February 17, 2005
Dean and Perle
I completely lucked into a free ticket to the debate between Howard Dean and Richard Perle, tonight in Portland.
This should be really interesting. I don't really care so much about the actual content of the debate because I highly doubt they will say anything I haven't heard before, but the debate techniques will make this interesting.
Perle is an odd duck because he's the rare neocon who will actually argue in favor of what the neocons are actually trying to do. Like, in the past he's actually talked about the domino theory of how democracy in Iraq will make all the rest of the middle east countries follow suit. He doesn't seem to try to disguise his actual objectives like the rest of the neocons do.
But he's also a big bully that is very good at saying outrageous things in a rational tone of voice. Kind of like Cheney, except crazier.
I've always thought Dean to be really good at cutting through that kind of bull, but I also find him a bit spotty. As he puts it, he speaks elliptically. So I'm not at all sure he'll wipe the floor with Perle.
I'll blog the results when I get back. I'm not sure I'll be able to keep notes on the event at all, but we'll see.