Vice-Presidential Debate Turns Personal as Cheney and Edwards Exchange Accusations

Strategic Insights -

In a sharply personal confrontation, the U.S. vice-presidential nominees, Dick Cheney and John Edwards, traded accusations during a debate last night, focusing on the war in Iraq and their personal biographies. Despite the format calling for the candidates to remain seated, they engaged in heated exchanges, with Mr. Cheney accusing Mr. Edwards of lacking the backbone to succeed in the war on terrorism and Mr. Edwards alleging that the Vice-President and President George W. Bush had misled Americans over the situation in Iraq.

Key Takeaways:

  • Mr. Cheney insisted that the invasion of Iraq was "exactly the right thing to do" and accused Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry of lacking the backbone to succeed in the war on terrorism.
  • Mr. Cheney claimed that Mr. Kerry and Mr. Edwards had switched sides on the invasion of Iraq due to pressure from anti-war governor of Vermont Howard Dean, and questioned how they would stand up to Osama bin Laden.
  • Mr. Cheney belittled Mr. Kerry's promise to hunt down and kill terrorists, stating that "a little tough talk in an election campaign cannot obscure 30 years of being on the wrong side of defense issues."
  • Mr. Edwards accused the Bush-Cheney campaign of misleading Americans over the situation in Iraq, pointing out that U.S. military losses had increased month-by-month since June.
  • The Vice-President conceded that there was no link between former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein and Mr. bin Laden, the founder of the terrorist organization.

Statistics:

  • According to a Pew Research Center poll, voters who watched the first presidential debate believed by a two-to-one margin that Democratic candidate John Kerry won.
  • The same poll found that President George W. Bush maintains a 48 per cent to 41 per cent lead over Mr. Kerry among registered voters, and a 49-44 per cent edge among likely voters.
  • U.S. military losses in Iraq increased month-by-month since June.

Sources:

  • "Cheney and Edwards Trade Insults in Debate" by Alan Freeman, The Washington Post, no date specified.
  • A memo from the Republican National Committee, dated no date specified.
  • "Hallibuttal," a Democratic National Committee online comic book, no date specified.
  • Pew Research Center for People and the Press, no date specified.