October 3, 2008
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Just like me ...
So I tuned in last night to the Vice Presidential debate (I am SO tempted to just quote Tucker's comments about their performance - but I'll limit myself to, "Mama, why's that woman talking like she has a jelly bean in her nose.")
In defiance of the punditry, I expected Sarah Palin to give a coherent performance. And she did at least manage to speak in longer sentences than in any of her recent interviews. I became irritated early on with her insistence on not only playing the role of debater, but also moderator, "That was a good question G, but I want to talk about energy ... that's in interesting question G, but I'd rather talk about taxes ..." o_0 Is the woman genetically incapable of answering the questions put before her? Or is it in fact that she has so little depth of knowledge based on her limited experience that she has nothing to say unless her trainers have crammed it into her perky little head. (In case you haven't guessed, perky gets on my nerves, funny I like, but perky is like fingernails on a chalkboard.)
I didn't expect to be warmed by folksy anectdotes from Biden's side of the aisle, and I wasn't. But he clearly knows the issues inside and out which I like in a candidate. I don't want the leadership of someone who's popping a six pack saying "Golly Gee Whiz, I just bet if we can get Nancy Pelosi over here for a friendly game of cards, we can work our way through the gosh-darned budget between the nachos and the buffalo wings."
I don't want someone in Washington who's "just like me" I want someone with a little better grasp of the situation than I have. I want someone up there that I feel is a little smarter than I am so I don't have to wonder if I'm safe going about my normal life when maybe I ought to be in Washington myself offering advice.
But here's the surprising bottom line for me, in the end, I identified with Joe Biden. When he choked up over the story of how he had to figure out how to raise his two sons as a single parent after the tragic accident which took his wife and baby daughter from him, I was right there at his kitchen table looking into the eyes of his son over a bowl of badly prepared mac and cheese. (I know, my imagination threw in a couple extra details beyond what he revealed, but hey, I was identifying.)
Joe Biden is a man who's gone through a lot of pain, has weathered storms of doubt (he questioned whether he should resign from the Senate to care for his terribly injured sons, but was persuaded to stay and was sworn in beside one of their hospital beds.) The Wikipedia article on Biden quotes him as having spent many nights walking through the streets of his home filled with doubt, fear, and rage ... I can relate to that.
I can't relate to someone who seems to have had everything handed to her with a beer on the side.
Comments (13)
You have portrayed the two of them with much talent and conviction .
Love
Michel
Yeah...Biden is the kind of guy you could hang out with at a 7-11 or a Dunkin' Donuts.
You know I love you. You're a better person that I am, because I couldn't even bring myself to watch that last night.
'I don't want someone in Washington who's "just like me" I want someone with a little better grasp of the situation than I have.' Amen sister!! I want to like Palin...but she alternately terrifies me wit her arrogance and annoys me with sheer 'blonde' moments...and her cheery little fingers on the button just isn't what I want. I like McCain as well as I do Obama, but I can't see her left in charge of AF1's bathrooms.
hey, I enjoyed it last night and it's going to be an interesting race.
Well done, Terri! I have to agree. Palin's inability or unwillingness to answer direct questions was quite aggravating. Biden had a few more slips of the tongue, but when he brought up his family, it was genuine. I liked the way he talked respectfully and frankly about McCain and their work together, and I liked that he made me feel more at ease when he mentioned Scranton and Wilmington (as much as I didn't want him to have to to connect with people). Most of all, I wish the Republicans would expect more of Palin. Both Obama and McCain impressed me last week, and despite all of those fundamental differences between them, I still wish they could be on a ticket together. Biden was, overall, very solid with a few bad points. Palin was awful with a few good points, and that's all she needed to solidify the GOP vote.
Wonder how many listeners were able to pick up on th times Biden had his facts wrong.
And most INTELLIGENT women know exactly why she has had everything handed to her: perky and cute win. Period. I've dealt with it all my life and now here it is in wide-screen and technicolor playing out at last in the political arena, as I knew it would some day.
Strangely enough, I like John McCain. I don't agree with his politics but I think he's probably a decent man. Sarah Palin is the absolute epitome of everything I dislike and mistrust in females. I really really wanted her to be smart (instead of clever), grounded (instead of Mother-of-the-Year), and savvy (instead of tricky.) She gets away with anything and everything she chooses because -- yep -- perky and cute win. Perky and cute covers a multitude of sins. Perky and cute will let you get away with murder. Perky and cute is what people WANT.
I actually considered (for a very brief moment) voting for John McCain after Hilary didn't get the nom. I'm not a big Obama fan either. But by golly, we simply HAVE to keep Cute and Perky out of Washington or we're all completely doomed. My only hope right now is that Hilary will be Secretary of State.
if i were ever identified with palin...in a just like her comparison...someone would get a poke in the nose. jelly bean and all.
jelly bean in her nose....good one!
i heard part of the debate on npr when i was driving home from my meeting in town. after reading your post, i don't think i will even bother trying to find out any more about it. thanks for the excellent review & commentary...
Out of the mouths of babes....gotta' love it. I am NOT a fan of Palin so my mind was already made up after seeing her interviews. I didn't trust her the minute I saw her. The woman is a complete phony and dishonest. Last night's debate reenforced my support of Joe Biden. I think he and Obama can handle things.
Exactly!! Since when did we decide we don't want any educated informed politically-minded politicians?! I would HOPE that our president and vice president know a little bit more about specific issues (like, say, foreign policy?) than the rest of us! Hey, Sarah Palin - I don't want a friend, I don't even want a "maverick" or a reformer - I just want a leader!
Right on Terri. I think we should pick our leaders from the elite of the country.
That whole "she's every woman" thing makes me grind my teeth. That means she's like me, and while I am smarter than she is and speak better to boot, I am NOT qualified to be Vice President of the United States.
Excellent synopsis!
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