Tonight was the big debate between vice presidential candidates Joe Biden (D) and Sarah Palin (R). Expectations were low for Palin because she’s looked pretty bad in recent television interviews — especially the one with Katie Couric. That worked to her benefit; she only had to do okay for her performance to be perceived as successful.
And Palin did, in fact, do okay. She stuck to her talking points. She dodged some questions. At times, she had some good, substantive responses. At other times, she tried to make up for lack of substance with excessive colloquial language (although, in fairness, some say that’s “Sarah being Sarah”). Most of the time, her answers sounded rehearsed, and she repeated a lot of stump-speech lines that are, frankly, getting moldy. But, she held her own and didn’t implode. And she got better as the debate progressed. Well done.
Joe Biden was expected to do well in this debate, and he did. He has had lots of experience debating in the U. S. Senate, and it showed. He looked confident and comfortable. His answers were substantive and he had a lot of good sound bites I’m sure we’ll be hearing in the news the next several days. He connected with the viewer. He showed emotion, such as when he talked about knowing what it’s like to be a single parent. You felt, as a viewer, like what he said was genuine. Not that he did everything right, but he came across very polished and at ease. He certainly reiterated a lot of talking points as well.
Now, I’m writing this while watching the post-debate punditry, and they appear to all be giving Palin much better marks than I just did. Perhaps I’m still tainted by the horrible showing she had in those CBS interviews. Or maybe I just hadn’t lowered my expectations as much as everyone else had, so I’m a little more disappointed.
I think the bottom line is, she did no harm tonight. I don’t think this debate changed anything in the campaign — i.e., it didn’t help or hurt it. It won’t give the Republicans or the Democrats a bounce, but will likely just reinforce voters’ feelings. And I guess that makes it a success.
WRONG again, CJ. I am really starting to worry about you…
I hope I am, Diane. But I call ’em as I see ’em. 🙂
I will say this — this debate reinforced my feeling that the Democratic ticket is upside down. Biden should be running for President and Obama for Vice President, based on experience and readiness for the office. The fact that Palin did so well against Biden — the better debater and more seasoned politician on the Democratic ticket — says a lot for Palin.
I was counting how many times Hockey Mommy said “maverick,” but I lost count after 1,465.
Yeah, I wouldn’t mind terribly if she, McCain, and the media never said “maverick” again, unless they’re talking about this guy:
I’m having flashbacks to 2000 & 2004. It’s truly a sad commentary on our political system when we’re AGAIN talking about the “benefit of low expectations.” Ohhh gosh … Sarah didn’t completely immolate herself. She did great! Seriously??? That’s just sad.
We might as well have had a blow-up doll there instead of Hockey Mommy… with a recording, over and over,
“John McCain… maverick… National Guard… change… proud… American workers are the best… even when they don’t have jobs… maverick… John McCain… maverick…”
We would have gleaned just as much from Sarah Parrot.
Expectations were so low all she had to do was not drool on herself and she comes out as “holding her own”. Pathetic. I’m still amused at the fact that city government is being discussed in a vice presidential debate. To second what Prego said, Maverick, Wasilla, American Workers, Just what we’re gonnna do etc, great job sticking to the key terms there Palin! To quote Billy Dennis, I say…”Feh”
I think congratulations go to Biden as well.
His only “Bidenism” blunder was when he tried to convince Palin and everyone in the audience that the Vice-President is only President of the Senate when there’s a tie (according to the Constitution). Actually, the VP is ALWAYS President of the Senate but only votes in the case of a tie.
Details, details.
On a different note: I think if there were ever a year to have third-party candidates included in the debate it should have been this year. Since McCain, Obama and Biden all voted for HR 1424, it would be nice to hear from a not-so-like-minded individual.
Be original. Vote Libertarian.
I agree CJ. Biden won the debate. I know because I played Palin Bingo. http://palinbingo.com/ Gosh, golly gee, what a hockey mom she is.
She is almost irresistible though. I couldn’t help it when she said “doncha know”. How many times did the cameras give us a shot of her back side?
Prego Man — Don’t you think calling her “hockey mommy” and comparing her to a “blow up doll” is a bit… oh, I don’t know… sexist? It comes across that way.
Palin won. Biden didn’t do too badly, though except for his confusing and ignorant assessment of Hamas and Hezbollah coming to power through elections in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, respectively (it’s Bush’s fault”). He also mischaracterized McCain’s voting record. But let the pundits sort it out.
Something that might have damaged Biden was his angry tirade following Palin’s one-too many references to “Maverick” McCain. She got under his skin and it showed.
No, it’s not “sexist,” C.J. There are probably about 200 other Republican women out there, with real experience, and true understanding of issues, that would have been MUCH better choices for V.P. I have no explanation as to why this nut-case was chosen. I have no explanation as to why she was elected governor, other than it is in the weirdest state in the land.
It confounds me how people can listen to her mindless drivel and come out thinking that she’s qualified for anything, other than being a weather bunny, or perhaps a mayor of a redneck, backwards, goof-ass, Northern Exposure type town. She’s weird, plain and simple. Her husband is odd. Her family gives me the heebie-jeebies. Watching the little girl wet down her baby brother’s hair with spit might have been “cute” to the Lawrence Welk crowd, but for me, it was like watching “The Addams Family.”
If she was a Democrat, and was behaving like she has been, the Republican faithful would have been ripping her to shreds. Besides, she’s the one who brought up the “Hockey Mom” concept. And, yes, I believe that the blow-up doll is a fitting comparison to her. She’s a full-time, true life, SNL skit. But, the skit is getting old… and the mere THOUGHT of her running around the White House in her spandex and vinyl outfits, just makes me cringe. This is really getting sickening.
Bleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeech.
Luntz had Palin winning. So did the Drudge poll and others, I’m sure.
I don’t think it’s sexist that you don’t like her, think she’s weird, or hate her guts. I just thought the “blow-up doll” comment was more of a sexist comment than a personal criticism of her.
‘Crats get classier every day…
Palin’s answers were EXACTLY what one would expect from the “interview” segment of the Miss America pageant. The only thing missing was her commitment to animal shelters, babies with AIDS and dyslexia. I’m surprised she didn’t call Biden a silly goose and wag her finger at him saying tsk, tsk.
Sometimes I feel like the things I write may be a little too harsh, but then I read some of my commenters and realize, by comparison, I’ve been very, very kind. Thanks for helping me feel better. 🙂
You’re more than welcome.
Biden had a tightrope to walk, and he walked it perfectly. Of course he could’ve blown her out of the water. He could have debated her the way he would have debated Mitt Romney, or Hillary Clinton, or any competent politician. He could’ve won decisively — but if he had, nobody would’ve been saying so today; all they’d be saying is how he shamefully beat up on the poor little woman. He would’ve lost by winning. As it is, he won by doing what he was there to do: he articulated the Obama-Biden ticket’s plans and philosophy, and defended masterfully against Palin’s attacks.
The polls today released this afternoon clearly say Biden won by more than 15 points. Doncha know. If anyone can’t see that then call Stevie Wonder. Even he could see it. I’ll be glad when the election is over and she has to go back to Alaska.
She winked at me. I think I am gonna vote for her. Can I vote for her and NOT McCain? He never flirted with me.
“Palin won.” Please.
She had notes and didn’t stray off script. If she were sitting one-on-one with a reporter, sans crib notes, as she had to do with Couric, things would have been very different.
And, if she doesn’t learn to say the “g” in “ing” words, I’m going to explode. Doggonit.
no kiddin?
Ahh yes … Palin won. McCain won. That’s why EVERY MAJOR POLL has Obama with a widening lead. That’s why the McCain campaign has abandoned Michigan. It’s a Republican revolution!
Biden’s assessment of Hamas and Hezbollah was near dead on. What [pray-tell] was “ignorant” about his assessment Mr. Jordan? If Palin had ANY REAL assessment about the Middle East, we might have judged her as well!
New Voice, You are clueless
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/02/debate.transcript/
Biden: Here’s what the president said when we said no. He insisted on elections on the West Bank, when I said, and others said, and Barack Obama said, “Big mistake. Hamas will win. You’ll legitimize them.” What happened? Hamas won.
At the link below, you will find the following quote from Senator Obama: “Part of the opportunity here with this upcoming election is to consolidate behind a single government with a single authority that can then negotiate as a reliable partner with Israel,”
http://obama.senate.gov/news/060112-obama_meets_wit/
Biden: When we kicked — along with France, we kicked Hezbollah out of Lebanon, I said and Barack said, “Move NATO forces in there. Fill the vacuum, because if you don’t know — if you don’t, Hezbollah will control it.”
Now what’s happened? Hezbollah is a legitimate part of the government in the country immediately to the north of Israel.
Biden confused Hezbollah with Syria. The U. S. and France pressured Syria to withdraw its forces from Lebanon following the February 2005 assassination of former Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri. Syrian troops first entered the country in 1976. Following withdrawal,it has not come back. Hezbollah is an Iranian-backed militia and terrorist organization founded in the early 1980’s.
Biden got the last part right, but not the first.
Jordan,
I am very well aware of who/what Hamas and Hezbollah is, as I am sure Biden does. I concede the fact that Biden ‘slipped up’. Very good catch. Can you take your knowledge of these two ‘groups’ beyond the internet tripe?
Biden’s goof is painful for me to admit, especially since Palin showed a remarkable grasp of the situation in Afghanistan. Now that General McClellun [McClellum, MCcellen, McDonalds?], has taken over command of NATO forces, etc, we can all take a break. Lets just hope the Iranians do not acquire NUCULAR weapons!
New Voice… I love you man!
KCDAD,
I AM married, but I will keep that in mind.
Can you take your knowledge of these two ‘groups’ beyond the internet tripe?
Truth is truth, whether it is on the internet, broadcast or printed media.
I am not denying the truth. What you said about Biden slipping up was true. What you said about Hamas/Hezbollah was true.
My point is that WE BOTH KNOW Biden knows what he is talking about when it comes to foreign policy. We BOTH know Palin cannot hold a candle to either Obama or Biden when it comes to foreign policy.
All four P and VP candidates made extremely minor mental/verbal errors. The media loves to pick this junk apart. Seriously…if making such mistakes were a crime, we would have/should have impeached Bush years ago.
New Voice,
Biden’s confusion about Middle East policy might well have been a verbal slip, but it is far from minor. Had he recited the facts, he couldn’t have blamed Bush. In fact, he should’ve praised Bush for his help in pressuring Syria to end its illegal, 29-year military presence in Lebanon.
David,
Please. Do you take me for a complete ‘Republican’? The only thing that Bush did was take advantage of a situation – and echo the rest of the world condemning the bombing/assassination of Hariri, and demand Syria’s immediate pull-out. Also, lets not forget UN Security Council Resolution 1559.  Â
I ‘ll tell you what. Go ahead and comment. Then we can call a draw. Politicians are politicians. The last thing I will admit is that any of them are perfect.
To summarize the wikipedia entry on the resolution you referenced, the United States, along with France as co-sponsor, called for Syrian withdrawal of its forces from Lebanon, for non-Lebanese militia’s to disband and for “free and fair” democratic elections. The resolution was passed 9-2-04. Syria ignored it until after the Hariri assassination, when international pressure, led by the US and France, along with anti-Syrian sentiment on Lebanon, forced them to withdraw its forces.
Yes, Bush took advantage of the situation, but many pols miss opportunities. Bush did not.
Give credit where credit is due.
Yet………….here we are.