from recent debates, perhaps out of concern over Iowans' fabled distaste for negative politics. Played peacemaker on Iraq, reminding the audience that the Democratic candidates basically agree on a course of action, and praised the outsider comments Obama has made on foreign policy. Still, tried repeatedly to place himself between and above Clinton and Obama. He again criticized Clinton for accepting money from lobbyists, and even chided Obama for not showing enough hope. A dramatic, sturdy moment came when he said that prayer, while a big part of his life, could not stop the death of his son or his wife's cancer.

—Mark Halperin