This was like a T-ball game, everybody gets to go home with a prize, no one's self-esteem was damaged.

Steve Pagliuca seemed thoughtful and calm, if a little stiff. I enjoyed it when he informed Capuano that the inner workings of Capitol Hill are not rocket science.

Mike Capuano was passionate, and well-informed about the inner workings of Capitol Hill (which are not, however, rocket science). He projected zero warmth, but certainly didn't hurt himself tonight.

Alan Khazei was relaxed and dynamic, a very good outing for a novice candidate. One too many references to his father being a doctor.

I don't know if Martha Coakley drinks, but if she does, champagne is in order tonight. Other than her opening-question fib about deciding to run for the seat only after Sen. Kennedy passed, she was flawless (if, at times, awfully vague). She did nothing to damage her frontrunner status, and, tellingly, nobody even tried to challenge her.

Your thoughts?