Shrewd Choice of "Debating" Partner

[ProSense]

Shrewd Choice of "Debating" Partner

I don't have a lot to say about the unusual "debate"--via back to back speeches at different locations--between the President of the United States and the former Vice President of the United States in Washington today. You can read them here and here, and judge for yourself, or check out the many assessments on the internet (e.g., this early one from Jacob Heilbrunn calling it a rout for Obama).

More interesting to me is the way Team Obama created this "event" in the first place, showing how smart tactics can promote smart strategy.

Remember where we were just yesterday on the "anti-terrorism" issues that were the centerpiece of the Obama-Cheney "debate." The President was getting hit from every direction on his handling of detainee polices, investigations of interrogation practices, and increasingly, his Iraq and Afghanistan strategies. It seemed nearly everyone was calling him a wimp, a hypocrite, or both, from their varying perspectives. The U.S. Senate had dealt him an embarrassing bipartisan blow on funding for shutting down Gitmo.

It's hard to imagine a better "reframer" of these issues than a "debate" with Dick Cheney, a deeply unpopular man who is determined to defend the very worst practices of the Bush administration, in a manner that reminds Americans--progressives and moderate independents alike--exactly why they voted for Barack Obama, even if they are disappointed with him on this or that issue. And aside from the specific issues in discussion, there is simply no downside for the White House or for Democrats in keeping Cheney front-and-center as the snarling voice and brooding face of the GOP.

If, in addition to everything else, the initial perception that Obama cleaned Cheney's clock is broadly shared, you'd have to consider this a tactical and strategic ten-strike for the White House, at a time, and on a topic, where he needed one. The next "frame" (sorry for the bowling metaphor, but I couldn't resist!) could produce different results, but it was a good day's work for the President of the United States.

[NJmaverick]

1. Shrewd is a term often used to describe President Obama

at least from perceptive and thoughtful observers.

[ProSense]

2. Cheney's speech ignored some inconvenient truths

here

[Cha]

3. I just gave the 5 Rec'd~

I like this Democratic Strategist's comments.

I'd read that cheney had this planned for weeks and I'm not sure when Prez Obama came up with giving his speech today but the timing is perfect.

[BrklynLiberal]

4. Cheney's mechanical heart must be busting with frustration...