John Edwards

Displayed with mechanized efficiency the same confidence and warm populism that he has nearly perfected on the campaign trail. Talked about his family's working-class roots and the daily struggles of real Iowans with the silky polish of the world-class trial lawyer that he once was. If enough Iowa Democrats watched the debate, Vegas sharpies would be dumb as an ear of corn to bet too much against this guy in the caucuses.

—By Mark Halperin