VP Debate: Biden vs. The Mavericks

It was a showdown in St. Louis, as Senator Joe Biden and Governor Sarah Palin faced off in the first and last VP debate in just the final five weeks of the presidential race.

Here are my thoughts about both Biden and Palin's performance:

Let me start by saying that every Republican and woman should feel personally insulted that John McCain would even consider Sarah Palin as his running mate. It's insulting to women and our fight for equality, as well as the reputation of the GOP party.

Her responses to the Katie Couric’s interview were simply ignorant. She couldn't identify one Supreme Court case other the Roe v. Wade. She couldn't name one major publication that she reads in order to stay abreast of international affairs. When asked about her reaction to the economic meltdown, after fumbling through a series of talking points, her only audible response was that she feels that health care needs to be reformed.

What???

Diddy summed it all up in this video...

In regards to last night’s debate, I could have done just as well as Sarah Palin, especially if I had some of the best political advisers in the country coaching me for a week prior to the debate. I could not, however, have spoken with such authority, with such ease, and with such composure as Joe Biden did when addressing the important issues of the economy, foreign policy, energy, education, and so on.

Joe Biden spoke with ease because he has experienced the issues for over twenty years in the Senate. Sarah Palin spoke ‘robotically’ because she stuck to her speaking points, which were vague at best, and relied on rote memory and the cue cards that she had studied over the last week. No offense Sarah, but I don’t want a vice president whose understanding of the economy and international politics is based on random notes and speech coaches.

My Grades:

Sarah Palin: D+

Let me explain. Palin's girlish ways were borderline inappropriate and she lacked substance in her rebuttals. Apparently the pitbull is back...

I mean, how distracting was her bobble head, smiling, winking, smirking, and mispronunciation of simple words like "nuclear" or "terror." She set women in this country back 100 years. Seriously!! I don't care if you're a Republican or a Democrat, as an American you should feel disgusted by her lack of knowledge and respect for the voting public.

She over used the word 'maverick', to the point that it lost it's punch.

Hockey moms? Soccer games? Trying to relate with the American people through hockey mom references is not going to get your ticket into the White House.

Nor is it acceptable to make a cheap shot at Biden for not knowing what it's like to be a single mom. He's gone through his own struggles. And we all know about Palin's issues. Oh, and don't forget her claims about McCain helping the middle class. Now that's a joke!

Biden: B+

Here are the areas where Biden excelled:

Unlike Palin, Biden was able to answer each question with an appropriate answer. I love the way he repeated things three and four times to embed the message into the viewers head. He made his words memorable. I also appreciate the way he spoke eloquently about international issues, but still refrained from talking over the heads of the average person at home.

His message resonated the highest during talks of changing the economy and pulling out of the war in Iraq. Biden stole the show during a debate about the environment:

Biden said the cause was clearly man-made, and added, "If you don't understand what the cause is, it's virtually impossible to come up with a solution."

Palin stood firm on her choice to NOT debate the cause. Figures...

Overall Biden's biggest strength was his ability to stick to the facts. He rattled off exact times, dates, figures, dates...I mean I know Biden has decades of experience in politics but he was spitting more facts than Wikipedia. I'm just sayin'...

Coming up: The Presidential debate is Tuesday, Oct. 7th at Belmont University. Tom Brokaw is the moderator. Tune in!

Decision 2008. You Decide.
Crossy

Obama or the Olympics?

Who ever thought we'd see the day that politics would garner higher ratings than the Olympics? Well, this year just might be the year.

Love-Love

Right now we're on the heels of two of the biggest announcements in 2008. Who will be selected to ride shotgun in the White house with Senator Barack Obama and John McCain? The more important question is: when will they make the announcement?

15-Love

Timing is everything. It is important for Obama to choose the right time to make the announcement because positive momentum will only propel his campaign. If you look ahead at the calendar year, there are a few things that may impede his progress. One road block is the Olympics. Although ratings have dropped over the years, it is still a major event. I think Obama would be a strong rival against the Olympics though, as long as it isn't during the opening or closing ceremonies. So when should he reveal his running mate?

Here are some dates to consider:

The Olympics are from Aug. 8th - Aug. 24th

The Democratic National Convention (DNC) is Aug. 25th - Aug. 28th

The Republican National Convention (RNC) starts Sept. 1st

With these factors in mind, I think Obama has two options. Either make the announcement the week before the Olympics or do it on Monday, Aug. 18th which falls exactly one week before the DNC. It's all about strategic planning here folks! I believe the Obama campaign is strong enough to level the playing field in terms of ratings. If he rolls out everything the week before the DNC, prepare to standby for a news media frenzy. Interviews, parties, a campaign tour, Obama playing golf with Tiger, a BET marathon of Malcom X...the works.

One nugget to consider: Barack Obama's b-day is August 4th. Could the B-day be D-day? Hmmm.

Advantage McCain

The RNC is a exactly four days after the DNC. To put it simple and plain, McCain has the advantage of knowing who Senator Obama picks as his running mate in advance. This is major leverage for McCain's campaign as he has ample time to figure out how to balance his ticket. [I smell drama lurking like hot trash in the alley.] Let's hope McCain won't completely trounce Obama's lift. We'll see who outlasts who.

Game. Set. Match.

Timing the unveiling of running mates will be tricky.

Obama & ________ vs. McCain & _______

You decide. Decision 2008.