Students say Cheney aided by experience

By Jennifer Sullivan
Seattle Times staff reporter

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Several of the dozen Seattle University students who crowded into a Student Center TV room to watch last night's vice-presidential debate walked away with the same opinion — that Vice President Dick Cheney's political experience helped him come across as the stronger candidate.

Students said they were convinced that Sen. John Kerry, the Democratic candidate, won last week's presidential debate, but that Cheney's comments last night returned credibility to the Bush camp.

"Last time everyone was saying Kerry won," said Reilly Curran, 21. "Cheney did a really good job. [Sen. John] Edwards didn't come across as experienced."

Jenny Willden, 19, said she thought Bush's comments during his debate were "comical."

"I thought Dick Cheney did a lot better than Bush did," she said.

Kathleen Rushall, 18, said the debate even "swayed" her to vote for Bush.

"Cheney was more relatable because of the issues he brought up," Rushall said.

Like others watching the debate, Madeline Vitek, 18, laughed at some of Cheney's comments. But Vitek, a Democrat, admits she was disappointed by Edwards, Kerry's running mate.

"I honestly am not as impressed with Edwards as I thought I would be," Vitek said.

Vitek said Edwards "was repeating the same rhetoric" that Kerry presented last week.
 
Stephen Cook, 22, said he "was disappointed with both candidates."

While Vitek criticized Cheney for "being a little aggressive," Cook said Cheney acted "patronizing" toward Edwards and avoided eye contact with moderator Gwen Ifill. He said Edwards didn't seem to have the experience to back up his statements, but Edwards came across as "charming" and "eloquent."

Willden said there were plenty of cheap shots. But the attacks came to a conclusion after Edwards spoke kindly of Cheney's family and his gay daughter when Ifill questioned Cheney about gay marriage.

Standing on the stairway of the Student Center talking with Rushall and Curran after the debate, Michelle Beito appeared torn.

Beito, 19, said she agreed that Cheney "did a good job in the debate" but said the vice president's comments weren't enough to persuade her to vote for Bush.

Jennifer Sullivan: 206-464-8294 or jensullivan@seattletimes.com