The Finale

Charles Gibson, the moderator, turns to the “R Word,” or the recession. Just what are the candidates going to do about the economy?

Clinton wants to lift the Bush tax cuts on families who make more than 250,000 dollars.

Gibson claims that will put a family of two professors in that 250,000 plus category. The audience laughs, and so do the candidates. (I wonder where those professors are?) Gibson has been the real star of this debate.

Gibson has been "fascinated," he says, referencing the "618" debates these candidates have already had. "Tell me one of those things in those debates you wish you hadn't said," he says, posing the final question.

What a way to end!

Clinton rambles a bit, Gibson says he'll "let her off on specificity."

Richardson drops the JFK bomb for the second time in this debate (his idol, he says, which seems a dangerous move considering how often JFK and BHObama are compared). He says he regrets his choice of favorite Supreme Court Justice in a prior debate (a question he answered with, "dead or alive?") and gets some laughs from the audience.

Edwards says, "If you're gonna pick the one for me, it's when I made the horrendous mistake of teasing Hillary about her jacket. And I want her to know, I think you look terrific tonight." Coy smile from Hillary, in her emerald green shirt and black jacket.

Obama drops his key phrases ("ending the politics of fear") and talks about bringing the American people together. Wait, did you hear the question, Barack? Interesting.

And with that non sequitor, the debate comes to a close. Who won?

George Stephanopolous thinks everyone was tired. Yeah, Iowa will do that to you.