As Debate Shifts Over To Foreign Policy, Biden Hammers McCain On Iraq, Spain Gaffe
As long as Joe Biden is hitting John McCain directly on Iraq, directly facing the camera, the debate is on safe ground for Dems.
In fact, CNN's dial sessions were skyrocketing as Biden drew the contrast as clearly as you could want...
"We're spending $10 billion a month while the Iraqis have a $80 billion surplus. Barack says it's time for them to spend their own money have the 400,000 military we've trained for them begin to take their own responsibility, and gradually over 6 month -- 16 months, withdraw.John McCain, this is a fundamental difference between us: We will end this war. For John McCain, there is no end in sight to end this war. Fundamental difference: We will end this war."
Palin hit back with some really 2004-sounding rhetoric, saying that Obama-biden wanted to "wave the white flag." Polls show that majorities don't see withdrawal from Iraq as surrender, so it's not surprising that CNN's dials are favoring Biden on foreign policy.
That said, Palin countered pretty effectively by hammering Obama for his willingness to meet durin his first year with hostile foreign leaders without preconditions, but Biden had a ready response: McCain's Zapatero gaffe:
And the last point I'll make: John McCain said as recently as a couple weeks ago, he wouldn't even sit down with the government of Spain, a NATO ally that has troops in Afghanistan with us now. I find that incredible."
Snap analysis right now: Palin is showing competence and some command of issues, and there will be some bogus "Palin defied expectations" punditry to slog through, but the voters will give the nod to Biden tonight. You heard it here first.
Well, heck. If you can show competence by spouting a script, then I'm a freaking genius.
October 2, 2008 10:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
I really wish they had 5 min's and just extended the debate. Its really quite stupid that for something so important they only get 1 hour and 30 mins to debate.
October 2, 2008 10:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
When is HAGEL coming out to decimate MCCAIN/PALIN?! We'll need it tomorrow, I think.
October 2, 2008 10:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
B/c Palin is proving not to be a drooling moron. (Sadly/Theatrically/Lyingly...)
October 2, 2008 10:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
He did have some pretty strong comments against Palin a couple weeks ago (give or take). Among other things, he said the "you can see Russia from Alaska" thing was garbage. It's somewhere on HuffPo.
October 2, 2008 10:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
I love Hagel. And he's their shotgun to blow MCCain up. I want to see it soon. :)
October 2, 2008 10:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
T R O O P E R G A T E ? ?
October 2, 2008 10:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
WOW! She's getting owned in foreign policy!
October 2, 2008 10:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not seeing it.
October 2, 2008 10:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Blue line UP for her last string of slogans.
October 2, 2008 10:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dafur score big
October 2, 2008 10:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
She totally blew it. She came in with snark after he was talking about genocide.
October 2, 2008 10:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
John McCain knows how to fight evil!
October 2, 2008 10:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
R's like ALTERNATIVE ENERGY, seem to dislike the middle class (or are at least ambivalent)...
October 2, 2008 10:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
I's seem to love defiling ANWR.... :(
October 2, 2008 10:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm loving Biden talkin' HOME DEPOT. :)
October 2, 2008 10:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Biden should say: "I want my wife - and all teachers - to get their reward here on earth, not just in heaven....."
October 2, 2008 10:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
He totally nails the question about how he would run the administration. Focus group almost off the chart.
October 2, 2008 10:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
She not so much.
October 2, 2008 10:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
And she fucked it completely.
If this woman assumes the presidency, be afraid, very afraid!
October 2, 2008 10:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Based on your analysis, Greg, now I'm kind of worried about Biden's performance tonight. You guys completely missed it on last week's debate.
:)
October 2, 2008 10:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
IS she reading notes as she answers????
October 2, 2008 10:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
She doesn't just check notes. She sometimes seems to be *reading* her answers. Anyone else notice?
October 2, 2008 10:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Did she just say, "Aw dog gone it?"
October 2, 2008 10:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Blech!!!! Sugary-sweet!
October 2, 2008 10:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wow. She tried to use "There you go again". Incredible.
October 2, 2008 10:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wow, she just barfed colloquialism. Biden's facial expression on "[Your wife]'ll be rewarded in heaven, right?" was priceless.
October 2, 2008 10:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
She flattening out with the focus group.
October 2, 2008 10:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Greg, are you on drugs?
October 2, 2008 10:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Damn Blue line keeps going up for Palin.
October 2, 2008 10:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
What's she talking about when she says that "the Constitution has given the Vice President more authority"?
Has Cheney changed something?
October 2, 2008 10:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh god, why would you slip in that line about the VP and the Constitution? "Wait Gwen, we haven't made me, the Republican candidate, try and defend Cheney yet. Please, allow me to drink from that magical electability elixir."
October 2, 2008 10:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
And "Say it ain't so, Joe." All in the span of about 5 seconds. Like taking high-fructose corn syrup straight.
October 2, 2008 10:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
That moment reminded me of Tina Fay's imitation where when she got cornered by Katie, she got super cute and went "pew pew pew" with her fingers in the air.
Except this was worse.
October 2, 2008 10:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bless you Greg. You're being all nice cause it's my birfday?
I can live with that -
October 2, 2008 10:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
She actually quoted Reagan's "there you go again".
This woman has no shame. No shame!
October 2, 2008 10:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
And now she used the "shinning city on the hill".
Un-fucking-believable!
October 2, 2008 10:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
ow, she just barfed colloquialism. Biden's facial expression on "[Your wife]'ll be rewarded in heaven, right?" was priceless.
I can not believe she did say that...
This beats any other stupidity she came up with tonight...
October 2, 2008 10:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
There should be no doubt after this debate who the Presidential team is.
October 2, 2008 10:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
She just blew it - she is trying to say she could get really powerful? O shit.
That should have scared people.
October 2, 2008 10:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, I heard that too.
Anyone reassured?
October 2, 2008 10:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, I heard that too.
Anyone reassured?
October 2, 2008 10:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
There's flexibility in the constitution? Don't tell all those strict constructionists!
October 2, 2008 10:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah really.
Actually there is - but not in the empowerment clauses.
She has to have just blown the whole thing - she tried to move into Cheney's shoes right there and Joe totally called it.
October 2, 2008 10:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, I noticed that. Apparently, the Constitution is flexible when it defines what it is a Vice President is supposed to do.
Lipstick, meet pig.
October 2, 2008 10:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think she sounds like a cartoon character.
Who invited Gomer Pile to the debate??
"Well, goooolllly!"
October 2, 2008 10:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think she sounds like a cartoon character.
Who invited Gomer Pile to the debate??
"Well, goooolllly!"
October 2, 2008 10:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Anti Cheney I's and D's off the charts. Even R's concede he's dangerous...
October 2, 2008 10:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
R's loved Biden getting choked up!
October 2, 2008 10:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Attack Cheney - GOOOOOOALLLLLLL!
October 2, 2008 10:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
the focus group almost maxed out as he attacked Cheney's grab for unitary power.
October 2, 2008 10:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
OMG!
She doesn't know what an Achille's heel is!
October 2, 2008 10:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Palin has some serious cue-card usage going on.
October 2, 2008 10:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bitch, please - you cannot move into Cheney's shoes.
Hoo boy!
October 2, 2008 10:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Holy shit. Is he gonna cry?
October 2, 2008 10:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Joe almost cried over his kid - perfect.
I know that's cynical of me - but man, that was too fucking real for words.
October 2, 2008 10:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
It may be cold politics, but we just won on that one.
October 2, 2008 10:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Did Joe just choke up when talking about his wife and daughter who died? WOW!!!
October 2, 2008 10:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
WOW. Biden's comment about being a single parent -- moving and powerful!
Palin comes back with a flub about McCain being a "maverick". A very robotic response. She's lost.
October 2, 2008 10:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Please bring up her ethics investigation!
October 2, 2008 10:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
WOW. Biden's comment about being a single parent -- moving and powerful!
Palin comes back with a flub about McCain being a "maverick". A very robotic response. She's lost.
October 2, 2008 10:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bitch, you're a Republican - please!
October 2, 2008 10:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
LMAO. She's such a stupid bitch, she thinks an Achille's heel is something good.
October 2, 2008 10:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
WOW. Biden's comment about being a single parent -- moving and powerful!
Palin comes back with a flub about McCain being a "maverick". A very robotic response. She's lost.
October 2, 2008 10:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
She just said :Mc Cains need to leaves...as opposed to lead...Lol
Freudian slip...
October 2, 2008 10:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
WOW. Biden's comment about being a single parent -- moving and powerful!
Palin comes back with a flub about McCain being a "maverick". A very robotic response. She's lost.
October 2, 2008 10:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
That was the moment - a true moment of being choked up. It's over.
October 2, 2008 10:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ditto.
That was THE powerful moment, and made her petty blizzard of talking points seem shallow.
Call Americans "Joe Sixpack" doesn't make an emtoional connection.
Biden connected.
October 2, 2008 10:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
WOW. Biden's comment about being a single parent -- moving and powerful!
Palin comes back with a flub about McCain being a "maverick". A very robotic response. She's lost.
October 2, 2008 10:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Biden's winning it late!!
October 2, 2008 10:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
But Palin's stature has been raised. Sadly.
October 2, 2008 10:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
temporarily.
Really - Greg is right. This matters not at all.
October 2, 2008 10:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed. She stumbled enough... There's light in there to wedge her out of Presidential stature.
BIDEN: "May God Protect our troop!"
October 2, 2008 10:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bidens maverick line of attack was brilliant.
October 2, 2008 10:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
The "he's no maverick!" line seal the deal tonight.
October 2, 2008 10:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bipartisan - is there anything from Barack's campaign they haven't stolen?
October 2, 2008 10:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
The folksy shit aint gonna fly, Sarah.
October 2, 2008 10:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
You said it.
October 2, 2008 10:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
I been saying - she drops one more "g" and her accent gets any hokier and I can't be held responsible for my actions.
October 2, 2008 10:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
The conservatives are going to claim victory because Gov Plain didnt make any gaffes.
October 2, 2008 10:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
The neocon definition of executive power was a bit of a gaffe, not that most Americans know what that's all about but I'm not sure what good it does the average Republican to have the neocons rocking the boat.
October 2, 2008 10:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Biden is sounding REAL.
He is CONNECTING!
He is mopping up the floor with Miss Note Reader
October 2, 2008 10:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, Wade says he's won 51 to 49. :)
October 2, 2008 10:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nothing you would change? what?
October 2, 2008 10:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thank you, Joe, for finally slapping down the "Maverick" crap.
October 2, 2008 10:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well done.
October 2, 2008 10:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think she tried to use Jim Gilmores name, but it came out illmmm, nice try though, and Gilmore like Sarah will on the losing side.
October 2, 2008 10:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
She's incoherent, even with her cue cards to refer to. There's an occasional phrase or sentence that sounds like it makes sense, but no thread of continuity. If she were a typical candidate, her performance would be considered a train wreck.
October 2, 2008 10:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Egads...this whole thing she's sounded like a 2nd Grade teacher talking to her class.
October 2, 2008 10:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
could've had a great drinking game with "maverick" &/or "nucular"
October 2, 2008 10:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
On the CSPAN coverage, they're showing the debate in split screen. Palin is CONSTANTLY smirking when Biden is talking. It's strange and inappropriate. I wish all the networks were showing it.
October 2, 2008 10:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Can someone get a video of that and post to Youtube?????
October 2, 2008 10:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
The NPR people weren't too impressed with Palin. She didn't answer the questions that were asked - just the way she wanted to. They all thought Joe was on it all the way. Good answers. Came across well. Palin just had speaking points. Can't wait to see the video. It was really hard for me to sit here and keep listening to Palins voice. I can't stand that high school class president tone in her voice - it makes me crazy. I'm not going to listen to her speak for that long again EVER. You all need to tell me if she was reading off of cards.
October 2, 2008 11:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Biden was terrific: thoughtful, knowledgeable, avuncular, engaging. He could not have been better. I think he'll be a terrific VP.
Palin memorized 30 short speeches (or maybe they were implanted in her brain) and then presented them, sometimes queasily-folksy, other times like somebody who had just memorized the Gettysburg address and was praying that she didn't slip into the Pledge of Allegiance by mistake; sometimes when the speeches were appropriate, sometimes when they were complete non sequiturs. Palin was going through her speeches, one by one, gosh darnit, and the Mainstream Media could just try to stop her.
Gwen Ifill, unfortunately, was awful. She could have e-mailed her questions for all the interactivity and spontaneity she brought to the debate; I think there was only a single moment when she actually responded to one of Palin's inane remarks. I don't think (and I certainly hope) that this will hurt Obama in any way, but it is yet another reminder that a lousy press corps does serious damage to the nation. Too bad Katie Couric didn't moderate. She recognized and called Palin on her BS. I think Palin would have folded under even moderate pressure, but she got none and muddled through. But really: The White House?
October 2, 2008 11:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't think the moderators can do much and I think Ifill just let Palin hang her self. Okay, now the BBC is running clips. Now they are talking to the republicans and democrats on the bus and the republicans are saying - she's just like me - dumb as dirt!! We are at ballgames with our children - she speaks very simply and I understand that. Joe used to much terminology and points - to much for me! And here is the new meme - Barack Obama is more like Bush than McCain is with his spending because Bush has been more like a democrat than a republican.
October 2, 2008 11:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Biden was awesome. He's winning in all of the polling I'm seeing. Strong, confident, expert, and real. He's a truly likable, real guy.
Who in America doesn't like this guy??
October 2, 2008 11:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm sorry, but paella is a dish of mass destruction and John McCain simply isn't willing to let it fall into enemy hands.
October 2, 2008 11:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Someone needs to start a new post - what we think Palin sounds like. I say a candidate for high school class president. Someone else said a 2nd grade school teacher.
And someone please tell me if she really was reading off cards PLEASE.
October 2, 2008 11:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree that Senator Biden turned in a fine performance--really, we could not have asked more from him.
Hut Gloomy Gus here has to give the debate to Palin. Why? OK, this smacks of CW, but she had already managed to set expectations so low, that merely holding her own--which she certainly did--seemed to amount to hittting it out of the park.
Sorry, but with a stacked deck, Palin won that debate.
Robert
October 3, 2008 1:16 AM | Reply | Permalink