"I was in the senate most Tuesdays the senate was in session and I never met you (Edwards) until tonight."
That was my favorite line from the debate. And the look of Edwards face!!!!
It sounded like he gasped. That was awesome. I'd love to see a replay of that.
My take on the debates is that it was basically a draw, with perhaps minor lean to the D's. Edwards recited his talking points well, and they were aggressive and on point. Cheney was not as aggressive or forceful as he could have or should have been. He had some good hits, the meeting Edwards for the first time was funny...but he needed to land punches on Kerry not on Edwards. I think there were more than a few missed opportunities. I think he offered a valid defense of the administration, but did not stick to and push the administrations talking points.
The biggest example is flip flop. That is a devastating charge, and Cheney had multiple opportunities to nail it home and missed. He brushed up against it late, but missed some great opportunities. When the question was about the global test and Edwards was talking about Kerry said no veto I thought Cheney was going to unload on him. He didn't. When the followup question was about flip flopping I was almost ecstatic it was such a perfect set up...but it was weak. If Cheney had said, "You asked about the global test and what it means. It means a french veto. The senator said Kerry said there would be no veto...and he's right. Kerry said that. But the point is that Kerry said BOTH. THAT is a flip flop. He wants it both ways."
Another example, Edwards suggested that if neccessary for security purposes we should train Iraqi troops outside of Iraq. Cheney should very briefly and quickly SLAMMED Edwards. Something along the lines of, "Here is a perfect example of them saying they have a plan, and then talking about what this administration is already doing. If he had shown up for work, he would know that Iraqi forces are already being trained in Hungary, Jordan, the UAE and other places." That would have turned their 'we have a plan' BS into a joke.
When Edwards went off on Halliburton, I was very disappointed with Cheney's response. Go to factcheck.org?!? The response should have been something like, "There has always been kook fringes on both sides. This is a prime example of the Michael Moore wackos having taken over the once great democrat party. The inmates are now running the asylum."
When there was a question about partisanship, Cheney had a great opportunity. He should have said something like, "You're right Gwen, there has been a dramatic increase in partisanship. These VP debates are a great example. I've personally sat on this side of the table both now and four years ago. Four years ago it was cordial and polite. We had our policy differences, but we could work together. This year, it is bitter and partisan. It is still me on this side of the table. It is the other side that has changed."