Image by bobster855 via FlickrDuring the Delaware debate Christine O’Donnell was asked to name what recent Supreme Court decision did she disagree with. She was unable to answer the question. When Sarah Palin was interview by Katie Couric she was asked what magazines did she read and she was unable to respond. In a second interview, Christine O'Donnell asked her opinion where was the separation of church and state outlined in the Constitution. Most recently, Sharon Angle, Nevada Republican party candidate for Senate, debated Democrat Harry Reid. Her most famous lines from the debate were "man up Harry Reid" and her inquiry about how Harry Reid got rich during his time as a Senator. Reporters say Sharron Angle "won" the debate.
Here's what Nevada reporter Jon Ralston said about the debate:
Let's get the easy part out of the way first:
Sharron Angle won The Big Debate.
Angle won because she looked relatively credible, appearing not to be the Wicked Witch of the West (Christine O'Donnell is the good witch of the Tea Party) and scoring many more rhetorical points. And she won because Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid looked as if he could barely stay on a linear argument, abruptly switching gears and failing to effectively parry or thrust.
Whether the debate affects the outcome - I believe very few Nevadans are undecided - it also perfectly encapsulated the race: An aging senator who has mastered the inside political game but fundamentally does not seem to care about his public role (and is terrible at it) versus an ever-smiling political climber who can deliver message points but sometimes changes her message or denies a previous one even existed.
It seems that Republican legislators and candidates can reveal their ignorance while avoiding the issues. They spout catchy phrases like Mama Bear Sarah Palin but not explain their extreme stance on abolishing Social Security, Depts. of Energy and Education, and the Veterans Administration. They can run from the press and reinvent themselves in political ads sponsored by the millions of dollars provided by corporations and the rich. They can make racists statements and share racists emails, i.e. Carl Pallidino, etc. They never answer what the plan is to address issues after the election. but, why should they when voters are just plain mad and seem ready to throw the bums out. They can trash the unemployed as "lazy" and withhold their approval of unemployment benefits.
Low expectations support Tea Party ignorance and will give us just what we ask for in the coming election.
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