Who was that masked man?

Like bookends on a shelf, Mike Gravel on one end and Dennis Kucinich on the other, were really the only two candidates in this debate who showed the actual courage to answer questions directly, uncompromisingly, and with a clear and committed advocacy for principles.

There were some wonderful moments (some amusing and some profound) for some of the other candidates, and Hillary, with a combination of crispness, strength of focus and amusing panache, clearly showed why she is the front runner in this race.

I found myself rather soundly disappointed by both Barrack and Edwards who, previously, had been my leading candidates because of what seemed like a focus on things that matter to me. Tonight however, faced with questions from "ordinary folks" they seemed to dodge and weave and ultimately fade.

My vote.... based on tonight's responses... goes to Dennis Kucinich, the only one with a directness, and a plan, that looks to the causes of war and poverty, and environmental degredation. Second to him, for much the same reason, was Mike Gravel, a man with standards, with a history, and with a strength of purpose that has been proved over time. Unfortunately, it seems pretty unlikely that either of these guys is going to make it through the crucible to the convention and beyond.

But they should! Because they tell the truth. When Mike Gravel stood up and proclaimed with deep conviction that yes, the people who died in Viet Nam died in vain, and that people dying now in Iraq are dying in vain, he cut to the heart of the matter. When people are killing and being killed for the benefit of the elite in this country and the government is making it happen, someone needs to say something that goes beyond a joke about Hillary's coat or Dennis's wife.

Mike Gravel has the courage to say something... Dennis Kucinich has the courage to say something. Hillary has strength, personality, and Bill on her side.

As for the debate itself... Gimme a break... It was a clever bit of cross-platform marketing, but did we really learn anything?

I don't think so... at least not very much.