Debate Assumes New Importance

[neomonkey]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/washpost/20041004/ts_washpost/a4587_2004oct3

Tomorrow's vice presidential debate, which both campaigns once presumed would be a sideshow to the presidential race, has assumed critical importance, with Republicans depending on Vice President Cheney to halt the ticket's slide in momentum.

After what Republicans acknowledge was President Bush (news - web sites)'s faltering performance in his televised encounter with Democratic nominee John F. Kerry, GOP strategists said Cheney's aim is to return public attention to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and the administration's broader handling of the terrorism threat and away from what they called a "second-guessing" debate over the decision to invade Iraq (news - web sites).

A Republican official involved in Cheney's preparation for his encounter with Sen. John Edwards (news - web sites) (N.C.) said the vice president will try to bring fresh attention to the themes "that shoot out of the 9/11 set of memories and issues -- preparedness, safety and homeland security."

[Walt Starr]

1. Edwards definitely has the more difficult task.

It's far more difficult to debate somebody who actually has a couple of brain cells to rub together.

[DaveinMD]

2. Edwards

is extremely intelligent. He'll do a good job.

[neomonkey]

5. I like the battle between "good vs. evil", big business vs. trial lawyer

Edwards representing the "common man" trying to get his fair share against Cheney's "the man", the uncaring, moneyed authority figure. It's a very symbolic debate, I hope Edwards kicks his ass.

I hope Edwards doesn't succumb to those Cheneyian one-liners.

Perhaps Edwards can get Cheney to say fuck.

[IIgnoreNobody]

10. Sith v Jedi

I agree, the ultimate would be if Edwards can manage to goad Cheney into telling him to fuck off.

[Cha]

3. Why are they saying ...

"tomorrow's vp debate"..I thought it was Tuesday?

[neomonkey]

4. I think it is date stamped after midnight, I don't know how :)

[Cha]

6. Ah!

Thank you.

[life_long_dem]

7. good

I hope monotone mumbler brings up the 9/11 attacks so that Edwards can bring up the fact that * didn't act ahead of time, when he had knowledge of an attack being planned by OBL.

[Reciprocity]

8. I have one word for Edwards. Haliburton !

[girl gone mad]

9. I'm hoping he talks about..

Halliburton and the energy papers. I also hope he has it together on foreign policy.

I haven't been at all impressed by Cheney's stump speeches, and wonder if he's going to say terrorists will attack if Kerry wins.

[BootinUp]

11. They better do something about the Cheney-Asshole problem.

Could stand out quite a bit against Edwards personality.

[WindRavenX]

12. Edwards will do fine

Visually, he has a tremendous advantage. Vocally, he will kill Cheney; Cheney sounds like he is always muttering to himself, whereas Edwards has a crisp, loud voice.
Edwards is considered one of the top trial lawyers in the nation. Don't worry about him.

[yardwork]

13. The facts are not on chainsaw's side with this strategy

Everything about 9/11 looks bad for bushco. They failed to prevent it despite repeated warnings, they mishandled it on 9/11, they failed to catch OBL, and their record on shoring up homeland security stinks.

I don't think that chainsaw will really talk much about 9/11. This is a fake leak to try to throw Edwards off track before the debate.