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Car Crash

Waiting to happen. Boston Herald re the Great Palin-Biden Debate ‘08: 

Tonight’s first and only TV debate between Sarah Palin and Joe Biden is a high-stakes clash that could change the dynamic of the White House race as viewers flock to watch - some lured by the odds of an embarrassing gaffe or misstep.

“It’s like a NASCAR race where some people tune in to see a crash. I think there’s some element of that here,” said Rice University politicial science professor Paul Brace.

For Palin, the challenge is to draw upon her popular appeal - and avoid any deer-in-the-headlights moments - to lift up Republican John McCain’s sagging effort, pundits said.

National polls show the Arizona senator losing ground in recent days as economic fears grip the nation. An Associated Press poll released yesterday showed Democrat Barack Obama with a seven-point lead nationally while a new CNN/Time magazine poll showed Obama opening leads in crucial battleground states.

“I would say Gov. Palin’s credibility is at stake,” said Larry Rasky, a Hub political operative and adviser to Biden. “I think there’s probably more pressure on her than on Sen. Biden. I’m sure they’re hoping for Gov. Palin to exceed expectations.”

But for Biden - mocked by critics as a “gaffe machine” - observers say there is a danger of an off-the-cuff slip that dominates the next media cycle or rambling responses.

“My friend Joe Biden has a tendency to talk forever and sometimes say stuff that’s kind of stupid,” said Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill, one of Obama’s most prominent surrogates.

Yeah, well, I’m going with diabolical plot. Unless it turns out to be an unmitigated disaster. But I’m not the only one who thinks the last couple of weeks could prove to be a Godsend. 

GOP activist and former Bay State lieutenant governor candidate Jim Rappaport said the financial crisis has “taken the wind out of (McCain’s) sails” and that the debate is a chance for Palin to come up big again.

“Simply, she’s got to not drool and look like an idiot,” Rappaport said. “The good news is the liberal media has so bashed her that expectations are so low. If she does well, what she can do is create another sense of excitement. That really adds the needed energy that McCain needs.”

Here’s the Herald’s Marjorie Eagan on Biden’s jabbering:

My fellow Obamites - don’t gloat too soon.

The VP debate plot thickens. The Palin expectations are so low - and the piling on her so intense - Joltin’ Joe Biden could blow it yet.

I’m extremely nervous.

Google Biden. What comes up? “Gaffes.” By the hundreds.

Some recent hits:

On the financial crisis, Biden said that when the stock market crashed in 1929, “FDR got on television” and explained it all to America. Alas, Herbert Hoover was president then and there were no TVs.

“Hillary Clinton is as qualified or more qualified than I am to be vice president,” Biden just said in New Hampshire. That was really reassuring.

“Chuck, stand up, let the people see you,” Biden shouted to a party official at a campaign rally before realizing - whoops - the official was a paraplegic. “Oh, God love ya,” Biden said. “What am I talking about?”

Actually, he handled that one graciously and artfully. Tougher was when he referred to Obama, on the very day Biden was chosen veep, as “Barack America.” And called John McCain “George.” And said a person needed an Indian accent to go to Dunkin’ Donuts or a 7-Eleven. So little space, so many more: he said he is running for president (not vice president); he confused Army brigades with battalions; he referred to Palin as Alaska’s lieutenant governor and to Obama himself as “articulate and bright and clean.” As opposed, I guess, to tongue-tied, dumb and dirty.

And Biden does have that bloviating tendency to go on, and on, in a lecturing, finger-pointing, podium pounding Oracle of Delphi style which, facing a woman, could seem condescending. Basically, it’s hard for Biden to shut up.

Which means it might not be one of those dramatic, high-speed multi-color flameout NASCAR crashes at all. Could be more like this:

Or this:

Or this:

You know, not that spectacular. Just kind of dumb and embarrassing.

Topics: cars, pols

  Posted by Jules Crittenden at 1:50 am on Thursday, October 2, 2008

One Response to “Car Crash”

1. RebeccaH Says:
   October 2nd, 2008 at 7:49 pm

   And probably pretty funny as well.

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