Thursday, October 2, 2008 - 10:54 p.m.
Before I start watching the spin, I wanted to put down my thoughts on the debate.
I think Palin did a great job. She seemed well informed and came off as very likable.
She did, however, continue to be overly general, indicating a lack of deep understanding of many big issues.
Biden also did a very good job. I think he was very effective in tying McCain’s policies to those of W. He also turned in a masterful performance. He walked a fine line with Palin, and I think he came off as being gracious while being strong. There were a couple of times where he phrased things in an odd way, but only when he was trying to get into the meat of an issue.
I’m biased, but I think Biden did a better job of advocating his ticket’s policies.
Comments
Joezilla
October 2, 2008
11:49 p.m.
“…the central war in the front on terror…” Yes, that is an interesting way of phrasing things, isn’t it?
Biden did a good job, it’s true. And Democrats will say he won.
Palin did a good job, as all will likewise admit. And Republicans will say she won.
In this case, the Republicans are right. I myself am a conservative, and I feel that she did a great job of articulating her ticket’s platform. I personally thought that the gay couples exchange, in particular, was damaging to the Dems, as any discussion about abortion and gay marriage will be. Why, you ask? Because the conservative position on those issues is generally clear and unequivocal. The Dems, on the other hand, can either be honest and advocate their unpopular opinions, or slink toward the middle and get votes. Biden was honest tonight, and that’s not going to help him. Obama was not honest when he said that pinpointing the beginning of life is “above his paygrade.” You don’t need a salary to have an opinion.
But anyway, yes, I think Palin won. Here’s why I say that:
The entire campaign has seen a general characterization (in my estimation, at least) of the fresh and youthful Democratic ticket (“Change we can believe in”) versus the crusty and outdated Republican ticket (“More of the same”). Tonight’s debate revealed the illusion of those caricatures.
Ironically enough, we saw an uninspiring and quintessentially typical political figure of Joe Biden advocating the supposedly fresh and youthful message of the Democratic ticket. This was contrasted with the “crusty and outdated” Republican beliefs that were delivered with vivacity and confidence from a quintessentially atypical public figure, the unpredictable but now undeniably able Sarah Palin.
In other words, the fog has cleared, the water is no longer tainted, and the American people will finally regain the common sense that has always made them so awesome in the first place. The Democratic ticket is neither fresh nor youthful; it, indeed, is more of the same. More of the same Leftist ideology that has never been welcomed by the mainstream of voters. Likewise, the traditional ideology of the Right is not tied down to a particular generation or era. As G.K. Chesterton said so perceptively, “He is a shallow critic indeed who cannot see an eternal rebel in the heart of a conservative.”
I’m not going to say you’re wrong about the debate. I’m going to say I’m right about the election. See you at the polls, my friend!
Bret
October 3, 2008
6:57 a.m.
Really? She basically mimicked his answer after saying she was going to give a straight answer. I thought it was one of her weaker moments, ignoring the politics.
A quick Google search leads me to another quote from the great (and crazy looking) G.K. Chesterton:
So you’re party sucks too!
And Progressive = Democrat, by the way. They’re called progressive because their ideas are innovative, so while their ideology may not be brand new, it will bring change.
Joezilla
October 8, 2008
12:17 a.m.
First off, Matt says “You are party sucks, too!”
Second of all, you picked a pretty tame picture of G.K.C. Check this one out.
And third of all, you have successfully outmaneuvered me in the Chesterton quote war (which is quite an accomplishment, because he’s my favorite author). I humbly admit defeat.
G.K.C. is an astonishingly brilliant thinker who appeals to people of all ideological stripes. I implore you to read some of his stuff (there’s oodles of it).
The piece that first hooked me was the short essay “On Running After One’s Hat”. If anyone reading this blog likes this essay, they will love Chesterton. It’s a pretty representative sample of his writing and worldview.
Until next time, Joezilla
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