Picking a Winner in the Vice Presidential Debate

Re “Edwards Woos Another Jury,” editorial, Oct. 6:

The editorial says, “You must filter out Sen. John Edwards’ superiority at skills that have little relevance to running the country.” Why do you find these skills irrelevant to the job at hand?

I would say a man who thinks on his feet and can articulate principle is exactly what is relevant to leadership.

Key interpersonal skills of a vice president and president are crucial to winning support in Congress, in diplomacy, in striking a balance between opposing forces. Vice President Dick Cheney follows the model where the state is a corporation, run by the glum and the disconnected.

Richard Ray Harris

Los Angeles

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I was struck by the way Cheney kept returning to the performance of John Kerry and Edwards rather than his administration’s own track record. Even when given an opportunity to set the record straight about Halliburton, the vice president chose instead to scold Edwards on his past Senate attendance.

Allison de Fren

Los Angeles

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Edwards believes “the bright light of America is flickering?” Why is it that Democrats always see America as half-empty? Always negative, always complaining about how bad it is. That is not what I see ... nor is it the place I believe the American voters will think of when they vote for George Bush and Cheney next month.

Jeff Bates

Banning

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Could it be any more hypocritical for Cheney to attack Kerry and Edwards for missing Senate votes when the VP works for the most out-of-office, well-vacationed president in American history?

Jesse Albert

Los Angeles

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I felt Edwards unknowingly alienated Muslims all around the world, especially within the United States. Saying that Israel has the right to defend itself by using force to defeat the Palestinians was a very bold comment. I agree that Israel, like every other country, has a right to defend its people and its land, but at what cost? This cycle of violence is not pushing the two sides toward peace or any sort of resolution. The blame should be equally placed on both Israel and Palestinians, each one antagonizing the other and provoking unwarranted attacks.

Ahsan Karzi

Simi Valley

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Edwards is a bright, positive, intelligent man who has the best interests of all Americans at heart. Cheney is a mean old man who protects the interests of the rich and powerful. On every issue, Edwards presented us with a better alternative to the current administration’s policies, but perhaps the most compelling difference came with the state of domestic economic issues.

David Burris

Los Angeles