The Biden- Palin Debate is receding into the rearview mirror and the republican party and McCain campaigns are breathing a sigh of relief. Frankly, so am I. After the the many cringe worthy moments from the Couric interview that became the gift that keeps on giving, I was not looking forward to a 90 minute cringefest. It would have been too painful for me. The muscles that power the cringe reflex can only take so much punishment.
Palin did herself a solid and pulled her political future out of the crapper. Too bad her performance (in every sense of the word) is unlikely to do the same for McCain's campaign.
Hey guys.
ReplyDeleteYeah, you're right. Palin didn't tank as bad as expected, but that doesn't mean much. Her performance was still painful, especially during the second half. I don't know if you've had a chance to read the actual transcript, but if you do it's pretty interesting to actually see just how out of her way she went to dodge questions and invent answers. Pretty remarkable.
But like you I'm glad it's over and now I'm looking forward to Tuesday's debate. because, as you say, McCain is still falling like a rock. Even bigwigs in his party are beginning to write him off. Palin is good entertainment, but she's not a parachute.
The verdict seems to be in from the post debate polls. Palin didn't complete the cratering of McCain's poll numbers, but she didn't supply any upward lift either. It also appears that outside of the republican base, moderates and independents did not care much for her "performance" and many seem to have interpreted her debate appearance as just that. Thats a viewpoint that is being reinforced by the vacuous and repetitive nature of her attacks on Obama at the moment. Listening to her stump speech is an exercise for your mind in picking out substance somewhere in what she is saying.
ReplyDeletePlease go back in time to the start of the Democratic Primary season in Jan, Feb, Mar. When faced with a difficult question or an attack from Hillary Clinton - Barack Obama fell back on his life saver "At least I did not vote for the war in Iraq". 8 or 9 months later with a bit more campaign experience under his belt (and no longer needing to "go left" to appeal to his base) he is now more comfortable (as long as he is reading a speech or sticking to certain lines). Take away the lines and put him in an open ocean and his inexperience still shows.
ReplyDeleteThis is no excuse for Sara Palin but the fact is that out of the 4 people in this political operation she has the least national campaign experience.
Unfortunately for John McCain - this accelerated period between convention and election should not be used as a fundamental learning experience for your candidate. He should have factored this in.
The media is not going to give Mrs. Palin a fair shake in that regard either though. They are going to highlight any slip up that she makes because the narrative has already been cast. There was no broad based press scrutiny of Joe Biden and his made up story about how he and Obama supported the French as they evacuated Hesbola from Lebanon.
I completely agree with you that Palin has the least national campaign experience. But don't make excuses for her. This is a woman who is lauded as a highly effective politician and executive. When comparing her experience and capabilities with Obama's, republicans literally scoff. If she is so superior, that ought to show up somewhere in her presentation. It does not.
ReplyDeleteBut she appears to do well only when she is highly scripted and she does not appear to have a command of national issues beyond the surface and memorized talking points.
Here's what I think fundamentally. Palin is an intelligent woman with some political skills that in the particular circumstances of Alaska politics, have taken her far, in that environment. However, that skill set is not sufficient to play at the national level. She was not ready for this in terms of political skill or leadership qualities. She does fine on program and on message, but it ought not to be lost on you or anyone else that the campaign dares not let her speak unscripted.
No press conference, few media interviews, restrict opportunities to talk without script and a strategy of deflecting or ignoring questions for which she cannot articulate a credible answer, as well as dodging any opportunity for someone to ask a followup question.
I listened to her stump speech in FL yesterday. The entire thing was repeated platitudes, cliches and slogans about maverickness, reform, taxes and shots at Obama on Ayers, and repeat. NO SUBSTANCE.
You don't have to demonize Palin to say that she was not ready for prime time and she was a poor choice by McCain as a running mate and to be a heartbeat away from the presidency.
She has rallied the base. If that was her only purpose in the race, she would have admirably done her job. But that is not all she must do as a running mate. She must help McCain attract the middle and she must be ready to serve as President. I do not think there is a credible argument to be made for her on those fronts.