Cheney May Kill Kerry's Momentum in Tonight's Debate

Published on October 5, 2004 By blogic In Politics

I think left wingers are underestimating Cheney's chances against Edwards, in the debate tonight. For one thing, they're overestimating how well Edwards will do. Edwards is great in front of a jury, where he can pace around and emote about the victims of corporate policies, but the debate rules stipulate that he'll be stuck sitting behind a table tonight. Like many good stage actors, Edwards has never fared as well when forced to move less, and perform in a more intimate environment.

While the Left loves to demonize Cheney and email photos of his face with his jaw clenched in anger, he usually comes off as calm in his public speeches. For example, consider his performance at the Republican Convention: Zell Miller came off as angry an unhinged, while Cheney made similar points but successfully maintained the demeanor of a college professor. Cheney will calmly argue that the mission in Iraq -- painful as it is -- is making Iraq freer and America safer.

Comments

rugbyshawn

on Oct 05, 2004

I agree. I remember after the Cheney/Lieberman debate that some people (including a few pundits of course) felt that both tickets should have been switched because of how well both did at a sit down talk about the issues. I'd expect a similar performance by Cheney tonight.

landen81

on Oct 05, 2004

If Cheney's defense is good. But I believe that Edwards is very underestimated. I think that this debate will look like Edwards putting Cheney on trial painting Cheney as a criminal. If this is how it looks, Cheney could be the anchor that sinks Bush.

ggibas

on Oct 05, 2004

I wonder what the ratings will be for this debate. Usually the VP debates don't get as much interest as the presidential debates.

CrispE

on Oct 05, 2004

blogic:

I think the 2 keys to the debate are Edwards ability to highlight Cheney's statements about Kerry's election inviting a terror attack and the lack of a plan in Iraq.

I think that Cheney's keys are citing Edwards inexperience and indeciveness.

Whichever is able to draw out the other's weakness will gain the offensive and win. The problem in this is that neither is going to be easy to draw out. Cheney will stay with "sound byte politics" and Edwards will recognize that attacking Cheney's performance as Vice-President is a non-issue.

Myrrander

on Oct 05, 2004

When I first saw this article title, I thought it just said "Cheney may kill Kerry"

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