VP debate, part 1

With the opening question, Cheney comes out swinging against the Kerry campaign’s positions, trying to make the case and sounding reasonably cogent despite speaking a mile a minute. Edwards responds, sounding less than solid—“Iran” for “Iraq,” though he corrects himself. On the rebound, Edwards attacks hard on the connection between Iraq and Al Qaeda with no chance for response.

Follow up question is a hard one: Would Saddam still be in power if Kerry had been in power? Edwards reiterates the point about subcontracting the hit on Osama to the Afghani warlords. Response: “I have not suggested that there is a connection between Iraq and 9/11.” Oh really? How about a year ago? How about this week?