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Thurs: VPs - Who won?
posted at 2008-10-02 23:20 | Last modified 2008-10-03 08:43
Overall, in net terms, I thought tonight's VP Debate was a tie. Both Dem Joe Biden and Republican Sarah Palin did pretty well – there were no colossal screwups on either side. (In all fairness, they’d have had to bend over backward to commit a serious gaffe within the constraints of the format.) But in gross terms, I'd say Palin won. After several excruciating interviews with Charlie Gibson and Katie Couric, she seemed to have earned abysmally low expectations, but she certainly wasn't limited by them tonight.
Yes, Palin had some rough points (as did Biden, BTW), but she didn’t disgrace herself or her ticket. I thought she looked confident, prepared, even charming at points, despite the occasional sharp-elbowed jab at Obama (like the line in her closing about being proud of her country.) Worst moment: “I may not answer the questions the way either the moderator or you want to hear, but I’m going to talk straight to the American People.” Sorry, Gov: The point of a debate is to answer the questions you’re asked – something she frequently excelled at avoiding.
Biden was his normal self – smart, experienced, windy, and occasionally overly deferential to his opponents. He came across as congenial and wise, kind of like the uncle you call when you need advice on house repairs or legal matters. But there were times when he got tripped up in the details and lost the rhetorical thrust of his argument. Worst moment: choking up while talking about his kids. I suspect it was completely sincere (what kind of person would exploit his kids' near-death?) and even McCain ally Joe Lieberman thought it was touching. But in context, it just felt sort of contrived.
Will it matter? I doubt it. Had either of then seriously screwed up, it might have, but neither did. As it stands, Palin might pick up a point or two for sounding experienced. But I doubt it'll be enough to offset her flagging numbers nationwide.
Next up - the Obama-McCain debate next Tuesday in Nashville. Folks in Eastern NC may have to pick and choose - Gov Palin is expected to attend a rally in Greenville Tuesday night at ECU.
Was there a point in tonight's debate you thought was a game-changer? Drop me a line.
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