I got to attend the VP debate - there was a lottery for student tickets, and I had #482 out of 521 allowed in. I think the most exciting part was actually standing around inside the security perimeter before entering the building, among all sorts of VIPs. I actually wished I watched more TV, because I could hardly recognize anyone, though, even when their companions were calling them “Senator.” Luckily I ran into a med school friend (who had a real ticket through family connections) and he pointed people out. We wound up standing right next to the Daily Show crew while John Oliver interviewed another Senator I didn’t recognize. John Oliver was very nice and let me snap a picture of my friend with him.

We also were standing right on the edge of the sidewalk while Joe Lieberman’s entourage passed. He greeted us very pleasantly, while one of his bodyguards knocked a cameraman out of the way (I’m pretty sure it was accidental, but it was still funny).

Inside the debate hall, I had an “obstructed view” seat and they weren’t kidding - I could see the moderator’s desk (but she herself was obscured by a camera) and nothing else. Also, it was really freaking cold in there.

Nonetheless, impressions:

• I didn’t have to see Palin to be annoyed by her smirk. It comes through loud and clear. Good Lord.
• maverick and 4 billion dollar tax cut for Exxon Mobil tied in the no-one-cares-but-we-can’t-think-of-anything-else contest
• I love how the change Washington needs comes in the form of a man who’s been in the Senate longer than I’ve been alive and a George W. Bush with lipstick on
• fairly impressed that Palin knows the name of the US commander in Afghanistan*, especially since Biden (who brought him up) didn’t seem to
• although both candidates basically held up garlic and crosses at the idea of gay marriage they were both adamant about equal civil rights otherwise. Obviously we still have far to go, but I think that’s great progress in not too long a time.
• nucular? Again? Seriously? Come on, you can’t say “doggone” AND “darn right” AND “you guys” AND “up there in Alaska” AND “nucular”. I guess the put-on folksiness worked pretty well for GWB though.
• by far the biggest laugh line of the night was Palin’s crack about a joke that must have fallen flat because nobody got it - unfortunately I couldn’t actually hear what she said, but assume she must have been poking fun at Biden.
• I wish Biden would have said he voted for the war because Bush & Co misrepresented the evidence rather than trying to pretend that he voted for peacekeeping powers or something instead of a war.
• obviously after the Katie Couric interview somebody told Palin she doesn’t have to fully answer every question. Given that, it was brilliant for her to come out and say that she wasn’t necessarily going to answer the questions the moderator asked but talk about what the American people want to hear. Though I did wish she’d answer the questions!
• I could tell Palin was flagging by the end when she sort of fizzled out on her answer and then said “so, um, yeah, I agree…” She’s going to be embarrassed when she has to listen to that on tape.
• Overall I thought both did quite well and I don’t see this changing very much in the race.

Oh, I also have to mention that on my way through the security checkpoint, I asked the Secret Service officer if I should remove my belt before passing through the metal detector. He responded, very pleasantly: “Ma’am, this isn’t an airport.” We all got to keep our shoes, too.

*I am informed that she actually got the name wrong - it’s McKiernan not McClellan. Eh, I’m willing to call that a slip of the tongue - she didn’t say Petraeus or even MacArthur.

Posted by Amanda in Politics |