Analysis: A mixed performance for Palin

I got tired of hearing her "folksy" little comments, and that smile. whatever she may have been commenting on she kept that beauty queen smile lit up for all its worth. I believe Biden came across as firm, serious and aware of all the facts. Palin seemed to have that glazed look in the eyes with a lot going through her "purdy" little head what with all the facts and figures she had to cram into it in the last few days. She was "darn" lucky (yuk yuk) that she didn't fall on her face and clearly she won on that issue tonight but not much else I'm afraid. The McCain campaign must have sighed a huge relief when the whole thing was over!
Back to the drawing board!!

I don't want Joe Sixpack or Susie Hockeymom for president or v-p. Palin had already revealed her lack of knowledge and qualifications. Whatever came out of her mouth wasn't hers; they were her handlers' words.

I'm tired of this folksy notion that being from a small town or rural area makes you more authentic, more of a "real person," more moral and more knowledgable about real life than people from suburbs or cities. If I were to say something like, “I don’t know how things are in Wasilla, but in Detroit we understand…” you would call me an elitist-- with good reason. Why is it different if the order of the cities is reversed? Why don't people call politicians on this more often?

It was a relief that the two candidates were relatively relaxed and friendly, a relief that Palin didn't do much of that Couric stuff, a relief that Joe Biden was professional, focused, elegant and sincere, and afterwards as the families greeted and chatted on stage I am just guessing Biden was sincerely setting Palin straight on Obama's tax plan, which she didn't want to hear, but I am only guessing that's what he was doing ... Gwen Ifill was great as always ... Palin definitely shows a degree of commendable fearlessness and she will remain important to her party forever more. But I think the other ticket will be our government.

Palin didn't answer over half of the questions. Instead she gave her score card rhetoric. I cannot see how people can say that she did well.

In several crucial and complex question she answered "no" or "yes" ... "but let me talk more about Alaska, Energy, Maverick..."
Their tax cut is for people making over 250k per year. Well guess what that is not for the middle class America.

She refers herself as middle class America too. Millionaires are not middle class. At least Biden had decency to admit that as a big seat politician he is well off.

Palin was clueless. The fact that she didn't stutter or make herself as much as a fool as in the previous tv-interviews is not same as doing well. Also that was largely because she wasn't pressed to actually answer the questions. Now she just fell back for the repetitive empty nonsense.

Her comments tended to be without much substance!

Her worse moment was when she talked about education. She needs to get educated in a school and not on the job! She REALLY showed her mental & verbal skills needed more help! McClellan was a Union General in the Civil War and not in Afghanistan today! She never heard of Mike Mansfield. Even I met him personally in Washington, DC! She must have not passed American history!

Even though I am a female democrat, I was willing to look at McCain as a responsible presidential candidate even though personally, he is essentially a man who dumped his first wife after an accident disfigured her and chose to have an affair while still married, with a millionaire's heir who could put him in the right political circles.

However, the moment he made the most irresponsible decision of his life by choosing Sarah Palin, an individual even more arrogant, inarticulate, uninformed and inept than our current president, all respect for him went out the door.

Watching the debate tonight, I was filled with anxiety as I heard Sarah Palin's rehearsed, empty, vacuous generalizations, thinking that this individual could be a heartbeat away from leading the American public in a global community which is already full of resentment towards the US thanks to the actions of George Bush over the last 8 years. I am an educated, informed mother who cares about this country, and am insulted by Mccain's arrogant assumption that putting Sarah Palin on the ticket will make every woman in this country vote for her. Shame on you, McCain, you put yourself first and the country last!

Palin showed colloquial charm, a comely smile, and personal spunk. Biden showed facts, substance, and depth. The first makes for entertaining, feel good sound bites, but I prefer the second in the White House.

Wait a minute: this person is the vice presidential candidate of a 72 year old, and she is being congratulated for not having made a fool of herself?
Now I am truly frightened!

Feisty?

I don't want feisty!

I want intelligent, informed and compassionate.

Palin (and McCain) equal fail in that respect.

By her own very low standards- we can say it was a success. I greatly appreciated her composure during the early stages but hey she needs to remember that no one is out to quiz her, this is not a game show- running for the second highest office is no ordinary job. We need clear policy positions- a lot is at stake here. The lay person, depth- lacking type of responses won't help deal with major issues facing America and the world. All in all she said a lot of nothing but with conviction. A for conviction and G for whatever else- especially that ' I prefer these debates than these media interviews' comment. Is she now a high school debater?

How condescending! If the Globe staff says it's a mixed performance, it must really be an A for Palin. If the Globe staff says Obama did wonders, it must really be a C for Obama. If the Globe staff says Obama's performance is mixed, then it must really be a disaster, definitely an F!

Funny thing Sarah Palin seems to bring out the worst in some people. I'm beginning to wonder if it is jealousy. Sarcasm is used instead of analysis; cynicism substitutes for response. Maybe it is because she is happy, and successful in both her professional and private lives.

Or, perhaps it is simply she rocks your notion that there are 'experts' who are superior to 'regular' people, and we can and should rely on them. And, luckily, these 'experts' and 'superior human beings' are easy to identify. They are known to us by their elite degrees and pedigrees, not to mention political affiliation. But, if Sarah Palin from (Oh, My God!) Wasilla, Alaska is talented enough to be Vice President then those experts so many of us have been fawning over all our lives aren't as all powerful, all knowing and all important as we've believed.

Perhaps this means we actually have to form opinions based upon our values and our own experiences. Perhaps we actually have to read and understand issues beyond the 'analysis' of late night comics.

Sarah Palin is proof the emperor is naked and those who've been worshiping the emperor are chagrined. But, it isn't too late for you. Go out today and read a magazine beyond People, Time, Newsweek and US Weekly. Turn on a radio and move beyond NPR and Air America (if it is even still on the air where you live). Watch Special Report with Brit Hume. Never head of it? Well, it is the evening news segment of Fox News. See, unlike MSNBC and others, the talk show commentators you've heard of from that station (O'Reilly, Hannity, Colmes, etc) don't do hour long evening news.

Now, I know it's hard for you to consider watching Fox. But, you can pull your window shades and refrain from answering the phone. You don't have to tell anyone you watched. No one needs to know. And, I'll tell you a dirty little secret about the Fox News Channel. Studies by experts (Pew Research, I believe, and others) show they have a slight conservative bent. So, when judging news organizations (TV, newspapers, magazines) from the neutral position as left or right Fox does skew slightly right. Of course it still was far closer to neutral than any other organization. But, don't believe me - look it up.

Be brave. I know you can do this. You aren't such frightened little children as you appear. You aren't that frightened of having your views challenged. It might even strengthen you views. You might learn something. Trust me, we of a more conservative bent get bombarded every day by liberal ideology and talking points. Having to listen cogent, but often factually inaccurate arguments helps force us to do our homework and learn more deeply about issues.

Funny thing Sarah Palin seems to bring out the worst in some people. I'm beginning to wonder if it is jealousy. Sarcasm is used instead of analysis; cynicism substitutes for response. Maybe it is because she is happy, and successful in both her professional and private lives.

Or, perhaps it is simply she rocks your notion that there are 'experts' who are superior to 'regular' people, and we can and should rely on them. And, luckily, these 'experts' and 'superior human beings' are easy to identify. They are known to us by their elite degrees and pedigrees, not to mention political affiliation. But, if Sarah Palin from (Oh, My God!) Wasilla, Alaska is talented enough to be Vice President then those experts so many of us have been fawning over all our lives aren't as all powerful, all knowing and all important as we've believed.

Perhaps this means we actually have to form opinions based upon our values and our own experiences. Perhaps we actually have to read and understand issues beyond the 'analysis' of late night comics.

Sarah Palin is proof the emperor is naked and those who've been worshiping the emperor are chagrined. But, it isn't too late for you. Go out today and read a magazine beyond People, Time, Newsweek and US Weekly. Turn on a radio and move beyond NPR and Air America (if it is even still on the air where you live). Watch Special Report with Brit Hume. Never head of it? Well, it is the evening news segment of Fox News. See, unlike MSNBC and others, the talk show commentators you've heard of from that station (O'Reilly, Hannity, Colmes, etc) don't do hour long evening news.

Now, I know it's hard for you to consider watching Fox. But, you can pull your window shades and refrain from answering the phone. You don't have to tell anyone you watched. No one needs to know. And, I'll tell you a dirty little secret about the Fox News Channel. Studies by experts (Pew Research, I believe, and others) show they have a slight conservative bent. So, when judging news organizations (TV, newspapers, magazines) from the neutral position as left or right Fox does skew slightly right. Of course it still was far closer to neutral than any other organization. But, don't believe me - look it up.

Be brave. I know you can do this. You aren't such frightened little children as you appear. You aren't that frightened of having your views challenged. It might even strengthen you views. You might learn something. Trust me, we of a more conservative bent get bombarded every day by liberal ideology and talking points. Having to listen cogent, but often factually inaccurate arguments helps force us to do our homework and learn more deeply about issues.

Last nite's debate was the 21st Century's Checkers Speech. Palin was equally pathetic as Nixon, but did just enough damage control to salvage her future prospects after McCain loses. So looks like we''ll have Mrs. You Betcha to kick around for a while yet. The right loves an empty vessel they can pour ideology into (see also: GW Bush). PS to NYCBR: Compalining about left wing media bias is so tired - get with the program. For the last decade. GOP has done nothing to deserve anyone's respect or vote.

Whatever happened to being a professional at your job? Not practicing professionalism (that's another point) but actually being elite at what you do, based on your knowledge, your passion to be the best, and of course, your talent level. Despite what party this person is running with, despite which gender this person was born with, why does it seem as if a wannabe race car driver is jumping in a car not knowing how to drive a stick? How many times have I heard McCain say "this is no time for on the job training"? THIS IS THE SECOND HIGHEST POSITION IN THE COUNTRY! What political games is he trying to play? This person wasn't chosen to help him lead the 2008-2012 term. This person is a tactic to win the election but not to dissolve all the mishaps of the last 8 years. I feel very sorry for this person, being used and cleverly manipulated by a party she's not even able to defend with intelligent and knowledgeable points beyond her town of Wasilla.

NYCBR – You want liberals to stem out and learn more and “learn something”? Can I please ask you to pass that suggestion onto someone who really needs it that’s running for VP?

I'm sorry, but there is a higher risk of Palin stepping in as President then of Biden. That scares me to death. Why Palin? She didn't do a great job last night, AT ALL!

Why Palin? How is it possible that people find her comforting? Listening to her speak is like watching a baby walk for the first time. Yes, she did not fall on her face and good for her. But why do we even need to be worried about that kind of thing? And don't tell me Bill O'Reilly, that the Bush Doctrine is something that nobody should know or need to know (yes, he said this on Wednesday night) - this being one of the questions that cornered Palin. Yes, "joe six-pack" may not know what all these foreign policies are but my government better know. These policies proved to be a major contributor to the US going to war when we should have directed our attention elsewhere. McCain should understand what it's like to fight in a war we should have never been involved in. The wisdom we’ve learned from our parents and grandparents; learn from mistakes, learn from the past.

And yes, in order to have a frame of reference as to where you want to direct the future of the United States, you have to look at what has and hasn't worked in the past. Why is Palin being unnecessarily argumentative with the past? Bush screwed up, and McCain/Palin will too.

#16, I am not afraid of Palin stepping in as President, because the probability of that happening is very low. I AM AFRAID OF OBAMA AS PRESIDENT, because Obama is as inexperienced as Palin. Every criticism you made against Palin applies also to Obama. And if he wins the election, that's what we get!!!!!!

mk - After two debates of watching how Obama can actually hold his own, you really think that you can compare Palin to him? Are you kidding me?

Well, if you truly believe that the McCain/Palin ticket is the the answer then it's time for you to consider joining your friends, you know, the ones showing up to McCain's rallys that are chanting the words "traitor" and "terrorist".

By the way, with all of the hoopla and name calling, the probability of VP stepping in is far greater than recent terms. You do the math.

I'm not saying McCain isn't capable of leading the country. I don't agree with many of his viewpoints but that doesn't mean he can't lead. Palin on the other hand will not step into that office. I will lose the little faith I have left from the last 8 years of how our country should govern for the people and not for the person.