Deep thoughts on Thursday night, by Christine:
The good news: many more people than normal were actively watching and discussing the VP debate.
The bad news: their reason for doing so was not to make an informed decision and gather information, but in hopes that Sarah Palin would say something really, really stupid.
What is the rest of the world saying about us right now? Do we appear as shallow as I think we do?
I read that there were arguments over whether or not Gwen Ifill was partial, after writing her book "Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama." I think she did a fine job. Didn't catch any, "Gov. Palin, why can't you be more black?" or anything crazy like that. I think she was wonderfully professional.
I learned today that the very first Vice-Presidential debate did not happen until 1976 (Dole and Mondale). Interesting. That was a little piece of information that was new to me.
Of course, now that we have this debate under our belts, the biggest question for many Americans this week is: who will play Biden on SNL?
10 comments:
Did anyone besides me hear Palin call her opponent Senator O'Biden? Oh...wait...that's what you meant about us wanting to see her mess up, isn't it!
I think they both did a great job on the debate and I agree with you about Gwen...professional as always. I've always thought she's done great things for politics in her grass roots efforts.
I thought that Biden was more substantive and did a better job of answering the questions that were asked. Palin dodged a lot that she didn't want to answer. On the other hand, she came across as charming and personable (though I personally think it was too much dumbing down for someone who wants to be president) and I'm sure she will appeal to a lot of people that way.
So, mass appeal - Palin wins. Substance - Biden wins.
I thought the debate was fantastic! I think it's great that the VPs get to talk. I do feel like I'm telling myself "who knows if that's true or not" to a lot of things they are saying, but I thought it was great- on both ends
By the end of the evening I was ready to vote for Joe Biden. (step out of the way, Barak!) Ha. So I think he definitely won, since I agree with him on about 5% of his positions.
You're right about the bigger question: who will play Biden on SNL? AND, can I stay awake until it comes on? :)
I was quite impressed by Biden's performance and found him to be in the "all knowing" position that McCain was in in the last debate. I thought Palin did fine with her knowledge and likability but it took her a little while to look comfortable and she was clearly the novice. I know she was working the "I'm one of you" angle but at times she was a little more of me than I wanted her to be ;).
I agree that they both held their own and nothing shocking came of the debate.
I'm still not thrilled at the way the bail out is turning out. Ick.
The problem with the SNL skits is that S.P. is much easier to make fun of because she has the voice and the sayings. Biden is so normal and has no real mockable characteristics unless he's doing his "gaff" bit. I'm ready for everyone to quit picking on the Gov. though because she is NO DUMMY and I quite like her.
What about you Christine?
The substantive debate was pretty informative about each candidate's positions; no real surprises, but clearly each of them exceeded expectations.
On the shallow front, I have to admit I was distracted by a few things:
* Palin's winking/"golly-gee" cutesiness annoys me to no end. The menfolk seem charmed by it, but I bet women across the country were sticking their fingers down their throats and mock-gagging.
* She also says "nucular" instead of "nuclear". Arrgh! Four more years of that? I don't think so.
* What is up with Joe Biden's forehead? It's baby-butt smooth in the middle, but wrinkly at the temples. Did he overdose on Botox in the center of his forehead, but miss the sides? Are his hair plugs pulling his face up too tight? Eek.
What surprised me the most was how much I *liked* Joe Biden. Because as much as I love Obama, I was really not prepared to like Biden. Everything that I've heard about him is that he's an undisciplined, run-off-at-the-mouth gaffer. Not to mention he is a career politician, an old white guy, more of the same. Which I'm tired of, I don't WANT more of that. But what I heard from Joe Biden is that he is a lifelong politician because he really believes in what he's doing.. he really belives that he can make a difference by doing this work. I think he answered the questions, I think he was sincere, I think he was well-spoken, I think he is intelligent, I think he has an in-depth understanding of the issues.. AND I think he's a guy that loves his family and his community and his country, and wants to make it a better place.
I don't like Sarah Palin for a gajillion reasons. We are in the process of selecting someone to represent us and lead us. I do not want people to look at Sarah Palin and think that she represents ME (as a woman, as a Christian, as a Mom, as a college educated person, as a member of the middle class, as an American) because she DOESN'T. Sarah Palin represents to me the entire "dumbing down" of America; the winking, the folksy "ya" talk, the shout-outs to the third graders. I truly feel perplexed that there is a chunk of America that is excited and enticed by this... I feel like I'm watching a bad episode of "Wife Swap."
Mama Mara, you are cracking me up. My husband sat straight up and said, "No way. She didn't just say 'nucular,' did she?"
That gave us a chuckle.
She was soooooooo painfully nervous when she started. However, she finally was able to get out of "shaky voice" after a bit.
Shan, when you consider that the poor gal probably has not slept one solitary minute in the past week, I was impressed at how refreshed she seemed (I would have looked like CRAP if I had tried to pull that off). Although, the reality is that she had a few sound bytes that were memorized, and to skirt some questions she would just go back to the same things (so much so, that I ACTUALLY QUOTED IT WITH HER WORD FOR WORD THE LAST TIME!). That made me sad. I had a feeling that was how they would prep her, but I was hoping for something much more substantial.
I expected Biden to win the debate. When it comes to dialogue on an international level, his experience grinds Palin into powder. Granted, sometimes he has verbal diarrhea, but he did have that going for him. So, he was actually able to converse openly about all of the subjects.
I get that Palin has less experience. I just expected them to prep her much more heavily than what I saw. I know she doesn't know the answers, so I was curious to see what the people-of-answers in her circle would have to say. I didn't get that. Doesn't mean they don't have thoughts on all subjects, I just hoped we would get to hear that.
What I do just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE (even though both parties try to use it against each other) is how both candidates have chosen running mates that openly have (and do) disagree with them on some issues. Everyone disagrees on something. I LOVE (did I mention that I LOVE it) that we can say that out loud. I think that's where accountability starts. I think that's where partisan muckity-muck can clear up a little bit.
**emphasis on a LITTLE bit ... let's not get crazy optimistic!**
I thought she did well considering the Couric interview. Yes, rehearsed, but she did well. I did wish I was playing a drinking game with the key words "maverick" and "Nucular" :-)
I was surprised to hear my husband say..."can I just vote for Biden?" since he has been a McCain man from the start.
I too LOVE that they disagree with the top of the ticket and I think it adds for diversity in thought and I think either way there will be real discussions in the oval office about policy.
that makes me glad.
Oh... Jason Sedakis... he will play Biden... :-)
Tammy kind of expressed my thoughts on the matter. I agree that Biden won intellectually, but Palin did a better job of inspiring the average person. Or Joe Six-Pack, if you will. (huh?) But I don't think there was a lot of substance behind her talking points.
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