A draw is a win, in modern debate.

As Obama scored well on McCain’s foreign policy night, Palin didn’t make any infamous gaffes tonight.  So Palin will be perceived as winner by many, I deem, by the current Bush-level of debate judgment. 

Not much else will come out of it, though Biden was much better on unrehearsed actual policy, experience and fact.  Compare to the ‘84 Bush-Ferraro debate, you’ll realize how content-free the Palin side of the debate was.  That won’t matter, for many, ‘gosh darn it.’

That Biden single-parent choke-up moment was unrehearsed and powerful.  It was the only answer to the Palin ‘motherhood’ challenge: Having been made a single dad by tragedy is at least equally qualifying experience to motherhood for being VP, ‘doggone it.’

I feel Biden won, but I also feel that no minds that are already made up will be changed by this debate.

Speaking for myself specifically ...  please, God, no more politicians who pronounce “nucular.” I physically winced every single time. Is it elitist to ask that English be pronounced properly in a professional setting?  I sure as shootin’ (in Palinesque-speak) don’t think so. Yet Mrs Palin freely used it as if it were a badge of courage (among many other badges of courage).  If you’re for better education, SPEAK THE GODDAMN LANGUAGE CORRECTLY.  Otherwise, you’re just promoting greater ignorance. 

And one more thing, while I’m on the subject ... if you’re going to swear, swear and be damned.  “Doggone” means “to damn.” These watered-down pseudo-folksy ‘socially acceptable’ exclamations were maddeningly cloying.  Reminds me of a guy I knew in school whose momma didn’t want him to swear, and shouted vegetables when he was angry: “Oh, CAULIFLOWER.” Tonight was just as silly, IMHO.  If anyone’s buying this yuk-yuk folksy false-populist garbage, they’re fools.  Have the integrity and courage to drop the disingenuously delivered verbal crutches, and have a stunning comeback instead.

MODERATORS FOR FUTURE DEBATES:  I AM OUTRAGED, AND DEMAND TWO QUESTIONS.  ONE. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF GUANTANAMO BAY AND WHAT THE CONTINUED USE OF THIS PRISON CAMP SAYS TO THE WORLD ABOUT AMERICA’S SUPPOSED EXCEPTIONALISM?  TWO. WHERE DO YOU STAND ON HABEAS CORPUS, AND THE CURRENT INTERPRETATIONS AND ALTERATIONS THEREOF?  I WANT TO HEAR THE ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS DIRECTLY FROM THE MOUTHS OF THESE CANDIDATES.