Here’s an article by Dick Morris on the debate. Remember, he was the one who advised Bill Clinton in 92 and 96.
PALIN WINS BIG WITH A REAGAN-LIKE FLAIR
By Dick Morris And Eileen McGann
10.3.2008Posted in The New York Post on October 3, 2008
Last night was a big, big win for Sarah Palin.
She showed originality, charisma and sass – a style that is refreshing and different in our politics. She didn’t just win the vice-presidential debate, she showed that she belongs with Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton as among the best communicators of our modern political times.
Her sallies against big government were brilliantly conceived and well executed. Her line that she didn’t understand how Washington worked because politicians vote for something right after they vote against it, for example, was just wonderful.
Another classic came when she bit back at moderator Gwen Ifill and opponent Joe Biden and said she’d answer the questions as she wanted to, not necessarily as they wanted her to do.
Gone, long gone, are the worries about how good or well-prepared Sarah Palin is.
Most important, she showed how John McCain would bring change to Washington. Would that McCain could articulate his own sense of change as well as his running mate did!
For his part, Biden sounded like the warmed-over has-been that he is – he seemed to be on downers. Where she was thrilling and exciting, he was hypnotically boring. He seemed like more of the same, while she seemed like a breath of fresh air.
Without trepidation, she tossed aside the Bush years and spoke of the “blunders” in Iraq. She was able to skewer Wall Street and show Republican opposition to the greed there.
She even handled Biden very well on his turf, foreign policy – meeting him head-to-head on every issue, and winning.
Everyone realizes that Palin has been in this field for only five weeks; her ability, nonetheless, to prevail against a veteran like Biden is a testament to her intellect and skill.
That smiling face, those novel phrases, that informal style – it was all a pleasure and a refreshing change.
And she got her ticket off on the right foot for October – making the tax issue stick and zinging Barack Obama’s economic programs and his big-spending plans.
The Alaska governor did a wonderful job of displaying her experience and justifying her candidacy in terms of her expertise on energy issues. It’s now far harder to dismiss her as an unqualified flake.
More, she connected in a way that few politicians do: She speaks for us.
Palin did a lot to help McCain last night – illustrated the best about him. But she did more to help herself – vaulting to a leading role among women in American politics. Her authenticity and unique style will be with us for years to come.
Last night’s Palin victory will have an immediate impact on the presidential race – arresting McCain’s fall and slowing Obama’s surge.
The only question is whether it will be enough to reverse Obama’s gains of the past week. It might go a long way in that direction.
Sounds like he’s in love! 😉
Comment by Daryl — Friday October 3, 2008 @ 6:07 pm
The biggest jaw dropper was when Biden said he would never change the way he does things because he has been doing it for so long. Why would we want a grumpy old set in his way, thinks he is too good for anyone else kind of guy?! Well, except for his pals at Home Depot and Katie’s Grill. Give me a break!
Comment by Heather — Friday October 3, 2008 @ 6:35 pm
I’d rather I had a VP that had an identity.
Comment by Jocelyn — Saturday October 4, 2008 @ 5:54 am
I’m not quite sure what you mean by that Joce. Palin has more charisma than any other candidate in the race including Omama.
Comment by Don — Saturday October 4, 2008 @ 8:36 am
Charisma is such a subjective concept that it’s hard to make blanket statements. But if she weren’t running for VP I’m sure I would be charmed by her.
Comment by Daryl — Saturday October 4, 2008 @ 12:49 pm
Obama is very charismatic. That’s the main reason he’s doing so well. People are mesmerized by him and ignore the fact he’s the most liberal candidate that has ever run for President. If everyone who has fallen in love with him really knew what his belief system is I don’t think he would be quite as popular. But that’s the way the sheep are. I’m not just calling Democrats sheep, I believe a lot of the people who vote don’t do so for any reason other than they “like” the way the candidate looks or sounds and doesn’t pay attention to the issues. I suspect my “smart” daughter falls into this category. I would love to see her say why she thinks Obama would be better for this country.
Comment by Don — Saturday October 4, 2008 @ 1:23 pm
I posted a blog in response.
Charisma is different then Identity.
Charisma is how others perceive you. It is the way you speak. Your physical actions and movements.
Identity is the heart of what makes you who you are. It’s your views, your beliefs, your values. It’s not about appearance.
Palin backs her man, and supports her family. But who is she as a person. I’ve never found more about her then she’s the governor of Alaska.
Biden has actual opinions, and experience. And history. He will say what he believes in. He’ll put in his 2 cents.
I want a somebody, not a yesman.
Comment by Jocelyn — Saturday October 4, 2008 @ 5:28 pm
All I can say after reading your last comment Joce is you must not have actually paid attention to the VP debate.
Comment by Don — Saturday October 4, 2008 @ 6:57 pm
We may have been hearing it with different ears.
Comment by Jocelyn — Saturday October 4, 2008 @ 7:26 pm
According to pollsters, more people agreed with Jocelyn than Don. Of course, they were just sheep.
Comment by Daryl — Saturday October 4, 2008 @ 9:46 pm
Actually pollsters said Palin did very well. In fact pollsters said Palin performed more above expectations than Biden did.
Jocelyn said she was just a yesman. I’m pretty sure the pollsters didn’t ask if they thought Palin was just a yesman.
Comment by Don — Saturday October 4, 2008 @ 11:47 pm
she performed better then I expected too. I thought she was going to make an absolute fool of herself.
Comment by Jocelyn — Sunday October 5, 2008 @ 5:42 am
Yep. And I thought Biden was going to call her Sweetie, say something about the Indian at his 7-11, remember how FDR talked to America on the Television, or something else stupid.
Comment by Don — Sunday October 5, 2008 @ 7:57 am