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

[nittanyalum]

Palin outdid Biden on foreign policy???!????!??!!!!???

You and I were watching two different debates, my friend.

[CrackerBarrel]

Originally Posted by nittanyalum

Palin outdid Biden on foreign policy???!????!??!!!!???

You and I were watching two different debates, my friend.

Yes, not in terms of policy, in terms of debating. He let her flat out call him wrong on a number of things without responding.

I.E. the "waving a white flag in Iraq" line and her response about what a troop surge in Afghanistan would entail and how wonderful it would be.

Most people don't tune into a debate to judge how wonderful the ideas are, they aren't knowledgeable enough to make that decision. And when you let your opponent flat out call you wrong or do something as bold as calling your Iraq policy surrender without responding to it, it comes across as you conceding the point. Biden certainly "out-facted" her through the entire debate, but he needed to give a short response and then make his own criticism instead of just shaking his head and letting them move on to the next question. The strict partisans already have an opinion on who "is right" and that's the person they will think won an issue. But to people who don't already have a strong opinion, when your opponent gives a strong criticism and you can't or don't respond to it at all, you just lost that point.

[nittanyalum]

Originally Posted by CrackerBarrel

Yes, not in terms of policy, in terms of debating. He let her flat out call him wrong on a number of things without responding.

I.E. the "waving a white flag in Iraq" line and her response about what a troop surge in Afghanistan would entail and how wonderful it would be.

Most people don't tune into a debate to judge how wonderful the ideas are, they aren't knowledgeable enough to make that decision. And when you let your opponent flat out call you wrong or do something as bold as calling your Iraq policy surrender without responding to it, it comes across as you conceding the point. Biden certainly "out-facted" her through the entire debate, but he needed to give a short response and then make his own criticism instead of just shaking his head and letting them move on to the next question. The strict partisans already have an opinion on who "is right" and that's the person they will think won an issue. But to people who don't already have a strong opinion, when your opponent gives a strong criticism and you can't or don't respond to it at all, you just lost that point.

Well, we'll have to chalk it up to the prism you're watching it through then, because my impression of that "raising the white flag" bit was that it was so panned and rehearsed, she was obviously waiting to shuffle her cards and pull that one out. So I thought it fell completely flat. Biden showed not only knowledge but passion about foreign affairs issues. She clearly repeated what she'd been taught and stuck with McCain's platform.

I haven't read or heard anyone else saying she won points over Biden on foreign policy, but if you can supply some links (that aren't from Anne Coulter or someone of that ilk), I'd love to read or watch them.

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by nittanyalum

Well, we'll have to chalk it up to the prism you're watching it through then, because my impression of that "raising the white flag" bit was that it was so panned and rehearsed, she was obviously waiting to shuffle her cards and pull that one out. So I thought it fell completely flat. Biden showed not only knowledge but passion about foreign affairs issues. She clearly repeated what she'd been taught and stuck with McCain's platform.

I haven't read or heard anyone else saying she won points over Biden on foreign policy, but if you can supply some links (that aren't from Anne Coulter or someone of that ilk), I'd love to read or watch them.

and the rehersal was clear in how she paused before said it like she had to remember to say it...

[summer_gphib]

This debate should be used to teach school children about fallacies. Her rhetoric was almost a perfect example of red herring.

And then it should be used to teach about manners and research. "Hey can I call ya Joe" ain't the best manners.

And on the research front... the general in Afghanistan is McKiernan, not McClellan. Know your material and know it well, so you don't end up looking like a bozo.

On another note... I really felt for Biden when he was talking about being a single dad.

ETA: At least she brings some really funny material to SNL. I'm convinced that's the reason Bush was elected a second term.