Friday, October 3, 2008

Difference of Perspective

Someone wrote in:

"I know you believe that Fox is "fair and balanced" (because you probably only watch that cable channel), but there is a whole world outside of Fox and their "8-1 in favor of Palin" world. Some of us want to hear ANSWERS to the questions posed. Some of us don't think "cute & Folksey" is what this country needs right now. She is running for Vice President of the entire country; not Miss Alaska!This is why the polls say Biden won. "

With all due respect, the only polls showing Biden the winner are those by the left-wing media, like CNN, who have already stated they are for Obama. That's fine. But most legitimate polls say otherwise.

In checking facts as opposed to what was actually said in the debates, it has been shown that Mr. Biden's "facts" and assertions were absolutely false in 11 instances. And these are things he stated as facts. And, while Gov. Palin is a bit too folksy for my taste, she did answer the questions - at least, those that were not set-ups. She said at the outset that she would answer questions as she saw fit, and not necessarily as Ms Ifill wanted. Biden did the same thing.

I watched every minute of the debate. No one made up my mind for me, and no one else's "second-hand opinion" has been used in forming my own. Biden did very well, So did Palin. Biden did as well as expected; Palin did better than expected. A novice vs a 35 year veteran, and she held her own.

She did not allow either Biden or Ifill to bamboozle her into any traps, like those set by Curic and Gibson.

Despite her obvious conflict of interest, Ifill did a very good job as moderator, and I laud her for her efforts. But credit should be given where due. I have heard the position, "she didn't answer the questions" too often already. I watched the debates, and there were two questions she did not answer directly. But there were also two questions that Biden did not answer directly.

She answered the important questions, like "What changes would you make if something happened and you had to take over the Presidency?" And she answered on what her positions were on energy, climate change and gay marriage. For those who had an open mind, and listened, they heard answers. Closed minds would not hear them.

And when both nominees were asked. "What promises did you have to change in order to fall in line with your party's candidate and his policies", Biden would not answer at all. Palin simply - and honestly - said, "I've only been in this for 5 weeks. I don't have to change anything because I have made no promises." That is an accurate and truthful answer to the question. I'm still waiting for Mr. Biden to answer....but there is a hint, below, showing serious shifts on the part of Biden.

If anyone doubts that Palin won the debate, simply watch over the next few days to see if McCain gets any kind of "bump" in the polls, or if Obama does. And if neither gets a bump, then the debate was a tie.

Having watched the debate, I expect McCain will get a bump. But knowing McCain, I doubt he will be able to keep it. Palin does her part. It's McCain that's asleep at the wheel.

As for the uncalled for, typical liberal smear remarks about "Miss Alaska" and other such comments, I would remind people that Ms Palin is the governor of our largest state. And I have a brother who has lived in Alaska since the 70's, and he tells me that she has gotten rid of a tremendous amount of corruption - in BOTH parties. And he verified that the majority of Alaskans - 82% - are solidly behind her as governor. She has the highest approval rating of any politician in America today. You just do not get that kind of support because you're "cute and folksie". You get that kind of support by doing the job, and doing it well!

Biden is a fine man, though far too partisan for my taste. His own approval rating is not much higher than Bush's. He is the same man who, in his own campaign, said Obama was not qualified. He is the same man who, just 4 months ago, said he would never consider being vice president, if Obama offered it. He is the same man who, just a year ago, said Obama was wrong in his votes against the war in Iraq. So I have difficulty finding credibility in his position now.

Ms Palin has never changed her position except on the "bridge to nowhere". She only changed that because Alaskans asked her to. She listened. Frankly, I think that is a good quality, not a bad one. Especially since it was Alaska's Congressman - not Palin - who requested that pork.

So, who really won the debate? It doesn't really matter, because vice presidential debates do not make any real difference. But if you did not see the debate for yourself, you can get the answer by watching to see which candidate gets a little bump in the polls over the next few days.

Don't be surprised if the bump goes to McCain.

And I won't be surprised when McCain blows it away...

ADDED: Anyone who took the time to watch New Hampshire's own Carl Cameron interview Sarah Palin today would no longer have any doubt that the lady is everything she and McCain claim she is. And for the record, even liberal AOL has posted the following:

Who debated the best?
Sarah Palin
47%
Joe Biden
27%
Barack Obama
20%
John McCain
6%

That's just about the way HotKarz pegged it, as you may recall.
As a follow-up to an earlier post about investors, the market, and the bailout bill, I think todays activity says it all. By noon, the market was up almost 200 points. By 4, it closed 174 points down - right after the House announced they passed the bailout bill. So, as I stated, the downturn in the market is not predicated simply upon the economy. It is reacting to bad decisions from Congress, and what the investors think this means for tomorrow. Investors do not care about yesterday. Their playground is "tomorrow".

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