Veep Debate, Impression One

Tonight we had the one and only vice presidential debate. Initial response is lukewarm. This was not the bomb that the first Kerry-Bush debate was but that is not a bad thing. It is useful to talk about ideas and policy in more than a simple slogan filled rant (although that is what Cheney is good at -- "its true because I tell you it is true, damn it").

Of course, most media outlets and other bloggers are about to declare this a limp affair because their was no transformative moment.

But consider this, Cheney tried yet again to scare America. And aren't we all surprised that he did that? I am shocked!

In fact, trusty tried to scare us over and over again. When facing any questions other than Iraq and security, Cheney had this strange bitterman caught in the headlamps look. Other than Rudy G., Cheney mentioned 9-11 a few times. I am sure he did this just in case you forgot that 9-11 is the justification for everything that this mis-administration has been doing to America.

And what did we really see in this debate? Forget the spinmeisters in the spin pits outside of the debate hall trying to use catch phrases and the best in Ivy league debate education to force us to believe what they believe. What we saw was more of the same from Cheney: Lies, damned lies, and questionable statistics. Cheney lied like a ranting Michael Savage or a Rush Limbaugh on his little blue babies, twisting information or stats so he could then hurl them at John Edwards who easily parried the barbs that bitterman threw at him.

Note to handlers, teach Cheney where his microphone is. Its a boo boo to bump or cover it while speaking to the American public. We hate that!

Edwards did a good job. Yes, I know it wasn't a great universe is changing effort. It did nothing to my socks, yet Edwards held his own and had the better explanations. Edwards demonstrated how damaging the clusterfuck in Iraq has been and addressed the main points on health care and economic policy that Cheney simply looked like he could not understand the premise for the question. "Wha???"

Edwards had more substance and focus than -- "what question is this again?" -- Cheney. Edwards consistently, but not boringly so, hammered Cheney on his and his chimpy's mess in Iraq not to mention how the republicans are the party of big biddness.

If you were a chimpy and trusty supporter before the veep debate, you still are. If you were a Kerry-Edwards supporter before this, you still are. And the big question, if you were undecided before this debate -- You still are.

One word to the committee on presidential debates, do not ever hire Gwen Ifill again. She avoids questions on health care, medicare, and the economy, because she wanted to talk about feelings? WTF?