Those are my eyes staring at you. They allow me to see you clearly through this screen. No, don't click there, it will take you away from my online space.
Let me start again, I am Wyatt and I am a software engineer. I am also a process theologian, author, music hipster, struggling artist who enjoys thinking outside of your finitude. I am not as pretentious as that line makes me sound. If you have some spare time read more about me.
The expectations that you have for this debate will surely decide your reaction to it.
If you have been paying attention, you will know that Palin is actually a considerably good debater. Even though 6 in 10 Americans do not think she is ready to be vice president, she will probably come out strengthening the shrinking base of McCain supporters. She will do this by providing listeners with vague answers and dropping religious language in what she says, also she will do this by sounding sure of herself. This sounds counter productive if you are trying to educate viewers about your policies. However, the genius of this tactic is that many viewers will project themselves and your branding into the gaps of your message.
Branding is a powerful tool in these debates, Biden will likely try to brand Palin as being aligned with Bush. Bush, who currently has a 70% disapproval rating if you are a democrat, or 30% approval rating if you are republican. Therefore, this is a fair move by him. He will also talk about how the policies her and McCain support are out of touch with the middle class. Palin, on the other hand will surely get personal and try to brand Biden as being liberal and possibly as somehow sexist.
I also predict that Palin will misspeak and get facts wrong. These will be landmines for Biden, who if he responds will immediately get branded as an elite who is out of touch. Watch for this, as I am almost certain Biden will end up stepping on one of them.
Biden will mess up tomorrow by believing that Palin does know things about the economy or the world. He will most likely say "come on, you expect us to believe that." This will most likely be countered by Palin with a one liner about how Biden sounds flustered, as she also tries to brand him as an old man.
Both candidates have been preparing, Palin much more than Biden. However, she has lower expectations on her side, as she has not presented herself as an intelligent person these last few weeks. It may sound odd, but you want people to be expecting less of you when you go into this debate. The media will have an easy sound bite, "she did much better than I expected." Also, not sounding intelligent appeals to any anti-intellectual who will be voting.
I think a fascinating part of the debate will be to see how each tries to gain support from their respective religious base. Biden will likely try to bring in support from Catholics in this country, while Palin will speak to Evangelicals. The religious language that they will invoke is what interests me the most. The religious language will likely fly under the radar of many people, but if you read the transcript you are sure to find some suggestive messages.
There is no doubt that this debate will be an important indicator on whether Obama will win by narrow margins or by a landslide. If Biden is able to ignore Palin and deliver his message with little debate then he will be the victor and the momentum from last weeks debate will carry through to the election. However, if Palin is able to fluster Biden, or somehow know something he didn't know, then the momentum will stop and the polls today will likely be how the election will turn out. At this point in the game though, most people have already made up their mind.
Are you registered to vote? If you are not registered or do not plan on voting I would like to hear your reason below.