Post-debate thoughts

Biden did pretty well.  There were a few “awroo?” moments, but he usually caught himself.  Palin asked “do you mind if I call you Joe,” as they shook hands, he said yes – but he did not mirror the informality.  He called her “Sarah” once but immediately switched back to “Governor” – I think this was the right choice, since it’s always pretty easy for an anyone in a position of authority to appear condescending when mixing familiarity and disagreement – even to someone of arguably equal or greater “rank.”  Biden nicely avoided that by remaining formal, even in disagreement.

Palin did pretty well.  The one thing that stands out is a machine-gun delivery of talking points, as if she was trying to get a bazillion things out that she’d worked very hard over the past three days to memorize and contextualize.  The one real unfortunate moment was when she was asked about global warming.  It was a question she’d been asked by Katie Couric, and one Jon Stewart had rebutted (it starts at 3:34 on this video).  Palin’s answer was slightly more nuanced (but fundamentally the same), Biden’s rebuttal was more nuanced (but also, fundamentally the same).

Gwen Ifill kicked EVERYBODY’S ass.  She was smart, fair, warm, asked relevant and excellent questions, and was something we so rarely see in Presidential debates: A MODERATOR.  Many kudos to her.  I think Ifill won, Biden came in second, and Palin came in third.  The most interesting evening of television I’ve had all year.  Also more television than I’ve watched in the entirety of the rest of the year combined, but hey.

<em>Added:</em>  I really, REALLY loved the way Biden got Palin to “agree” that the government should stay out of marriage, except to enforce the contracts.  XD  That was a neat bit of maneuvering.  While I was at first disconcerted by Biden’s position, what he was really saying is that the government itself has little or no business involving itself in “marriage,” only in contractual relationships.  Marriage and the like should be defined by the faith that it’s taking place in.  Fucking kudos there.  It could only have been better (if politically radioactive) if he’d inserted “or lack thereof,” after “faith.”