Biden vs Palin - Review of the Vice-Presidential Debate

The first and only vice-presidential debate for this election just ended. Here's my opinion of their performances (I won't discuss here why I agree more with the policies of Biden/Obama over Palin/McCain). Both maintained their composer well, of course the tone was friendlier since they attacked the Presidential candidatesand not each other. They both exceeded expectations, but expectations were high for Biden and low for Palin. Sarah PalinSarah Palin was on the verge of brining down the McCain ticket, but she redeemed herself on a very basic level tonight. She's survived another day and has her confidence back. This debate probably doesn't change many minds, but her stable performance did avert a crisis within the Republican party.

It was glaringly apparent who was rehearsed and who has superior knowledge and experience (providing the skills/qualifications to make better judgments). Senator Joe BidenJoe Biden clearly has superior knowledge and experience, and he was the superior debater. Sarah Palin might have charmed the average American with incessant smiling and a 'straight talk' style, but I hope most Americans are smarter than that. Her most appealing qualities are connecting with average Americans by acting like an average American and claiming she's a Washington outsider (knowing how frustrated Americans are with Washington). But guess what? I wouldn't elect just any average American to be VP. Also, Washington is a beast and unbelievable force, and if she were to get to the White House, there is no way she'd stay (or be able to stay) an outsider. And yes, Washington is frustrating, but let's not lower our standards.

Palin's answers were obviously well-rehearsed/scripted and not based on extensive personal knowledge or experience. When she was faced with tough questions or opportunities to respond, she did not answer questions directly or with substance. She kept reverting back to her comfort zone. She made me nervous watching her (and it makes me more nervous that she's so close to the White House). She had to work too hard not to stumble (and she did stumble a bit). I was bored and kind of annoyed listening to Palin. Republicans are not giving Americans intellectual credit if they think they can plop a pretty woman with average intelligence, limited experience and below average knowledge of world affairs/foreign policy on the stage and convince us that she's not in over her head. She's a capable, well-intentioned person with a good heart, but she's not VP material. She reminds me of a female version of Dan QuayleDan Quayle. America, you're smarter than that.

Biden answered everything with such ease and a command over the topic. I think he did a great job connecting with Americans and showing he not only feels/understand their pain, but he has intelligent solutions. I have no allegiance to either party, but I am ready for change. The way to achieve that is for us to vote another party into the White House. Obama is ahead in the polls, but we need those who support him to actually vote.

Get out and vote! I hope people are cognizant of what I believe is a very important point however; politicians are not superheroes or magicians. The gov't cannot solve everything (or even half our problems). The only way to achieve significant change is for each of us to change/evolve our way of life and thinking for the better (e.g. consume less and more responsibly, protect the environment, reject greed and excessive materialism, make ethical business decisions, give, respect others even if you disagree with their faith or orientation, evolve our consciousness, respect and learn about other cultures/countries, etc.) and to pressure those we do vote into office to move the country in the right direction.