No "knockout punch" at the debate? Biden's entire performance was the KNOCKOUT PUNCH.

[nashville_brook]

CNN's headline last night was "No Knockout Punch." I guess they're expectations were so low that anything short of Palin rushing off the stage with mascara running is considered a victory.

For people who remember life in the reality-based world, Biden not only "won" the debate -- but, to imagine someone as ill-prepared as Little Miss "I've only been at this for 5 weeks" is nearly as terrifying as 8 more years of Bush's incompetence and ignorance.

Biden not only delivered a 90-minute long knockout, he did it with class and sensitivity. The entire debate was a knockout punch.

[FlaGatorJD]

1. Biden did great, Palin better than expected, and Ifil

did all she could do under the circumstances.

[nashville_brook]

5. Ifil did better than I expected. I have not like her moderating style in the past.

But she seemed more flexible last night.

[shadowknows69]

8. Too flexible IMO

WHen it's obvious that one of your debaters is ignoring you and simply spewing talking points, regardless of their relevance, you have to reign it in.

[nashville_brook]

11. absolutely. my bar for Ifil is pretty dang low. you're absolutley right.

[MindMatter]

24. I agree. These "debates" are horrible

They are actually joint press conferences usually. This one was worse than that. This was a press conference with Biden and a campaign rally with Palin. She completely disregarded the questions.

Fortunately it seems the public sees through this superficial woman.

[shadowknows69]

6. I thought she was really awful

She wouldn't press for answers to the actual questions from Palin and she didn't allow Biden a comeback on a couple issues she really should have.

[AndyA]

2. I think Biden delivered a knock out punch at the end.

When he stated that he'd heard no plans from Palin that showed how McSame would be different from George Bush. He went on and on about it, and since it was at the very end, those words stuck with me. I hope they did with others as well.

[shadowknows69]

4. It was nice to see us get the final statement for a change

It seemed like Leher gave McCain any chance he wanted to follow up in the last debate.

[MindMatter]

26. Steady as she goes

The number one thing he couldn't do is create any sympathy for Palin. He did that brilliantly. He found a way to hit her hard without generating a bit of sympathy for her.

It was smart not to pummel her. We all hopes that she would be exposed as the lightweight she is, but Ifel was not willing to challenger her on anything. A simple time clock would have produced exactly the same results. "OK Gov. Palin, you have 2 minutes to say anything you want, then Senator Biden will take 2 minutes addressing the question."

Facts are facts. The McCain campaign is a train wreck. They are in a very desperate place. Why else would they have pulled out of a truly pivotal state just hours before the debate? If they had any real options, they would have saved that news for Friday evening. They are in full-blown crisis mode now. If Palin had laid a Couric-style performance, the campaign would be completed over this morning. Instead, it is just on life support.

[nashville_brook]

31. excellent analysis.

[nashville_brook]

29. a debate is an exchange of *ideas* to be judged on the merit of substance and reason.

a beauty pageant is a showcase of style, attitude and appearance. at this DEBATE Biden deftly put the lie to every single talking point she recited. not one of her talking points stands on its own merit.

hell yeah it stuck at the end. and the beginning and the middle and all the in between.

[shadowknows69]

3. Yeah, they wanted blood but Biden did exactly what he should have

Make it all about McCain and talk about the issues. I think he matched her just fine on the "folksy" factor too.

[nashville_brook]

9. palin's "folksiness" comes off as forced, phony. and the winking...give me a break!

you don't wink at a national debate.

[momto3]

12. I found the winking extremely disturbing.

I cannot imagine what would happen if I decided to "wink" at a prospective job interview, since this debate was essentially that for her. I am pretty sure I would not get hired after doing that. But, I know several people her think her "folksy" style makes her seem honest and more likeable. It makes me want to puke.
:puke:

[shadowknows69]

14. I don't want June Cleaver running my country.

Although June was a great mother, I suspect her foreign experience was about equal to Sarah's.

[1776Forever]

20. I am with you - If Palin was running for PTA Captain I could see voting for her - VP? Never!

The cutesiness just reminded me so much of W and Palin and he could be twins in that respect! I wish I had the talent to do a photo shop of them dressed in baby clothes and winking!

Must be a virus because I was throwing up right along with you - :puke:

[mrcheerful]

7. Yep the bar was so low for Palin that anything outside of Palin flipping out

was considered a win for Palin.

[nashville_brook]

10. moreover -- the first 15-20 minutes of the debate, she WAS losing it.

that whole thing about not having to answer the question about regulation, and just yammering on about taxes was startlingly clumsy and transparent.

[KharmaTrain]

13. The Corporate Media Wanted A "Gotcha"...

They wanted a Zinger...a catchy soundbite...a "kodak moment" where one of the candidate drools on their shoes or stumbles...something they can show endlessly and imprint in your heads. They didn't get it, thus no "knock-out".

I agree, Biden showed how much of a true leader and statesman he is. He had the right temperment to handle what was a tough assignment and made a lot of very good points. He hit on the "Maverick" tag and shreaded it...and showed the electorate how much of a valuable asset he would be to Senator Obama, while Palin showed how much of a real liability she remains.

[shadowknows69]

16. You know what the gotcha was?

A strong man like Biden showing he has more emotion and true heart than a "hockey mom". I think Joe's emotional moment probably touched a lot of parents.

[KharmaTrain]

19. That Is Beyond The Corporate Media...

They wanted a Lloyd Bentsen-style take down...they were more concerned with Palin breaking down than to focus on the wide display of emotions from Senator Biden.

I've watched this man operate for most of his career and have always admired his passion. He can cut like a knife, but he can also be incredibly gentle and compassionate. During the DNC, C-SPAN showed him thanking the Pennsylvania delegation...he was among many old friends...and the stories and emotions were incredible. Hopefully many across the nation caught some of that special quality...the man is both highly inteligent and modulate...a big contrast to the pre-programmed and always on "high" volume hockey mom.

Cheers...

[nashville_brook]

25. wow -- you really hit the nail on the head. she seemed so cold and calculated compared to Biden.

[MindMatter]

27. She is a robot. A complete phony

[nashville_brook]

30. it's disturbing that this is not the takeaway from the entire evening -- NO, she didn't crumble...

and thank god, b/c that would be blamed on Biden somehow.

Palin demonstrated ZERO ability to think for herself. as VP, she'd be a GIANT TOOL; doing only as she's told by whoever is running her program for the day.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

15. It was only a knockout punch if McCain/Palin are knocked out, and I don't think they are.

The debate was to win votes, not to demonstrate who debates better.

My guess is that in that sense it will prove to have been fairly close to a draw, although it's too early to be confident.

[shadowknows69]

17. I think Palin accomplished the best they could hope for

Which was not implode. She was clearly someone who had just learned a ton of new material in cramming sessions that she didn't fully understand and I think that will hurt her but Biden definitely did no damage to our ticket and I think his misty eyed moment will resonate with parents.

[Norrin Radd]

18. Especially dumb, considering they spent so much time

before the debate reiterating that Biden needed to go easy on her, to not appear mean.

[mashimaro]

21. I liked the "bridge to no where" comment

in reference to McSame's health care plan. It's a zinger in my book, and real gotcha moment!

[unblock]

22. "i've only been at this 5 weeks" WAS the knockout punch -- self-inflicted.

what a thing for someone hounded by cries of "inexperienced" to say!

[gordianot]

23. Palin stated she wants more power in the office of the Vice President.

In the age of Cheney she just knocked herself out. McCain Palin are the logical next step from Bush Cheney and are collectively more dangerous.

[nashville_brook]

28. and here's the thing about that: she didn't enter politics to practice enlightened statescraft.

she wouldn't know Madison from Jefferson from Adams. she can't even think of a Supreme Court case that's worth mentioning.

she entered politics (like so many other AVERAGE JOES) to accumulate personal and political POWER and hire and fire people. to exact revenge. to be a player. so, naturally she'd want more power. THAT'S ALL SHE'S INTERESTED IN.