Way to Go Joe!!
To those who think that Sarah Palin either won or tied last night's debate, I ask: what debate were you watching? I heard one commenter who was in the auditorium put it this way: she talked in complete sentences and was coherent, therefore she'll benefit McCain. I'm sorry, but is that how low the bar has been placed for her. I can say this for her, she didn't totally embarrass herself. She was folksy, even perky. I'm sure she connected with some people, but is she ready for prime time?
Throughout the night, she evaded answering questions that hadn't been scripted for her. She really didn't say anything I hadn't heard repeatedly in the commercials that have blanketed Michigan. She must have said Maverick 25 times or more.
Why should we elect McCain-Palin, even though they come from the same party that got us into the various messes we're in? Why, they're a team of Mavericks! By the end of the night I was thinking that Mark Cuban was running the campaign. What does it mean to be a maverick? It's one thing to say that you're going to clean up Washington, but can you work with the people there to make the necessary changes?
And then there was that wink. What's with the wink?
Joe Biden was disciplined, straightforward, informed, while at the same time being open and genuine. He talked about the need for properly regulating the financial markets. He talked about health care. He talked about the need to deal with bankruptcy provisions (a topic that Palin just ignored) that would enable homeowners to stay in their homes. He gave context to votes that both McCain and Obama had made.
And on the duties of the VP, Biden took on the Cheney doctrine that he's a hybrid creature beholden to no-one. The idea that the VP is part of the legislative branch is a dangerous dodge on accountability. So, what should the VP do? Vote in case of a tie in the Senate and the rest of the time serve the President. He said he would be doing two things in particular. He would be point man with Congress and providing for Obama a wise voice. And what will Sarah Palin bring to the McCain ticket? I'm afraid she will simply reinforce his own reactive tendencies.
I thought Joe Biden did an outstanding job. Now, I'm a Joe Biden fan. I didn't back him in this Presidential season because I didn't think he was the candidate for the day, but he offers Obama a complement that will make them an effective team. It is the top of the ticket, not the bottom or the ticket that needs to be the breath of fresh air!
Throughout the night, she evaded answering questions that hadn't been scripted for her. She really didn't say anything I hadn't heard repeatedly in the commercials that have blanketed Michigan. She must have said Maverick 25 times or more.
Why should we elect McCain-Palin, even though they come from the same party that got us into the various messes we're in? Why, they're a team of Mavericks! By the end of the night I was thinking that Mark Cuban was running the campaign. What does it mean to be a maverick? It's one thing to say that you're going to clean up Washington, but can you work with the people there to make the necessary changes?
And then there was that wink. What's with the wink?
Joe Biden was disciplined, straightforward, informed, while at the same time being open and genuine. He talked about the need for properly regulating the financial markets. He talked about health care. He talked about the need to deal with bankruptcy provisions (a topic that Palin just ignored) that would enable homeowners to stay in their homes. He gave context to votes that both McCain and Obama had made.
And on the duties of the VP, Biden took on the Cheney doctrine that he's a hybrid creature beholden to no-one. The idea that the VP is part of the legislative branch is a dangerous dodge on accountability. So, what should the VP do? Vote in case of a tie in the Senate and the rest of the time serve the President. He said he would be doing two things in particular. He would be point man with Congress and providing for Obama a wise voice. And what will Sarah Palin bring to the McCain ticket? I'm afraid she will simply reinforce his own reactive tendencies.
I thought Joe Biden did an outstanding job. Now, I'm a Joe Biden fan. I didn't back him in this Presidential season because I didn't think he was the candidate for the day, but he offers Obama a complement that will make them an effective team. It is the top of the ticket, not the bottom or the ticket that needs to be the breath of fresh air!
Comments
2) he put the pressure on her to talk about McCain since his focus was on what makes Obama better than McCain.
3) He largely ignored her folksyness by focusing on the issues.
He had a few gaffes too as I posted about, but overall he came out as the clear winner on issues and on supporting specifics of why he in in the same boat with Obama.
Also, she still does not know what a VP does.
She did not convert any Obama supporters - and she was never going to do that.
My perspective is that she did well, she stood up well against Biden, and that, believe it or not, is good for the country. I will be voting for Obama for a variety of reasons, not related to Palin's qualifications. In any event, I don't want this campaign decided on gaffs which demonstrate that a VP candidate is clearly incompetent. I have no desire to see Palin do poorly or that she look like a fool, and I pray that she is indeed well qualified for the job. If McCain should win, she will be right there! With that as a real possibility, I have a vested interest in her being a worthy VP. And, qualified or not, if McCain wins I also have a vested interest in her not being dogged by stupid election mistakes. Our democracy works best when the candidates on both sides are worthy of their calling.
We should root for our candidate, but we should also root that the opposition prove worthy of the election battle. What we need in the White House is the best of the best, not the best of a bad choice.
John
John
I would hope that whoever wins, their VP is competent to handle the job. That is important to the nation. From my perspective, however she did on this, the question is one of judgment. I believe that Obama showed better judgment in his choice than did McCain.
I do think it's important, as John points out, that both candidates do reasonably well. For the sake of everyone!
She really is quite a joke in the rest of the world from where I stand.
Biden came across as intelligent, calm and articulate, qualities you want in a leader whereas Palin was just like a silly college student.
Bottom line: The VP debate, as per usual, was not a game-changer, so the burden falls back on the presidential candidates--where Obama's lead is increasing both nationally and in several key swing states. Thus, McCain is running out of time to change the dynamics of the race enough to win--at least if the polling is accurate. His pulling out of Michigan (even Fixed Noise/Faux News called that a surrender of your new home state to Obama, Bob) and contemplating doing the same to Pennsylvania shows panic. If McCain cannot close the gap and pull ahead in some battleground states by 15 October, he'd better start practicing saying, "President Obama." Expect the 2nd Pres. debate this coming Tues. to be filled with mudslinging by McCain. Obama will need to do more and stronger counterpunching than in debate #1.
Welcome back! Yes, it is good news that he's abandoning my new state! I guess the 3 new Obama votes in Troy did him in.
My expectation is that McCain will sling wildly on Tuesday and that Obama needs to be ready to respond. At the same time, he needs to continue to show that calm that contrasts so sharply with the erratic nature of McCain's campaign. It is a fine line to walk between disciplined calmness and passionate proclamation of one's position.
McCain will harp on tax cuts, but at this time tax cuts are irrelevant if you don't have a job. On health care, what will 5,000 buy you? It's unrealistic. You could get a family HMO for that in 1998 -- if you were young and healthy.
The contrasts are increasingly stark and as the economy worsens, it helps Obama, but he needs to close the deal!