Why tonight’s debate is for entertainment purposes only
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Consider this an open-thread to tonight’s debate.
Regardless, there is only one reason we’re all watching tonight, right? It’s for the train wreck.
We’re either hopeful Joe Biden pulls a “Joe Biden” that even Joe Biden would be proud of. In other words — we’re looking for the gaffe of the century.
Or, we’re wondering whether Sarah Palin’s mastery of Stare Decisis equates to other policy measures.
Or, we’re contemplating if Gwen Ifill, in the middle of the debate, responds to a Biden rebuttal with an emphatic “Yes we can!”
Somehow, despite my fingers being crossed, I suspect we will see none of the above.
Ergo, tonight won’t matter. As it hasn’t for any vice presidential debate in more than forty years.
Which leads to the question: Does the vice presidency even matter?
Of course it does, but over at Doug’s, he’s got an interesting post about it.
on 
Yes, it matters. It’s the only thing blocking Speaker Nancy Pelosi from the Presidency.
JR,
Normally you’d be right and the choice of VP wouldn’t really matter. But this election is different because of Sara Palin.
She has galvanized a lot of voters who just aren’t in love with McCain, especially with the extreme Christian conservatives who don’t like McCain’s liberal views on certain issues.
The pundits haven’t had to look hard to find voters who are voting for McCain because Palin’s on the ticket.
So, I think tonight’s debate is important. She’s still an unknown quantity. And I don’t think the American public can really make an informed choice until they’ve had a better look at her.
Brian,
I know JR Hoeft… JR Hoeft is a friend of mine… and you sir, are no JR Hoeft
I’d say Cheney’s significance and influence the last 8 years is a pretty strong example of why the vice presidency matters.
The Cheney argument implies that the Top of this ticket can be influenced that much by the VP… McCain is NO Bush…
The argument that McCain is another Bush is asinine and foolish.
Don’t forget the live blog starting over at Shad Plank right now.
And not one I’m making. Though in policy they may be very similar, in knowledge and malleablility they are not. But whoever serves as our next president will not be dictator-for-life (despite what the right considers as the left’s adoration of Obama). And, in general, if Cheney has demonstrated anything, its that the VP can be as powerful as he wants and the president allows him to be.
[...] my analysis from BEFORE the debate: There is only one reason we’re all watching tonight, right? It’s for [...]