DEER IN THE HEADLIGHTS

New York Post ^ | 10/06/04 | DICK MORRIS

[kattracks]

October 6, 2004 -- LAST night John Edwards went from seeming to be like JFK to emulating Dan Quayle in the space of 90 minutes. Confronted with Dick Cheney's obvious competence, incisive parries to his charges and devastating rebuttal of his phony statistics, Edwards looked like the proverbial deer in the headlights.

Normally, vice presidential debates are not significant. But this confrontation should serve President Bush well. With Edwards parroting Sen. John Kerry's line in last week's presidential debate, Cheney gave the answers Bush should have offered but failed to articulate.

If the first presidential debate was a contrast of Bush's substance and Kerry's style, the vice-presidential debate gave Cheney a chance to emphasize the president's positions and Kerry's contradictions without tripping over his own words.

Cheney looked like a man and Edwards looked like a boy.

On the attack, the North Carolina senator to this observer seemed, surprisingly, to be a shallow lightweight, almost transparent in his absence of heft and gravitas. Cheney looked like the authority, the wise one, the arbiter of facts and statistics.

If Edwards acted like a lawyer, Cheney acted like a judge. The Democrat proposed, but the vice president disposed. There was no doubt as to who was in charge.

The highlight of the debate came when Cheney said that he had presided over the Senate as vice president on almost every Tuesday and noted that the first time he met John Edwards was last night.

[Blogger]

He's no Dan Quayle. Quayle would kick his butt too.

[Prime Choice]

If Edwards acted like a lawyer, Cheney acted like a judge.

I nominate this as the best summation of the VP debate, hands-down.

[AndyTheBear]

Is Morris trying to schmooz his way into the vast right wing conspiracy...what do you guys think should we trust him?

[Egon]

I miss Dan Quayle. He was a class act-- and yes, I enjoyed laughing at his gaffs as much as the next guy.

[kesg]

If Edwards acted like a lawyer, Cheney acted like a judge. The Democrat proposed, but the vice president disposed. There was no doubt as to who was in charge.

This pretty much sums it up.

[flashbunny]

how about "Edwards: Fly - Cheney: Windshield".

[ladyinred]

I have been an admirer of the Vice President since the first Gulf War. I was a democrat then, but was impressed with him in spite of myself! He would be a great President in his own right, and I am so glad he is on our side.

[Kryptonite]

Normally, vice presidential debates are not significant. But this confrontation should serve President Bush well. With Edwards parroting Sen. John Kerry's line in last week's presidential debate, Cheney gave the answers Bush should have offered but failed to articulate.

Word.

[FITZ]

Edwards makes terribly goofy faces --- the worst are when he's trying to look very serious and distinguished.

[guitfiddlist]

"Senator, I KNOW Dan Quayle. I've worked with Senator Dan Quayle. And you, sir, are no Senator I've ever met in the Senate." heh-heh.

[mammer]

well at least he and Kerry have good hair, they can go to work for Sally's beauty supply when Nov arrives

[DSBull]

Let him eat cake, once a clintonista always a clintonista..

[orangelobster]

Wildcat Cheney delivered the goods. I always thought he was O.K., but was never that impressed by him. I guess I have never heard him speak at length. After tonight I would be all in favor of a President Cheney.

All edwards has is his son-of-a-millworker schtick. I was surprised that Cheney even beat him on that point. I never knew Cheney had humble beginnings before. This will swing the polls four or five points by next week!

[goldstategop]

They call Little Johnny "Senator Gone" in North Carolina. I think its safe to say Edwards' sub-par performance tonight ensured he will NOT help John F*ckin' carry North Carolina in November. In the Tarheel State, they do know him and his shoddy attendance record would have gotten him thrown out of the U.S Senate. And of course it didn't help he's a liberal, which is an endangered species south of the Mason-Dixie.

[Blue Collar Christian]

Cheney did seem to have his ducks in a row. Maybe he had a cheat sheet(too?)with answers to the questions he was advanced. Is there a video? (libs grasping at straws)

[conservativepoet]

"But Edwards served as a poor metaphor for Kerry. His lack of substance and glib inexperience made one wonder about John Kerry....John Edwards made it look like the Democratic ticket was out classed and out gunned."

Dick Morris says it like it felt.

[landerwy]

Like a rattlesnake! From a distance we trust.

[Blue Collar Christian]

"After tonight I would be all in favor of a President Cheney."

Then re-elect him. IMHO, Bush/Cheney is the first Pres/VP that really IS a team.

[Bonaparte]

I was pleasantly surprised at what a fine job Gwen Ifill did as PBS moderator. She only made one major slip and that was when Edwards loudly and persistently interrupted Cheney during his speaking time. She did nothing to bring him to order. She certainly could have if she'd wanted to. When Edwards violated her clear instruction to not mention his running mate in his closing statement, she quickly brought him up short.