"Facts matter."
Sen. Joe Biden said those words to Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin about halfway into the one and only vice-presidential debate last week.
I watched the debate with a large, fired up contingent of Washington Women for Obama (and their families) at Sports Bar at Fisher Plaza. The atmosphere was festive: Biden signs from the Democratic Convention were evident throughout the crowd. The overflow crowd stood watching the numerous plasma screens. New voters were registered, yard signs and bumperstickers were available, postcards to undecided women were penned, and the crowd was welcomed by 36th District Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles.
Most women came curious to observe Palin's depth and breadth of knowledge, and debate demeanor. Biden was expected to project competence, though media spin being what it is, we anticipated accusations of sexism no matter what.
Many of us came equipped with "Palin Bingo" cards. Cheers, howls and groans shot out whenever the anticipated words were uttered: Maverick, You Betcha, Drill, Wasilla, Outsider, Small Town, Gotcha Journalism, Reformer, Hockey Mom, Tax Relief, Bridge to Nowhere, Mayor, Suspend the Campaign. The crowd was not disappointed when Palin, right out of the box, mentioned that John McCain had "suspended his campaign" and was a "maverick." Groans also erupted whenever Palin used the Bush pronunciation of "nu-kyu-ler."
Whenever Palin disregarded the actual question that was asked by the moderator, the crowd took note. Whenever Biden crafted a concise reply with supporting facts, the crowd cheered. Cheers and applause also accompanied the times Biden skewered the McCain-Palin talking points, or turned their failed policies back on them, in their own words. Calling McCain's health care plan, with its tax on employer-paid health benefits, the "ultimate Bridge to Nowhere" for Americans was a masterful parry by Biden that was much appreciated by those assembled.
Midway into the debate, after hearing talking points instead of answers to questions, folksy expressions designed to appeal to an imaginary "Joe Six-Pack," Biden delivered the line of the evening: Facts matter. Facts matter because America is facing serious problems, and serious people need to rely on facts to solve them.
After Biden's proclamation that facts matter, it was jarring to hear Palin proclaim that, "John McCain knows how to win a war." Um, which war was that? Vietnam? Don't think so. Iraq? Mission NOT accomplished. Afghanistan? Hardly.
Another breathtaking disregard for facts was revealed when Palin asserted that she would seek more "flexibility" and power than Dick Cheney as VP. Biden was quick to cite the actual role of the Vice President as written in the Constitution. Cheers for the Constitution! Cheers for Obama/Biden who have read it!
When Joe Biden choked up at the mention of his wife and daughter's tragic car accident, it was no secret that he was seeing his son deployed for Iraq the next day. Biden's momentary loss of composure was profoundly humanizing and revealing of his character. It was gasp-worthy to this gathering of women that Palin had neither empathy nor reaction to Biden's moment.
A strong community of Biden supporters left Sports Bar fired up and ready to go.
Janis Traven is the Vice Chair, 36th District Democrats 36th District Coordinator, Washington Women for Obama
[[In-content Ad]]
