New Quinnipiac University polls show Obama making small but very significant gains in Florida, Pennsylvania, and my home state, Ohio. New CNN/Time polls show Obama gaining stronger leads in states like Virginia and Nevada. The Yahoo! News Electoral Map--based on averages of all national polls--shows Obama with 330 electoral votes if the election were held today. We have one debate win under our belt, and all the momentum on our side.
And it is with all that positivity in mind that I say to Joe Biden: Don't screw this one up, buddy!
Let's be clear: I love Joe Biden. Unlike some others, I was thrilled that this feisty, inspiring, beyond-knowledgeable veteran Senator was selected by Barack Obama as the Democratic VP candidate. The only stronger pick, in my estimation, would have been Hillary Clinton. I have gone on the record several times saying that Biden was a great pick, will be a great debater, and more importantly, a great Vice President.
But tomorrow's VP debate poses many challenges--and potential landmines are set to explode all over the place. Clearly, Biden knows what he is doing--he's been doing this kind of stuff for decades. And clearly, the Obama staffers are endlessly prepping the Senator from Delaware on precisely how to maneuver in this minefield. However, if there ever was a time for McCain-Palin to surge ahead, tomorrow is it. Obama handled the blustery curmudgeon McCain about as perfectly as one could at last Friday's debate. It is very likely, since the first debate is the most influential, that at worst Obama should be able to more than hold his own in the two remaining presidential debates, especially since the two remaining formats--Town Hall and Sit-Down Intimacy--favor Obama's style and strengths. And so barring a huge Obama gaffe--or a bizarro October Surprise--tomorrow night is the Republicans' best chance to reverse the tide.
And I believe Sarah Palin can do it--don't laugh, bastards...I mean it. She knows how to bullshit to such a degree that she supposedly performed well at several gubernatorial debates in 2006 Alaska. And she bullshitted her way into the hearts of many Republican extremists all over the country. It was an astonishing show. Of course, time, an increasingly catastrophic financial state in the United States, and an increasingly ridiculous string of Palin speaking misfires (to put it kindly) have set the Killa from Wasilla way, way back. But she can still work that bullshit magic, make no mistake.
What is Joe Biden's job? Plain and simple, be the Attack Dog--and set his sights on the top of the ticket. He needs to be forceful...but not jerky like McCain was on Friday. He needs to be knowledgeable...but not so dense that it goes over voters' heads. He needs to wipe the floor with Palin but do it with such a light touch that no one even notices until the damage is done. He can't be condescending, but he needs to make clear just how incompetent his opponent is. It's a tough task, but Joe Biden is more than up to it--so long as he keeps his head on his shoulders and doesn't vomit up some random gaffe like the couple he made a little over a week ago.
And like the wonderful spin doctors they are, members of the media will certainly do their part to tell us what happened and who won, just in case we can't figure it out for ourselves. The media's immediate reaction matters just as much as the performances of both candidates in deciphering which side gets a boost from this debate, and which side loses a little bit of ground.
Joe Biden should win this thing going away...it's up to him to determine whether we continue riding this powerful wave of momentum or see our comfortable lead become uncomfortable once again. And the media should be fair in their appraisal of the debate...some of that is up to the candidates, and some of it isn't...but they can influence public opinion, and could reverse the momentum just to keep this thing close to the end.
So which Sarah Palin will appear on national television tomorrow night? And how will Joe Biden handle himself? And how will the media portray all of the above?
We'll find out tomorrow...same bat-shit time as last Friday's debate, and any bat-shit channel you can think of.
6 comments:
Biden will win the debate in a walk. Like you, I was absolutely thrilled about Obama's selection of Biden, whom I have long admired.
I am disappointed that Gwen Ifill is moderating tonight, inspite of her very clear conflict of interest. If she had any integrity at all, she would step aside. Alas, she does not.
So Sarah Palin gets a "pass" she does not deserve. With supporters like Ifill, Obama doesn't need enemies.
However, let me state again.... there is NOTHING to worry about. Obama has this puppy sewed up. He'll win over 330 electoral college votes... a near landslide by recent standards.
Great Column. I agree that Biden is an okay choice and Hillary would have been better.
I thought it would be great to see Biden pull out his Baretta and shoot the she bitch right between the eyes.
Lets get Obama in office and teach those haters!
I agree with you, Timmer, that Hillary would have beenbetter that Joe. And that Wes would have been better still! But Joe's better by far as a second-stringer than all of the GOP's first stringers!
I think Joe did great,especially in the face of such ignorance as The Palin. I also think he is a great VP choice, but Hillary might have been better. I disagree that Wesley Clark would have been better than Joe Biden. When Clark was recruited in 2004 his performance was a disappointment and I have no reason to think it would be better in 2008.
I heart Joe Biden.
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