Home > Opinion > Blog Buzz: Reviews of Palin's and Biden's Debate Performances, Schwarzenegger Needs a Loan for California

Blog Buzz: Reviews of Palin's and Biden's Debate Performances, Schwarzenegger Needs a Loan for California

Reader Comments
Back to article

One of the two most many speakers of the ratio uses virgil naming his effect, who uses himself in the rock for a system, provides a addition, and comes to furniture.

free digital minikits of AL 10:47PM May 19, 2010

the both candidate should apply a moderate campaign spirate

broon buyp of AL 10:25AM October 05, 2008

Governor Palin came across much better in the debate than many people, myself included, expected. However, one should keep in mind the redundancy and shallowness of her answers. Had the McCain camp not insisted that any discussions between the candidates be severely limited, how well would she have done? The extent of her knowledge on the issues touched upon seemed to be one general answer deep. If she didn't feel comfortable with a particular question she would respond to it however she liked. The winking, "darn its" and "you betchas" were over the top. If anyone wants a caricature of an empowered June Cleaver in the White House - here ya go.
McCain's appearance with Palin on her last Couric interview shows that even he is concerned about her severe and glaring limitations. I am surprised that the McCain camp didn't petition the debate committee to have Ifill only ask questions that could be answered with either a "yes" or "no". If only the "gotcha" journalism of asking the governor what newspapers or magazines she reads could have been worded as "Do you read any newspapers or magazines?", ANSWER: "Yes.", then maybe a lot of people wouldn't think she is so intellectually challenged. Damn liberal MSM!
Republican claims that Palin tied or even won the debate are as expected as like claims by the Democrats for their candidate, but managing (mostly) to sound coherent while offering very little of substance is a measuring stick too short by more than half. Her solidification of the base at the expense of alienating everyone else won't be enough to change the current trajectory of the campaign. This leads us to the new / revamped line of attack that Palin began yesterday in trying to tie Obama to William Ayers. If you can't beat your opponent with answers or plans then use the tried and true tactic of fear. For the next three weeks I expect the McCain campaign, along with their "swift boat" supporting groups, to fully abandon the thin facade of keeping the discussion on the high road and dive deeply into the sewers for all they're worth. Along with Ayers I expect a reintroduction of the Reverend Wright, Tony Reszko and "Barack Hussein Obama" - a la Bill Cunningham. I, however, unlike the Republican machine, give the average voter, including Joe Six-pack, more credit than to fall for this again.

Ian of AR 9:57AM October 05, 2008

Clearly Gov. Palin had extensive coaching, and used her pageant and tv experience to memorize what the McCain campaign wanted her to repeat...there is no other explanation for her seemingly sudden "coherency" through most of the debate, compared to her disastrous interviews with K. Couric days before. (I read today that Palin was "ticked off" during her interviews w/ Couric, saying she was "clobbered" no matter what she did....in reality Couric's questions were softballs for any VP candidate...I mean, even an average citizen like me could tell you what newspaper(s) I read) If there weren't so much at stake, one could laugh at this. It's surreal that McCain would be so irreponsible as to select a VP who is in no way qualified.
But perhaps to give new insight into this much belabored topic, I want to say that as capable as Biden is, I thought it odd that he kept referring to McCain as "John" but his own running mate as "Barack Obama" (almost without exception) It created (perhaps subliminal) connotation of closeness to McCain and distance from Obama, which was disconcerting.
I also found it very off-putting that Gov Palin can drop her "g's" when convenient, but not consistently. This is a tell-tale sign of a bad actress. Anyone knows, if you are from Raleigh, or the Bronx, or New Orleans, you don't go in and out of your dialect at will. Mrs. Palin does, and did so during the debate, which only served to raise my distrust of her (never mind her refusal, and her husband's to participate in the grand jury investigation she said she welcomed...if she has nothing to hide, them why not "get back to 'em?"
The idea of having a woman who is posing as a "regular gal" in charge of the country (or presiding as VP) is lunacy. I for one want someone who has greater insight and knowledge than I do to be VP (or President)- male or female. It was positively irresponsible for Sen McCain to choose a running mate who cannot step in as Com. in Chief....he spent months bashing Obama for not being able to do so...how then, does he justify the choice of Gov. Palin?
Obama proved he is a leader when he came from behind and won the primary despite the "shoo-in" known as the Clinton Machine.
I was dismayed that the moderator did not stop Palin when she said she was not going to answer questions but direct her message to the "American People"..it was a debate for God's sake, not a speech!
I was dismayed that Biden did not rebut Palin's assertion that she stood for "women's rights".....when she has made clear that the only women's rights she stands for are the ones that concur with her own religious beliefs (separation of church and state be damned! (Or "darned" as the Gov. would say..) However, I think he was clearly given the message not to "attack" Palin....which would never have been been the case if his opponent was a man or a capable woman (such as Mrs. Clinton).

K. MacDonald of MD 10:10PM October 04, 2008

The debate was a smash for Big Joe Biden.
- The expectations of Gov. Sarah Palin were so low, all she really had to do was stand in the right place and she could have rightly gave herself a thumbs-up and a wink!
- America, Sen. Biden's evident command of the complex topics of economy, foreign relations, health care, threats, weaknesses and countless other issues were obviously superior to the mindless ramble and posing coming from across the stage.
*****
- Genuine Character- Biden's emotional moment vs. scripted "Can I call you Joe (Sic-Pack)?"
- Command of the Issues- Fluent Conversation spanning the range and depths of issues vs. a preemptive self-excuse to avoid direct answers
- Palin's "I don't want to argue about the causes." vs. Biden's "If you don't understand what the cause is, it's virtually impossible to come up with a solution."
***
It is quite evident that these two are completely different and have different capabilities, motivations and understanding of the duties in this office. Let's hope that Washington doesn't have to "dumb it down" in January for those who don't understand the issues there.

- LafnBuddha of NJ 1:50PM October 04, 2008

Yes, she did have a cheat sheet and she had a very good coach. Everybody was watching the debates, but they were only watching to see how she would mess up. The next SNL should be how she kept answering with very learned answers, all the winking, and smiling and trying to be very joe-six-pack that was so phony and calling McCain a maverick. I don't want this woman making any decisions for the United States on any level.

kate of AZ 11:50PM October 03, 2008

Joe Biden showed knowledge and a true connection with the American people. I believed him and think he is a great man that overcame great hardships in life. Both Biden and Ifill were too restrained though for different reasons, but both were trying to prevent the GOP from crying sexism or conflict of interest. Palin went off topic much too much, if she didn't know the answer she went right back to her comfort zone, energy and taxes. I kept waiting for Gwen Ifill to repeat the question or to say like Jim Lehrer did during the presidental debate that she didn't answer the question. But she never called her out...I am sure she was afraid the GOP would accuse her of conflict of interest or being biased so because of that Palin got a free pass. Biden was also restrained because as an older man I am sure he didn't want to appear condescending by correcting or challenging her too much. I would have loved to see a debate between Hilary Clinton and Sarah Palin (can't cry sexism then) with a moderator that would have held them to the questions.

of 9:18PM October 03, 2008

What surprised me most about this debate was Joe Biden. I realized it is not age that keeps John McCain from connecting with independent and undecided voters but it is fire and passion. When John McCain looks out at America with an empty stare and an awkward smile and says, "Change is coming!" I want to laugh, it seems forced and fake. It was clear to me that Joe Biden does understand the average American citizen. He has gone through difficult times and although he admits he is doing well now he proved to me that he still remembers. He remembers where he came from and he remembers the struggle. Joe Biden kept bringing up the issues that matter to most Americans: resolving the war in Iraq, improving our diplomatic relations with the world, getting our economy back on track, making health care affordable, keeping education competitvie, and making smart investments in alternative energy instead of simply relying on "Drill, baby, drill". Sarah Palin survived but she didn't connect with me. I love you, Joe!!

A mom of FL 9:10PM October 03, 2008

I am all for putting the government back on the side of Joe Six Pack, but I'd rather keep Joe Six Pack out of our government. Americans love to have a good time, but do you really want the gal or guy you drink beers with at a bar or in front of the t.v. watching the Superbowl to be making important decisions that affect your economic situation, your health care, your child's education, the competitiveness and security of our nation? Sarah, I would love to have a beer with you, but as far as leading this country I want a designated driver in the White House moving this country in the right direction!! Joe Biden took it for me.

B. Crane of OH 9:08PM October 03, 2008

I thoughtthat Senator Biden gave us some facts and more facts. I like someone who can talk with some vocabulary . Nevertheless it is nice to hear also some hidden details how our goverment is handling our economy. More amd more I realize that the poor are getting poorer and the rich are getting richer. I hope we do not one day have a revolution like they had in France in the time of Louis the XIV. His administration ravished the treasury and he lost his head for it.We definitely need some CHANGE. Mr. Levaque

Joseph Louis Levaque of NY 7:55PM October 03, 2008