The yearlykos crowd was Edward's to lose and Hillary's to lose. Edwards was passionate but in a demagogic way that talked down to the crowd. And he was the first candidate to get aggressive and attack the others (not counting Gravel) which did not play well in this crowd. Edwards, while super bright, comes across as a preening peacock who is using the populist shtick to win the office. And his answer that he would appoint Elizabeth Edwards as his White House blogger (a non-brainer question asked of all the candidates) was sour on two counts - he used his wife inappropriately and hey don't we want to stop the nepotism now!!!!

Hillary did fine. I think she emerged as many people's second choice if not their first. She comes across as competent and knowing and her answer on the contributions side was pretty straightforward. The guy who blew that question was Edwards, who was rendered speechless by Kucinich when Kucinich asked Edwards if he would forego contributions from hedge fund managers. Hey - it was a sophisticated crowd. How can you not take money from the lobbyists but take money from the guys who hire the lobbyists?

And Obama is showing his strength day by day. He was knowledgeable, quick on his feet and had a keen sense of humor. He did not talk down to the crowd.

One major event that has escaped notice is that the Teamsters co-sponsored yearlykos and James Hoffa thought it important enough that he showed up to host a barbecue for attendees. When the Teamsters ally themselves with progressives things are happening; I suspect stories about how moribund the labor movement do not reflect gains being made in organizing workers and addressing the vast discontent that exists in the American work force.