February 09, 2004

The VP debates....
Posted by Jon Henke

Vice Presidential candidates usually have a debate or three prior to the November election: Cheney Vs. ?????(VP-tba)

One wonders how Cheney would stand up against John Edwards. Certainly, he's more knowledgable, more experienced, and has more gravitas. But Cheney, whatever his qualities, is not overburdened with charisma. And charisma is the one thing John Edwards has in spades.

I'm reminded of the Nixon/Kennedy debates. How'd that work out?

I wonder if an Edwards on the bottom of the Kerry ticket might add another reason to replace Dick Cheney - who is, after all, not a tremendous political asset anyway with approval ratings frequntly under 50% - not a good sign for the bottom half of the ticket.

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Comments

Far out Jon. You're the first I've seen to raise the point.

Interesting. Every time I've seen Cheney speak, or be interviewed, it's his facts which wind up having the charisma. He's like a very good advertisment in that the message--a very credible message--gets right across without drawing undue attention to the messenger. A very patient speaker.

In debate, Mr. Edwards could wind up appearing--by contrast--overly glib and light. Trial lawyerish, if you will, to Cheney's judge-like personna.

IMO Nixon-Kennedy is a reasonable comparison, but with some caveats. Those debates were 40 years ago at the height of what might be called the post-war "era of good feeling" in America. Very different than now. Kennedy was forward looking and optimistic--in emotional tune with the times--to Nixon's cold and defensive pedantry. Is this emotional base now reversed? Plus, Nixon looked terrible on (primitive) B&W TV to the viewers of the country's first televised debates; a less sophisticated electorate.

Lastly, hasn't Cheney been well nigh invisible these two or three years, with "damaging" allegations flying all the while? Could those ratings actually be good in that context? What will happen when he again becomes visible?

It's gonna be interesting. Too bad it can't be Dean. After each Dean reply, Cheney could adopt a 'concerned' look and sort of inch his lectern away.

Posted by: Stephen at February 9, 2004 07:56 PM

Seriously, who casts a vote for President based on the outcome of the Vice Presidential debates?

For that matter, who besides C-SPAN junkies watches the Vice Presidential debates?

Posted by: furious_a at February 9, 2004 09:04 PM

I watched the 2000 VP debates. Funniest line of the entire campaign.

Joe Liebermann gently twits Dick Cheney about the McCain-ish issue: appearance of corruption. Joe points out how much money Cheney made with Halliburton after leaving gov't service. Joe says his wife wishes he (Joe) could make do the same (implicitly, leave gov't service, make big bucks.)

Cheney sez "I'm trying to help you do just that, Joe." (Implicitly, leave gov't service, big bucks or otherwise.)

Wonderful humorous understatement on both sides.

Posted by: Pouncer at February 10, 2004 11:33 AM