"Carolina cage match..."

First Read (MSNBC):

** The Carolina Cage Match: Watching last night's Democratic debate
was much like the first time you witnessed a fight at lunchtime in high
school: It was exhilirating, memorable, and a bit horrifying at the same
time.

While it wasn't akin the rumble scene in the rain in "The Outsiders," it was easily the most heated debate to date. The candidates --particularly Obama and Clinton -- were, well, angry and it got personal.
Obama, in particular, seemed to have a lot he wanted to get off his chest. He began on the offense, but once Edwards got into the act, Obama was put on defensive, which we're guessing wasn't the game plan. Of course, when you're the candidate under fire, it usually means you're
ahead. And at least in South Carolina, that's where Obama is.

*** Debate 101: As we and others keep on saying, Obama has improved a
lot as debater since April. Nevertheless, he consistently got caught in a debate trap by responding to every charge with an explanation. It's a
stand-up thing to do, but it ends up putting him off message. And it allows for the attack to get more air time rather than the original point or message Obama meant to be heard. Clinton, by contrast, rarely
answers a charge directly and instead deflects by counter-punching, which shows her discipline. Of course, that difference epitomizes their candidacies: Clinton is the disciplined political street fighter, quick to score points against the opposition; Obama, meanwhile, tries to be transparent and accountable -- even as those goals, as last night's debate
sometimes showed, aren't always easy to achieve.

*** A More Polite Second Half: Obama seemed to get that he got a bit too hot, because in the second part of the debate, he refused a new chance to go after Bill Clinton a second time. And in this second half,
Obama was particularly strong: His answers on religion and his national security rebuttal to Clinton were very good. That strong second-half
performance will blunt any potential negative backlash he received in the first part. But, overall, the campaign probably believes they showed that
he's tough enough and they did want to continue to push the idea that the Clintons will say and do anything to win -- which could very well
be their chief weakness.

In fact, this will be the GOP narrative if
Clinton wins the nomination.

Howie P.S.: RAW STORY slices and dices as well, with video (10:47). Chris Cillizza presents side by side videos of the Obama and Clinton MLK speeches and today's WaPo's "Post Politics" page offers a gaggle of stories. The NY Times acts like "The Grey Lady" it is in its restrained coverage,"Obama and Clinton Tangle at Debate."

Barack Obama