Quote:
Originally posted by Not Bob
The parts I saw suggested that it was a push, with both sides making their supporters happy, and neither side committing any "why am I here?" gaffe. George Will agreed with me, although now that I think about it, why the hell wasn't he watching the baseball game?
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It was a push, but thats not good enough for the GOP right now. Cheney started in a hole. Bush made a fool of himself last week - objectively, he looked outclassed and outwitted (the GOP can thank God he was debating Kerry instead of Edwards - Edwards would have eviscerated him). Cheney's job was to go out there and comfort the smart base and the wavering swing voters - remind them that, yes, there is a very strong intellect in the White House. I think he did that very effectively. The man clearly has some serious grey matter, and unlike his boss, he can shift gears to keep up with a lawyer opponent. Cheney wisely played to his strengths and didn't let Edwards drag him into protracted discussions on economics and domestic issues where the GOP has major holes in its policies. And he nailed his "I'm the man to keep you safe" pitch at the end. BUT, in the end, all he did, and all he could do, was repair concerns, based on the presently bleak news cycle and Bush's debate performance, that we had someone unqualified in the Oval Office. I think Cheney rehabbed Bush so that he'll be on almost even footing with Kerry going into the next debate. Bush would do well to refer to Cheney's arguments and to refer to Cheney himself. He should highlight the experience difference between Cheney and Edwards.
The problem I see for Bush now is that Cheney is no longer the liability - Bush is. In that regard, Cheney may have done his job too well, but I guess he had no choice.
