Watching the veep debate

Bush needs to take debate lessons from Cheney

I would have to say they are doing pretty evenly, with a cheney edge. Its been more of a mud throwing fight so far.

Watch Edwards's body language. He's got quite rattled and was actually trembling (not out of fear just adreneline).

Cheney knows the stuff so well that he's just coming across as incredibly knowledgeable while Edwards looks like he's just memorized talking points.

I have to agree completely here. Edwards is showing himself to be something of a poor choice at this time. I know it has been 4 long years, but I recall Sen Leiberman (sp?) coming off much better.

Lieberman was much better. Edwards looks totally out of his depth.

Realize people Edwards has never done a debate before, he is a first term senator, or maybe second I don't recall.

Considering that this is how the 'debate' is going:

Element from fact set A
Element from fact set B
Element from fact set A
Element from fact set B

How can we determine a winner? Any 'conclusion' from this 'debate' is just an airing of one's pre-existing opinions on the candidates and/or their platforms. I am not going to deny that this is not the case with myself in my declaration of preferring edwards's platform, in that I cannot see the events which the bush campaign so desperately needs to be true in being that.

I prefer Bush's platform but recognized that Kerry creamed Bush in debate #1.

However, here, I think it's pretty clear that Cheney is really squashing Edwards. He had a Lloyd Bensten moment even.

I am not watching, but listening. from what I hear I think it is fairly close, but every time I hear Ed asking what a question is about,
it makes me see that he is losing. That and the twisted facts he has pulled out as i type make me think he's done.

Yea, he lawyers a lot of his statistics.  He really got burned with the "Coalition" casualties qualifier.

I am even more impressed with the political astute person that Cheney is.
Also Edwards was talking about Tax Cuts, which is opposed to Kerry's Tax Raises.
Also that little remark from Cheney 'I am President of the Senate and in the three plus years that I have been in that job this is the first time I have met Senator Edwards' something along those lines.
- GX

Yea, that was a lloyd bensen moment.

I think Cheney should do a Rodney Dangerfield moment in Memorial of the Great Comedian.

- GX

Obviously, we're all politically biased.

I would say that both candidates are doing fine. Dick Cheney is no George Bush. Edwards is doing much better than he did at points during the Democratic Primary. My guess is that this debate will be a wash: the current momentum will continue until the Second Presidential Debate, this Friday.

Realize people Edwards has never done a debate before, he is a first term senator, or maybe second I don't recall.

Not relevant.

I've heard a rumor that Edwards and Kerry have a PLAN, and that it is clear and consistent. What it is I have no idea.

prefer Bush's platform but recognized that Kerry creamed Bush in debate #1.

Whereas I prefer Kerry's platform but have to admit that Cheney won this one hands down.

It's just about over and I think it's clear Cheney won.

It's not so much that Edwards did badly but that Cheney did so well. Edwards just isn't as experienced at this kind of thing.

i agree with draginol. they both pulled things out of their asses... like cheney and malpractice insurance.

We are placing too much on who looked better or sounded better. We need to look at where we are about issues like:

Our Security, jobs, deficit, Education, Healthcare, Social Security. How has Bush solved these issuers or made them better during the past 3 3/4 years. Why would we keep anyone as President that has not done the job.

like cheney and malpractice insurance.

What about Cheney and malpractice insurance?  It's quite common knowledge that Edwards was quite succesful at making money off insurance companies for medical claims.  A typical doctor pays about $65,000 a year in malpractice insurance.  That means that he/she has to see 1,000 patients (that is 19 per week) at $65 each just to pay for the insurance even if they never do anything wrong.  Lawyers like Edwards helped cause that problem, now Edwards is talking about how we need to reform the one thing that made him rich.

I thought is was quite classy that Cheney didn't pull him through the mud with that one, as he really could have.

Reply #21 By: COL Gene - 10/6/2004 8:25:48 AM We are placing too much on who looked better or sounded better. We need to look at where we are about issues like: Our Security, jobs, deficit, Education, Healthcare, Social Security. How has Bush solved these issuers or made them better during the past 3 3/4 years. Why would we keep anyone as President that has not done the job.

*Col* I'd like to ask you something. Can you explain to me just how Kerry/Edwards are going to solve these issues that you quote?

I agree we need to change malpractice but that alone will not come close to solving the health care cost issue. I was glad Edwards agreed a change is needed and that both candidates agree on something. They both agree that nuclear materials in the hands of terrorists is the most dangerout issue facing America.

Reply #24 By: COL Gene - 10/6/2004 8:59:14 AM I agree we need to change malpractice but that alone will not come close to solving the health care cost issue. I was glad Edwards agreed a change is needed and that both candidates agree on something. They both agree that nuclear materials in the hands of terrorists is the most dangerout issue facing America

Col you *still* have not answered my question. Or is it because you don't know the answer to it? Can you explain to me just how Kerry/Edwards are going to solve these issues that you quote?