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The debate
At first Gov. Palin seemed like a wind-up device rapidly emitting rehearsed talking points, but over the course of the first half hour she has become increasingly confident and more spontaneous sounding, also skillfully mixing her Alaska experience and perspective with the national issues. You can tell that Biden is taken with her. Her answer on the causes of the finance crisis was terrible. She simply blamed “greedy lenders,” with no notion of the political forces that pushed the finance sector into this catastrophe, including the massive push by the government to spread home ownership to minorities by eliminating credit standards. Neil P. writes:
Are Republicans really afraid of talking about the fact that the government set the underwriting requirements for mortgages? One can quite easily make the point without even mentioning race.LA replies:
Of course. Yet the fact is that the racial aim was explcitily central in this enterprise.LA continues:
Biden says that when Bush (insanely) pushed Israel to include Hamas in the election, Biden and Obama argued against that. And of course, when has McCain, who wants to distance himself from GW Bush, ever said anything against the deluded project of Muslim democratization?Paul K. writes:
A superficial observation on the debate: Joe Biden has obviously had an eyelid lift and his slightly startled look is distracting when the camera closes in on him. He must have gotten a recommendation from Greta Van Susteren.Gerald M. writes:
I agree about Palin’s answer to the causes of the financial crisis, but it will be accepted (sad to say) by most people as at least adequate. And yes, her strongest moments are when she relates what she has done as Alaska governor to the issues of the day. The contrast of her record of action with Biden’s record of bloviating is stark. Still, I have yet to hear Palin actually turn her brain on and think, and not simply recite rehearsed talking points. At one hour and a quarter (9:16 p.m., CDT) into the debate, Palin is holding her own, albeit merely against the most gaseous windbag in the Senate.LA writes:
Ridiculous point by Biden: McCain hasn’t been a real maverick because he hasn’t been a maverick on … supporting the entire leftist socialist agenda of the Democratic party.Mark Jaws writes:
In my opinion, Biden is coming across as more articulate, more glib and more confident—but as a typical white Democrati who has mastered Lib Speak. Palin is doing OK but her background as a fresh outsider is being squandered. To keep her muzzled a la McCain, is a critical mistake. Given the fact that blacks and Hispanics are already going to vote overwhelmingly for Obama, it makes no sense for the GOP to avoid talking about the Community Reinvestment Act or Bill Clinton’s affirmative action directives to push banks to lend more to uncreditworthies. There is definitely gold to be mined in them thar hills but the GOP is too afraid to enter the mine. Too bad. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.LA writes:
Regarding Palin’s frequent references to Alaska and excessive folksiness, a female reader who is not a fan of Palin’s tells me that Sarah’s “heart is still in Wasilla. So why doesn’t she go back there.”Paul K. writes:
You said:LA writes:
A poor moment for Biden. He had kept repeating that McCain had voted against funding for Iraq, and I’m wondering, what the—? Then he finally lets on that the bill McCain opposed had amendments attached to it requiring a timed withdrawal from Iraq (or something like that). So of course McCain voted against it. Biden looked foolish.Karl D. writes:
I think Biden has had some botox too. His forehead is smoother then mine and he’s got at least 30 years on me.Robert B. writes:
“You can tell that Biden is taken with her.” Posted by Lawrence Auster at October 02, 2008 09:31 PM | Send Email entry |