I'm going to call it a night, but here's my final thought: In a vacuum, Biden wins. But this isn't a vacuum. I think Palin performed far above expectations, but I hope we don't judge her relative to how much she previously sucked. Let me say this, though: I think Palin did well no matter how you cut it -- all personal disagreements aside.
I do think, however, Biden hit his stride at the end. And that won't go unnoticed.
A few things Palin will answer for: her comment about not wanting a media filter and another about wanting to increase the power of the VP. I also think she sounded incredibly rehearsed. I think that's lame, but I doubt anybody else does.
In the mean time, though, that's all folks. Thanks for joining. (Or, if you're reading this tomorrow or over the weekend, good luck making sense of what I was saying!)
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Unable to name a single compromise
Palin just failed to name a single instance of compromise. She tried to chalk it up to Alaska being just adorable -- thanks, but no thanks. That won't fly tonight. This reflects poorly on her for two possible reasons, big ones: she is either unable to compromise, or has so little experience she's never had an opportunity. Maybe she doesn't know it, but compromise is the lifeblood of this republic. It's the only thing that makes a two-party system (a virtual duopoly) feasible. When you take compromise off the table, gridlock or something far more dangerous occurs: the tyranny of the majority.
Biden takes it home
Where has that Biden been? The one just discussing his life at home, his family, the tragic death of his wife and baby daughter, the difficulties of being a father, and what it's like to have one house -- not seven -- and for that home to be your one investment. That's the Biden who will take this home -- in every meaning of the word.
Soundbite of the evening
It doesn't have anything to do with the issues, because soundbites rarely do, but I predict their little "didn't get our jokes" moment will get the most airtime. It plays in Palin's favor since she cracked the joke, but I think it humanized both of them. It was a good a moment, and I tip my hat to Palin for that.
Now, Palin's "her reward is in heaven" phrase -- wag of the finger, I think. But that's a subject for another time.
Now, Palin's "her reward is in heaven" phrase -- wag of the finger, I think. But that's a subject for another time.
Katie Couric, Palin's kryptonite?
What is it about Katie Couric that made Palin such a jiggling mass of Jell-O ignorance?
Could it be that all those conspiracy theories were true? That Palin intentionally bombed interviews for two weeks? Did she want to send expectations so low that comparing her to Dan Quayle seemed offensive--to Dan Quayle?
We'll just have to see.
Could it be that all those conspiracy theories were true? That Palin intentionally bombed interviews for two weeks? Did she want to send expectations so low that comparing her to Dan Quayle seemed offensive--to Dan Quayle?
We'll just have to see.
The view from her house
After her mediocre performance during the second half of this debate (focusing on foreign policy), I have a couple predictions:
- Her success during the first half will be tempered but not at all forgotten because she sounds kind of silly talking about the rest of the world.
- Katie Couric will no longer be the first thing she attacks if McCain/Palin win this election. Couric will be second.
- Russia will be the first thing she attacks--for obstructing her view of America.
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