To the points y’all made last night, I add these few:
1. Ifill was such a non-factor, I can’t imagine Right Blogovia getting any complaint-traction there. Since no one had a Huge Moment good or bad, I assume “authenticity vs. stuff-and-nonsense, seasoning vs. scriptedness” is what those early polls reflect. (There now, male pols, see? Debating a woman isn’t hard or different unless your own mind-set makes it so.)
2. Palin said, We’re tired of the old politics as usual. And that’s why … I think Americans are craving something new and different and that new energy and that new commitment that’s going to come with reform. Another “own goal,” big time.
3. Bet I’m not the only one who negatively registered her ignoring Biden’s family tragedy.
4. Palin seemed not to recognize the term “Achilles’ heel,” but really, she needn’t tell hers while so clearly showing it.
5. I found Biden’s unhesitating answer on his evolution re SCOTUS nominations especially nifty and productive.
6. Team Biden, take a bow — great job. Team Palin, you too — did the best you could with what you had to work with. Team Ifill, feh.
I can’t see how last night changed anything in the least, but Hooray that it’s over! Having to watch Palin mug and manipulate when asked for substance has gotten very old very fast, and now she’ll be harder to find and easier to ignore.
That “new and different” line just doesn’t work when your running mate keeps dragging his service up out of the mothballs. I also thought Biden made huge points when he said John McCain is no maverick.
I dontlike Biden but I gotta say he won this thing hands down.
Ezra Klein: “She should give up on politics and get a talkshow.”
Uh-huh, that’ll be the next news after whatever Troopergate brings her.
Lotus, you said “Debating a woman isn’t hard or different unless your own mind-set makes it so.”
Neither is choosing one for your running mate . . .
“I found Biden’s unhesitating answer on his evolution re SCOTUS nominations especially nifty and productive.”
And I found it to be laughable. I still recall Biden taking center stage to bring about this new type of smear campaign to submarine potential Supreme Court judicial nominees —- something well beyond carrying out the constitutional duty of Senate confirmation. I don’t think this new brand of ultra partisan grilling of judicial nominees has been a good thing. Nothing wrong with being tough and thorough in questioning the nominee, but it should be done in a civil and respectful manner. What I recall from Biden was often very disrespectful and uncivil. And it has led to and bred more of the same. We reap what we sow.