MORE DEBATE CHATTER. Dana also made a useful observation before the debate, when CNN had four gray-haired, aging white dudes on to handicap a debate that was primarily between an African-American, a woman, a Hispanic, and a Southerner. The diversity of this field is genuinely impressive, and the monochrommatic political culture in which the race is taking place make it all the more striking. Somewhat relatedly, I remember back during the 2004 primaries when the stock post-debate spin was to say how much more presidential Brokaw or Stephanopoulos looked than the candidates. This was not the case with Blitzer, who was easily overshadowed by the actual contestants. And that's only partially because he's short. --Ezra Klein
