That being said, the Zen-like focus involved in carving a dragon face on a pumpkin gave me a unique perspective on this debate. I hate to say it but I think the top three were Biden, Dodd and Edwards in that order. The losers were Richardson, Clinton and Obama – who seems to be afflicted with John Kerry syndrome; the inability to deliver a succinct point in under 30 seconds.

Of course, the question among the punditocracy will be some iteration of “did Hillary do so grievous as to cause her to lose her ‘front-runner’ status?” A straw man, or woman in this case which will ensure she does not fall more than five points in the polls.

Why won’t Richardson just run for the Senate already?

A better debate than usual, a better poerformance from the moderators than usual, and still not much that was new.

Winners (to play that game, which I don’t usually do): I agree with Kyle: Obama and Edwards. Dodd did himself some good but he’ll never break out of the pack. Biden was controlled and peppy for a change with only one answer I caught that tended to wander, but it’s a good performance that probably comes too late in the game to be of much use.

Losers: Hillary, who was off her game and teetering on the edge of a blowout. Her answers were a long series of dodgeball moves – Duck, Dive, Dip and Dodge – and she managed to say nothing of substance all night except her 30 secs on education. Richardson was embarrassing. Based on tonight, he’d be doing himself – and us – a favor by pulling out tomorrow morning. Not that he’s likely to show that much good sense.

Dennis was a wash. He didn’t hurt himself, he got off a number of good lines and made a few good points, but he clearly doesn’t belong. Enough already.

Again, thank you Mick, and I’ll catch everyone later.

Time to go home.

Mick, thanks so much for joining me for this, these things are always much better with someone else joining me.

My coverage just got cut.

Loudest applause/laughter of the night.

ARe you kidding?!?!?!!?!?!