Political Insider

Last night’s Democratic debate in Ohio was a tense affair and most analysts declared it a draw, but some important observations should be made.

Once again, Sen. Hillary Clinton was more prepared than her rival. Her grasp of public policy is as good as any candidate running for president in recent memory. She was also relentless in trying to open new lines of attack. However, Sen. Barack Obama survived both her volleys and those of the two moderators very well. For a frontrunner nearing the end of a campaign, survival is the goal. He can afford to give up points as long as he doesn’t get knocked down.

While many find Obama’s previous debate performances somewhat flat, it’s clear he’s gotten much better after twenty encounters. Obama has a remarkable ability to defuse attacks with his calm and collected tone. He even concedes points to his rival – something that is not usually seen among politicians at this level but is very disarming. It also makes him more likable to voters watching at home.

Note to Republicans, if Obama is the Democratic nominee: His best debate format is seated at a table with open ended questions.