Tag: Biden

Ross Smith Discussed VP Debate on Fox & Friends

Ross Smith (debatescoop.org founder) appeared, from a studio in Lexington Kentucky, on Fox & Friends the morning after the Palin/Biden VP Debate offering his commentary.

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Tags: Ross Smith, Fox & Friends, Palin, Biden, Vice Presidential Debate

Debating the Debate in Political Ads

Spots and web ads are fast becoming an obligatory aspect of post -debate spin. The McCain and Obama camps produced spots following the Mississippi debate. The practice was refined in the primary debate with both positive, negative, and neutral effects.

It is not clear that given the blizzard of post debate spin and coverage for presidential debates these entries accomplish much.

VP Spot Spin

McCain's entry, again out before sunrise--"Lies and Sighs" frames VP debate- Joe Biden, "Ready to exaggerate, not ready to lead."

Obama's effort is readied for the morning blogs--"Can't Explain"-emphasizes not their opponent, but an issue. Quoting Biden tiered quip - "Taxing your health care benefit, I call that the ultimate bridge to nowhere"

Below the fold: Pre-debate spots and more post-debate video rebuttals

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Tags: Post debate spin, spin, political ads, Obama, McCain, Biden, Palin

Exceeding Expectations -VP Debate Observations

I watch the debate in the company of a dozen informed and animated graduate students, who transformed seamlessly into a lively focus group at the debates end. I asked a simple question, what is tomorrows headline from the Vice Presidential Debate, releasing a dynamic discussion.

Their Headline: Both candidates had a successful performance, skillfully positioning themselves and their sponsors. They got it right, previewing a consensus developing in the media.

Biden's command of issues donated gravitas and passion to his "principle." Palin dignified her standard-bearer's maverick moniker with an energy that humanized his grumpy old man.

Both exceeded expectations, avoided predicted gaffes, and reached vital segments of the American electorate. The contrast of philosophies was often stark, more plainly displayed than in Obama and McCain's debate.

The tone was respectful, yet they did not play bean-bag politics. We witnessed fierce advocates who seemed genuinely pleased to make the others acquaintance.

Sarah Palin Performed

Sarah was Sarah. Sprinkled in homespun Alaska, her staging was primarily sober; most comfortable when discussing her expertise - energy and executive experience.

Party faithful were charmed, not just relieved there were no clueless moments, but because she displayed genuine political acumen, at least four times directly channeling Ronald Reagan's language.

Palin was the consummate outsider, exposing political double-talk, intensifying maverick McCain.

Joe Biden and more--after the fold.

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Tags: Vice President debate, Palin, Biden, debate expectations

VP Debate - First Reactions

Quick read - late night version: Wow - this was, or at least seemed like, a fast paced, almost frantic debate. Although I initially thought that the words per minute would be substantially greater in this 90 minutes than in the 90 minutes of the first presidential debate, it turns out that we heard only about 600 more words from the VP debate.  

Joe Biden was superb, turning in a debate performance for the ages.  Given the dangers that lurked for him in this debate, this is no understatement. Sarah Palin prevented calamity or as former Bush administration official, Matthew Dowd put it, she "survived" the "death spiral."  So who won?

More beneath the fold...

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Tags: Palin, Biden, VP Debate, Washington University, expectations

St. Louis VP Live Blog

Welcome to the 2008 Vice Presidential Debate.  Join us below the fold for a real time discussion from coaches, students, and guests!

If you do not have an account, register for free.  In the top right hand corner of this page, click "Create an Account" and follow the directions.  You'll need to verify your account by checking your email.

Once you do, join us in the liveblog of tonight's debate by clicking on "Permalink :: Read More... " at the bottom of this post. Then, just submit a comment or reply to one.

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Tags: Debate, liveblog, VP, Biden, Palin, Ifill, Washington University

St. Louis VP Debate Preview

Live from the St. Louis Athletic Complex at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, the one and only vice presidential debate between Sen. Joe Biden from Delaware and Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska.  The debate tips off at 9:00 pm (EST) and will be moderated by Gwen Ifill of PBS.

This will be the fifth consecutive presidential election cycle that Washington University will play host to the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD).  With such a commitment to debate, one wonders why they don't have an intercollegiate policy debate team!

Below the fold, join me for a few thoughts on what to look for.

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Tags: Palin, Biden, debate, VP, Ifill, Washington University, gaffe, coaching

VP Debate Expectations - The Tyranny of Low Expectations

Barack Obama should replace Senator Joe Biden with Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer. He would appeal to the West and bring credibility on Energy, one of American top issues.

You may be saying, "Who?" How can someone I've have never heard of be seriously considered. Montana? You got to be kidding.

Of course, I'm not serious, but for months many in the political establishment seriously entertained an Obama/Schweitzer ticket. One liberal blog reported "Brian Schweitzer is among the names mentioned most often as a possibility for the vice presidential slot on an Obama ticket," and he was.

His popularity garnered a prime Denver convention spot and a pending invitation for Democratic Senator Tom Harkin's (Iowa) "steak fry," a sign of arrival in party politics. In 2005 the lead-guest was John Edwards, followed a year later, Barack Obama.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think Schweitzer is ready to be President.* But the seriousness of his consideration was seldom questioned in the press. The New York Times ran an extended Schweitzer feature in their Sunday magazine and published his editorial on the future of energy policy.

I raise the Schweitzer comparison not to diminish the serious demands that Palin demonstrate nominal expertise to be president, but expectation may create an unfair playing field. Her experience quotient has been situated so low as to become a self-fulfilling prophesy. Any hint that she has a knowledge deficit will be a big-hit gaffe, satisfying the prevailing narrative.

Expectations for Schweitzer and Palin after the fold

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Tags: Palin, Biden, debate expectation, VP debate, Brian Schweitzer

Previewing the VP Debate

There will be hundreds of previews for Thursday's VP debate, most wondering how to make Joe Biden less effusive and Sarah Palin appear less vacuous. Many reviews will speculate on the prerequisites for being a heartbeat-away.

Newsweek's Howard Fineman,  interviews Democrat Bob Shrum (prepped John Kerry in 2004) and Republican Stuart Stevens (adviser for Cheney), providing a more substantive entry into the hype sweepstakes.

My takeaway is that the VP debates need a theme reflecting themselves, and that their primary job is to not talk about themselves, but become the salesman for the top of the ticket. In this sense, Palin and Biden's task is an easier one, celebrating someone else is usually simpler than bragging about yourself.

Variety's comments are just out, not meant as shameless self-promotion - smile.

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Tags: Vice Presidential debate, VP debate, Palin, Biden