Palin crosses stage and meets Biden over half way. She looks confident and he looks (to me) like a generic candidate.
First, question goes to Biden about the economic plan. He shifts question to attack Bush. His answer is smooth, but dull. Palin connects her answer to the folks. She shifts to John McCain and what he tried to do. Well done.
Second, Biden quotes what he has done in office. Good answer by Biden. Palin links Obama to a liberal voting record. That was powerful and a move that McCain should have made.
Biden rightly puts the focus on McCain and attacks his record in the Senate. He claims McCain is in favor of deregulation and so caused the problem. This is a good attack.
They are now fighting over whether McCain is a maverick. That has to be good for McCain.
Biden gives a good response, but seemed on the defensive. His Spain comment was a bit mad sounding . . .
Palin was good on Israel. Biden goes back on the attack . . . that seems wrong.
Biden’s exchange on energy was defensive. Palin is confident and is hundreds of times better than her Couric interview.
Biden is struggling on the mortgage interest question. I have no clue what he is saying as he wonders around the topic.
Palin is awesome on climate change and energy. Biden just claimed that ALL global warming is man made. Isn’t that a bit absurd?
Palin’s position was the moderate one that said some was man made and some was cyclical. Isn’t that the more mainstream position?
The longer this stays on energy the better Palin does.
Palin’s answer on Iraq took it to Obama nicely using Biden’s words. Well done.
This is not the Couric interview.
Biden’s “bridge to nowhere line” was good, but he is stumbling more verbally.
Palin continues to perform confidently and well. Right now they are trading charges. It is dull.
Biden’s punch back is fairly week and returns to the Obama talking points. Palin should be ready. She was. My room broke out in applause.
Biden seems rattled. He is not talking back on what he said regarding Obama being unready.
Palin got him in that round.
The discussion on the war is going Palin’s way.
Biden is counter-punching on Iran. We will see how it goes.
Both give good answers on Israel. Biden attacks on Israel and Iran.
Palin needs to counter-punch here. This was Biden’s strongest answer.
Palin’s counter was too vague.
Biden’s “I have not heard” answer that links McCain to Bush is also a strong answer.
Palin comes back strong with a strong difference with Bush over Afghanistan.
Biden claims the commanding general disagrees with Palin. Palin better come back on this. Biden has a very irritating personality.
Biden looked rattled on the “general thing.”
In fact, the room began to feel sorry for him on this topic.
Biden blew it on Bosnia and Palin took him out by comparing how he voted on the War and what he says now.
“He will know how to win a war.”
Biden was on the defensive on this issue and never got out of it.
The dumbest question of the evening so far : (roughly) what would you do if your running mate died?
Biden: “Bush doctrine” blah, blah, blah.
Palin is now controlling the debate. Her use of humor and “say it aint so Joe” were perfect.
Her mention of a “lame joke” was perfect.
Biden is dull, but steady. He has not made any gaffes, but that is all one can say.
Palin refuses to list an Achilles heel. Wise.
Biden says he has “excessive passion.” That is embarrassing.
Biden’s statement, “The notion that because I am a man . . .” was the dumbest thing I have heard in this debate. I have no idea what he is responding too.
Sarah Palin did very well. She far exceeded Couric expectations . . . her closing was tight and far less rambling. I have no idea where Biden is going.
Well, we will see what people say, but people expecting a passive or “stupid” Palin must be very disappointed.
I think Palin won, but then I would.
