And they're off!

The first debate of the 2008 presidential campaign began with the Democrats and NBC's Brian Williams. Next week, Republicans and MSNBC's Chris Matthews. Just as NBC favors Democrats with its first team, leaving Matthews to badger the GOP, in his questioning Williams gave Hillary more chances than anyone else. I thought Hillary was terrific, until she said, "I was with the President on Afghanistan, but not when he went into Iraq." We'll see if the media picks up on that big gaffe. I suppose she may get a pass because her position is so clear (with him on Iraq then, not with him now), but maybe not.

Obama is for real. He handled a tough foreign policy question about "name our three biggest allies," mentioning China, but not calling it an ally. He first identified the EU and Japan, the correct answers, I would say. Next, one has to mention China, while qualifying that China is no ally.