Immediate Impressions of the Palin / Biden Debate
Friday October 3, 2008
Quick takes on the Sarah Palin/Joe Biden debate:
- From the moment she strolled onstage, Palin exuded warmth; she threw a kiss to someone in the audience and from her open mic we could hear her say, "Nice to meet you. Hey, can I call you Joe?"
- Neither committed any major gaffes that played into their well-established stereotypes; Biden didn't stick his foot in his mouth, and Palin didn't ramble off into nonsense.
- Biden looked at moderator Gwen Ifill much more than Palin; he tended to answer her questions specifically whereas Palin, who looked at the camera to address the American public, spoke in more general terms and did not always answer Ifill directly.
- Biden was clearly at ease, had many facts and figures at his fingertips and wasn't shaken by any questions put to him; when Palin encountered a question she didn't know our couldn't answer, she went back to her basic themes and key catchphrases in her responses and outlined the strengths of her running mate.
- Biden was assertive in attacking McCain and gracious towards Palin with no hint of condescension; he never corrected her even though she made several mistakes. Palin had fewer qualms about calling Biden on statements he'd made specifically, and although she didn't attack him, she chided and scolded him several times.
- Palin mentioned the folks on Main Street again and again, talking about the responses from parents on the soccer field, people back home in Wasilla, etc.; Biden tended to be more professorial in the first half of the debate, and more personal in the second half - at one point he choked up while describing how intimately he knew the worries of a parent.
- When it came to discussion of the Iraq War, Biden scored major points when he kept repeating that he and Obama would support troop withdrawal, definitely stating, "We will end this war." When Palin immediately responded, "Your plan is a white flag of surrender in Iraq and that is not what our troops need to hear today, that's for sure. And it's not what our nation needs to be able to count on," there was a sense of dissatisfaction regarding her negative response.
The overall impression? Palin's freefall of the past two weeks has been broken by her performance tonight, which was much better than expected. But will it lead to more votes for McCain? Probably not. The good news is, she's no longer a drag on the ticket. The bad news? She hasn't sold undecided voters on McCain, so at best her effect is neutral.
Despite pre-debate concerns about moderator Gwen Ifill's conflict of interest as the author of a book that touches on Obama's candidacy, she was even-handed and showed no partisanship.
Overall, the debate was generally regarded as a much better affair than the Obama/McCain facedown last Friday.
Photo © Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Comments
I agree with your analysis. In particular, I thought when Joe Biden chocked up while talking about raising children as a single parent, and knowing about loss it was very affecting. Interesting that none of the pundits on tv mentioned it. If she had done it, it’s all they would have talked about.
I caught the last hour of the debate and I was really glad that I had the opportunity to see the Vps debate and really solidify my level of comfort with the second in line…and it did…go Biden! I really did think that Palin did a better job then expected (but that is only because her own party set expectations so low, that any joe shmoe could have down better then the expectations set for her. Its sad. I teach high school and I am always telling my students to set high expectations…and then we look at the national stage and we have a President and VP ticket setting very LOW expectations..good role modeling!)…but Joe Biden really spoke to me and related to me. I grew up in a small rural town in Idaho, went to college in Utah (all very conservative areas, and am beginning my professional career and he related more to me. Paline, first of all doesnt seem very sincere to me…too thought out, too planned, very robotic…and Biden seemed more natural. Second, I couldn’t help but analyze the break down of each two minute segment they were allowed. Palin would take a good 30 seconds to introduce her main ideas, beat around the bush…30 seconds before she started talking about the issues…that gives her only a good minute, give or take, to really talk about anything. Its not hard for someone with very limited knowledge to fill just a minute of information. Biden would introduce his main ideas in a matter of seconds, allowing him to really layout his supporting details. If I were an English teacher, Palin’s thesis would need some real work. A thesis needs to be direct and to the point, not long and drawn out, and in her case often longer then her supporting details. Finally, I had a pretty good idea I was set on the Obama/Biden ticket prior to this debate, and seeing what I saw, and seeing the strengths and weakenness of each number two pick, I have solidified my vote! Biden is the person to be number two, and Obama is no doubt a brilliant man for chosing him. Cheers Obama!
Joe Biden knocked Sarah Palin, she should be thankfull that she won’t have to debate Biden again. She failed to make any impression. She ignored lots of issues and was ondefencive all the time. She praised herself more than Mccain. She sends direct signals why nobody should vote for Mccain.
Did anyone see this McCain ad with the “she killed” about sarah palin —- very funny
also check out the “famous person” quote
http://2lesbosgoinatit.wordpress.com/2008/10/03/mccain-campaign-screw-up-famous-persons-quote-is-now-from-peggy-noonan/
As a director who has worked with many actors in preparing them for a performance, Palin looked good, hit her marks, stayed on script and did everything her handlers told her to do… but as a director who has told tales through the eyes of many pretty faces, you can tell when there is nothing behind the mask.
I just don’t understand how all of the pundits can say Sarah Palin did a good job in this debate. Was she likable maybe in a fake kind of way(she was trying way too hard in my opinion.) yes she was coached in what to say, but she didn’t rally answer the questions she was asked. Biden was able to not only answer the questions but come back with facts and proof.
Do I want her a “heartbeat” away from the presidency “heck” no. As much as I would like a woman VP or President. I am in no way prepared to give this fool the job!!! and last nights debate sealed the deal for me.
I’m sorry, I must ask a question…… Am I the only person who was watching the Vice Presidential Debate last night? Apparently the media didn’t. If they did they would have said that Sarah Palin repeated herself so many times she sounded like a broken record. They would have said she never answered a question directly and plugged up her responses with cutesy little clichés and rebuttals that lacked substance. They would have noticed her moronic lack of facts and robotic responses to the “War in Iraq” and “The Energy Crisis.”
Please, I beg anyone on this e-mail that if you are undecided at the moment about this campaign, please see through the fluff and lack of substance. John McCain is a bucket kick away from taking the big dirt nap. This woman cannot lead our country. She has no foreign policy experience and no foreign leader will give her any respect. She will not be able to charm them over with her stupid remarks like “You Betcha” and “Gosh Darnit”. I have been called a feminist of sorts but I cannot and will not support Sarah Palin just because she is a woman. You may not be the biggest Obama fan and if you say he lacks experience, Joe Biden will make up for it. Joe Biden was a perfect gentlemen last night when he could have annihilated Palin. She was wrong on so many issues and when she couldn’t answer, she avoided the question and repeated herself with her robotic moronic responses.
Neither John McCain, nor Sarah Palin have an idea of what’s necessary to adjust the U.S. for the coming up fundemantal transition. And always be aware that in case John McCain were president and died, Sarah Palin would become president!! She wouldn’t be the right person. We’re at the verge of a new age. There are two extremely important issues on which both presidential candidates are weak, but the Obama team has at least recognized the importance of immediate action and a break-up with the way this country has been doing for decades. Debt and energy will play such an important role in the near future that the next president has to focus on an overall solution. The energy crisis that we are entering will lead to a kind of energy revolution in the U.S. and around the world. Electric cars will increasingly replace cars with combustion engines sooner rather than later with gasoline prices almost sure to rise even higher. The energy dependence of the U.S. can turn out ot be a fundamental security threat and those who say offshore drilling will solve the problem are acting completely irresponsibly. The “business as usual” attitude of the Republicans won’t work out considering the pressing private and public debt as well as the painful energy dependence that threatens our prosperity. Just read http://economatters.wordpress.com/2008/09/21/our-prosperity-hangs-by-a-threat-as-it-is-based-on-a-limited-resource-oil/
to get an impression of the enormous challenges AND chances of the years ahead.
Well Said Alex! I agree with all the comments posted on this blog so far, especially Linda’s initial article. It gives me hope that people in our country can see through the puppet that Palin has become.
You People are truly amazing! Joe Biden with a straight face lied at least 14 times! When will liberals ever look at facts?
While I respectfully disagree with much of what Ms. Lowen has written, I have to credit her for her the way it’s written. It’s an excellent starting point for debate.
Joe Biden really was on top of all the questions. He never hesitated and always had a complete well thought out answer for every question… sometimes almost answering them before they were even asked. With Ifill’s left leanings and dishonesty about her pro-Obama book, it is a distinct possibility that the Obama campaign had the questions before the debate.
Can you say “Gag me with a spoon”? Palin is a performer that pulled an all-nighter just to get through that debate. She doesn’t know enough about the issues at hand other than what she has been coached to say. Joe Biden is a strong, passionate humanitarian and advocate for women. This is one middle class, stay-at-home mom who is not interested in sending Gomer Pyle in a skirt to the White House(or anywhere near it).
Hey Linda,
If Sarah Palin did not do as well as Joe Biden in the debate, why is 75% of the news coverage about Sarah Palin and not Joe Biden?
That’s an easy one, Bill. Palin is the fresh face that sells magazines, pulls in ratings, brings large crowds, and is a commodity still relatively unknown. Media is a business, and media goes where the money is. Covering Sarah is where the money’s at. Also, viewership and interest do not indicate approval. If that were the case, notorious court cases that are avidly followed involving serial killers, child rapists and abductors, and other infamous criminals would result in acquittals. Love her or hate her, people want to see more Palin – either to cheer her on, or to sneer at her gaffes. This too shall pass.
People of the United States,WAKE UP!
It would be irresponsible for anyone to vote for the McCain/Palin ticket.
It is more than obvious that McCain chose Palin in order to gain Clinton voters and I know there are people voting for McCain just because they want to see the first woman vp.
During the Biden/Palin debate it is clear that Palin was simply regurgitating information that was crammed into her.
Being cute and adorable does not cut it!!!
The McCain/Palin ticket has no real plan or solutions.God help us if they win!!!
I find it interesting that we would ever vote based on a debate, but sadly enough, it is true. I believe we have been trained to believe that we vote on appearance and performance rather than substance. Make no mistake, we ALL vote based on what we believe. McCain/Palin identifies more closely to what I believe to be best for all people.
I am sure that the Obama/Biden supporters say the same. Therefore, why do we fuss and fume over stupid things!! I believe we sound and look like a group of 3rd graders on the playground because we love the sound of own voice. What you believe is how you will vote and how any candidate “slips” will not change that unless it goes against what you believe. How in the world did we, in this age of political correctness, lose respect for one another?! So, I say vote what you believe and allow others to do the same and stop with the mudslinging, because in all my 47 years, no one’s made me do anything I didn’t want to do, no matter how much mud is slung!
Hardcore Republicans will follow McCain/Palin no matter what.I believe if the Devil ran for president as a Republican they would still vote for him.Undecided voters are what matter now and I hope for the Love of the country they vote Obama/Biden!
Sarah Palin and John McCain are not in this campaign for “Joe Sixpack”, they are in it for themselves. All they want to do is spout the same old same old and not give anything specific. Doesn’t really matter to me anyway,I have already made my choice.
To PMN
I’m 58 years old and by LISTENING and LEARNING more facts about any subject or topic, I HAVE changed my mind many times in my life. I’m open to accept and digest new facts that may prove to be important and I weigh them and add them to my own bank of information before I form an INFORMED OPINION.
If you want to brag about being stubborn and never changing your mind, think it over!
McCain and his cheerleader would be a huge mistake for this country at this time.
She evaded almost all of the important questions and babbled about Joe 6pack. I don’t want Joe 6pack running the country! I want someone MORE EDUCATED than me…someone I can trust to do the right thing in a time of economic crisis that could lead to even worse problems on a global level.
She couldn’t answer half the questions and at one point simply said she wouldn’t answer that question because she wanted to talk about energy!
She’s an airhead! He’s a greedy warmonger! Do you really think that qualifies them to lead the country out of this mess?
We need someone with a level head and an analytical mind…someone with skills in diplomacy who WILL go into discussions with our ‘enemies’ and try to find compromises and not rush in with guns like the McPalin pair.
Haven’t we lost enough of our young to this war…do we need more?
Let’s choose who will care about us and do the right thing!