Close election adding importance to debate

Washington Times ^ | Tuesday, October 5, 2004 | James G. Lakely

[JohnHuang2]

The Washington Times
www.washingtontimes.com

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Close election adding importance to debate

By James G. Lakely
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
Published October 5, 2004

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Both campaigns think that what has been dubbed the "Shrek vs. Breck" debate tonight in Cleveland between Vice President Dick Cheney and Democratic Sen. John Edwards will have more importance than usual, with the race tightening just 28 days before Election Day.
    Democrats are brimming with confidence after Sen. John Kerry's performance on Thursday night, and campaign spokesman Joe Lockhart said he thinks Mr. Edwards can further cut into the Bush-Cheney ticket's lead by charging corruption regarding the vice president's ties to Halliburton and its contracts for Iraq's reconstruction.
    The Bush campaign, meanwhile, is not worried about what it considers "false and baseless attacks" on Mr. Cheney, because it would give the vice president an opening to show that the Bush administration, unlike the Democrats, focuses on what matters in the field of national security.
    The campaign also would like to remind the tens of millions of voters watching about Mr. Edwards' background as a trial lawyer, a line of attack by Republicans that has gained little traction so far, but could have more impact coming from Mr. Cheney and with Mr. Edwards in the national spotlight.