Growl & Scowl Vs Youth & Truth

Last night millions of Americans saw up close the power behind the throne ~ the man who runs and directs the White House ~ the man who Bush answers to and yes, the OZ behind the curtain of deception that has permeated this administration for four years.

It was a classic confrontation between fear & pessimism and hope & optimism ~ and they both had their weapons.

Edwards led off with a haymaker and Cheney never fully recovered ; " Mr Vice President ~ your still not being straight with the American people . "

It was Ali against Liston and Edwards moved fast and stung like a bee ; " A long resume does not equal good judgement "

"The vice president, I'm surprised to hear him talk about records. When he was one of 435 members of the United States House, he was one of 10 to vote against Head Start, one of four to vote against banning plastic weapons that can pass through metal detectors. He voted against the Department of Education. He voted against funding for Meals on Wheels for seniors. He voted against a holiday for Martin Luther King. He voted against a resolution calling for the release of Nelson Mandela in South Africa. It's amazing to hear him criticize either my record or John Kerry's."

And then the knockout blow ; " Mr Vice President , I don't think the American people can take four more years of your administration ."

Cheney was the embodiment of grimness growling out his cold statistics like the Godfather that he is ~ but without a trace of warmth and compassion.

This is reflected in the first post debate poll results from Salon.com

Quick survey by CBS looks good for Edwards

CBS "instapoll" results, from 200 undecided voters nationwide:

"Who won?"

Edwards: 42 percent

Cheney: 29 percent

tie: 29 percent

"Debate improved your opinion of the candidate?"

Cheney: 29 percent, opinion improved

Edwards: 58 percent, opinion improved

And perhaps the most telling statistic of the quick survey, in light of moderator Gwen Ifill's question to Edwards regarding his qualifications to be within a "heartbeat" of the top job: 24 percent of the undecided voters polled by CBS apparently said that they were "scared" of the idea of Dick Cheney as president.

And that is the heart of this Administrations problem ~ it has no heart !

As Stephen Dinan writes, " what happens when raw power is unconnected to heart? What happens with the statistics-driven mind is divorced from compassion? Do we begin to perpetuate exactly the dark view of humanity that we are seeking to destroy? "

And therein lies our choice, Americans ~ Is it going to be four more years of the Bush/Cheney politics of deception, darkness and fear or a fresh new spirit of heartfelt compassion, honesty and optimism with Kerry and Edwards.

Edwards brought heart and compassion back into this election with his performance last night and neither Cheney or Bush can compete on that stage.

Allen L Roland

Allen Roland is a practicing psychotherapist who also shares a daily political and social commentary on his weblog and website www.allenroland.com

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