Earlier today, we released Dick Morris’ commentary on this week’s presidential debate. Now, we’re excited to release the second round of perspective from one of America’s most trusted research and civic engagement organizations — Public Agenda.
Public Agenda can always be relied on to present a fair and balanced look at the issues, which is why VoterWatch is honored to have the organization on board for our Presidential Debates Project. Today, Scott Bittle (Executive Vice-President of Public Agenda) released commentary on the second presidential debate. Bittle had this to say about this the town hall-style forum:
While the highly-anticipated second presidential debate will occur tonight, VoterWatch still has commentary to share with you from last week’s vice-presidential debate. Yesterday, VoteGopher completed commentary using the VoterWatch media player. Click below to see information and fact checks on: the environment, climate change, gay rights, Pakistan and Iran. Stay tuned over the next few days for more debate commentary and be sure to check out the VoterWatch media player:
We’ve seen a number of Dick Morris fans on the Presidential Debates Project web site these past few days, so we’re honored and excited to have his commentary lead the charge in VoterWatch’s coverage. Using the VoterWatch media player, Morris provides insightful commentary on a very important politcal debate. After watching, feel free to voice your opinions in the comments section!
Stay tuned for more commentary throughout the weekend and early next week!
“Can I call you Joe?” Governor Sarah Palin asked when introducing herself to Senator Joseph Biden.
“You can call me Joe.” Senator Biden immediately obliged.
The debate seemed to transpire in a similar fashion with Governor Sarah Palin using her average appeal and colloquial diction in comparison to Senator Joeseph Biden’s old hat charisma and articulate vocabulary; lest not forgot, the significance of how the popular media, in addition to each campaign, has chosen to portray the two. In the right corner, weighing in as a mother of five and just an average hockey mom, the pit bull wearing lipstick, Sarah Palin.
I could not stop imagining Tina Fey saying something like, “Darn right, hockey mom’s across America and Joe Six-Pack must band together for a little bit of reality from Wasilla Main Street.” In the opposite corner, Joseph Biden exploited an approach that was not unexpected by using his familiarity and experience to assert his authority in the arena and conviction to be thus able to make change. The debate was about more than the Washington outsider versus the tried and true Senator from Delaware but was about the juxtaposition of male and female in a political, public, and widely accessibly setting.
As a woman, Sarah Palin asserted that she could hold her own ground after being poorly portrayed by the media as unprepared and criticized for her folksy simplicity. In exhibiting confidence in her body language, the audience was less anxious and nervous in watching her deliver her response. However, there was some sense that she was not going to answer each question in the same way or manner as her opposing candidate. At one point, she said, “I may not answer the questions that either the moderator or you want to hear, but I’m going to talk straight to the American people.” Using language like “gosh darn” and “now doggone” during the debate, Palin fittingly seemed like the next-door neighbor who was the president of the PTA.
Showing competence and deep comprehension throughout the debate, Palin also exhibited her greenness – no pun intended – and lack of familiarity with the political engine known as Washington, D.C. In no way did Palin fall off the horse, however, she was capable of a superior execution had she been more focused on data and information than deliverance and performance. By classifying and categorizing Governor Palin as Sarah, the hockey mom, the American public has a preconceived expectation related to her fulfilling her traditional gender role. At some point, the American people have to look at her as more than a woman and more than a mom but as a vice presidential candidate and potential leader of the country.
There was a lot less surprise and anxiety in observing Senator Joseph Biden during the debate. He provided the people with what was expected and more. Correspondingly, Senator Biden intelligently and cautiously used his rhetoric to avoid the generic masculine and not to separate Governor Palin because of her sex. When talking about the role of the vice president, Biden exclaimed, “And the primary role of the vice president of the United States of America is to support the president of the United States of America, give that president his or her best judgment when sought, and as vice president, to preside over the Senate, only in a time when in fact there’s a tie vote. The Constitution is explicit.”
Senator Biden, however, did get a joke or two in on Palin’s behalf when he referred to John McCain’s health care plan as the “Ultimate Bridge to Nowhere.” Nothing less was anticipated from him than what was received last night; however, I would really appreciate something novel and even risky – in the sense that he does not remain so rigid and textbook – from Biden.
While the gender bridge may not have been crossed during the vice presidential debate, I was delighted to observe that the bridge was approached and that the ultimate destination was somewhere rather than nowhere.
Following last night’s debate, VoterWatch will be brining you more expert commentary and perspective. Stay tuned over the next few days as this material is disseminated.
Things have really changed, haven’t they? In a very short time, the opportunity for political engagement has grown exponentially. From the limited ability to merely watch televised debates years ago to the evolution of prime access to technologically-induced discussions using various forms of social media, the landscape continues to morph. The 2008 Presidential Debates Project signifies this important shift in access and ideology.
VoterWatch is excited to announce our 2008 Presidential Debates Project - an initiative intended to aggregate multiple perspectives and ideologies, while working to engage the American electorate. This project is unique in that it brings together individuals and institutions from a wide range of political inclinations. How will it work, you ask? Using the VoterWatch media player, some of the political sector’s best and brightest individuals and non-profit organizations will comment and blog within footage of the U.S. presidential debates (yes, we said within). For more information on the how this works be sure to visit our web site.
On September 26th (the date of the first presidential debate between Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain) and on the days following, Dick Morris, Cynthia McKinney and many others will be joining VoterWatch in providing their commentary and perspective surrounding the debates. Be sure to stay tuned over the next week as we roll out more information on this important initiative!
