A Fine Point

Authors

The editors who craft the Post-Gazette’s daily stands on the issues affecting the region, the state and the nation hold an on-line conversation with readers about key topics in the news. The PG editorial writers are: Tom Waseleski, Reg Henry, Susan Mannella, Tony Norman and Dan Simpson.  

 Register to comment
Guide to commenting

Syndication

Blog roll



 

Recent Posts

Tags

View more

Archives

Great expectations for Palin/Biden

Tom Waseleski

Don't you hate the expectations game? Last night CNN had Joe Biden reacting to the presidential debate performance (no Q&A with Sarah Palin, though; must have been meeting another foreign leader).

Anyway, Wolf Blitzer asked Biden about his debate in St. Louis next Thursday with Palin. The longtime senator with the reputation for being a talker immediately began saying how it was going to be a very difficult night because of Palin's strong debating skills. Huh?

We know Biden's not living on another planet, but raising Palin's pre-debate profile -- and expectations -- so that she'll have to do more than hold her own with him to be credited with a debate "win." C'mon, Joe, deal straight with us. And save your creative characterizations for the debate.

Posted Sep 27 2008, 07:34 AM by Tom Waseleski
Filed under: , , ,

Comments

Toadsly wrote re: Great expectations for Palin/Biden
on Sat, Sep 27 2008 7:38 PM

Let me preface the attendant comment by saying I'm voting for Obama and Biden; and feel Joe B. could step in and run this country if Obama becomes incapacitated.

Senator Biden is often arrogant and condescending. If he attacks Governor Palin with his usual gusto, many women and egalitarian men will misinterpret his truculent style and brand him a chauvinist. They'll be too busy empathizing with "Mrs. Average Hockey Mom" to notice she is all image and no substance. I hope Joe is pleasant and kills Sarah with kindness and superior debating skills. Love your enemy is good advice, and if he doesn't kick her when she's down, but opts to be chivalrous and gives her wiggle room when he could rip out her throat, then he won't alienate swing voters who think it might be time to finally elect a female vice president.

Most of the women I know think Palin has been unfairly scrutinized in the media because she is a woman, and Biden has not been put under the same microscope. I see the truth in their argument and hope Joe's debating demeanor doesn't exacerbate the situation.

Tom Waseleski wrote re: Great expectations for Palin/Biden
on Sat, Sep 27 2008 11:58 PM

Toadsly,

I've been thinking myself how Biden needs to approach the debate. He's got to be tough and self-confident. His overwhelming experience needs to shine through.

He can't get personal, though. He's got to be respectful and firm, not patronizing or overly aggressive.

This will be a better country when female candidates at the national level are not a novelty. Because they still are in 2008, Hillary Clinton and her treatment through the campaign were under a microscope. Same for Sarah Palin. Which makes it harder to predict the ensuing spin.

For that reason Biden will not be as free to debate his opponent Thursday as if the Republican were male; he has to calculate his every verbal punch. And the American voter is poorer for it.

Toadsly wrote re: Great expectations for Palin/Biden
on Mon, Sep 29 2008 12:36 PM

Dear Mr. Waseleski,

I agree with you that the American voter is poorer for the sexual dynamics whirling around this historic debate.

Senator Biden needs to come across as a likeable guy who respects women, or the Democrats will lose votes.

Gov. Palin is an intelligent, successful woman who has raised a family while competing against men and defeating them. Many women, and more than a few men, admire her achievements and realize she is not your typical male politician who exudes testosterone and has a quick answer for every question.

Joe should read a little Jane Austen before he debates Sarah and realize a big brain can't compete against a gentle heart!

I'm not talking about Palin's heart -- I'm talking about the  hearts of undecided debate viewers.