"The drama surrounding Barack Obama's decision to bypass Clinton as his vice-presidential choice.... Obama's failure to choose Clinton shadows this year's vice presidential contest.... Hers is the empty seat at the vice presidential debate."
Funny, I didn't see one on stage.
"In her absence, Clinton remains a presence" by Peter S. Canellos, Globe Staff
Joe Biden and Sarah Palin can thank Dick Cheney for making the vice presidency seem important -- and Hillary Clinton for making their own candidacies seem inadequate.
Politicians used to line up to make jokes about the vice presidency -- "a warm bucket of spit," and so on -- and now, suddenly, it is being viewed as the most elite power perch in the Capitol.
The vice president is more than just a heartbeat away; the vice president is now presumed to be there, in the White House, riding herd on the government. Cheney, whose decisive influence on the war on terrorism has been widely acknowledged, can be credited with enhancing the stature of the office. To many, he has also demonstrated the importance of closely vetting the candidates for the nation's number-two job.
But NOT WIDELY ENOUGH!! What WAS Dogshit doing directing WAR GAMES the morning of 9/11, readers?
But that's only one reason that this year's only vice presidential debate coming up tonight attracted more buzz than the first debate between the two presidential contenders. Another is the drama surrounding Barack Obama's decision to bypass Clinton as his vice-presidential choice. There has been a very loose tradition of candidates in closely contested nomination fights giving the number two slot to the runner-up: John F. Kennedy chose Lyndon Johnson, Ronald Reagan chose George H. W. Bush, and . . . well, there haven't been too many more recent examples.
Then what is the point of this article, Pete? Pfft!
Obama's failure to choose Clinton shadows this year's vice presidential contest. It's fair to say that Clinton's presence, as much as Cheney's, has been hovering over the race this year. Hers is the empty seat at the vice presidential debate. --more--"
Pete thinks Miss Sarah won, too!!!!
"Both show their strengths in colorful clash" by Peter S. Canellos, Globe Staff | October 3, 2008
Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin began last night's much awaited debate with a reminder of why she seemed such a fresh and unique presence on the national stage, tackling economic issues with a vernacular that hasn't been used in recent presidential politics.
But her debate performance followed the same trajectory as her five-week-old vice presidential candidacy, which entered choppier waters when the discussion turned to foreign policy. And Democrat Joe Biden, who seemed off-balance at first, gained command as the night went on.
The debate probably didn't help or hurt either ticket. As in the first presidential debate, a draw goes to the less experienced candidate - in this case Palin, for whom expectations were lower.
Gee, that's not the way I saw it and I thought Sarah would win. WTF, Pete?
Also see: VP Pick Palin Captures Women's Vote for McCain
The Boston Globe's Bullshit Shoveler
Those disposed to find Palin cheerful and down-to-earth probably liked what they saw. While there was usually logic behind her answers, her everyman talk only drew greater attention to the lack of nuance and detail in her answers.
American people aren't smart enough to delve that deep, Pete.
"The issue is, how different is John McCain's policy going to be than George Bush's? I haven't heard anything yet," Biden shot back at one point. "I haven't heard how his policy with Israel is going to be different than George Bush's. I haven't heard how his policy in Afghanistan is going to be different than George Bush's. I haven't heard how his policy in Pakistan is going to be different than George Bush's. It may be. But so far, it is the same as George Bush's. And you know where that policy has taken us."
Yeah, the focus gropued loved that!
Here is why: 6 Brainwashing Techniques They're Using On You Right Now
But last night, Palin's feisty first half of the debate showed why she can be an asset to McCain. And her later, shakier performance still wasn't bad enough to raise new fears about her competence. That's probably enough to declare the debate a success for Palin. --more--"
