Vice Presidential Debate Recap
I’ve been itching to write about the Vice Presidential debate that aired on October 2, 2008. I wanted to jump on and start writing when it was over but I though it better to wait and mull it over for a few days. Why? Because my initial reaction would have been harsh and probably wouldn’t have put forward a very balanced review. I tried guys, really I did. But this won’t come across as a balanced review any way. Luckily this isn’t Fox News. It’s The Red Pill Society. We welcome and present all viewpoints equally and fairly. This just happens to be mine and you’re free to give me yours.
Let’s start with Sarah Palin. I have to say she did so much better this time around than she has done in the last couple of public interviews with Charlie Gibson and Katie Couric. Of course the bar was so low that so long as she didn’t faint up there she would have done better. But Thursday night she sounded more comfortable with the situation and ready to answer questions…. sort of anyway. She was still reading from prepared speeches, all night long. Let’s forget all the Republican spin jobs about Sarah Palin. She is remarkably and undeniably unprepared for the job of Vice President. I know this may sound like more of a personal attack on the woman but it’s not meant that way. She is awful! Pathetic! Really people, wake up! “I may not answer the question the way you want, but I’m going to talk directly to the American people and tell them about my qualifications…. smile… wink…” Really? I mean REALLY?! That’s her answer. I’ll hand it to her. At least she had the balls to tell everyone straight out that she doesn’t have a direct answer to the questions so instead she’s going to just ramble about something else and give us her resume. When she said that I literally dropped and shook my head. I couldn’t believe she said that out loud.
I don’t know about you guys but quite frankly I’m so tired of all the small little quips, grins, winks, got’cha’s, wit’cha’s and shout out’s to a 3rd grade class. Yeah, that all screams Vice President to me. And if I hear her say “we’re the mavericks” one more time I’m going to throw my 6-pack at my TV. Look haven’t we had enough of the country bumkin persona for the last 8 years? Hasn’t watching George W. Bush, a man would probably invented beer pong, with his head bob, crooked smile, winks, leaning on the podium and bastardization of the English language embarrassed you enough yet? I’m sorry folks. I don’t want another “chum” in the white house… even if it is for vice president. I don’t want someone who has a “first dude” in the house. That kind of folksie crap works well for the small town, community feel. Hell, I live in a small town and I know the mayor and the people on the city council personally. I get it on that level. But for the job of VP, you better have a hell of a lot more bullets in the chamber than just ’saying’ you appeal to the average Joe. You better appeal to heads of nations and other international figures. You better come across knowledgeable about foreign affairs, economic trends, social implications, historical events, supreme court rulings and know more than how to gut a moose (do people gut moose?). In her defense I don’t particularly care if she remembered what she read on a daily basis. We all mis-speak at times or even forget things when put on the spot. I do believe she has been over handled by the McCain camp. They’ve pumped her full of information and rehearsed her to the point she’s ready to bust. She has nothing to say about herself really so they’re using smoke and mirrors and redirection in hopes we can be duped like we were with George W. Bush. Most of all her answers are John McCain says, does, did, will do etc. Doesn’t she have anything of her own to say or do? Apparently not. Maybe she’ll be ready and back in the future to run for president. Maybe even against Hillary Clinton. Never mind, Hillary will bury her in her sleep. I’m looking at the big picture here and all I see is a plastic singing Bass mounted on the wall.
Joe Biden - gotta love him. This is the man who perfected the saying “Open mouth, insert foot.” Not to mince words, EVER, he showed a huge amount of restraint Thursday night. So much so I thought he was flat in the first half of the debate. It just wasn’t Joe. That may have been a good thing though. He did pick up and showed a bit of who he really is after that. Not much but some. He did fall real flat with his snide attack about the “ultimate bridge to no where.” It’s readily apparent the people are growing tired of negative attacks. I know that was tame for him but he really needs to stay away from those childish tactics. He should leave those things to those who have nothing else to offer. It’s understandable coming from someone with no experience or knowledge, sad but it’s still understandable. He’s the elder statesman and he needs to act like it. Besides that comment I thought he handled himself perfectly. He walked that fine line with the grace of a Flying Wallenda. He completely destroyed her when it came to foreign policy. He knows so much and had all kinds of facts at the ready. He better know all that stuff though. He’s been in the Senate longer than John McCain. He was affable, knowledgeable and sincere. Joe Biden won that debate hands down.
In the end we’re voting for the top of the ticket. We’re voting for Barack Obama or John McCain. They’re the ones who will lead us into the next decade. The VP choice isn’t a small choice though. Their choice in VP running mates shows what they were thinking. Who they want and need next to them to lead our country. It shows a certain judgement and character. Joe Biden as a choice shows to me that Barack wanted someone more experienced than himself. Someone who knows the country, it’s recent history, foreign leaders, economic issues and global trends. Sarah Palin as a choice shows to me that John wanted someone to satisfy his religious republican base. Someone who could potentially get the female vote that would have gone with Hillary Clinton. Someone who could give a spark to his failing campaign. Let’s see now… who was thinking “Country First” with that choice? Easy one… Barack Obama. Let’s not forget the other question. What happens if the unthinkable occurs and the president dies in office. Who do you REALLY think is ready to be President of the United States of America?
