October 2, 2008 9:00

The Vice Presidential Debate

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All times listed below are EST.

10:45 PM - MG - Overall: I thought Biden seemed knowledgable and intelligent and passionate and a bit mouthy, which, it just so happens, is pretty much what Joe Biden is. I thought Palin seemed like someone who knew basic Republican talking points--not just because she's crammed, but because she's part of a generation of a Republican politicians trained in basic Republican talking points--but not much more than that. And she did a perfectly good job of emphasizing some of the basic differences between the two tickets on Iraq. What I don't know is whether Average Americans will think she sounded like an Average American, and whether they would consider that a good thing. She did say "doggone it," so I guess that makes her folksy. We do seem to want our pilots to sound folksy--otherwise why would they all use that same Chuck Yeager accent?--so maybe we want our Vice Presidents to sound folksy too. But most of all, I hope that 7-year-old girl doesn't drop the baby.

10:41 PM - JP - My wrapup: Biden didn't call Palin an offensive name; Palin didn't do Tina Fey doing Tina Palin. By the negative frame in which this debate was set, both candidates succeeded at not doing what they needed not to do. Or something like that.

10:39 PM - KT - Wrapup post:

Palin didn¹t make any big mistakes, but she also didn¹t reassure that she could handle the presidency. She was earnest and well-prepared.

Biden was as good - and as human - as he has ever been. If we have to pick a winner, it’s Biden.

At least, that¹s what the CEOs seem to think.

10:34 PM - MG - My wife makes an excellent point: Isn't it past that baby's bedtime? Ours was kind enough to fall asleep around 8:58 p.m.

10:33 PM - KT - @JP: They are loving Joe Biden. They are also loving the guy who is pouring the wine.

10:31 PM - JP - @KT: How did the CEOs like Biden's saying he's not running to help out the CEOs?

10:30 PM - MG - This closing statement sounds like she's giving a speech to the College Republicans. We're going to fight for America! We're proud of America! Our freedoms are at risk! It's really amateur hour. And since I think that, the pundits will undoubtedly declare that she's hit a home run, and McCain will skyrocket in the polls.

10:29 PM - JP "I like being able to answer these tough questions without the filter of the mainstream media." Or Katie Couric asking me for those stupid specific examples!

10:27 PM - JP - "Having just spent 90 minutes attacking your opponent's running mate, how would you change the tone in Washington?"

10:27 PM - KT - @JP: I was thinking the same thing. Wonder if my mom and my aunt, sitting somewhere near the front of the audience, got the reference. (And where are those crowd shots?)

10:25 PM - MG - Just curious: What does Joe Biden think was Jesse Helms's benign motivation for being a vile racist?

10:24 PM - KT - @KT: Also—unless I misheard again—one that referenced the tragedy with his wife and subsequently raising his son. But I wasn't clear if he mentioned it in a way that you would know that, unless you already knew that story. Maybe I missed something while typing.

10:24 PM - MG - Pro-America! Pro-democracy! Pro-freedom! Pro-reform? Is this really what Joe Sixpack wants to hear? I have to doubt it. I don't think Joe Sixpack is that vapid.

10:24 PM - JP - Biden clearly spent a long time listening in on that conversation at that kitchen table.

10:24 PM - KT - @JP: It was his best, most authentic answer.

10:23 PM - JP - Sarah Palin has a bracelet too. And it says, "Greed and corruption on Wall Street."

10:21 PM - JP - Maybe I misheard, but did Biden just claim he was a victim of anti-male sexism here?

10:19 PM - JP - The CNN chyron says Gwen Ifill's question was "What is your real Achilles heel as a candidate?" Which is good, because I couldn't figure out what she was asking when she asked it. Also, isn't that basically up there with, "Where do you see yourself in five years?"

10:18 PM - JP - "Say it ain't so, Joe, there you go again, you're pointing fingers back..." I think we just witnessed the mythical Triple Zinger!

10:18 PM - KT - HUGE applause from the women CEOs on Biden’s line about Cheney being the most dangerous VP in history. You’d think they would like a unitary executive.

10:14 PM - MG - Another pet peeve: Why shouldn't we look back at the past? I'd say the last eight years are pretty relevant right now. What's the line about how the past isn't even past?

10:13 PM - KT - Palin on Biden’s wife being a teacher: “Her reward is in Heaven.” Christie Hefner: “Yeah, we don’t want to raise their salaries on Earth.”

10:12 PM - MG - I keep thinking of that fantasy debate scene from The West Wing where the empty-suit candidate keeps mouthing talking points and Jeb Bartlett jumps in and says: And then what? Again, I know I'm a horrible sexist and elitist and knowledgist for saying this, but I have no idea how Sarah Palin would answer that question after she finishes her talking points. She seems like she's crammed pretty well. And she's given some reasonable answers, like she just did with that line about how she differs with McCain about ANWR. But: And then what?

10:11 PM - JP - "Say it ain't so, Joe, there you go again, you're pointing fingers back..." I think we just witnessed the mythical Triple Zinger!

10:09 PM - JP - Palin segues from uncomfortable talk of McCain's hypothetical death to "I intend to keep pushing him on ANWR." But don't push him too hard! You might kill him!

10:09 PM - KT - Waaaayyy too much talk about John McCain dying.

10:07 PM - JP - I recall reading that Sarah Palin was planning on attacking Biden heavily. Doesn't seem like it to me. And Biden emphatically doesn't want to attack Palin. So we have two people arguing vociferously about two people who are not in the room.

10:07 PM - KT - John McCain “knows how to win a war.” Has anyone told her he was in Vietnam?

10:06 PM - JP - I guess this is what happens when you have three Senators on the national tickets, but "I held hearings" is not a compelling stump line.

10:03 PM - JP - Rwanda gets Biden engaged in a way few things have in this debate. I know the general plan was probably to get him to dial it down to 3 or 4, but he works better up at 8 or 9.

10:03 PM - MG - Once again, look at those trend lines: the undecided voters loved what Biden said about stopping genocide in Darfur.

Seriously, do you think they're really undecided, or did they just want to be on TV?

10:02 PM - MG - "I admit I was the first one to recommend it." And thus prevented genocide. Manfully admitted, Joe! (I do like calling you Joe.)

10:01 PM - JP - @MG & KT: Yeah, I'm sure the Afghanistan line must be effective in some circles. But politically, don't you want your guy to say that we've spent more on 3 weeks in Iraq than we've spent on [x number of health-care policies or other thing the voter likes]?

9:59 PM - MG - Wow. Is that true that we spend more in 3 weeks in Iraq than we've spent in 6 years in Afghanistan? I've never finished a sixpack in my life and I didn't know that.

9:59 PM - KT - @MG: Depends which finger.

9:56 PM - KT - @JP: Are we back to comparing bracelets?

9:55 PM - MG - Will someone please tell me what is wrong with finger-pointing? I'm a huge believer in finger-pointing. I've written about this in the past:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/17/AR2006021702497.html

9:55 PM - JP - You know, it occurs to me that a lot of people who know more than I do will parse the foreign-policy answers. But I have a feeling, after the last week, the salient concern in the McCain camp is that Palin be seen on stage by millions of people using the names of a lot of foreign countries and leaders, and pronouncing them correctly.

9:53 PM - JP - Two American politicians who agree they love Israel on the same stage?! What are the odds?

9:53 PM - JP - @KT: What, they didn't dispatch Carly Fiorina to the powerful-women conference to even out the cheering sections?

9:52 PM - KT - Lots of applause here on Biden’s government of Spain line.

9:51 PM - MG - The Spain flap is just a wonderful example of the McCain campaign in action. McCain clearly misheard a question, or thought the interviewer was talking about some Latin American leftist, or whatever. But when you're obsessed with news cycles, you can't admit a mistake. So the kooks around McCain say hell yeah, he meant exactly what he said. And so a non-wingnut politician gets committed to wingut policies.

9:51 PM - JP - Love all the talk about Spain in this year's debates. Takes me back to 1898.

9:49 PM - MG - I can't speak for Joe Sixpack, but I'd be OK if I never heard the words "passion" and "Kissinger" in the same sentence ever again.

9:49 PM - JP - Palin somehow makes "dictators—who hate America!" sound like such a friendly line.

9:46 PM - KT - Sarah Palin is way better at pronouncing Ahmadinejad than McCain is.

9:46 PM - JP - Check "stinking corpse" off to-do list.

9:46 PM - MG - I know I shouldn't be watching those ridiculous CNN lines, but did you see the women get happy when Biden started talking about the central front of the war being outside Iraq?

9:43 PM - MG - Warning: More substance. I hate it when politicians say they're going to do whatever the generals say. Even Bush says this, and to his credit, things have improved in Iraq since he stopped doing whatever his generals were saying and found a new set of generals who would change course. You wouldn't say you'd do whatever the assistant labor secretary says. Why would you commit to following any advisor's advice?

9:40 PM - KT - Did Sarah Palin just go beyond McCain’s position on civil rights for gays? I think so.

9:37 PM - JP - Wait, so equal benefits for same-sex couples sometimes undermines the definition of marriage... except in Alaska? Does cold make people more heterosexual?

9:34 PM - JP - Men in focus-dial group like line "Drill, baby, drill!" much better than women. I leave you to draw your own conclusions.

9:33 PM - JP - Further to that earlier point about climate change: Palin can give precisely the same answer she gave Couric here, but it sounds much more confident and less nervous in this venue.

9:32 PM - JP - But will "I don't want to argue about the details" work as an answer about the dinosaurs?

9:31 PM - MG - Warning: Substance alert. I'm sorry, I know we're supposed to be respectful, and I know she's proud to be Joe Sixpack, but that is a RIDICULOUS answer about global warming. It obviously matters what causes global warming, because if it's caused by the Boston terriers that are currently curled up on my floor, then we ought to do something about them, and if it's caused by nature, then there isn't a damn thing we can do about it, but if it's caused by carbon emissions, then that's on us, and we better do something about carbon emissions.

9:31 PM - JP - I think Sarah Palin is giving—at least at the beginning—the verbatim same answer on global warming she gave Katie Couric.

9:30 PM - JP - Oooh, East Coast politicians! Note to Palin: Pennsylvania and Virginia are East Coast states.

9:29 PM - MG - KT: I'd say reasonable people can disagree about the bangs. But that jacket? It looks like curtains dipped in nuclear waste.

9:28 PM - KT - Wish they would show more crowd shots. My mom and my Aunt Eileen are sitting somewhere near the front.

9:28 PM - JP - @KT: And I like Joe's sexy crow's feet.

9:27 PM - JP - Fannie and Freddie were rearing their heads! Just like Putin! I bet they saw it first in Alaska.

9:27 PM - KT - @MG: I also like Sarah Palin’s bangs.

9:26 PM - JP - Free money for everybody, just like in Alaska! Now you're talking!

9:26 PM - KT - @MG: And by the way, I LIKE Gwen’s jacket.

9:25 PM - MG - That's clever of Biden to align himself and Obama with Palin's windfall profit tax. I also enjoyed the way Palin said she would have supported the bailout with the enthusiasm of a kid being sent to the principal's office.

9:23 PM - JP - On CNN, focus-dial groups don't respond well at all to attack lines. Which makes me doubt dial groups that much more. What will we have for dial groups in 2012? Will they be plugged in directly through USB ports in their heads?

9:22 PM - KT - Shalala on Biden’s health care answer: “Nailed it.” Women in this room erupted in cheers. Who knew there were so many Democratic CEOs?

9:20 PM - JP - Check "Bridge to Nowhere" joke off to-do list.

9:20 PM - MG - OK, Joe--can I call you Joe?--that may be fairness. But it is, in fact, redistribution, no matter what you call it in Scranton.

9:18 PM - MG - She's got to stop laughing at her own zingers. And she's got to take those bangs to the Tresseme hair salon.

9:17 PM - KT - Biden: I posted too soon. Six mentions of the middle class in one answer.

9:17 PM - JP - And the race to say "middle class" more than the other guy is on!

9:16 PM - JP - Biden seems to have been effectively coached to keep his responses as uninteresting as possible.

9:16 PM - KT - Biden: Three mentions of the middle class in one answer. So far.

9:15 PM - KT - Palin’s first shot at Gwen: I may not answer the questions as you or the moderator want to hear...

Gwen: Okay, our time is up here...

Don’t mess with the moderator

9:14 PM - MG - "I may not respond to the questions the way you want as a moderator," which in this case means, "I may not respond to the questions at all." I guess she credits chutzpah credit. (Having just read the Yiddish Policeman's Union, I know that chutzpah is an Alaskan phrase.)

9:14 PM - JP - Sarah Palin boldly vows to not answer the moderator's questions, if that's what it takes to talk straight to the American people!

9:13 PM - MG - How many times are you allowed to repeat the $42,000 lie before you become a liar?

9:13 PM - KT - Loud guffaws at “darn right.” Donna Shalala notes that neither one is paying any attention to the questions.

9:13 PM - JP - Did anyone add "Darn right!" to the drinking game rules?

9:10 PM - MG - Good for Sarah Palin for talking about people needing to live within their means. But it's the kind of things politicians are supposed to bemoan but not actually address, which is why she immediately pivoted into the horrible exploitation of the American people.

9:09 PM - MG - We need someone new who hasn't been in Washington for a long time: Weird McCain campaign slogan.

9:08 PM - KT - Ack! Sarah Palin just winked at me!

9:08 PM - KT - Joe Biden has almost as many friends on the Republican side of the aisle as the Democratic side of the aisle. Does that mean he has a lot of friends or a few?

9:08 PM - JP - CNN focus dial group likes mention of soccer, does not like mention of campaign suspension.

9:06 PM - KT - So which will we hear more? Joe Biden mentioning the middle class or Sarah Palin mentioning the “privilege” of getting elected?

9:05 PM - JP - CNN is using their little judges-scorecards on their HD feed again. Three judges gave Palin a point before anyone spoke. She literally got credit for showing up.

9:04 PM - MG - As a Project Runway obsessive I must ask: What the hell is Gwen Ifill wearing? Is the contrast off on my TV?

9:03 PM - MG - Sarah Palin just walked across the stage without falling on her face, and correctly identified Joe Biden's first name as "Joe." She is clearly exceeding expectations, and I hope all those out-of-touch Beltway pundits who doubted her are writing their apologies as we speak.

9:02 PM - JP - Gwen Ifill: all controversy over the Obama book aside--I sort of wanted her to show up wearing a HOPE pin just to screw with people—how lucky is she? For the second election in a row, she gets named for the second-banana debate, and people actually end up caring about it.

8:59 PM - JP - CNN just introduced their focus group of "uncommitted" voters. There are actually a half dozen black voters in Columbus, Ohio who are still considering voting for John McCain?

8:58 PM - KT - Guys, get jealous. I'm blogging from the world's best focus group for this particular event: FORTUNE's Most Powerful Women summit. There are hundreds of very impressive women here. From where I am sitting, I can see Martha Stewart, Sally Ride, Billie Jean King, Meg Whitman ... Well, I'll stop here. And, yes, there's wine.

At my little table, we have Christie Hefner and Clinton HHS Secretary Donna Shalala. I've got my fact check covered on those health care questions.

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Posted by q | November 28, 2008 10:29 AM

Posted by q | October 30, 2008 8:13 AM

It's not my fault. That's terrible.640-863 / 642-373 / 642-586 / EX0-100 / 642-825

Posted by lauryn123 | October 22, 2008 9:44 AM

CBS seems to think (by repeating it) that only Palin was coached for the debate?

Biden just rattled it all off from long rote.

Somebody else's, but long.

The lib press isn't just in the tank with Obama.

They're his virtual flotation device.

Posted by obamish | October 3, 2008 5:12 AM

Here's an insider's look at the real Sarah Palin:

Hi Friends,

My brother sent this note regarding his impressions about Sarah Palin (McCain's baffling VP choice). I thought it was interesting coming from his inside-Alaska perspective, and worth passing along. For those who don't know my brother, he is a principal of a school up in Alaska, where he and his wife also teach. They've been Alaskan transplants for about 10 years.

Alice

Begin forwarded message:
From: Peter & Bonnie Hauschka
Date: August 29, 2008 11:58:15 PM PDT

Good evening, lots of friends and relatives have been asking me (as an Alaskan) what I think of Sarah Palin, our Governor, and new choice for McCain as a VP candidate.
Here it goes:
This pick floored me. Sarah Palin is a nice person. I've met her, I've even talked to her for a few minutes at a principal's conference a couple of years ago. She has lots going for her superficially. She speaks from the heart, like a spitfire mother; she can even be sort of funny sometimes. She is quite beautiful; athletic, and has that radi ant glow of someone who actually spends time doing things outside. Unlike many politicians, she has lived a "real life" and done things that few living and working in DC could ever do....like dipnettin' fish, shootin' stuff and eating it out on the tundra, and havin' 5 kids.
Personally, I'd never vote for her. She has an extremely simple view of the world and is harshly judgmental and intolerant of those who do not follow her tight right-wing agenda. I don't even think she has ever been abroad. As governor she has repeatedly shown us that she is unable to grasp the demands of leadership. She is very prone to cronyism of the worst kind. Every cabinet level political appointment she has made she has over-ridden suggestions of our state advisory boards, and instead promoted those who had granted her direct political favors. Not that other politicians don't do this, they do, but most of them are able to balance their appointments to ensure that at least a few people with real skill and experience are running big state agencies.
She also has been unable to pay attention to her Alaskan constituency Personally, I've written several of our previous gov's and been asked to comment publicly on education policy. All the previous gov's have always acknowledged that contribution, criticism or comment; sometimes by direct reply, or at least by that of a staff member. Palin's office has been a zone of silence. Not I, nor one person I know commenting has ever gotten any sort of reply. Her claim of running an open or transparent government is totally false; the public simply has no role in her administration.
Her previous claim to fame was being mayor of Wasilla, a growing town about 40 minutes from Anchorage of about 15,000 people. Wasilla is a hellhole, even by Alaskan standards, where there are plenty of hellhole towns and villages. Wasilla is an ugly place that shows a complete absence of planning, design, or sense of public vision. Gov't agencies and services are completely overrun in this town; things are so bad that they can't even track their population or build schools in the right place, because most parts of the town don't require building permits, so the only clue about where people are settling are utility receipts. Imagine trying to be an emergency responder in this kind of place: Houses don't just catch on fire in Wasilla, they burn to the ground, because by the time the fire department has figured out which road to take (no signs) or whose house it is (no directory), the place is done for. Palin was mayor this town for at least 2 terms before being elected gov. a year and a half ago.
Her moral sense is simplistic and not inclusive, with a complete absence of compassion. She is the sort of person who is used to using their "faith" to divide and isolate minority groups of human beings instead of uniting them. To her credit as Gov. she has kept out of this arena pretty well, but when in comfortable company (i.e the Matanuska Valley Republican Women's Club), she lets her moral cat out of the bag.
I will do what I can to ensure her defeat and that of her running mate as well. :) Please share this information with those who can use it well.
Cheers, Pete Hauschka

Posted by toddy | October 3, 2008 2:28 AM

Sarah Palin is qualified for a job as flight attendant ... instead aspires to be a pilot ...

Posted by Giza | October 3, 2008 2:09 AM

G-d d-mnit, why did they disable italics in the comments?

Posted by ArtPepper | October 3, 2008 2:04 AM

On Lehrer they were seriously discussing the fact that Palin was folksy and down to earth.

We got 8 years of Bush because he was folksy and down to earth.

I notice the public wasn't as stupid as the pundits this time, according to the insta-polls.

I'll predict now that the pundits will declare this a win for Palin and the American people will say Biden won.

Posted by dfhstill | October 2, 2008 10:06 PM

We have a winner!

Posted by ArtPepper | October 3, 2008 2:04 AM

Sarah Palin is someone I can encourage my daughters to look up to. Hillary made hard choices in the name of career and certainly shows one path a woman can follow to success in politics and as a woman generally. Sarah Palin didn't make trade offs though, look at her family. Sarah may not be a multi-millionaire Senator of New York attending all the right parties, but Sarah Palin is a lot more like what I want my daughters to be. Real feminism means we can have it all, family and career, success at true love demonstrated in a solid, happy marriage and success in politics simultaneously. THAT is what some of the women on The View don't get, that a woman doesn't have to be emotionally scarred, harsh, bitter and so assertive as to become conversationally assaultive. A woman can succeed while actually being a WOMAN.

Posted by karen411 | October 3, 2008 1:33 AM

Joe could have chewed Palin up and spit her out but he did not. He handled her like a pro in a very high pressured situation she attacked and baited and he did not bite. He stuck to the facts and answered ALL the questions and delivered the message he wants to be hired to deliver: understanding his presidents policies and relaying them to the public. I would like him to be on the team that runs this country. He did the job thats what I as an American wants. I can trust him.

Posted by Jamila Malluf | October 2, 2008 11:57 PM

Yeah, yeah, whatever you say Obamish ... blah blah blah ...

Posted by Kat | October 2, 2008 11:54 PM

"From CNN.com"

Well, if their science says so, it must be true.

Posted by obamish | October 2, 2008 11:41 PM

8 years of Bush and the Republican admin. and we even need to have a debate? This is really scary with our war blenders and nuklear weapons.

Please country, ask yourself, can you really afford another 4 years of Republicans?

Breaking News: UNCUT Footage just prior to the VP debates exposing Sarah Palin for who she is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOAm9ZCCpqg

Posted by Everything Matters | October 2, 2008 11:38 PM

Oh Obamish stop whining you poor thing...

Posted by Kat | October 2, 2008 11:21 PM

Best attacks of the night were when Joe Biden used McCain's own attacks against him...the 400 some odd times John McCain voted FOR raising taxes. John McCain voted against funding for the troops. Oh my goodness I might just faint lol

Posted by sgwhiteinfla | October 2, 2008 11:20 PM

From CNN.com:
Who fared better in the vice presidential debate?
Sen. Joe Biden 73% 56597
Gov. Sarah Palin 24% 19022
Neither 3% 2306

Posted by Kat | October 2, 2008 11:19 PM

that last comment was a reply to Fast Eddie

Posted by dgopalan | October 2, 2008 11:04 PM

I would do one better and say Biden should have stopped as well

Posted by dgopalan | October 2, 2008 11:04 PM

CBS poll:

46% - 21% for Biden winning debate

///

Anything yet from Pravda?

Posted by obamish | October 2, 2008 11:02 PM

I'm sorry, Ifill takes a solid F. When Palin said that she wasn't going to be answering any questions she wasn't prepped for, a good moderator would have stopped the debate right there and calmly explained that she was going to answer the questions asked and like it. Ifill just ate it.

Posted by FastEddie | October 2, 2008 11:01 PM

"Biden was great, he was specific and direct to the point, answered his questions, didn't extend too much on his answers..."

What youth hostel in Herzegovina are you tapping from?

Posted by obamish | October 2, 2008 11:01 PM

CBS poll:

46% - 21% for Biden winning debate
18% now committed to Obama
10% now committed to McCain

53% say opinion of Biden better
55% say opinion of Palin better

Posted by dgopalan | October 2, 2008 10:58 PM

"Biden did some pandering, admit it, by bringing to his mind the memory of his wife's accident to cause a guaranteed emotional response for national tv. That was great acting. All politics. Disgusting..."

He's the first male John Edwards.

Bush 41 lost a kid to leukemia -- and they almost NEVER discussed it in public.

Kennedy? Biden? Edwards?

WAVE THAT SHROUD, WAVE IT WIDE AND LOW...

Posted by obamish | October 2, 2008 10:57 PM

Insta poll Biden beat her more than 2 to 1 46 to 21

Posted by sgwhiteinfla | October 2, 2008 10:57 PM

Claire McCaskill just made a HUGE point. When Sarah Palin had the best opportunity EVER to point out what differences there would be between a McCain administration and a Bush administration she instead just said lets not look back. If there was ever a time she could have made the case that we wouldnt get 4 more years that was it. What does that say?

Posted by sgwhiteinfla | October 2, 2008 10:55 PM

Torie admitted that Palin's performance will reconnect her with the base but she's not sure if Palin's performance will reach out to any out of the base

Posted by dgopalan | October 2, 2008 10:55 PM

Palin definitely knows how to speak, approach to people, that's her best thing. Everyone was focus to see if she would screw up without McCain by her side. She didn't. Was she great? No, she didn't answer all the questions, she did a lot of blah blah blah, by throwing a lot of advertising to McCain and herself and repeating over and over her lines, but nothing to show her experience nor that she is knowledgeable on current matters, that she is capable to be our VP for the next 4 years.

Biden was great, he was specific and direct to the point, answered his questions, didn't extend too much on his answers, and that he is far more experienced than Palin. He knows what he is talking about.

Posted by Kat | October 2, 2008 10:54 PM

You guys have to turn to ABC. Torie Clark, Rep, is actually being honest about Palin's debate performance

Posted by dgopalan | October 2, 2008 10:54 PM

The Dick Cheney bit is going to bite her in the hind parts

Posted by sgwhiteinfla | October 2, 2008 10:53 PM

One Big Issue. Sarah Palin called for fact checking in this debate. Does that mean if she is found to be WRONG again will the MSM call her out on it??? Remember she ASKED for it!

Posted by sgwhiteinfla | October 2, 2008 10:51 PM

If this was a high school or college debate team match thing Biden would be declared the winner for sure. Palin was to big with the pivot to talking point.

This isn't a high school or college debate though. She came in with a very clear concise message and that whole folksy charm thing, and her talking points and speaking style are going to resonate with the electorate for a lot longer time then anything Biden said.

It doesn't matter that much though, it is a VP debate, a pretty low impact event as history teaches us.

Posted by Curseword69 | October 2, 2008 10:51 PM

These focus group people aren't "persuadables", they're chimpanzees.

Posted by stuart_zechman | October 2, 2008 10:49 PM

Yes CBS, we get it.

War against evil sucks.

Obama will end all war.

That's his plan.

I also have some waterfront lots in Galveston you might like.

Posted by obamish | October 2, 2008 10:48 PM

One of the dial testers on CNN actually said that he liked Palin cause she's a straight talker.

You're right time-blogger, critical listening skills are on a down hill slope

Posted by dgopalan | October 2, 2008 10:47 PM

CBS showing off their hand picked DNC techno-shills.

How newsie.

Posted by obamish | October 2, 2008 10:46 PM

The more I hear people's response to Palin, the more I see our country's lack of critical listening skills, the more I think suggests we should move to a parliamentary system.

Posted by time-blogger | October 2, 2008 10:45 PM

I love when CBS tells me what to think.

I really couldn't pizz without Lez Moonbeam at the helm.

Posted by obamish | October 2, 2008 10:45 PM

dfhstill: that fact that she used words that had some resemblance to the English language is sufficient qualification for her to be VP

Posted by dgopalan | October 2, 2008 10:44 PM

"The freakin' parrot won the debate."

That's Vice President Parrott to you, Hillary.

Posted by obamish | October 2, 2008 10:44 PM

Couric can't handle that Palin was GREAT.

Pffffff hahahahahaha hahaha!

Posted by Cliff | October 2, 2008 10:43 PM

Will anyone point out that this woman speaks like English is not her first langauge?

Posted by dfhstill | October 2, 2008 10:42 PM

Who care's about this Time blogger's mom and aunt? By the way, GWEN, herself, looks like nuclear, or nucular, waste dipped in curtains--lousy moderator.

Palin did ok, didn't repeat herself too much. I guess. Biden did some pandering, admit it, by bringing to his mind the memory of his wife's accident to cause a guaranteed emotional response for national tv. That was great acting. All politics. Disgusting.. .

Posted by Patrick Leonardo | October 2, 2008 10:42 PM

Winner of debate: comedians. Lots of great material here.

SNL can do a whole sketch of just Tina Fey blinking.

Posted by Curseword69 | October 2, 2008 10:41 PM

Note to Time:

FIRE your DNC shill bloggers.

Shrill, stupid, and overpaid lib loons.

Pass the savings on the the shareholders.

Posted by obamish | October 2, 2008 10:41 PM

Ferraro is happy that Palin held her own and thinks Palin proved that she can be VP

Excuse me while I weep into my pillow

Posted by dgopalan | October 2, 2008 10:41 PM

Geraldine Ferraro is on NBC right now and thinks Palin did a good job but thinks Biden communicated dem;s policies to the people well

Posted by dgopalan | October 2, 2008 10:40 PM

Oh really? the parrot won? you really THINK?

Posted by Kat | October 2, 2008 10:39 PM

I agree with Obamish.

The freakin' parrot won the debate.

Posted by stuart_zechman | October 2, 2008 10:39 PM

I give the moderator a gentleman's C.

Posted by time-blogger | October 2, 2008 10:38 PM

Man, as much as I hate Cheney, I am sorely mssing his debate with Lieberman in 2000. That was all policy and substance and no talking points. Two men with differing views civilly discussing their opinions with the other.

Posted by dgopalan | October 2, 2008 10:38 PM

Palin has visions?

Posted by time-blogger | October 2, 2008 10:38 PM

Palin has the vision thing (other than the forehead hair).

Biden thinks he's a Great Communicator.

Who won?

PALIN, easy.

CBS about to loose their limo lunches.

Posted by obamish | October 2, 2008 10:37 PM

McCain and Palin keep calling themselves 'mavericks' they're hoping if they say it enough, you'll believe it.

Posted by Oliver | October 2, 2008 10:36 PM

Can we stop calling it a debate? How about dueling soliloquies.

Posted by Curseword69 | October 2, 2008 10:35 PM

And my wife is very strongly against hauling out the infant every time in front of a loud, bright audience.

Posted by Sherm Kent II | October 2, 2008 10:35 PM

Couric can't handle that Palin was GREAT.

Pity.

And so daytime perky too.

CBS up to their usual crap.

Posted by obamish | October 2, 2008 10:35 PM

Hey shara! What did you think? It wasn't what I hoped for in that Joe didn't mop the floor with her.

I justy hope that people realize that she hammered the same 3 talking points: energy, maverick and executive experience

Posted by dgopalan | October 2, 2008 10:35 PM

She is just so stupid! Is this the best we can do for VP?

Posted by dfhstill | October 2, 2008 10:34 PM

I trying to think if I've ever seen Biden sharper or more concise. All the attention was on Palin to see if she would crash and burn (she didn't) but I think Biden is the story of the night.

Posted by superterrificdelegate | October 2, 2008 10:34 PM

I can't believe it.

The parrot won the debate.

Posted by stuart_zechman | October 2, 2008 10:34 PM

OK, here comes the Family Hour.

Posted by obamish | October 2, 2008 10:34 PM

I'd call it a draw, given that most people won't pay much attention to what either of them actually said.

Posted by time-blogger | October 2, 2008 10:34 PM

Biden had the stronger wrap up.
But she didn't trip over her tongue.

Posted by Sherm Kent II | October 2, 2008 10:33 PM

Biden wins the closing. Palin looked scared.

Posted by grape_crush | October 2, 2008 10:33 PM

Someone commenting on this blog is in a lot of pain for finally noticing that Palin has absolutely no clue about what she is saying ... she has very good memory though.

Posted by Kat | October 2, 2008 10:32 PM

Champ?

Posted by obamish | October 2, 2008 10:32 PM

Wow. I just caught the last 10 minutes or so - but I thought her closing remarks lacked a lot of substance. Hola dgopalan!

Posted by shara says | October 2, 2008 10:32 PM

The last time I looked I didn't live in a Governor's mansion. So, how can she even compare herself to me and my husband who happens to be on disability? Our only income is his disability and I am a student over 50 that had to return to school to get the education needed to get a job in order to help support us.

Posted by wysewoman53 | October 2, 2008 10:32 PM

Quoting Reagen is great, but it is your one and only debate. You have a huge audience at your feet. The Gov should have given us something of her own there.

Posted by Curseword69 | October 2, 2008 10:32 PM

"Look folks"?

Biden went all "folks" in the summary?

Yikes.

Well, he almost seemed normal.

Posted by obamish | October 2, 2008 10:32 PM

time-blogger:"I like answering these tough questions." By that, I assume she means the questions asked by the voices in her head, right?

LOL!

Posted by dgopalan | October 2, 2008 10:31 PM

I'm proud to be an American...where at least I know I'm free...

Posted by kbangmich | October 2, 2008 10:31 PM

Palin: "I could tell you how I feel, in closing, but instead, I'm going to let my friend tell you. Ladies and gentlemen ...

LEE F***ING GREENWOOD!

Posted by pourmecoffee | October 2, 2008 10:31 PM

PROUD ALWAYS.

YES.

And not even gay.

Posted by obamish | October 2, 2008 10:30 PM

Lady, how the hell did Couric filter you. Those answers were all you.

Do you thinks she can hear me screaming at my TV?

Posted by dgopalan | October 2, 2008 10:30 PM

canada girl79: you're right about Palin's accent...not quite Canadian, more Fargo than anything.

Posted by grape_crush | October 2, 2008 10:30 PM

"I like answering these tough questions." By that, I assume she means the questions asked by the voices in her head, right?

Posted by time-blogger | October 2, 2008 10:30 PM

Palin won the first 3/4's, Biden the last quarter.

She did well, and the polls will move back to about even.

I wish she would have brought up nuke power more, and Obama's crazy comments about Pakistan.

Posted by obamish | October 2, 2008 10:29 PM

Is she going to appoint some of her family members to government jobs? Why does she keep bringing them up?

I don't understand.

Posted by Curseword69 | October 2, 2008 10:28 PM

You do what I did as governor. Appoint your high school friends.

Posted by superterrificdelegate | October 2, 2008 10:28 PM

Palin hasn't given an original thought.

Posted by Dawes | October 2, 2008 10:28 PM

pourmecoffee - Thanks for the translation

Posted by dgopalan | October 2, 2008 10:28 PM

Wasn't James Garner the original Maverick? Who's he voting for?

Posted by time-blogger | October 2, 2008 10:27 PM

Biden: "I am a vital Senator."

Posted by obamish | October 2, 2008 10:27 PM

Palin: "I have never had to compromise on account of my getting together with everyone."

Posted by pourmecoffee | October 2, 2008 10:27 PM

What the hell did she say? Seriously? what did she just say?

Posted by dgopalan | October 2, 2008 10:26 PM

"Tom Cruise, Mel Gibson, these are mavericks, and they support Obama!"

That makes sense.

Posted by obamish | October 2, 2008 10:26 PM

grape crush> my father just said the same thing "everytime I come in here she's saying the same thing"

Posted by canada_girl79 | October 2, 2008 10:26 PM

Does Gwen sign her Obama book tonight, or just at the Rezko estate?

Posted by obamish | October 2, 2008 10:25 PM

You know, I think the reason Biden is able to make some hilarious gaffes and be none the worse for it is that he is one of the few politicians where what you see is what you get. It really comes across when he talks about the middle class. Maybe I'm too easily manipulated, but I think he's coming across very well.

Posted by superterrificdelegate | October 2, 2008 10:25 PM

McCain is not a maverick. Tom Cruise, Mel Gibson, these are mavericks, and they support Obama!

Posted by Curseword69 | October 2, 2008 10:25 PM

Posted by wysewoman53: Is Palin reading her answers?

My 15-year-old daughter asked the same question.

I'm guessing yes. Would you send this woman out without detailed notes, in big print (and small words)?

Posted by sue_n | October 2, 2008 10:25 PM

the standards for getting a BA in Idaho must be pretty low...

As a graduate of the University of Montana (which was in the same conference as UofI when the pageant slug went there) I can assure you that a chimp could get a bachelor's degree from that school.

Posted by Cookie Puss | October 2, 2008 10:25 PM

Go get him Joe, let it all out, just unload on the lies that is spewing out of Palin's mouth

Posted by dgopalan | October 2, 2008 10:23 PM

Wifey just said, "OMG why does she keep saying the same thing over and over again? I leave and come back and she's saying the same thing!"

"Got to not allow"

English, mutha *****, do you speak it?

Posted by grape_crush | October 2, 2008 10:23 PM

Maverick? What Maverick? I see no Maverick here.

Posted by Sherm Kent II | October 2, 2008 10:23 PM

What debate do you think Ed Rollins is watching?

Posted by Ron | October 2, 2008 10:23 PM

Biden is the anti-Maverick?

That fits.

Posted by obamish | October 2, 2008 10:23 PM

I hated the cute little winks and more importantly my husband the independent found them really annoying: quote from him "She's too cutesy-poo; I can't see her sitting across the table from any head of state and actually negotiating or have a sustantive conversation".

Posted by Southern Bell | October 2, 2008 10:23 PM

Definitely she knows how to talk, but does she really know what she is talking about?

Posted by Kat | October 2, 2008 10:23 PM

Oh my God, you can just see her reciting buzzwords and phrases she's memorized.

She has no idea what she's saying.

She's a parrot.

Posted by stuart_zechman | October 2, 2008 10:23 PM

"John McCain's maverick position that's he's in". Do they speak a different dialect of English in Alaska?

Posted by time-blogger | October 2, 2008 10:22 PM

Hey, somebody in my family died.

Do I get a free train too?

Posted by obamish | October 2, 2008 10:22 PM

Damn he just connected, he teared up and he just connected in a way Obama hasn;t been able to and Sarah Palin just didnt with that crap answer of John being a maverick

Posted by dgopalan | October 2, 2008 10:22 PM

Did she say Maverick again?

Posted by Kat | October 2, 2008 10:22 PM

Paging Edmund Muskie. Edmund Muskie, please pick up the blue courtesy phone!

Posted by pourmecoffee | October 2, 2008 10:22 PM

Wow. Joe choked up.

Posted by superterrificdelegate | October 2, 2008 10:21 PM

Biden In Mourning.

Bow your head, John Edwards.

Posted by obamish | October 2, 2008 10:21 PM

Her experience ... what experience? oh no again, she is selling herself again and her 'Oh, I understand you America' .. what do McCain/Palin know about what poor and middle class people have to go thru everyday with less money and risk to lose our jobs?

Posted by Kat | October 2, 2008 10:21 PM

The paid Time bloggers read like the warty rejects bagging your pint at the corner store.

Posted by obamish | October 2, 2008 10:20 PM

"...a nation of exceptionalism..."

Did she just say "equal rice"?

Posted by stuart_zechman | October 2, 2008 10:20 PM

Thanks canada_girl, I have problems listening to her answers cause they make my head hurt

Posted by dgopalan | October 2, 2008 10:20 PM

Sarah Palin just winked at me. Can I wait ten minutes before I pleasure myself? Not clear.

Posted by pourmecoffee | October 2, 2008 10:19 PM

Make … the winking … stop!!!

Posted by sue_n | October 2, 2008 10:19 PM

I hate that CNN has stopped posting the questions on the screen - obvoiusly then so we get lost in the answer from her.

If you don't know the question she must have gotten it right!

Posted by Sherm Kent II | October 2, 2008 10:19 PM

dgopalan ... Palin gave a shout out to her brother's 3rd grade class.

Posted by time-blogger | October 2, 2008 10:19 PM

Who has really been the most dangerous VP?

I say John Cabell Breckinridge.

Posted by Curseword69 | October 2, 2008 10:19 PM

Pourmecoffee: Debate now pointless. Cheney will have Biden killed by morning.

Lol!

Posted by dgopalan | October 2, 2008 10:19 PM

Alaska is a huge state but it doesn't have any people in it.

Posted by wysewoman53 | October 2, 2008 10:18 PM

DG> her brother is a teacher and she said "shout out to the third graders for watching this debate, you get extra credit"

She really said that... ha ha... "shout out"

Posted by canada_girl79 | October 2, 2008 10:18 PM

"game over...wrong answer on executive branch"

Says who?

Al Gore?

Posted by obamish | October 2, 2008 10:18 PM

Ifill: "Why do you secretly suck?"

Posted by pourmecoffee | October 2, 2008 10:18 PM

the standards for getting a BA in Idaho must be pretty low... he is killing her on those trend lines, and is a credible president... she is credible at the PTA level where they let her do it because no one else wants the hassle despite the power... ludicrous, and mccain is a fool for picking her... a heartbeat away during two wars...

Posted by pocketjohn | October 2, 2008 10:18 PM

NICELY DONE JOE!

Posted by dgopalan | October 2, 2008 10:18 PM

She is toast siding with Dick Cheney

Posted by sgwhiteinfla | October 2, 2008 10:17 PM

Okay, let's take a poll that the smart people probably won't offer. Palin is one heartbeat away from the presidency right? Let's
turn back the clock and Palin is running for president against Obama.

Would you vote for Palin for president? Remember before you answer, she is "one heartbeat away from the presidency."
Now answer the question.
Palin or Obama for President?

Posted by soar7 | October 2, 2008 10:17 PM

Debate now pointless. Cheney will have Biden killed by morning.

Posted by pourmecoffee | October 2, 2008 10:17 PM

Cheney likes America.

Biden likes Biden.

Posted by obamish | October 2, 2008 10:17 PM

Is Palin reading her answers?

Posted by wysewoman53 | October 2, 2008 10:17 PM

game over...wrong answer on executive branch

Posted by sgwhiteinfla | October 2, 2008 10:17 PM

Stuart: "This parrot is dead! It has ceased to be! It is an ex-parrot!"

Posted by Sherm Kent II | October 2, 2008 10:17 PM

No answer for the Vice Presidential Powers question. None.

Posted by grape_crush | October 2, 2008 10:17 PM

Won't say that vice president is part of the executive branch. Go get her, Joe!

Posted by superterrificdelegate | October 2, 2008 10:16 PM

John McCain “knows how to win a war.” Has anyone told her he was in Vietnam?

But he's been using that line for months without anybody pointing that out. Why stop now?

Posted by Paul Dirks | October 2, 2008 10:16 PM

John McCain has tapped her. Vicki Iseman is furious.

Posted by trifecta | October 2, 2008 10:16 PM

Can someone recap the shout out, missed it completely

Posted by dgopalan | October 2, 2008 10:16 PM

Wow -- superb answer from Biden on his role as VP. Crisp, realistic, playing to his strengths. It makes me think he and Obama actually did speak at length about this.

Posted by time-blogger | October 2, 2008 10:16 PM

Biden's losing the heat in the 8th inning.

Posted by Sherm Kent II | October 2, 2008 10:15 PM

People are going to elect a parrot to be Vice-President of the United States.

Unbelievable...a parrot.

Posted by stuart_zechman | October 2, 2008 10:15 PM

In the room, or on the taxpayer subsidized train?

Posted by obamish | October 2, 2008 10:15 PM

Thanks for the Rollins answer timblogger and Anon

Posted by dgopalan | October 2, 2008 10:15 PM

I would just like to take another moment to be completely flabbergasted that she gave a shout out.

*Sigh*

Posted by Curseword69 | October 2, 2008 10:15 PM

"John McCain has already tapped me."

No sleeping tonight.

Posted by pourmecoffee | October 2, 2008 10:15 PM

Leave the jokes to the pros.

Or anyone else hanging out with Bill.

Posted by obamish | October 2, 2008 10:14 PM

I think the shout out was a terrifically humanizing thing to do.

Posted by time-blogger | October 2, 2008 10:14 PM

Doggone it Vladimir Putin. Oh gee, golly, please stop doing that ok, or we will get angry atcha!

Posted by trifecta | October 2, 2008 10:14 PM

canada girl wait totally missed it, what shout out

Posted by dgopalan | October 2, 2008 10:14 PM

Thats it, I am going to apply for a job tomorrow that I am grossly underqualified for by speaking in a forceful tone and general platitutdes

Posted by dgopalan | October 2, 2008 10:13 PM

Did she really just give a shout out? DID SHE REALLY DO THAT?!!!

Posted by canada_girl79 | October 2, 2008 10:13 PM

Education...great!

So, uh, what she's going to to about it? Any specifics, such as actually funding the program.

Posted by grape_crush | October 2, 2008 10:13 PM

A shout out? Oh my. Seriously?! YOU ARE NOT ON TOTAL REQUEST LIVE.

Posted by Curseword69 | October 2, 2008 10:13 PM

She is a freakin' parrot.

Posted by stuart_zechman | October 2, 2008 10:13 PM

3rd graders wake up!

Posted by obamish | October 2, 2008 10:12 PM

Wasilla Main street?

Wasilla is the meth capital of Alaska with 400 labs there.

Washington doesn't have enough drugs I spose.

Posted by trifecta | October 2, 2008 10:12 PM

Please someone who is smarter than me explain this: she wants govt out of peoples' lives but wants govt to ban abortion, gay marriage, institute prayer in schools, scrap evolution curriculums

Is this not ass backwards?

Posted by dgopalan | October 2, 2008 10:11 PM

Oh lawdy, Joe Scranton.

Posted by obamish | October 2, 2008 10:11 PM

"What would the candidates do if, God forbid, someone were to rape Kitty Dukakis?"

This comment wins the internets.

Posted by Curseword69 | October 2, 2008 10:11 PM

Ed Rollins is a Republican campaign consultant who worked in the Reagan administration and with the Huckabee campaign. No need to worry about how he's scoring.

Posted by Anon | October 2, 2008 10:11 PM

I gotta say that the woman knows how to spin...its impressive, in a weird way.

Posted by canada_girl79 | October 2, 2008 10:10 PM

He hair on the forehead is annoying.

Where are my nail clippers?

Anyone seen my official RNC 2008 dop kit?

Posted by obamish | October 2, 2008 10:10 PM

"Team of Mavericks!"

Matt Damon was right; Palin is like something out of a bad Disney movie.

Posted by grape_crush | October 2, 2008 10:10 PM

dgopalan : Rollins is Ed Rollins, longtime GOP operative.

Posted by time-blogger | October 2, 2008 10:10 PM