The September 26 Democratic Debate

John Edwards and Joe Biden won points for taking the gloves off against Hillary, says Mark Halperin, while Obama played it a little too cool

Barack Obama

Democratic presidential hopeful Senator Barack Obama

Jim Cole / AP
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Overcame his pre-debate head cold and spoke firmly on national security, but created little explicit contrast with the frontrunner, except for one elbow thrown Clinton's way on her health care record. Cool, smart, likeable, and on message on Iraq, health care, and change — but at times a little shaky and tentative. Far from dominating the stage, he seemed to disappear for long stretches. Some forward progress — but not much.

—By Mark Halperin

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