Cheney creamed Edwards: Hugh Hewitt says Kerry's team upset his Senate record was exposed

WorldNetDaily.com ^ | Wednesday, October 6, 2004 | Hugh Hewitt

[JohnHuang2]

Wednesday, October 6, 2004

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Cheney creamed Edwards

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Posted: October 6, 2004
1:00 a.m. Eastern

By Hugh Hewitt

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© 2004 WorldNetDaily.com

Vice President Dick Cheney creamed John Edwards last night, but not because John Edwards was inarticulate. Edwards was very articulate. Not responsive, but articulate. Just like you would expect of a trial lawyer, but not of a vice president in time of war.

Mary Beth Cahill looked stricken when she appeared with Chris Wallace at 8:00 p.m. The campaign manager for Kerry was upset that John Kerry's 20 years in the United States Senate was back on the table, and that Edwards near invisible record in the United States Senate was also fodder for the vice president's repeated attacks on the Democratic ticket.

Cheney wrote some notes when he came out before the debate began. I think they must have said:

"Global test."

"If you had had your way, the troops wouldn't have what they have."

"I could use a lot for words to describe Sen. Kerry's record on Iraq, but consistent isn't one of them."

"The threat. The threat. The threat."

It is this last theme which led to Cheney's domination of the young and affable trial lawyer. Americans hate that their soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines are in harm's way. But voters understand the threat and the vice president repeatedly reminded them of it.

This electorate is also scornful of talking points and non-responsive answers. Over and over again, Edwards refused to answer direct questions. And when Edwards was disdainful of the Iraqi sacrifices for their freedom, Cheney tore him up. That will leave a mark.

The spin broke decisively for Cheney just as the delayed analysis of last Thursday has come around to understanding that Kerry blundered badly, but that Bush didn't. "Global test" defined Kerry more than all the ads to date run by Bush-Cheney, and tonight hammered it home: You cannot trust John Kerry to wage the war that needs to be waged, to demand the weapons that need to be produced, to inspire the American people to support a victory strategy.

If you can't stand up to Howard Dean, how in the world can you stand up to al-Qaida, indeed. John Kerry couldn't even stand up to Michael Moore, the prince of his nominating convention.

John Kerry didn't get a bounce from Thursday – he got an anchor around his neck, one he put there. John Edwards couldn't do anything to get that anchor off. We'll watch it sink Kerry for the next four weeks, regardless of Friday night's and next week's debates.

It isn't about looking good. It is about leading the war.

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[Ghengis]

Could someone tell me what's up with this thumb pointing gesture that both Johns do? Is that something that John Kennedy used to do and they are copying? Or is it a typical lawyer-type gesture? It looks so "put on."

I think it is because an up and down motion with their fist consumes a large part of Kerry's and Edwards' waking hours. To interrupt it by pointing an index finger is not considered a good use of their time, thus the multitasking thumb pointing.

[Steven W.]

Laura Ingraham had a number of women callers who picked up all kinds of negative things from Edwards' appearance; basically most women found him very effeminate and point to things like his picking up his mug from the side and not from the handle, shooting his tongue out like a salamander, laughing at inappropriate times when he couldn't respond to questions etc..

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

I'm with you. The "absentee candidates"!

[No_Doll_i]

[WOSG]

Hugh Hewitt would not be an unbiased moderator ... only liberal Clintonoid journalists are valid moderators.

[goldstategop]

After the President's speech this morning, things are turning around. His campaign appeared to take all the criticism to heart. Now they really need to lay the gloves on Kerry for the next several weeks til he's postrate. Bush has a great opportunity to put his opponent on the defensive Friday.

[danamco]

One Cheney zinger Hewitt doesn't mention: After recounting all the votes Edwards has missed, "I preside over the Senate every Tuesday, and tonight is the first time I've met you". Ouch!!!


How about Cheney 2.zinger: = N.C. paper writing; "Senator Gone"!?!

[GretchenM]

"I could use a lot for words to describe Sen. Kerry's record on Iraq, but consistent isn't one of them."

There were many sparkling, envigorating moments during Cheney's remarks, but the text quoted above is what I have most longed to hear from Bush-Cheney this campaign season.

Thank God for Dick Cheney, a true public servant.

[MrBambaLaMamba]

I believe the "thumb pointing gesture" is the politically correct substitute for the "pointing with the index finger gesture" which when employed by a native English speaker is offensive to those cultures in which the use of toilet paper is frowned upon or unknown.

[ctdonath2]

I'm wondering too. Is there a transcript somewhere?

[ctdonath2]

Ah, got it. The debate transcript shows, after Edwards gives a confusing/self-contradictary answer to two versions of the same question on the subject,

IFILL: Mr. Vice President, you have 90 seconds.

CHENEY: Well, Gwen, let me simply thank the senator for the kind words he said about my family and our daughter. I appreciate that very much.

IFILL: That's it?

CHENEY: That's it.

I didn't see the video, so don't know what Edwards' reaction was.

[petercooper]

Anyone not giving this one to Cheney is on crack.

you're right--- Marion Barry:

[angcat]

Thank you!

[Wolfstar]

Will Bush go after this?

Well, he did in the speech he gave today. As for the debates, I think today's speech was a practice run for what he'll try to do on Friday and in the last debate. The benefit to today's speech is precisely that the president got some practice in using this new line of attack. The drawback is that now Kerry can prepare.

[Blue Eyes]

Laura Ingraham had a number of women callers who picked up all kinds of negative things from Edwards' appearance; basically most women found him very effeminate and point to things like his picking up his mug from the side and not from the handle, shooting his tongue out like a salamander, laughing at inappropriate times when he couldn't respond to questions etc..

I noticed the tongue thing, too, to the extent that whenever he picked up his cup, I would focus on him to see if he'd stick his tongue out. He always did! I expected to see a montage of Edward's tongue on FR today, but haven't found it.

Yours is the first reference to the tongue that I have seen.

[DannyTN]

Edwards: "I don't have a resume but I have a plan"
Edwards: "I don't have a resume but I have a plan"
Edwards: "I don't have a resume but I have a plan"

[workerbee]

Oh, the coffee mug! How many times did Johnny pick it up, put it to his lips and paaauuussse while looking wide-eyed at Cheney over the rim, then take a dainty little sip and carefully place the mug down? VERY annoying.

[nicksaunt]

Thanks for the ping John. Great read.

[DLfromthedesert]

Aloha!! I'm in Hawaii visiting my son, and I was flying in yesterday, so I missed the debate, but his roommate filled me in.

Thanks for the ping; looks to me like Cheney put this one away!!!

[blitzgig]

Awesome