This report gives factual information and a good overview of the sharp difference between Clinton's "fierce partisanship" and Obama's "conciliatory vision. Mostly quotes from the candidate speeches, no independent sources consulted.

Article covers a specific event that is indicative of this week's (or perhaps this minute's) dynamic between the top Democratic contenders in Iowa. The article touches on the issues of polls and the ways in which Obama and Edwards are distinguishing themselves from Clinton. The author analyzes their rhetoric and gives his opinion as to the quality of the discourse, giving Obama the highest marks and describing Clinton's speech as "a sometimes-clunky litany of alleged Republican misdeeds." Interesting to those who watch the day-to-day nuances of the race.

The story mainly covers the pap and atmospherics, rather than any incisive analysis of policies. It focuses on those candidates annointed by the corporate press and wealthy donors, and does not mention any of the other candidates. The coverage is adequate and unexceptional.

Not much explanation of the contrasting visions.