Biden / Palin VP Debate, Oct 2nd @ 9PM EST

[Benzgirl]

Originally Posted by nittanyalum

Yep, we must be on the same email distribution list.

[Benzgirl]

Originally Posted by nittanyalum

See, and the cynical side of me thinks she was just getting set up to pull out some of those one-liners that had been prepared for her that she felt she really needed to get in there -- "Say it ain't so, Joe!", etc.

I thought the same. In fact, I thought Tina Fey was actually speaking the entire debate.

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by CrackerBarrel

Good debate.

I'm not a Palin fan, so I'm cheering for her to not hurt McCain, not to further her political future.

BUT

She held her own. Neither person answered any of the questions tonight really, but that's okay because Ifill was kind of annoying, she kept interjecting herself where she wasn't needed. No big gaffes on either side, except talking about same sex couples Biden accidentally said that they would work to protect the rights of those in gay marriages (he clearly meant relationships based on the context and misspoke, everyone I was watching with, all Democrats aside from me, heard it and cringed). That one will be in an ad probably, but aside from Joe describing Bosnians as "Bosniaks" (which is apparently right, but I've always heard them referred to as Bosnians in the US) that was the only "what!?!" moment I heard from either side. No home runs in this one either (probably somewhere close to a tie, Palin started far stronger, Biden finished strong), but that's fine because very few people are basing their votes on how the VPs convinced them. McCain may gain a little because Palin held her own and thus looks less incompetent than she has recently and may reassure some people. But my overall opinion is that that debate was probably pretty damn close to meaningless in the race.

I actually agree. I also think that Palin was giving more of a pep talk than actually debating. Biden was making an effort to debate, but his energy and humor were noticeably lacking, presumably because he was trying not to say something stupid.

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by WarEagle07

Hmmm.....
After this debate I think that I would rather have a beer with Gov. Palin. To me, Sen. Biden comes across as a person who is book smart but not necessarily someone I could relate to on any beer chugging level. Gov. Palin on the other hand seems like she would be someone who I could have a beer with and talk kids, life, and she would be fun.

Ehhhhhhh...no.

[Benzgirl]

[AGDee]

I'd rather have a beer with Palin. I'd rather not vote for the person I'd like to have a beer with. I want to vote for someone who can present themselves as poised and sophisticated under all circumstances.

[CrackerBarrel]

Biden's big gaffe of the night was on the question about Cheney and the role of the vice-president. He said:

"he doesn't realize that Article I of the Constitution defines the role of the Vice President of the United States. That's the executive. He works in the executive branch. He should understand that. Everyone should understand that."

Everyone should understand an absolutely false statement about the Constitution from a lawyer who claims to be a Constitutional law expert? Article I is in fact the only place in the Constitution where the role of the vice-president is mentioned, the only problem here is that Article I is what lays out the role and structure of THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH and establishes only that the VP is the President of the Senate but has no vote except in the case of a tie and establishes that there can be a President pro tempore who is to preside over the Senate when the vice-president is absent.

For further information (yes I know "Ace of Spades HQ" is a right-wing libertarian blog and I don't normally read it either, but it lays this particular point out very well) see http://minx.cc/?post=274758

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by CrackerBarrel

Biden's big gaffe of the night was on the question about Cheney and the role of the vice-president. He said:
Everyone should understand an absolutely false statement about the Constitution from a lawyer who claims to be a Constitutional law expert? Article I is in fact the only place in the Constitution where the role of the vice-president is mentioned, the only problem here is that Article I is what lays out the role and structure of THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH and establishes only that the VP is the President of the Senate but has no vote except in the case of a tie and establishes that there can be a President pro tempore who is to preside over the Senate when the vice-president is absent.

For further information (yes I know "Ace of Spades HQ" is a right-wing libertarian blog and I don't normally read it either, but it lays this particular point out very well) see http://minx.cc/?post=274758

Yeah, obviously Biden should have mentioned Article II in a perfect world, but in all honesty, no one on Earth gives a shit about this mistake.

We can pick apart minutiae all day, but that doesn't mean it's actually relevant to either campaign - there's just no way McCain can use this "gaffe" in any substantive fashion. It's just not a big deal.

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by KSig RC

Yeah, obviously Biden should have mentioned Article II in a perfect world, but in all honesty, no one on Earth gives a shit about this mistake.

We can pick apart minutiae all day, but that doesn't mean it's actually relevant to either campaign - there's just no way McCain can use this "gaffe" in any substantive fashion. It's just not a big deal.

at least he knows what the VP does....

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

at least he knows what the VP does....

Dude - I'll be in DC this spring, I'll buy ya a beer. If for no other reason than to prove that I do indeed like you, plus it'd be hilarious.

But the whole point of the Article I/II misstep is that Biden did not, in fact, indicate that he knew what the VP did. However, it's an esoteric distinction, so no one on Earth would/should care. It's just irony, really.

[kchaptergphib]

Originally Posted by srmom

The president, and certainly, the vice president can only wield any influence if they have a clear mandate from the people seen in a landslide vote.

Oh, how I wish that were true. I think Cheney especially has shown that it does NOT take a mandate to wield a great deal of influence.
I do agree that congress goes along with entirely too much, but they're too worried about getting screwed over if they vote against something- they're "soft on terrorism" they "don't support our troops" and all that nonsense. Yuck. Strap on a pair!

[pinksirfidel]

McCain campaign openly admits an upcoming fierce attack on Barack Obama (starting Tuesday). Prepare for negative attack ads about Obama's integrity, honestly and character. McCain is preparing to "take off the gloves" during the debate. This should be interesting!

My opinion: it'll work!

[Benzgirl]

Originally Posted by pinksirfidel

My opinion: it'll work!

I'm not sure it will. Palin is getting a lot of criticism over her, "Obama is friends with terrorists" statement.

[pinksirfidel]

Originally Posted by Benzgirl

I'm not sure it will. Palin is getting a lot of criticism over her, "Obama is friends with terrorists" statement.

Anything that will take the focus off the economy will work. I'm surprised McCain will go this direction... personal attacks about Obama's connection with various people. McCain has a couple of relationships I'm sure he doesn't want placed in lime light again... that will surely be counter productive. This is definitely not the McCain I remember for the last two decades.

[pinksirfidel]

Here's the link, if you missed it! Good lord...Tina Fey is DEAD ON!!

http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Li...-biden/727421/