Susan Mannella
I don't know what the topic of conversation is in other workplaces this morning - maybe it's the victorious Pitt Panthers or the fact that it finally feels like Fall. But get a group of editorial writers together and the topic always is the latest news, and today that's the performance of Sarah Palin and Joe Biden in last night's vice-presidential debate.
Republicans are bound to be happy about the Alaska governor who showed up last night. Gone were the deer-in-the-headlights reactions Gov. Palin exhibited during televised interviews with ABC's Charles Gibson and CBS's Katie Couric.
Anyone who thinks Gov. Palin has been picked on unfairly probably saw that view being reinforced by her answers and demeanor in the debate. But she didn't deliver, if the goal was to convince anyone who was on the fence. She developed decent arguments on several key topics, but it was pretty obvious that, when questions veered away from those, Gov. Palin wasn't going with them.
Sen. Biden gave a more-than-solid performance. He brought an obvious depth of knowledge and looked like somebody who is not only ready to be vice president but also someone who could move into the Oval Office if he had to do it.
And that's really the trouble with Gov. Palin.
Can you really picture her sitting behind that fabled desk and looking as though she belongs?
Here's what The New York Times said in an editorial this morning. For a completely different take, here's one from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
In addition to being open for your comments here at A Fine Point, the PG is running a poll asking whether the debate will influence your vote, and a forum, where you can expound on your opinion of the debate. Or just do it here, and we'll try to get back to you.
Posted
Oct 03 2008, 11:35 AM
by
Susan Mannella