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All eyes were on ABC last night as they held the first debate since the Iowa caucuses. Martin Kettle and I sorted out provisions for the night (it was going to be a long evening with almost four hours to watch) and made ourselves comfortable in my fairly generously-sized hotel room.
On the Republican side, everyone would be looking at Mitt Romney - after his Iowa defeat could he hold his line and carry on? And he would have to watch out for McCain, his principal challenger in New Hampshire, and McCain likes to make impact on these kind of occasions. For others, like Mike Huckabee this was going to be something to get through.
Expectations for Obama in New Hampshire are now enormous, and the slightest sign of uncertainty or talking around subject would be seized on. He is for the first time on the defensive rather than on the attack. Clinton on the other hand needed to reassure everyone she is still credible.
As we tucked into our vegetable chilli and sipped our beers, Martin gave me a running commentary.
