VP Debate Critical This Year

Conventional wisdom casts Veep candidates and their debates as almost an after thought in the race for President. While mostly true, dynamics this year paint quite a different picture. The coming Vice Presidential debates scheduled for Tuesday present a set of unique dynamics and they have the potential to make a significant difference in this year's election.

Cheney has proven himself a stellar Vice President, but public perceptions and media pounding have unfairly cast him as a drag on the ticket. After all, it is his relationship to Halliburton, not the President's, that Democrat opponents consistently attack. Cheney is a pro with more knowledge and experience of international affairs at the executive level than Kerry and Edwards combined. His resume dates back to the Nixon Whitehouse. Contrast that with Edwards, a first term Senator with no other distinguishing political experience or credentials. And this debate will be about a "Kerry Administration," particularly as regards foreign affairs and homeland security.

Edwards has already displayed a willingness to be less than supportive of the top of the ticket if it means preserving his own prospects for 08 should Kerry lose Nov. 2. While there is not yet enough post Thursday night polling available to support media talk of a Kerry surge, the last thing Kerry needs right now is a perceived set back. And that is precisely what the dynamics of Tuesday night could deliver.

President Bush is a decent man, a genuine Christian, and someone determined to not undermine the prestige of the presidency by using street fighting tactics in a debate. That is at least part of the explanation for what some would characterize as a poor performance in his recent debate. Bush views the Presidency as an Office, one that shouldn't vicously attack an opponent in a formal public forum. That has been under reported, if even mentioned in post debate coverage. But VP Cheney is not similarly encumbered. And he is an excellent attack dog.

Look for Cheney to aggressively go, not just at Edwards, but at the heart of a potential Kerry administration. Kerry's recent public statements and positions have certainly left enough real meat on the table to whet the appetite of an old pitbull like Cheney. And if done with the style and tact Cheney at his best posseses, he may well also rehabilitate some of the unfair image of him painted by opponents among undecideds. A big Cheney win will counter any real or perceived surge Kerry is enjoying in the press and set the stage for a wonderful October for the Bush ticket.

For more, Powerlne has a quick review of some recent VP debates.

Comments

[rdeat]

I see Edwards with two issues. Halliburton and "they call us unAmerican". I agree that Edwards is soft-peddling to remain viable for '08. Nice article.