Tonight's Democratic Debate

Tonight's debate is really important. With the Iowa Caucuses set for January 3, the Democratic candidates who aren't named Clinton have a limited amount of time to catch up to the front runner. (My spouse works for Hillary.)

Expect Obama to come out swinging about Social Security, portraying himself as a straight talked and Hillary as an obfuscator. Expect John Edwards to pound her on her vote to label the Iranian Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization which the former North Carolina senator will say gives President Bush a blank check for war with the Persian state. He'll also zap her for being to close to lobbyists. When I was with Edwards in Iowa last week he made frequent mention of the fact that an event for rural supporters of Hillary was held in the offices of a Monsanto lobbyist.

Biden and Dodd, who both voted against the Iran resolution, will probably ding her too. Kucinich needs to go after Edwards and Obama and false prophets of the anti-Hillary left. Gravel will prattle about his pet idea, a system of national referendums. Bill Richardson has one of his last chances to make his case. The former U.N. Ambassador, Energy Secretary, Congressman and current New Mexico governor has the best resume in the race but hasn't closed the deal with many voters. He's given weak debate performances. Tonight I think he rips into Edwards and Obama for vowing to leave U.S. troop presence in Iraq through 2013, albeit a residual force. With MSNBC hosting, expect Brian WIllams to ask a Katrina question and Tim Russert to hit hard on entitlements. Of course, I could be wrong.