The rest of the Iraq portion of the debate was extremely spirited, and far more articulate than most of the exchanges in the Presidential debate (not having Bush on the stage helped the level of articulation on foreign policy quite a bit). Cheney held his nose above water against an Edwards who was absolutely on fire. However, once the question about Halliburton came up, everything changed. Cheney offered a very weak defense, and when the questions soon shifted to domestic policy, he actually started to look bored. While Edwards stayed strong thoroughout, Cheney started mumbling his answers so badly that at times it was difficult to hear him. He kept ceding his time and let Edwards have the final say on everything. He looked to be in open disagreement with Bush on the hate amendment. He almost completely stopped looking at the camera. If it hadn't been for the inanity about not being able to say Kerry's name, the last fifty minutes would have been the greatest wipeout in the history of Presidential or Vice Presidential debates. Cheney honestly didn't look like he cared about domestic issues at all, and that he was being forced to answer questions in a class that he loathed.

After the name flap, Edwards picked back up right where he left off and more than recovered. Will anyone remember anything about Cheney in this debate except Haliburton? Was there any indication that Cheney actually cares anything in America except its military? There is no doubt that Edwards won. Now its our turn. Let's win the post-debate spin.

Update, by Jerome:

Nice wrap Chris. I went down to the historic Nectars here in Burlington to view the debate. I soaked it in amidst the cheering throngs of Edwards & Kerry supporters. I swear, Cheney had a "that's it" a "no mas" moment. He knew, Cheney knows. That bald old man realized that John Edwards is going to take his job, and that John Kerry is the next President. I gotta say, this was the greatest Presidential-level debate I've ever seen. Edwards came out swinging hard, like I've never seen him do before, and knocked Cheney down; but yet, Cheney did get off the mat and hit back on Kerry, but not nearly as hard as Dick had fallen. Yes, too little too late. And when Edwards delivered the 1-2 blow of Haliburton and the acknowledgment of the gay Cheney daughter, Dick had nothing to do but grin & bear the load of his profiteering ways and of Bush the divider; and then speechless, to thank Edwards for the acknowledgment of his daughter-- that was the moment. It was a heartfelt moment that Republicans don't give the Cheney family-- that their daughter is real, and not some stupid fundamental sin that they are hooked upon. Edwards exposed the chasm tonight of the Republicans moral veracity. I saw a defeat in Dick Cheney tonight that's going to be delivered to George Bush on November 2nd; and I signed up to phone canvas undecided New Hampshire voters too, just to make sure. Thank you John Edwards, you did one hell of a job.