(CNN) Almost 24 hours to the moment when President Donald Trump was impeached by the House, the seven top Democratic candidates running to replace him debated one another in Los Angeles on Thursday night.

I watched the debate, tweeted and jotted down a bunch of notes. My thoughts on the best and worst from the night that was are below.

WINNERS

Amy Klobuchar: The Minnesota senator benefited the most from the smaller number of candidates on stage. She got to talk a LOT more than in past debates and used that time very, very well. She started strong -- outshining her competitors with her answer on how to convince the public that the impeachment was the right move. Time and time again in answer after answer, Klobuchar drove home her basic message: I'm from the Midwest. I'm a woman. I get things done. And, she effectively took it to South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg over his dismissiveness of service in the Senate. An excellent debate performance when Klobuchar really needed one.

Joe Biden: I'm not sure whether it was the smaller number of candidates on stage or a renewed confidence in his status as the front-runner in the race. But, what I am sure of is that -- from beginning to end -- this was the former vice president's best debate, by a lot. His answer on the need to build consensus and work with Republicans -- noting that he more than anyone else on the stage had reason not to like Republicans who have spent attacking he and his son, Hunter, for months -- was his best answer in any debate. Biden's response to questions about his age -- he said age brought him much-needed experience and wisdom -- was self assured and solid. Biden was simply more confident and competent Thursday night -- just look at how he directly took on Sen. Bernie Sanders on "Medicare for All" -- than he has been in prior debates.

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