Palin does ‘fine’ in debate, but questions remain for many voters
Dante Chinni
Posted: 10.03.2008 / 7:54 AM PDT
At some point, lowered expectations become your ally. And as the analysts analyzed Thursday night’s debate, the common opinion was that Gov. Sarah Palin didn’t implode and therefore gained.
Sen. Joseph Biden, on the other hand, was seen as steady and showed knowledge and experience. He may have actually “won.” (The flash polls after the debate thought he did.)
Thus the big story in the media will probably be that the night was not a “game changer.” Governor Palin did not have any “Katie Couric” moments on stage, and Senator Biden didn’t ramble into a briar patch in his answers or come off as sexist.
The points that many analysts and spinners gave to Palin centered on her connecting with regular people or being folksy. She was, after all, the first vice-presidential candidate to use the stage as a way to offer a “shout-out” to a hometown school.
Indeed, no one doubts Palin’s ability to be different from regular politicians. But the bigger issue from Thursday night is how Palin handled the deeper question about her: Would she be ready to become president if need be? In the past few weeks, many people in our 11 Patchwork Nation communities have raised that question.
Judging from the reactions of those who watched the debate in our communities, she may have helped herself with some people on that point, but many still have questions.
“You’re hungry. You go to a restaurant. Governor Palin offers you the pictures of food on a cardboard box, and you tear at them and come away with an empty, hollow feeling in your stomach,” wrote one correspondent in Clermont, Fla., our aging “Emptying Nests” community. “Joe Biden’s restaurant had the smell, the menu, the ambiance, and the taste of real food.”
“Did Sarah Palin flop,” also wrote this correspondent, who asked that his name not be used due to community sensitivities. “No, she held her own, and in her own way. Was there any depth or substance in her words? Think about chewing that cardboard picture of a steak and lobster entree and pretending, ‘Boy was that good.’ ”
Michael O’Brien, a recent graduate from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor (our “Campus and Careers” community), thought, as many did, that Palin shored up the GOP base.
“Biden won, marginally,” he wrote in an e-mail. “That said, Palin largely overperformed. She had an incredibly low bar set after her interviews with Charlie Gibson and Katie Couric. She came off as competent and semi-knowledgeable, which is important. She’s folksy, and probably appealed to the people she needed to.
And in Nixa, Mo., our socially conservative “Evangelical Epicenter,” one correspondent wrote, “Sarah Palin spoke to my sensibilities. As a Heartlander and Middle Class American, I believe her.”
In general, though, many Patchwork correspondents who watched the debate said they thought Biden seemed more knowledgeable.
In Hopkinsville, Ky. (our “Military Bastion” community), Mayor Dan Kemp wrote, “[B]oth Palin and Biden exceeded expectations. Both did a good job under very stressful circumstances.” He also e-mailed, “Overall, I agree with the CNN poll results that Biden did the best substantively. I don’t think this debate changes the election for either side.”
Up in Lincoln City, Ore. (our “Service Worker Center”), Patchwork Nation blogger Kip Ward hosted a watch party at the Historic Anchor Inn. The crowd’s feelings on the night were pretty straightforward, he said. “Biden clearly won. Palin did just fine,” he wrote.
Still, the bigger problem for Sen. John McCain now is the story line that has dominated the campaign for the past few weeks will undoubtedly continue: the economy. In fact, the particularly down economy in Michigan may be one reason that Senator McCain’s campaign announced Thursday it was pulling out of Michigan.
Writing from Ann Arbor on Thursday night, Jesse Bernstein, president and CEO of the Ann Arbor Area Chamber of Commerce, expressed frustration.
“I lasted 9 minutes [watching the debate],” he wrote. “Why should I vote for a Republican when the candidate says Washington is broken and they were in control of everything for the better part of 8 years?”
He added, “I’m going to watch the football game.”
October 3rd, 2008 at 8:41 am PDT
That was quite the place for an infant; on stage as a photo prop. Sarah had better hope he doesn’t call an abuse hotline when he gets older.
October 3rd, 2008 at 8:47 am PDT
I’ll let others decide who won, but I can say that sexual rights surely did not. The bottom line agreement on laws protecting same-sex couples but opposition to marriage equality was not unexpected, but still made me sad. Allowing that marriage should be a decision made by the faith community was better than saying that we should “tolerate” all people, but STILL, I would have liked to have heard more affirmation for LGBT persons from both sides. Senator Biden said something about his violence against women act twice and Roe v. Wade once; Governor Palin mentioned international women’s rights once. I would have really liked to have heard questions and answers on AIDS, the Supreme Court, abortion, sexuality education, pay equity, parenting support, and so on.
Rev. Debra Haffner
http://debrahaffner.blogspot.com
October 3rd, 2008 at 8:48 am PDT
Dante, looks like you copy and pasted from MS Word in your post. See the code in the beginning of your article.
October 3rd, 2008 at 8:49 am PDT
Palin’s performance was the result of great coaching and great scripting; not to be confused with experience or knowledge of the issues. She didn’t stand her ground, she was a mere parrot. She cited that she may not answer questions the way the moderator or Biden wanted, but would speak to the people…well the people wanted to hear the answers to the questions… I guess I”m just not your average Folksy Joe Six Pack.
October 3rd, 2008 at 8:50 am PDT
This is in response to Jesse Bernstein in Ann Arbor:
“I lasted 9 minutes [watching the debate],” he wrote. “Why should I vote for a Republican when the candidate says Washington is broken and they were in control of everything for the better part of 8 years?”
Lest I remind you that Democrats controlled the House and Senate since 2004. I’d say neither party really has a shining record.
In the end, the people who watched this debate are those who wanted to see Sarah Palin get eaten alive (which didn’t happen the way Tina Fey hoped it would, I’m sure). They came away with great fodder, and somehow are still supporting Joe Biden. If there is any more clear example of old Washington politics-as-usual, it’s Biden.
I really wish both candidates had picked better VPs. Then I might not be forced to write someone else in.
October 3rd, 2008 at 8:51 am PDT
This is in response to Jesse Bernstein in Ann Arbor:
“I lasted 9 minutes [watching the debate],” he wrote. “Why should I vote for a Republican when the candidate says Washington is broken and they were in control of everything for the better part of 8 years?”
Lest I remind you that Democrats controlled the House and Senate since 2004. I’d say neither party really has a shining record.
In the end, the people who watched this debate are those who wanted to see Sarah Palin get eaten alive (which didn’t happen the way Tina Fey hoped it would, I’m sure). They came away with great fodder, and somehow are still supporting Joe Biden. If there is any more clear example of old Washington politics-as-usual, it’s Biden.
I really wish both candidates had picked better VPs. Then I might not be forced to write someone else in.
October 3rd, 2008 at 8:51 am PDT
I caught the last 45 minutes of the debate. I was hoping Sarah Palin would bomb, but she didn’t. With that said, I also don’t think she offered swing voters much to think about in terms of how she or Senator McCain plan to handle problems such as education or the economy. She rallied the base of the Republican party but it’s going to take more than rhetoric to reach the swing voters in this country. While Palin held her own, nothing was lost or gained.
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October 3rd, 2008 at 8:53 am PDT
I was offended that a woman who made a million dollars last year called herself “middle class”.
I don’t go to my son’s games worrying about stocks; I worry about how I’m going to feed him after the game.
She was more like a Stepford mom than a hockey mom and I didn’t feel she represented me as a working mom, a woman or an average American.
Anyone, male or female, who wants to lead this country without looking at past mistakes is dangerous and reckless. I don’t want a maverick, hothead; I want thoughtful intelligence.
October 3rd, 2008 at 8:55 am PDT
So, you expect the left to cut her any slack? It is back to the partisan attacks, as usual.
October 3rd, 2008 at 8:55 am PDT
Yes, Palin “did fine”, but I really needed much more than that.
I sincerely looked forward to hearing HER speak, and instead got the same thing I have already known. She may as well have been given the floor for 90 minutes, to lay out her brand new stump speech.
I was actually offended by her comment that she would not answer the questions she was asked. That insulted me to no end, as those answers were the only reason I gave up my time.
Biden was more than fine, he was refreshing in his candor and honest desire to inform.
I understand perfectly why some are elated over Palin’s performance (and performance it was), after her disastrous interviews of the preceding weeks. She looked terrific, and that smile had me wondering if it was the natural configuration of her face at rest. Considering the current state of our economy and world reputation, a more serious look would have gone a long way toward me considering her possible value to our nation.
Head Republican Cheerleader? Absolutely.
Vice president of the United States? Absolutely NOT.
October 3rd, 2008 at 8:58 am PDT
Palin just reread her notes over and over. She attempted to emasculate Biden by stripping away his Senator title early on and then we found out it was a way to set him up for the ’say it ain’t so’ line which was deplorable and shallow. What about the ‘we agree that we both love Israel’ line? Did Leiberman make her lay out that awful quote? It was so pandering it was creepy. What was up with that wink wink half-wink wink, and you betcha. Does she believe all Americans are either little children or senile old folks in a nursing home? GW already did all this and then created the biggest mess ever. The Americans can be fooled once shame on I mean fooled twice and well-you know what I mean….
October 3rd, 2008 at 9:01 am PDT
Palin never answered the questions and sometimes she refused to answer the question in order to refer back to the things she was coached on that was written on her notes. Did anyone notice that Palin used the trademark race card in her closing statement? It was subliminal but I heard it. If you missed it it goes something like this. Passing the torch, which is code for whites vote for McCain-Palin. Probably the only people who picks up on this code is white supremisist and regular bigots. That was just the beginning of what is to come in the next 30 days. The race card will be played by McCain, mark my words, here comes the kitchen sink.
October 3rd, 2008 at 9:05 am PDT
I don’t know how they could even consider this debate a tie. Palin was all packaging and no substance. But this is the 21st century, and America follows marketing and packaging, not product.
It’s clear that Palin, like other Republicans, understands what “joe six pack” wants. Don’t bore them with actual information, because they don’t understand it. Just sound like you know what you’re talking about, and have a pretty face, so they can identify with you. Throw a little bible-thumping in with it, and the lemmings line up to go off the cliff together.
I’m sick of the Republican “trust me” approach that has driven our country into the ground for the last 8 years. The average American doesn’t want to be bothered with taking responsibility to educate themselves, and would rather let crooked elitists continue to do what’s best for themselves and their corporate friends, who send them money and gifts via lobbyists. It’s truly sad.
God I pray, that the educated people in America will get out and vote this year. Save us from ourselves, America!
October 3rd, 2008 at 9:07 am PDT
I don’t know how they could even consider this debate a tie. Palin was all packaging and no substance. But this is the 21st century, and America follows marketing and packaging, not product.
It’s clear that Palin, like other Republicans, understands what “joe six pack” wants. Don’t bore them with actual information, because they don’t understand it. Just sound like you know what you’re talking about, and have a pretty face, so they can identify with you. Throw a little bible-thumping in with it, and the lemmings line up to go off the cliff together.
I’m sick of the Republican “trust me” approach that has driven our country into the ground for the last 8 years. The average American doesn’t want to be bothered with taking responsibility to educate themselves, and would rather let crooked elitists continue to do what’s best for themselves and their corporate friends, who send them money and gifts via lobbyists. It’s truly sad.
God I pray, that the educated people in America will get out and vote this year. Save us from ourselves, America!
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October 3rd, 2008 at 9:16 am PDT
Is there anything more to say after this?
“I lasted 9 minutes [watching the debate],” he wrote. “Why should I vote for a Republican when the candidate says Washington is broken and they were in control of everything for the better part of 8 years?”
This sums it up perfectly.
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October 3rd, 2008 at 9:18 am PDT
Palin did great as a chearleader for McCain and gets credit for memorizing lots of slogans. Too bad she sometimes put in the wrong tape. I still wonder if she gets the real issues and if she has any thoughts of her own. She panders to the bluecollars and moms, but even those are starting to realize that a regular Joe Sixpack is not going to be able to get the country out of this awful mess it is in. She is all form over substance, but I bet if she would ever get to a NATO or G8 meeting, none of her tactics - folksy speak or winking - will get her very far with the real politicians.
October 3rd, 2008 at 9:19 am PDT
I have no idea what the media uses as criteria for winning a debate.
When I got home I asked Dylan and Julia what they thought - their response
Julia (my wife) - Her use of language is terrible; I thought she had a college degree.
Dylan (age 17) - What is it with republicans? Why don’t they answer the questions? I don’t think she’s very bright.
From the media - I’ll have to go to the transcript to figure out what Palin actually said and try to figure out whose facts were right. But there’s no question: She won the debate on popularity. She did her homework, studied hard, and delivered with spunk. Still, I had the uneasy feeling throughout that I was witnessing a data dump from a very appealing droid. Even the winks and jaw juts seemed slightly programmed. And the question remains: Is she ready to be president should the need arise?
http://voices.washingtonpost.com
I guess Biden was intelligible, no need to try and figure out what he actually said.
Won? Is “joe six pack” how you refer to the average citizen? Is she going to refer to the average Chinese citizen as “chen egg roll” during discourse with Chinese delegations?
Spunk? - Spunk requires passion and spontaneity; Palin looked rehearsed and “lost in forest”.
I recommend reading the transcripts. - http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/02/debate.transcript/
Personally I could have answered the questions better. I don’t think Palin even understood some of the questions. McCain should have picked me as VP.
At least I understand the role of VP with respect to legislative limits.
Nick
P.S.
By the way, I even know how to answer a question about “Achilles heel”. Which implies I understand the question; Palin didn’t.
October 3rd, 2008 at 9:23 am PDT
Why is no one discussing the facts that McCain is an addict - an alcoholic (albieth on the wagon) and a compulisive **** gambler. Why would America want an addict and barbie to run our country?
October 3rd, 2008 at 9:23 am PDT
As a 55 year old woman, all I could think of was “She’s too old to play so cutesy.” Cute doesn’t cut it for VP. Where’s the beef?
October 3rd, 2008 at 9:24 am PDT
Please, the Democrats took control of Congress with the elections in November 2006, sworn in January 2007! And if you claim 2004, that is NOT true. Get your facts straight Eddie, unless you consider Joe Lieberman, the speaker for John McCain a democrat, which he ISN’T!
Palin did well. Lots of fluff and talk. NOT a single policy which made sense. She didn’t even admit she DOESN’T believe global warming is caused by humans. BUT then she contradicted herself by saying “we need to clean up the planet.” If it’s not caused by humans and by the climate why do we have to clean up the environment? No common sense.
Second, what happens if we drill and it takes 10 years to get the oil? No response from Sarah Palin. Oil expert my behind!
Third, what happens when we use up our oil? We have 3% of the world oil and use 25% of the supply. I am 29 years old, what happens in 30 years when we use up our oil? If we don’t move forward with alternative energies?
Great job Palin. Good long term planning and thinking. Yep drill, baby drill!
McCain will tax your health benefits people! Joe Biden did not explain it well, but he will tax the health insurance premium paid by OUR employers! So we will have a higher income by $12k! To get back a $5k tax credit! Whoopee. Great, then when our companies ditch the expensive healthcare, 20 million people will become UNINSURABLE! Joe did a terrible job explaining it, but anyone who votes for McCain/Palin deserves to run the risk of being uninsurable!
If people vote for Palin and McCain they are dumb. McCain has no timeline on Iraq, voted against alternative energy research funding, voted for the war in Iraq, wants to TAX health care benefits from employers, cut taxes for those making more than $250k, then deserve everything that goes wrong!
October 3rd, 2008 at 9:24 am PDT
Dante Chinni… Only Jesse Bernstein is the only voter in your article listed as having a question. You obviously projected your own values into the article.
October 3rd, 2008 at 9:25 am PDT
The most difficult sticking place for me last night was when Sarah Palin “graciously” stated her “tolerance” for the GLBT population. This attitude is insulting. She has also stressed the incredulous notion of sexual orientation as “choice”. I suppose if you are going to go there you could extend it to a woman’s right to choose?
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October 3rd, 2008 at 9:30 am PDT
I thought she laid the folksy act on pretty thick, and her accent seemed thicker than ever. I actually found it pretty excruciating to listen to for 90 minutes.
Other than the overly cutsy “dog gonnit” Joe Six Pack nonsense, she didn’t do much differently than she did in her debates running for governor, which was answer different questions than she was asked when she didn’t know the answer, and unleash a BS storm, laced with outright untruths and misrepresentations. Tragically, too many people in this country easily fall for that kind of thing.
Can’t we just put her on a reality show where she belongs, instead of letting this actress hold high office? Then all the folks who like her can still watch her act every week, but we won’t be governed by fools - again. I’m really sick of getting what they deserve.
October 3rd, 2008 at 9:30 am PDT
tom ward Says: “One more fact the Democrats don’t tell the truth about and that is they have controlled the Congress for the last two years and have accomplished what? Out of control gas and energy prices and a Trillion dollar bail out.”
The bailout was proposed by the bush administration, Sec Treasury asked for a blank check to spend $700 billion buying bad loans his wall street friends no longer want. The Democrats are pushing for oversight and some return to the taxpayers who will be footing the bills.
And the bailout is due to eight bush years of derulated banking, in part created by Phil Gramm who is McCain’s chief financial advisor. So McCain supports the deregulation that caused the problem.
RCG
October 3rd, 2008 at 9:32 am PDT
To Eddie (October 3rd, 2008 at 8:50 am EDT)
“Lest I remind you that Democrats controlled the House and Senate since 2004.”
Incorrect. The Republicans had control of both the House (232-201)and the Senate (51-49) (not to mention the White House and the Supreme Court (7-2)). It wasn’t until the mid-season elections of 2006 did the Democrats take control.
October 3rd, 2008 at 9:32 am PDT
Scott drank the Neocon kool-aid. Palin made me nauseous. She parroted all the RNC and Faux News talking points on her cue cards and refused to answer the questions put forth. Disgusting. Why does she talk to us like we are full-on hayseed hicks? Wink-wink. If this is the state of 21st century politics in America, God help us all. We can do much better than this pre-programmed cheerleader for the Neocon agenda. The real maverick in the Republican party is Chuck Hagel of NE. There is a maverick who puts country first. Obama/Biden just got this Independent’s vote tonight. I want a VP who can think through issues, not just parrot party dogma and look good. Pathetic.
October 3rd, 2008 at 9:36 am PDT
I find it interesting that many people are attacking Palin, claiming she has no substance, only packaging. Yet Mr. Obama has been the KING of no substance. Everywhere I go I see cold war style propaganda with Obama’s face plastered underneath which lies the word “hope” or “change.” His cockiness, ambition, and arrogance are representative of typical baby-boomer attitudes, which have been the cause of many of the present problems this country is facing today. McCain’s generation, on the other hand, made this nation great…
We bought into this idea of so-called change back in 2006 when the Democrats promised us the same thing. I tell you this, I could actually afford gas back then. And IF Obama were to really intent to make grand changes to government, he wouldn’t have had overwhelming support from the failing Democratic party. Rest assured, the Dems feel safe with Barry Obama at the helm. Change will not be forthcoming.
Just remember, the American people made the wrong choice in 2004 in voting for Bush… and they are heading for a similar mistake.
October 3rd, 2008 at 9:37 am PDT
Former Republican here and Palin’s performance only solidifies my conviction that the Republican party is bankrupt. Her folksy “you betchas” were insulting, and like a previous writer, I was not impressed when she gleefully claimed that she would not be answering the questions. And what about her answer to giving more power to the VP. Has Dick Cheney’s law breaking performance not been enough?
If only McCain had chosen an Olympia Snow or Chuck Hagel. Republicans that I would trust and could believe in.
Signed
One Republican voting for Obama
October 3rd, 2008 at 9:37 am PDT
Palin’s remark to Joe Six Pack was interesting. The republican party seems quite comfortable with this “support”. The people referenced(not all of them but a substantial portion of them) get their information from emails, not news. But, of course, the news is all biased in their minds: make that anything that doesn’t reflect their bias as biased. I had an individual tell me how angered they got toward Obama over a false email about him. I pointed out that the email was false and the factcheck sites they might want to reference in the future(and this would apply to partisans of either side). They spent all that energy over nonsense. When did it become “elitism” to engage in a rigorous pursuit of knowledge or to attend our nation’s greatest colleges and go on to succeed in life? These people are game changers for a nation and for mankind.
October 3rd, 2008 at 9:38 am PDT
@ Scott:
thanx for chiming in, you racist. Gotta love that 1 in 20 people out there are still racist bigots. Racists would rather let liars and cheats continue to run the country than have a reasonable man with dark skin in office. It’s sad. This guy is obviously scared they’re gonna change the name to “The Black House”, and 1600 Pennsylvania Av will be on the next episode of MTV’s “Cribz”. STOP LETTING FEAR POISON YOUR MIND, FOOL! At the very least, keep it inside your head and not let it spew out your mouth where kids may hear it.
October 3rd, 2008 at 9:39 am PDT
Everybody saw and heard what they wanted in that debate. Gov. Palin’s performance was excellent given how badly she’s come off in interviews. That said I was a little uncomfortable by her frequently going off question to an obviously rehearsed set of answers. I feel the pen of the Bush speechwriter used in her convention speech coming through.
I actually admire Ifil’s questions, because she is partisan, but I thought she did a good job balancing her act, not asking Palin about her foreign policy experience, instead focusing her on her thoughts on new direction.
Substantively, theatrics, barbs, folksy BS, and cringeworthy Israel references (hey I’m a Jew, but that was a little too much even for me) aside, I think Biden came out ahead, if for nothing else clearly demonstrating that he understands his role (I thought his responses to the VP-role questions were brilliant - Sarah’s VP as legislator comment was frightening), gets the foreign policy issues, remembers the names of key players (Gen. McLellan?). For her part I think she did well, though my patience meter ran out around the second or third time she used the word maverick when answering a question. Stating McCain is a maverick does not answer the question of what he would do or what position he takes. Maverick is not a position, it’s a moniker.
October 3rd, 2008 at 9:40 am PDT
There were times that I could not be sure whether it was the real Palin or the impersonator Fey. It was laid on so thickly with the cute winks, the accent, the folksy speak, the avoiding of the real issues, not understanding or responding to questions, that I thought this was not really serious and like “candid camera”. Boy, if this regular Joe Sixpack is going to talk to other politicians and world leaders, she is just going to be treated as the hired help or another bimbo.
October 3rd, 2008 at 9:42 am PDT
pete writes:
If you want socialism vote democrat..if you want free market, vote republican.
But the current Republican administration, after eight years of mostly republican control of the congress, has destroyed the financial system and is now nationalizing it. the government now owns Fanny and Freddi and manages about 80& of the residential mortgages in this country. That, Pete, is socialism, cpmplimentsw of the Republicans.
congress is controlled by democrats…lest most of the posts here want to continue to point fingers at the white house… The house is controlled by Democrats; the Senate is hanging on a one vote majority and only because Liberman, an Independent with Republican leanings, still sits with Democrats. Republicans controlled the Congress for six of eight years, during which Bush vetoed zero, nadda, no spending initiatives. Moreover, the bush admin and Greenspan were warned in 2004 and 2005 and 2006 that the mortgage markets were running amuck and heading for disaster. Pete, disaster is what we have now and McCain wants to continue the very bush policies that got us here.
I’m a former Republican who changed to vote for Obama in the primary and will vote for him in November. I’m also working for his campain and donating $$$ to may for the TV commercials. Obama’s program seems to be working; McCain just dropped out of Michigan, a good place to start.
Sam
and, btw, under pelosi….look at the dow, fannie freddie, and gas prices….nice job democratic congress….
October 3rd, 2008 at 9:46 am PDT
Listen, i’m not voting for some cheerleader who’s got time to play cute on TV & who’s doing “shout-out’s” to people. I want a real, intelligent president who can deal with the SERIOUS problems we’re dealing with! I’m Clear she’s not the solution.
October 3rd, 2008 at 9:53 am PDT
There is only one reason why Palin did not have any more embarrasing “Couric” moments: because the moderator babied Palin. Palin REPEATEDLY ignored several of the debate questions and instead used the time to ramble on about her memorized talking points on other issues. If the moderator would have forced Palin to go back and anser just half of the questions that palin ignored, the debate would have been very different and Palin would have fallen apart the same way she did with Couric.
I’m sure Biden wanted badly to hold Palin’s feet to the fire on the BS coming out of her mouth, but he has been instructed not to criticize Palin or pressure her.
Palin had a ”pass” for the whole 90 minutes. Just show up, look cute, keep to your memorized talking points, and say folksy cutesy phrases like ‘doggone it’ and ‘darn it’ and ’say it ain’t so’ Neithr Biden nor the moderator pressed Palin to answer the tough questions or to provide details of anything
October 3rd, 2008 at 9:56 am PDT
I felt Biden was the clear winner. He answered the questions asked and attacked when needed. Palin sided stepped several questions and seemed to be a cheerleader most of the night. The way I see it they could have had a cardboard cut of her there with a button to push and hear we are the original mavericks! Nothing against her but she is way over her head which reflects badly on Mccains decision making.
October 3rd, 2008 at 9:56 am PDT
Just a little pesky facts:
The democrats have only “controlled” Congress since 2006.
In the House, the ratio is 53.6% to 46.4%, democrats. They have a 31 vote lead over Republicans.
In the Senate, however, there are 49 dems, 49 repubs, 1 independant, and 1 independant democrat. The two independents caucus with the dems, which means there are 51 dems to 49 repubs. Two votes are hardly a controlling majority.
October 3rd, 2008 at 9:57 am PDT
ScottD said: “…if Obama wins Whites will be living in a reverse apartheid situation. There is no such thing as colorblindness, Whites will be considered an inferior race and prejudice against if Obama wins….you mark my words.”
The reason nobody else is talking about this, Scott, is because it’s a disgusting way to look at race relations and would only be true if the majority of people had the same worldview as you. This comment speaks volumes about your own sad outlook. Let’s all breathe a sigh of relief that the majority of the rest of us realize this is unevolved, cynical nonsense.
To the other posters who are trying their hardest to ***** the rest of us with the “socialism is evil” comments: socialism is NOT communism. Socialism already exists in our government - the New Deal, the program started by FDR that helped lift the country out of the Great Depression, was primarily socialistic. Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security - these are all socialist programs!
Stop the fear mongering. Let’s raise ourselves out of this 1950s mentality and start considering that when we take care of the most needy among us, we will have taken a step forward to solving (or reducing the impact of) some of America’s most difficult social problems.
October 3rd, 2008 at 10:01 am PDT
after watching some of the debate i have concluded that governor pailin would have been better off going to the press room and holding a press conference. refusal to answer questions and openly debating the various topics was pailins achilles heel. she showed what she is. well rehearsed, limited knowledge and a lack of capacity to deal with facts. her callous disregard for the health care crisis told me volumes. her attempt to separate herself and her running mate from the bush administration was not even an artful dodge. somehow she has forgotten who has controlled congress for the majority of the last eight years. i do not know about anyone else but i am sick and tired of joe sixpack. is that a reference to beer, abs or … she would do well to attach a g to a lot of words. totally unimpressed and voting for obama is my conclusion. roger
October 3rd, 2008 at 10:07 am PDT
Palin’s debate lacked substance, when she got to a question which she either did not want to answer or could not answer she made a joke or gave a answer that completely changed the topic. If this is the responses of our potential VP and also god forbid McCain won and then died, out president then this country is going to be in really hot water.
October 3rd, 2008 at 10:09 am PDT
Just to correct a couple posters here, the Dems have controlled the Senate and House for only two years, not four. It was the 2006 midterms that changed the majority.
Sarah stuck to her talking points like glue, which is fine for debates but bad news coming from someone who wants to lead us. As has been clearly shown, she cannot think on her feet, do not mistake reading talking points from index cards for rational thought.
And let me say one thing about the “Surge” The Iraq war was was a gigantic screw up…we should have never had to commit to a surge in the first place. It cost thousands of American lives and ten’s of thousands of Iraqi lives..and McCain was in lock step with Bush the whole way. The surge is truly putting lipstick on a pig.
October 3rd, 2008 at 10:14 am PDT
Consider the background of Palin when condemning her inability to think on her feet when confronted with unexpected questions. ALL of us, with the exception of experienced politians and actors would stumble while getting their thoughts in order. She, while being no different that one of us, at least had the gumption to try by taking that first step and running for the school board.
As for the racism card, sure it is alive and well in 2008, no doubt, but as with all issues it is in varying degrees. All white people aren’t members of the *** and all people of color are not ignorant fools. We can’t let the extremes describe the majority. Senator Obama, who appears to be a kind, level headed, intellegent and articulate human, who happens to be of color isn’t the issue for most whites that I’ve talked with, it is the fear of the Jesse Jackson’s and Louis Farrakhan’s. Radical change is scary and by reassuring the white masses, from red neck to elitest, that Pdiddy and Snoop Dog aren’t going to be appointed to cabinent positions will certainly go along way.
Now before you condemn me for my choices or wording, remember that I’m one of those white who’s in between, trying to decide which candidate is best for the country and ultimately the world. None of us is immune to having the race card pulled in some form during our lives. Learning to trust and accept one another is a slow process. In a short time we’ll know if our country is ready to take the next step.
Too bad we can’t pull the best from each and create someone that we all can get behind.
October 3rd, 2008 at 10:32 am PDT
This seemed a little like watching American Idol…or perhaps a Miss Congeniality Contest…. the winking and “Joe Six Pack” and “First Dude”
is not what I want from our VP or our President…Palin is still in high school trying to win a popularity contest and make men swoon with her presence and shooting moose skills…
Palin held her own as far as forming complete sentences and sticking to her talking points…I guess if that is all Republicans want from their choices…I am glad to be Democrat.
OBAMA/BIDEN 2008
October 3rd, 2008 at 10:39 am PDT
If blue collard intelligence is what we have left…god have mercy on us. The fact that Palin had to check her notes during a DEBATE mocks every aspect of a debate. Hey blue collar workers have you ever wondered why your jobs are going overseas? could it be that education, or intelligence doesn’t matter as much as your guns and bible. Do you ever wonder why most our doctors, nurses, teachers scientists are foriegn nationals? We bribe professionals from other countries, because all we have on hand are a bunch of idiots, who wants everyone to be like them while hanging out having a beer.
October 3rd, 2008 at 10:43 am PDT
Why did she keep winking? What does that mean? “Honey, you know I can’t wait to see you?” “Sweetheart, we are in the same boat!”…
It really turned me off!!! Can you imaging her winking to Putin?
October 3rd, 2008 at 10:44 am PDT
Why did she keep winking? What does that mean? “Honey, you know I can’t wait to see you?” “Sweetheart, we are in the same boat!”…
It really turned me off!!! Can you imaging her winking to Putin?
October 3rd, 2008 at 10:45 am PDT
Why did she keep winking? What does that mean? “Honey, you know I can’t wait to see you?” “Sweetheart, we are in the same boat!”…
It really turned me off!!! Can you imaging her winking to Putin?
October 3rd, 2008 at 10:53 am PDT
i think these debates are point less does ne one really care about this stuff. it just another election he coutry is going to suffer more it doesnt matter who we elect we are in a economicaly depression the stock market just crashed. theres is nothing we can do about this. plus what is a vice president going to ne ways there use less the last time a president die in term we to long to remember so who cares….. aslo they promise al these things that a vice president cant every do, also the candident for president promise stuff that is unacheveable. so this election will be a epic one but really it is no big deal we have to live with life there is nothing ne one can do about the cerant prices of things or the price of gas so just deal with it.!
October 3rd, 2008 at 10:56 am PDT
I just wonder why this was billed as a “debate”? It was less challenging than Katie Couric. Palin was allowed to announce that she wasn;t going to answer the
questions asked. The challengable answers by either speaker just hung there.
The format was a set-up for Palin to reshuffle her cue cards. If the point was to polish the images of the candidates, with no expectation of veracity, and
when each side thinks the other is distorting the truth, and no one ‘referees’ it, why denigrate the concept of ‘debate’? Lots of sound signifying nothing new.
October 3rd, 2008 at 11:09 am PDT
When will Sarah Palin release her tax returns
October 3rd, 2008 at 11:13 am PDT
I’m pleased that others posting here caught the cheerleader act as well. I honestly felt like I was at a high school pep rally again when she was speaking. Any person who would vote for this shallow, conniving woman is surely someone who was also fooled by Bush in 2004. C’mon people - the resemblance between Palin and Bush is unmistakable - typical neocon “I don’t need to answer your questions, give you details - just blathering empty rhetoric, outright lies, and attempts to continue to divide the U.S. along cultural lines for to fufill political goals”. “Hockey” moms and Joe Six-pack, I KNOW you are smarter than this. Have we sunk so low to think it a win when a vp candidate speaks clearly but provides no facts? In contrast, Obama and Biden are well-spoken, intelligent and thoughtful individuals who both have provided detailed, factual responses to todays critical issues. Please Americans - ask for the FACTS! Remember, “Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on um, ah … aw, you know what I mean” - GW the idiot.
October 3rd, 2008 at 11:17 am PDT
We will never have victory in Iraq. We lost when Shock and Awe tragically began, when our invasion and occupation of the unfortunate Iraqi people bankrupted us and ruined our reputation. If McCain wins, the world will not soon forget.
October 3rd, 2008 at 11:17 am PDT
Palin exceeded the expectation level - which was a big zero. So she saved herself. She did not save McCain or the foolishness of his decision to select her. This contributes to the judgement that will be against him in November.
Biden was Presidential. He belongs there and could be President should that ever be warranted. Palin, clearly was not Presidential, she might be given a pass if McCain was not with one foot in the grave already, with his age and health issues. Yes, they are issues that need to be stated and considered, and that are high lighted by Palin being the back stop - she is not even a door stop.
So, many voters will be able to make up their minds now, for Obama, with a clear conscience, even if they are Republicans normally. It is very clear now McCain / Palin is a ticket to nowhere. And its no one’s fault but McCain and the Republican Party.
Real change, back to a smart and progressive America based on fundamentally sound principles, common sense, and intelligent, coherent and cogent thinking. To an America that is united and cohesive. Back to that shining beacon, that place of liberty, justice and the true American way.
October 3rd, 2008 at 11:25 am PDT
Palin did a great job. Yes, she was coached, but so was Biden. The real problem, however, is that to many people, and certainly the liberal press, hang on every work Obama speaks, and overlooks the fact that much of what he says is out-right lies. If any other candidate lied half as much as Obama does the media would run him out of town. Obama’s association with extremists groups like ACORN, his association with terrorists like Bill Ayres and Bernadette Dhorn - All of his comments on these important background issues have been lies, yet the press just ignores it.
October 3rd, 2008 at 11:27 am PDT
It is interesting to read all the comments. Appears that 90% are written by committed partisans… and 50% of those are “kooks on a mission…”
Repeating a falsehood, whether liberal or conservative, won’t make it true. The sad reality is that neither party has given us much to get excited about.
It is safe to say that McCain is past his prime and Palin isn’t ready. It is equally fair to say that Obama is all style and Biden is hot air. These two opinions are based on evaluating the facts, not the politics. Neither ticket is bringing us fresh solutions, neither is an agent for real change.
If you can bury your hatchet long enough to think it thru, then you’re down to chosing between the lessor of evils. Despite propaganda to the contrary, FDR’s New Deal was an abject failure. Any decent economist will tell you that it was WWII, not the New deal, that pulled America from the Great Depression. Economic history, fact not hysteria, proves that cutting taxes gives us growth in the economy. Everything else is partisan nonsense.
Providing hand-outs to the working poor may make us feel better, but they do not stimulate the economy. They are simply a cheap ploy to buy votes. Check the facts. We just gave out a ton of money and it had ZERO lasting impact on the economy.
Check out the current economic crisis. Plenty of blame for both sides. Both Dems and Repubs took BRIBES from the 2 FMs and left us holding the bag! I don’t want to hear any more BS about the “failed economic policies” of the past 8 years! I want to hear about the BRIBES given to Senators and Representatives… and who’s going to jail!!!
Wake up people. Pay attention. We’re at risk of destroying our country and all the media can do is focus on the circus instead of bringing us the TRUTH about this mess and who created it. We were all outraged over Enron. We wanted justice. Why are we settling for smoke and mirrors when the culprits are our elected officials and their appointed friends??
I don’t care who gets taken down, Repub or Dem. I want the TRUTH. Fact, not political spin. Who kenew what and when. Who took the money and who didn’t. Who stood up for us and who sold us down the river. Give me that and then I’ll decide who gets my vote!
October 3rd, 2008 at 11:29 am PDT
“Rein in our spending” seems to be one of Sarah Palins favorite phrases to spout, but from where I stand the only thing that needs to be reined in at this point are her obtuse answers to specific issue questions. Of course she was not going to mess up! How could she, aided considerably by the enabling of Gwen Iliff, and a loose set of debate rules to have a national stage to speak about whatever she wanted. I forgot who was moderating this debate, Moderator Palin or Moderator Iliff! It obviously has to take a lot of maturity, experience, wisdom, and leadership to not go crazy in the kind of atmosphere that last nights incoherency precipitated. Kudos to Senator Biden for demonstrating these qualities.
October 3rd, 2008 at 11:38 am PDT
For any voters that still have questions, please make sure to visit www.johnmccain.com. It is an amazing site that should answer any question you have and put your mind to rest. All of the swing voters out there need to understand that the liberal media has their candidate picked and they are trying to deliver the news to you in a way in which you view Obama postiviely and McCain negatively. Even on CNN last night, they had a poll where 51% of the people said they are tired of the biased media against Sarah Palin. I am begging everyone out there to please not take what they say for granted as it is likely it has been spinned. Please do your research to determine the truth of things. You owe it to this country and yourself. Below are the lies from Biden:
Joe Biden’s 14 Lies
1. TAX VOTE: Biden said McCain voted “the exact same way” as Obama to increase taxes on Americans earning just $42,000, but McCain DID NOT VOTE THAT WAY.
2. AHMEDINIJAD MEETING: Joe Biden lied when he said that Barack Obama never said that he would sit down unconditionally with Mahmoud Ahmedinijad of Iran. Barack Obama did say specifically, and Joe Biden attacked him for it.
3. OFFSHORE OIL DRILLING: Biden said, “Drill we must.” But Biden has opposed offshore drilling and even compared offshore drilling to “raping” the Outer Continental Shelf.”
4. TROOP FUNDING: Joe Biden lied when he indicated that John McCain and Barack Obama voted the same way against funding the troops in the field. John McCain opposed a bill that included a timeline, that the President of the United States had already said he would veto regardless of it’s passage.
5. OPPOSING CLEAN COAL: Biden says he’s always been for clean coal, but he just told a voter that he is against clean coal and any new coal plants in America and has a record of voting against clean coal and coal in the U.S. Senate.
6. ALERNATIVE ENERGY VOTES: According to FactCheck.org, Biden is exaggerating and overstating John McCain’s record voting for alternative energy when he says he voted against it 23 times.
7. HEALTH INSURANCE: Biden falsely said McCain will raise taxes on people’s health insurance coverage — they get a tax credit to offset any tax hike. Independent fact checkers have confirmed this attack is false
8. OIL TAXES: Biden falsely said Palin supported a windfall profits tax in Alaska — she reformed the state tax and revenue system, it’s not a windfall profits tax.
9. AFGHANISTAN / GEN. MCKIERNAN COMMENTS: Biden said that top military commander in Iraq said the principles of the surge could not be applied to Afghanistan, but the commander of NATO’s International Security Assistance Force Gen. David D. McKiernan said that there were principles of the surge strategy, including working with tribes, that could be applied in Afghanistan.
10. REGULATION: Biden falsely said McCain weakened regulation — he actually called for more regulation on Fannie and Freddie.
11. IRAQ: When Joe Biden lied when he said that John McCain was “dead wrong on Iraq”, because Joe Biden shared the same vote to authorize the war and differed on the surge strategy where they John McCain has been proven right.
12. TAX INCREASES: Biden said Americans earning less than $250,000 wouldn’t see higher taxes, but the Obama-Biden tax plan would raise taxes on individuals making $200,000 or more.
13. BAILOUT: Biden said the economic rescue legislation matches the four principles that Obama laid out, but in reality it doesn’t meet two of the four principles that Obama outlined on Sept. 19, which were that it include an emergency economic stimulus package, and that it be part of “part of a globally coordinated effort with our partners in the G-20.”
14. REAGAN TAX RATES: Biden is wrong in saying that under Obama, Americans won’t pay any more in taxes then they did under Reagan.
http://www.johnmccain.com/McCainReport/Read.aspx?guid=343ba934-6417-4b65-ac9e-92348acb5e97
Yes, this is coming from the McCain website, but I’m willing to bet if you look further, they did their homework to make sure they were right on with these statements.
October 3rd, 2008 at 11:40 am PDT
Sarah Palin may have “survived” the debate without looking like a totally incompetent beauty queen, but that is still what she reminded me of: Mrs. America answering the “world peace” question. Her winks, smiles and “gosh darn its” made me infurious. I know that Biden was told to be gracious with her and not come off looking sexist, and I can’t help but think what would have happened had Hillary been able to debate with her. Woman e Woman, she would have ripped her to bits! Palin’s refusal to answer questions, and then always returning to the same “energy independence” talking points even when the question was about sub-prime mortgages, just shows her inability to think logically, and her total lack of knowledge outside her Alaska realm. I PRAY that America doesn’t fall again for charm over substance. We did this with Bush, and we CANNOT risk it now!
October 3rd, 2008 at 11:44 am PDT
I’d like to give a shout-out to the 3rd graders in Mrs. Wilson’s class back in Alas-Kah! For a moment, I thought the radio station was on, and some caller was giving “shout-outs” to her junior high friends. ***wink, wink***
October 3rd, 2008 at 11:45 am PDT
As we say in the South, “She’s so tacky. . .bless her heart.”
October 3rd, 2008 at 11:47 am PDT
Regarding those who compare Obama to Palin, please….. Why have we set the bar so incredibly low for this woman - which is insulting to all women - and yet she didn’t even clear in my opinion (although the media is reporting that she did). Yet we set the bar very high for Barack Obama (as we should for someone who is running for President), and he has shown us over the last 20 months that he has more than cleared it. He is very intelligent, has a good grasp on issues, has the ability to rally and inspire millions of people to step into the cause of taking back this country. For those who say he’s an empty suit, I say they are likely ignorant and have never really paid attention. Obama has laid out detailed plans and policies on every major issue over the last 20 months (most of which I’ve read and they’re so detailed that they’re boring…, but policy can be dry).
I found Sarah Palin to be the empty suit. She has no grasp on some of the most basic concepts. She rarely answered any questions directly put to her and rambled on and on, simply parroting the GOP talking points that she memorized. Her life’s experiences do not appear that she has any preparation for a job as big as the Vice President of the United States (mayor of a town of about 6000 and governor for less than two years over a state that has about 667,000 people).
I sincerely hope that people are not fooled by her so-called “charm” (which I find phoney and sickening). I am an Obama supporter, not because I drank any Kool-aid or am in awe of his charisma, and I get insulted every time someone implies that. I support him because I’ve researched him and his policies from top to bottom and I believe he is the best choice to lead our country.
October 3rd, 2008 at 11:54 am PDT
MJG
Apparently you are only reading off of his website and listening to the liberal media which most Americans are sick of. You’re living in a fantasy land if you think Obama (who thinks we have more than 57 states) is more qualified.
October 3rd, 2008 at 12:02 pm PDT
Go back - reread the transcript. Gov Palin seldom actually answered the questions, but gave talking points. If you were watching closely, she had a list on her podium, checking off items as she used them. I grew up in an rural community where deer hunting, fishing, bird hunting and trapping were common, my Dad and family being involved in all, but no one is as “folksy” as she was trying to be. I’m pretty certain my Dad would never have used tryin’ and agin as actual words. As a fan of Hillary Clinton, Olympia Snow and Claire McCascal, I believe Gov Palin seems too insubstantial and lacking in a certain amount of gravity (wink, wink), given the serious issues being discussed.
Sen Biden could have been more forceful, but I’m certain he would have been labeled as “sexist”. He did seem to know a lot more about Sen McCain’s record than Gov Palin did. And he did understand what “Achilles heel” means. However, Gwen Iffel could certainly have interjected looking for some clarity with comments such as, “I’m sorry Gov Palin, I did not hear you answer the actual question,” although I understand the format was pretty strict, on terms agreed to by the Republican party.
Let’s please get back to the issues. One note, Dems may have had the control of the House of Reps but, thanks to Sen Leiberman, did not control the Senate. And the President threatened to veto many of the ideas put forth by their committees. Senate override of vetoes takes 60 votes.
Thanks for listening, Marie
October 3rd, 2008 at 1:07 pm PDT
The extreme bias in these posts and in the article make it difficult to stomach. What has happened to our country of intelligence and dialogue?
October 3rd, 2008 at 1:49 pm PDT
The real test would be to have Palin and Obama debate - she would beat the pants off him. Let just start with experience - she is far more qualified than he is - and has a proven record which shows she can lead change!!He has and A-plus in speech class.
October 3rd, 2008 at 1:54 pm PDT
One question I wanted Palin to truly respond to was the health care question. Biden mentioned the tax rebate that McCain promises, but as he pointed out, that rebate won’t cover my costs, nor reimburse me for the med. insurance I now get from my husband’s employer. If they really want less taxes, then why is my family going to be taxed on the health insurance we now work for and get from a private company (though through our employer?). McCain’s plan, I was surprised to find, would be a disaster for my family.
October 3rd, 2008 at 1:55 pm PDT
All Palin did last night in the debate was avoid questions by changing the subject back to energy or praising herself and McCain as mavericks. She didn’t even seem to know the meaning of achilles heel. She just regurgitated her memorized lines back to the public — there was no thinking on her part, except to find a way to keep from straying from her talking points. She’s an embarrassment to this country. I don’t want a ditzy hockey-mom who says she’s just like us for president. She’s nothing like most middle income individuals; it’s all fabricated. I want someone who knows and is interested in the issues.
October 3rd, 2008 at 3:41 pm PDT
This election is tough on the GOP, which has for a long time claimed to be the party of balanced budgets, accountability, and military expertise, because the Bush administration has shown none of those traits.
October 3rd, 2008 at 5:00 pm PDT
Not only was the recitation of memorized answers unrelated to the questions not enough to sway me as an independent, it shouldn’t sway any sentient voter. I seriously question the intelligence of someone that found Palin’s performance acceptable for someone who could end up leading our nation should a crisis occur. I can see many valid reasons for voting for the Republican ticket, but ABSOULUTELY none of the intelligent ones involve Sarah Palin.
I am embarrassed for my country that someone so unqualified could be seriously up for consideration as our leader.
October 3rd, 2008 at 5:27 pm PDT
Palin is inexperienced. winky winky. a right wingnut who wants government to move over. Let’s face it, Alaska would not be on the map if it wasn’t for the government. She never did say how they raised those billions for the state, and it wasn’t thru the sale of hockey pucks and lipstik.
Get real, did she really win the spelling bee. Is this one of Abramoff’s shock and awe campaigns? Or is this the work of that right whackjob Rove.
October 3rd, 2008 at 7:33 pm PDT
Remember Hitler was not a German and look what happen and If God wants
Ishmeal in then the American people will get what they deserve Americans
better Ishmeal back ground and you will be sursprise what the Bible thinks
of his family , I think the leaders need to do what President Lincoln did but we do not have anyone that would do that because that would be asking God to intervine and heal this land of sick people . check out what old Abe
did . March 30 1863 this is a unGodly nation as the people do not fear God at all but put their faith in man kind
October 3rd, 2008 at 10:06 pm PDT
October 3rd, 2008 at 10:07 pm PDT
October 3rd, 2008 at 10:08 pm PDT
John McCain and Joe Biden are politicians. They know their numbers, and they know Washington.
What is different about this election is culture. Where is America going, culturally?
This is where Barack Obama and Sarah Palin come in.
Some say race is a factor against Obama, but I say it is the opposite: Obama has been propelled upwards by his skin color. The positive ‘racism’ (Black-Americans supporting him, White-Americans feeling guilty about the legacy of slavery) far outweighs the few remaining pockets of negative racism (traditional bigotry) that still exist in our country.
Whereas Black-Americans account for 12 percent of America, women number about 51 percent.
This is where America’s reaction to Sarah Palin gets interesting. It is not only sexism at play, but regionalism too. Keep in mind that America’s reaction could be vastly different from the media’s reaction, which tries to intervene in how America thinks and observes for itself.
For the last decade, American women have been trying to become either the fifth ‘Manhattanite’ cast member of ‘Sex and the City’ or a ‘Desperate Housewife’ on Wisteria Lane. The White male executives who created, packaged and marketed these female stereotypes have made plenty of money as women across America spent time and money trying to become ‘Carrie Bradshaw’. But somehow, these wanna-be’s never lived it up as glamorously.
Sarah Palin is all about God, Family, Country and Shot-Guns. She is a completely New American Woman. She was not constructed by a Public Relations agency in either New York City or Los Angeles. She is not a Hollywood creation. Sarah Palin is simply a product of American small-town wholesomeness: happy childhood, hard work, self-discipline and a bright, and almost chirpy, outlook on life.
Sarah is not the high-maintenance, drama-seeking, bulimia-suffering fragile caricature of a working woman as peddled by TV.
Her husband, Todd Palin, is not a neurotic metro-sexual obsessing over the price of organic arugula, or whining about his commitment phobias to his shrink. He is a man’s man, and frankly, a woman’s man: just your regular American guy—wholesome and uncomplicated.
Sarah and Todd are American ‘retro’, but it is retro made cool all over again. They are a brand of Americana that has been tested and true—genuine, confident and mature.
Something happened to the Obama brand on the way to the election. It is as if the fashion gods decided that “Didn’t you know? No one wears Obama after Labour Day.”
Once exotic and different, the Obama brand has been turned into something weird and creepy. “Obama’s Witnesses,” “Obama’s Blue-Shirts,” “The Obama Youth Fraternity League”…Plus, after the initial swooning over him, most people still think that there’s something “off” about Obama; as if he’s hollow, or hiding something.
Today, the Obama brand has become decidedly “uncool”. That’s why people tuned out from watching him debate McCain.
On the other hand, Americans are discovering that they are intrigued by Sarah Palin. The TV pundits may want to spin things their way, but the surest measure of who won the Vice-Presidential Debate is that, at the end, the vast majority of viewers walked away from their TV sets and said to themselves, “I’d like to see more of Sarah Palin—unfiltered and uncut.”
The Obama camp may be celebrating too early. There are still plenty of people out there that haven’t made up their mind, and Obama’s triumphalism may begin to sound like arrogance, and he’s already been accused of that.
This is indeed a culturally interesting time to be an American.
October 4th, 2008 at 4:20 am PDT
I just can’t get over the fact she couldn’t name a supreme court decision she disagreed with,name any reading material, or her belief that because her state is neighbors with Russia it gives her foreign policy experience. She doesn’t seem to be able to think through complex issues if she has not been prepared before hand. It’s very disappointing to say the least.
October 4th, 2008 at 4:25 am PDT
She seemed to skirt around some of the answers she didn’t know or understand. I still can’t figure out what she was talking about when she answered the question on Dick Cheney and vice presidential duties. It was just a bunch of nonsensical words. I think she was told if she gets stuck go back to energy because she kept changing the subject.
October 4th, 2008 at 6:48 am PDT
Mike, I believe you’re right on, if perhaps a little obsessed with women’s fashion and Carrie Bradshaw. A “Mrs. Smith goes to Washington” appeal is seen in Palin, which underscores McCain’s maverick-ness.
Talk about the media, wow, the East coast liberals are way off. Having been an East coast liberal for most of my adult life, where I worked in the media, my perspective on politics has widened after moving to the mountain time zone. To me it’s very clear that the real change we need is not skin color or party or gender — but actual REFORM of the way we conduct business in Washington, D.C. and Wall Street.
We all need to wake up and carry our share.
October 4th, 2008 at 6:54 am PDT
Mike, I believe you’re right on, if perhaps a little obsessed with women’s fashion and Carrie Bradshaw. A “Mrs. Smith goes to Washington” appeal is seen in Palin, which underscores McCain’s maverick-ness.
Talk about the media, wow, the East coast liberals are way off. Having been an East coast liberal for most of my adult life, where I worked in the media, my perspective on politics has widened after moving to the mountain time zone. To me it’s very clear that the real change we need is not skin color or party or gender — but actual REFORM of the way we conduct business in Washington, D.C. and Wall Street.
We all need to wake up and carry our share.
October 4th, 2008 at 11:51 am PDT
Palin was created as the New American Woman by the good ol’ RNC. She is the definition of what they want women to be. She has great hair and keeps her figure even after 5 kids. She has babies long after the biological clock stopped ticking. She wears stiletto heals. She defers to her husband all major decisions. She a 1950’s housewife with a career.
Obama represents a huge change in how we govern ourselves and more importantly who we are. And that scares the **** out of a lot of people. Fortunately though, not the majority of people.
October 4th, 2008 at 1:34 pm PDT
To Pete: It was just you. I was disappointed when Obama selected Biden as his running mate. Afterall, I’m 61 yrs old; so I remember the plagiarism issue. But, after listening to the debate I was persuaded that he not only has learned from the lessons of life, but has picked up some humility along the way. If he showed any anger at all it may have been when Palin implied that women are more in touch with the struggles of daily living than men. As far as I’m concerned, that was her biggest faux pas. I guess she forgot that Joe Biden’s first wife and children were in a car wreck between the time he was first elected to the Senate at age 29 and before he was sworn in. His wife (and I think a daughter) died in the wreck. He took the oath of office in the hospital where his sons were near death. His answer to Palin’s rhetoric was filled with emotion, more than anger. If you didn’t know the background, you may have misconstrued it as anger.
October 4th, 2008 at 3:31 pm PDT
Did anyone notice that after Biden briefly choked up talking about the tragedy of his wife’s death - Palin didn’t miss a beat? She completely ignored it and went right into her BS. Even the most callous of human beings would have acknowledged his experience in some way. Nope not Sarah. That proves beyond all measure that her hokey homey hockey mom act is exactly that - an act. They sole intention of her wink, wink, gosh darn routine is to create the illusion of empathy and connection to the common man & woman. She blew it all down the drain in a split second.
It also shows she doesn’t think on her feet. She opened the door to that by bragging that as a woman she knows more about concern for one’s family. She lacked the judgement to see that would not go well for her. She lacked the wherewithall to think quick, say something gracious, and quickly get the ground back under her. Not Sarah - she just blundered into her next memorized diatribe.
October 4th, 2008 at 7:22 pm PDT
Palin is a “Retardican”
October 6th, 2008 at 6:02 am PDT
Well Dante, it seems the posters are all in favor of a public lynching of Governor Palin; however, none posted a word about the 14 known and stated lies by Senator Biden. Here is a man who lies continiously to the public and yet the public says So What? I guess when Obama is elected and then the taxs rise, unemployment grows and more banks fail they will some how find a way to blame it all on G.W. Bush. Biden was one of the first in the campaign to talk about how unqualified Obama is for the office of the Presidency and yet now he is so great. Biden thinks “well maybe he will die in office and I become President like Lyndon Johnson since the people will Not Vote for Me”. In truth versus fiction I personally take Palin over Obama and Biden.
October 6th, 2008 at 9:37 am PDT
Where is Katie’s
He must have not walked on the street for a long time
long gone just shows he will say anything to get elected
http://news.bostonherald.com/news/national/politics/2008/view.bg?articleid=1123407&format=comments#CommentsArea
Palin is more truthful the both Obama and Biden
April 23rd, 2009 at 3:03 am PDT
April 27th, 2009 at 8:06 am PDT
April 27th, 2009 at 8:52 am PDT