Vice President Dick Cheney (left) listens to Democratic vice-presidential candidate John Edwards during their debate on Tuesday at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. (Photo: AP Photo/Mark Duncan)

Wednesday, October 6—Vice President Dick Cheney and Senator John Edwards met for their one and only debate at Case Western University in Cleveland, Ohio, on Tuesday night. The two candidates showed voters two very different styles as they argued for the top of their ticket.

Cheney leaned on his elbows, shoulders hunched and hands clasped. He spoke in an even tone and rarely smiled. Edwards was more animated. He used his hands and often leaned over the table to excitedly make a point.

The first half of the debates was heated. Edwards came out swinging in his response to the first question from moderator Gwen Ifill. The PBS correspondent asked Cheney about Iraq. Invading Iraq was an important move in the war on terror, Cheney said.

"Mr. Vice President, you are still not being straight with the American people," Edwards fired back. Edwards pointed out that each month the war continues, more American soldiers are killed. He said the war was not improving, but growing worse.

Cheney reacted by calling the Democratic ticket of Senators John Kerry and Edwards inconsistent.

"You're not credible on Iraq because of the enormous inconsistencies that John Kerry and you have cited time after time after time during the course of the campaign," Cheney said.

Edwards countered by saying that Cheney was continually distorting the truth. In other words, they accused each other of lying to the voters.

Post-Debate

After the debate, the candidates went to separate rallies near the college campus. Representatives from each campaign hit the media center to their sell their message to the press.

"The Vice President, frankly, didn't look that strong," said Ohio Representative Dennis Kucinich. "So I think Senator Edwards was a clear winner in the debate and showed why Senator Kerry picked him to be his running mate." Kucinich was a candidate for the Democratic nomination for President during the primary. He has since endorsed Kerry for President.

"I thought Senator Edwards really got a lesson, not just in debating, but in the way that someone who wants to be the Vice President needs to learn from an older, experienced man in the Vice President," said Georgia Senator Saxby Chambliss, a Republican. "I thought Edwards was very confused. He didn't understand the issues."

Who really won the debate was certainly unclear from talking to the representatives of the Bush and Cheney campaigns. But results from popularity polls began coming in immediately. An ABC News poll showed that most of their viewers thought Cheney won, while an NBC News poll showed the opposite.

Two more presidential debates remain. St. Louis, Missouri, hosts debate No. 2, which focuses on domestic issues, on Friday, October 8. The third and final debate will be held in Tempe, Arizona, on Friday, October 13.