Round 1 For The Dems Tonight

Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls, get ready for the first rumble between the Democratic candidates tonight. They are all preparing for the challenge, on the long road to the White House and the first debate will be important to come out looking good and strong to the party faithful.

Of course all eyes will be on Hillary, Obama and Edwards, but the other guys aren't small potatoes. Richardson has an impressive foreign policy record under his belt. There are three (former/current) Senators in the crowd, Biden, Dodd and Mike Gravel. Last but not least, we also have Dennis Kucinich, you know that guy from Ohio who happens to have an impeachment proceeding getting under way for VP Dick Cheney.

The big question tonight is who is going to come out on top. Although many of them will essentially agree on a host of issues, each one will try to stand out amongst their fellows, vying for respectability, higher poll numbers and of course eventual voters. Hillary starts out on top with Obama right behind her in the national polls. Edwards is a few points distant of them. The rest are still in the figurative dust. The debate takes place in the crucial southern state of South Carolina. Expectations are high for the top tier, but only a real live encounter will prove who has the stuff tonight.