Well, I'd say Edwards came out on top by a narrow margin. I think Edwards did well confronting Cheney with the facts on certain issues and also in putting Cheney in his place when Cheney would distort certain issues.

I gotta say though that I think that it's just hilarious that Cheney tried the "global test" line. I also think our poster Kervo (did I get that name right?) did a better job explaining the stupidity of that crap to Dale than Edwards did explaining it to the people watching the debate and Edwards took two shots at it to Kervo's one. Anybody that heard what Kerry said knew he was saying the explanation after he took action was what needed to pass the "global test"...not that he would not act until he got permission. It's amazing to me that Republicans keep repeating it, it's so damn stupid.

In this debate it seemed Cheney's role was to come out and better articulate the things they hoped Bush would say in the first debate and on the domestic side to set up the president with a base explanation of the things he'll be trying to talk about (but probably murdering) in the next debate. Sort of so when Bush screws up or has nowhere to go he can try to repeat what Cheney said or at least refer to it. I'm sure Republicans will be repeating some of Cheney's cute one liners starting tomorrow and Bush will likely use at least one in the second debate.

Cheney never really latched on to anything Edwards said the way Bush grabbed "global test" (even though it was because he didn't understand what Kerry had said) so I don't think there was a bit or a line that they will go hard at Edwards with.

In the style and substance part of things...I'd give Cheney the win on style, his presentation was very calm, cool and collected...I'd give Edwards the win on substance, his command of the facts and correcting Cheney on several occasions.