Field Day!

There are pundits who are calling last night a victory for Sarah Palin. It's tough for me to disagree considering she did "crush" expectations. There were no long pauses or embarrassing gaffes -- unless of course you consider that she thought the current lead general in Afghanistan was this guy to be a gaffe -- and she stood toe-to-toe with Ol' Joe. But, this is exactly what I predicted on this blog yesterday. I never expected her to wilt under the spotlight. I didn't expect her to thrive, either, but I didn't tune in last night expecting to see a train wreck.

Sarah Palin SHOULD get some kind of award for her performance last night. Just like when I was in elementary school and we had "Field Day" EVERYONE got some kind of award. Even in the "Long Run" (I'm picturing about a 800 meter event) the fat girl that couldn't finish got a ribbon. Why? Because we didn't want anyone to feel bad. At least they tried. At least they PARTICIPATED.

On the day after the debate, however, I'm hesitant even to bestow Sarah Palin with such an honor. The Governor of the state closest to Russia and Santa Clause didn't participate in the debate last night. She didn't answer the questions and even told the moderator that she was only going to answer the questions when she wanted to. Palin didn't know McCain's record - Biden did, but Palin didn't - didn't know one issue where she is different than the Bush Administration, couldn't think of one Achilles Heel that she suffers from (does she know what the term means?), and couldn't name one mistake she's ever made. From her perspective, she's been perfect.

What bothered me is not her complete lack of knowledge of any important issue -- except maybe the fact that Alaska has something to do with energy and reducing taxes is tantamount to putting the economy into a microwave ("He's Heating UP!") -- but her smugness in it all. In Palin's mind it's better to sound like you just got your G.E.D. than to act knowledgeable on the issues. Her failure to answer the questions as presented was probably frustrating to both Biden and moderator Gwen Ifel. How can you have a debate when one of the two parties refuses to participate?

What is more terrifying, however, is to think what kind of world leader would Palin really be. Let's say that she is meeting with Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Can we imagine the conversation?

Harper: What are your thoughts on the significant changes to NAFTA that the Democratic Congress is proposing in order to protect workers in America.
Palin: That's interesting. Have you heard that I cut taxes while I was mayor of Wasilla?
Harper: No, Mrs. Palin. I was talking about NAFTA. The North American Free Trade Agreement. There is some concern that Democrats are pushing for a renegotiation of NAFTA. Are you and Mr. McCain going to cave to such pressure?
Palin: Energy! Alaska! Pipeline! I know ENERGY!

So, the participation award for last night goes to Biden alone. He didn't win, but only because he was the only competitor.