In last week’s vice-presidential debate, we saw two skilled politicians, Vice President Dick Cheney and Sen. John Edwards, debate the fine points of policy. The debate centered around substance while minimizing style.
The debate format and Cheney’s breadth of experience helped him win the debate. Edwards, a great speaker in the mold of the fictional attorney Atticus Finch, was boxed in a situation where he couldn’t perform. In the debate negotiations, the Republicans exchanged a sit-down format for the vice president in exchange for three presidential debates. This in turn limited Edwards’ ability to perform as he would in a court room, which revolves around non-verbal communication.
In spite of all the differences and nuances of policy, the debate showcased why America is still a great nation where anybody can succeed.
Bush and Kerry are two candidates with a family lineage that can be traced to the patrician families of New England and the monarchs of England. Cheney and Edwards are true examples of the American “boot scrap” way of life.
Edwards, who hails from a depressed region of North Carolina, has a great life story. His father was a mill worker turned mill manager who never attended a day of college but lived by the philosophy of hard work and perseverance, which he instilled in his son.
Johnny, as he is called back home, was the first member of his family to attend college. He worked his way through undergraduate and law studies. After he received his law degree at the prestigious UNC Chapel Hill, he proceeded to become North Carolina’s top plaintiff’s lawyer.
I personally didn’t agree with his presidential campaign strategy of making his life adversity the centerpiece of his campaign, but his story is truly an American one.
What about Dick?
Cheney, cast by many as an Emperor Palpatine-type character, is the most demonized person in American politics. Instead of being demonized, he should be hailed as the personification of the American Dream, like Edwards has been.
Richard Cheney, a native of Wyoming, has a very American life story of occasional failure but strong perseverance that eventually led to success. His story was one few had heard until the debate last week because he did not wish to make his background the centerpiece of his campaign and image.
He was born to a family in which his father was a non-college educated, low-level employee of the U.S. Department of the Interior. A prominent townsman saw great potential in him and decided to send him to Yale. He thus became the first member of his family to attend college.
Cheney, a student with a lackluster high school record, was put on probation for low grades at Yale. He then went back home and became a power line repairman in the rugged weather of Wyoming. He took another try at Yale and eventually ended up transferring to a university in Wyoming after his current wife gave him an ultimatum to straighten out his life or lose her.
I am sure this story probably resonates with many men. He got his life in order and the rest is history.
Since then, he has served as chief of staff, congressman, defense secretary, CEO of the much demonized Halliburton and as vice president.
Again, these men are the American Dream. Even though there are clear policy and style differences, these are the type of life stories that make me proud to be an American.
Edward Sanders is a junior political science major. He can be reached at [email protected].