So this is what it feels like to have a campaign equal to task of taking on the Reic....errr Right wing, eh?
I think we saw three majors themes rise from the ashes of the Edwards-Cheney clash:
- So effortlessly it was overlooked; but Edwards clearly put any "not up to the job" whispers to rest. Even the post-debate pundits that scored the debate for Cheney admitted as much.
- "Fantasy world" is a phrase that should come out of Kerry and Edwards (and surrogates) mouths and applied to the Bush/Cheney ticket every hour on the hour. This dog WILL hunt.
- We've now got 3 debate performances to compare to Bush's implosion -- and his stammering, grimacing, performance art now looks all the worse.
More below the fold....
1.
Edwards a heartbeat away
If you needed any more proof of what a capable man John Edwards is, Tuesday was that final straw on the back of any doubting camels. Edwards was charged with a VERY difficult task - juggling the need to keep the KE momentum in place, primarily play defense for Kerry against the attack dog, Cheney; but at the same time, to dispell any "is he up to the job" questions.
By my count, he came through with flying colors.... so much so, that to borrow from a comment from DemCT: OLD CW: Edrwards a heartbeat away. NEW CW: Bush a heartbeat away. He displayed an impressive command of the details and issues without being wonkish, he flashed the famous smile and put on his Johnny Sunshine best, but all the while keeping the growling Cheney at bay. He was direct without being "too mean", but genial without being wimpy.
2. Lies, lies, and more lies
Does anyone remember when "honesty" a quality most sheep applied to this administration? Me neither.... and soon, no one else will, either. Cheney's best line in the debate -- "I didn't meet you until we got on stage tonight" is now lost in a swirl of C-SPAN photos and videos. It's silly, but the TV talking heads looovvee those visuals. The more cerebral of the electorate might instead, enjoy juxtaposing Cheney's MTP statements with "Shocked! Shocked, I tell you" statements that he had every tied 9/11 to Saddam Hussein.
Every speech, every statement, for the next 4 weeks should include some variation of the "fantasy world" theme... at least until Bush/Cheney come up with a counter. More lies doesn't seem to be working for them - and they only seen to bury themselves further.
Right around October 20, we can start with the "last days of Nixon" comparisons - an administration so out of touch with reality it fails to see that its time to leave teh stage has come.
3. Oh yeah, THAT GWBush
You have to wonder if the October suprise is BUSH leaving the ticket.... Less an XO, Cheney seemed almost ready to mutiny; as if he and he alone could win this debate, and then, the election. "Who is this bumlbing fool I answer to?"
Nice try, Dick... but such a strategy would be a lot more plausible if your favorability ratings weren't somewhere in Gingrich land.
My suspicion is that the panic in freeper land went deeper than we even suspected after the first Kerry-Bush debate-acle. Cheney's marching orders may well have been to do something, anything to reassure the hardcore supporters, so some of them don't start to consider staying home. The base got its meat -- Cheney was tough, he didn't bumble and fumble, and quite likely, many folks already drinking the kool-aid helped themselves to another glass.
However - he did it at the expense of swing voters, leaners, and anyone seriously on the fence.
All in all, a night that keeps looking better and better in hindsight.