Vice Presidential Debate

[Tsukiyumi]

Well, I only caught the last half, but Joe Biden seemed to be almost too polite, IMO.

For the record, I think Sarah Palin is the most annoying person I've ever seen in politics. I'd rather watch Bush attempt to do Shakespeare, then list all of his historical knowledge than listen to her speak for more than a few seconds. If she and McBedpan get elected, I may never watch the news again, just to avoid listening to her for four years.

Oh yeah, she's also a moron.

Anyone else catch this?

[Mark]

If VPs don't actually DO anything while in office, what the hell do they debate about???

[Tsukiyumi]

Um... stuff?

They mostly focused on what their respective superiors are going to do (sure ). And Palin focused on attacking Biden and Obama.

[Mark]

Useful

[Tsukiyumi]

It's useful in that we got a look at who the president might be if something happened to the aforementioned respective superiors. I do not like what I see on the Republican side this year...

[Mikey]

I thought Biden restrained himself in order to avoid the "woman-hater" label. Perhaps he erred a bit on the side of caution. The one thing that rankled me about Palin was a comment she made about federal gov'mint having to become more efficient, make do with less, etc. - of course, she set unprecedented records in requests fro federal earmark money per capita as a governor.

In general, I though Biden appeared more poised and comfortable, but he absolutely should have - he's a thirty-year vet of national and international politics, and she's a two-year governor of a state with the same population as the town of Poughkeepsie, NY.

[Sionnach Glic]

So, who came off better in the debate?

[Mikey]

As I said, Biden is by far a more experienced and poised speaker. However, I have to admit that Palin scored some bit of a win merely by appearing prepared and informed, rather than the blithering idiot that some expected.

[Reliant121]

I saw a small clip of her on Environment Issues, and she seemed to be stammering fairly badly. To me, she didnt look all that confident.

[Mikey]

That was the worst part of her performance - the (true) appearance of inexperience.

[Enkidu]

This whole "Joe Six Pack" business - I had always assumed it was a mildly derogatory label. Palin (who scares the living shit out of me to be frank) seems to use it as a descriptive term for her target constituency. Did I have the wrong end of the stick?

[Sionnach Glic]

The way the expectations were, as long as Palin didn't come out on a stretcher she'd have done better than people would think.

[Monroe]

I'm watching it right now. On the environment. I think Palin did an okay job so far.

One thing Biden should have done is attacked the US' place in the world as a 'environmental leader' which Palin likened us to. We're dreadfully behind most industrialized countries in Europe and Japan. He should have gone on the offensive there to show that she didn't know what the hell she was talking about.

[Mikey]

He also held back when she mentioned something about the federal guv'mint having to "make do with less," making only one quick "bridge to nowhere" comment. He could've gone to town on the fact that under her governorship, Alaska requested (and received, I think) by far the highest level of earmarked federal funds per capita. I think both instances are examples of him trying to tread the line between "being on the offensive" and "basher."

Today's polls show the same as we do: surprise at how well Palin did, but still a Biden victory.

[KuvahMagh]

Biden is also known for his colorful comments and gaffes, so far during the Campaign he has been good, I imagine this was more of that. People know his record and know who he is so he doesn't have to grand stand, sure it means he likely won't score a knock out blow but he is only a VP Candidate, all he has to do is show up and not say something out of line, all the pressure was on Palin.