“We need a grumpy and mean vice president ... I think 55 million Americans probably want a grumpy and mean vice president.”
--Weekly Standard publisher Bill Kristol commenting on last night’s debate
As Michael Moretsky commented in his blog from the far reaches of New Jersey, it was hard to find that many people who actually watched the debate last night (though I was informed on several occasions that the Twins beat the Yankees during last night’s major league playoff action 1-0).
However, as I rode in this morning on Metro’s 255 across the floating bridge, conversation erupted among four passengers in front of me. I could not believe it, they were talking about the debate—actually debating the debate—it was so exciting, and my eaves-dropping so apparent that soon enough I was drawn in to the conversation.
To the person, they were amazed at how much more mature and capable Cheney seemed at running the country; that Edwards was too much flash, too young to really do the job if he had to.
It seems that recent attempts to demonize the Vice President may have worked in lowering expectations going into the debate. At hearing the “Cheney praise” my Republican heart began to soar (yes we do have hearts) though seconds later my dreams of a Cheney lead comeback vanished.
Several of my fellow 255 riders also felt that a political novice is preferable to a capable leader going in a perceived wrong direction. So in the end, maybe the debate had little impact. Yet one thing is for sure, substance prevailed over good hair and form. Score this one for the Bush/Cheney team.
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