In the Democratic debate in New Hampshire Wednesday night, John Edwards, languishing in third place in national polls and recently overtaken by Hillary Clinton in his "firewall" state of Iowa, took the gloves off. According to reports, that is - I didn't watch it. Nothing against the Democrats, though - I don't watch the Republicans either, anymore (I'll tune in for Fred's first, though). Until both parties get rid of the dead weight also-rans who merely waste time and oxygen with their futile responses, they can count me out from now on.

So I'll rely on Steve Holland and Ellen Wulfhorst of Reuters to bring the report to you:

Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, a distant third place in most national polls and needing a breakthrough performance, led the attack against Clinton on the campus at Dartmouth College.

With the Democratic left-wing demanding a hasty U.S. timetable out of Iraq, Edwards criticized the New York senator for not ruling out that U.S. troops might engage in some combat missions in Iraq if she were to win the 2008 election.

"To me that's a continuation of the war," Edwards said. "Combat missions mean that the war is continuing. I believe the war needs to be brought to an end."

Edwards' broadside put Clinton on the defensive at a time when she is enjoying a comfortable lead in opinion polls and trying to appear above the fray. But there was no sign that the debate would prompt a major shake-up in the Democratic field.

"There may be a continuing counter-terrorism mission," she said, while adding that "the vast majority" of American troops would be out of Iraq by the end of her prospective first term in 2013.

Read it all at the link above. Hillary won't even commit to withdrawing "the vast majority" until SIX YEARS FROM NOW! Patrick Ruffini was right! She must be convinced she can win the nomination without the frothing-at-the-mouth anti-American left, and is trying to appeal to normal American voters (with an eye on the general election already). She did throw the losers a bone by voting against the Senate Resolution condemning the MoveOn.org NYT ad libeling General Petraeus, a meaningless gesture which will be long forgotten fourteen months from now.

John Edwards deserves congratulations for finally growing (or, more likely, renting) a pair. Of course, it would have been difficult to get his wife Elizabeth onstage to do the wet work. It seemed to work, though - Hillary was rattled, but managed to forestall a full-scale rebellion:

As Clinton fixed a chilly stare on him, Biden hurriedly added: "When I say old stuff, I'm referring to policy, policy."

Reports that Biden actually peed his pants remain unconfirmed at this hour. Obama stayed aloof, yet audaciously hopeful - or was it hopefully audacious? Or dopefully bodacious? I forget which, and don't care enough to look it up.

Sorry for the second-hand prose, but, hey - not bad play-by-play for a guy who didn't watch, eh?

UPDATE: If you don't believe me, check out "The Indispensable Jim Geraghty" - he was drinking through the debate, but who wouldn't if they had to watch it?: Watching Hillary Stumble a Bit in a New Hampshire Sports Bar