The windy conditions that Americans woke up to this morning was the Rethuglican political establishment's exhale of relief that Gov. Who? didn't blow the debate. She didn't answer some questions or gave answers that had no bearing on the question, but she kept going and grinning through as if she was pumped with a mood enhancer, tossing off some "you betchas" and "doggone its" along the way. Didn't she look like a peppy cheerleader running for class president of Moosejaw High at times? Most of her responses sounded like they'd been prepared and rehearsed, but she managed to get them off with a mininum of stumbling.
Both the CNN and CBS polls after the debate showed that Sen. Biden clearly won the debate in the eyes of the viewers; CNN had him winning 51 to 39 percent, and CBS had him winning by an even larger 46 to 21 spread. As for readiness to be President, a whopping 87 percent said Biden was, while only 42 percent said Gov. Who? was.
Biden was pitch perfect in his staying on message, providing a commanding and passionate presence on stage, and avoiding any awkward or sexist moments. When he choked up talking about the tragedy in his family over 30 years ago, you knew what he meant. By centering on the middle class and what people "talk about around the kitchen table" he connected with the swing state voters who are feeling the huge economic pinch now.
