Politics/Debate
VP Debate a Capital Snooze-Fest
The fly, on the other hand, killed it
You know we’re in trouble when a fly on the head of sock-puppet, Mike Pence, is the most riveting element of a political debate. You have to give that fly credit, though: It knew shit when it saw it.
When the hell did we become so lackluster? So vanilla? And so damned politically correct that we can’t tell an opponent to “shut the F up” when they continue to natter on past their allotted time?
Who here didn’t cheer when Joe Biden finally lost it and told Trump to zip it during the recent Presidential debate?
USA Today’s Susan Page was as useless as Chris Wallace in her attempt to moderate the Vice Presidential debate last night. When Pence failed to answer nearly every question that was put to him, why weren’t his feet held to the fire? Isn’t that part of the moderator gig? To steer the course, so to speak? Granted, Senator Harris didn’t answer every question, either, but her attempt to convey vital information to the American people clearly and succinctly, beat the VP’s fumbling by a country mile.
What I found disappointing: “Mamala’s” failure to bring the fire and smack down the smirking Pence when the opportunity presented itself. And it did throughout the debate. As Pence continued to talk over her while dodging the most important questions of the night, she smiled graciously and responded with an “I’m speaking.”
Too nice, in my humble opinion. Too sweet. Too “girly.”
Senator Harris is no shrinking violet. And most certainly, her self-containment proved that she is one classy broad. And yes, she indeed won the debate. That said, one can’t help but wonder if she was advised to keep her cool so as not to come off as an “angry woman of color.”
This viewer, and voter, would have loved to see at least a modicum of anger. A flash of heat, you know? And what’s wrong with being an angry woman of color, anyway? We’re all pretty friggin’ angry. People of color. White people. Men and women. Let’s show it for God’s sake!
Also, why, when Pence dodged and weaved throughout the debate, why didn’t Senator Harris pose this to moderator Page, “Why is the Vice President allowed to disregard your questions?”
After all the months of shit and death and lies and deceit, don’t we deserve more? If nothing else, can’t we at least be entertained?
A half-hour in last night and I was ready to switch to Netflix, but I didn’t. That would have been wrong because if we turn away, if we pretend like everything is magically going to be “okay,” we’re no better than the sick bastard in the White House.
And then the fly came in for what will prove to be a historic landing. It perched on Pence’s perfectly-coiffed silver hair for what seemed like minutes. Pence gave no notice, lending credence to my belief that he, like First Son-In-Law, Jared Kushner, is actually dead. Dead and stuffed. Thanks to a well-paid taxidermist sequestered in a suite at Mar-A-Lago.
The most troubling question of the evening was the last, when Page asked Harris and Pence what would happen if Biden won and Trump refused to acknowledge his loss. Neither candidate offered up a straight answer.
Here’s what should happen: Trump, frog-marched out of the White House and straight to a prison cell.
With Pence and his fly close behind.
© Sherry McGuinn, 2020. All Rights Reserved.
Sherry McGuinn is a slightly-twisted, longtime Chicago-area writer and award-winning screenwriter. Her work has appeared in The Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, and numerous other publications. Sherry’s manager is currently pitching her newest screenplay, a drama with dark, comedic overtones and inspired by a true story.
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