Friday, October 3, 2008

After the VP Debate

The New York Times Opinion page published an editorial after the VP debate last night. We think it is notable for two reasons: one, for for the truth it expresses about the debate and Ms. Palin's performance; and, two, for the words in which it expresses that truth. Its language so closely resembles the very words that American women have been writing to us this past month, that we thought it well worth quoting here:

"
We cannot recall when there were lower expectations for a candidate than the ones that preceded Sarah Palin’s appearance in Thursday night’s vice-presidential debate with Joseph Biden. After a series of stumbling interviews that raised serious doubts even among conservatives about her fitness to serve as vice president, Ms. Palin had to do little more than say one or two sensible things and avoid an election-defining gaffe.

By that standard, but only by that standard, the governor of Alaska did well. But Ms. Palin never really got beyond her talking points in 90 minutes, mostly repeating clichés and tired attack lines and energetically refusing to answer far too many questions....

...In the end, the debate did not change the essential truth of Ms. Palin’s candidacy: Mr. McCain made a wildly irresponsible choice that shattered the image he created for himself as the honest, seasoned, experienced man of principle and judgment. It was either an act of incredible cynicism or appallingly bad judgment."

Sound familiar? We thank you for sharing your own opinion of the McCain/Palin ticket with us, and we join you in trying to ensure their very necessary defeat this November.

VIVA!
The Eds.