Vice presidential debate exonerated Ifill, but let candidates avoid an actual debate

At the end of tonight's 90-minute vice presidential debate, a couple of things were clear:

All the Sturm und Drang about moderator Gwen Ifill's supposed conflict of interest was unfounded, as the PBS host presented an evening of well-balanced questions. The National Association of Black Journalists congratulated Ifill on her work here.

But the evenhandedness of the questions and debate format also made for an event that wasn't much of a debate. Both Palin and Biden were able to ignore criticisms and tough questions they preferred not to answer, with little chiding from the moderator.

Palin set the tone early, telling Biden and Ifill "I may not answer the questions the way that either you (Biden) or the moderator wants to hear." But, governor, isn't that the point of a debate? To answer the question asked?

No matter. For much of the debate, Palin didn't directly answer the questions she was asked, including queries about what promises she might have to forgo, given the country's economic state, or the question of whether she accepts Dick Cheney's concept of the vice president's office as both part of the legislature and executive branch.

Biden ignored serious criticisms of himself and Obama, including Palin's note that Obama was wrong about the potential for the surge's success in Iraq and instances when the two of them disagreed. Where he scored was in attacking John McCain instead of Palin, allowing him to score political points without looking like a bully. And he offered the kind of policy detail Palin couldn't approach, coming closer to answering the questions Ifill actually asked on most occasions.

Palin's preferred tactic was to throw a blizzard of catchphrases and homespun attitude at questions she's uncomfortable answering, chiding Biden for his criticism of the Bush administration with a cheery "doggone it, let's just look ahead." Unfortunately, Palin didn't do much to detail what that future might look like beyond the hazy goals of victory in Iraq, lower taxes and freedom in America.

Palin also said she supported equal partnership rights for gay couples -- a statement I'll bet she modifies by midday tomorrow. Biden had to constantly stop himself from offering too much detail in answers. His simple points were sometimes blunted by a little too much talk, in an age when the barest hint of complexity can make a voter's eyes glaze over.

But one benefit Palin enjoyed from the slow dribble of awful interviews with Katie Couric preceding this debate was the gift of low expectations. On NBC, where I saw a supposed Democrat, Geraldine Ferraro, conservative columnist Peggy Noonan and a Republican governor praise Palin's performance, the fact that she didn't make a major gaffe earned her the winner's cup.

"I think the Democrats are glad there is only one vice presidential debate," said NBC anchor Tom Brokaw, summing up the prevailing sentiment. I had to wonder about pundits who would so readily embrace a candidate who offered so little specifics and told the moderator early on she might not answer her questions.

At a time when the country needs very specific answers, why aren't pundits demanding political candidates provide them?

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Comments

[RagsTTIger]

Gretchen, I make my own decisions. I use a variety of sources, weighing the variables, BEFORE opening my mouth. That is a much better procedure than just opening yours.

[Gretchen]

RagsTTiger: I heard that from Karl Rove's mouth last night after the debate! PLEASE PEOPLE use your own head and stop letting others make decisions for you.

If McCain get in (and I doubt it seriously) then you people using FOXs' talking points have nothing to complain about when we continue to head on this downward spiral. Same goes for you that voted for Bush twice.

Sarah did nothing but refuse to answer questions directly addressed to her and used the same old talking points she has been feed for a month now. You cannot honestly say that she was even knowledgeable about the topics at hand, she talked as if she was reading a script! If Obama had done that, you Repubs would be having a field day.

Speaking of mistakes-did you count how many Palin made? Or were you too busy counting how many times she winked her eye at you?

[RagsTTIger]

Biden again proves he is a fountain of mis-information. The scary part is that he does so with conviction. He made ten factual mistakes deliberately distorting positions of the candidates.

The only thing Biden gets is credit for staying on his notes, refraning from any major hoof in mouth gaff, for which he is famous and the media routinely passes on.

Palin clearly won the debate on content. She also benefitted by being able to connect with people directly, without the filter of the media. A big shot in the arm for the McCain campaign.

[Hello Again Hello]

Ifill did fine, but that hardly means she's been "exonerated." It just means she did a good job under questionable circumstances. She was fair to both. It's a good thing for the Dems.

The conflict of interest still exists. Ifill's pro-Obama book is still due to be released on Inauguration Day - if Obama wins, the book (title includes "The Age of Obama") obviously will do well, and if he loses, the book just as obviously will tank. So she still has a financial stake in the outcome of the election.

That's textbook conflict of interest. It's really disappointing that some - not all - journalists, because of their political bias, and an apparent lack of grounding in journalistic ethics, won't recognize it as such.

If this doesn't rise to the level of conflict of interest, then, pray tell, what does?

Gal Pal - As far as the strategy "they" used to lower expectations: Dems have only themselves to blame for the lowered expectations about Palin.

Dems and their MSM allies -- with the help of very funny Tina Fey -- have done nothing but attack and ridicule Palin relentlessly since she was tapped as McCain's VP nominee.

As was no surprise to anyone who understood what she has accomplished (governor of the largest state, most popular governor in the U.S., far more exec experience than Obama), and to anyone who's watched clips of her Alaska debates, she handily performed above expectations, and more. On multiple occasions, she raised questions about Obama that Biden couldn't answer, and he was clearly rattled (did you notice that weird, giant grin that came out when he was annoyed?)

Biden generally did well, too, although he repeatedly misrepresented his record and McCain's record. Yes, Biden DID vote for the war in Iraq. No, McCain did not vote against funding for the troops.

Biden didn't say that FDR went on television when the market crashed in '29, and he didn't say that the Germans attacked Pearl Harbor. Good for him - he avoided those types of pitiful gaffes.

Biden generally knows what he's talking about and he came across as a down-to-earth fellow with lots of valuable experience on the national scene. Dems are probably wondering why their bill isn't flip-flopped, with Biden on top and the relatively inexperienced, passionless Obama second on the ticket. Or some combination of Clinton and Biden - that would have been unstoppable.

Was it a game changer? Heck no. People historically have ALWAYS voted for the top of the ticket. And Obama remains the riskiest choice.

[drinklime]

dontchaknow

[drinklime]

it is so sad and scary what politics in america has become. i cannot believe that palin is one step away from leading the country. palin is russia's dream come true.

[Dave]

Common people. Both are full of it but who is the less dangerous?
Obama was a member of ACORN. That is and was a very dangerous organization. Look it up? He was associated with good 'ole rev wright. He preached death to whites for many years and Obama listened.
These are FACTS and the media is letting them hide them.
Obama is a bad person and no morals. He makes Bush look good. McCain is an idiot but at least he is a MAN!
Lets put a man in the whitehouse for a change instead of a cokehead or a hateful radical!
Get with it, FOOLS!

[Eric Deggans]

I dunno -- I've heard that criticism of Obama many times -- that he doesn't offer specifics -- but he does. He's given lots of policy speeches on the economy and health care and foriegn policy.

I think you should spend a little time looking through the stuff he has on his Web site about what his plans are.

Certainly, there's lots to criticize about his campaign. But saying he doesn't give specifics is more talking point than anything.

It's possible to find out what his plans are with a small amount of research -- then you can decide whether you agree with them and make a choice based on something real.

[Yaaaaawwwwnnnnn..........]

Well, that was about as much fun as watching paint dry.

But at least they seemed to treat each other better than those two pinheads named McCain and Obama.

It doesn't change the fact that I am astonished at how poor the quality of candidates are in both parties. They are all not worthy of being president, and we, the American people, will be the worse for it.

Don't try to hide behind your ridiculous partisianships -- I'm a Democrat, and am embarrassed that the best we can do is a talking head who promises "Change", but has yet to really give anyone details on how he plans to achieve it.

And don't get me started on the Republican side of things. The only good news is that it's unlikely either of these idiots is going to be more than a one-term wonder, with an approval rating somewhere between Bush and Carter.

[Mr News]

Aside from frequent aural visions of Marge Gunderson from "Fargo", Palin rose above the below-rock-bottom expectations to achieve an astounding level of mediocrity and vapidity (if that's even a word). It was a bit like watching a beauty pageant ("it's a SCHOLARSHIP program!") contestant who's been briefed for hours on international affairs. Yeah, that's presidential material- about as presidential as the ambitious cashier at the America-wrecking Walmart that oblivious Americans flock to so they can save 10 cents on socks and buy cheaply-made Chinese goods.

The bottom line (for me) came when Biden explained how he learned not to impugn an opponent's motives while disagreeing with their ideas. Amidst all the high-minded talk from both sides, there is a humility and open-mindedness in Obama-Biden that you do not find in McCain-Palin.

I though Biden also scored big when describing McCain's ABSURD health insurance scheme as the "ultimate bridge to nowhere". A child could tell the arithmetic is bad. It's Reaganomics mixed with a hefty helping of Bush cowboy-ism and topped off with a revolting sauce of melted maverick.

[Gretchen]

"I may not answer the questions the way that either you (Biden) or the moderator wants to hear."

Translation: "I don't know the actually answer so I'll just BS you the entire time."

[Gal Pal]

It was a great strategy, the same one they used with GW; Set Low Expectations.
It reminded me of Britney's big 'comeback' at the music award show. She read a few sentences off the television prompter and everyone acted like she had performed brain surgery.
Sarah Palin really was not very good but for someone with her credentials and past performance, she was spectacular.