Biden vs. Palin: VP Debate in a Nutshell (with video)
October 3rd 2008 06:17
The anxiously anticipated VP debate is now in the can, and Gov. Sarah Palin and Sen. Joe Biden have returned to their respective corners.
The good news for Republicans?
Sarah Palin did not spontaneously combust. So....there's that.
She did, however, wink at the audience, say "gosh darnit", "Yer darn right", "ya betcha", and "you sure can tell I'm not from Washington", incorrectly identify the Commander in Afghanistan as "McClellan" rather than "McKiernan", and so much more!
Biden, while perhaps a bit dry, stuck to facts and figures, defended Obama with accuracy and urgency, and kept his attacks aimed firmly at McCain, not Palin.
Sarah Palin appeared to me as one who spent the past week memorizing talking points and practicing her act of "folksy" and "down-home" while failing to outline any policy, and not even being able to defend any of McCain's positions that came into question during the course of the debate.
Most major post-debate polls show a clear victory going to Biden after tonight's debate. But, make no mistake, Republicans are breathing a sigh a relief tonight. Sarah Palin did what she needed to do to prove that she can tow the Party line, and while she didn't really say anything of substance, there were no earth shattering gaffs.
Personally, I was offended by her claim of middle America as her own. I was offended that she and her handlers clearly felt that by evoking the image of "Joe Sixpack" and "Hockey Moms" she could win us over, without really ever directly answering a question. Rather than appearing likable or charming, she came off as calculated and cold. My brother made a great observation in noting that she came off in the way a nervous student delievers a speech in front of the class; speaking too fast with no audible punctuation, and more concerned with appearing to know what she's talking about than actually saying anything important.
Mostly, I was disturbed by a particular line of questioning that led to Palin suggesting that she feels the U.S. Constitution allows for the expansion of powers held by the VP office. Dick Cheney, anyone??? She apparently buys into the BS notion invented by Cheney that the VP is not exclusively belonging to the Executive Branch, but rather that it falls into the Legislative Branch of the U.S. Government. This is clearly not the case. Article 1 of the Constitution clearly places the office of the Vice Presidency in the Executive Branch, and the only Legislative job of the VP is to cast the deciding vote in the Senate, in the case of a tie.
Below is a video of the debate, in it's entirety. Discuss.
The good news for Republicans?
Sarah Palin did not spontaneously combust. So....there's that.
She did, however, wink at the audience, say "gosh darnit", "Yer darn right", "ya betcha", and "you sure can tell I'm not from Washington", incorrectly identify the Commander in Afghanistan as "McClellan" rather than "McKiernan", and so much more!
Biden, while perhaps a bit dry, stuck to facts and figures, defended Obama with accuracy and urgency, and kept his attacks aimed firmly at McCain, not Palin.
Sarah Palin appeared to me as one who spent the past week memorizing talking points and practicing her act of "folksy" and "down-home" while failing to outline any policy, and not even being able to defend any of McCain's positions that came into question during the course of the debate.
Photo Courtesy Getty Images
Most major post-debate polls show a clear victory going to Biden after tonight's debate. But, make no mistake, Republicans are breathing a sigh a relief tonight. Sarah Palin did what she needed to do to prove that she can tow the Party line, and while she didn't really say anything of substance, there were no earth shattering gaffs.
Personally, I was offended by her claim of middle America as her own. I was offended that she and her handlers clearly felt that by evoking the image of "Joe Sixpack" and "Hockey Moms" she could win us over, without really ever directly answering a question. Rather than appearing likable or charming, she came off as calculated and cold. My brother made a great observation in noting that she came off in the way a nervous student delievers a speech in front of the class; speaking too fast with no audible punctuation, and more concerned with appearing to know what she's talking about than actually saying anything important.
Mostly, I was disturbed by a particular line of questioning that led to Palin suggesting that she feels the U.S. Constitution allows for the expansion of powers held by the VP office. Dick Cheney, anyone??? She apparently buys into the BS notion invented by Cheney that the VP is not exclusively belonging to the Executive Branch, but rather that it falls into the Legislative Branch of the U.S. Government. This is clearly not the case. Article 1 of the Constitution clearly places the office of the Vice Presidency in the Executive Branch, and the only Legislative job of the VP is to cast the deciding vote in the Senate, in the case of a tie.
Below is a video of the debate, in it's entirety. Discuss.
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Comment by Lola Tahlulah
Lola Tahlulah
Well done.
Comment by Postmodern Critic
Postmodern Critic
Daily Inspirations
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Padsoc
I've come by your blogs and comments a few times and found much to admire, and would like to thank you for your analysis of the VP debate.
'Sarah Palin did not spontaneously combust.
I'm still laughing over that one.
I had similar thoughts to your brother about her debate manner while watching her, and I certainly wouldn't trust her in office.
CNN today reported that both candidates delivered a few falsehoods and misleading comments, so neither of them were unblemished in the accuracy stakes. Still, Biden struck me as more informed.
Catch ya around,
EPiphanie
Comment by Natalie 2
My Life My Muse
Beta Girl Blog
Epiphanie, thanks so much for the kind words. It means a lot to me.
There were errors on both sides, but I agree with your analysis that Biden was better informed. He also didn't make me feel as though he was talking down to me, or to his opponent, unlike Ms. Palin.
Thanks again, I'll look forward to seeing you around, and I'll be sure to stop by your blogs!
Comment by Cibbuano
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Comment by Natalie 2
My Life My Muse
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