Updated to add: the McCain supporter mentioned below just called to say he thinks we're probably not compatible, due to our differing thoughts on several topics, and to cancel our date tonight. I think he thought I would be upset. For the record, I am not. Heh.
I won't belabor this, but here are my thoughts.
Pre-debate: I think Sarah Palin is an idiot, incapable of stringing together coherent thoughts. (This is based on...well, every interview I've seen her give.) I'm a little worried Joe Biden may do some of his famous...well, you know. Let's watch.
Debate: why do people like her? This "folksy" stuff is working on my very last nerve. She's like a character in a bad sitcom. "Up there in Alaska." (Hey--that could be the name of the sitcom.) "Maverick, maverick, maverick." "Up there in Alaska." "Ya." Can she not say "you"? Can she not put an occasional "g" on the end of a word? "Workin'." "Taxin'." AAAARRRGGGHHH! She said "nu-cu-lar"! I thought we were done with that, with Bush leaving office. Why isn't she answering the questions she's actually ASKED?
Okay, I can see how some people find Joe Biden a little dry, but I LIKE facts and figures in a politician. I do. I want them to know things. Many, many things. More things than I do. I don't want my next-door neighbor running the country. I don't want someone "just like you and me." Well, maybe "me," but I'm really leery of "you." (Kidding, I sure as hell don't want the job. I'm not qualified on foreign policy, seeing as how the only foreign country Oklahoma borders is Texas. Heh.) Okay, he's livening up a a bit...getting a little peeved. Oh man, he's getting choked up. I'M getting choked up. That was a very real moment.
Post-Debate: I still think Sarah Palin is an idiot, incapable of stringing together coherent thoughts, BUT she is capable of spewing out the talking points she's been given, whether or not they're relevant to the question being asked. I'm sure the conservatives are thrilled with her, and as long as she avoids any more live interviews, she probably won't damage her ticket any further. I suppose she wins on "style," if you like her style. And if you don't, well...then you, like me, were probably ready to stick sharp and pointy things in your own eardrums if you heard the words "maverick" or "ya" one more time.
Joe Biden did fine, I thought...definitely winning on substance. He did what he had to do--connecting McPalin to Bush, refraining from attacking Palin directly and coming across as a bully, picking on that poor woman. (And yes, I hate that we're still having to play into that, but...it is what it is.)
Did either of them win any new voters to their tickets? Probably not, I think. In that way, it seemed to me very much a draw. And maybe that's how it should be. Let's get back to focusing on the top names on the ballot.
After the debate was over, I let Pete the kitten out of his cage to amuse me and the other cats. I've let him out a couple of times, but never with as many other cats in the room as this time, and it was hilarious. It's probably a good thing no one was around to hear me cackling, 'cause cackling I was. I think he must be part "Tigger"--his bottom definitely seems to be made out of springs.
In other news, I have a second date tonight with the McCain supporter. We've talked on the phone every day this week, however briefly, and I wish I thought this was really going somewhere, but I have some serious reservations. It's not just the differing political opinions, truly...there have been several other indications that we're just not intellectually compatible, but I'm giving it another shot, anyway. Can I get an "A" for effort?
I've talked (via phone and email) with another couple of fellows who expressed an interest in going out, but so far neither of them has been great with the follow-through, so...I don't know. I'm pretty much rejecting out-of-hand anyone who contacts me with "prefer not to say" listed as their "marital status," and the man pipeline seems to be clearing again.
Oh, and I did finally hear from the "MeMarmony" doctor--he'd been out-of-town dealing with some family issues, and needs some time to get things in order. He thanked me for my patience and understanding, and pointed out that I certainly shouldn't take it personally, as we hadn't even met yet. True, dat. I guess he stays in the "maybe" column for now.
Good weekends, all!
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11 comments:
I am right there with you on the debate thoughts. I think people who really liked Palin will still like her, and the same for Biden. I don't know that the VP debate should make a huge impact on someone's voting decision, except that I do think the fact that McCain chose to put Palin on his ticket speaks very poorly for McCain.
I agree with you and -r-. I was so glad when Biden finally came back at her with respect to the "maverick" label. I'm so tired of hearing that word.
I have to admit I was a little amazed that she came right out at the beginning and said she was going to answer the questions however she felt like answering them whether or not she was actually responding to the question at hand. Which to me meant "John McCain made me memorize a whole bunch of stuff and told me to make sure I said all of it and to say nothing that strays from what he trained me to say so I might say stuff that has nothing to do with what you're asking me."
Prefer not to say in response to the married question? Um, yeah. If you're going to do that, you might as well just answer "yes" to that one, or at the very least "I've got a crazy stalker, does that count?"
There's a "Prefer not to say" option??? That sounds super sketchy. Stay away from those dudes!
I choose not to believe that "Joe Six-Pack" (and I'm sure she wasn't referring to great abs) will actually get off the sofa long enough to vote. He'll just have his "hockey mom" wife do it. Maybe she should find a new catch phrase, as I don't believe there are as many hockey moms out there as soccer moms.
She did okay--it wasn't a disaster for her, and Biden did give out facts and figures, but as you said, those are good things. And now her "I don't know what a VP does" was an attempt at a joke. Um, yes. That's the ticket.
Re: Men. Men are idiots. Be scared. Be very afraid.
Love to Pistol Pete.
I would watch the sitcom "Up there in Alaska" if it is as good as Northern Exposure. But I don't want to watch the "Up There in Alaska" state of the union address.
I just wrote a long-ass comment about this elsewhere, and I can't think about Palin for too long without getting all HULK SMASH! about it, so I'll just say that while the debate didn't change the minds of people who were already committed one way or the other, based on the news I'm seeing today about uncommitted voters, it does seem to have swayed a significant majority of them against McCain/Palin. Apparently, some people want more than the vapid regurgitation of scripted rhetoric and smarmy winking.
I wholeheartedly agree with you regarding the debate. And don't even get me started on "nu-cu-lar". UGH! And could she say "maverick" any more times??
Oy.
And you absolutely get an A for effort.
I didn't watch the VP debate yet but after reading about it...I'm not sure I want to. Palin's voice is like nails down a chalkboard and I may vomit if I have to listen to her folksy twang.
Someone who prefers not to share their marital status is such an enormous red flag that it's more like a blanket.
Earlier this week I told you I could NEVER date a Republican...I think I have a date with one tonight! And dammit, I'm really excited about him, but nervous about his politics. May have to go with a "no politics" policy.
Good, the doc isn't a creep (yet, anyway!).
As for the McCain supporter you've know all along it wouldn't work, so yes a big "A" for effort! ;-)
And I have no opinions about the debate, since we have our own elections campain going on as well... argh!
You pretty much summarized my inner (and outer) monologue during the debate, too. I'm right there with you on "nuc-u-lar" and the "in"s instead of "ing"s. GAH! A friend of mine sent me a Someecard on Friday that captured things perfectly. It said, "Sarah Palin's debate performance has finally convinced me that she is at least as charming and articular as our current president." Argh.
And "Prefer not to say" as the "Marital Status" answer? WHAT?? I agree: steer clear.
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