Is She Palin In Comparison, Or Biden Her Time?
My apologies…I couldn’t resist the wordplay.
Well, I watched the entire debate last night, and I confess myself disappointed. I was waiting, no, hoping for some comedic gems from Gov. Palin. She did a lot better than I thought she would.
Now before I go into my thoughts about the debate, I have to say this: I don’t hate Sarah Palin. I just don’t agree with her. She is very charming, very pretty, and very likable. It looks like she has a beautiful family, and she has impeccable taste in eyewear. It’s beliefs that she and I differ on, not herself as a person. With that said, let the debate flaying begin.
In my humble opinion, I think Biden edged out Palin to “win” the debate. His answers seemed to be more thorough, even though he didn’t have quite as much personality as Palin. It was touching to see him tear up about his first wife and kids, too. I think Biden was at a bit of a disadvantage because people expected him to do well, since he’s been a statesman for so long. The bar was probably set a bit higher for him. For Palin, as long as she made an intelligent answer and didn’t say, “I’ll get back to you on that,” it would be chalked up as a victory. You always cheer louder for the Special Olympics athletes than the regular Olympic athletes.
It was ominous, however, at the beginning of the debate when she basically told us that she will answer the questions how she wants to answer them. And answer them her way she did. She turned multiple questions back to the subject of taxes, Alaska, and energy. And I swore I would puke if I heard one more of her catchphrases like “greed and corruption on Wall Street,” “reform,” or “maverick.” Seriously, enough with the maverick stuff. Yes, we get that you’re a maverick. Yes, we get that you’re wild and crazy. Yes, we know that you can field-dress a moose, s#*t on a cactus, wrestle a horse, or whatever crazy things you can think of. That’s fantastic. But I’m just tired of it. (Truth be told, I’m ready for the whole election thing to occur and then move on.)
My point is, there are other fun adjectives you can be, too. Let’s pick a new word to run into the ground. (Truth be told again, the word “change” is getting a bit wearing, too. See? See my bipartisan, equal-opportunity judging? How can you not love me after that?)
The thing that really stuck out to me was Palin’s lack of professionalism. It’s cute up in Alaska and other parts of the country to feel “homey” or “folksy”. It’s fun to do that when you’re haggling at a flea market or riding horses at a dude ranch, or even trying to win the hearts of a good ‘ole corn-growing American town. And there’s nothing wrong with that. But there’s a certain professional protocol that needs to be followed if you want to enhance your credibility with others. If I went to a lawyer and he was dressed in a clown suit, I’d think he was absolutely incompetent and out-of-touch. He could be brilliant, but he’s lost credibility with me because he wasn’t acting in a professional manner. I can see Palin as the folksy governor of Alaska. I cannot see her professionally conversing with the German chancellor. You don’t say “doggone” and “heckuva” in the political world arena. And the fact that she says “noo-kyoo-ler” is also disturbing.
As for Biden, I was a little disappointed with his answer to the gay marriage question. I think same-sex couples should get the same status as heterosexual couples. If the government is going to nose in and legislate what constitutes a legal “marriage,” then it should extend to everyone who wants to participate in a legal manner.
I thought Biden himself did well overall. He was very steady, and since he’s not as charismatic as Palin, his participation in the debate didn’t stick out as much. There’s not terribly much I can tear apart or comment on, because he just didn’t do a whole lot that was out of the ordinary. He just gave his answers as an experienced statesman.
So there you have it. My thoughts on the debates. What did you think of the debates? Was there a clear winner to you? What did you like? What didn’t you like? What did you think was funny? What did you think was scary? What did you think was reassuring?
kYLE responds:
Posted: October 9th, 2008 at 1:52 pm →
Well, not to bow out of a lengthy discussion, but I completely agree on all you wrote. 100%!
I believe last week’s SNL skit summed up the debate perfectly. Well done!
Jennifer Nutter responds:
Posted: October 13th, 2008 at 4:35 pm →
Hi Wendy!
I know this isn’t the kind of comment you’re looking for on this post, but I’m not sure how else to get a hold of you. We’re having a miniature 1st floor Pickett type reunion thing-y this Saturday (10/18/08) at 1pm at the Corum Student Union on Cornerstone’s campus. Moriah basically got it together and it’s pretty much going to be visiting and catching-up, no planned activities or anything. There’ll be donuts and cider from Robinettes, though. 
If you’re at all available or interested just let me know before Saturday morning! I can check back for a reply post here . . . or if you want to e-mail me, that’ll work, too. 
Hope life’s going well for you! 
Dale responds:
Posted: October 14th, 2008 at 9:07 pm →
Well, now you have gone and done it. As I read your “analysis” of the debate, I became more and more disheartened. While Kyle seems to think that you were 100% right, I think you were almost 100% wrong. The final stake through my heart was finding out that you support same sex marriage. Have you really slipped so far? Who are you trying to impress? When a couple (it is a shame that I even have to specify that the couple was a woman and a man) got married in California recently, they scratched out “Participant A” and “Participant B” and wrote in “Husband” and “Wife” on the marriage license. When they turned it in to the county clerk’s office, they were told that because they had alterd the document that it was not valid and that no, they could not get a marriage license that said “Husband” and “Wife” on it. Don’t you find that even a little bit disturbing? This is not a civil rights issue, it is a definition issue and marriage is and has always been between a man and a woman. Even where a man can have more than one wife, the many wives are not said to be married to each other, just to the guy.
While it is true that I didn’t notice any major goofs by Biden, I would hardly refer to him as a “statesman”. He has been pretty much wrong on most issues and a blowhard on all issues. Although I will admit that he had it right when he said that Obama was not qualified to be President of the United States.
Palin’s down home persona is for domestic comsuption and not something that she would use in meeting world leaders. Did you happen to see her interview with Sean Hannity? She was engaging but left out the golly gees and shucks. You play to the crowd that you are in front of. She is comfortable in her skin and doesn’t get rattled very easily. She knows that she is not as well versed in Washington as Biden, but she has executive experience and neither Obama, Biden, or even McCain has that. She has run a small business, a small town, and a small state. That is more than any of the others can say. If you would suggest that someone from small town
America who has worked for a living rather than someone who has spent most of their adult life in Washington politics or Chicago politics is not qualified, then you have real problems in judgment and have slipped badly. I am really disappointed.
You need to move back north and get away from whatever “friends” are influencing you to embrace the dark side. Go toward the light.
Frances Wallbank responds:
Posted: October 24th, 2008 at 8:30 pm →
Hi Wendy! I agree with your analysis of the debate - but that was two debates ago. I’m a little late. Seems like ancient history, doesn’t it? I have been LOVING the SNL skits!! I also love that David Letterman held John McCain to task, when he didn’t appear on his show. I love that B Obama is so cool - so calm - so smart - so ready to be Pres. To say that S Palin has more executive experience than Obama is LUDICROUS!!! (Did I spell that right?) Governing Alaska is indeed a job - after all, she had to fire all the state employees, and replace them with her friends from high school - but it’s not like they have to work real hard to balance their INCREDIBLE budget… (not like our Jennifer). Obama handles everything so well. He is the exact temperament we need to be Commanderin Chief. I love J Biden - he’s smart, too, and will be an enormous (did I spell that right?) help to B Obama, esp in foreign affairs. OK, back to the Veep debate - I thought Sarah looked really nice in that black suit. She looks really nice in ALL OF HER BRAND NEW CLOTHES. (lol) As to gay marriage - I am more comfortable with Civil Unions, but a gay couple should have the same rights as anyone. Anyway, Still thinking about you, kid… Love, Fran PS We have a new doggie - a friend for Ralph. She’s a yorkie, and so darn cute.
Woodsy Al responds:
Posted: October 27th, 2008 at 12:42 pm →
Playtah, I just found you again. it’s great to see ya in print. I think it might be time to vote Obama. In my opinion, we’ve given capitalism a fair shot for over two hundred years. Why not give socialism a try. It worked for Russia and China, didn’t it? Let’s not forget the outstanding, socialized health care system in Canada that drives so many to the US, so that they can get a doctors appointment without waiting 6 months to a year. I also think that we should worry about the rights of those that choose an alternate lifestyle and let the unborn fend for themselves. I mean it’s their fault for being concieved in the first place, not the woman that had sex. Whoops, my tounge is stuck to the side of my cheek. There, got it loose. I have come up with some new terms and definitions, that can be used in pleasant conservation
An innoculation that alters one’s sense of decency and allows them to accept deep character flaws in their choice of leaders- Barackinated. (My good friend Fran has apparantly had one.)
A procedure that uses a shiny object, swung back and forth in front of a party member eyes, that gives them a good feeling about falling into lock step with the party line, even though evil, and not having any shame- Obamatized(I think this happened to Fran, also)
A procedure that surgicaly removes the part of the brain that controls common sense and logic, when it comes to politics and doing the right thing-Obotomy. (Fran hasn’t had this , yet, but may be considering it as an elective). Just joking. Fran is my favorite liberal. I wil still love her, when the insanity is over.
Here’s another thought. Both Obama and McCain have had associations, in the past, with people who HATE America. McCains wasn’t voluntary
I found it intresting that when a Fox reporter tried to interview William Ayers at his home, Ayers called the police to escort him to his car, when comming out. Can you say IRONY. Oh, right, Ayers has nothing to do with Obama. Now which procedure was that?
Playtah, be blessed and have a great day. Glad I found ya again. Al
Woodsy Al responds:
Posted: October 28th, 2008 at 6:40 am →
Playtah, I forgot to answer your question. Biden should have walked over top of Palin, with experience, length of service, and age considered, but Palin being close in the debate, gives her the win. Many blessings to you. AL
Dale responds:
Posted: November 10th, 2008 at 4:20 pm →
Hey, Fran, I knew you were a little eccentric, but I didn’t realize how whacked you are!!! lol
Obama has won the election and now we will have to live with it for a couple of years before cooler heads can take over the congress and put the brakes on the nightmare that will be the obamanation. America last went over this cliff with Jimmy Carter. What a winner he turned out to be!! Now we have Obama and just in time for Iran to pop their weasely head up into the light again. I loved it when they genuflected to Ronald Reagan on his first inauguration day and let our people go. Chickenstuffs. It will take another real man (or woman) to put them back where they belong. Too bad too, since I hear that the people of Iran are actually fairly nice and not nearly as radical as the leadership is. Some of them actually like America.
But maybe we can sit down and sing Kum Bah Yah and think happy thoughts and everything will be ok. Ommmmm, Ommmmm, Ommmmm, Ommmmm. Sorry not working. SOMEBODY HELP ME!!! I NEED TO GET Obamatized!!!! Or is that Lobamatized? Hard to tell the difference. I want to believe in Hope and Change. I just Hope that I am not left with only Change in my pocket.
And Fran, don’t even get me started on that loser Jennifer. You need to realize that just because someone is a woman or acts like a woman or plays a woman in a relationship, does not mean that they are somehow always going to be competent, smart, effective and right. Sometimes they are just an embarrassment. Jenny fits into that category.