“Don’t look now, Democrats. But you’ve been hustled.”
By NewHampster on October 3, 2008 at 1:45 PM in Current Affairs
Ruben Navarrette Jr. in a special to CNN, has the most insightful review of the debate I’ve read.
From CNN http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/03/navarrette.debate/index.html
SAN DIEGO, California (CNN) — Tie goes to the hockey mom.
Who won last night’s vice presidential debate? The answer depends on which ticket you support. If you like Obama-Biden, then Joe Biden won.
<snip>
It is Sarah Palin’s world, Joe Biden just lives in it. Viewers tuned in to see Palin either fall flat, or flatten her opponent.
It makes sense. Palin is one of the most exciting, but also divisive, figures in this campaign. The other is Barack Obama. If anything, there have been moments when I thought that John McCain and Joe Biden were drags on their respective tickets — like during the debates.
Last night, Biden started out making the same mistake. At one annoying moment, the Democrat even instructed the moderator, PBS’ Gwen Ifill, that Palin hadn’t answered a question. He could have said that directly to Palin, but, in a McCainesque moment, he ignored her.
<snip>
I listened to the debate on the radio before watching a recording of it on television later. I thought Palin did a great job of softening up Biden, even using Obama as a club to beat up his running mate whenever she pointed out some instance where Biden and Obama disagreed, and where she thought Biden was right and Obama was wrong. There was no knockout. But Palin has a good jab.
Later, when I saw the debate on television, I was even more impressed. Palin loves the camera, and it loves her back. This is her medium, and debates are her forum. She’s a natural communicator, cut of the same cloth as Ronald Reagan or Bill Clinton.
Who would have thought it?
As the debate wrapped up, I was pulling into a parking lot for an evening speech to a local Democratic club. The person who greeted me shook his head and suggested that Palin had faked-out her critics by weaving a caricature of an airhead. Then, underestimated, the lipstick-wearing pit bull mauled poor Joe Biden.
Could be. The conversation brought to mind the classic film, “The Hustler.” The late Paul Newman pretends to be dreadful at pool, and then, with his mark on the hook, clears the table.
Don’t look now, Democrats. But you’ve been hustled.
Every “good” Dem I know is talking about how Biden overshadowed her with his knowledge but I think Navarrette nails it. They’ve been hustled and still don’t realize it.
Now, if only Sarah could fill in for McCain on Tuesday night and show the world how an experienced executive handles someone like O’Binky.
and don’t forget that Tuesday night, many of us will be Chatting Live during the debate, at Partizane.com

















