As I get older and a bit more cynical, I tend to focus on how the conversation is being manipulated by the right, and particularly by Drudge and Fox news.
Joe Biden had a clear edge tonight in terms of responsiveness passion and clarity. He repeatedly put Ryan's feet to the fire, and for the most part effectively defended the administration.
If you read Drudge or listen to the fox assemblage, you would have thought that he was a crazy lunatic just a few months from entry into the Alzheimers ward. Check it out.
Http://video.foxnews.com/v/1895342867001/vp-debate-winner-biden-or-ryan
As a progressive, I believe that my side has the moral high ground on many issues. We tend to support empowerment of all of the people, and tend to put our trust into commonality and common goals.
But we do not have our own television network, or effective 24 hour propaganda machine. MSNBC? Eh. Huffpost? Blech.
These guys control the conversation. It can be a bit mind boggling. Tonight, it is not about the substance of the debate, it is Joe's smirk. Trust me, if Joe had not smiled, the meme would have been focused elsewhere. His age? anything. Not only do they control the conversation, but they all act in unison. The powerful repubs at Fox decide what the correct response to any situation is, and then they go for it.
Trust me, no matter what you and I think, tomorrow's headline will be about "crazy Joe".
Until the left wakes up, the drooling masses watching TV will believe and do as they are told. With the media cacophony, I am shocked progressives ever win anything!!
Watching Nate silver's site begin to degrade Obama's chances, I am struck by the feeling of almost inevitability of the reversal.
I am not really crying on the ledge. No that was when Bush Senior won, then Bush Junior. I have long ago given in to the idea that my guys do not win nearly as often as I would like!! '
Anyway, take heart, it is only four years!! Imagine countries where hopes for a bright future are clouded by fixed elections and no term limits on dictators. We have it relatively good here, despite having to swallow the prospect of our richest ever president and an Ayn Rand disciple standing in the wings.