1. Joe Biden. This is the third debate he’s won, and only the first one was close.

Biden has to show that he’s sharp and vigorous. He’s passed that test.

He has to hammer the most important difference between himself and his closest rivals: That they want to eliminate private insurance and they’ll raise taxes to pay for their health care plans. Poll after poll shows that health care is one of the top three issues for Democratic voters. And Biden is the guy sitting on the spot that says “let people keep their private insurance.” That’s good ground.

Finally, he has to continue to show voters why people like him. And more than anyone else on stage, he nailed this. Three examples…