The two candidates were quite civil and listened intently to each other, unlike the debate between President George Bush and Senator Kerry, where Bush repeatedly scowled and grimaced when his administration was ridiculed by the challenger.
"Frankly, senator, you have a record that's not very distinguished," said Cheney, citing Edwards for a pattern of absences during his single term in the Senate, the Upper House of Congress over which the vice-president presides. "The first time I ever met you was when you walked on the stage tonight."
But this backfired, with Edwards' campaign team later releasing a transcript of a February 2001 prayer breakfast, where the vice-president began his remarks by acknowledging Edwards. They had also met during the swearing in of Elizabeth Dole, the other senator from North Carolina, the release said.
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