Just some thoughts from the overhyped but highly anticipated VP candidate psuedo-debate last night.
- It is hard to call that a debate when neither candidate answered questions asked or responded to each other
- Biden had too many numbers and facts, but you got the sense that when they brought up votes that had taken place he actually remembered them and knew the issues.
- They really played up the folksy part with Palin last night. I guess in a time when people want change, and by everyone I mean Palin’s “Joe- Six Pack, You betcha”, folksy certainly is a change.
- Palin held her own much better last night. I think Tina Fey scared the stumbling right out of her. Although I think she has been taking tips on playing herself from Fey. She almost seemed more charicatured last night than I had seen her before.
- Biden held his tongue last night and didn’t step into any big holes, but more than that he seemed very engaged, passionate, and informed. I was pretty impressed by Biden’s grasp of the issues.
- Palin likes energy issues. I picked that up about the fifthteenth time she changed the subject to energy. Is drilling in Alaska really the answer to our oil crisis? It sure sounds good for Alaska, but I am not so sure for the rest of us.
- One effective debate technique busted out by the Palin team was her, “There you go again Joe looking back” line that she used 2-3 times at least. It was effective as a technique but ignored the issue of how McCain’s policies are actually different than Bush’s. They just tried to make it seem like an irrelevent question.
- Palin definitely was debating the public’s perception last night. she did a nice job of that. She was likable, fairly articulate (or folksy articulate), and poised. Good for her.
- Palin has a limite grasp on some vital issues however, as evidenced by her straight forward ignoring of questions asked that were outside her grasp.
- Biden did a good job of actually talking some policy last night with economic issues, foreign relations, and the war. Good to hear policy talked about.
- Overall both camps will claim a victory in that Palin redeemed her Katie Couric trainwreck and Biden really laid out policies and supported Obama well.
- The one thing that bugs me however is the work maverick. After this election I refuse to ever use the word again. It has lost all meaning. Mavericks never have to tell people over and over again that they are mavericks. They are easily idenitified by their behavior. I think that McCain campaign is going to wear out that word in a way that it will be a hindrance to themselves.
- I am ready to get back to the Presidential candidates.
-The Maverick is done being a maverick, but can a maverick ever really change his ways?
October 3, 2008 at 6:00 pm
How can people call it a tie or a close debate when the criteria for one candidate is that he presented well thoughtout powerful positions on almost every issue and the criteria for the other candidate is that she didn’t look like an idiot? Palin may be very qualified for the position. I don’t want to argue that, but why does everyone seem ok with setting very low standards for a potential VP of the United States?
October 3, 2008 at 6:43 pm
No one expected Palin to out debate Biden, they just didn’t want her to blow the campaign. With all the attention focused on her the past 5 weeks, the reality is that people will vote for the president they believe in, regardless of the VP choice. She probably won’t end up being much of a factor. She has brought in a certain delegation, but she has also pushed aside another.
It does seem a double standard and it seems that everyone is nervous about criticizing her because it seems sexist. Commentators say that Biden went out of his way to appear not to bully her. But isn’t that sexist in and of itself? Isn’t she being judged differently because she is a woman? She is even being judged differently than Hillary in my opinion. I am not sure if we are supposed to respect and like her more because she is a hockey mom or simply ignore that all together and judge her on her political record. The way the campaign has handled Palin has confused me.
I have no problem with the idea that a woman, a mom, a mother of 5 kids, a mother of a special needs infant, a soon to be grandmother with a teenage mom, and a wife can effectively work in the White House. I believe strongly that we need a woman in the White House just to help ignorant people get over that stigma.
What I am confused by is if Palin should get the same treatment and criticism that any other candidate should. The media just isn’t sure what to do with her it seems and it is confusing me as well.
October 5, 2008 at 4:31 pm
I solemnly swear not to use the term “maverick” unless referencing Tom Cruise’s character in Top Gun, so help me God.