On Sarah Palin & the Vice Presidential Debate
In the eyes of the media, Sarah Palin has a high bar to clear in tonight’s debate, she has to be perfect. As Jim Geraghty put it, “any mistake she makes will be trumpeted as a sign she’s not ready for office.“ Her gaffes will be rebroadcast ad nauseum on the major networks and replayed ad nauseum et ad infinitum on MSNBC.
In the eyes of the American people, however, if she comes across well, able to relate to their concerns and in command of a basic knowledge of most issues facing the nation, she’ll help reverse the recent doubt people have expressed about her competence. That won’t stop the media from its rush to belittle her nor stop their search of Alaska dumpsters for any evidence of her imperfection. They’ll continue to examine her lunch receipts and question her acceptance of floral gifts.
I highly doubt there’s any network or talking head (save FoxNews) will call her the winner of this debate even if she performs masterfully, even after they have overwhelmingly lowered our expectations about her ability.
Personally, I don’t know what to expect tonight. I have seen clips of her performance in Alaska gubernatorial debates in 2006 — where she addressed questions nimbly, thoghtfully. Her command of the specifics of certain legislation was not as great as that of her various rivals, but her understanding of the impact of certain policies on the lives of the fellow citizens was impressive. She was able to talk in terms the average viewer (as opposed to pundit or policy wonk) could understand.
I hope we see that Sarah Palin tonight. Such a woman might not impress the pundits, but she will relate to the American people. And she’ll help restore confidence in John McCain’s choice of her as his running mate while calling into question his campaign’s decision to, by and large, hide her from the media these past few weeks.
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The truth is, Sarah doesn’t need to be perfect. Americans do not relate to her because she’s a Jeopardy lightning round contestant. They like her because she’s a NORMAL human being who achieved a great deal with her humble beginnings. Trivia and political minutia can be learned. What’s required is strong character, leadership skills and the ability to make hard decisions under crisis- none of which can be taught or rehearsed.
She didn’t become governor of Alaska with an 80+% approval rating because she’s an idiot. What I want to see from Palin tonight is for her to be herself. As it is, most of America has such dismally low expectations for her that the palette has been primed.
Joe Biden, on the other hand, has the Herculean challenge of trying to NOT be himself tonight.
My bet is that Palin will be fine. I doubt highly that this VP debate will change much of anything in regards to public opinion (see Bush 41 v. Ferraro, Quayle v. Bensten, Edwards v. Cheney).
Comment by Right Turn — October 2, 2008 @ 8:09 pm - October 2, 2008
Well she just missed the opportunity to tell America that the Democrats are responsible for the worldwide economic collapse
Biden seized on it to lie and say Obama was warning about it..
Comment by Vince P — October 2, 2008 @ 9:14 pm - October 2, 2008
20 min in though she is loosing up and doing well. I don’t like the way Biden is looking at her. Is it a leer or the look of a father to a daughter?
Comment by Gene in Pennsylvania — October 2, 2008 @ 9:20 pm - October 2, 2008
I can’t believe the moderator didn’t mention her upcoming Obama book and pledge to do a fair job tonight. The stinking bias.
Comment by Gene in Pennsylvania — October 2, 2008 @ 9:22 pm - October 2, 2008
Ifill said that we’ve been debating global warmism. Who’s “we”?
Comment by ThatGayConservative — October 2, 2008 @ 9:34 pm - October 2, 2008
BTW, Joe Bigot wonders how we can fix something (global warmism) if we don’t understand the cause.
Does he feel the same about the housing kerfuffle?
Comment by ThatGayConservative — October 2, 2008 @ 9:36 pm - October 2, 2008
Palin is holding her own. Biden is behaving himself. So far, no serious damage report.
Comment by Right Turn — October 2, 2008 @ 9:41 pm - October 2, 2008
Libs love to tell you how much the oil company profits are. Why won’t they tell you how much they paid in taxes?
Comment by ThatGayConservative — October 2, 2008 @ 9:48 pm - October 2, 2008
She’s doing ok. It just kills me how the Republicans allow themselves to be blamed for the economy problems.
I think her answer to the iran/pakistan/diplomacy was good
Comment by Vince P — October 2, 2008 @ 9:51 pm - October 2, 2008
Bidens hair plugs are doing very well btw. Nice.
I think a good comeback, for Palin McCain when they speak about sitting down with dictators like Akmacrazy from Iran….”Imagine you are a woman, girl or gay person in Iran and they see a President of the US sitting down with the crazy guy. How abandoned they would feel.
Comment by Gene in Pennsylvania — October 2, 2008 @ 9:54 pm - October 2, 2008
Didn’t bigot just say that Iran isn’t close to a bomb and now said that they are?
Comment by ThatGayConservative — October 2, 2008 @ 9:55 pm - October 2, 2008
Best question so far by the independent unbiased moderator….”has this administrations policy been an abject failure Governor?”
Comment by Gene in Pennsylvania — October 2, 2008 @ 9:55 pm - October 2, 2008
One thing for sure, Gov. Palin is a VPILF!
Comment by Right Turn — October 2, 2008 @ 9:56 pm - October 2, 2008
question, “what should be the trigger if nuclear weapons are ever put into play”……how the hell is Sarah suppose to answer questions that don’t make any sense? So far the moderator is doing worse than the two participants.
Comment by Gene in Pennsylvania — October 2, 2008 @ 9:58 pm - October 2, 2008
oh if the military has said what Biden says they did, then Palin will get dinged for that
Comment by Vince P — October 2, 2008 @ 9:59 pm - October 2, 2008
He screwed up his face and sighed. Guess he’s tired of being yapped at by a woman.
Comment by ThatGayConservative — October 2, 2008 @ 10:01 pm - October 2, 2008
I love how Obama supporters always cite Baracks push for the nuclear non prolif bill when he first got to the Senate. It is one of two cited accomplishments. It passed with a voice vote with no dessenters. Big deal.
Comment by Gene in Pennsylvania — October 2, 2008 @ 10:02 pm - October 2, 2008
oh oh the ALGORE sighhhhhhh. He’s getting pissed at having to argue with a “woman”.
The libs play whack a mole with Iraq and Afganistan. Do you really believe they will increase spending on the military when the liberals are in charge? It’s not Iraq or Afganistan it’s Georgia. They will keep changing the target until a Republican again has to rebuild the military.
Comment by Gene in Pennsylvania — October 2, 2008 @ 10:05 pm - October 2, 2008
She’s holding down. I am proud of her! She has everything stacked against her and these Q’s are mostly ridiculous.
Comment by olga — October 2, 2008 @ 10:06 pm - October 2, 2008
So the question was…”what would you do if your Presidential candidate dies…….” man, I’m not a trained journalist but….
Comment by Gene in Pennsylvania — October 2, 2008 @ 10:08 pm - October 2, 2008
Palin hasn’t made any serious trip ups. It is hard to take Biden’s “Obama will be tougher non National Security than McCain” pitch. The idea that Obama will put Pakistan, Iran, North Korea and other American adversaries who want him in the Oval Office is hard for my pea brain to grasp.
Comment by Right Turn — October 2, 2008 @ 10:10 pm - October 2, 2008
If John Adams didn’t have much luck dealing with the Senate as President of Senate, I dont think McCain/palin will go far.
They’re going to have a field day with that.
Comment by Vince P — October 2, 2008 @ 10:18 pm - October 2, 2008
I think they all did a good job, including the moderator.
Comment by Vince P — October 2, 2008 @ 10:25 pm - October 2, 2008
Is it me or did Gov. Palin not get a single final word in on any question? I may be wrong.
Comment by Right Turn — October 2, 2008 @ 10:25 pm - October 2, 2008
No wait. She just did on the second to last question.
Comment by Right Turn — October 2, 2008 @ 10:27 pm - October 2, 2008
RT my sister says women are use to that…men not letting them finish a thought.
Palin did great. Looks competent. No flubs. Stood on stage for 90 minutes with a Senator of 36 years. Palin wins. It will be interesting to see how the media spins it to a loss.
Comment by Gene in Pennsylvania — October 2, 2008 @ 10:28 pm - October 2, 2008
“just say no to energy independence.” caribou barbie. oct, 2 ,2008
Comment by michael — October 2, 2008 @ 10:31 pm - October 2, 2008
Sen. Biden frequents the Home Depot? Can’t you see him wiping the sweat off his coal-dusted face, taking his hard hat off and putting down his lunch pail after the whistle blows on Capitol Hill.
Unlike Biden, I’m pretty sure Palin knows the difference between a Cotter pin and a Forstner bit.
Comment by Right Turn — October 2, 2008 @ 10:32 pm - October 2, 2008
Biden is going through great pains trying to convince us that he’s..well…one of us!
Comment by Right Turn — October 2, 2008 @ 10:32 pm - October 2, 2008
Todd Palin just kneed Biden in the groin! wow
Comment by Gene in Pennsylvania — October 2, 2008 @ 10:34 pm - October 2, 2008
Was it my imagination, or did the moderator let Biden interrupt against the rules – several times?
Did anyone buy Biden’s “choked up” moment? I did, at first. Then I remembered: It’s *Biden*.
I believe Palin scored a win tonight by coming across as what she really is: a normal, yet unusually intelligent person who is passionately committed to reform. While Biden came across as what he really is: a Washington liar.
I also believe it makes little difference. McCain vs. Obama is the debate to watch, and to vote on.
Comment by ILoveCapitalism — October 2, 2008 @ 10:43 pm - October 2, 2008
P.S. When Biden says “Let me say this again… Let me say this again” that is your tip-off that he is doubling-down on a lie.
He said over and over that in 3 weeks, we spend on the Iraq war all of what we’ve ever spent on Afghanistan. That has to be false. I mean, it’s not mathematically possible to have only 6-7 times as many troops in one place as the other, yet to spend something like 85 times the money.
In his negative rant about McCain not being a maverick, Biden claimed that McCain had never disagreed with Bush about Iraq policy. That was blatantly false. McCain said from the very beginning, back in 2003 and 2004, that we needed more troops in Iraq – a surge-like strategy. Bush didn’t believe him until, oh, November 2006 or so.
Comment by ILoveCapitalism — October 2, 2008 @ 10:48 pm - October 2, 2008
Only 14 Lies?. Joe, you’re slipping, buddy.
Comment by V the K — October 2, 2008 @ 10:48 pm - October 2, 2008
too bad she failed to answer the questions as asked. very sad.
Comment by michael — October 2, 2008 @ 10:51 pm - October 2, 2008
and mccain/palin get a teeny bump but gidget doesn’t go to washington.
Comment by michael — October 2, 2008 @ 10:57 pm - October 2, 2008
She did fantastic. I think she won the debate, although I thought Biden did a great job too. The comments people are making are sexist- ‘she did good for a woman’- she did good overall. She spoke like I speak, and talked about what I like to talk about. Be fair people- she won. I blogged during the debate too- if you want to read my comments, you’re welcome to at my website. Enjoy!
Comment by A Conservative Teacher — October 2, 2008 @ 10:59 pm - October 2, 2008
American women stand up don’t let these leftist Democrats hold you down. Now is your time, stand up!! Fight for Sarah!
Comment by Gene in Pennsylvania — October 2, 2008 @ 11:00 pm - October 2, 2008
She did exceptionally well Expect the MSM to be livid tomorrow.
Comment by Tom — October 2, 2008 @ 11:00 pm - October 2, 2008
Fox News…and their undecided room of voters say Palin wins in a rout!!
Hooooaaa.
Comment by Gene in Pennsylvania — October 2, 2008 @ 11:01 pm - October 2, 2008
Cutie Katie will wear black tomorrow.
Comment by Tom — October 2, 2008 @ 11:03 pm - October 2, 2008
Fred Thompson is listing the Biden lies, misrepresentations or gaffes during the debate. Wonder if the MSM will jump on those tomorrow?
Flicking now to MSNBC to see if they are on their meds…..
Comment by Gene in Pennsylvania — October 2, 2008 @ 11:07 pm - October 2, 2008
39, I have problems with people who are undecided at this point in the campaign. 90 percent of us know who we’re going to vote for. If you haven’t decided on who you’re going to vote for after 19 months of campaigning, then you’re a little too much of a self-important prima donna.
Comment by Right Turn — October 2, 2008 @ 11:22 pm - October 2, 2008
#32
I’m still trying to wrap my head around the intimation that we only have 140,000 people in the military.
Comment by ThatGayConservative — October 2, 2008 @ 11:39 pm - October 2, 2008
Michael, and Sen. Blowhard Biden DID answer every question as asked by Miss Ifill? PLEASE! You know what Gov. Palin did? She took over the debate. She made Sen. Blowhard very uncomfortable many times tonight. His smirks and ticks were obvious that he was annoyed with Gov. Palin. BTW, since Team Obama has not a new, orginial idea or thought outside of the left-wing talking points, Gov. Palin really nailed Team Obama when she talked about how they are running against President Bush and not looking at the future. Excellent point.
Comment by Mark J. Goluskin — October 2, 2008 @ 11:39 pm - October 2, 2008
So for gays, Obama Biden are against gay marriage. Joe says there is no difference betweent the campaigns on that issue. Like blacks, when are gays going to wake up and find a new home, and quit being the abused adopted son?
Comment by Gene in Pennsylvania — October 2, 2008 @ 11:39 pm - October 2, 2008
Like everyone else, I was apprehensive about how she’d come through – after all, the entire weight of the universe was on her shoulders…but besides that, I thought she acquitted herself nicely.
Comment by LittleEdie — October 2, 2008 @ 11:49 pm - October 2, 2008
Aw, doggonit! I just experienced the thrill of America’s first woman President in action!
WoW!!!
Comment by Jim — October 2, 2008 @ 11:51 pm - October 2, 2008
Comment by Mark J. Goluskin is in error, error, error.
Comment by michael — October 2, 2008 @ 11:53 pm - October 2, 2008
Biden was the clear winner of the debate tonight. However, Palin did a fairly good job, and will help stop the downslide of the McCain campaign, and may give it a boost with her performance. She said many of the things her base wanted to hear (which is a good thing for the campaign), and will probably stop the list of Republicans/conservatives who have been publicly or privately calling her a bad choice for VP or to step down. The race is far from over.
Comment by Pat — October 2, 2008 @ 11:57 pm - October 2, 2008
Based on what? Not on truthfulness.
Comment by ILoveCapitalism — October 3, 2008 @ 1:01 am - October 3, 2008
Comment by Pat . sarah palin for all her intentions, is nowheres near capable of being president. that’s why obama wins.
Comment by michael — October 3, 2008 @ 1:04 am - October 3, 2008
From V’s link:
The numbers I kept above are the ones that leapt out at me, as I was watching. Of course, the piece identifies 8 more.
Comment by ILoveCapitalism — October 3, 2008 @ 1:08 am - October 3, 2008
deluded as always, ILC
Comment by michael — October 3, 2008 @ 1:11 am - October 3, 2008
Vile and completely stupid as always, Nazi-style eugencist.
michael, how does it feel to go through life being so vile all the time? Having nothing to offer people but your misplaced vomit?
Comment by ILoveCapitalism — October 3, 2008 @ 1:15 am - October 3, 2008
LOL….michael is still trying to explain why “constitutional law professor” Joe Biden can’t even quote the Constitution correctly, I see.
Comment by North Dallas Thirty — October 3, 2008 @ 1:16 am - October 3, 2008
(apology for a typo; had meant “eugenicist”)
Comment by ILoveCapitalism — October 3, 2008 @ 1:18 am - October 3, 2008
michael is so irrelevant that Lenin would call him a Useless Idiot.
Comment by Vince P — October 3, 2008 @ 1:26 am - October 3, 2008
It served Gov. Palin well to push the fact that she is of Main St., USA. Ultimately, voters choose candidates who they are comfortable with and not candidates who are aloof fountains of intellect. Even as far back as the early 1800s, the French sociologist Alexis deTocqueville cited three distinctive qualities Americans possess that were not prevalent on other peoples:
1. Americans prefer issues framed in basic, black & white terms. We are reluctant to embrace nuance and gradations.
2. Americans are the most optimistic people on Earth. To us, it has always been about becoming and being. About hope for the future and not legacies of the past.
3. Perhaps most importantly during an election cycle, Americans strongly relate to and admire people who come off as genuine and regular folk. We possess a strong belief in the wisdom and virtues of a common people. There has always been an elagitarian strain in our nation. And knowing the attraction of populism in our culture, aspiring politicians go through extreme lengths to show that they are one with the people.
Point 3 presented the biggest perceptual challenge to Sen. Biden that most of the media chose to ignore: there exists among Americans a pervasive view that those who spend extensive time in Washington DC risk being debased by Potomac fever, an ailment whose symptoms are arrogance, aloofness and a sudden acquisition of expertise. Problem is, Americans don’t like experts, who are seen to be people who know more and more about less and less until they eventually know everything about nothing. This is where Gov. Palin had a decisive advantage. All she had to do was reinforce who she was while Sen. Biden had to go to great pains trying to convince us that he wasn’t who we perceive him to be. As far back as the Democratic Convention, Biden speaks of his grassroots ties with the same reverence we speak of McCain’s experience in Hanoi. His Home Depot anecdote seemed a futile attempt at playing Main St. catchup with Palin after she made her effective reference to her own family’s experiences and challenges.
Comment by Right Turn — October 3, 2008 @ 7:25 am - October 3, 2008
If michael ranted in the middle of a forest and no one was there to hear him, would he still be wrong?
Comment by Right Turn — October 3, 2008 @ 9:24 am - October 3, 2008
He’d be throwing up on the flowers, from his sheer (1) resentment and (2) stupidity, so… yeah.
Comment by ILoveCapitalism — October 3, 2008 @ 9:32 am - October 3, 2008
heeehehe, caribou barbie is out of her league. O’Biden and Obama win.
Comment by michael — October 3, 2008 @ 9:57 am - October 3, 2008
Michael,
Sounds like you make a minimum wage and don’t pay taxes.
When layoffs hit your McDonald’s don’t come crying back into this blog that the DEMs raised taxes on businesses and you have to live off your unemployment benefits. I’m sure Obama will take care of you as well as he takes care of his brother in Africa.
As your good friend Shirley Q Liquor would say, stop bein’ ignunt!
Jeb
Comment by Jeb — October 3, 2008 @ 10:27 am - October 3, 2008
Why does anyone even address michael? I mean, if a two-year old babbles something idiotic, you just say, “That’s nice,” and then go back to talking to the grown-ups.
Comment by V the K — October 3, 2008 @ 10:50 am - October 3, 2008
I agree. It won’t happen again. Thanks V
Comment by Jeb — October 3, 2008 @ 11:02 am - October 3, 2008
So we pretty much agree that when the conservatives do well the media will yawn. What else is new.
And about Bidens Home Depot story, what exactly do you suppose ole Joe is buying at Home Depot for his compound?
Comment by Gene in Pennsylvania — October 3, 2008 @ 2:54 pm - October 3, 2008
well actually nospeakem jeb, i’ve worked and saved enough so that i don’t have to work for money anymore. and smart enough to know what a bubble looks like. and the worldwide bubble that has been talked about for a few years is leaking. and guess where i have my cash???
Comment by michael — October 3, 2008 @ 4:32 pm - October 3, 2008
hey VTK, can you describe a parabola??? fi
Comment by michael — October 4, 2008 @ 10:26 pm - October 4, 2008