Insiders say Hillary Clinton was the clear winner of the first Democratic debate

Hillary Clinton at the first Democratic debate.

(Image credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Hillary Clinton did so well in the first Democratic debate that even Republicans are marveling. One New Hampshire Republican told Politico: "She stood out as a leader, charismatic and personal. It may have been an out-of-body experience." Democrats agree. In an informal survey of "top activists, operatives, and strategists" in early primary states, Politico found that a whopping 79 percent of the Democratic insiders it polled said that Clinton "dominated her four opponents onstage" — and 54 percent of the Republicans it surveyed agreed.

"I think that everyone walked into this debate looking for her to make a mistake, and she didn't," an Iowa Democrat told Politico. "On top of that, Sanders' lack of preparation showed, and O'Malley was trying too hard to look presidential to be effective." Insiders commented that she managed to "come across as both 'presidential' and accessible" and that she showed a clear "command of the issues" while maintaining a sense of humor. "For crying out loud," one Democrat said, "she made a joke about women taking longer in the bathroom!"