Debate Deflate

I sorta feel unqualified to comment on the debates these days. Mind you, not because I'm not engaged, but almost because I'm too engaged. I spend so much time researching the candidates and campaigns, and listening to their blurbs on TV and the internet, and the debates are on message to the point of being repetitive. I mean, I could probably create a word-for-word replication of this debate using only old video clips from before tonight. That is, of course, excluding the pissy moments displayed in the debate on the parts of both candidates.

I also tend to see the debates, between McCain and Obama at least, as draws, because I don't perceive either of them as the most skilled of debaters. However, there's a lot more to public perception than a scorecard, and on that count, I feel pretty certain that public sentiment has been swung our way, if only a minute amount, after all three debates. Kudos to Obama for working the room like he did when it was all over, even the undecideds (and probably plenty of the Republicans) can't resist that charisma of his. Funnily, the truth is that Joe Biden beat them all down with his performance, especially on the front of connecting with the electorate in a way that seemed unaffected and apolitical. If either of the principals could do that in the third debate, it could change the game for sure. It's sorta weird to me how Biden's presence has emerged over the last couple of months, despite the fact that he was never a serious contender for the presidency. He was *such* a smart pick on Obama's part, not a flashy one, but such a very smart one. That is to be contrasted with McCain's choice of Governor Palin, which I feel borders on irresponsible, and it seems that an increasing number of the electorate agrees.

I'd be super interested to hear what others think, especially if they are still undecided. I laugh as I wonder if there's anyone left who might ever read this blog who is still undecided. Seems like most everyone I know comes down pretty strongly on one side or the other, and, admittedly just like me, after a formula that is pretty predictable. I'll tell you, I wish that this was a contest between McCain from days of yore and Obama. Not because it would make it more likely for my guy to win (no doubt it wouldn't), but because I would feel certain that, either way, our nation would be on the verge of electing a President who possesses a powerful mix of principle and pragmatism. Over the last eight years, Senator McCain has disappointed me repeatedly on both counts, and I know I'm not alone. And the truth is, it's personally disappointing for me as well, because Senator McCain was once a bonafide hero of mine, not to mention a man who was a friend of my family and for whom my family campaigned. Even as my politics continued to diverge from his, he was someone for whom I long maintained a healthy dose of admiration. I can still admire McCain the man, for his service and determination, but my last shred of reverence for McCain the politician was obliterated a while ago.

Anyway, I'm so over boring-ish debates. I'm pretty much a wonk and these debates bore me, so I'm guessing that most people, for whom this ain't exactly their bread and butter, aren't moved by hearing the same crap over and over. That's especially true when all anyone wants today are solid answers on the economy, and it is becomng more and more evident that our economy has grown into a juggernaut so complex that it even eludes the grasp of our leaders. Someday I will figure out how to get Americans interested in politics and civics; I will figure out how to make the direct connection in the American psyche between our daily lives and our choice of leaders. We're headed that way, I think, but there's some trick that remains undiscovered. Some smart political analyst, maybe with a background in psychology, will do it eventually, and why shouldn't it be me? And when I do I will rule the world! Muahahaha. Just kidding, I'll never make a good candidate myself. Too many, uh, background issues. But I can Rove it up through others! LOLOL!

Ugh, I'm tired.

Welcome Post

Wow! Now that I'm here I'm not sure what to say. Oh, the irony!

Today there's a lot going on... everyone's still talking about the Vice-Presidential debate and the financial rescue bill. Of course, the pundits are peppering this conversation with tidbits about the stupid OJ Simpson trial redux. I have to say I'm personally happy that Sarah Palin performed reasonably well; now nobody has to feel sorry for her and everyone can just focus on the task at hand, which is electing a President LESS inflexible and sure of himself than the one we've had for the last eight years. One of my favorite things about Obama is his proven ability to surround himself with brilliance. You can't do that if you believe you're always the smartest person in the room, which is a quality that so many have tried to attribute to him.

Today I found an opportunity to go to New Hampshire the next few weekends and canvass for Obama. I suppose I don't understand the political demographics of the region too terribly well yet as I've only been here a month; nonetheless, I have a really hard time perceiving New Hampshire as a swing state. The campaign, however, is less certain, and this seems to align with the opinions of political analysts across the country, so if they want us up there, well, I'll go! Maybe if that doesn't work out I'll do some phone banking. I think that being from Arizona may be at least slightly useful, as my political and personal knowledge of McCain is fairly nuanced.

I guess I'll go ahead and comment on the VP debate myself: I was really impressed by Joe Biden! I never saw him debate that well during the primary campaign. And, funnily, Sarah Palin doesn't bug me as much as she does a lot of people I know. I mean, don't get me wrong, I want her nowhere near the White House, but I get the likeability factor. Maybe it's because my family was from Minnesota and I find those mannerisms charming to begin with.

Well, a decent start. Now I just have to find some readers! Or not. Whatever. :)