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Monday, September 29, 2008
The VP Debate - A Very Delicate Balance
I can't help but think that the Biden-Palin debate ought to be a drop-kick, and
I suspect the assorted politicos think so. Ignoring the smack-on portrayals of Palin by Tina Fey of SNL for a moment,
what exactly is the advice being showered on Palin in Arizona? "Talk only about what you know, not what you think!"
"Ask response-questions in favor of answering questions." "Real-people stories (that don't sound
stupid) trump Washington stories." "Please don't talk about foreign policy from an Alaskan perspective."
But I would suggest that this is at least as tough a prospect for Joe Biden as it is for Sarah Palin. This
is his debate to lose, and he has a wide range of opportunities to lose. He could crush her, and the sympathy
response might win. He could confuse her, and the anti-Washington-insider perspective would win. He could befriend
her, and the anti-arrogant-male contingent will make mincemeat of him. He could understand her, and the birkenstock-fruitberry-NRA-fringe
will mega-mix him.
I could suggest respect her, but even that is frought with danger in this hyper-critical, nobody
wins political environment. Wow ... how have we gotten to where respecting one another is a fatal drawback?!
That's not something I think I want to teach in Bulgaria, though some may already know it.
No ... the answer
will have to be much more subtle ... perhaps a sense of acceptance. I mean, I liked her that night in St. Paul, along
with the surprise, and the thrill of the audience, a hall packed with hockey moms, and a woman steeped in honest statements
rather than political platitudes. What a delight, and what a relief. But surely not real.
But now it's
for real ... this is the spotlight, the national spotlight, where people are all about judgements, nothing they really know
about but nonetheless judgements. Sarah Palin will have to not just "edge out" this opponent as in Wasilla,
but annihilate him ... pin him for the count!
I remember this from my son's prep school in New Hampshire.
There was a wrestling match one weekend, and in the spirit of Title 9 there was a girl wrestler on the opposing team.
The hispanic male wrestler on the home team was beside himself about how to wrestle her, how to grab her, where too grab her,
how had the rules changed. She trounced him ... it lasted barely 30 seconds. Afterwards, sitting in the stands,
he was confused, defeated, and still confused.
Joe Biden needs to be very, very careful. I wonder
if he believes, as much as I do, that what we desperately need is a new kind of straight talk, unembellished by partisan nonsense,
that sets a course for freedom, understanding, faith, ecumenical acceptance, and leadership. Then, there is room for
all.
10:57 pm eest
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