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Veep debate yields life, but no win
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Where the chiefs couldn't score, the veeps did better...yet still no victor.
The only vice presidential debate between Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.) and Gov. Sarah Palin (R-Alaska) was billed as must see TV Thursday night on TVGuide.com and how could it not? It was on all the networks! But, all kidding aside, in the two hours time it took to expose the entire country to these two leaders, I shared more laughs, tears, gasps and jeers with my family and friends than I could have watching Grey's Anatomy, CSI or even The Office.
Despite what campaign spin doctors might lead Americans to believe, the winner of this debate will likely be the subject of political sparring for sometime.
Biden Venerable as Camp Hatchetman
Sixty-two. This number represents the number of times Biden invoked the name of Sen. John McCain, who would become the senator's chief target. The other target: President George W. Bush. Sometimes it was difficult to figure out who he was there to debate. (In case you have been sleeping under a rock for the last month, that lady on the stage in not McCain.) But, as campaign hatchetman, Biden goes home victorious in defining the last eight years of Bush's reign as damaging and for pinning McCain to the Republican president. Biden, whose shortcomings include a penchant for gaffes and a self-described liability for embellishing the facts, came through with clarity. Throughout the debate, Biden exhibited strength in putting Palin on the defensive, while illustrating more than 30 years of experience in the U.S. Senate. Where critics say Sen. Barack Obama is inexperienced, Biden expertly brings stability to the Democratic ticket.
Palin Defines Self, McCain at Kitchen Table
And all eyes were on the governor. Prior to Thursday night's debate, the top story was which Sarah Palin would show up at the debate: the new star of the GOP, whose herculean rise was solidified at the 2008 Republican National Convention, or the allegedly aloof newcomber seen in Tuesday's debate with CBS Evening News' Katie Couric. After two hours of head-to-head-with one of the most practiced senators on Capitol Hill, GOP voters or leaners leery after Palin's performance earlier in the week should feel more at ease, as should the country. In full view of a captive nation, Palin not only proved she can connect with the heartland and small town folks from all corners of America, but could connect point after point with one of the Democratic Party's best debaters. Whether she was countering Biden's arguments on Iraq and the economy or drawing a parallel between her life in Wasilla with hockey moms at home, Palin aggressively defined herself and McCain as eloquently and as knowledgably as Biden did for his ticket. The governor proved she was ready to take on Washington.
Two More Debates, Opportunities to Connect
While Barack Obama currently leads the presidential race by nearly six points, according to RealClearPolitics, one day in a campaign is a lifetime in politics. While Obama-Biden currently have the momentum to win the race, McCain-Palin could still pull ahead after two debates without a clearly outstanding winner.
On Tues., Oct. 7, McCain and Obama will meet for a town-hall style debate at Belmont University, in Nashville, Tenn., followed by the fourth and last debate at Hofstra University, in Hempstead, NY, on Wed. Oct. 15.
All debates are 90 minutes in length and will air on all major networks at 8 p.m. CST.
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