Musings
an Online Journal of Sorts

By Alyce Wilson

One of the most interesting things about political debates is watching the commentators fall all over themselves afterwards to declare a winner.

But in the case of last night's vice presidential debate between Republican Vice President Dick Cheney and Democratic challenger Senator John Edwards of North Carolina, there was no clear winner declared.

One thing oft commented upon was the "did not," "did too" aspect of their debate. But at least they were willing and capable of challenging each other, something George W. Bush did not do.

Even more interesting to me, as a Kerry/Edwards supporter, were the blatant untruths said by Cheney during the debate.

For example, he said that he, as vice president, he serves as president of the Senate. He claimed that Senator Edwards made such infrequent appearances in the Senate that the debate was the first time Cheney met him.

Well, it was a great zinger. It is, however, patently untrue. CNN was able to dig up footage shortly after the debate showing Edwards and Cheney at an event a few years ago, seated at a table very close to each other.

It makes you wonder why Edwards didn't bother to respond, except that perhaps he wanted to keep the focus on the issues.

Cheney also had the audacity to flat-out say he'd never tried to draw a connection between Iraq and the 9/11 tragedies. Afterwards, MSNBC pulled up footage from Meet the Press showing him doing exactly that.

Commentators wondered why Edwards didn't have an immediate response to that, but I think they are comparing the debate format to their own capacity as political pundits. As pundits, they tend to be political junkies, who steep themselves in political trivia about every media appearance and public statement by political figures.

Edwards, on the other hand, seems to have focused his debate preparation on facts related to the issues. He did attack Cheney about Halliburton, pointing out the many reasons to question the vice president's continued association with that firm, which is undergoing federal investigation for various misdoings in Iraq under its no-bid contract.

If you ask me, Edwards was simply trying to keep the debate at a higher, issue-oriented level.

There was even some civility, as Edwards praised Cheney for talking openly about his gay daughter. Cheney, in turn, thanked Edwards for his kind words.

But there was some good back and forth. The debate was a lot like a ping-pong match. Many found it hard to call a winner, but Cheney's easily disproved falsehoods could tip the balance to Edwards.

Cheney showed himself to be confident and well-spoken where the president was incapable of it, only reinforcing suspicions that he is, as one commentator put it, the hand inside the puppet.

Some commentator comments were unkind, if on point. Colin Quinn of Comedy Central's Tough Crowd remarked that Cheney could have used some more of that "mortician's makeup," saying that Edwards by contrast looked rosy-cheeked and that Cheney, "Well, I shouldn't talk like this about him. I don't know if he made it out of the debate hall."

Sounds like another case of the Kennedy versus Nixon phenomenon, where youth, vigor and optimism may trump bad makeup and a dour expression.

Some believe this debate was really just a sideshow in the presidential election, but there was certainly the potential for either side to cost their candidate points. But it's not yet clear that's the case, unless people seize on the misstatements by Cheney.

Even if they do, there's only two days until the next presidential debate knocks it off the front page.

I was up late working, but fortunately, I didn't end up dreaming about the debates. Instead, I dreamt about creating new fashions for my Sims. I've started using Sims Creator, which allows you to customize faces and fashions. You can even upload a photo and give that face to a Sim.

Of course, I created a Sim with David Bowie's face. He'll be a rock star, known as Ian Halliwell.

I also created a Sim with my face who, while a Virgo, is otherwise very different. She's in the Xtreme career track and is currently a whitewater rafting instructor. She's also considerably more muscular than I am.

I must say quite honestly that I did not intend for these two Sims to get along so well together, but they spend long hours hanging out, talking about music. Doesn't entirely surprise me, to tell you the truth, even if it is a little ookie, in the "number one fan" sort of category.

Surprisingly, most of the other Sims who have met the character with my face, named Melinda, get on quite well with her. It's kind of amusing to me: do they recognize the face of their Creator?

I was awakened this morning not by my alarm, as I'd expected, but by my dog, Una, licking the pillow. Yes, you heard me correctly.

I don't know why she was licking the pillow. She tends to get obsessive about things at times, especially when it involves licking. But I do know that as soon as I sat up, she was more than happy to let me know she wanted to go outside.

That's OK. I've grown accustomed to the idea that the universe will not allow me to sleep in, even if I stay up late. If it's not a call from work, it's a dog licking the pillow.

Copyright 2004 by Alyce Wilson

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