The effect of all these debates

Steven Stark has an interesting column arguing that having all these debates with so many candidates there on the stage is just serving to solidfy the position of the frontrunners, particularly Hillary Clinton. I think there is a lot to his argument. While a one-on-one debate might help Obama or Edwards, being part of the crowd works to their detriment. Obama's big appeal was that he was different, but he's appearing as just one of the crowd every time he steps on that debate stage. If any candidate criticizes the frontrunner, they are not the ones to reap the benefit because they will appear as the negative voice up there.

So, contrary to popular wisdom that the challengers benefit more from debates by appearing on an equal basis with the frontrunner. But that dynamic fades when they're having a debate every few days and the whole crowd troops out there.