The Veeps Draw (?)

A quick (overly pessimistic?) opinion after watching the 90 minutes randomly at St. Cross college... a rather even debate on points, although a few moments where Edwards might be seen to carry the day. Cheney's attempt to equate the coalitions of Bush Sr. and Jr. was easily my largest yell at the screen, and the purest example of his many, many "distortions". I was also puzzled by the Vice President's early attempt to blast Edwards' record in the Senate, allowing the trial lawyer to launch the closest thing I have seen to a knockout blow since Premier Russell McLellan paused for 7 seconds of dead air after being asked by Hamm if he would balance the budget. "He even voted against the release of Nelson Mandela." How did they even HAVE a vote on that? Classic. Would have been much more effective for Dick if he had waited patiently for the actual question about Senator Edwards' experience instead of trying to use that to answer something about Israel-Palestine. I also thought John John's answers on jobs and the poor proved particularly effective, given that Cheney launched tangently into Education because what else can this administration say? And honestly, how can you possibly refer to Iraqi casualties when talking about the deaths of coalition forces? You invaded their country, you killed many of their innocent people. The gall to suggest that only 50% of the costs and lives of the invading forces have been American is staggering. On that alone I would say that Edwards won, but let me be more cautious in my optimism before I check the rampant spin. Even a draw is a victory for Kerry. I assume the consensus will find that, on the whole we have just seen another substantial debate, with superb moderation and excellent questions, that only serves to reconfirm the opinions and beliefs of those who watched. It may just stabilize the race, unless undecideds really connected with the seductive Edwards. Change vs. More of the Same, though. How legendary is Carville's old 1992 cue card now?