Thread by @ezraklein

1. That was an extremely well moderated debate, and though it's not precisely the candidate set I wish had made it to this round, the smaller stage created a much clearer conversation.

2. That debate was Biden's best showing, by far. I don't find his view of Republican cooperation likely, but his point that he has more reason than anyone to loathe the GOP, and he'll still do his damndest to work with them, is really good politics.

3. It was also a strong Bernie debate. How has he only gotten funnier and more energetic since having a heart attack?

I want to know the diet and workout secrets of Bernie Sanders, is what I'm saying.

4. Warren started leaning on her anti-corruption case more heavily tonight, which I've been waiting/hoping she'll do. I don't think it quite connected, but there's something powerful there. She needs a policy symbol, like the 2 cent wealth tax, that makes it tangible.

5. Buttigieg was everyone's target and he held up fine under fire, but it was a tougher night for him.

If Biden wins the nomination, there will be so many postmortems about the time the other candidates spent attacking Buttigieg, who is in 4th place, rather than Biden, in 1st.

6. I seem to be alone in thinking it doesn't make sense for Klobuchar to make Buttigieg her target — she needs to win over his voters specifically, and they like Buttigeg! — but she made herself a central player tonight, and that's a win for her.

7. Yang continues to act as an interesting decency chorus bringing up issues other people don't. He's right that AI competition with China is a huge deal. I'm glad he's been on-stage. I don't think the Freedom Dividend would have as many knock-on effects as he promises.

8. The existence of Steyer's campaign is part of what's wrong with politics, but in the Christmas spirit, a billionaire blowing money to challenge other candidates to prioritize climate change isn;'t...terrible. He could've just funded an Inslee superPAC tho.