Who won last night is less important than these two things:

[Plaid Adder]

1) Everyone who watched both debates now finally knows that George W. Bush is not the one running the country. Say what you want about Cheney, but he is clearly better-informed, smarter, and more competent to discuss the issues than the guy who's supposed to be his boss.

2) Having Bush go first certainly made Cheney look stronger. However, by the same token, seeing Bush debate again--twice--after watching Cheney is going to remind everyone all over again what a puppet he is.

C ya,

The Plaid Adder

[Octafish]

1. Word.

"Train bransplant? What's THAT Unka Dick?"

[patricia92243]

2. Edwards has won every poll I've been into this am- including Fox and my

[Peanut Gallery]

3. The debate also gave Edwards some much-needed exposure

This is purely anecdotal, but I asked one of my "undecided" relatives what she thought about the debate last night. I didn't offer my opinion right away, I let her talk first. She was impressed with Edwards and thinks he would make a very capable vice president. Last night elevated him, in her view (mainly because she hadn't had much of an opportunity to hear him speak before now). She also observed that Cheney's performance weakened Bush.

So, imho, whether people think Edwards won or lost, the airtime he received last night was important.

[maine_raptor]

4. Let me add a Third Point

What the country saw last night was CONTRAST; the OLD vs the NEW. This is one of the core messages of the Kerry/Edwards campaign. Remember both the polls that have indicated from early on in the election cycle that the American people want change and Kerry's line "More of the Same" is aimed at that feeling. They, K/E, are offering a CHANGE.

Last night we, and they saw just what a difference the two side had to offer.

Now, the "close" has to be made....and I think that will happen next Friday night. Look for a VERY BAD time for Bush at the next debate. When that happens, the Bush Talking Heads and Media Whores (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Halliburton) will be working overtime rearranging the deck chairs.

[bigtree]

5. Clearly Cheney was better versed with the Bush camp's talking points

than Bush himself. That always indicates to me who the author of the rhetoric is.