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What's it like to debate Palin? She's "a master of the nonanswer"
Andrew Halcro, two-time Republican member of the Alaska House of Representatives, knows from experience what it's like to debate Sarah Palin:
"Andrew, I watch you at these debates with no notes, no papers, and
yet when asked questions, you spout off facts, figures, and policies,
and I'm amazed. But then I look out into the audience and I ask myself,
'Does any of this really matter?' " Palin said.While policy wonks such as Biden might cringe,
it seemed to me that Palin was simply vocalizing her strength without
realizing it. During the campaign, Palin's knowledge on public policy
issues never matured – because it didn't have to. Her ability to fill
the debate halls with her presence and her gift of the glittering
generality made it possible for her to rely on populism instead of
policy.
This really works when there isn't an opportunity to pin the person down. And unfortunately the debate format will probably play to her strength here.
Comments (4)
Ummmm, Joe Biden is not a policy wonk. He's a seasoned politician, but if you watch him speak he doesn't sound anything like Bill Clinton or Al Gore and their 5 point programs. Yes, he is very knowledgeable about certain policy areas bu the is at heart someone who tries to connect emotionally. If he has a fault it's because he is too careless with his wonky facts. Because he is too eager to please his audience.
"Noun, Verb and 9-11."
That's Joe Biden.
Also, how hard will it be to say, "With all due respect Governor I don't think that answers the question and at this time in our history, with two wars, and an economy teetering on the edge, Americans' deserve to know specifically what we will do to change their lives."
October 1, 2008 12:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Noun, Verb and 9-11
Biden single-handedly reduced the core of Rudy's candidacy in to an object of ridicule - well, Rudy did help.
October 1, 2008 12:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
All Biden needs to do is stick to the questions and answer the questions. Don't be rude like McSame, but essentially ignore her.
Unless her "answers" are so egregiously nonsensical that they can be exploded in front of her lying face.
October 1, 2008 1:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
The real point is in a time of uncertainty and real danger, the answers do matter. I think that is why McCain's "you don't understand" didn't work so well in the foreign policy debate. Cheap shots don't work as well when people are risking their lives. "We're going to clean up Washington" doesn't mean a whole hell of a lot when your are getting ready to retire and your 401k in in the tank.
People need answers not attitude.
We'll see if Biden can successfully create that sense of urgency putting the pressure on Palin to be substantive.
October 1, 2008 1:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
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