Keller @ Large: Don't Pardon The Interruptions
BOSTON (CBS) - Did you stay up to watch the vice-presidential debate Tuesday night?
If you didn't, I could give you the full flavor of it if I had someone here interrupting me every five seconds, followed by me interrupting them, until any sane onlooker is bolting from the room in search of extra-strength headache medication.
Doesn't that sound like fun?
I expect that quickie polls and focus groups will give an edge to Mike Pence. He was smoother than Tim Kaine, who took the prize for most aggressive interruptions, and delivered superior mournful head-shaking.
But for many of the all-important undecided voters, I suspect, this was like planting them in a chair between two TVs, one blaring a Trump rally and the other blaring Clinton.
These VP debates never have much real impact on the presidential race, and this one was likely no exception.
But perhaps it did serve a purpose that might linger long after this debate is completely forgotten, which will probably be Thursday.
Maybe what happened will persuade some of the reflexive interrupters among us to reassess their nasty habit. When you constantly interrupt, you convey contempt for the interruptee, along with almost-certainly unwarranted arrogance about the importance and substance of your own thoughts.
Kaine was worse, but both men did themselves no favors with their failure to listen, as well as telegraphing disrespect for the moderator and, ultimately, the viewers.
I'd call for an end to that kind of thing, if I thought anyone was listening instead of planning their next interruption.
Listen to Jon's commentary: