VP Debate

Nothing really notable occurred in last night's VP debate between Joe Biden and Sarah Palin. Only that Sarah Palin did not implode as some of her recent TV interviews indicated was a possibility. So she didn't damage the McCain-Palin campaign. Of course, everyone set the bar so low for her.

Palin's good at cheerleading and bravado and didn't disappoint her supporters on that front. She also likes to jab. However, she really had little if anything of substance to say. A number of times her responses were cyclical or redundant. She would just go round and round, over and over, describing how McCain and she were sure to change things in Washington. You just had to believe her on this. Haven't we heard something similar out of the White House for the past 7 1/2 years? "Trust me". Palin was even proud of the "Drill, Baby, Drill" mantra.

As expected, Biden did not attack Palin, only mildly rebutting some of Palin's jabs or exagerrations. I felt he could have jumped on some of the this, but instead kept his attacks on McCain. There're all these claims of critics being sexist in their criticisms of Palin, but then there's this self censorship to not criticize Palin because it would look like one is unfairly jumping on her. Now isn't that the most sexist attitude of all?!?!

After watching debates in 2004 and this year so far, it's remarkable that these important events are almost all non-events. Almost all are considered a draw. Why? Because they are not about putting forth winning arguments but are instead about drumming home messages and not committing mistakes. They are almost all lackluster. I don't recall any recent debate that has been significant in a campaign. The most notable thing I remember from 2000 was Gore standing in Bush's face, a confirmation to America that Gore was a little odd, not knowing how to act in a campaign. Unfortunate, because he had the better arguments.

I watch these debates only not to miss anything, but rarely would I have missed anything had I not watched.