Republican vice presidential candidate Governor Sarah Palin was a little cool and stiff at first, but warmed up quickly and started to shine with the down home spunkiness that is part of her character.
Palin got Democrat vice presidential candidate Senator Joe Biden on his statement that paying more taxes was "patriotic." She made good points that in the Democrats' efforts to stick it to the rich, they're also sticking it to many of the small businesses that provide the jobs and economic well-being of millions of Americans.
Biden said taking money from one person and giving it to another isn't "wealth redistribution;" he and his bunch call it "fairness." If "theft" is "fairness" in Biden's dictionary, then I suppose he has a point.
Class envy and hatred of the successful business sector that drives America's economic engine were definitely on display from the Left tonight.
Palen's environmental pandering was a bit disappointing, stating that we needed to do something about "climate change" regardless of the cause. She didn't jump on the anthropogenic band wagon, at least.
She did score a good point that in relying on other countries who don't even try to produce oil as cleanly as possible, we are contributing to any pollution problem that does exist, and energy independence would mean more clean oil production.
She also hit Biden hard on his reticence and that of his party to do anything proactive to drill for more oil or do anything to meet our growing energy needs.
Biden made no bones about his faith in the religion of Global Warming; there is no doubt in his mind that our SUVs are more responsible for any climate change than is the star in the center of our solar system, or the climate cycles which have been documented for thousands of years.
Biden said there would be no distinction in an Obama administration between a heterosexual couple and a homosexual couple.
Palin drew the line at redefining marriage. She did tout her "tolerance" in people choosing their own relationships (maybe she hasn't checked the data on the tremendous health risks homosexual behavior involves, with higher rates of AIDS, STDs, depression, substance abuse, suicide and domestic violence).
Biden said he didn't support "gay marriage" and neither does Obama, yet Obama says on his website he plans to completely repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA):
I also believe that the federal government should not stand in the way of states that want to decide on their own how best to pursue equality for gay and lesbian couples — whether that means a domestic partnership, a civil union, or a civil marriage. Unlike Senator Clinton, I support the complete repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)
Biden's statement tonight seems disingenuous at the very least. Domestic partnerships, civil unions and the like are nothing but "marriage lite" or "homosexual marriage by another name."
On Iraq, Palin commended the success we have seen in reducing violence under the surge, and pointed out that Obama opposed funding for the war in Iraq. She made no bones about it "We have got to win in Iraq."
Palin said Biden and Obama's plan is a "white flag of surrender."
On Iran, Palin said Iran cannot be allowed to get nuclear weapons "period." She was also clear that Iran wanted to wipe our ally Israel off the map. She took Obama to task for stating he would meet with Iran's homicidal leader "without preconditions."
She said that diplomacy is important, but when dealing with those who want to destroy what we stand for, they cannot be met without precondition on a presidential level.
Biden made a big pretense of friendship and standing with Israel, and when Palin responded, she made a good-natured quip that it was so good that they could both agree on friendship with Israel.
Palin also took Obama to task for saying our troops are overseas killing civilians and air raiding villages.
Palin said she was just a "Washington outsider" and just didn't understand things like why Biden and others voted for the war and now they're against it, and why they rail against atrocities around the world--like in Sudan--but do nothing about it.
When asked how they as vice presidents might do things differently were they to rise to the top position, Biden said he'd continue Obama's policies. Palin said that she and John McCain are "a team of mavericks" and aren't going to agree on everything." She said that she was working on him on supporting drilling for oil in ANWR.
On education, Palin spoke highly of teachers (and winked at her teacher-father in the audience) but said standards are lax in some areas and need to be tightened up.
In the role of a vice president, Palin gave a good answer with a bit of self-depreciating humor, and spoke of exercising the constitutional authority granted to a vice president with the Senate, and of pursuing a number of policy initiatives on behalf of the administration such as improving things for special needs children.
She also spoke of her executive experience as a mayor, oil-and-gas regulator, business owner and governor that she would bring to the position. She also spoke of the everyday responsibilities that so many women face, like that of wife and mother, and even the mother of a special needs child; balancing these responsibilities is something that many women--and men--across America can relate to, and know that they are no little responsibility.
Biden played the "me too" game with parental responsibilities, and actually seemed a bit miffed that she had mentioned her responsibilities as a mother; he seemed to feel somehow slighted and unappreciated in his role as a father.
In closing, Palin said she had enjoyed the unfiltered debate setting and preferred it to the stifling "mainstream" media interviews where they tell the American people "what they just heard." She spoke highly of the values and ideals of the American people, and that John McCain was dedicated to protecting those.
Biden's closing seemed a little flat. And, as is the standard with most Democrat statements, was heavy on class envy, how terrible things are in America, and a laundry list of government give-aways that would make everything better now.
Moderator Gwen Ifill seemed to do a surprisingly fair job, though perhaps not quite so surprising since her extreme bias, some of it directly against Palin, has been pretty well vetted over the past day or so.
The questions often seemed to be tainted with a presumption that the liberal worldview was the only worldview, but that's what we've come to expect from the "mainstream" media.
Palin was not afraid to take the initiative and lead the discussion where she wanted to go; at one point, she said she might not answer the questions the way the moderator wanted, so she could communicate with the American people.
No one knows everything about everything, yet that has become the facade of those stuck inside the orbit of the Beltway. "Mainstream" media hacks like Charlie Gibson and Katie Couric have tried to squeeze Palin into that mold...and put on the masks of thinly veiled elitist condescension when she doesn't fit.
Sarah Palin is an average hard-working American who loves her country, has a solid moral center, leadership ability, and wants to serve the country.
Palin is all the things we average Americans are...and many of the things average Americans admire and would like to be.
12 comments:
The author of this article clearly did not pay much attention to the debate.
As Biden pointed out immediately after Palin made a supposed "good point" about taxes, 95% or so of American small businesses would see not a penny of tax increases under the taxes proposed by Obama.
You are doing nothing more than putting words in Biden's mouth when you say that he believes SUVs are responsible for climate change. If you actually listened to the debate maybe you could actually paraphrase his views instead of relying upon your own preconceptions about the candidates...
As for gay marriage, you fail to mention that Biden and Palin have EXACTLY the same views. Biden pointed this out quite clearly. Neither supports gay marriage, but both support basic rights for same sex couples. Actually, that is already the policy in Alaska. So when you accuse Biden of supporting "marriage lite," bear in mind that it is already law in the state of which the GOP VP nominee is governor.
Finally, on a separate note... how is it that people -- often from the middle states -- fail to recognize that the rates of suicide, depression, risky behaviors, and substance abuse that affect gay individuals are directly linked to the exclusion and discrimination that gay individuals face so frequently?
I think Anonymous watched the debate with his Liberal Glasses on.
Most small businesses--and probably most Americans for that matter--would see tax increases under the taxes Obama has proposed...without even considering those he would be sure to stick the American people with once he got in the White House.
If Biden doesn't believe SUVs are responsible for climate change, what DOES he believe is responsible then? He made it abundantly clear he believes humans are responsible, and since SUVs are the most commonly cited villain by the disciples of the religion of Global Warming, I doubt very seriously he believes party hats are causing this alleged warming.
You must have put on two pair of Liberal Glasses when you came to the part about marriage. Palin wimped out a bit on her "tolerance" trip, but made it clear that she doesn't believe in homosexual "marriage" and special rights for homosexuals.
Biden, on the other hand, lied and said he and Obama aren't for homosexual "marriage," but as I cited from Obama's own website, he pledges to pursue both the "marriage lite" options and repeal DOMA. If he isn't pushing for homosexual "marriage," why repeal DOMA--does he think it'll make it easier for homosexuals to play checkers?
And to the best of my knowledge, Alaska does not have official recognition of domestic partnerships beyond the mess the judicial activists in their Supreme Court forced on them with regard to government employees. In fact, Alaska has a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman.
Finally, people--often from the middle states--realize that the high rates of suicide, depression, and substance abuse are common to the homosexual community precisely because of those risky behaviors. If they've educated themselves, they might even realize that these risks are common even in areas where homosexuality is openly accepted, and has been for some time. Perhaps they realize, as I do, that when you attempt to quash your conscience and habitually do something that is immoral and unnatural, that takes a toll on a person mentally and emotionally (and usually physically, too), resulting in depression and other subsequent problems.
That was my only real disappointment with Palin's comments tonight: that, under the veil of "tolerance," she seemed okay with people choosing to engage in a sexual practice that goes against nature, is immoral, and is a tremendous health hazard.
You obviously can't stop someone if they're determined to do it, but as we warn people away from drunk driving, drug abuse and other dangerous behaviors, we should be warning people about the incredible physical, mental, emotional and spiritual dangers of homosexuality.
But other than that, Palin gave a very good performance.
I am sorry Is it Dakota Voice or Rebulican voice. Joe Biden knocked Sarah Palin, she spent more time defending Mccain and prasing herself. She even ignored some topic and was thrown out by Biden. She started off saying that Bush did good job which suggest's her mental condition is not good and in between she said bush policies were not effective which also proves that she is a lier and that Mccain supported Bush's policies which makes him wrong.
Her foreign policy sucks, economic policies are disaster. If Mccain wins election I will go to france or england. I don't want to ruin my children's lives.
Left to her own defenses, Palin is a moron.
"If Biden doesn't believe SUVs are responsible for climate change, what DOES he believe is responsible then? He made it abundantly clear he believes humans are responsible, and since SUVs are the most commonly cited villain by the disciples of the religion of Global Warming, I doubt very seriously he believes party hats are causing this alleged warming."
hello bob, it is the conservative critics of global warming/cooling that keep bringing up SUVs. but then the favorite game is straw man.
most scientists have concentrated on a number of different sources, and yes autos are a major source. but if you looked at a picture of the earth at night, you would see that slash and burn farming is a huge problem in the developing world and a major source of carbon in the atmosphere.
Oh yeah, angst over slash and burn farming is in the headlines every day.
Maxi, is that your name, or is it "Pravda"?
Palin's foreign policy of peace through strength, fighting evil, defending our country and our allies...oh yeah, that would be a disaster...for the bad guys.
And yes, letting hard-working Americans and the Americans who take the initiative and risk to create businesses keep more of what they earn...yes, that would be a travesty, too.
Let's face it, Pravda, er, Maxi: you drank the whole glass of Marxist Koolaid.
I think England or France--both far more socialist than the United States is or was ever intended to be--would be far more to your liking. Do you need help packing your bags?
What amazes me, Bob, is that you post comments regarding socialism and communism in such a negative light...what you're really opposed to is authoritarianism...having the government dictating to you what to do or what to believe....which puzzles me.
How can somebody as opposed to authoritarianism want government to dictate to homosexuals their social status...inequality. On one hand you're against dictatorial rule of government and on the other hand you want government to dictate to citizens and "lifestyles" with which you don't agree. Frankly, I think you're confused, illogical, and silly. Frankly, I think you should change your opinion about the freedom to marry for homosexuals and forget about them. If you ignore them, they won't bother you. But you insist on their inequality and harp on the subject constantly. You want government to dictate to homosexuals...but want government to leave you and your religious viewpoints alone. Plus, religious leaders now demand the right to politically influence their flocks at the expense of the public. Yep, you want everything your way and aren't willing to let others share in the dream. So just who is the authoritarian dictator now?
You are, Bob, you are.
Anyone see the Katie Couric interview? I have to ask after watching how Palin performs in situations where she has to think for herself vs. situations where she has a week to rehearse lines given to her by her handlers, does anyone really take her seriously? Come on guys, let's get real.
Uh..uh...well...you know, Scott.....you, uh...as some..uh..would say...ummm..you could...you know...uh....have a..point. Some people..uh...uh..just..you know...can't..umm...can't, talk...um..without...a, you know...teleprompter.
Barry, I'd like a return to the limited government that America was founded on; the kind that protects people from harm while otherwise leaving them free to pursue the good life.
Homosexuals are already free and equal. When was the last time homosexuals were asked to sit in the back of the bus? When was the last time you saw a "heterosexuals only" restaurant or water fountain. Frankly, the hijacking of civil rights language (trying to garner sympathy while piggybacking on the injustices done to blacks in previous decades) is pretty disingenuous and sad. Homosexuals have the same freedom and equality as anyone else, even in marriage; they just don't want to marry someone of the opposite sex, as is required to constitute a marriage.
Seems pretty childish to me that some people would demand special privileges, refuse to play by the same rules as everyone else, and then when people don't bend over backwards to accommodate their self-centered rebellion, bellyache that it's unfair.
When homosexuals quit demanding their unions be called "marriage" and quit demanding that everyone accommodate and applaud their rebellion against normality, morality and nature itself, then I can go back to ignoring them.
Barry, you don't have a firm grip on history or reality at all. You really should work on that before embarrassing yourself publicly with comments such as these.
Scott, I strongly suspect she did much better last night because she and those advising her aren't trying to play the typical Washington "smartest guy in the room" game anymore. She's just being herself--which is great.
Having acknowledged her shortcomings in the Couric interview, it's also worth pointing out that, as with the ABC interview, they edited her performance to make it look as bad as possible. What's more, we had a sequel of the elitist condescension from Charlie Gibson, with Kouric looking at Palin with an expression which was intended to lead the viewer to believe Couric was trying very hard to be patient with a dumb child who really can't seem to handle complex thoughts.
You're not still under the impression conservatives are ever going to be given a fair shake or allowed to have a good impression by the "mainstream" media, are you?
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