Looking for video of Edwards amitting breaking the rules.

VP Debates ^ | 10./06/04 | Tom Buchanan

[fivetoes]

As I watched the VP debates last night I saw a small clip that I told my wife would be all over FreeRepublic today, but I guess I was wrong.

There was a moment near the end of the debate where Edwards admitted to breaking the rules, not once but twice in a matter of seconds. He even smiled as he said it as if rules meant nothing to him.

Here is the transcript.
IFILL: Mr. Vice President, picking up on that, you both just sang the praises of the tops of your ticket.

Without mentioning them by name at all, explain to us why you are different from your opponent...

EDWARDS: Mr. Vice President, we were attacked. But we weren't attacked by Saddam Hussein. And one thing that John Kerry and I would agree with you about is that it is...

IFILL: You just used John Kerry's name.

EDWARDS: Oh, I'm sorry. I broke the rule.

One thing that we agree about is the need to be offensive in going after terrorists.

The reality is that the best defense is a good offense, which means leading -- America returning to its proud tradition of the last 75 years, of once again leading strong coalitions so we can get at these terrorist cells where they are, before they can do damage to us and to the American people.

John Kerry made clear on Thursday night that -- I'm sorry, I broke the rules. We made clear -- we made clear on Thursday night that we will do that, and we will do it aggressively.

[Novel]

What struck me about this particular answer was Edwards' school girl giggle when he realized he had broken the rules. He literally bounced in his chair. I expected him to so "Oh, my God, I like broke the rules. Can I like start over, oh my God!"

[ridesthemiles]

I don't have a clip of what you are seeking, but I certainly did see it just as you state. He tried to laugh it off about "breaking the rules" like it was just a little schoolboy thing, but he knew darn well he was unable to answer the question without "breaking the rules".

[hawk911]

Yeah, It's not the matter of Edwards breaking the 'rule', it's the way he reacted. To put mildly, it did not add to the toughness aspect of his image.

The better response would have been:
Ma'am, this is not a gameshow. Me and Mr. Vice President are debating policies that will significantly affect lives of millions of people, according to the rules we agreed upon. If you felt the necessity to introduce further regulations you should have cleared them with the debate comission first.

And did you see his wild hand gestures when moderator gave him extra time by mistake? It looked like something from will and grace !!! A person who actually has self confidence would just look at moderator and ask her 'Are you sure?'

And then he starts answering the question knowing full well its a mistake and he is not supposed to. Unbelievable.

[fivetoes]

I know it was not an intentional breaking of the rules, but everyone seemed to get their panties in a wad when Kerry took something out of his pocket last Thursday. People predicted that the Dems wold break the rules and here is an admission.

I just thought it might be somewhat humorous.

[Space Wrangler]

I caught it, but didn't think it was anything earth-shattering. It was kind of a silly request anyway by Ifill. Maybe someone can enlighten me as to why the moderator made such a request.

[A Citizen Reporter]

No, I don't have that clip. However I do have this picture of Edwards:

And the words to the song: "Where is Thumbkin":

(Start with hands behind back)
"Where is thumbkin, where is thumbkin?
Here I am,
(Bring right hand to front, with thumb up)
here I am.
(Bring left hand to front, with thumb up)
How are you this morning? Very well, I thank you.
(Wiggle thumbs as if they're 'talking' to each other)
Run away,
(Hide right hand behind back)
run away
(Hide left hand behind back)