Hey, there was a debate last night, did ya’ hear? My take below*. I’m avoiding mention of specific issues, instead focusing on the overall vibe I got. Having said that, have to say both mysteriously avoided mention of the pro life/choice issue while both addressed same-sex marriages, (both oppose). Two things not factored in here because those are specific issues uniquely personal to everyone. (Me saying either one of them was a pro or a con might devalue their importance for some.) Transcript.+
Pros
Palin: Exceeded expectations. Defended her boss throughout. Tried connecting with American hockey moms and families. Got in a zinger or two. (Say it ain’t so Joe!)
Biden: His to lose, and he didn’t. Was direct, assertive and forceful the way Obama should’ve been in his debate. Hammered home succinct points against McCain. Tried to connect with American families.
Cons
Palin: Often condescending in replies. Shaky or delayed in some of her responses. An occasional smile connects—a constant grin throughout distracts and undermines. Too many attempts at soundbites she was obviously prepped to try and go for. (“Say it ain’t so Joe” actually sounded better than it really meant anything.) Avoided direct eye contact as much as McCain did with Obama, sometimes turning only after a point was made. Played to camera too much. Avoided direct answers more often than not.
Biden: Lose the all-teeth grin—it comes off like a used car dealer. Tried to connect with America too late in the debate and didn’t feel genuine. Family tragedy mention came off as cheap ploy. Also avoided answering some questions directly, preferring to answer other issues first. Avoided contact although not as much and played to the camera more. Although hammered home some points, failed to deliver that killer quote the media loves.
Winner?
Both won for their sides. Biden was more solid but he also didn’t have a lot to do here other than not blow it. Palin had more to prove. Still, ‘exceeding expectations’ is not the same as going above and beyond as some audience members who were polled on Fox after were fooled into believing. She did manage to shore up some of the leaks in the McCain/Palin ticket caused by Tina Fey and Katie Couric.
*It’s my opinion. Nothing more, nothing less.
Tags: Palin Biden debate
5 comments:
palin did get some real zingers in there.
i was surprised she even had the guts to go there. or was it that she knew she could get away with it because she was a girl, and america would disapprove of Biden attacking a girl?
but overall...i agree with you. BUT, i thought Bidens smile was AWESOME!
biden's botox a clear winner, but 30 more minutes and he would have melted under those lights like vincent price in the wax museum...
After the debate polls:
(Biden /Palin)
CNN/Opinion Research 51 36
CBS 46 21
Fox 61 39
Survey USA 51 32 17
MediaCurves (indies) 67 33
Rasmussen 45 37
Woot!
Alrighty, now time to put that behind us and get to the real race...
And one more: Drudge had Palin/Baden 70/30 that night. Not that it’s telling, but as an exit poll, interesting.
yup, I saw that one, too. (and voted). I think it is telling, but more about who reads drudge than who won the debate.
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