Edwards killed him on style alone.

[speedoo]

I'm re-watching it on C-span, with the split screen.

Edwards is lively, succinct and engaging.

Cheney drones on, repeating himself, making snide comments like "you probably missed that vote", showing no charm whatsoever.

Edwards stood up to the bully and beat him.

[cheshire]

1. Cheney was like a tree stump with stump killer on it.

[Carla in Ca]

8. Poor guy

[zmdem]

2. Style isn't everything

I thought both candidates did well. Each is quite different in style of course, but each made good arguments for their positions. Each had problems, esp. re: Iraq. Cheney's "all is well trust me", vs. Edwards' "Kerry's been completely consistent" positions are both plainly false.

Frankly, I think the veep candidates are better than the guys on the top of the tickets. Thought the same in 2000.

[murielm99]

3. And you called the first debate a draw, too, didn't you?

Thanks, but I'll trust my own judgement.

[zmdem]

6. Yes, I did

And you should use your own judgement. I also saw the first debate w/o benefit of split screen and I did say that a draw was a slight win for Kerry.

[DixieDem]

11. Why do you sport a british flag when your ISP says otherwise?

Who do you plan on voting for this year?

[DixieDem]

9. Here here!!! I totally agree! Thanks for saying it!!!

[The_Casual_Observer]

5. This post has no merit

Frankly, who cares what you thought about 2000.

[zmdem]

7. You, apparently

Otherwise, why did you bother to respond ?

[speedoo]

10. Cheney is clearly more capable than the shrub.

Anybody would be.

Edwards is a more skilled debater than Kerry, but that does not make him a better candidate.

Lieberman could not measure up to Al Gore if his life depended on it. He was a terrible candidate in 2000, basically rolling over in his debate with Cheney... just a horrible performance. And he was a horrible candidate in 2004, as clearly indicated by his miserable results in the primaries.

Al Gore was not a great candidate, but he was much better than Lieberman.

[speedoo]

4. The way Edwards looked at Cheney when Cheney was attacking was..

a fearsome sight.

A mixture of disdain and confidence, basically saying "You don't really want to be saying this, Cheney. I am going to kick your ass in a minute."

And he then invariably did kick his ass. Edwards is a vicious counterpuncher.