This should be a very interesting debate. The recent kerfuffle about the Palin interviews has set the bar rather low, which might just be a mistake. Senator Biden does have a past, most of it consistently on the wrong side of history. going unnoticed is that Governor Palin flat out waxed her opponents during the debates for the Alaskan governorship race. I'm not getting overly optimistic, given the level of questioning (I was probably the only viewer unimpressed with Mr. Lehrer in the debate last.), but it would not surprise me to be, well, surprised.
In related news, I can report that yard signs in my area are running about 20 to 1 in favor of Obama. I'd be lying if I said I knew what that signifies.
Well, when you consider that most of his supporters fall under the heading of zealots, rather than cogent choice, one can expect such displays.
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John
Ontario 32 - Aria
Free, is the heart, that lives not, in fear.
Full, is the spirit, that thinks not, of falling.
True, is the soul, that hesitates not, to give.
Alive, is the one, that believes, in love. JCP
For just over the first hour of the debate tonight I scored it 3 to 1 in favor of Joe Biden. I'm cognizant of the fact that my perception might have been effected by a certain political wonkishness on my part. Governor Palin also seemed to take awhile to get over a certain nervousness and understandably so.
At 10:12 pm Governor Palin started landing punches and she controlled, quite effectively, the next half hour of the debate. Some notable highlights were: She spoke freely about the fact that she and Senator McCain disagree on ANWR and she did not cover that up or say that she agreed with him on everything or that her administration, if it came to that, would mirror the McCain administration. The woman does not bow to anyone. Joe Biden by comparison, a comparison Palin made effectively, came across as Obama's kept man. It was obvious that Biden had conceded strongly held beliefs in deference to Obama and it did not reflect well upon him. He left the impression that he was willing to compromise on anything to get elected. Palin just said that, you've got a team of mavericks-you think I'm going to agree with the team leader on everything.
The next telling point during that half hour was that Biden was mired in the Bush administration and Palin was focused on the future. whether this will be effective or not will depend on how strongly the electorate identifies each candidate with party versus message. If the voter cannot separate Republican/McCain from Bush then Obama wins. But if the voter can view McCain and Palin independent of party and Bush then I think they benefit greatly, perhaps even winning.
Lastly, the debate was nearly over before I suddenly realized that I'd been listening to Joe Biden talk for an hour and a half mostly about Joe Biden. After the opening moments there was precious little discussion of Barack Obama-perhaps because there is so precious little to talk about in terms of an Obama record. I think that factor was extremely hurtful to the Obama effort as I'm sure I was not alone in noting that Joe Biden is not the presidential nominee and I sure didn't hear much about the real nominee. Palin, on the other hand, referred constantly to J-Mac's record and only to herself when discussing executive experience.
I scored the last third of the debate 3 to 1 for Palin. Every time she gritted her teeth as Biden talked you knew something good was coming and she did not disappoint. I thought she gently revealed the steel beneath the velvet while never losing her femininity. If Hillary had ever been able to do as well she'd be our next president.
I thought there were countless points at which Palin could have jabbed Biden better and harder but I'm aware that I'm probably unrealistic in that regard. I think she subtly let it be known that old Joe was part of the Washington problem.
In terms of gaffes, Palin made none of consequence and Biden, as is his wont, made at least one that I caught. He referred to this being the most important election that we voters will vote in since 1932. I was left unclear about what percentage of voters he thought would be at the polls who'd cast a ballot in 1932.
I suspect it was an overall draw. But Palin did herself no harm and that has to count as a partial victory.
As a fellow wonk to a degree. It's not going to happen but wouldn't a debate between McCain and Bidden be fun to watch. Both have been around long enough to get really technical.
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As a fellow wonk to a degree. It's not going to happen but wouldn't a debate between McCain and Bidden be fun to watch. Both have been around long enough to get really technical.
That would be fun... I'd buy tickets.. or Payperview! and I don't even own a TV.!
Verbal Boxing!
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-C2
1987 Sabre 34 "Saoirse"
Meet me at the PUB
I think what many don't realize is that the debates are about who's smarter, they're about who comes across better. That's why they are on TV.
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John
Ontario 32 - Aria
Free, is the heart, that lives not, in fear.
Full, is the spirit, that thinks not, of falling.
True, is the soul, that hesitates not, to give.
Alive, is the one, that believes, in love. JCP
Chuck - the only thing I've heard is McCain doesn't want to point fingers and seem partisan. Only problem is, that's just the kind of partisanship that IS necessary.
__________________
John
Ontario 32 - Aria
Free, is the heart, that lives not, in fear.
Full, is the spirit, that thinks not, of falling.
True, is the soul, that hesitates not, to give.
Alive, is the one, that believes, in love. JCP
Great! We've got a Veep candidate who's more than willing to mix it up with the loyal opposition and, some might say, she's good at it. But she's running with a guy who somehow fails to interpret the fact that every time he becomes "bi-partisan" and non-controversial, he loses ground. Turn Palin loose on the Dem's, she'll draw and quarter them, perhaps literally.
Then there's the theory that most undecideds don't make up their opinion until within 72 hours of the election, so McCain is saving his broadsides for that time frame. Sounds like the Giulianni "Florida" strategy to me.
