Who Can Best Bring About Change?

The first question of the night was on whether any of the candidates were committed to real change -- a nice start for the Obama campaign.

"People have an urgent desire for change in Washington," said Obama, emphasizing that his career as a community organizer gives him a different perspective than the other candidates on the stage.

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton sought to grasp the change mantle as well, speaking for all the Democrats on stage. "We are united for change," she said. "We cannot take another four or eight years of Democratic leadership. The issue is which of us is ready to lead on day one."

She added she had a 35 year record of being an "instrument and agent of change."

-- Chris Cillizza