MYRTLE BEACH, South Carolina (CNN) - John Edwards just gave a very skillful answer on a question that could have been a trap. He was asked about the historical candidacies of both Clinton and Obama, and what role gender and race will play in this year's election. He provided a convincing answer - that he isn't going to try to meddle in the process people use to choose a candidate - that sounded above the whole race-gender fray that has dominated that back-and-forth between Obama and Clinton of late.

- CNN Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider

MYRTLE BEACH, South Carolina (CNN) - Obama is sticking with his smart strategy tonight of avoiding the racial candidate label. He navigated a tricky question well, and reminded the crowd he's not running as a black candidate.  It was an answer that continues to go over very well.

- CNN Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider

MYRTLE BEACH, South Carolina (CNN) - As much as the economy is Hillary Clinton's issue, Iraq is Obama's issue. His answer on the human and emotional cost of the war really resonated with the audience. If the entire debate was on Iraq, Obama would likely win hands down.

Related: Watch Obama and Edwards discuss their Iraq war policies

- CNN Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider

MYRTLE BEACH, South Carolina (CNN) - Does Obama actually believe he can get all young people to buy health insurance? It'd have to be virtually free for that to happen. Most young people don't worry about getting sick and rarely feel at risk. If it's a car payment or health insurance, my guess is most young people would choose the car!

- CNN Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider

[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i.l.cnn.net/cnn/2008/images/01/21/art.obamadebate.gi.jpg caption=" Is Obama the man to beat in South Carolina?"]

MYRTLE BEACH, South Carolina (CNN) - This debate clearly proves Obama is the frontrunner - at least in South Carolina. The other two candidates are teaming up on him, and it's a role he's not accustomed to in debates. Hillary Clinton has always been the center of attention. How things can change!

Related: Watch Edwards and Obama spar over their voting records. 

[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i.l.cnn.net/cnn/2008/images/01/21/art.hrcdebate.ap.jpg caption=" Sen. Clinton has consistently claimed she is the most experienced Democratic candidate for the White House."]

MYRTLE BEACH, South Carolina (CNN) - Hillary Clinton is playing the experience card on this health care back and forth. She says she's been through the debate before, learned from mistakes, and knows how to get in done. The debate hall seems to be buying it.

- CNN Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider

MYRTLE BEACH, South Carolina (CNN) - John Edwards again needles Obama, this time over his health care plan not mandating coverage for all - Edwards is clearly not willing to be left out of the back and forth between the candidates. He wants in!

- CNN Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider

MYRTLE BEACH, South Carolina (CNN) - John Edwards is clearly competing for the anti-Clinton vote. The seeming alliance between these two is over. Edwards and Barack Obama are both chasing 'change' voters, and Edwards is trying to gain the upper-hand by echoing Hillary Clinton's criticisms on the Illinois senator's history of voting 'present' in the Illinois state Senate.

- CNN Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider

[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i.l.cnn.net/cnn/2008/images/01/21/art.hrc2.gi.jpg caption="The debate audience's reaction suggests the Clinton camp's recent attacks on Obama are backfiring."]
MYRTLE BEACH, South Carolina (CNN) - Hillary Clinton just drew the first boos of the night. She said Barack Obama doesn't take responsibility for his votes, and took issue with his 'present' voting in the Illinois Senate.

It's evidence the nastiness between the two is beginning to backfire.

- CNN Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider