Just three things about this matter of Cheney and Edwards having met before the night they debated:

1) If Cheney's misstatement was done on purpose, it's worthy of condemnation, because I don't want those of us on the libertarian/right side of things to get into the habit of thinking the ends justify the means. (Or that information can be "false but accurate.") That's for some of the other guys.

2) It seems perfectly likely that Cheney just didn't remember. Those of us who aren't in public life probably can't imagine what it's like to have a job that involves meeting people by the thousands, and smiling at them and shaking their hands. And Cheney has spent decades doing this; it might not be natural at all for him to remember one junior senator, before that senator rose to prominence.

3) The best evidence that it was a simple oversight is the fact that Edwards forgot as well. How do we know this? We know it because Edwards didn't say anything about it during the debate. And he would have, too: both men were entirely willing to finish up a previous question before moving on to the one they were asked to speak on at any given moment. It would have been very easy for Edwards to say, "Before I answer that question, let me point out that I met the Vice President at a prayer breakfast." He didn't do that.

Posted by: Attila at 12:58 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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1 Please, of course, Cheney's error was planned before the debate for full effect. That it was a lie - big deal. Cheney and Bush have plenty of lies and plenty of excuses. But no apologies - never. So, to recap, LMA. We went to war over WMDs and you yourself claimed definitive proof of their existence. I urged you repeatedly to send your proof to the President because he needed help. His excuses weren't proving valid. And now - again - no WMDs. No threat to the U.S.. No link to 9/11. Looks like your shepherd's been stretching things a-might and you've been fleeced.

Posted by: littlemrmahatma at October 08, 2004 10:38 AM (BZ0tI)

2 I'm not going to say that the invasion was a mistake, because I don't see it that way. I do think our intelligence could have been better. Naturally, I'm chastened by the fact that your guy has been voting to strengthen our intelligence services over the years. Oh, wait . . . .

Posted by: Attila Girl at October 08, 2004 04:34 PM (SuJa4)

3 Ooooh neat! ...Trolls!! Thanks Miss Attila! I thought the exact same thing once I heard they had been at the same prayer breakfast-thing. Edwards damn-sure would have corrected the VP if it had come to mind. Being in the same place, and even mentioning someones's name in a speech doesn't necessarily equate "meeting" someone. Edwards lack of memory of the event proves to me that they never "met" Best Regards!

Posted by: Zoot at October 08, 2004 05:46 PM (35sAZ)

4 I have known people who make such a dramatic impression on people around them that it takes three or four introductions to remember them. Good thing JE was seated stage right so people wouldn't become mesmerized by that mole on his lip.....

Posted by: John at October 08, 2004 10:29 PM (r4/LH)

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