One thing I've noticed is that online polls are heavily in favor of Edward's winning the debate. Kerry, on the other hand, head a distinct but not so crushing lead last Thursday, despite, I would think, having clearly "won" the debate by a wider margin that Edwards has done - if he even has. There are several interpretations of this. Perhaps Republicans are more loyal to Bush, but less so when it comes to Cheney. Or perhaps liberal blogs have pushed the polls more heavily.
My personal favorite interpretation, though, is that the audience for the VP Debate is overall more interested in the election than the audience for the Presidential debate, which draws a lot more people who watch the election only periphially. Therefore, the Veep-debate audience is generally more informed, and thus more likely to vote democrat.
I think it's likely a combination of all three, but I still particularly like that last one.
I didn't, if only for the reason that questions were supposed to apply to both candidates. Drum and Marhsall also appear to be duly nonplussed with the question. Is there a precedent for it?
Yes, I agree that it was a draw. I think Edwards' advantage stems from the fact that he is the younger challenger, so achieving a tie with Cheney is a victory for him; and also that he did a great job of focusing on the fact that Cheney is a liar. People don't trust Cheney, and that's exactly what Edwards needs to focus on.
Did you see Cheney's hands when Edwards was going after him on Halliburton? He was pissed.
I don't really see the next two debates dominated by one-liners. Kerry's game plan will simply be, "No mistakes", and Bush's challenge is to appear composed and presidential following Thursday night's debacle.
That is, neither man will be throwing for the end zone, each rather opting for a "three yards and a cloud of dust" approach.
Each man will try to pitch around the other, rather than trying to overpower his opponent with his fastball.
Each man will concentrate on defense, working for easy baskets, and avoiding turnovers, and will eschew fancy dribbling and daring drives to the rim.
There will be a great deal of bobbing and weaving, but few punches only thrown, and those mostly body blows.
Each man will try to place the serve in the middle of the box, instead of trying to hit the corner.
Each man will obey the maxim "Drive for show, putt for dough".
One thing I've noticed is that online polls are heavily in favor of Edward's winning the debate. Kerry, on the other hand, head a distinct but not so crushing lead last Thursday, despite, I would think, having clearly "won" the debate by a wider margin that Edwards has done - if he even has. There are several interpretations of this. Perhaps Republicans are more loyal to Bush, but less so when it comes to Cheney. Or perhaps liberal blogs have pushed the polls more heavily.
My personal favorite interpretation, though, is that the audience for the VP Debate is overall more interested in the election than the audience for the Presidential debate, which draws a lot more people who watch the election only periphially. Therefore, the Veep-debate audience is generally more informed, and thus more likely to vote democrat.
I think it's likely a combination of all three, but I still particularly like that last one.
Posted by Michael | Link to this comment | 10- 6-04 12:24 AM
they didn't see that one coming? Gads.
I didn't, if only for the reason that questions were supposed to apply to both candidates. Drum and Marhsall also appear to be duly nonplussed with the question. Is there a precedent for it?
Posted by Michael | Link to this comment | 10- 6-04 12:26 AM
Yes, I agree that it was a draw. I think Edwards' advantage stems from the fact that he is the younger challenger, so achieving a tie with Cheney is a victory for him; and also that he did a great job of focusing on the fact that Cheney is a liar. People don't trust Cheney, and that's exactly what Edwards needs to focus on.
Did you see Cheney's hands when Edwards was going after him on Halliburton? He was pissed.
Posted by bitchphd | Link to this comment | 10- 6-04 7:28 AM
I don't really see the next two debates dominated by one-liners. Kerry's game plan will simply be, "No mistakes", and Bush's challenge is to appear composed and presidential following Thursday night's debacle.
That is, neither man will be throwing for the end zone, each rather opting for a "three yards and a cloud of dust" approach.
Each man will try to pitch around the other, rather than trying to overpower his opponent with his fastball.
Each man will concentrate on defense, working for easy baskets, and avoiding turnovers, and will eschew fancy dribbling and daring drives to the rim.
There will be a great deal of bobbing and weaving, but few punches only thrown, and those mostly body blows.
Each man will try to place the serve in the middle of the box, instead of trying to hit the corner.
Each man will obey the maxim "Drive for show, putt for dough".
Posted by son volt | Link to this comment | 10- 6-04 8:59 AM
That was truly a commenting tour-de-force, son volt.
Posted by Adam Kotsko | Link to this comment | 10- 6-04 11:33 AM