Note to Biden: Watch the 'Maturity Gap'
On Friday, Barack Obama went to debate on John McCain's home turf -- foreign policy (with a healthy dose of economic crisis) -- and every independent poll and focus group scored him as the winner. Why?
Each candidate got his points across. Policies were sketched out, neither with great detail. No one scored a decisive sound bite or became a befuddled mess. It was a draw on substance; style is another story.
McCain came off as antagonistic when sparring with Obama, making him look mean and angry. He seemed to refuse to look at his opponent much of the time, grew a smug smile and contorted his face when Obama said something he didn't like or agree with.
In contrast, Obama kept his chin up and fixed his stare on McCain when his opponent spoke. He didn't shift from foot-to-foot. His stance was steady -- almost like he was clenching, bracing himself. He was tough when returning McCain's lobs, but did it without the mockery McCain employed.
Obama seemed to listen to the things he didn't like to hear; McCain made faces and derided his opponent for not understanding. By the end, it was McCain who looked like the one who doesn't get it: Americans are tired of the taunter-in-chief model of George W. Bush. They want a president with some maturity -- not one who scoffs at those who disagree with him.
This is an important lesson for Joe Biden to take into his debate with Sarah Palin. This time Biden is in McCain's shoes -- times twenty. If some Americans are unsure of Obama, you better believe they doubt whether Palin is ready.
It's likely that Palin will come into the debate armed with one-liners and hope of scoring a killer blow. And -- as she has in her three solo television interviews -- chances are she will fail to effectively employ them. So, a debate with Palin filibustering her answers with stilted rhetoric and Biden talking about specifics and objectives is probably what most expect to see when they tune in on Thursday night.
If these expectations are met, how they carry themselves could be the deciding factor. Luckily for Biden, Palin will easily slip into sarcasm and condescension, as that's the nature of her most popular lines on the stump. Biden can look even more like the mature statesmen if he takes his cue from Obama on this one.
Maybe McCain feared that if he treated Obama as an equal, he would validate his standing? Maybe McCain is just angry by nature? Either way, his condescending debate performance only made himself look smaller. Biden should treat his disagreements with Palin with the collegiality he would give Senators Byrd or Kennedy. Listen closely. State your position forcefully. Win.
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"Maybe McCain feared that if he treated Obama as an equal, he would validate his standing? Maybe McCain is just angry by nature?"
Those aren't mutually exclusive.
McCain was taught by many of the grand-drag
As Cindy McCain said the View picked their bones, McCain 26 years voting records have picked the veterans and their families bones for years. His actions and his mentor action Ronald Reagan has cost taxpayers for years in health care. There are thousands of homeless people who are veterans who also needed emergency health care, who paid for those homeless people? McCain and Reagan did not care.
Right. DO NOT PATRONIZE HER
I have full confidence in Joe Biden. He is bright, and a gentleman. Let Sarah be Sarah, give her enough rope to hang herself, and she will. Her answers make no sense, as she rambles on, trying to remember her talking points, but she gets herself tied up, and then some. She has zero comman of the facts, but tries to be a good B.S. er. I hope most people will see through her thin veneer.
Is anyone going to check Plain for a receiver in her ear for the debate?
Ask the PBS( Gwen Eiffel)and the commissioner of the debate. Come back let us know too.
Very doubtful they'd trust her with one. That would require listening, thinking and talking all at the same time. She's cunning, yes, but not smart.
If she did use one, would that be unethical?
Respect Palin's views and answers, but hammer her lies, if they're verifiably false.
Memo to Joe Biden:
When Palin mentions Hillary Clinton (and you know she will), your response will be:
"Governor, I know Hillary Clinton. I've served with Hillary Clinton. Hillary Clinton is a friend of mine.
"Governor, you're no Hillary Clinton."
I hope not.
Of course, he may mock her by contrasting Hill gravitas and record to Palin's.
BRAVO!!!! LMAO!
Senator Biden is a senior senator. His knowledge of the questions and his voting records should be enough.
He should not have to stoop to a childish mind-set as Palin did when she trashed community organizers. Her comments should have offended a lot of people who have worked very sincere to give of themselves to support people in need of these organizers GOD given talents.
Biden a gentleman to respect women base on his voting records would contradict his own record if he appeared to be a bully with the same condescending tones and nasty comments Palin on her first night introducing herself to the American people. white women were happy Palin was white and a woman. their women groups did not consider the world would consider Palin's action and words represent them to the world at the same time. Palin does not represent any other ethnicity, only white women.
This is exactly what you don't want. It is trite and predictable. Stale.
"Fresh face and revolutionary ideas from the common folk and motherhood is what Palin brings. Palin has a newborn. Chelsea is a grown up. The weapons Palin will use are, "The old politics haven't worked out so well for us, have they?..We should try something revolution
Biden must not get personal and be all about "the little guy" and how Republican party has been bad for us. He must separarte Palin form the Republican party (what's left of it).
Let the games begin! I was appalled at McSame's insulting lack of eye contact wth Obama and his constant use of "he doesn't understand" comments. I agree that both McSame and Palin stoop to their lowest with their jabs and half truths, but that seems to be what their band of extremists want to hear. That tactic is over, done, finished! Independents and undecideds in both parties are tired of all the buzz and want to know their candidates better - they want to know policy not pandering. Palin will fail and Biden shall prevail. It's his time to shine and show that he's well qualified for the job. If the same debate coaches that prepped Obama to be short and sweet and to the point work with Biden, it will be no contest! The bodies will be floating - just wait!
I agree, I was not please with McCain atctions, I turned off the TV and listen to the debate on C-span radio. I did want to see McCain act out what his words clearly stated what he believed. He stated Obama was naive to have direct talks with certain leaders (the facts are our elected leaders were giving dictators our tax payers money behind our backs), because it provided credibility to them.
McCain didn't look at Obama because he didn't want to give credibility to him. McCain should understand Obama is an American not a foreign country leader. Our elected officials in the house and senate will have to work again with McCain, their voters will not be happy with McCain actions.
Biden has been given given the opportunity to shine base on the valid fact he is qualified to do excellent job as VP or President.
I truly feel Obama will allow Biden to present America in the light and not in the shadows like Cheney.
If you wait by the river long enough, you'll see the body of your enemy floating by...
-Sun Tzu, The Art of War
Biden must practice the timeless discipline and allow Palin to skewer herself. This will be difficult for Biden; certainly, a less accomplished, more nervous candidate would probably have an easier time allowing themselves to simply appear a statesmen and let their opponent, after a fashion, steal the show in an epic feat of self-parody. Whatever the case may be, do not be surprised if the viewership of the VP debate far outstrips the presidential debate and, strangely enough, weighs far more heavily on the race.
Then let's hope Joe takes John's advice. Also, Sarah will skewer Barack's record and length of service. I hope he uses this line of attack as an opening to clown her on her ridiculous claim that she has foreign policy experience due to the proximity of Alaska to Russia and her lack of curiousity about the world (passport obtained in 2007).
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