Governor Sarah Palin's fresh energy and personal approach gave her the victory in the vice-presidential debate Thursday night. Governor Palin's winning comments included:
- on energy - "people are so hungry for domestic sources of energy"
- on Iraq - "your plan is a white flag of surrender"
- on supporting troops in Iraq - "I respected you when you called out Senator Obama"
- on Senator Biden bringing up President Bush policy - "now doggone it lets look ahead"
- in general - "a good team is a good ticket"
Palin's Strong Points
Governor Palin did a great job in speaking to the American people, addressing Senator Biden, and appropriately responding to Gwen Ifill. She attacked gracefully, walked the tightrope of the gay rights issue, and used humor well.
Sarah Palin would not let anyone forget Biden's attacks against Obama during the Democratic debates. EFFECTIVE. Her shoutout to the elementary school, saying that those students will receive "extra credit" for watching the debate, capitalized on her femininity.
Biden's Strong Points
Joe Biden's sincerity and friendly approach towards Governor Palin won a lot of points. He generated a good laugh by using the "ultimate bridge to nowhere" remark. Biden pulled Palin over to his side suggesting that their positions on the windfall profits tax were similar.
Senator Biden displayed genuine emotion when he shared about his family. He exhibited foreign policy knowledge and credibility by equating six and one half years of military expenditures in Afghanistan with three weeks of bills in Iraq.
Biden's Weak Points
The Senator struck out when he barked "McCain has been dead wrong about the issues in Iraq." Bad choice of words, Mr. Senator. He came off a bit too callous in regards to foreign policy. Senator Biden's robust foreign policy experience failed him when he misspoke about the Islamic madrassa, emphasizing the popular but incorrect American stereotype that a madrassa is merely a school for raising children in terrorism (madrassa is the general Arabic term for school).
Senator Biden should be hitting home runs with foreign policy but is settling for triples.
Palin's Weak Points
The Governor once again came off a bit cliché-ish, using comments such as "main-streeters like me." She is a governor. I cannot relate to being a governor and I have lost respect for politicians who suggest that they understand my context.
The tired talk that Senator McCain and Palin are mavericks is wearing me out. Her "Joe six pack" comment may offend tens of millions of men and I wonder if it was a backdoor stab at JOE Biden, proposing that he is an average man and not presidential quality.
The Bottom Line
Palin = fresh energy + respectful + personal charm
Biden = sincerity + knowledgeable
Both candidates uncharacteristically answered the questions asked of them. This upgrade creates a clean tone for the rest of the campaign. Gwen Ifill asked superb questions and remained objective. Kudos to Ms. Ifill. Governor Palin's slight victory demonstrated admirable preparation satisfying doubters who said she was too stiff. Biden gave a critically significant effort that will most likely strengthen Senator Obama's standing.
