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Palin Botches Name Of Afghanistan Top Commander
Sarah Palin flubs the name of the top commander in Afghanistan, calling him "McClellan" rather than "McKiernan," which is his actual name.
McClellan is the Civil War general. Or she might have been thinking of former White House flack Scott McClellan.
Interestingly, Biden didn't correct her. Probably a good move.
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She's just empty talk.
October 2, 2008 10:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
STOP SAYING ALSO ARGHHHHHHHH its killing me
October 2, 2008 10:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, like, also, gee, ya know?
October 2, 2008 11:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Biden is sounding REAL. He's really getting good here at the end.
She sounds shallow, a flurry of talking points, in that HURRIED pace. Her schtick really started to wear, and she sounded like a broken record.
October 2, 2008 10:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Who the hell cares? Seriously, are you going to nitpick this debate on such a stupid level? There were serious issued involved this evening, and this is what you've got? Jesus. It's no wonder we lose elections.
Get real. We need to discuss the issues. This is NOT an issue.
October 2, 2008 10:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
I partly agree with this sentiment. Nobody's gonna care that she schrewed-up a general's name; especially a general that no one else would be able to name. It just makes us looks pedantic and I'm glad that Biden didn't go after it.
Maybe we should be focused on how she didn't answer any questions. That basically her debating skills consisted of nothing more than cue cards to be recited.
October 2, 2008 10:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think she did OK tonight. I don't think it helps McCain, though. Paul Begala just said on CNN that tonight helps Palin in 2012. I've got to agree. If we were looking to be reassured that Sarah Palin has what it takes to be president if McCain kicks the bucket mid-term, I don't think we got that. But Joe Biden could take over and I'd trust him.
Net result as far as I'm concerned? A slight gain for Palin, but a slight loss for McCain-Palin.
October 2, 2008 11:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree. Nitpicking is what pundits do when they're afraid to go out on a limb and say what they're actually thinking about the overall performance. Or even worse: don't know.
My take:
1) The bar was set impossibly low for Palin to allow pundits to later claim she "exceeded expectations" which is just the usual way of calling someone an idiot, politely, without inviting a letter writing campaign and boycott from hicksville. That alone is the single measure by which she succeeded if one can call it that.
2) She avoided answering questions and clung to her talking points and canned one liners, for dear life. Early on she stated her intent to evade questions from either the moderator or Biden, saying paraphrased "you (moderator) and Biden might not get the answers you're looking for because I intend to respond my way and stick to my talking points." She was kept on a short leash and coached to do so, because everybody, including the McCain campaign, knows her knowledge is spotty at best and the only way she can avoid saying something stupid is to stick to the script.
3) She was folksy to a point of self parody to compensate for her utter lack of knowledge or ability to think on her feet. It was contrived even beyond GWBush's "aw shucks" routine. It's a desperate grasp at the dwindling anti-intellectual populism in hicksville that the GOP have been cultivating for decades. However, after GWBush FUBARing just about everything possible, from NOLA, to Iraq + Afghanistan, to the economy, do people want another folksy idiot in the White House campaigning on anti-government and pro-corporate themes? Or President Soccer Mom? Some always will. But a majority won't this time. It's also proof the GOP doesn't have anything but the old playbook.
4) The idea of President Palin is absolutely terrifying. McCain's age and health become a serious issue with Palin and whether he could last 4-8 years.
5) Biden put in a solid performance and was objectively far more substantive and prepared to hold the office of VP or even PoTUS in a crisis.
I'll go out on a limb here and predict that while some will find her performance utterly heartwarming, i.e. the God Bless and Pass the Ammunition Republican base, overall the McCain/Palin campaign will continue to plummet and we'll see this borne out over the coming week. Biden was solid and reassured that he's qualified to advise and take the helm if need be, in a stark contrast to Palin. Biden did nothing to disrupt the ascendancy of the Obama/Biden ticket and actually reinforced their credentials further.
October 3, 2008 12:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
And the winner of tonight is...
The Scrappy Kid from Scranton, PA, Joe Biden!
October 2, 2008 10:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
He got the sound bite, the bridge to nowhere
and he got the emotional bite with his comment about being a single parent.
October 2, 2008 10:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Gov Plain did what she needed to do, but make no mistake, Biden was very reassuring as BO VP. Sarah Plain came across as hick at times, but she did what she needed to do.
October 2, 2008 10:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
My wife hit it on the head. She sounds like she is in the middle of a job interview for which she is very unqualified.
October 2, 2008 10:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yup yup.
"And I see you do, too, also."
just shoot me
October 2, 2008 10:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
http://www.slate.com/id/2201158/
Scroll down to sentence diagrams....
October 2, 2008 10:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Diagramming Sarah" -- hilarious. Thanks.
October 3, 2008 1:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hey champ, let get up together.
October 2, 2008 10:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Her whole exploited family is on the stage.
October 2, 2008 10:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
I love David Gergen. He loves this country, and he KNOWS McCain/Palin = disaster.
October 2, 2008 10:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Biden is sounding REAL. He's really getting good here at the end.
She sounds shallow, a flurry of talking points, in that HURRIED pace. Her schtick really started to wear, and she sounded like a broken record.
October 2, 2008 10:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
She landed a couple minor blows but Biden had a comand and gravitas when it mattered that ought to carry.
I seriously doubt she was thinking of Union General McCelland.
October 2, 2008 10:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOL!
Who the hell knows what goes on in that head -
October 2, 2008 10:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Gergen: Biden won!
October 2, 2008 10:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
No shit?
O please goddess - it's my birfday!
October 2, 2008 10:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Happy Birthday to you........
October 2, 2008 11:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Jebus - the contrast between those two families couldn't be greater.
October 2, 2008 10:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Chris Matthews is killing Gov Plain on MSNBC.
October 2, 2008 10:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Biden is sounding REAL. He's really getting good here at the end.
She sounds shallow, a flurry of talking points, in that HURRIED pace. Her schtick really started to wear, and she sounded like a broken record.
October 2, 2008 10:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Pat Buchanan says Gov Plain swept the floor with Joe Biden. LOL
October 2, 2008 10:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's always interesting to see if Pat the Analyst or Pat the Wingnut is going to show up.
October 2, 2008 10:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
So very true.
October 2, 2008 10:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yep, Pat the wingnut who cut his teeth with Richard Milhous Nixon.
Hilarious!
October 2, 2008 10:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
HAHAHA...Maddow said, "so it's good to be wrong and folksy vs. right and boring."
October 2, 2008 10:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Pat really needs to sign off. He cannot even be objective. Why do they keep this guy on the air?
October 2, 2008 11:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
If I had to proof read her speech and change all the grammatical errors and sentence construction, I would jump out of a window...
October 2, 2008 10:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
That is exactly what I said, she was driving me f**king nuts with her grammar and linguistics.
October 2, 2008 11:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
He has gravitas. These are some scary times and you don't want to hear talking points and "aw shucks, isn't America just super" crap from you VP.
October 2, 2008 10:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Biden is sounding REAL. He's really getting good here at the end.
She sounds shallow, a flurry of talking points, in that HURRIED pace. Her schtick really started to wear, and she sounded like a broken record.
October 2, 2008 10:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
You know, it just makes me feel really good to see Howard Dean standing around there, talking in some dude's ear and then the guy makes a phone call - I feel like I'm in good hands.
October 2, 2008 10:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think Pat Buchanan's got a little crush!!
October 2, 2008 10:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
The best thing about the debate was watching the lines dive every time she said the word "maverick". They've destroyed that label, and no one is buying it anymore. It was just nice to see empirical proof of that. :)
October 2, 2008 10:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Delusional Right is going to be very happy with her performance. Birds of a feather....
October 2, 2008 10:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
CNN Focus Group: More people said Biden won!
October 2, 2008 10:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thank you so much. That's the bets birthday present ever -
October 2, 2008 10:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
And the majority of the group thinks Obama will win!
True that, Double True!
October 2, 2008 10:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
She could say that responded well with the focus group, but the overall impression not so good.
October 2, 2008 10:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
CNN focus group shows 2-to-1 win for Biden. Very big for genuine Biden vs. gimmicky Palin. Dial tester went way down when Palin said she "had only been at this for 5 weeks." A Republican said he didn't find her very compelling.
October 2, 2008 10:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wow, awesome.
That fake schtick doesn't work with real people, only with professional pundits who pretend to know what "real Americans" like.
October 2, 2008 10:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thank you!!!! I'm soooooo happy to hear that!
Pundits = idiots.
October 2, 2008 10:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
O - this is better than cake!
October 2, 2008 10:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
In the quiet words of a Obama supporter, a certain Mr. Simpson:
Ummmmmmm, cake! (Drool)
October 2, 2008 10:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Biden appeared like a statesman. She looked like a flirty seceratary trying to get the attention of her boss (in the case the voters).
I actually felt it was like the Bush redux, just don't say anything, stick to your talking points, charm everyone by innuendos. The heartland will like her and she'll reenergize some of her base, but I have a feeling, it serious times and after a couple of days people will focus more on the couric interview than the debate.
October 2, 2008 10:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
We're two mavericks..he's such a maverick...he's always been a maverick...everybody knows what a maverick John McCain is...America's lucky to be getting the two most mavericky mavericks in all of maverickdom.
Gwen, can I just say "maverick"? That's all. Maverick.
Oh heck, maverick-maverick-maverick-maverick-maverick. MAVERICK!
Maverick.
October 2, 2008 10:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sweet Jesus, I hate David Gregory! Now he's suggesting that Biden "handled" Palin wrong.
October 2, 2008 10:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
David Gregory doesn't want to be there. He'd rather be Karl Rove's partner on "Dancing with the Stars."
October 2, 2008 10:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
That pissed me off too!!
October 2, 2008 11:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Winner: Biden
Losser: Gwen Iffil for caving to the Republican echo chamber.
October 2, 2008 10:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Andrew Sullivan agrees with you. He thinks Iffil caved and was intimidated. I think Iffil could have been more forceful on the rebuttals. Iffil left a lot on the table.
October 2, 2008 10:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
In the 2004 VP, Ifill asked Edwards, What qualifies you to be a heartbeat away?
How is that same question not appropriate now? It is the major question most people are asking in this country.
October 2, 2008 11:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
I thought she went overboard accommodating Palin on her rambling. She never did make her answer several questions. Not her best job.
October 2, 2008 11:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Did anyone else notice the wink? That is gonna piss some people off big time.
October 2, 2008 10:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Who's wink? I saw Palin wink a couple of times.
October 2, 2008 10:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Palins. Sorry for not indicating that...
October 2, 2008 10:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Didn't that seem like flirtation to you? In response to a question about becoming president of the US?
October 2, 2008 11:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good. I was thinking "Please God, don't tell me Biden was stupid enough to wink at her".
You're right, though. I thought her winking was obnoxious. She just thinks she's so damn cute, doesn't she?
October 2, 2008 11:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah...and just because some pasty, over-the-hill wankers on Faux news sweat her does not mean anything.
Legend in her own mind.
October 2, 2008 11:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
She winked in response to the speculative question about becoming president! That absolutely has to be a viral video -- it scared me to death.
October 2, 2008 10:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yep. And count me as one of those who got pissed off.
I fuckin hate that woman.
October 2, 2008 10:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
The CNN focus group in Columbus turned thumbs down every time she winked.
October 2, 2008 10:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good to know. Some people out there are sane. That makes me feel good.
October 2, 2008 11:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
she did better than I was thinking but she was not great for one it just sounded like one speach after another plus at least half the time she did not even answer the question that was asked she ignored it
October 2, 2008 10:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bingo. But why answer the questions put to you by the evil meanies in the mainstream media? She's just gonna talk straight to the people, goshdarnit!
October 2, 2008 10:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Uh, yeah! I mean she had that strategy down on veering off in another direction, but it got weird sometimes because she was so far off the question.
She blew it twice, I think - the Iraq War and wanting to be Dick Cheney.
October 2, 2008 10:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
When the question was about the bankruptcy bill, she talked about energy for the second or third time.
October 2, 2008 10:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Off-topic... I finally got back to my computer. Happy Birthday to you, too!
October 2, 2008 10:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
And to you!
October 2, 2008 11:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
yea not answering really hit when they talked about what is there biggest weakness can anyone tell me what she said was hers she did not guess she is perfect then in her eyes
plus every time joe told the truth about what mcsame is more bush not a maverick she could not come back on it she just went on to something else
but lets tell the truth the media has dropped her expections for tonight so much that her just getting her name out would have done good for her
October 2, 2008 11:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hell she even came out once and said she was not going to answer the question! Who gets to decide which questions they answer in a debate?
October 2, 2008 10:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Someone who's super-mavericky.
October 2, 2008 11:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
That one got the laugh that scares the doves!
October 2, 2008 11:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Aahhhh....Marquez?
October 2, 2008 11:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes. One Hundred Years of Solitude
Pilar Ternera was the character. That book has the very best names in it, next to Durrell's Alexandria Quartet and the best opening sentence period. Even better than Anna Karenina and I believe Tolstoy sits on god's right hand.
October 2, 2008 11:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
I read "One Hundred Years..." many, many years ago. I was thinking recently I'd like to re-read it...or pick-up "Love in the Time of Cholera".
October 2, 2008 11:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
You guys are (wink, wink) great! love your intelligent (wink) comments.
October 2, 2008 10:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Freep these polls!!!!
http://www.drudgereport.com/
October 2, 2008 10:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
http://www.polls.newsvine.com/_question/2008/10/02/1948598-who-won-the-vice-presidential-debate
October 2, 2008 10:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
http://www.cnn.com/
http://www.politico.com/
October 2, 2008 10:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
You cannot win drudge poll. That is absolutely impossible
October 2, 2008 11:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Palin's winning the Drudge poll?
OMG!
ROTFLMAO!
October 2, 2008 11:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
GO VOTE FOR BIDEN, TAKES A SECOND
October 2, 2008 11:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
As I was getting ready to drop my internet connection to the debate, one commentator noted Palin had dodged many questions put to her by going off tangent and reciting her talking points on a completely different subject
October 2, 2008 10:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Watching Palin is like watching Tina Fey portraying the character of Palin. That whole folksy charade comes off as insincere and phony.
October 2, 2008 10:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yep. Really, REALLY fake.
Like Gomer Pile or some caricature.
October 2, 2008 10:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Who plays Biden on SNL by the way?
October 2, 2008 10:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
only differences is that tina would get elected lol
October 2, 2008 11:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
The wingnut spinners are hilarious!
Buchana is back to his Nixon days.
This is the same old crap we've been hearing from them for years.
Finally the people wised up.
Palin's phony folksiness looked overdone and contrived.
"Hey, let's get back to energy."
October 2, 2008 10:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
That "authentic" folksiness that rich media elite like to imagine people in the heartland love.
As if the people in middle america are stupid.
October 2, 2008 10:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
I adore you for that!
October 2, 2008 11:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
I guess she left her straw hat and wittlin' knife at home.
:-)
October 2, 2008 11:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
A regular Minnie Pearl. (of course you may be too young for that reference...)
October 2, 2008 11:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
McClellen? If anyone were looking for a Union Civil War general to compare McCain to, I'd suggest Judson Kilpatrick one-time general of the cavalry corp of the Army of the Potomac. Adulterous, inflexible, given to rash and ill-considered action. His men called him "Judson Killcalvery."
October 2, 2008 10:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'll take your word on that.
October 2, 2008 10:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, on a happy note, Palin neither cried nor threw up. Mom said always look for the positive.
October 2, 2008 10:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well,
You can put lipstick on G.W. Bush, but at the end of the day, it's still G.W. Bush.
October 2, 2008 10:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
She was too damn smiley and happy - it's creepy.
October 2, 2008 10:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
She was creepy. Every time she stared into the camera like a robot I turned my head.
October 2, 2008 11:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Maverick. Surge. Iraq. Victory. Soldier. Rinse. Repeat.
October 2, 2008 10:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Also
October 2, 2008 11:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
((wink))
October 3, 2008 12:01 AM | Reply | Permalink
My impression of the debate is Palin used it as an opportunity to air McCain's talking points regardless if the questions asked matched the answers given. She survived the debate because she didn't debate.
October 2, 2008 10:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Exactly.
October 2, 2008 11:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
When you watch it again, notice the questions she didn't answer (How we would use nukes or equal rights for same sex partners, to name a couple).
Also notice how Joe destroyed her phony arguments in the first few questions where she tried to make bogus claims about McCain and Obama.
October 2, 2008 10:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed. She reminds me of my mother-in-law (God rest her soul): she had this uncanny ability to say something...and then like five minutes later you'd be like "Wait a second...what did she just say?"
Palin's greatest gift is that at her best, the words coming out of her mouth might sound good, but in retrospect, there's not much "there" there.
October 2, 2008 11:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
The next Disney/Pixar animated feature about a maverick mom leading a team of moose hockey players to victory has it's STAR!
I said it first, to my wife: Cartoon character. Then Rachel Maddow said the same afterward. Golly, I'm a pundit, bless me!
October 2, 2008 10:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
If you get your own show, I'll like totally watch.
October 2, 2008 11:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Her neocon moment was rather scary. Can you imagine the kind of mentoring she's getting if she felt the need to bring up the VP messing with the Senate? Then again, I wouldn't want to count on Harry Reid handling her but I'd love to see her try to take on Hillary.
October 2, 2008 11:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
If I had a shot of whisky everytime Palin uttered a cliche' I'd be in the hospital for alcohol poisoning!
LOL
October 2, 2008 11:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Which is of course how I'd I end up if this country elects those two pyschopaths into office.
October 2, 2008 11:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
If they ended up with this country, I'd rearrange my scheduled beginning at age 80, and just go right now for the heroin habit I've been putting off since about 1969.
October 2, 2008 11:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Isn't that the truth?!
October 2, 2008 11:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not that they have a reputation for torturing the truth, but just wait until the fact checking swings into action. Sarah has a way of just making things up.
CBS polled 500 undecided voters, by 2 to 1 they now have chosen to vote for Obama. 98% of all polled said Biden was more knowledgeable on the issues, and Biden won 2 to 1.
October 2, 2008 11:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
are those numbers for real? 98%??
October 2, 2008 11:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's fantastic.
Sarah was a pit bull from hell. It's great that people didn't fall for it.
October 2, 2008 11:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Minor gaffe compared to what was possible. And thank goodness Biden didn't correct her.
Joe did a great, great job. I'm thrilled.
October 2, 2008 11:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Given all the stress leading up to and through the debate, I offer the vid posted by renegademom that offers a vision of what of the world that might be possible with Obama and Biden leading a grassroots movement.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlfKdbWwruY
October 2, 2008 11:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
I've seen enough now that I'm damn sure that almost all that makeup is tattooed on.
Not kidding. The lipliner, the lipcolor (it never varies one iota) and the eyeliner.
Tattooed on - and possibly the eyebrows.
October 2, 2008 11:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOL.
October 2, 2008 11:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
MSNBC is taking a poll about who you think won the debate
October 2, 2008 11:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Linky?
October 2, 2008 11:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Mark Halperin's reign of doucheness continues:
He called it a tie, both received a B.
October 2, 2008 11:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
As wrong as it is, a tie, given his place in the polls, goes to Obama.
October 2, 2008 11:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed.
October 2, 2008 11:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sure thing. Only if you spot Palin a C to start with.
She was adequate....and for most casual viewers she didn't come across as an idiot, but there's no way in hell it was a tie if they're both judged on the merits alone.
October 2, 2008 11:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
John King is hinting Biden won the debate poll on CNN. It's going to be released soon.
October 2, 2008 11:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
I can't wait for the result. This time again, pundits are wrong and people are right, in our favor, I believe. Honestly, I was sooo nervous before the debate, but despite some puke moments of Palin pooing and me puking, I am feeling much, much better now.
October 2, 2008 11:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
98%.
This is bestest birfday evah! And most think Obama will win.
Wow.
October 2, 2008 11:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
bestest birfday evah!
Can you lend me that phrase?
October 2, 2008 11:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's yours. :)
October 2, 2008 11:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thank you, Tena. Enjoy your birthday!
October 2, 2008 11:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
By the way, Happy Birthday Tena!!!
October 2, 2008 11:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks!
October 2, 2008 11:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Tena, poll results start coming in, and yes, it's definitely a GREAT birthday for you!
October 2, 2008 11:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
I had a rocky start today but did it ever pick up speed.
I'm thrilled. I did really love the Joe Biden who debated her tonight. That's the man that I wanted to see and he outdid himself. After all her hokey bullshit he actually starts to cry.
It was gorgeous.
October 2, 2008 11:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
So I'm not the only one who says Birfday.
October 2, 2008 11:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
O baby - I stole it myself.
;)
October 2, 2008 11:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Palin acted exactly like herself. And that's been wearing real thin on the majority of Americans. I don't see them making any gains from this. I'd expect the opposite.
October 2, 2008 11:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ironically, it may not be such a bad thing that she did OK. She's the distraction. All the time spent talking about her is time not spent talking about the disaster the Republicans have foisted on this country. The less people talk about her the better for Obama.
October 2, 2008 11:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
After watching an hour or so worth of debate with the CNN meters, doesn't anyone expect to see meters on other shows? "Man, Walker got a *huge* bump among male voters when he hit that biker with a roundhouse kick!"
October 2, 2008 11:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
And then there those results during Desperate Housewives.
October 2, 2008 11:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Um...that's not your meter you're holding.
October 2, 2008 11:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Judging from the meters on Iraq, McCain was smart not to pick Lieberman.
October 2, 2008 11:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
CBS instapoll:
Biden 46%
Palin: 21%
Tie: 33%
http://yglesias.thinkprogress.org/archives/2008/10/cbs_instapoll.php
October 2, 2008 11:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
She's making a rally right now? WTF?
October 2, 2008 11:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
What about the winking? My wife says its really unprofessional and like she's back at the beauty pageant...
October 2, 2008 11:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
CBS has a webcast with Katie Couric analyzing the debate. I wish msnbc would do one so I can watch Chris Matthews drool on himself, and Pat Buchanan do those karate chop hand gestures.
October 2, 2008 11:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here's the link to the MSNBC poll
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26995439
October 2, 2008 11:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
CNN: Biden won 51% - 36%!
October 2, 2008 11:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
My verdict:
TPM is a pathetic site.
Why?
One of its links, "Biden: Cheney among most dangerous VP," takes us to cnn, which has one sentence. Totally brainless.
Biden said he will serve a different role than Cheney if Barack Obama was elected president.
"I would not be the president," said Biden. "But I would be there to give advice."
Joe is a piece of shit, sounded like a college undergrad, though a better shit than Palin.
October 2, 2008 11:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
TPM is a good site but when it comes down to big events, like tonight, they dont seem prepared. For one, the servers cant handle the extra traffic and the page takes forever to load. I posted more comments at KOS than at TPM.
October 2, 2008 11:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
"a piece of shit"? Really? Where is this coming from? Because he didn't aspire to be president while being VP?
October 2, 2008 11:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Total game changer for McCain.
Biden looked really creepy smiling all the while Palin spoke. The polls will see a complete reversal tomorrow as McCain will be back in front. It was awesome when Sarah nailed Oilbama for voting for the Bush Cheney Energy Bill that Biden, McCain, and Hillary, all voted against.
It was very funny when she used Biden's own words trashing Oilbama as unfit to lead.
October 2, 2008 11:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes Bill it is a gamechanger!!! for Obama!!!
CBS and CNN polls both have Biden blowing that little shit right out of the water.
October 2, 2008 11:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
don't let the facts get in the way of a good story and for one no one votes for the vp so this will do nothing not that she won answering the questions would have been a good start for her for a game chance that has to come from mcsame and right now I am sorry unless something major happens its all but done
October 2, 2008 11:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Funny I didn't hear that. In fact, I couldn't even follow the train of thought she rode out of the debate on.
October 2, 2008 11:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dumb Bill showed up.
Total disaster for McCain.
October 2, 2008 11:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Predictable Bill.
October 2, 2008 11:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Keep livin' the dream, bless ya!
October 2, 2008 11:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
let's not look back
let's not look back
let's not look back
Give the VP more Power
Give the VP more Power
Give the VP more Power
I will not answer your question!
Yea!
October 2, 2008 11:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think the key moment in the debate was when Biden choked up. Not only because it was personal. It set a contrast.
All the while she was acting folksy and flirty, entertaining audience, charming her clientele, but when Biden teared up, it reminded the serious, the reality and at that moment, like a giant elephant in every living room, it pivoted her as fake and him as real- very very real.
October 2, 2008 11:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
I just posted that upthread - after all her hokey crap, Big Joe Biden almost breaks down over his own family - that was just beautiful.
It was so real.
October 2, 2008 11:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Totally agree about Biden. It was completely heartfelt. I know it's a stereotypical "chick" response...but it made me totally love him.
October 2, 2008 11:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think the key moment in the debate was when Biden choked up. Not only because it was personal. It set a contrast.
All the while she was acting folksy and flirty, entertaining audience, charming her clientele, but when Biden teared up, it reminded the serious, the reality and at that moment, like a giant elephant in every living room, it pivoted her as fake and him as real- very very real.
October 2, 2008 11:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
It brought tears to my eyes. He was real, sincere, and powerful. It makes Palin sound even more fake as she is.
October 2, 2008 11:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Agree. The most heartfelt moment.
October 2, 2008 11:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
My husband didn't know the history there but he was SO impressed. Said that just shot his opinion of Joe Biden up big time.
October 2, 2008 11:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
I would be a tad bit concerned with a VP that flirts. Just isn't professional. Beside, the new president of Pakistan has a fatwa issued against him because of his meeting her. Doesn't she realize her awkward, hillbilly facade could get someone killed.
October 2, 2008 11:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good observation because let me tell you, if that had been a job interview for a big law firm, say, that would have instantly lost her all consideration for the position.
October 2, 2008 11:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wow, the folks at CNN, other than the right wing pundits, aint singing Gov Plain praises. They agree that she did what she needed to do, but like David Gergen says, "Joe Biden gave the best debate performance of his life."
Mike Murphy says Gov Plain debate performance was good and may have stopped the bleeding.
October 2, 2008 11:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
That might work if McCain could stop the stock market from bleeding.
October 2, 2008 11:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
And the crickets chirping at his rallies.
October 2, 2008 11:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
I love it on CNN "She's ready to be Secretary of the Interior".
October 2, 2008 11:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, I get the humor. Sort of. I don't want her anywhere near that position, and neither do the polar bears.
October 2, 2008 11:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good old Bernstein!
October 2, 2008 11:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
My favorite Palin flub: "It's a toxic mess on Mainstreet that's affecting Wallstreet."
October 2, 2008 11:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
btw when she said she supporters gay and lesbain marriges anyone think the republican base will be happy with that lets not forget she was here to get the base voting for mcsame
October 2, 2008 11:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dhe didn't say she supported changing the definition of marriage. She did agree w/ Biden that they should have visitation, contract and other civil rights, IIRC. Still though, her answer wasn't what the wingnuttiest would have liked but, who cares? They aint gonna vote for Obama anyway...
October 2, 2008 11:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
No.
LOL! Biden trapped her good on that one.
October 2, 2008 11:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
I lost count how many times Palin said that McCain is a "maverick". Did she ever give any examples of how McCain is a maverick, or is it enough to repeat maverick over and over again?
October 2, 2008 11:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, looking at the polls, it's worked for him so far. :P
October 2, 2008 11:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
What's with these commentators who think Palin did alright? That was the most pathetic thing I've ever seen.
Not only was Joe on fire, but he gets major points for not cracking up laughing.
October 2, 2008 11:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
They talking about in general about how the people who might be open to voting for her. From a critical, politically savvy point of view she lost. From the point of view of "Ethel" sitting in her home in middle of America, still wondering who to vote for, she did okay.
October 2, 2008 11:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
you must be watching fox on cnn they say joe won big
October 2, 2008 11:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Palin has more trouble. Seems the Supreme Court in Alaska has stated the Legislature is within its Constitutional rights to continue with their investigation of troopergate. In about 8 days their report will be made public. McCain is gonna have a tough time fighting it off. His VP nominee is gonna be trashed!
October 2, 2008 11:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Woohoo!
October 2, 2008 11:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sweet baby jebus - I must have been a damn good girl this year!
October 2, 2008 11:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
I restrained from saying it, because I know so little about her. But today I felt she was applying for the Monica Lewinsky position-no pun intended- in the WH.
October 2, 2008 11:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is it me, or does CNN pundits Gloria Berger and Jeffery Tubin hate each other?
October 2, 2008 11:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
He cuts her off, she cuts him off and they both get that look of disgust on their face.
October 2, 2008 11:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Again, I don't think that is hate or disgust, but competitiveness. To use the sports analogy (which I try to avoid), after a hard fought football game, watch the players after the game talking to each, laughing, sharing stories. I think its the same thing.
October 2, 2008 11:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
I wouldn't say hate, but Toobin is more about being true to his intellectual assessment, and Berger is more about trying to be about looking at all sides, even if she doesn't agree with that side. I like it when these two discuss the election.
October 2, 2008 11:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
I flipped over to CNN just to see what was going on, and I was surprised to see that they had at least twelve analysts. That not the best political team on television, that's a mob.
October 2, 2008 11:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ben Smith:
My quick take is that Palin passed a pass-fail test, though she flagged as the debate went on. Though she was chosen for her emotion connection, she was the drier of the two candidates. But if the central worry was that she'd be a drag on the ticket, she likely returned herself to the same status as Biden and every other running mate in memory: Not, ultimately, a major factor at the polls.
Crowley:
I think Palin is giving a cosmetically strong performance so far, but on the substance it's a horrorshow.
Meanwhile, note her extremely heavy reliance on notes--up to three or more glances per answer. At moments during her Afghanistan exchange she seemed to be reading directly from them.
October 2, 2008 11:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
SEE !!!
She was reading index cards !
October 2, 2008 11:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
When it comes to regurgitating empty folksy talking points, Sarah Palin is an absolute Vomit Cannon.
October 2, 2008 11:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
LOL.
Did she forget her fishin' pole?
October 2, 2008 11:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm commencin' to think that the letter "g" isn't in her alphabet.
October 2, 2008 11:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Much like in the Presidential debate, Palin's body language and demeanor lost it for her. Biden was serious and "real" and Palin was too smiley and "happy to be there".
Also her family reunion on stage was over-played, especailly when her mic picked up her calling everybody on stage.
October 2, 2008 11:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Two words I wish I never had to hear again. (First) DUDE, and Maverick. YUK, make it stop.
October 2, 2008 11:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here's something that just came to me as I thought it's been 24 years since the last vp debate with a female involved.
After all the Palin Pablum that I endured I feel the urge to reach back into that 84 campaign and want to ask Palin "wheres the beef?". It still fits today. Theres nothing there when Palin talks, its all broad brush strokes with pastels.
October 2, 2008 11:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
I saw a bit of "Fargo" on tv last night. Hadn't seen it in years. I realized as I watched the debate tonight - jeez, she sounds just like Frances McDormand, y'know? It's almost uncanny. You betcha.
Palin didn't vomit all over herself, so it's like she wins. But Biden did better - a lot better. He sounded like he knew what the hell he was talkin' about. So he wins bigger, y'know? You betcha.
October 2, 2008 11:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Are you okay, there, Sarah?
Yeah, I'm good. Just gonna, okay, just throw up here.
October 2, 2008 11:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yah. So it's like that. But then she didn't. So it's okey.
October 2, 2008 11:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Perfect antidote - Purple Rain just started.
I can't help it - I love Prince. He's such a bad boy.
October 2, 2008 11:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Prince is such a maverick.
October 2, 2008 11:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
At the VA parking lot today...No McCain stickers 12 for Obama with 40 cars there...Then again this is Hawaii.
October 2, 2008 11:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ok all checking in from lands overseas. I am 8 and a half hours behind here and didnt see debate as I was alseep:)
Please when you get a chance give me how you feel this will affect things one way or the other, some inquiring GI minds want to know!
October 2, 2008 11:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
My friend - I don't think it changes anything about Obama's upward trajectory. She didn't answer questions, Biden did; she couldn't respond to McCain's record; Biden spelled it out. She may have made some people think she's not a total idiot. But "not a total idiot" isn't good enough for folks nowadays. It looks like it's still Obama's election to lose. And he doesn't look like a loser. That's my take.
Now take care and come home safe ASAP.
October 2, 2008 11:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
No effect 777McCain still doesn't care about VA benies for us.
October 2, 2008 11:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
It stops the hemorrhaging that was happening in the Republican base. Before last night, they were ready to burn McCain effigies and all but the most starry-eyed wingnut was lining up to be the first to explain why McCain was going to lose. Palin didn't fall off the stage and she didn't start speaking in tongues, so she beat expectations and buys the McCain camp a bit of time with their base.
But fundamentally this changes nothing, including the prevailing conventional wisdom about Palin's qualification, and if anything, gave Biden a chance to connect to people in a personal way that he's never been able to before.
Biden won on points, and he won on style. Palin probably helped herself personally if she ever decides to run a national campaign again, but she's no longer an asset for John McCain, and last night didn't change that one bit.
October 3, 2008 8:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
There's something disturbing about a person who almost starts to laugh at their 'funny' lines while they're saying them. It's a defensive maneuver on her part, maybe even subconscious, to try to deflect anger at her for being a little asshole. It's sort of like "Oh, I'm just so naughty for saying that, but gosh-darnit I just can't help myself."
October 2, 2008 11:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Again, Palin is Bush-Redux, she sound exactly like George Bush. Her pronouciation of Nuclear is so freaking laughable.
Nu-clu-ear...
October 2, 2008 11:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
In her RNC speech, she had it spelled out phonetically. In the debate, she lapsed into her normal pronunciation, which, frighteningly enough, sounds just like George W Bush. Why??? It's scary.
October 2, 2008 11:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
The faux theme that was woven in: I'm Sarah Palin, and John McCain and I are on your side...we really are...wink, wink, wink. Forget the past because we've changed, and were for change now...wink, wink.
Joe Six Pack, Joe Camel, all the Joes who have no health insurance, have been laid off, and now drink too much...John will help you...he's a maverick...gee whiz were all mavericks, or pintos, or something.
October 2, 2008 11:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
just put on fox on the record they should rename that show the palin record thats all she has talked about for weeks hell she spent 2 weeks in alaska
October 3, 2008 12:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
The flub on McKeirnan/McClellan was obvious, and not very important as far as I'm concerned, but nobody picked up on Gwen's "Achilles Heel" question-- she asked both VP candidates what their Achilles Heel was, and Palin spent the whole time talking about her strengths . . . does she not know the meaning of "Achilles Heel"?
October 3, 2008 11:42 AM | Reply | Permalink