Who Would Debate Better Against Cheney? Clark or Edwards?

[David Zephyr]

Since the the "conventional wisdom" seems to be overwhelming that there must be a Southerner on the Democratic Ticket and considering the two candidates with the largest number of delegates are both from New England, I am curious as to what the general consensus here at the DU would be with regards to the following question:

Who would the American people feel more comfortable with after seeing him debate the former Secretary of Defense and current Vice President, Richard Cheney: General Wesley Clark or Senator John Edwards?

Please do not turn this into a flaming thread. This is a simple question to help gauge the collective sentiment here at the DU on this. Thanks for your cooperation in advance.

[BeyondGeography]

1. Cheney would school Edwards on terrorism, war, the fear business

Edwards, with his "national security is a background issue" approach, would be overwhelmed.

On the domestic front, Edwards would of course do quite well, but not enough to overcome the impressions of inadequacy on Cheney's preferred terrain, IMO.

Clark holds his own on domestic issues with Cheney (where it's easier to compete with Senor Halliburton) and he would clobber him on War and Terra.

Of course, you might say I'm biased...

[Clark Can WIN]

2. You have to ask?

If you ask who would debate better against GOD, Wesley Clark or (insert any name here) I'm still going to go with WKC. The man was captain of the debate team AT WEST POINT......... Where he graduated 1st in his class.

Too easy.

[11cents]

4. Edward's smoother

and I don't think Clark's being on a debate team is predictive of anything in these political events, but even in the Democrat "debates" Edwards does poorly on national security issues. On foreign policy, the "lightweight" charge sticks.

[arewethereyet]

18. so why did he opt out of so many debates if he's that great ?

the ones he did come to he was smoked soundly.

may want to rethink that answer.

Or not, neither will be the veep nominee. You will recall that they both have declined interest. Repeatedly.

[Redbear]

3. I think Edwards would look better.

Terror and Iraq aren't the only issues.

Edwards will constantly remind voters that The Democrats are focused on the 21st century while the GOP hasn't changed since Nixon.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

5. I can't decide but I would have to give the edge to Edwards

In debates, Clark hasn't been fast on the zinger button. Edwards as a trial lawyer has a unique training in listening for slip ups.

[gulliver]

6. Clark would debate both Bush and Cheney better than Edwards

In debate, Edwards tends to sound canned -- even moreso than Kerry, IMO.

Then imagine talking about tax cuts, no child left behind, IWR, and national security! Clark scores big on all of those. The other two get half a loaf.

Clark didn't vote for Bush's legislation like Kerry and Edwards. And Clark has better national security and foreign policy stature than Kerry.

I also think Clark is basically smarter than both Kerry and Edwards.

[girl gone mad]

7. I'm going just on..

debating style. Edwards isn't well matched agains Cheney, because I think Edwards would appear as an ethereal novice.

I think Clark would be better matched against Cheney, not just because of his foreign policy experience, but because he is more tangible and detailed on all of the issues.

You just can't match up rhetoric, no matter how great it is (and Edwards' rhetoric is up there among the best) against hard statistics and facts. In short, Edwards would look like a kid. He might be well matched against Bush, though, IMO.

[JohnLocke]

8. Edwards is a trial lawyer.

That explains it all.

[David Zephyr]

9. So Far: 35 Say Clark; 10 Say Edwards.

[David Zephyr]

10. Update: 43 Say Clark; 13 Say Edwards.

[THUNDER HANDS]

11. oddly enough, Clark

Because the VP debate will be more about national security than anything - considering Cheney's ties to the war.

But I still think Edwards would make the better VP choice, but just in a debate with Cheney I throw the nod to the general.

[democracy eh]

12. Foreign Policy, Terrorism, National Security , Success Strategy

edge to the General

and Edwards is just to gosh darn nice, but that might be a good contract to the miserable SOB Prick Cheney

[Myra]

13. Clark. I'm sorry, I like Edwards (aside from his IWR/Patriot Act votes)

But he's a lightweight.

[spooky3]

14. the poll results simply reflect that there are more Clark

supporters here, according to other polls that ask more directly who people favor. I don't think they are really getting at who is the better debater.

I like Clark very much, but he is not nearly as good on his feet, responding to unexpected questions, as Edwards is--most of the time. And that is what a debate with Cheney would involve.

Each candidate has his strengths but I don't think any of them would beat Edwards in a debate, 9 times out of 10, and all of them would demolish Cheney.

[MrSlayer]

15. Clark.

[MercutioATC]

16. Clark, but he'd have to be prepped...

His people have nowhere near the expertise they should have in prepping him for debates. He has good thoughts, he just doesn't always express them well.

[DjTj]

17. This Edwards supporter says...

Clark.

I think Edwards matches up perfectly with Bush (connects with regular people, compassion, Southern charm)

Clark matches up perfectly with Cheney (gravitas meets a whole sh*tload of gravitas)

However, if they put Giuliani in there, I think Edwards would match up better in that VP slot, although Kerry would be good too.