WASHINGTON — One might have viewed the parade of two Democrats and one Republican vying to be president as playing to the audience filled with newspaper editors and publishers from across the country.

But if the walk-away reactions serve as measures, all offered pluses combined with a few toe stubs that may result from fatigue, script or being saddled with unpopular issues, words or politicians.

Three U.S. senators, Democrats Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama and Republican John McCain, offered few insights into their innermost thoughts but did allow glimpses of punching, counter-punching and life on the political road.

Sen. McCain entered the Obama-is-an-elitist fray, pointing out that those who have faith and/or carry a gun are the “people who made (America) great ... the heart and soul of the country.”

Two weeks ago, Sen. Obama offered his insights into the bitterness of small-town voters. How a well-rehearsed politician steps into a self-instigated firestorm is difficult to understand until you hear his answers to questions.

There is a tendency to forget that the three remaining presidential contenders are senators, and that means they hone their oratorical skills on the floor of the U.S. Senate where sentences often ramble, with little punctuation. As the Illinois Democrat responded to editors’ questions, his answers took on the familiar ring of a Senate floor statement that has not been corrected by staff before being printed in the Congressional Record.

So his answer to a question at a private fund-raiser in San Francisco two weeks earlier may have rambled through numerous peaks and valleys before coming to an end. Somewhere in that answer were the fateful words about small-town people.

While Sen. McCain tagged Sen. Obama with a verbal faux pas, the Arizona Republican also attempted to put some distance between himself and President Bush. There was not a lot of running room there.

The Democratic contenders, Sen. Obama and Sen. Clinton, left no doubt as to the linkage between Sen. McCain, the presumptive GOP nominee, and Mr. Bush.

Iraq, secrecy, tax cuts for the wealthy, health care, climate change (not global warming), and economic dislocation were but a few of the items on the Bush/McCain critique offered by the remaining two Democratic contenders for president.

The major difference between the two Democrats was delivery of the message.

Sen. Obama used a TelePrompTer, something that apparently he does infrequently, and it showed. The spontaneity that comes across from campaign speeches in primary states was missing. One reporter who covers the Obama campaign said the message prop was used because of the direct attack on McCain. Perhaps that is so, but the result was minus the usual quips and engagement that typify his appearances.

Sen. Clinton spoke from a text, infrequently looking at the words — a clear sign that either this was well-worn verbiage or she has a tremendous ability to memorize.

Style points do not count and it is apparent the candidates have moved past the beauty contest phase of the campaign.

Sen. McCain mentions only Sen. Obama. Sen. Obama links Mr. Bush and Sen. McCain. Sen. Clinton makes a similar linkage.

All that remains is for the Democrats to pick between their two, either one of whom becomes a first in terms of gender or race to challenge for the presidency.

The fall lineup, if not exciting on television, will certainly be on the campaign trail.