Tuesday, October 05, 2004
Edwards v. Cheney
The vice presidential debate usually gets second billing in the debate season. Before 2000, the VP tended to play a ceremonial and somewhat significant advisory role. If only that were the case now. Dick Cheney, the man who has largely driven policy for the last four years, will be getting up there tonight and John Edwards has a onetime opportunity to take him down.
The two debaters are such contrasts. Cheney is someone who easily could have been cast in Harry Potter IV in the role of Lord Voldemort - a glowering, smug, arrogant mess of a man. When someone mentions John Edwards, on the other hand, I have a hard time not picturing him in the lead role in a Disney musical, marching along and singing "Zippity-do-da" as exuberant children and small animals follow him.
The thing to remember is that Edwards is not just a friendly face. In courtroom settings he kicks ass. That needs to be on display tonight. Cheney is the ultimate recalcitrant CEO and Edwards is just the populist to bring him down. Cheney is certainly well in command of the facts - and he will be a dangerous opponent. But Edwards needs to trash him thoroughly - hold him responsible for all the mistakes of the last four years and particularly for the loathesome remarks he's made more recently. A draw won't do. Kerry/Edwards needs to sustain its momentum. Nothing short of a TKO will suffice.
I supported Edwards to the end, based on the premise that he'd be the man for just this kind of event (albeit at the presidential level). Prove me right. Kick some ass, John.
The vice presidential debate usually gets second billing in the debate season. Before 2000, the VP tended to play a ceremonial and somewhat significant advisory role. If only that were the case now. Dick Cheney, the man who has largely driven policy for the last four years, will be getting up there tonight and John Edwards has a onetime opportunity to take him down.
The two debaters are such contrasts. Cheney is someone who easily could have been cast in Harry Potter IV in the role of Lord Voldemort - a glowering, smug, arrogant mess of a man. When someone mentions John Edwards, on the other hand, I have a hard time not picturing him in the lead role in a Disney musical, marching along and singing "Zippity-do-da" as exuberant children and small animals follow him.
The thing to remember is that Edwards is not just a friendly face. In courtroom settings he kicks ass. That needs to be on display tonight. Cheney is the ultimate recalcitrant CEO and Edwards is just the populist to bring him down. Cheney is certainly well in command of the facts - and he will be a dangerous opponent. But Edwards needs to trash him thoroughly - hold him responsible for all the mistakes of the last four years and particularly for the loathesome remarks he's made more recently. A draw won't do. Kerry/Edwards needs to sustain its momentum. Nothing short of a TKO will suffice.
I supported Edwards to the end, based on the premise that he'd be the man for just this kind of event (albeit at the presidential level). Prove me right. Kick some ass, John.
