Des Moines Register debate on Dec 13, 2007 - John Edwards was passionate and compassionate, charismatic, energetic, smart and strongly populist-progressive, but seen by detractors as superficial, hypocritical, flip-flopping, inexperienced, and lacking concrete workable plans.
CNN Debate in Las Vegas, November 15, 2007, moderated by Wolf Blitzer - Whether by coincidence or design, the CNN Democratic debate in Las Vegas was hardly impartial.
NBC News/Philadelphia Debate, October 30, 2007, moderated by Brian Williams, Tim Russert - John Edwards, gifted trial attorney, emerged at last night's debate, and he made me grateful I'll never face him in a courtroom or in debate. If Edwards' plan was to take the Clintons down using their own street-savvy rumble tactics, he executed his plan superbly.
ABC News/Iowa Debate, August 19, 2007, moderated by George Stephanopoulos - If Clinton played it safe, John Edwards played it soft and easy, with loads of semi-goofy charm. I agree with New York Times blogger Katharine Seelye who sniffed that "Mr. Edwards didn't seem to be much of a factor here." John Edwards was at his best orating on the issue of trade agreements.
CNN-YouTube Debate, July 2007, moderated by CNN's Anderson Cooper - John Edwards excelled in the give-and-take of the YouTube format. And for the first time in the debates, he moved beyond rote talking points and into passionate discussion. I noticed that he was the ONLY top candidate who listened respectfully to all the YouTube questioners and other candidates.
PBS-Howard University debate, June 28, 2007, moderated by Tavis Smiley - John Edwards was not on his game. He looked frazzled all evening, and his responses to the questions often sounded like recitation of talking points.
California Democratic Convention, April 28-29, 2007 - John Edwards surprised me with his charisma and effectiveness at connecting with the delegates. He worked the convention floor brilliantly, pressing the flesh as he made an entrance worthy of a heavy-weight boxer. To my memory, neither Hillary nor Obama set foot on the convention floor.
DNC Winter Kick-Off Meeting, February 1-3, 2007 - Ebullient and glowing, John Edwards started his remarks with six wrenching stories meant to touch his audience's heart and win their loyalty. His remarks, though, were long on emotion and dramatic storytelling, and short on details or solutions.