Co-Stars on Center Stage

A close battle for best performance in a supporting role

As political theater, last week's debate between Vice-Presidential Candidates George Bush and Geraldine Ferraro had two things going for it: a bankable historical precedent and last-minute word of mouth. All along it was to be the first time that a woman contender for national office had trod on the dueling ground of televised debate. Then, after Ronald Reagan's unexpectedly weak performance against Walter Mondale, the match-off between running mates also became a potential benchmark scoring opportunity for Democrat Ferraro. The challengers had a...