1. Brian Bush | 10.03.08

I can’t wait till she wins you liberal nuts can go crawl under a rock with your misleading and false headlines.

2. brian | 10.03.08

Plain did NOT rebound in this debate, and your bias is obvious. She continuously answered questions with obviously flawed logic, tired cliches, or just flat out avoided questions and started talking in circles. She relied too much on “I’m a folksy hockey mom, see?” (Who even relates to a “Hockey” mom in the lower 48? One tip I can give her is to start saying “Soccer mom”)

3. woman voter | 10.03.08

I can’t believe that Palin’s ability to construct a proper and coherent sentence during the debate suddenly makes her qualified to be VP! The folksy, unsubstanitive chit-chat is so embarrassing. She has no real grasp of the issues, she has no real view point. She even admits that she doesn’t really have any opinions on policy! What is with you people? Our country is in the toilet because we have had 8 years on stupidity and folksy talk. It’s time to get an intelligent, pragmatic, thoughtful, and substanitive person in the White House.

4. CBChapman | 10.03.08

“Palin didn’t really answer some of the questions posed to her, instead veering back at times to the comfortable terrain of energy policy, but she did it so smoothly it hardly seemed noticeable.”

Hardly seemed noticeable? I think nearly everyone noticed it…..While she put on a decent show and didn’t fall on her face, I thought she was no more informed, and she didn’t talk about specifics.

What is most disturbing is her painting herself as “middle America” or main street Wassilla……she makes nearly $100,000 a year, plus her husband makes at least that, and then to top that off they own a fishing Company….far from the average middle American…..just a total miss-reputation to try and suck some people in to believing in her.

5. Kari | 10.03.08

What is clear from the debate is that Sarah Palin is capable of studying her lines and remembering them under pressure. What is clear from her discussions with Katie Couric is that she is a Vice Presidential candidate emminently unsuitable to ever be in the position of President. The substance of this candidate is thin as ice.

6. Conservative | 10.03.08

Why Why Why are media outlets so quick to give Palin so much credit? Two Sarah Palins? Nonsense! The only difference between last night with Ifill and last week with Couric is that Katie actually pushed her to answer the questions! Gwen didn’t even so much as respond when Palin stated outrightly that she wasn’t going to answer the questions posed to her! If the polls show that the people saw right through this (Biden won quite handily in the majority of the insta-polls), why does the media continue to tiptoe around what it observes as true: that Palin has shown her capability to deliver pre-recorded lines that collectively have the depth of so many bumper stickers?!

7. Tammy Behnke | 10.03.08

I don’t know what calender you folks use, but the debate was last night which was Thursday night.

8. Jennifer | 10.03.08

Why in the world would you lead with that headline? Perhaps to attract readers? Sad. There is plenty of time for McCain to pick up on the momentum created last night. He needs to get a little “mean” in the last two debates. While I think his politeness is admirable, this isn’t the time for it. He needs to get tougher and pound the message through. Last night Bill O’Reilly really gave it to Barney Frank, it was a long time coming. These guys have been allowed to blame the Republicans for everything, and it just isn’t right. With a few weeks left, and O only ahead by 6-7 pts, there is ample opportunity to catch up and surpass. Please don’t print anymore of these misleading headlines. It’s pathetic.

9. Kate | 10.03.08

Am I the only one who noticed that she gave memorized answers to questions NOT asked? It is pathetic that someone is being given high marks simply because they didn’t fail as expected.

I am not impressed by winks and ending “ing” words without the G. I had the pleasure of LISTENING to part of the debate in my car, without being able to see the smiles and cute-isms that Palin employs. It was NOT impressive…AT ALL. Dropped words. Incomplete sentences. She is someone who relies heavily on her charm and looks, and it has gotten her far. TOO FAR. Please send her back to where she belongs. She does NOT belong on the Presidential ticket.

10. MSquared | 10.03.08

Well - it’s clear that Gov. Palin is capable of delivering rehearsed rhetoric. We knew that though, we saw it in her nomination speech at the RNC. It is when she is called upon to think on her feet that she falls on her face. It was painfully clear last night that Palin fled to her prepared statements, as she often completely ignored the topic at hand and discussed only what she had rehearsed.

11. madeline | 10.03.08

To me it was a clear win for Biden. He was all substance and deep humanity while Ms. Palin was vacant syle. Yes she at least showed she is a quick study but there was nothing backing up her words. At this time in our country’s history we need a mature team that understands complex issues and has the plans to address them.

12. iraelliott | 10.03.08

The folksy talk is so much like the Bush talk that it’s scary. She pulls the facts that suit her and ignores the rest. Bush has done the same, over and over and over. Did I miss something or was she following Cheney in suggesting the the VP’s job is different than mandated by the Constitution? Same old stuff. Haven’t we had enough of the Bush/Cheney version of prosperity?

13. Bill Trask | 10.03.08

Linda,

Please keep your personal bias out of your reporting.

We don’t need you to explain to us what we saw and what we think.

Just give us the facts… and we will decide…

Your job is to SERVE your audience, if you have an opinion, tell us that it is your opinion, but don’t suggest that your perception trumps ours…

Thanks for taking this suggestion personally and seriously.

Bill

14. Dr Jack | 10.03.08

Here is a news flash, IT IS NOT TOO LATE! Obama has nearly peaked, the question should be has he peaked to early? As the economic rescue bill passes congress, people will move from their current concern, what will be done, to how we prevent this from happening again. The race will once again become a multi issue race and that favors John McCain. Gov. Palin’s performance reenergizes republicans and ensures continued support for the ticket. One thing is for certain, it is Obama’s to lose and McCain is the master of his own destiny. Gov. Palin provided a great setup for the next debate but now it is time for John McCain to deliver. If he comes across half as passionate as Gov. Palin; the American people will flock to him in droves.

15. Jim | 10.03.08

How can anyone say she redeemed herself with a debate that was basically a series of prepared statements. Will she be doing actual interviews from now on to show she can think on her feet without becoming the incoherent mess we all saw? Has anyone asked her what the heck she was talking about in those interviews? This is an embarrasing candidate.

16. Bill C | 10.03.08

They better be glad Joe Biden didn’t get more specific on the topics because he made so many mistakes and misspeaks and doesn’t even know the true description of the job he wants. I look at it this way Joe has been in the Washington 30 years or more and Sarah has been on the national stage about five weeks and she held her own and more. She is going to be a force in the Republican party for many years to come, so the Dems better sharpen their pencils. The path for her is only up from here and give her four more years and she is going to be the liberals worst nightmare.

GO SARAH!

17. Cal | 10.03.08

Governor Palin may not have rambled as bad as she has in past interviews, but it was clear she was out of her depth. Biden could have made her look like the fool that she is, but was raised better. He merely proved he was ready and able with full control over necessary intellegence to meet the challenges that face this country. Gov. Palin looked like a deer in the headlights. I’d be interested to know how many times she contradicted statements by her running mate.

18. JJ | 10.03.08

Palin is a former sportscaster (and hence knows how to handle a TV camera), was on the debate team in high school, and did very well in debates while running for governor. All of this served her well at the RNC convention.

Clearly she does well in circumstances when she’s had time to prepare or to be coached, and not so well when forced to be spontaneous.

None of this is surprising, deeply hidden stuff. It’s right out there for anyone who’s paying attention.
Yet people were expecting her to do poorly last night.

Amazing.

19. Rick Walter | 10.03.08

I saw a very different debate. I still saw the ill-informed and out of her depth, caught off-guard Governor Palin. She did not answer questions and repeated superficial, well rehearsed, talking points verbatim.

This country is in too much trouble for someone who has only “been at the job for five weeks”. She may be ok as a Governor of Alaska, but 25% of vice presidents have had to take over for the president, and she is not ready to lead our country.

To compete in this new global economy we need to rebuild our infostructure. We need to make vast improvements in education so our workers can move into more white color jobs, and create more blue color jobs that can’t be outsourced. We need a commander in chief with answers not a “Joe Six-Pack” hockey mom who attempts to flirt her way to the white house as she did last night.

20. Leo | 10.03.08

It doesn’t really matter, this election is being won by the pundits who will slaughter her performance even though it was a good one. The spin on TV will be negative and the people will buy it because this election has nothing to do with the candidate’s credentials - this election has nothing to do about the power of the people. This election is all about a savvy PR and media campaign delivered by pundits, blogs, newspapers, TV reporters who are so deranged and biased towards Obama he can do no wrong…

21. Uriel | 10.03.08

Michigan has never been a key battleground state. Two counties have always decided the outcome of the entire state in every election. Union ran counties and those looking for liberal handouts. You can thank these counties for voting in Gramholm……Michigan is the worst economic state in the Union.

22. Zoe Weil | 10.03.08

Articulate? Did we watch the same debate? Yes, Gov. Palin was MORE articulate than during her interviews, but our expectations are dumbed down so far if her performance last night could ever be characterized in CSM as “articulate.” She rambled, said “also” every few sentences (of those statements that could be called actual sentences), and failed to answer the actual questions. To me, articulate means that you clearly, grammatically, and knowledgeable respond to the questions you’re asked. Most of the time, Gov. Palin failed to do this. Senator Biden succeeded.

23. poli | 10.03.08

the only way to get back america to the people is to vote incumbents out of office…the government now is not listening to the people….the government today must be replaced in this next voting cycle…it may even take two voting cycles, but if we stand together and vote incumbents out then you will see an america with a much better chance of being represented…i hope it is not to late…

24. Rev. Debra Haffner | 10.03.08

I’ll let others decide who won, but I can say that sexual rights surely did not. The bottom line agreement on laws protecting same-sex couples but opposition to marriage equality was not unexpected, but still made me sad. Allowing that marriage should be a decision made by the faith community was better than saying that we should “tolerate” all people, but STILL, I would have liked to have heard more affirmation for LGBT persons from both sides. Senator Biden said something about his violence against women act twice and Roe v. Wade once; Governor Palin mentioned international women’s rights once. I would have really liked to have heard questions and answers on AIDS, the Supreme Court, abortion, sexuality education, pay equity, parenting support, and so on.

Rev. Debra Haffner
http://debrahaffner.blogspot.com

25. Dean | 10.03.08

Palin came over as a stand-up comediene. Spoke a lot but said nothing and never answering the questions that were put to her. She was out of her class. After all is said and done, she is still just George W. Bush with lipstick.

26. Texas Sun | 10.03.08

Biden Palin Debate

Who won, who lost? We must admit that Palin didn’t stumble but she comes across as insincere. Watching her, for me was like watching someone doing a toothpaste ad. I almost expected her to break out with a song and dance to the tune of “On the Good Ship Lollypop”. I cannot see how any American’s would look for someone to fill the position of the Vice-President because that person gives them the “warm fuzzies”. As for the touted “breath of fresh air”, we need a heavy duty vacumn cleaner to clean up the mess that American is in. Her fluff did not win me over.

27. Thouston | 10.03.08

Sara did a great job yesterday. Biden showed his knowledge in policies as expected. We need people like Sara with strong belief in the foundation and greatness of this country. With that belief she can help to make this county better. Economy will go up and down. But once we loose the value of this nation it won’t come back. We don’t need a wrong change.

28. AB (Virginia) | 10.03.08

Governer Palin was well prepared to deliver what she learned during her last minute training in AZ. It is clear from the fact that she showed little or no knowledge about core issues during her interviews just days before the debate. What she said during the debate did not show her depth of knowledge.

Joe Biden on the other hand showed clarity and knowledge on variety of issues. More than once, Gov. Palin did not answer the question. Instead, she delivered well rehearsed lines to hide her lack of knowledge.

I personally don’t think that her experience as a “hockey-mom” or “Joe six-pack” contributes anything to the post of vice-president.

29. Dufus | 10.03.08

I wish the moderator could have kept Gov. Palin on topic, I would have liked to hear her answers to the questions that were actually asked. I have a hard time trusting someone so evasive. I think McCain has lost me as a vote now.

30. KC | 10.03.08

I do not have voting power in US, but was watching the debate with utmost curiosity. She avoided questions on key policy issues and stayed in her comfort zone of energy policy and McCain being maverick. What kind of VP/presidential hopeful is she if she cannot articulate on health care, school systems and foreign policy and says they have no relationship whatsoever to current Republican administration ? I wouldn’t vote for her. She is scary!

31. Lilian M. | 10.03.08

She came off too rehearsed to me. She was a television journalist so I already know she knows how to work a camera but there was no substance. It seems that she just said what she was scripted to say…..REPEATEDLY

32. mich | 10.03.08

In a seminar, which taught us how to evaluate second language competence, we learned that at the higher end of the spectrum intellectual ability and language competence become indistinguishable. In other words, if a person understands a philosophical question and attempts to answer it but lacks the vocabulary that quickly becomes clear and the person needs more training in the new language. If the person has the vocabulary but continually redirects the question back to his comfort zone, it is clear the person either doesn’t understand the question or doesn’t have the intellectual tools to answer it. We were further shown how a person with both intellectual ability and second language competence performs in an interview with higher level questions. Sarah Palin did not meet that standard.
It is clear that Palin doesn’t have the analytical skills necessary to operate in the political arena. Does she have the acumen to acquire them? Maybe, but should the job of VP be a training ground for that. How many mistakes does she need to make before getting a handle on the job.
I don’t know about you, but I want the leaders of my country to be more intelligent, more nuanced and more astute than me. They have to deal with issues far more complex than those in my daily life. There are few issues in this world that are black and white and the Sarah Palin/Joe Six-packs of the world who insist on operating at that level and insist on dragging everyone down to that level are pushing our country back to the dark ages.

33. The Rodentman | 10.03.08

It’s all over for McSame. Whether or not it’s all over for the USA is like the sign on the antique shop, “Remains to be Seen.”

34. Tony Speranza | 10.03.08

As she apparently doesn’t read much, I suppose Sarah Palin can be forgiven for not recognizing the original source of the “city on a hill” line that she attributed to Ronald Reagan, but Christian Science Monitor reporters and editors should know that the line comes originally from John Winthrop’s 1630 sermon, “A Model of Christian Charity,” in which he urged settlers in Massachusetts to set an example of care for each other. Palin, no doubt, would call Winthrop’s ideas “redistribution of wealth,” though Biden would recognize them as promoting “fairness.”

35. Michael Biller | 10.03.08

This was a better debate and much of the credit must go to Gwen Ifill. Biden and Obama need to remind the voters that McCain is a Republican, just like George Bush. There is no “Maverick party”. Bush is a Republican!

36. Tim | 10.03.08

Ms. Feldmann,
Your article is clearly part of the media’s left wing smear campaign against the Republicans. I can’t understand why reporters like you just can’t present the facts and leave your opinions to yourself. Isn’t that your job?
By the way, the debate was Thursday night, not Friday. If you would focus on getting your facts straight instead of how bad you can paint the Republicans, you might be slightly more credible.
By the way, I’m not a Republican supporter.

37. Sidda | 10.03.08

Palin exceeds low expectations when coached for several days. She also had 90 seconds before she had to answer. Big deal. She was an irresponsbile choice by McCain who only thought of shaking up his campaign rather than choosing someone capable of leading the country should be become incapacitated.

38. Cathy Shea | 10.03.08

Palin’s reference to “Joe six pack” as a typical, all-American is an insult to men, a sexist remark and, unfortunately, a window into what she thinks is acceptable, “normal” behavior! Her “cutesy” winks, smiles and attempts at sounding “folksy” are condescending and downright ugly. She does not represent “normal”. She is a hypocrite and a scary, uneducated, self-righteous person. Women who are excited by her should be ashamed of themselves. She is nothing but a continuation of the George “screw-up-in-every-thing he did and should have been impeached long ago for the crimes against humanity that he committed ” Bush we have been subjected to for the past 8 years - George Bush in skirts! SCARY!!!

39. rohit | 10.03.08

“But there’s bad news for Palin: Her better-than-expected performance probably won’t do much for a McCain campaign that is on the ropes.”

Excuse ME, but that isn’t NEWS! That is your speculation as to what will probably happen. You may be right and you may be wrong, but it hasn’t happened yet, and it isn’t news. Have we now got to the point where journalists no longer distinguish between the facts and their own opinions?

I guess we have, haven’t we? And the American people are worse off for the media’s contempt for facts.

40. kenny hott | 10.03.08

Sarah Palin was raised up by God to be nominated as the next vice president.
Surely if God could take a shepherd boy named David and make him king of Israel, He can surely can give her the wisdom and the ability to be vice president. People forget that a president has a cabinet with people to help rule that are given wisdom to them by God. Furthermore she was also raised up by God to speak out against abortion which is one of the greatest sins of the US. Many men in office had the opportunity to speak out against abortion but did not. A baby is made in the image of God and abortion is destroying that one made in the image of God. Just because the US laws says abortion is legal does not make it legal in the sight of God. The US is being judged by God for this sin of murdering innocent babies. I wonder how many people who are pro-choice would have wanted their mother to have aborted them. I would think not many yes to that question. Faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ is the only hope for all people in regards to the judgment of sin that must be dealt with to be able to enter into Heaven. Aborted babies are issued directly into Heaven for they are not able to hear the gospel of the Jesus Christ but are covered by His shed blood on the cross. Because of God’s mercy, grace and love for those created in His image, helpless aborted babies are saved into heaven.

41. John | 10.03.08

She did a fantastic job. She recovered from the terrible Couric Interview.

http://www.FastArizona.com/McCain.html

42. Natasha | 10.03.08

Congratulations Governor Palin! You have warmed our hearts with your honesty and humble straight talk! This is exactly what our country needs!!

Keep smiling, you are on your way, America’s Princess! America salutes you and Senator McCain!!!

Video: Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks

http://video.aol.com/video-detail/prom-palace-music-for-the-royal-fireworks/416649911

God Bless America!

43. Andrew WD | 10.03.08

I must strongly disagree with the author of this article. Sarah Palin showed a great lack of self confidence, seemed totally scripted and uncreative, and very inarticulate. She sounded almost unintelligent. I felt bad for her at times, and some of her retorts were shameful. Joe Biden absolutely wiped the floor with her! It was amusing but at the same time I felt bad for her because she was using the corniest lines that were obviously force fed to her by the republican party…terrible performance.

44. Fred | 10.03.08

In the Couric interview, Palin couldn’t wink and change the subject to her Alaska energy policy when she didn’t know the answer. Biden didn’t call her on it because his mandate was not to bully her. But if she ever has to lead the country through a crisis, it won’t work.

45. Andrea | 10.03.08

Please with the “she held her own” crapola. She practice her answers for 4 days! I would have loved to see an interview after the debate. I assure you we would see the same old Sarah that could give a coherent answer to what was on her grocery list.

46. Eric Balcom | 10.03.08

frankly the folksy stuff (Dog on it, you betcha, reigning it in etc) is not going to sway the independents. We have seen this movie before with Mr George Bush that ended up with a disaster.

People need to see substance and will not buy into this. As independent, I would have preferred to see here talk more specifics rather then talk in generalities and make assertions that she won’t be cornered into answering any questions from moderator.

Honestly, palin lacks the intellectual maturity to hold VP office of Untied states of America.

47. Mike | 10.03.08

It always amazes me when campaigns set the bar so low and then cheer when their candidate gets over it. Sarah Palin told us nothing about how McCain/Palin would help the country. She was just cheerleading the whole night. The country needs people with substance to lead us out of this mess. Unfortunately, Sarah Palin just gave us fluff.

48. Zigg | 10.03.08

These polls are not always right and the race on a National level is neck and neck. The media keeps pointing out single states to makes it sound like it’s not a close race. It is anyone’s race and no poll or media article is going to change that before the election.

49. dejah thoris | 10.03.08

I’m sorry, but winking and playing to the camera while regurgitating sound bites as Ms. Palin did last night is not convincing, unless you happen to think that acting like a cheerleader and wiggling around and sticking your tongue out at the camera is ample qualification for being a vice-president of a powerful country.

She is clearly out of her league and cannot seem to think of anything imaginative to say outside of what her trainers told her to say. She lacks true empathy. Those of us watching at our place (two uncommitted voters and some conservative types) were all turned off by her cheerleader falsity and her lack of background. She is NOT ready for prime time, and in light of her legal issues and general lack of experience, I doubt she ever will be.

50. philip | 10.03.08

What is WRONG with you people, commentators???? I’m jsut an ordinary person, but time after time I find myself asking questions and having observations that are so obvious, but you folks who get paid to consider this stuff don’t even NOTICE???

My gosh, why isn’t it obvious that it IS NOT OVER with Palin? I’ve read story after story about the debate and not one of you have even touched up WHAT DOES SHE DO NEXT? If she wants to skip the mainstream media, fine, but is she going to interact with NO MEDIA AT ALL? Not even in a press conference?

And why don’t you folks make the simple observation that because she didn’t answer many of the questions she was asked, doing so allowed her to–yet again–FOLLOW A SCRIPT? Why don’t you even consider how that means we still haven’t seen this woman actually think ON HER FEET, except in those one-on-one interviews she has failed in so miserably?

I can understand the low-information voter failing to realize that what they hear in a speech or in scripted notes could be–and in Palin’s case, almost certainly ARE–developed and written by someone else’s brains? Is that what American’s are willing to vote into office: someone whose original views they’ve never actually heard or have only heard in the most inarticulate ways?

It’s your job to be smart, media representative. So BE SMART and BE THOROUGH. Make the connections and observations–you can do so in objective ways. You don’t need to be biased. Just point out reality–because a lot of people in this country don’t have the ability to really understand reality.

51. Vijay | 10.03.08

One more nauseating spinmeister trying to pass off her wares as reportage. While Palin clearly cannot match Biden’s depth of knowledge on policy issues given the chasm in years of experience between the two, she has shown that she is eminently capable of holding her own. The media steadfastly ignores how she ran circles against her opponents in the Alaska gubernatorial race and likely will contribute to the defeat of the democratic ticket made up of an old style Chicago politician slicked up on account of his very waspy education and a crusty old Washington insider best known for plagiarism and gaffes

52. dave yelnam | 10.03.08

It’s a sad commentary in my opinion that “style” can out-way substance in times like these. All those little quips like “joe Six pack”,and, “there you go joe” are obvious tactics used by Ronald Reagan. The fact that Governor Palin avoided answering key questions posed to her proves that she and MCcain are not equipped to lead this country. This country doesn’t need more of the same “folksy” “I like their style” type of leadership. The country need some one of great intellect and poise, otherwise I fear the worst.

53. NETHERLANDS ANTILLES | 10.03.08

SHE CAN’T EVEN SPELL NUCLEAR INSTEAD SHE SAID NUKELAR

54. edward elliot | 10.03.08

Fox News had an instant survey that showed palin as the clear winner yet all the other channels only show the cnn and cbs surveys showing biden as the winner. Beyond obvious prejudice toward palin’s performance this also allows
the obama talking heads to point to the polls and reiterate, ‘ biden won the
debate according to the polls’, this really is pathetic.

55. Chris Fuentes | 10.03.08

Sarah Palin READ her responses! She kept looking down and reading verbatim her responses and not answering the questions. When she brought up womens rights it was a golden opportunity for Biden to call her on her anti-choice stance on abortion, especially since she is against it even in cases of rape or incest! This was THEATRE of the ubsurd, when an intelligent man is so cowed by the spinners that he puts the brakes on his own fire and intelligence and let’s an incredibly uninformed neophyte like Palin seem to be his equal. Palin was and still is a complete joke but the did elect the last joke W Bush and look where that has brought our country. Don’t Be Fooled

56. BM in Middle River MD | 10.03.08

“The Sarah Palin who was interviewed just a few days ago by CBS anchor Katie Couric appeared ill-informed and out of her depth, caught off-guard by seemingly basic questions – such as what newspapers she reads.” - There is a huge difference between not wanting to align herself with the specific news media she utilizes and not knowing the what newspapers she reads.

Governor Palin showed last night that she is adept at focusing on real issues and not questions that would appear to create an alignment that doesn’t exist - because Senator Obama clearly has that alignment seemingly with every major newspaper in America and Ted Turner.

Of course she was “caught off guard” with the question of what newspaper she reads - the question never should have been asked!

57. Mary | 10.03.08

Yes I thought Sarah Palin had style and good ol’ gumption. She took on the very senior Senator and overshot him on many levels. She showed that she is smart and savvy and meet all challenges.

And I do not think it was too late. This was perfect timing. Women in the Northeast are leaning towards Palin. I just think McCain/Palin are going to win easily!

58. Gil Gaudia, Ph.D. | 10.03.08

Once again we are witnessing the fundamentalist Christian disdain for the intellect. Once again we are reminded that Christians revere the acceptance of revealed truth and deplore the systematic use of the mind. How else to explain the adulation of Sarah Palin, the embodiment of superficiality at the expense of depth? This is what the Republicans are attempting to pass off as the best possible choice to back up a doddering old hero in the frightening case that he falters should he be elected President of the United States. They offer us a charming, engaging, cunning and loving, mother, when what we need is a giant of understanding, wisdom and states(wo)manship.

Adorable Saint Sarah’s smile, winks and “betchas” may convince Americans who revere Britney Spears and her ilk to vote for her to be a heartbeat from the “nookyouler” button, but anyone who is capable of rational thought should be terrified at the prospect of a beautiful high-functioning moron running the country.

59. Paris | 10.03.08

Palin needs to get her act together and she talks about beind a housewife bbut why isn’t she at home with her kids.

60. Angel Aguilar | 10.03.08

I was very disappointed at both. However, Palin basically served as a talking puppet for McCain, and she continues to repeat her Alaska this, and Alaska that. She is running for VP, not to be re-elected as Alaska’s governor.
Biden’s experience in foreign affairs clearly won the debate. He also articulated much better why he’d be a better VP and why he, if needed, could continue the policies set forth by Obama.

61. Dayton | 10.03.08

Palin kept getting tripped up on herself, she couldn’t even keep up with half of what Biden was saying. As was stated she completely danced around most of the subjects with her “down to earth talk”. Then later in the debate changing her demeanor, she started throwing in words i dont even think she herself understood. At that point she had run out of ideas and stuck to her notes. She likes to make the joke the only difference between a soccer mom and a bull dog is a little lipstick but, in my eyes the lipstick is wearing off and we’re all starting to see the dog she really is.

62. Bill Jones | 10.03.08

There is a fundamental that people forget with politcal debates - that is, they are much easier than interviews. The moderator’s job in a debate is to be objective, and let them engage each other, while staying on time. The interviewer’s job is to rattle the politician, ask the tough questions, see how they do under pressure. You can be coached on a debate, and the moderator will allow you to be vague and unresponsive. Katie Couric and Charlie Gibson will not.

Sarah Palin effectively showed she can be coached and knows how to flirt. Those are the qualities I want in my Commander-in-Chief when the missles are in the air.

Sheesh.

63. Billy Jo | 10.03.08

I have to say that I thought both McCain and Obama did well in their opening debate - it was difficult for me to decide who did better. However, when I watched last night’s debate, I was in disbelief about Palin’s performance. She seemed very nervous to me and I would guess that if we looked at a transcript, we would see her changing topics so quickly that her comments would either make little sense or would be loosely related to the question posed. I know that people like to think of a potential president as someone they would “like to have a beer with”, but I am scared that someone referencing “Joe six pack” and “hockey moms” and incorporating little substance into her responses could potentially be dealing with the complex issues of the economy and the American lives at stake in this war which seems like it will be going on for awhile. As much as I like and respect McCain, I cannot vote for him. The thought of Palin meeting with world leaders and guiding our nation’s economic future is concerning.

64. gringovejo | 10.03.08

Palin is a little too “folksy” for me and her answers, whether to the questions
or not, were filled with exaggerations of the facts. McCain had a huge pool of
very capable women to pick from and his choice of Palin is mind boggling.

65. david garrett | 10.03.08

we’re not that dumb.

66. David | 10.03.08

How bad were people expecting her to be? I agree the Couric interviews were embarrassing, but i didn’t come away from this debate feeling much better. Sure, she was coached and returned to ‘comfortable’ topics, but i found that anything but ’so smooth you hardly noticed’, and, of course, Biden was coached to not be overbearing (not to mention that the format of the debate prevented pointed cross exams). I sincerely hope that the current financial crisis points out to people that running a country is serious business. The last thing we need in the White house is another intellectual lightweight. The ‘I may be simple but i’m a good person’ may be what i look for in friends but not in leaders. Our economy and the challenges we face are changing more rapidly than anytime in history; we need leaders who can keep up.

67. QuietusMaximus | 10.03.08

Sarah Palin’s performance was exactly that - a performance. Like many collegeg students, she’s able to cram for a test and pass it without necessarily understanding the material. That became evident when she announced she would, and then proceeded to ignore specific quesitions she couldn’t answer in favor of returning to rehearsed talking points and charges against Obama (some of which were dispelled in last week’s debate - so much for keeping up with current events).
Despite her confident manner and occasionally cute delivery, Palin is no more qualified this week to be vice president, to say nothing of president, than she was before she was selected. I know McCain won’t back away from this, but for this Obama supporter that can be nothing but good news.

68. Reader | 10.03.08

“The Sarah Palin who showed up to debate Joseph Biden here in St. Louis Friday night…”

Isn’t today Friday?

69. Scott　D | 10.03.08

I don`t know why whites are not taling about this, but if Obama wins Whites will be living in a reverse apartheid situation.　The liberals who are getting us into this situation are clueless and history has shown that liberals get us into trouble with their little ideas (see Stalinism and Maoism). There is no such thing as colorblindness, Whites will be considered an inferior race and prejudice against if Obama wins….you mark my words.

70. Bill | 10.03.08

If the general analysis of Palin’s performance is any indication of the intelligence level of the average American than the country is in even worse shape than I thought. This is a candidate who makes Dan Quayle look like a Statesman. If the gist of this article is that Palin’s an idiot and managed not to look like a total fool and can’t even agree with that.

71. QuietusMaximus | 10.03.08

Sarah Palin’s performance was exactly that - a performance. Like many collegeg students, she’s able to cram for a test and pass it without necessarily understanding the material. That became evident when she announced she would, and then proceeded to ignore specific quesitions she couldn’t answer in favor of returning to rehearsed talking points and charges against Obama (some of which were dispelled in last week’s debate - so much for keeping up with current events).
Despite her confident manner and occasionally cute delivery, Palin is no more qualified this week to be vice president, to say nothing of president, than she was before she was selected. I know McCain won’t back away from this, but for this Obama supporter that can be nothing but good news.

72. ds | 10.03.08

She fits right in to McCains “Bush’s third term” platform. Just like GWB, she can’t say the word NUCLEAR.

Eskimo Dingbat, it’s pronounced nu-clee-ar. No wonder your dumb a$$ took 5 colleges in 5 years to get a communications degree. Where I come from, the communications degree is the rock bottom degree, its what football players major in. Its a load of blow-off courses.

Palin = underacheiver and it shows.

73. Michael Ioffe | 10.03.08

As Biden, as Palin as many, many others people in the world repeat mistake of AL GORE that carbon dioxide is main player in nature of warming air on the Earth. It brings their policy about energy in wrong directions. But the same mistake making CEO of Google, GE, car industries etc.
I found interesting that mass media speaking about global warming:
1. Forget that “ Forests contain much more carbon than does grass, and they also absorb more sunlight and produce more water vapor, which affects cloud formation”. Mature forests don’t take in much CO2 for they are in balance, releasing CO2 as old vegetation rots, then absorbing it as new grows.
2. Mention only that greenhouse gases absorb heat in the atmosphere.
3. Absolutely misunderstand role of water vapor in cooling of the Earth.
4. Misunderstand that any source of energy – nuclear, wind, hydro, solar cells, hydrogen, geothermal in condition when greenhouse gases anyway will increased by others processes will heat the atmosphere as heat pollutant.
5. Misunderstand possibility of conservation of energy and its limits.

If we will increase efficiency of our motors, equipment, appliances, home heating and cooling systems, etc. from average 25% right now to impossible 100% it will mean only that four times more people will live on the same level as middle class in USA today. It is not enough even for USA population, not mention all countries in the world.
Conservation of energy is always good direction but not enough.
Mass media mislead our policy maker and this is very dangerous.

74. S Beck | 10.03.08

Sarah Palin is the best thing that has happened to politics in our country since President Reagan. She has similar attributes that enable her to connect
with her constituency in a way that others cannot do. She appears to epitomize sincerity and integrity and like President Reagan delivers her message with simplistic conviction that most of us can understand and appreciate.

75. Ken Isaacson | 10.03.08

What concerns me is Palin’s comment when asked about any promises she’s made that she won’t be able to keep:

“How long have I been at this? Like five weeks?”

Troubling….

76. John | 10.03.08

This is not “American Idol” folks. If it were then Simon would choose the winner and we would go to comercial before flipping the channel to another lightweight, entertaining diversion. Winking and sounding “folksy” is not going make it. Has anybody noticed? Sarah Palin is not running for First Lady, she’s going to have to go toe-to-toe with some pretty savvy politicos (of both parties) nationally and internationally as well. Don’t tell me she’s more savvy than her image comes across. I recall being told how “w” was “Dumb like a fox.” What the country has ultimately discovered is there was no “fox” there. It was all in his “handlers.” And where are the “handlers” now? Skipped town and left “w” holding the bag (hmmm…where is **** Cheney–the man behind the curtain?).

Sarah Palin’s “handlers” sequestered her for weeks to pound talking points into her head. Further, did anyone take notice of her views (excuse me–her “handlers” views) on the role of the Vice President’s office? At least **** Cheny is a shark in the D.C. ocean. Sarah Palin will turn out to be a guppy from a pond. Is that what we need in these times?

77. jeremy | 10.03.08

what an idiotic article. hmm, i wonder who this reporter wants you to vote for? the debate was thursday. are you in highschool?

78. Not Impressed | 10.03.08

She rebounded only because she didn’t fail miserably as many expected she would. But she had a problem answering questions directly and, I thought, came across as superficial. I didn’t buy the “doncha, doggone it, betcha” shtick.

79. Bryant Keefe | 10.03.08

It amazes/disappoints me that the media cannot give the McCain ticket an ounce of positive spin. No matter what they do the media must make it negative. The fact that media sources spin against the McCain ticket is all the proof I need that McCain is the right choice for America. Remember media folks that in Socialist/Communist countries the press gets controlled and censored. You may regret forcing Obama on the country as your rights to free press become restricted by an ever growing big government.

80. ericmiami | 10.03.08

I’ll betcha Biden like, lost points because he wasn’t holdin’ an infant on his shoulder after the debate!

81. LAL | 10.03.08

Palin did well. Lots of fluff and talk. NOT a single policy which made sense. She didn’t even admit she DOESN’T believe global warming is caused by humans. BUT then she contradicted herself by saying “we need to clean up the planet.” If it’s not caused by humans and by the climate why do we have to clean up the environment? No common sense.

Second, what happens if we drill and it takes 10 years to get the oil? No response from Sarah Palin. Oil expert my behind!

Third, what happens when we use up our oil? We have 3% of the world oil and use 25% of the supply. I am 29 years old, what happens in 30 years when we use up our oil? If we don’t move forward with alternative energies?

Great job Palin. Good long term planning and thinking. Yep drill, baby drill!

McCain will tax your health benefits people! Joe Biden did not explain it well, but he will tax the health insurance premium paid by OUR employers! So we will have a higher income by $12k! To get back a $5k tax credit! Whoopee. Great, then when our companies ditch the expensive healthcare, 20 million people will become UNINSURABLE! Joe did a terrible job explaining it, but anyone who votes for McCain/Palin deserves to run the risk of being uninsurable!

If people vote for Palin and McCain they are dumb. McCain has no timeline on Iraq, voted against alternative energy research funding, voted for the war in Iraq, wants to TAX health care benefits from employers, cut taxes for those making more than $250k, then deserve everything that goes wrong!

82. Tina from Michigan | 10.03.08

The only reason Palin did not fall on her face is because the moderator handled Palin with kid girlie gloves. Palin REPEATEDLY ignored questions and rambled on about issues of her preference and the moderator did not force Palin to go back and answer the hard questions that were asked.

Palin does well if you just let her talk her memorized points and you don’t press her for details. The moment you ask her for detals, she falls apart into a rambling nonsensical mess.

83. Jack | 10.03.08

She beat the expectation based on seeing her performance with Couric, but she is way way below expectation for someone a heart beat away from becoming the most powerful person in the world. From that point, I don’t know what she gained by surviving a debate with canned lines and gimmicks. God bless America and please save us from irrational mavericks.

84. Marco | 10.03.08

Palin was great at holding her own, not much substance but she gave americans what they admire style and glitz….very hollywood! Loved the winks. In my opinion she is the perfect prop!

85. Scott | 10.03.08

I… really haven’t agreed with the media coverage of Palin’s performance. It seems like people are excited about her rising from poor to mediocre, and that just seems like it’s not being entirely honest.

86. jon | 10.03.08

It gets so tiresome, all the spin.
Because Gov Palin can wink, scrunch her nose, and deliver pre-programmed talking points, she’s ready to be VP/President?
We have 2 wars, a financial mess, 2 of our enemies on the cusp of acquiring Nukes, etc, and this is a credible candidate?
Someone who exceeds expectations, because she didn’t fall on her face?
Haven’t we lowered the bar a bit?

87. John | 10.03.08

I love the way these anti-Maclain articles always manage to find their way to the top of the Google News aggrigator. That Obama crowd sure has a grip on internet manipulation!

88. John Jahn | 10.03.08

I am for substance not style. Senator Biden knows what he is talking about without a lot of “handeling”. If you were the congressional leadership with whom would you want to have serious discussions? Governor Palin needs to return to her job - Governor of the smallest population states in the nation - I wonder how it is managing without her.

89. Tom from Charlottesville | 10.03.08

While Palin generally held her own in last night’s debate, one has to wonder which of the two Palin’s is the real Palin and which is the scripted, prepped Palin. As an educated, but certainly middle class worker, I have a real problem with the whole ‘Joe Sixpack’ characterization of much of the electorate. I don’t want leaders that are just like me. I want leaders who are well-read, articulate, and generally smarter than the average Joe given the challenges that are on America’s plate. Cutesy winks, banal banter, and an willingness to address issues headon with more than generalities seem to characterize the entire Republican offering this year. The Democratic ticket ain’t perfect by a long shot, but it sure seems to be better prepared and have a more well thought out set of plans than what we’ve now heard from the Republicans over these two debates.

90. Kathy | 10.03.08

She sounded scripted, didn’t really answer any questions, and aviod some altogether. She threw in her catch words so often they lost all meaning, and seemed to be the only answer to any and all questions. Her talk and experience never left Alaska.
Biden was articulate, charming, a gentleman. I watched, wanting to know more about her and came away only knowing more about him. I learned some great things from him, and nothing from her. That was disappointing.

91. Kali | 10.03.08

Palin rebounds? To what level does she rebound?

Yes, I believe she can tie her own shoelaces and given 5 weeks to practice she can memorize lines to thrust on the public in spite of any question that is asked.

We give more scrutiny to the clerk staff we hire.

92. CSC | 10.03.08

You give Palin too much credit; while she was able to complete most of her sentences (i.e. met low expectations) she offered little if anything of value to undecided voters other than superficial sloganeering, which, oftentimes, was contradictory. The stakes are way too high [this time around] for ’style’ to be equally weighted with ’substance.’ Besides, I thought Biden showed a lot style, along with class, character, and integrity.

93. Kate | 10.03.08

It is very clear there were in fact knock out blows. She WON!!!

94. A_ Landon | 10.03.08

“Palin didn’t really answer some of the questions posed to her, instead veering back at times to the comfortable terrain of energy policy, but she did it so smoothly it hardly seemed noticeable.”

…Because that’s definitely what’s important to note in her performance, rather than the fact that she basically quoted verbatim out of Bush & crews’ talking points throughout the debate. Compare the tapes of the 2004 presidential debates to last nights veep debate and it will become painfully obvious that she is far from the “maverick” McCain wants us to believe. Remember the folksy outsider who ran in 2000? She is George W. Bush in a dress. Is this who you want to take over if (dare I say, when) McCains’ age catches up with him?

95. Adam | 10.03.08

Palin applies the same metaphors as Bush, using common sense talk to answer complicated questions without really saying anything.

It is the stay the course mindset that I want to avoid another four years. I applaud her for sounding like a real president though, even if she sounded like Bush, gosh darn it *with a wink*

96. Steve H | 10.03.08

I can’t believe you people in the press. You’re applauding a VP candidate for not being a complete idiot. She refused to answer questions, she couldn’t remember names of leaders (US General in Afghanistan, Pres. of Israel, for examples) — but all her folksy winks and “betchas” means she did a great job, or, as you say, “she carried it off”. Did we watch the same debate???

With a press like this, it’s no wonder we have zero leadership and a rapidly declining nation. Your nothing but cheerleaders for sound-bites and stupidity.

How about reporting on some issues, for a change?

97. steve | 10.03.08

Also, Joe Biden did an excellent job - he was both a gentleman (he could have attacked her on several bone head statements and he held back). Biden was very effective at exposing what is really important about this election: the failed policies of Cheney and Bush that John McCain really does support and will continue. McCain is no maverick - he’s a figment of his own imagination.

McCain led the charge on bank deregulation - that helped land us in this economic mess. McCain actually voted with Phil Gramm in 2001 to relax regs and especially the leverage ratios for Fannie and Freddie. McCain is one of the Keating Five from the S & L crisis - he should have gone to jail for his dealings with Charles Keating and Lincoln S & L.

McCain wanted to invade Iraq - and he wants to bomb-bomb Iran. McCain is an unstable nut case - look waht he did last week. He flipped out and suspended his campaign because D.C. was having trouble with a Bush-Paulson bail out bill. McCain is NOT a calm, confident, intelligent leader - Arizona itself has had enough of him (he won’t even get re-elected to the senate).

McCain is a Reagonomic and trickle down believer - just like Bush. Tax cuts for the rich hoping something trickles down to the rest of us. It doesn’t work…..the middle and lower class have been getting squeezed for 20 plus years - and now they are at the breaking point. If we break the middle class - say good by to our democracy - we at that threshold.

McCain and Palin (she’ll be kept in a closet) is the WRONG choice for this country.

98. AG | 10.03.08

“The Sarah Palin who showed up to debate Joseph Biden here in St. Louis Friday night was articulate, charming, and well-prepared. ”

The debate was Thursday night…. Get your facts straight in the first sentence before you start poo-pooing Sarah Palin.. oops!

99. Jim Warner | 10.03.08

The Debate last night clearly defined the Palin/McCain form of governance and displayed an arrogance that was thinly veiled under a ‘FOLKSY” false charm.
Make no mistake this woman & this ticket have no regard for the people they would govern. When they govern they will not respond to their constituents anymore than she responded to direct questions last night. She said it herself, I will not answer the questions you want me to answer. An arrogant and dismissive staement that tells me that she has no concern for me or any other persons needs. And yet she and McCain deem to have us let them be our leaders.
Like Cheney she wants to yield power but never answer to us. Like a petty despot she and her running mate will tell us what is good for us…
Her performance last night was more polished but what it revealed is even more frightening…Incompetence coupled with unbridled lust for power….I think her pastor missed it…She doesn’t need protected from witchcraft…We do.

100. Andy2 | 10.03.08

I agree Palin did a good job overall, but she also did not answer several questions and did not seem to know what to say when the topic went off of her prepared cue cards. I liked her and I thought she connected well with people.

On the other hand I thought Biden was exceptional, showing by contrast everything that Palin is not - knowledgable, thoughtful, and with an informed personal world and domestic view.

I was kind of rooting for Palin in a way - I hate to see anyone really embarass themselves.

But overall it seemed a lot like the same “say anything do nothing” crowd we have in the White House right now. Lots of generalities but no specific plans. And the negative attacks were bad I thought, not helpful, especially the lies and false statements they keep repeating.

One comment on the comments following the debate - it seems like Palin supporters are ready to accuse anyone of bias who has a different opinion than they do. Then there wsa the whole flap about Ifill - the right wing nuts seem to think everyone in the world is as paranoid and manipulative as they are, as there was some huge conspiracy running things. Let’s get past all that if we can please and allow ourselves to have a good debate and express differences of opinion without getting into negative attacks.

101. Jivana Kennedy | 10.03.08

Somehow SarahPalin had the distinct advantage of knowing which camera lens to look squarely into, and of course,

lipstick.

We are a nation seduced by images of the young and beautiful.

I hope our need for safety sanity and security can rise above that

102. Steve | 10.03.08

Gov. Palin’s cutie cute tacticts still do not work on me and I am an Republican. She is still very nieve. Palin spoke for herself with the Katie interview. She needs to focus on her new baby and family instead of passing that buck to try and be a heart beat away from running this country. She is not ready. Anyone can coach a monkey to do tricks. McCain made a horrible decisions for a running mate with Palin. She cannot run her house and or Alaska. So, how will she run this country. I am not ready for my country to be ran by a weather girl. Again, I said she is not ready. I am afraid I will have to vote for Obama/Biden. It does not matter if they were purple and green in color. These men are more experienced to run this country. It’s just slim pickens.

Way to go Obama……

103. duane | 10.03.08

I dont quite understand this article,lol palin won on “style”?? what does that even mean? she repeatedly dodged questions, and her lack of experience and confusion was even more apparent than in her katie couric interveiew.this journalist needs to get a grip………..any half intelligent person will see through her paper thin facade, while j.b spoke she looke STRAIGHT down, when she spoke j.b looked DIRECTLY at her. you can tell alot just by there social tact.Not to mention were all idiots on this planet anyway, chasing these little peices of paper all of our lives till we die. its a sad existence and it makes no sense. we look like fools. im still socffing at the idea we have just 3 choices for prez while this country consists of millions………………..

104. TJ | 10.03.08

No, there is one Sarah Palin, the Sarah Palin who needs a stage with a captive audience, a script, and a guarantee that “somebody out there will like me”. In an interview, she has one person with which to “discuss” and she cannot do that because she lacks a knowledge base and a lifetime of curiosity and need to be informed, if only as an ordinary citizen. As a candidate for the VP and potential President of the USA, she is not authentic and will not be able to effectively govern or participate in policy making decisions with others, nor will she be able to negotiate or participate in discussions with foreign leaders. She would not even be able to represent me at funerals because her reputation will precede her.

Her record of all that “experience” is abysmal with regard to the environmental needs in Wasilla and she had no interest in health care, education, employment. Actually, she has accomplished little given the opportunities she has had, the needs of the people in her state, and the gift of rich resources that create such great revenue for her state. I saw no evidence last night and heard nothing that validates her “as the best energy expert in the country”.

Her management style is confrontational, as is her interactions on the campaign trail.

Sarah of last night is the same Sarah we have seen, just in her element last night, in the safety of center stage with a mic and an audience, even disregarding the rules of debate to talk about what she wanted to talk about instead of the topics put forth by the moderator, so that she was comfortable.

Sarah is still unfit to serve. McCain still made a disastrous decision, one of many, but one big, important one.

105. Jim | 10.03.08

You didn’t mention the one obstacle Sarah Palin — for all her feisty, folksy charm — failed to overcome last night: her lack of a resume that indicates readiness to step into the presidency at a moment’s notice. That’s a VP’s only real job — and likability is no substitute for experience. George Bush’s likeability was one of his strongest attributes going into the 2000 election and look what we got as a result. As good as she is at responding to intensive coaching on the talking points, Sarah Palin remains unqualified for this job.

106. Blake Scruggs | 10.03.08

Please quit trying to put a slant on the election. It is very obvious that
your liberial views come out strong here…..The McCain election is not on the ropes, just so called ” Journalist ” like yourself, trying to influence the vote in that direction

107. Campbell | 10.03.08

The Biden “bridge to nowhere” snub was rather sad attempt considering that both Obama and Biden voted not once but twice for the bridge. I think Palin should have crushed Obama on the housing bailout discussion regarding Obama’s involvment with ACORN, but if she had the rest of the night would have been far more contentious if she did and I don’t think she wanted that. Obama was in the trenches strong arming lending institutions to give out bad home loans that were eventually bundled for Fannie and Freddie.

108. Jeffrey Seelman | 10.03.08

Palin was lacking in substance during her debate with Biden. She is not Vice-Presidential material nor would she make a thoughtful President. Too harsh a view on abortion and sex education, as well. Has no command of facts.

109. vivifiant | 10.03.08

I saw the Biden/Palin debate and I am shocked and scared. Palin is undoubtedly a fine Hockey mom and is probably fit to run a small town or maybe even a state that swims in oil money but I definitely would not trust her to run one of the world’s most powerful countries and much less to have access to the nuclear arsenal of that world power…. I wish there were more debates on the VP level going into precise details of many subjects and where Palin would be required to answer and not to change the subject at will. Regardless of being a Republican or a Democrat, how would someone, who had not even a passport for her first 41 years and whose international exposure stems from a 1 hour refueling stop in Ireland, possibly be able to run a knowledgeable and balanced foreign policy based on diplomacy as the primary means? Would she draw her knowledge from her geography lessons in high school? This is really really scary…..

Vivifiant, Ohio

110. Zahid | 10.03.08

I think it was Tina Fey who showed up for the debate last night!
But in all seriousness. If not answering questions is the criteria for winning a debate then yes she did.
One of the debaters looked at the person asking questions and the other spoke into the TV camera, just like a news reader, totally disengaged from the proceedings, as if they were reading from a teleprompter.
The biggest disappointment of the evening were the questions, but then this was a pre-planned, staged and carefully managed *debate*.

111. Carl Frank | 10.03.08

Two things to point out -
One: The lack of gaffes is the direct result of orchestrated debates. These candidates have agreed upon topics, questions and language in advance. These debates are no longer conducted by journalists asking tough, unexpected questions - they’re designed by campaign managers and the pre-approved questions are posed by “journalists” who are complicit in that process.

Two: Whoever watched what I watched and come up with the idea that Sarah Palin is statesman enough to be Vice President of the United States saw that she wasn’t. If people watched this debate with the objective of “don’t do anything ridiculously stupid” they have great reason to be pleased. The spokesmodel delivered her lines without screwing up. She walked the runway without falling down. But what was the objective.

112. Orel Stevenson | 10.03.08

When OBAMA/BIDEN win “Joe Six-Pack” can stop self-medicating, and hockey moms can relax.

113. Renee Hilpertshauser | 10.03.08

To my fellow Americans,
I am astounded at the support so many of you seem to generously give Mrs. Palin .The Vice presidency is the second most powerful position in the free world.Mrs Palin’s executive experience amounts to running a town of under 7,000 constituents,then running a state of 165,000 or so residents for less than two years.She seems to have little in-depth grasp of the problems with our fractured economy,a destabilized Middle East,Health Care or Energy(Drilling is a band-aid not a solution).I find John McCain’s nomination of her as VP to be the height of irresponsiblility and thus evidence that he himself is unfit to hold the office of the Presidency.Mrs. Palin’s performance during the debate was little more than the recitation of cue cards .After the last eight years I want ,for the sake of our nation ,individuals in charge with depth and an inarguable grasp the issues.Sarah Palin hardly fits that description.
A Deeply Concerned American
Renee Hilpertshauser

114. Barb Berski | 10.03.08

Palin was an awful example of a VP - dodging questions, little intellectual depth . . . with most of the media coverage today saying favorable things and how “great” she was is an indicator of America’s journalism and journalists who report such stuff sinking to new lows and providing little intelligent reporting. Its a disheartening outlook to see American media outlets participate widely in the glossing over of incompetence.

115. Liz | 10.03.08

I hate to admit that I was rather impressed by Sarah Palin last night. Gone was the dim-witted, ill informed woman of the Katie Couric interview and she did a half-decent job. I was expecting her to curl up in a little ball on the stage, screaming “I am frightened!!”. But I still think Biden took this one. The moment when he choked up talking about the tragedy that happened in his family and about being a single parent was beautiful and hopefully hit home with a lot of Americans who might not have known that. I know I didn’t. So I would call this a tie for sure.

116. Steve | 10.03.08

It’s a sad day when style matters as much as substance. There was very little relevance or substance in Sarah Palin’s answers. To say she won because she kept Joe Biden on the defensive is incorrect - Biden very aptly corrected her obviously intentional twisting of the facts as well as very succinctly destroyed her portrayal of McCain and herself as “mavericks.”

117. Leslie | 10.03.08

I don’t know about anyone else, but I am sooooooo tired of this campaign! Tired of the candidates and all the repetitive and rehearsed things they say and of the media analyzing and reanalyzing each word. Thank goodness for the channel changer at an instant click and for the food channel and when this is all over! I really don’t like any of the choices at all but since I have to make a choice, I will definitely pick the Democrats and they will win. Whether or not they will make the lives of the middle class any better long term, I don’t know. If they do succeed, it will take years to see the benefits because it took years to get in the mess we’re in. I will not watch any more shows about politics going forward. I was excited about Hillary and when that ended, as far as I’m concerned, the whole picture took a downturn.

118. leapblog | 10.03.08

As surprised as I was to read that Barack ‘won’ the debate last week, I am equally as surprised to read that Palin ‘tied’ Biden in yesterday’s debate. Biden absolutely crushed Palin. Not only were his answers were direct and supported by facts, he also went out of his way on several occasions to convey to the viewers at home that he was on the side of everyday American struggling to make ends meet. He did this convincingly. On the other hand, Palin repreatedly dodged questions, provided rambling answers, and her shots at Biden and Obama mostly rang hollow. I understand if you want to give her credit for finishing the debate given her performance over the last few weeks, but please take a moment and review her answers with a critical eye. Time and time again she substituded substance for saccharine - I hope my fellow Americans won’t follow suit.

119. ReignForrest | 10.03.08

As a diehard Democrat I was aghast Palin didn’t implode.
As a progressive, I was glad she was able to shed the image of a dumb, uninformed woman. In fact she was able to use her womanhood effectively, HIGHLIGHTING it to score points. What a difference 25 years make! Ferraro wouldn’t've been able to bring up her womanhood even if she had been coached properly to focus on style instead of substance (as Palin was). Palin’s answers probably scored points even when they were not answers to the questions asked.
Thank god McCain-Palin are losing! Heaven help Americans if their beliefs, and attendant policies, were to be perpetuated for another four years on America and the world.

120. Milhouse | 10.03.08

Yes it is too late, the election took place in a backroom in Washington a few months ago. CBS, NBC, ABC, PBS, CNN along with secondary and tertiary media types such as CS Monitor made the decision to elect Obama.

121. Rosemary Ford | 10.03.08

I have been astounded that no one has picked up on two of Biden’s points: He basically said that he believes the tax system should be used to enforce income distribution as a matter of fundamental fairness. This is a senatorial way of saying, from each according to his ability, to each according to his need. Also, his opposition to Judge Bork was a hallmark of partisanship that has never ceased in the appointment of judges. Earl Warren would not have made it to the High Court under Biden’s standard. Unfortunately, Palin does not know her history well enough to have picked up on these comments. My problem with Obama is that he too is ignorant of history and he is at the head of his ticket. I saw him when he was first asked about the invasion of Georgia. He was clueless. He had no historical reference on which to gauge a resurgence of Russian hegmony in an area of the world struggling to become democratic. Palin was right on when she mentioned that people who bought $300,000 houses when they could only afford $100,000 should not be bailed out. They were not victims of predatory lending but good old living beyond their means–just like our government. Re: health care, why has no one commented that Obama’s plan is an echo of the plan proposed by the AMA through their lobby, Voice for the Uninsured. From 2002 to 2007, our population increased by 13,000,000. The number of doctors graduating from medical school has remained steady. The AMA limits the number of doctors so that their high income will be assured. According to published acccounts, fewer doctors are choosing family practice because the average income for family practioners is ONLY $183,000 per year and the average income of orthopedists is $450,000. Also, both candidates talked about college expenses. Not everyone shoud go to college. We need to grow the middle class by assuring that people without college degrees who provide essential services are fairly compensated–not subsidized. We should have a high VAT that does not attached to food, medicine and non luxury clothing (items under $50.)

122. QuietusMaximus | 10.03.08

Sarah Palin’s performance was exactly that - a performance. Like many collegeg students, she’s able to cram for a test and pass it without necessarily understanding the material. That became evident when she announced she would, and then proceeded to ignore specific quesitions she couldn’t answer in favor of returning to rehearsed talking points and charges against Obama (some of which were dispelled in last week’s debate - so much for keeping up with current events).
Despite her confident manner and occasionally cute delivery, Palin is no more qualified this week to be vice president, to say nothing of president, than she was before she was selected. I know McCain won’t back away from this, but for this Obama supporter that can be nothing but good news.

123. Deborah Gold | 10.03.08

Don’t count your chickens before they hatch, don’t put your eggs all in one basket and don’t mess with Uncle John when he’s been drinking. Good advice for someone depending on Barack Obama. I am glad I don’t have to depend on him. If you do, you better get it in writing.

124. Beth Wisconsin | 10.03.08

Palin skirted several important issues such as healthcare, obvously out of her depth. It sickens me that anyone considers her to have succeeded. The vice president needs to be well-informed, not cute or sexy. She should be held to the same standard as any other vice presidential candidate. It is an affront to women’s protress to consider her succeeding simply because she was slick, folksy and drew people’s attention away from her lack of knowledge of substantial issues. Please, respect the intelligence and strength of women enough to call Palin on her lack of knowledge.

125. MichMan | 10.03.08

Palin to Biden: “I may not answer the questions that either the moderator or you want to hear…”

That”s it…. as long as she can ignore the question and just give her scrIpted material she can survive… just like the sportscaster or weatherperson on TV.

Unfortunately that will not cut it as Veep or Pres…. quite often you might actually be expected to ANSWER A QUESTION from your own brain…. and we have many choice examples of her doing this.

126. Middle class mom | 10.03.08

People, this is not American idol…we need leaders who understand the situation we are in. She is cute and folksy, so is my mom. I don’t think either is qualified to be president.

127. Mike G. | 10.03.08

Linda,
Your article is one of the more accurate accounts of what I saw last night. My feeling is that Palin’s performance will have more of an impact on this election than reflected in your review. This was likely the most watched debate ever, and it was sort of the playoff game that is more significant than the Super Bowl. I had doubt, thinking she would fumble and bomb under the pressure, but Palin seemed to feed off of the spotlight. This will have a lasting image in the mind of voters.

Mike
From, Hurricane Katrina’s Ground Zero
MS Gulf Coast

128. John Scott | 10.03.08

For the most part, Palin did her job. Her response about Dick Cheney and her desire to increase the VP power will certainly cause a stir. Biden countered that well by citing the Constitution. Her calling the U.S. general “McClellan” was definitely a mistake, but not a huge one.

What she was successful in doing was 1. Setting a foundation on which she will never do another interview that involves answering questions and 2. Giving momentum to McCain by not making a total fool of herself.

Biden also did his job. He attacked McCain and did not appear condescending towards Palin.

My two favorite parts. Palin’s approval of Dick Cheney’s interpretation of the Vice Presidency and Joe Biden’s statement concerning the expense (to the United States) of three weeks of the war in Iraq being more than six and a half years in Afghanistan.

There was also the brief gaffe when Palin stated “Leave McCain” before correcting herself.

129. captainkona | 10.03.08

She was well rehearsed. Problem is, it was all the same, intellectually challenged talking points Dick Cheney always used. “Peace is surrender”! “They hate our freedom”! “Cut Taxes”! With a side of “Drill, drill, drill” thrown in for essence.

As usual, the depth and detail (remember those?) was with the Democrats and the Election ‘04 talking points belonged to the Republicans.

She claimed economy, environment, middle class and health care. Question is, with the evidence right in front of our faces, how can we ignore the fact that the Republicans have never made gains in any of those aspects of our collective lives?

Obama/Biden ‘08

130. alex | 10.03.08

Neither John McCain, nor Sarah Palin have an idea of what’s necessary to adjust the U.S. for the coming up fundemantal transition. And always be aware that in case John McCain were president and died, Sarah Palin would become president!! She wouldn’t be the right person. We’re at the verge of a new age. There are two extremely important issues on which both presidential candidates are weak, but the Obama team has at least recognized the importance of immediate action and a break-up with the way this country has been doing for decades. Debt and energy will play such an important role in the near future that the next president has to focus on an overall solution. The energy crisis that we are entering will lead to a kind of energy revolution in the U.S. and around the world. Electric cars will increasingly replace cars with combustion engines sooner rather than later with gasoline prices almost sure to rise even higher. The energy dependence of the U.S. can turn out ot be a fundamental security threat and those who say offshore drilling will solve the problem are acting completely irresponsibly. The “business as usual” attitude of the Republicans won’t work out considering the pressing private and public debt as well as the painful energy dependence that threatens our prosperity. Just read http://economatters.wordpress.com/2008/09/21/our-prosperity-hangs-by-a-threat-as-it-is-based-on-a-limited-resource-oil/
to get an impression of the enormous challenges AND chances of the years ahead.

131. Michael | 10.03.08

So she responded to soft-ball questions with a bunch of well rehearsed platitudes, now what? Can’t believe the spin on this to make her weak performance seem acceptable, we are talking about a possible President, people, not Miss Congeniality.

132. Milo Fabian | 10.03.08

Governor Palin did a fine job coming across as a member of, and advocate for, the middle class. She may still be a little lacking on some issues but appears to be gaining ground rapidly. I believe her folksy attitude and colloquial speech harbor a steel trap mind, and she will become a power to be reckoned with should the McCain team win the whitehouse.
Senator Biden was a gentleman while presenting his points across most forefully. He is a clever and execellent VP choice as Senator Obama’s running mate.
However, I believe the McCain team will do the better job of providing needed change to re-establish credibility with our allies and to bring peace and prosperity back to America.

133. Gen | 10.03.08

Biden presidential; Palin telegenic. Is this an election or a reality show?

134. David R Bladen | 10.03.08

Sarah Palin you are our hero, you are perfect for us at this moment in time. You are our Princess Diana who will captivate the world with your charm and charisma. What has all of the so called experienced politicians done for us except turning the rest of the world against us. Sarah this is your moment go for it. You are the American dream.

135. Al Oliver | 10.03.08

As a disinterested third party (unaffiliated non-voter), may I say that if one is speaking about appealing to the mass of ignorant voters that Limbaugh appeals to and who got the US into the situation it’s in now by voting for Bush twice, Palin won.

If on the other hand, you categorize winning a debate by having the better argument, Biden slaughtered Palin.

In other words, were in for another 4 more years of Bush-like government, if we’re lucky. If McClain dies, it’s time to turn out the lights in the US.

136. Saint Michael Traveler | 10.03.08

In contrast to many very highly qualified Republican ladies, such as Dr. Condoleezza Rice, Sarah Palin has equivalent high school knowledge in some fields, and not at all in the others. In 1984, Palin won the Miss Wasilla Pageant, then finished third (second runner-up) in the Miss Alaska pageant, at which she won a college scholarship and the “Miss Congeniality” award. Palin admits to trying cannabis as a youth, during the time Alaska had decriminalized possession though she says she did not enjoy it.
Palin spent her first college semester at Hawaii Pacific College, transferring in 1983 to North Idaho College and then to the University of Idaho. She attended Matanuska-Susitna College in Alaska for one term, returning to the University of Idaho to complete her Bachelor of Science degree in communications-journalism, graduating in 1987.
Did Senator McCain think choosing a family advocating separation of Alaska from the United States would buy my vote?

I am disappointed with Sen. John McCain’s selection; he chose such a feather weight person to represent the Republican Party. Did he think that American women would vote for him because he selected a female rather than a male for the ticket? Senator McCain, please stop insulting the American women?

As you have stated yourself, you had voted 95% of the times in the Senate along the President Bush’s policies. Senator McCain, the issues during this election are: job, economy, medical insurance, infrastructure, education, and failed policy of the President Bush. As President Ronald Reagan once stated: Are we better now than 4 years ago? No, my family is worse than 8 years ago.

Should I vote for Bush-McCain policies? Tell me why your policies would help my family? The policies did not help during the past 7.5 years. The policies took money from my pocket and placed it in the bank for the very rich. The policies exported the jobs away from my sons and daughters; the policies added future financial burden to my grand children. Senator McCain, Sarah Palin and Paris Hilton are not the issue affecting my family.

137. Carol | 10.03.08

If Mitt Romney, Joe Lieberman, or Mike Huckabee made the statments and acted the way Sarah Palin did they would have been laughed off the stage. Since when do we expect so little from a candidate that could be the President before innaugeration day should something happen to John McCain before right after the election. I am so disappointed in Gwen Ifill for the way she conducted this debate. She’s a nice person but she certainly is not a reporter. Katie Couric at least asked tough questions. God help us all if Palin becomes President of the United States!!!!!!!!!!

138. Ben | 10.03.08

I guess if people’s expectations are low enough, it’s hard not to surpass them. Why does the media focus on the petty things like winking at the camera and asking “can I call you Joe?” When it came to real issues and presenting facts and details, Biden dominated the debate. Palin spoke in generalities and used the same chest-thumping rhetoric that Bush is so fond of. Palin is just a spectacle to make the McCain campaign look young and hip. It’s to disguise the fact that McCain is Bush all over again.

139. Faith | 10.03.08

Palin was pretty and telegenic but that doesn’t mean anything when our country is in quick sand and slowly sinking to extinction. We have deeper problems than and wink and a ‘gotcha’ attitude. It’s almost insulting as a woman to have someone go on a Debate for the soul of our country and think that, as Tina Fey’s character was quoted “as being adorable” will honestly be an effective game plan to win the nomination for McCain. McCain was a poor student, was captured in the war with thousands of other POW’s and uses that as his reason for being a President. He’s impulsive and explosive. That is not someone I would feel comfortable having his finger perched on our massive nuclear capabilities. Nor would I feel comfortable with him meeting with foreign leaders and feel that he would do everything to negotiate rather than put us in another war of aggression. This has been a disasterous 8 years and this country needs new blood, a new hope and a new outlook on how to solve our problems.

140. Dan | 10.03.08

If Palin was a brain surgeon, would you let her operate on your child? Her debate performance showed, once again, that she is all form and no substance. You might love how friendly and “folksy” she is with you in her office, but wouldn’t you want that surgeon to know some, like, facts?

The “style” points are overwhelming some peoples’ good judgment. She is not a deep thinker, she is not a good learner, she displays a profound lack of wisdom. She doesn’t know many “facts.”

Can you imagine her with Putin? He would eviscerate her. And what would he do when he asked her a question and she launched into a prepared speech that she memorized that morning? A prepared speech on energy, perhaps.

Good heavens, people, take this more seriously. She could be the president of the United States, and yet she’s approaching her job as if she’s running for the president of the local PTA.

141. PaulMo | 10.03.08

Stop spinning the debate. I don’t know where you got that she rebounded last night. Oh, I see, if Palin didn’t quit, faint, or pee her dress last night than it was a successful debate, and that she did better than expected. It’s sad that we’ve set the bar so low for someone who is a heartbeat away from being President of the greatest country in the world. She didn’t answer any question for the first 45 minutes of the debate, was severely insensitive to Biden when he talked about his loss, only to go back to her talking points that she rehearsed over and over again this past week in Sedona, tried to belittle someone who has an abundance of experience, and pretty much called him a liar to his face.

On top of that, she pretty much said she would not be accepting anymore interviews. If she can’t handle interviews or answer any question with substance, how in the heck is she going to deal with world leaders (other than small talk)? How is she going to stand up to Putin, Chavez, and other world dictators? Oh yeah, she’ll yell at them and expect action instead of tough diplomacy, which the Bush administration via Condi Rice has now embraced.

Last night was horrible for Palin. Anyone who thinks this woman is capable of running this great country, is severely mistaken. The pundits should be ashamed of themselves for dangerously spinning that Palin was something she wasn’t last night. She pretty much gave no substantive answers last night, and I could care less if she is a soccer mom, or 6-pack Joe. The American people want answers, and she couldn’t provide one, let me say it again, one single difference between GW’s policies and McCain’s policies. Voting with GW 90%, as McCain has over the past 7 years, is not change we can believe in, and that certainly doesn’t qualify him to be a Maverick. He lost that title back in 2001, and will never be able to regain it.

142. Kim | 10.03.08

“Palin didn’t really answer some of the questions posed to her,… but she did it so smoothly it hardly seemed noticeable.”

It would only have been noticeable to Joe Six-Pack on his sixth… You’d have had to be sleeping not to notice lines like, “I’m not gonna answer the questions the way you want me to…” She was filled with talking points and little else. She really said very little. I think it was a good strategy for her - the less she says, the better she looks. But that’s a bit scary, don’t you think?

143. TJ | 10.03.08

No, there is one Sarah Palin, the Sarah Palin who needs a stage with a captive audience, a script, and a guarantee that “somebody out there will like me”. In an interview, she has one person with which to “discuss” and she cannot do that because she lacks a knowledge base and a lifetime of curiosity and need to be informed, if only as an ordinary citizen. As a candidate for the VP and potential President of the USA, she is not authentic and will not be able to effectively govern or participate in policy making decisions with others, nor will she be able to negotiate or participate in discussions with foreign leaders. She would not even be able to represent me at funerals because her reputation will precede her.

Her record of all that “experience” is abysmal with regard to the environmental needs in Wasilla and she had no interest in health care, education, employment. Actually, she has accomplished little given the opportunities she has had, the needs of the people in her state, and the gift of rich resources that create such great revenue for her state. I saw no evidence last night and heard nothing that validates her “as the best energy expert in the country”.

Her management style is confrontational, as is her interactions on the campaign trail.

Sarah of last night is the same Sarah we have seen, just in her element last night, in the safety of center stage with a mic and an audience, even disregarding the rules of debate to talk about what she wanted to talk about instead of the topics put forth by the moderator, so that she was comfortable.

Sarah is still unfit to serve. McCain still made a disastrous decision, one of many, but one big, important one.

144. Jack | 10.03.08

It was so silly. Palin practically was reading and responding to whatever she felt was appropriate. When asked about the Mortagage she talked about energy. This was the worst debate ever. My son who is 10 can probably do the same speech that she did. It was a wasted 1.5 hrs. Biden did a great job and my vote (as a republican) will not be wasted on a wannabe actress or parrot who memorises speeches and spills it out without any substance but full of cliches and buzz words. I am a right wing person but not stupid as she seems to make all of us republicans to be. Give me a break.. God help our country if this ticket wins.

145. Pat K. | 10.03.08

Better than expected? That’s like saying a boxer that get’s KO’d in the 2nd round did great because he was expected to go down in round 1!

Palin seems very nice, but good lord, does anyone think she’s ready to step in and lead the country at a moment’s notice?

146. Karen Rudolph | 10.03.08

This wasn’t a debate, it was more of a speech by Palin. She didn’t answer the questions asked, instead she gave her well rehersed answers even if they didn’t match the questions. She called this speaking directly to the American people. Actually it was a dodge. There were no in depth questions and no follow up questions asking for specific details. She reminds me of a local news anchor, doing a perky recitation of a pre-written monologue.

147. arturo | 10.03.08

I fail to see how anyone who ever took a college-level course could possible think that Governor Palin’s debate performance helped her ticket’s cause. Before I watched the debate, I had come to believe that Ms. Palin’s intellectual range is rather limited. Her debate performance reinforced my preconceptions. By insisting that her experience as a small town mayor and as a governor of Alaska qualifies her for the highest office in the land, she showed that she really does not understand what it takes to lead our country. By choosing not to answer the specific questions asked of her during the debate, she showed that she simply lacks the intellectual depth necessary to answer those questions intelligently. In addition, the answers that she gave, whether on or off topic, did not impress me. She did not display any ability to engage in the type of thinking necessary to lead our country in the trying times in which we live.

Almost eight years ago the voters elected President another folksy conservative who is also an intellectual lightweight. The consequences of that election have been disastrous for the nation. Governor’s Palin’s air-headed chumminess is just a different flavor or Dubya’s similar concoction. We should not make the same mistake again.

Every third grader knows that failing to complete the specific assignment given by the teacher is a sure way to get a failing grade. I suspect that journalists have similar standards. If Linda Feldman had been asked by her editor to write about Governor Palin’s debate performance but instead wrote about something else, then probably her superiors at the paper would have disciplined her in some fashion. If, by choosing her own subject, Ms. Feldman’s had gone on to create a masterpiece worthy of a Pulitzer, then perhaps her superiors would have gone easy on her. Otherwise, I suspect, she would have been fired. For this reason, I fail to understand why the press, as a group, have responded favorably to Governor Palin’s performance. I just do not get it. I am working very hard so that my children, for whom I have high hopes, understand why Governor Palin’s debate performance was inadequate.

148. Todd | 10.03.08

The expression “City on a Hill” comes from John Winthrop’s sermon “A Model of Christian Charity” from 1630. Unless Reagan was a lot older than I remember him being, it is not his quote and any 5th grader could tell you that.

And what about her comment that Biden’s wife’s reward is in heaven? It was mean spirited. Perhaps if you aren’t from the midwest you might have missed her coded language but it was an attack and you saw the results later in the debate.

On the subject of coded language, what about her use of nuke-you-lur, although it sounded a bit more like nick-you-lur? Are we to beleive she doesn’t know how to pronounce nuclear, or was it done to appeal to a certain 20%? What about the question of a “maverick” Palin administration if the worst should happen? As a midwesterner I heard her codes loud and clear. The lack of serious analysis regarding her as a candidate is sad and insulting.

It may be highly effective, but it is a sickening reminder of the Dubbya campaigns.

149. Al | 10.03.08

I was real disappointed in Sen. Biden,I had always look at him as a great
speaker, HE FAILED AS BAD AS COULD BE IN ALMOST EVERYTHING. It looked as if he was running against Pres. Bush, instead of McCain and Palin.
Also, there was 10 or 11 times he either lied or just didn!t know on Sen. McCain past voting record . I have been wondering why a sen. with his time and record would even been associated in any way with the Likes of a no body, done nothing, know nothing, LOUD MOUTH lyer like Obama who is programed
by someone else, and not able to make any decisions on his own. AFTER WATCHING LAST NIGHTS DEBATE, He is just not the person I had alway took him to be. Therefore I Rate Palin 99.5 and Biden .5

150. Kelcy | 10.03.08

It is really sad that when you set the expectations at zero that anything is above that and somehow it is interpreted to mean someone has done well. She studied for over a week in a secluded cabin to memorize a set of responses that she used repeatedly no matter whether they applied to the question at hand or not. Wow. Successful.

The CSM is not the only news outlet to say she was successful in the debate. No wonder our education system is in tatters as is our economy if someone that is running for the second highest office in America can be considered successful after starting from zero. (Although, personally I would have started her at a negative number after the fiasco interview with Couric and then say she only moved up to a zero.)

151. Peter Lentini | 10.03.08

Governor Palin’s deliver was fine and she seemed comfortable reading her scripted talking points, however, I wonder about her heavily applied folksy charm. All of the, “gosh darns,” and winking make her seem as if she is trying to replicate the demeanor of Auntie Em in dust bowl Kansas of the early nineteen thirties. What is the target audience that would find this appealing?

152. gaypastor | 10.03.08

Ifill’s performance does NOT prove she was objective nor free from making an unethical decision. None of us know what this clear Obama supporter did (or didn’t do) behind the scenes! For all we know her bias motivated her to give Biden a look at all her questions before the debate or she coached him on how to respond. We don’t know! But her objective performance does not prove that she was the right person for the job. She is an author of a book about one of the candidates and she purposefully withheld this information from the Debate Commission…she was the WRONG person…and we simply don’t know how her position of great power changed the dynamics of this debate!

153. Natasha | 10.03.08

Governor Palin - A Star Is Born!!

Appropriate finale for last night’s debate!

A USA Military History (Tchaikovsky 1812 Overture)

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6370539579217643597&hl=en

God Bless America!

McCain for President 2008!

Palin for President 2012!

154. Natasha | 10.03.08

Congratulations Governor Palin! You have warmed our hearts with your honesty and humble straight talk! This is exactly what our country needs!!

It is never too late…Keep smiling, you are on your way, America’s Princess !!

America salutes you and Senator McCain!

Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks

http://video.aol.com/video-detail/prom-palace-music-for-the-royal-fireworks/416649911

God Bless America!

155. whynot | 10.03.08

When will Sarah Palin release her Tax Returns

156. Natasha | 10.03.08

Dear moderator- would you please explain why my comments are not posted? There are NOT in violation of your comment policy. Thank you.

157. newton31 | 10.03.08

It is so NOT TOO LATE! Palin is up to speed on the issues. Please put her out on all the national TV and radio opportunities to say why America should vote for John McCain. She’ll be able to get the message across.

(And campaign organizers, please don’t make exaggerated claims about what is wrong with the opposition. That is not the campaign for the John McCain we have come to know through the years. If you have policy disagreements state them forcefully, but be clear and accurate. Tell us what you can do better. That’s the John McCain America will be voting for.)

158. Todd | 10.03.08

And I thought the bar couldn’t get any lower than George W. Bush. Boy, was I wrong.

159. Lalala | 10.03.08

Palin is terrible. Worst choice for VP ever!

160. aerial | 10.03.08

I came away from the debate with a more negative impression of Palin. Her claim of “straight talk” while she repeatedly dodged questions that were either outside of her experience or would make McCain look bad, is disingenuous. She is incapable of being truthful when she doesn’t understand something, preferring to steer the discussion to areas where she’s comfortable instead.

I believe her attitude will lead to an administration that goes to great lengths to dictate our needs to us; and, even more frightening, hide what it’s doing when they know it will be unpopular with voters. I want an administration that serves the people without using deception to bend us to their will.

161. louis pepe | 10.03.08

shes a great actress, im sure she will do good next year on dancing with the stars

162. Alice Reed | 10.03.08

References to “Joe Six Pack and Hockey Moms” do nothing for me. I came from a lower middle class family one generation away from my immigrant grandparents. Everything I have worked for and hoped for in my retirement years is now in jeopardy so this race has me studying and researching. A good act and beauty pageant answers do not constitute intelligence or make up for a lack of experience, or knowledge of key issues that affect those of us in the middle class. As a retired teacher, I am insulted that anyone would think I could be impressed and swayed by such a pathetic and shallow rehearsed performance.

163. abc123 | 10.03.08

It is hard to believe palin could do anything to eras the debacle, chaos and inaptitude of the past few weeks.
Personaly, I think mccain has Alzheimer.

164. ash | 10.03.08

Sound familiar? For those who don’t remember…

(Chatty Cathy was a doll manufactured by the toy company Mattel starting in 1959. The doll appeared in stores and on television commercials beginning in 1960.

Revolutionary for its time[1], Chatty Cathy spoke one of eleven phrases at random when the “chatty ring” protruding from its upper back was pulled. The ring was attached to a string connected to a simple low-fidelity phonograph record in the doll’s abdomen. The record was driven by a metal coil wound by pulling the toy’s string. The doll said phrases such as, “I love you”, “Tell me a story”, “Will you play with me?”, and “Please take me with you”. Seven more phrases were added to the doll’s repertoire in 1963 for a total of 18 phrases.)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

165. samuel | 10.03.08

it is funny to say palin for 2012.

gov. mike huckabee is the only solution for GOP.
Gov. huckabee for president 2012/2016. or Sen John Cornyn

Gov Palin is wrong choice.

166. Sandy | 10.03.08

Palin doesn’t even understand the meaning of “achilles heal” unless, of course, it means strength, not weakness “up there in Alaska”

167. abc123 | 10.03.08

It is hard to believe palin could do anything to erase the chaos, inaptitude and debacle the republican offered us in the past few weeks.
Personaly I think maccain has Alzheimer.

168. Jane | 10.03.08

Palin was nervous and talked too much without saying anything. No substance there for sure. Her smile can be best described as half way between cynicism and sarcasm and somebody should train her to say “nuclear” instead of “nucular”. That is a bushism and we had enough of that.

169. Eric Balcom | 10.03.08

Palin is a hardly a star, but rather an impending disaster. It is by sheer luck and the fact that she is a conservative and a women that she finds herself in this position. More like she won the lottery. That is not a star.

Also the “true’ republican party is long gone now and has current party is hijacked by TV evangelists

170. Pat | 10.03.08

Do we really want someone strong in style but weak in substance to be our next Vice President and, very possibly, President given McCain’s health problems? I would hope for substance any day. America needs more than this given what we’ve been through in the past 8 years.

Obama/Biden 2008!

171. Debra | 10.03.08

I think Sarah Palin has great ability to delegate, prioritize and is without agenda to do anything but “help” our country move out of this quicksand we are stuck in and NEVER repeat this economic travisty again. It is all those who live unaccountable and beyond their means that are looking for ‘more of the same’ with Obama…..who has used the same high end advisors to finance and lead his campaign. He is the same person who “used” this economic crisis to further himself..not the country…How DID HE MAKE all this money…child of a single mom on welfare, etc etc….HOW DID HE pay for his schooling…certainly not with the hard work most of us have to do to get where we are…..what kind of ‘jobs’ has he had in the past to prove his work ethic???? I am sick that could be our leader for our country and my children/grandchildren.

172. rohit | 10.03.08

I think the Democrats have played their cards very well discrediting Palin and of course the Eastern media have played along. But, McCain does not actually have skin cancer, and if he did, there is 91% chance of a person with skin cancer living 5 years (which would be past the next election). So Palin’s “competence” is not as crucial as the Democrats are making it out to be.

And IF they are elected, it will be almost four months before they take office, and who knows how many years before Palin becomes president IF she does. Suppose that in 2011, McCain dies and Palin becomes president. She will surely be more knowledgeable about national and international affairs than she is now. Don’t get me wrong, I prefer Obama to McCain even though I respect McCain. But I am dismayed that Democrats (and the CS Monitor) are slicing into this woman who has done no wrong except prove popular with a lot of average Americans. Mary Baker Eddy would be ashamed of you!

Middle class Mom says, “People, this is not American idol…we need leaders who understand the situation we are in. She is cute and folksy, so is my mom.” If your Mom is a governor and has gone to battle with the big oil companies, then congratulations. If not, maybe the comparison only shows your prejudice against Palin because she is pretty.

173. ds | 10.03.08

round of applause for AL #32, who gets the ignorant white-trash-loser-of-the-day-award!

Good job, Al sixpack. Youre a moron.

174. haugh | 10.03.08

IF YOU THINK PALIN IS A GOOD CHOICE FOR VP, READ THIS:
(congrats, you’re a moron, get a life, don’t vote please)

175. home warranty | 10.03.08

Palin is clearly not ready for the office. With lack of knowedlge on any key policy issues, how can you expect her to work in VP or Prez capacity. Joe Biden was looking like a true statesman and presidential, but Palin was just mayoral. Thats all folks…

176. Angry African | 10.03.08

This should not be about whether Palin was better than what was expected. Or whether Biden did or didn’t wipe her off the table with his knowledge and experience. It’s about who will be the second most powerful person in Washington. People say the VP decision isn’t that important. I beg to differ. The second most powerful person in the US government and not seen as that important? Do you want to run your company with a good CEO but a CFO who knows nothing of how finances work? Or a COO who knows nothing of commerce? Maybe not.

So I looked at the two candidates with two questions in mind:
1. Who would best be able to help a President achieve the change he is promising?
2. Who do you want to make the decisions and represent your country if the President isn’t there?
That should be easy.
http://angryafrican.net/2008/10/03/biden-vs-palin-you-betcha-or-what-i-want-in-a-vice-president/

177. Eric Balcom | 10.03.08

176 Debra | 10.03.08

Pls explain how governer Palin will rescue America via her folksy mannerism?

By the way Obama worked hard, he went to Harvard then taught Law in Chicago before going to work for State Senate. He then got elected to U.S Senate. He just finshed paying off his student loans and any money (I believe 2 Million) he made was from his book sale. He is common person. His wife’s dad used to work for the city (blue collar job) and pushed the kids to go to college. Pls go to factcheck.org (bipartisan) website to educate yourself on obama.

Don’t believe stuff that TV “Evangelists” are pushing.

178. Julius Caesar | 10.03.08

She came, she talked, she said nothing.

179. Peggy McGilligan | 10.03.08

I think both candidates, and the moderator did fine. It was a civil but spirited debate, for a job that in politics doesn’t amount to much. There is one thing I’d like to point out though, that male Democratic politicians do with great regularity. I’m sure you’ve noticed. Now if you don’t like Bozo the clown, if you feel that he is a particularly bad clown and bad for the country, why then don a Bozo wig, a pair of size 14 shoes, and a rubber nose whenever denouncing Bozo? If there is an official uniform of the president, it’s the pastel blue tie, white shirt, and dark suit first popularized by George Bush. The color scheme comes from the presidential flag, and no other American president wore those colors on an almost exclusive basis before George Bush. Note: before railing against Bozo, please try not to dress exactly like Bozo. It makes one look like a Bozo: http://theseedsof9-11.com

180. karvictho | 10.03.08

Not answering most of the questions posed could hardly be considered a rebound! The purpose of the debate was not just to pitch her agenda, but to explain vis-a-vis the discussion with Biden why it was the preferred course of action.

None of that happened. And the fact that this time she didn’t fall flat on her face is not comforting.

It is also highly amusing to read about how male politicians have to tippie toe around Palin because people will get offended if it looks as though the men are being too tough on her. Excuse me….. will the President of Iran tippie toe around her if she becomes President, or Chavez, or Putin??????

Didn’t we women fight for equal treatment??? Well, here is the chance to treat her, and any other woman politician with the respect we deserve. She wants to step up to the big plate, for the big lunch, with the big guys (that includes women like Pelosi, Feinstein, Clinton, etc.) then she should do that.

Woe is us!!!

PS: If anyone out there thinks taxes won’t be raised to pay for the bail out plan—think again. And this is the price everyone pays, Republican and Democrat for allowing the system to be corrupted.

181. rohit | 10.03.08

haugh said:

“IF YOU THINK PALIN IS A GOOD CHOICE FOR VP, READ THIS:
(congrats, you’re a moron, get a life, don’t vote please)”

You are making my point. I like Obama, but his supporters are really scary - they seem not to understand that they are living in a democracy and others too have a right to vote.

You should pay less attention to your subjective impression of the interview and consider that as governor she fought back three major oil companies and eventually gave the contract to a Canadian company.

She and her husband and their two older children are registered organ donors and because of her support, more than half of adult Alaskans are also.

Once she was in a boat with her dad and a storm brewed. Her father was scared, but Palin said, “Get out of my way, I will take care of it” and brought the boat to safety.

You Palin haters need to ask if the US needs more hateful people.

Thank God Obama is not like you!

182. Rhonda | 10.03.08

Are we forgetting the inexperience of Obama? So much is being said of the inexperience of Palin and she is only running as vice-president. Obama is running for the highest office of president of the United States. Shouldn’t his readiness and experience be the main concern of the American people? I am concerned.

I was deeply disturbed by Ms. Feldmann’s choice of heading and sub-heading of this article. I have read the Monitor for many years because of it’s unbias reporting. Lately there has been obvious blatant bias. You should be ashamed!

Just for the record. “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.” Matthew 5:14 (THE BIBLE)

183. rohit | 10.03.08

171. Sandy | 10.03.08

Palin doesn’t even understand the meaning of “achilles heal” unless, of course, it means strength, not weakness “up there in Alaska”

———–

Actually, Sandy, it is Achilles HEEL! The heel was Achilles’ weak point and refers to the bottom of his foot. HEAL is what doctors do or try to do. They are not the same thing.

So now, do YOU understand the meaning of “Achilles heal’? (And yes, that should be a capital A, since Achilles was a person).

So, what is the point of sneering at Palin? All this hatred of Americans towards other Americans is just sad, sad, sad. Why not be a bit civilized in your comments?

184. abc123 | 10.03.08

If style is a euphemism for demagoguery then, I agree, palin is full of it!

185. movie fan | 10.03.08

the VP debate was stunning. Palin did a decent job faking about 20% of the questions and didn’t even bother answering the other 80%.

i couldn’t help thinking of the end of the movie Billy Madison, when the Principal says to Adam Sandler, “Mr. Madison, what you’ve just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.”

186. NoPalin | 10.03.08

I think Palin was pathetic. When the bar was set at minus 5 she scored zero. She was so obviously reading from cue cards, refused to answer the questions, and it was very clear she was parroting by rote and did not understand a word she said on Iran, Afghanistan, powers of the VP, economy or anything. Even her so-called wink-wink folksyness was contrived. I think the moderator gave her a free pass because she was afraid the right wing would accuse her of bias. Ideally Gwen Ifil should have excused herself and let Judy Woodruff hammer Palin. Palin is a vacanr, incurious, unlettered, unread, and uninformed moron and God help America if she manages to win. Biden, on the other hand was a study in contrast. He blew her away with his so apparent understanding of facts, and both foreign and domestic policy. Why is the media so biased?

187. Robert | 10.03.08

Not only was the recitation of memorized answers unrelated to the questions not enough to sway me as an independent, it shouldn’t sway any sentient voter. I seriously question the intelligence of someone that found Palin’s performance acceptable for someone who could end up leading our nation should a crisis occur. I can see many valid reasons for voting for the Republican ticket, but ABSOULUTELY none of the intelligent ones involve Sarah Palin.

I am embarrassed for my country that someone so unqualified could be seriously up for consideration as our leader.

188. Alice | 10.03.08

Even though Gov. Palin didn’t fail completely (a huge relief to all women), she did nothing to convince me that she’s ready for the Vice Presidency. Her *winking* drove me crazy and totally reminded me of a used car salesman. I wish she would have answered the questions and taken a more serious tone during the debate. She doesn’t seem very professional — I’m trying to be open-minded, but I just can’t picture her as Vice President.

189. Kelly Lee | 10.03.08

Well apparently - Palin left her notes behind. oops!

http://www.weeklyworldnews.com/headlines/palintology-revealed/

190. Peta | 10.03.08

Palin seems to be talking well again but I still have a problem with her. Every time she is asked a question she goes through the same sequence, she spends about 10 seconds waffling around the question and then she shoots off talking about whatever she chooses, and after a while you have forgotten the original question.

Couric was different, she tried to push Palin to actually answer the question that was asked, that is hardly unreasonable, but if Palin couldn’t shoot off back to her talking points she would throw a hissy fit.

In the debate Palin was talking freely about whatever she wanted to say, but if you think about it, it was shallow, on the surface prattle. It sounded good until you examine it for content, then you realise there is little there, and nothing new.

191. Leslie | 10.03.08

two palins?! never. let’s hope not one only kidding - wish the best for both.

friend sent me a funny article… thought i’d share

http://www.weeklyworldnews.com/headlines/palintology-revealed/

192. fert | 10.03.08

Shame on you, Linda Feldmann. You speak of the substance and style of the two candidates as if they should be considered equally important in their ability to lead this nation. If the nation can’t see past smokescreens and misinformation it’s because “journalists” such as yourself can’t distinguish what’s between what’s important and the nonsense that has become presidential campaigning. This is NOT People Magazine. The election should NOT be a vote for Miss Congeniality (not a dig at Palin, who won that title once). Why don’t you go write an oped about the talking points both candidates have? Because, if I want comments about style and which candidate wore the better shoes, I’d read something other than CSMonitor.

193. Works not words | 10.03.08

Palin has more administrative/experience than Obama. And she’s just as engaging as he is in her speeches, maybe more, since she’s not trying to prove anything - or be anyone she isn’t. She’s straight forward and I like that. I really like Joe Biden too, a lot.

But should either Presidential hopeful not be able to fulfill their responsibilities in the future, I’d rather have Palin at the helm, than Biden because she’s got the “reform” issue under her belt, more so than anyone on the ticket. And in the final analysis, reform is what Washington needs, not just another “yes man” like Obama and Biden.

Obama’s in the pocket of big money - has been since Oprah started coaching him for this campaign - and he’s received huge financial backing from overseas from sources we can not identify. And I don’t want big money, be it a TV host or an oil company or a banking industry or a military organization telling Americans what’s best for us.

McCain/Palin are also closer to the ideals of Ron Paul and his supporters than the Dems.

But this year, we’ve got to vote for McCain/Palim to make real changes in policy and to reform the military/industrial/banking/oil company complex for America to survive and restore the freedoms we are founded on.

Besides, Camelot is a fairy tale, kids. It’s time to grow up!

194. Spruce | 10.03.08

I listened to the debate on the radio and thought Biden was much more effective than Palin in providing actual substantive answers to questions. True, Palin did not fall on her face but she did not appear authentic. Her responses seemed too fast and prepared, didn’t address topics, and none of them actually offered any details to address the nation’s issues (OK, she and McCain are “mavericks” and they are going to “take em on”…we GOT that.)
Put side by side, some of her statements were hypocritical, e.g., “We have got to have substantial government oversight”, followed closely by, “Too much government is often the real problem”.
I agree with others that overzealous putdowns of Palin or her supporters are not helpful. But, I believe that Palin supporters are too eager to claim media bias when Palin’s credentials or beliefs are questioned. We desperately need the media to investigate, to brush aside the political dirt and dig deeper to the truth, and to fearlessly report their findings.

I do not listen to the shock jocks on talk radio nor do I watch TV. I try to make up my own mind on issues and events after listening to NPR, which I believe is the most balanced, informative, inspiring source for news and in-depth analysis. We could raise our national IQ by 50 points simply by turning off the shock jocks, cutting back on TV, doing more reading, and listening to NPR. But, some of you have more allegiance to your shock jocks than to this country.

195. Pat | 10.03.08

I guess I listened to a different debate because I think Sarah Palin answered any question given to herjust as well asJoe Biden did. You all are just worried and
grasping for anything to disrespect her because you know she has impressed
a lot of people. And well you should be worried. Even Obama does the Um-Um-Um
thing and I didn’t hear Sarah do that once. Katie’s interview was a joke and
so is Katie. Sarah excelled in a real debate.
As far as Sarah reading I’m sure she did have her notes but so did Joe Biden,
he kept his face down most of the time. After all he’s had what==32 years of
saying the same thing.
Why are you people so worried about Sarah anyway? She will be VP.
Think about an inexperienced Obama, he wants to be President. Thats what you
should be worried about and not Sarah Palin. Check out some of the things he
says he voted for and didn’t vote for. You all need to read other papers besides this one and listen to someone else besides Katie Couric.

196. Engin | 10.04.08

Palin offers a”Joe six pack” for every home and a free “I am a Hockey Mom” T-Shirt with a warm blink for your kitchen table. As she is talking “straight up” from Alaska with her so called diverse family with not knowing any east coast political lingo, she is running as a vice president candidate with 5 week intensive background, she manages to get even the most conservative Republicans to vote for Democrats, so she is doing a good job, let her wink and smile.

197. Marl | 10.04.08

How DARE Joe “Six Pack” O’Biden interrupt Sarah “Von” Palin’s well rehearsed monologue with his intelligent thoughts & ideas!!! So, the pitbull was able to lift her leg once again.

198. swisskid | 10.04.08

That was no debate, that was a 90-minute Sarah Palin infomercial.

199. Carlo | 10.04.08

“Better-than-expected performance”, yes. But that’s predominantly because the expectations were really low. In many cases, her answers had little or nothing to do with the questions. That folksy style accompanied by the winking is annoying. It’s doubtful her performance would appeal to anyone other than those who were already supporting the McCain/Palin ticket.

200. Doug S. | 10.04.08

I’m guessing that basically everybody saw/heard what they expected from each candidate.

Of course Senator Biden was well informed and spoke well. He’s been a Senator for 36 years! And he just finished a second (unsuccessful) campaign to be the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee. He is VERY experienced in front of camera, and did a good job interacting with Governor Palin, the mediator, and the local audience. He persistently (and consistently, which is more difficult) defended his running mate.

Governor Palin also handled herself well. As she pointed out, she had only been performing on the national scene for 5 weeks,

[which is a little disingenuous, as on an international level, she regularly deals with a number of “Sister States” in China, Russia, and Taiwan (see http://www.gov.state.ak.us/trade/Sister_cities.pdf) interacts with the 14 consulates in Anchorage (see http://www.gov.state.ak.us/trade/Consular_Corps.pdf), and was been directly engaged in hardball contract negotiations which the large, multinational oil companies.]

so she stumbled a couple of times when defending McCain’s Senate voting record (I have little doubt Senator Biden is MUCH more familiar w/ Senator McCain, having been his “co-worker” for 22 years) but otherwise maintained her composure. She used a “Reaganesque” “There you go, Joe” whenever Senator Biden tried to equate the policies of the McCain/Palin and the Bush/Cheney administrations with some success. I suspect we’ll see more of it in the future.

She equally persistently kept her campaign messages in our ears (you can’t but feel sorry for the mediator who, except for keep tracking of whose turn it was to speak, and how long they had left to do so, was ignored by both participants. The first presidential debate unfortunately set the precedent when the subject limitation to foreign policy and international affairs was largely ignored).

It is incorrect to say that one or the other side “won” the “debate”. The participants weren’t stating an argument, presenting an opposition, rebuttals, or doing anything else that resembles a true debate. To me it seemed more like Senator Biden and Governor Palin were performing political interviews while their opponents were in the same room telling the interviewer that (nearly) everything they were hearing was untrue. The reality is that both candidates stretched the truth and any voter who wants to know what has ACTUALLY happened (in terms of bills introduced, voted on, & etc) should look directly at a unedited source (an example for a Senate bill that would be http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s109-190).

Our tax dollars pay to make a lot of information available to the voters. We should use it!

201. HiloBob | 10.04.08

Palin is a Hail Mary stunt which is paying off…sort of. She’s more of a distraction from the issues because other than the scripted tripe she recites from her Pub handlers, there’s nothing really there.

McCain left his crippled wife for another woman who happened to be a rich pill popper. It’s one thing to try a joint when you’re young and leave it behind, but what I see here are two people who don’t use good judgment on the big things. A liar with a bad temper and a former drug addict. Great American ideals. Some deal.

202. rohit | 10.04.08

I like the comments from Doug S. A rare voice speaking up for sanity, civility, and truth. I wish all the hatemongers who have posted would take a lesson.

203. Bill | 10.04.08

Hey candidates, you forget something, what are our big plans to create jobs and fix our economy? What are you going to about outsourcing our jobs to other countries, and imports? The American public is left holding the bag to bail out the banks, how are you going to create jobs so people don’t have to deal with this; http://www.buymyhousebeforethebanktakesit.com … is this the future of America?

204. rohit | 10.04.08

Just out of curiosity, I went back and watched the first 15 minutes of the debate on Youtube. Sarah Palin was no Barbie doll. She spoke with confidence and aggressiveness and at the same time in a way which was intimate. To be sure, she did not know as many details of Washington matters as Biden did but she did know quite many. She IS new to the national and international scene, but she was very much better on Thursday than she was in the last interview with Katie Couric.

Her problem, which she finessed quite well, is that Bush’s record is awful. Also, the Republican fascination with deregulation (which, alas, was shared by Clinton in 1999) is what has brought us to the sorry pass we are in today. She had to dodge that trap which Biden kept trying to lure her into.

But I saw no evidence in Palin’s remarks that she is a fan of deregulation.
She avoided agreeing or disagreeing with some of McCain’s mistakes - that is what you have to do when you are being lured into a trap. It is too bad we will not see another debate between her and Biden. Two weeks from now she would do spectatularly well - but she is not going to have that chance. A pity because it is clear that she is a tough, determined person, capable of learning very quickly.

The “talking points” theory repeated many times in postings makes no sense. Ifill made it clear at the start that no one knew the questions except herself. So it could not be the case that Palin was repeating a formula.
If people want to think of her as a robot repeating formulas, it is largely wishful thinking. Understandable because she is a real threat to the Democrats.

If the Democrats have the courage, IF they have the courage, then ask for a second VP debate on Oct 17. If Palin is really such an idiot, then a second debate will help you more, won’t it? So why not ASK for it, if you are really so sure that Palin is a fool? I dare you!

205. Austinite | 10.04.08

Frankly I was disappointed with her performance because some of her responses were the same responses and comments she made on Sean Hannity’s radio talk show. It almost sounded like she was on the Sean Hannity show again-except she wasn’t! She either had a script handy or she memorized her responses from the Sean Hannity interview. She’s a robot!

206. palintologist | 10.05.08

She played it as the sportscaster that she is. She does best when she’s had time to prepare and memorize answers prepared by someone else. She flubbed the katie kouric questions in the most embarassing ways possible and then offered carl cameron a chance for a do-over on foxnews. same questions, long answers. we’re supposed to believe that she was frustrated because of the questions katie was asking? why did she indulge carl when he asked the same exact questions? what an embarrassment. I hope mccain replaces her with someone from http://www.womenwholooklikesarahpalin.com LOL!

207. Republican Victory | 10.05.08

I thought Palin was amazing during the debate. She energized the Republican Party and is the right person to become the next Vice President.

208. Harold Reimann | 10.05.08

Ms. Offal was on O’s show. Guess she said she wasn’t biased. But she asked the questions. Soft questions for soft answers so Palin couldn’t tear Biden apart.

Michael Savage should be asking the questions. Maybe he would have quoted a Vatican source that the Democratic Party was the party of death and started the debate with abortion.

While he was at it he could have then gone on to sodomy. Women’s lib would be good for Palin. And he wouldn’t have left out illegal aliens like the politicians on both sides have.

Watch the debates? Not without Savage!

209. jim from Fairbanks | 10.06.08

Palin “. . . . didn’t REALLY [emphasis added] answer the questions”. . . ?

You mean, she did not answer several key questions at all. What causes reporters to evade the obvious? The point of a debate is to get candidates to address issues they are otherwise avoiding. This moderator permitted Palin to stick to what she decided to say in advance. These things are canned enough as it is without permitting a candidate to simply talk about something else. They should have cut her off, and asked for the answer, or ask why she agreed to a debate if she refused to debate. And you say she performed “better than expected?” this is a new low in analysis.

210. lucia | 10.06.08

Would like to ask all journalists to stop refering to Governor Palin as perky as a flight attendant. We flight attendants are insulted- we are no longer perky. We have to work well past a decent retirement age since the Bush Administration did not see fit to bailout OUR industry even though we were the direct target of terorists.
We are also no longer perky because our benefits, salaries and pensions have been slashed because of oil speculators, greedy CEOs and deregulation.

If one is still perky after all that I suspect drugs or amnesia

211. gus | 10.06.08

how low has the Great Republican Party fallen

212. JustAMan | 10.07.08

What is most disturbing is her painting herself as “middle America” or main street Wassilla……she makes nearly $100,000 a year, plus her husband makes at least that, 4. CBChapman | 10.03.08

Not true CBChapman. Their income is not near $200,000. Research before you speak.

213. JustAMan | 10.07.08

First it was “Oh it will be a train wreck” Then when no wreck comes but she stand toe to toe with a 35year insider it changes to “Oh she can read cards.” You should see Obama without a teleprompter when he gets off his rehearsed message.

214. BP-COH | 10.07.08

Some don’t take it seriously that for people like brain bush. I understand that you guys have complet faith in the republican side, but i don’t in the debate she couldn’t even answer a simple question- because she didn’t know- and keep going back to the previous question. I am a democratic and one that is on obama side but in the begining i was still on he side but at the same time hers i thought that she was intelligent andif was vice-president and maybe president but after watching the debate i couldn’t believe Sarah Palin= stupid.

That my opinion Palin stupid we need a democrat to bring us out of this war and for more other reasons

1. Masterclass Lady’s Media Blitz: Friday, October 3rd, 2008 « | 10.03.08

2. VP Debate: Palin Acquits Herself Well « All Facts and Opinions | 10.03.08