The Hill's reports always demand a quick shift into skeptical gear. But its view of the Coons-O'Donnell (and additional candidates') debate last night in Delaware is the only one I've seen so far. Here goes:
The forum was an early test for O'Donnell, who despite having run for federal office before has never endured anything close to the national media storm that has descended upon her since she defeated Castle on Tuesday.
At times the pressure showed, but O'Donnell appeared to hold her own Thursday despite the intense glare. She repeatedly emphasized her concerns over the growth of government and stressed "private-sector solutions" on a range of questions.......The forum was a study in the contrasting styles of Coons and O'Donnell. Coons appeared steady Thursday, if not a bit boring -- something that could actually prove an asset in this general election contest. He emphasized his experience as county executive while drawing contrasts between himself and O'Donnell without truly going on the attack.
"This race is not about ideology, but about ideas," he said. "Not about a narrow social agenda, but about who is going to fight to get this country back on track."
I can easily believe the Democratic candidate was "boring." That's been a problem for Democrats who suffer (I do too, do you?) from an inability to respond to Palin as though she were a real person. Certainly that would hold true for debating O'Donnell.
It's like being asked to have -- in public -- a normal conversation with Barbie or Ken. Impossible. You'd have to be a really good actor just to be "boring." As a friend of mine once said, "I laughed so hard the tears rolled down my legs."
