First impression I have of the Senator Joseph Biden vs. Governor Sarah Palin debate is that Joe Biden debated a stump speech. A very folksy stump speech.
He did, I think, debate it well. Did he win?
Well, I don't think he lost. Nor do I think Gov. Palin lost either.
Her ability to completely ignore the questions posed was spectacular. Apparently she thinks she has no "achilles heel."
I think that, long term, she did lose. She made gaffes. Not too many obvious ones but a couple.
- The commander in Afghanistan is McKiernan not McClellan (that was the Civil War or War of Northern Aggression guy, depending on where you're from.)
- She challenged Biden on his quote of McKiernan when he is right and she is wrong.
- She undid what Obama voted for in the 2005 Energy Bill? Really? Specifics please.
There are plenty more and I'm sure I'll post about some of them in the next few days.
One more deserves special attention though. And may get her in some really hot water.
That is the assertion that the expansion of power that Vice President
Sen. Kit Bond was quick to dismiss the idea as ridiculous after the debate. But I think the damage was done.
Ultimately, this debate shored up the base for Governor Sarah Palin and made her seem less of a total disaster to the center. I don't think she convinced many moderates who are on the fence though. If anyone did that it was Joe Biden.
She does win in that she avoided what even many conservatives thought might happen. She didn't melt down. It wasn't a disaster. That, in it's own way, is a win.
This probably won't move anything either way. That is probably a net plus for both campaigns.
Comments welcome,
Pat McGovern
It's got electoral votes. It's what politicians crave. Sphere: Related Content
