Yes, I miss the weather, the Red Sox, apple-picking, my brother and my friends. But I’ve gotta say, I also miss the politics. It isn’t something that is discussed much here. And when it is, it becomes a bit of a teaching session where I try to explain American political process and theory to local Chinese or expats from other countries. And while I enjoy spouting off and being the know-it-all in the room, sometimes I just wish that there were others around who were literate and well-versed in these areas that I could clash with.
Hard-hitting political debates just aren’t that common here. The Guys With Guns tend to break them up when they get too loud.
Last week I caught the first Obama-McCain debate. It was in a cool bar near my apartment and there were about 25-30 of us in attendance. Most were Americans. It was a quiet affair, but it was probably the most at-home that I have felt since I arrived in Beijing. I look forward to a similar experience tomorrow for the Biden-Palin debate.
I consider myself an open-minded guy when it comes to who I will vote for, but I just can’t keep giving this lady any more chances. When she speaks, its like listening to a high school student in civics class try to muddle through a give-and-take with her teacher as she tries to cover up the fact that she hasn’t done the required class reading in a few weeks.
Matt Damon took the words right out of my mouth yesterday. Check out the frustration and fear in his eyes:
I have always liked Joe Biden. I can remember watching him give a speech in South Carolina back in early 2007 (when about 45 people were running for president, not just the crew that made it to the NH primary). He inspired me then and he is one of the most fun politicians to listen to today. Check out this exchange from the 1988 campaign. Its like Aaron Sorkin wrote it:
Now check out his side-by-side with Palin on Supreme Court rulings. WTF??!!!??? You mean somebody might actually pull the lever for the bumbling mental midget who can’t name a single Supreme Court case other than Roe v. Wade over the guy who speaks knowledgeably about enumerated powers and has overseen THOUSANDS of hours of hearings in Congress about such matters?
‘Nuff ‘Ced.
October 6th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Yes - it is truly unbelievable. Thanks for some background on Biden. This last debate was really the first time I have heard him speak for an extended period, and he was really good, almost too presidential. I wonder if Obama picked him for just a little bit of a comfort factor for himself (this guy’s not gonna let me get off track.) Yeah, this acceptance of Palin as a legitimate candidate is outrageous. As a woman, I will say, part of me did not want to her to absolutely humiliate herself in that debate, but in a way just here existence at all on this stage is a humiliation to all women.
November 23rd, 2008 at 3:34 am
That clip of Biden from 1988 cuts right to the heart of not only the Democratic party’s troubles but also politics itself. What a wonderfully powerful and eloquent speaker.
As I saw more and more of Biden during the campaign I have to say I’ve become a big fan, not only because he’s an outstanding politician but also because he’s genuine, un-spun and always speaking his mind. He makes me think what politics must’ve been like before cable news, where politicians were crusaders and could stand up and express to people their anxieties and hopes clearly and with purpose, not just through soundbites.
The vice-presidential debate brought that home quit strongly when he talked about his family and he almost cracked up a little when talking about his sons. It was an insight into a man with principals and a good heart. When Palin next spoke I was already ready to strangle her with her swaggering insinuating attitude and false smile. Her voice just grates on the nerves because it’s hard to believe anyone like her could even rise to the state legislature, let alone Governor or Vice-President. The GOP’s hope that she’s the next torch-carrier for conservatism is laughable; I almost hope she does well just so I can watch her crash and burn.