Christopher Hitchens writes in Vanity Fair about his debate with Tony Blair in Toronto last November.

Blair on the platform was an almost complete contrast. He virtually pantomimed reaction: smiling readily if a joke was at his expense, wincing here and there, spreading his palms resignedly once or twice. Yet this body candor, too, can have its iffy aspect, like Clinton biting his fat lip in fake empathy. I couldn’t quite make up my mind until after the debate was over.

Even after trouncing his opponent in the debate, Hitchens went on to summarize the debate by pointing out the more admirable qualities of his opponent. Using any objective standard, well-rehearsed atheists will win every debate but we need to avoid the urge to keep kicking them while they’re down. Hitchens always stays classy. Even in victory, he stays humble and maintains respect for his opponent which guarantees he’ll always be invited back.