Monday, October 8, 2012

So.... about the upcoming VP Debate


Four years ago after Sarah Palin became the VP choice there was a media firestorm which lasted throughout the election cycle.  It added a huge pressure atmosphere as Palin and then Senator Joe Biden showed up for the debate.  Adding to the debate were gaffs and supposed guffaws made by Palin during interviews with the media.  All eyes were on her.  As the debate concluded Biden came across looking poised, gave his responses in a clear and concise manor, contrasting Palin who while she did not perform poorly, did not perform as well as Biden, IMHO.

Four years later Biden finds himself entering another VP debate which will be closely watched, but this time partially because of the many gaffs Joe has had himself over the past few months.  Addressing a grouping of largely black supporters in Virginia, Biden told the crowd "They (Republicans) want to unchain Wall Street... They're gonna put y'all back in chains."  Just a few weeks ago Biden had another gaff when he railed against the current Republican ticket stating they would raise taxes on a middle class which has been "buried for the last four years."

Whether or not his "chains" comments were meant to be solely about Wall Street, the audience in which he made the comments made it a very poor choice of words.  Similarly his "buried" comment which may have been echoed by Mitt Romney purposely in the last debate, have hurt the Obama campaign.

And so, entering the VP debate on Wednesday, people will be watching and wondering if Biden is going to step on his toes again and offer a devastating gaff which Republicans will use to their advantage.  The person he'll be facing will not be Sarah Palin with her "folksy" way of talking the media hated last time.  His opponent this time around will be Paul Ryan, a very good public speaker who has endeared himself to independents in Wisconsin, and given this public platform, will likely endear himself to more independents nationwide.

 

-Zach

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