Snap Judgment: VP Debate

Now, I'm just sayin'...

Quickly, here's what I said yesterday:

The truth is Palin is a very able debater, as she has demonstrated in past elections. While she may not have a great command of the facts (to put it nicely), when she is prepared, she is the master of the non-answer. Look for her to come to tomorrow's debate with a high energy level, a sickeningly sappy, can-do demeanor right out of Disney central casting, glittering generalities, subtle, pithy insults, and lots and lots of bullshit.

I'd say I nailed that pretty well, thanks.

1. Palin is a pull-string doll. She sounded like she was speed reading a book report.

2. Between her thoughtlessly-connected talking points, she took a few moments to be a caricature of herself. There's folksy and then there's Mickey Mouse. "Gosh, golly, gee howdy willikers, Joe! You betcha folks ain't buyin' my dadgum flibbidy jibbit moose shucks. My stars!" Overkill. She was a cartoon; a self-parodying candidate.

3. Biden made a connection with the audience, avoided engaging Palin, and demonstrated a calm and engaging command of the facts.

4. I nearly cried when Joe Biden talked about being a single dad and life's challenges. There was no slick veneer. There was no facade to dig under. That was Joe Biden. Period. That's the kind of thing people remember. It's real sweet that you gave a shout out to an elementary school, Sarah, but you were cutesy and gimmicky. Joe Biden was the one who showed us he really understands.

5. Sarah responded with a cold, deflated answer about McCain's mavericky-ness.

6. Sarah flat-out said she wasn't going to answer questions she didn't like - and she kept her word. True to form, she non-answered most of the questions posed and flat-out ignored others.

7. One thing she was very clear about: Palin wants more power as vice president.

8. Joe effectively kept his focus on McCain, tied him to Bush, spoke in plain English, and came off as the trustworthy statesman he is.

I'm just sayin'...