Whether you’re a Saturday Night Live Palin-mocking groupie or a member of her conservative base, you’re buying chips and salsa in preparation for the first VP debate. Ever since Palin was added to the Republican ticket, she has been on the world’s center stage, even foreshadowing the Christ-like ambiance of Obama’s speech at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, where women wept under is charismatic charm.
Now the world is wondering, with her garbage thoroughly rummaged and her persistence tested over and over, will Palin actually be a competent debater against Biden, who was on the political playing field when Palin was playing in grade school?
I definitely think so. During the Republican primary for governor of Alaska, she held her own against incumbent Gov. Frank Murkowski and former state Sen. John Binkley. And again, during the general election against former Democratic Gov. Tony Knowles and former state Rep. Andrew Halcro.
“I've debated Governor Palin more than two dozen times,” Halcro said in a recent article. “And she's a master, not of facts, figures, or insightful policy recommendations, but at the fine art of the nonanswer, the glittering generality. Against such charms there is little Senator Biden, or anyone, can do."
Her ability to debate is solid, and let’s hope her biting tongue is well lubricated Thursday night. But this debate won’t be like the others, where she stepped back, cool and professional, while her opponents bickered. Besides the massive crowd and snarling liberals looking for beef, Palin has somehow transformed the opening night of VP headbutting into the most important one in history.
In the past, the candidate for Vice President has made little difference in the actual election. And yes, Biden, Catholic sway or not, wouldn’t do much damage on his own. But the young governor from Alaska? Voters are looking at her in order to decide whether McCain, the Maverick, is just a sloppy magician at a kid’s birthday party, or really able to make executive decisions.
So I hope Palin provides substantial evidence that those little training sessions at the McCain Ranch in Sedona have brushed her up on enough foreign affairs to give the chips-and-salsa fans a good show. I want to see a polished Palin without the conservatives whispering in her ear. And I’m ready to get the liberals, skeletons or not, out of her closet, so this hockey mom can take the offense and attack like the lipstick-wearing pit bull she is.
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Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Paul & Nader v Bailout!
Staged "debate" dance now ready for 24/7 consumption.
Bailout Barack Obama w/partner Bailout John McCain.
Full-spectrum media suppression/distortion
target Ralph Nader and Ron Paul.
Your vote is your power,
they fear it, use it.
2 - Silas Kain
Your vote is your power,
they fear it, use it.
Sorry, PNvB, they didn't teach us that in public school so nobody knows about the power of voting!
3 - bliffle
Although Palin successfully defended against embarrassing herself, she showed no grasp of foreign or domestic policy, so at best it's a neutral outcome for her. Her comments were, at best, gossipy, and, at worst, churlish.
Biden was subdued, but displayed his understanding of foreign affairs rather well.
Biden cinched the deal when he caught himself before weeping while recalling his own unfortunate family experiences. Had he openly broken into tears he would have captured every single adult who has been thru the full horror of being a parent. We have his grace and unaccustomed modesty to thank for his forbearance.
Palin can only be considered winner by those who expected her to thoroughly humiliate herself, ala Gibson and Couric. But what kind of expectation is that for a candidate for such a high office?
4 - Dave Nalle
Biden's teeth were extremely shiny.
Palin was way too gentle on him - probably because she was nervous. He got away with a number of whoppers where a more experienced debater could easily have made him look like a fool.
Dave
5 - Clavos
Biden cinched the deal when he caught himself before weeping while recalling his own unfortunate family experiences. Had he openly broken into tears he would have captured every single adult who has been thru the full horror of being a parent. We have his grace and unaccustomed modesty to thank for his forbearance.
That was the most brazen and despicable example of political manipulation and posturing I've ever seen.
He obviously has no respect for his dead family members.
Even John Edwards wouldn't stoop so low.
6 - Janica
Technically, if you're a republican, you're going to think Palin won. If you're a democrat, you're going to think she lost. But as a staunch conservative, I will say that Palin said everything that I've wanted to say to big government. She was charming, intelligent. I only wish she wasn't, like Dave said, nervous and would have made Biden look like a Washington ass-wiping fool.
7 - El Bicho
"I only wish she...would have made Biden look like a Washington ass-wiping fool."
Yeah, that's tough to do when your running mate is also a Washington ass-wiping fool.
8 - Cannonshop
I noticed a few times when both of them seemed to swallow hard on what they Wanted to say and went with the Campaign's script. Biden on Obama's foreign policy, and Palin on McCain's energy and economic policies. Over all, I think both sides pulled punches on this one to avoid making their Presidential Candidates look like fools.
Interestingly also, Palin described a number of Bush policies with the word "Blunders".
You will never see a Democrat (even one as caustic as Biden) referring to another incumbent democrat as having "blundered." It simply isn't done.
9 - Janica
So when republicans defend their party against all odds, you get to say they're just as foolish as the person they support. But when they point out aspects they don't agree with (in Bush's administration as well as others), admitting that those in their party aren't perfect, you can point it out as a horrific disconnect between what should be like-minded fools?
Thank goodness Palin is outside this governmental back rubbing. I'm glad she can admit there have been "blunders," even against those in her own party running for governor in Alaska, and not be like Democrats, who are constantly pointing fingers, and never admitting when they're wrong.
10 - Zedd
Can the political make over team do something about that dolphin voice. It's simply is too much to take gosh darn it!
Before I go, I'd like to make a shout out to all my hommies, golly shucks!
11 - Sarah SixPack
It's all about the fact that I understand the average American don'tcha know. You betcha!
12 - bliffle
Don't be stupid, Clavos.
13 - Clavos
Don't be naive, bliffle. It was cynical.
14 - Dr Dreadful
Zedd, your grasp of the American vernacular after so many years of residence there (specifically Texas) is alarming!
15 - Franco
Dr Dreadful,
We interrupt this program for the follow special announcement.
I have to tell you that I was on Eurocritics not too long ago and read all three of your letters back home about living in Fresno.
I enjoyed reading them all. You walking story was both funny and was right on. And it was nice to see you experience hometown American and their passion for Collage sports. You got an up front seat in that one which I am sure you will never forget.
It is interesting to see how someone from outside the US sees these things when they discover them and expresses them for themselves. Ain’t that America!
I just wanted you to know.
We not return you to your regularly scheduled thread program.
16 - Dr Dreadful
Thanks for your kind words, Franco!
17 - bliffle
Don't be stupid, Clavos.
After Palins prating of her MOMism all night:
about being a hockey MOM
MOM of a son in the army
MOM of a Special Needs child
MOM MOM MOM
To quote the estimable Phillip Wylie:
"MOM, whose very urine etches glass".
18 - El Bicho
"That was the most brazen and despicable example of political manipulation and posturing I've ever seen."
Right, it's so hard to believe a guy could get choked up over losing a wife and child.
What was worse was using Palin infant child as a prop after the debate. Was it "bring your kid to work" day? He should have been in bed not sitting in the audience.
19 - bliffle
Palin has been flogging the sex card all over the landscape since she was nominated.
20 - Silas Kain
Well, Palin and flogging? Somehow that is the fantasy of many an American male around the country. She can play the sex card all she wants, it's about time a woman got to dig her heels into this paternalistic, misogynist political society's scrotum. I'll betcha Hillary is swinging down a lot of Jim Beams these days seeing how Sarah's played it.
21 - Clavos
After Palins prating of her MOMism all night
Not the same thing as invoking the specter (literally) of tragedy.
Not even close.
22 - Clavos
Right, it's so hard to believe a guy could get choked up over losing a wife and child.
Apparently not if you're naive enough to believe he didn't deliberately invoke them for sympathy.
He IS a good actor, though; I'll give him that.
23 - Christopher Rose
Clavos, have you considered the possibility that you are letting your cynicism overwhelm you?
24 - Clavos
Nope. We're talking about politicians, and specifically, American politicians.
Even yacht brokers are higher on the social scale.
25 - Clavos
I will agree that pols beat out clergy and bankers, however.