The VP Debate

I suppose by now it's "old news" as we gear up for the second presidential debate tonight, but I wanted to wait a couple days, fan the flames of astonishment that were raging inside me, and now give my follow-up commentary on Senator Joe Biden (D) and Governor Sarah Palin's (R) vice presidential debate held last Thursday at Washington University in St. Louis. Journalist Gwen Ifill was the moderator.

There's no question that Senator Barack Obama's running mate "won" the debate...that was a given. I've heard people say that Palin "spoke with conviction" and "did a good job," but that's only because she was able to step over the low, low bar of expectation that was set for her. I can't help but wonder if her blatant ignorance of factual information during her Katie Couric interview was another one of the GOP's gimmicks...but probably not, because she really doesn't know much of anything.

I watched the entire broadcast on CNN. Incidences that stood out to me were when Palin had the audacity to claim that the Republican party would not cut taxes for oil companies. Um...

Biden stated again that the vast majority of workers in the U.S. would have their taxes cut under an Obama administration. Those who make millions of dollars should bear the tax burden, especially since their wealth is so disproportionate to good ol' "Joe Six-pack." Republicans don't care about Joe Six-pack! I don't understand why people who aren't millionaires would vote for that party. They're just lying to themselves...and it's not about liberals playing the "victim" card.

Furthermore, the McCain "policy" of a $5000 tax credit used to purchase healthcare is preposterous... Biden rebutted that health insurance costs approximately $12,000, and in addition, that tax credit would be taxed, and go directly to the insurance company. Not a good deal. What's the big problem with making it accessible for everyone? And I don't want to hear that old excuse, "Well, you'll be waiting for months to see a doctor..." something is better than nothing.

Both speakers were cordial to one another and good sports, although I'm sure Biden wanted to run over to Palin's lectern and put his hand over her mouth and scream, "What the hell are you talking about, woman?!" I wish he'd been tougher on Palin's misstatements, however.

He exercised good restraint, refuted every one of Palin's false claims and twisted statistics, and answered the questions more directly. Biden gave a solid performance (yes, debates are what I'd call "performances"), did what he had to do, and although he also was asked for clarification to clearly state his answer, he was much more direct that Palin. At the very least, he understands the issues and spoke with poise, confidence and prudence.



It is beyond me why Sarah Palin thought it'd be acceptable to tell Gwen Ifill that she wouldn't be answering the questions the way the moderator wanted her to. Seriously?

In a debate, when asked, "Do you agree with that statement?" You don't say, "No, I disagree with Joe over there about the mortgage crisis, but what I REALLY want to talk about is energy, don'tchya know! I know everything about energy!"

Like three times? Wow.

Palin was evasive, didn't answer the questions, and didn't represent the McCain party well. To be honest, I had wanted to hear from her. She complains about the "mainstream media" filter, so this was her chance to show who she is. Epic fail. She basically tried to run her own show, spewing out lines of well-rehearsed responses that had little or nothing to do with what she was being asked. It's amazing what a week in Voice and Diction 101 training camp in Arizona can do for you. Not to say that all politicians don't rehearse or have scripts, but Palin's delivery is weak.

And her overplayed "folksiness" attitude was just plain annoying. Stop winking at me, and stop giving shout outs to third graders...this is not B96.


People have blamed Gwen Ifill for not being a good moderator, but from what I saw, she asked Palin to clarify, to restate her answers, to respond, and answer the questions correctly. It wasn't up to Ifill to make Palin say something she was unwilling (or unable) to say. It was just sad, and a joke.

Everything Palin said seemed canned. Not genuine. I can forgive the gaffes. Who doesn't get a name wrong every now and again? Who doesn't misspell a simple word once in awhile? But what I can't forgive is the obvious lack of knowledge on issues that a governor running for Vice President should know.



Anyhow, the second presidential debate is tonight; hope you'll be tuning in.

And in case you missed the VP debate, here's a great recap: this is pretty much exactly how it went.