People hear what they want to hear and so the campaigns really do little but reinforce what we want to believe about a candidate. I’ve tried to keep an open mind and truly listen to what these politicians are saying–knowing that much of it is just campaign finger-pointing, misstated information, and empty promises.
I do get something out of the face-offs, however, and that’s simply a better (slightly-better, since they’re still coached and prompted and groomed more than a defendant before a trial) feel for the people behind the speeches. In the vice-presidential debate, I felt that despite what I disagree with in Senator Biden’s historical stance and performance, he was a likely choice for the Democratic hopeful as he appears to me to have a reality and depth to him that overcomes what I see as Senator Obama’s often meaningless rhetoric. Governor Palin’s quick cramming of knowledge on policies may have been helpful to keep her from danger, but I do see a sense of commitment to her own values and beliefs that may shape her into a fine running mate for Senator McCain by offsetting his own often typical politician side.
When you’re out to win votes, you’re not going to be completely true to your heart and risk losing supporters. You’re going to give the people what they want to hear, and that’s what politics is all about. Despite that, I personally came away with a higher opinion of both Biden and Palin.
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