illusionofjoy | Edwards vs. Cheney

Tonight, Cleveland's Case Western Reserve University hosted the Vice Presidential Debates. Unlike the first round of presidential debates, where John Kerry was the clear winner, this debate, based on the performance of the candidates in the arena alone, was quite close. Despite being an unlikable character, Dick Cheney is an astute orator. Both he and John Edwards were on their toes for the duration of this discourse, which at certain points became quite heated as neither man refused to yield. It was a debate of two men on the offensive, neither of whom were willing to back down. To John Q Blue-Collar American public, this may look like a draw.

However, I am not John Q Blue-Collar American public, but a guy who took several public speaking courses during my college tenure. While presentation earns one many points towards "winning" a debate, a clear command of the facts will take one even further in that pursuit. Being as such, Edwards had the advantage. While Cheney effectively reinforced what George Bush had said - or had tried to say - during the presidential debates, the repetition of those words did not change the core problem: the majority of what Cheney was saying was either a misrepresentation of the facts or an outright lie. Edwards' greatest asset was having the truth on his side (particularly in regards to Halliburton) and being unafraid to use it.

Also helpful to Edwards' is the fact that, like Kerry, he came off as completely likable in front of the camera. While his youthful (that is, for someone who is actually 50, but he really doesn't look it) vigor slipped him up a bit during the course of the night in the form of the stray verbal flub here and there, his enthusiasm and - dare I say - charm more than made up for any verbal missteps. By contrast, Cheney, while laser sharp in his rhetoric, tended more towards looking and acting like a dispassionate and stubborn grandfather. Though Cheney never came off as frustrated or consternated during the debate, he didn't cast an aura that would make me wan him next in line for the presidency for another four years. That said, the sad truth of the matter is that Cheney acts more presidential than Bush, who is the actual president.

In conclusion, both men get points for presentation. Edwards' may be more likable, however points can not be deducted from Cheney for his demeanor, given the content and nature of his rhetoric (which has always erred towards that great Republican tradition of fear mongering). Still, regarding fact-checking and honesty, the goal point goes to Edwards, who isn't looking at Iraq with rose-coloured glasses. Albeit, by a more narrow margin, the Democrats won this debate as well. This debate will do nothing to hurt the Kerry/Edwards campaign. Unfortunately, it won't do much to hurt the Bush/Cheney campaign either.

Current debate score:
Republicans - 0
Democrats - 2