So, who won vice presidential debate???

[luckytxn 2,265]

A two term gov vs. 36 yrs in the senate is no match. Palin did good for the level she is at but this debate seems more like a PR stunt than anything. I agree it wasn't a debate, but more publicity time for the popularity competition. I've had to watch more interviews on the candidates then I care to admit and serious journalist ask the tougher questions and get the real responses from them. Try the 60 minute interviews if you want the real meat not this "debate"/debacle. bleh.

From this I observed that Palin is a party puppet and Biden has a mature wisdom.

There are loads of issues with either side. Personally I'd rather have a Harvard graduate for President when we're facing this financial crisis because of the connections this man is going to have with some of the most brilliant minds. I don't envy the person that gets elected with the mess they are going to have to navigate, nor am I looking forward to the work that we're all going to have to do now.

I got Biden as a huge party puppet myself.

[William33 110]

A two term gov vs. 36 yrs in the senate is no match. Palin did good for the level she is at but this debate seems more like a PR stunt than anything. I agree it wasn't a debate, but more publicity time for the popularity competition. I've had to watch more interviews on the candidates then I care to admit and serious journalist ask the tougher questions and get the real responses from them. Try the 60 minute interviews if you want the real meat not this "debate"/debacle. bleh.

From this I observed that Palin is a party puppet and Biden has a mature wisdom.

There are loads of issues with either side. Personally I'd rather have a Harvard graduate for President when we're facing this financial crisis because of the connections this man is going to have with some of the most brilliant minds. I don't envy the person that gets elected with the mess they are going to have to navigate, nor am I looking forward to the work that we're all going to have to do now.

Actually, a one year Gov and who really cares? The appointed cabinet "offer" most decisions anyway. The Pres and VP are talking heads that follow the advice of their advisers. (National Security Advisor, Chief of Staff, Director of the CIA and so forth)......

[metta 0]

A two term gov vs. 36 yrs in the senate is no match. Palin did good for the level she is at but this debate seems more like a PR stunt than anything. I agree it wasn't a debate, but more publicity time for the popularity competition. I've had to watch more interviews on the candidates then I care to admit and serious journalist ask the tougher questions and get the real responses from them. Try the 60 minute interviews if you want the real meat not this "debate"/debacle. bleh.

From this I observed that Palin is a party puppet and Biden has a mature wisdom.

There are loads of issues with either side. Personally I'd rather have a Harvard graduate for President when we're facing this financial crisis because of the connections this man is going to have with some of the most brilliant minds. I don't envy the person that gets elected with the mess they are going to have to navigate, nor am I looking forward to the work that we're all going to have to do now.

Actually, a one year Gov and who really cares? The appointed cabinet "offer" most decisions anyway. The Pres and VP are talking heads that follow the advice of their advisers. (National Security Advisor, Chief of Staff, Director of the CIA and so forth)......

Then you fail to grasp the meaning of a chief executive.

Often advisors present conflicting views and options placing the Prez at the horns of dilemma. It is the Prez who has to make that call with nobody able to predict with certainty, the consequences.

That happens to CEOs at corporations, university presidents you name it. That's why they say is it's lonely at the top.

When faced with such decisions, the chief executive cannot cop out by saying "that's above my pay grade".

Telling, isn't it?

At least Palin will have some time to grow in the job before she finds herself in that role if ever. The one I worry about is the One who will face those tough decisions from day one.

[IAMX 3,055]

A two term gov vs. 36 yrs in the senate is no match. Palin did good for the level she is at but this debate seems more like a PR stunt than anything. I agree it wasn't a debate, but more publicity time for the popularity competition. I've had to watch more interviews on the candidates then I care to admit and serious journalist ask the tougher questions and get the real responses from them. Try the 60 minute interviews if you want the real meat not this "debate"/debacle. bleh.

From this I observed that Palin is a party puppet and Biden has a mature wisdom.

There are loads of issues with either side. Personally I'd rather have a Harvard graduate for President when we're facing this financial crisis because of the connections this man is going to have with some of the most brilliant minds. I don't envy the person that gets elected with the mess they are going to have to navigate, nor am I looking forward to the work that we're all going to have to do now.

Actually, a one year Gov and who really cares? The appointed cabinet "offer" most decisions anyway. The Pres and VP are talking heads that follow the advice of their advisers. (National Security Advisor, Chief of Staff, Director of the CIA and so forth)......

Then you fail to grasp the meaning of a chief executive.

Often advisors present conflicting views and options placing the Prez at the horns of dilemma. It is the Prez who has to make that call with nobody able to predict with certainty, the consequences.

That happens to CEOs at corporations, university presidents you name it. That's why they say is it's lonely at the top.

When faced with such decisions, the chief executive cannot cop out by saying "that's above my pay grade".

Telling, isn't it?

At least Palin will have some time to grow in the job before she finds herself in that role if ever. The one I worry about is the One who will face those tough decisions from day one.

Well, Palin is under investigation for abuses of power, in her very very little time as "executive" of the largest state in the country with hundreds of thousands less the population of San Jose. That's what her power is limited to. The rest of the candidates for Pres and VP work with the federal government and have 300 million they're responsible for, versus half a million Palin is. Not falling for the "executive" BS which is merely a Palin cheerleader point. Really she has the brilliance in her foreign policy and overall knowledge of things outside Alaska as much as Miss South Carolina Teen USA.

[Dan J 277]

A two term gov vs. 36 yrs in the senate is no match. Palin did good for the level she is at but this debate seems more like a PR stunt than anything. I agree it wasn't a debate, but more publicity time for the popularity competition. I've had to watch more interviews on the candidates then I care to admit and serious journalist ask the tougher questions and get the real responses from them. Try the 60 minute interviews if you want the real meat not this "debate"/debacle. bleh.

From this I observed that Palin is a party puppet and Biden has a mature wisdom.

There are loads of issues with either side. Personally I'd rather have a Harvard graduate for President when we're facing this financial crisis because of the connections this man is going to have with some of the most brilliant minds. I don't envy the person that gets elected with the mess they are going to have to navigate, nor am I looking forward to the work that we're all going to have to do now.

Actually, a one year Gov and who really cares? The appointed cabinet "offer" most decisions anyway. The Pres and VP are talking heads that follow the advice of their advisers. (National Security Advisor, Chief of Staff, Director of the CIA and so forth)......

But the President still chooses his cabinet. If you want to know what type of people Obama or McCain would choose to be part of the of their cabinet, look at the campaign and choice for VP.

[MichelleN 0]

I came in at the tail end of the debate. I'm horribly terrible at anything political but two things struck me about Palin's responses.

First, most of them made no sense. I couldn't follow what she was saying and sometimes it had nothing to do with the question.

And secondly. When they did make sense, she was saying McCain this and McCain that every other sentence. Even towards questions obviously intended to be about her.

I understand they're going to try and support their running mate but isn't the point of a VP debate to let people see who the VP candidates are and not hear more campaigning for their running mates?

[William33 110]

A two term gov vs. 36 yrs in the senate is no match. Palin did good for the level she is at but this debate seems more like a PR stunt than anything. I agree it wasn't a debate, but more publicity time for the popularity competition. I've had to watch more interviews on the candidates then I care to admit and serious journalist ask the tougher questions and get the real responses from them. Try the 60 minute interviews if you want the real meat not this "debate"/debacle. bleh.

From this I observed that Palin is a party puppet and Biden has a mature wisdom.

There are loads of issues with either side. Personally I'd rather have a Harvard graduate for President when we're facing this financial crisis because of the connections this man is going to have with some of the most brilliant minds. I don't envy the person that gets elected with the mess they are going to have to navigate, nor am I looking forward to the work that we're all going to have to do now.

Actually, a one year Gov and who really cares? The appointed cabinet "offer" most decisions anyway. The Pres and VP are talking heads that follow the advice of their advisers. (National Security Advisor, Chief of Staff, Director of the CIA and so forth)......

But the President still chooses his cabinet. If you want to know what type of people Obama or McCain would choose to be part of the of their cabinet, look at the campaign and choice for VP.

The cabinet will be solid, the chosen individuals always are. Take a look at: Colin Powell, Condoleeza Rice, Robert Gates, and so forth...

[William33 110]

A two term gov vs. 36 yrs in the senate is no match. Palin did good for the level she is at but this debate seems more like a PR stunt than anything. I agree it wasn't a debate, but more publicity time for the popularity competition. I've had to watch more interviews on the candidates then I care to admit and serious journalist ask the tougher questions and get the real responses from them. Try the 60 minute interviews if you want the real meat not this "debate"/debacle. bleh.

From this I observed that Palin is a party puppet and Biden has a mature wisdom.

There are loads of issues with either side. Personally I'd rather have a Harvard graduate for President when we're facing this financial crisis because of the connections this man is going to have with some of the most brilliant minds. I don't envy the person that gets elected with the mess they are going to have to navigate, nor am I looking forward to the work that we're all going to have to do now.

Actually, a one year Gov and who really cares? The appointed cabinet "offer" most decisions anyway. The Pres and VP are talking heads that follow the advice of their advisers. (National Security Advisor, Chief of Staff, Director of the CIA and so forth)......

Then you fail to grasp the meaning of a chief executive.

Often advisors present conflicting views and options placing the Prez at the horns of dilemma. It is the Prez who has to make that call with nobody able to predict with certainty, the consequences.

That happens to CEOs at corporations, university presidents you name it. That's why they say is it's lonely at the top.

When faced with such decisions, the chief executive cannot cop out by saying "that's above my pay grade".

Telling, isn't it?

At least Palin will have some time to grow in the job before she finds herself in that role if ever. The one I worry about is the One who will face those tough decisions from day one.

No, I really do understand. I face heavy corporate decisions on a daily basis. I also weigh heavily on the advice of my staff and advisors. Thus, my comments.

[Dan J 277]

A two term gov vs. 36 yrs in the senate is no match. Palin did good for the level she is at but this debate seems more like a PR stunt than anything. I agree it wasn't a debate, but more publicity time for the popularity competition. I've had to watch more interviews on the candidates then I care to admit and serious journalist ask the tougher questions and get the real responses from them. Try the 60 minute interviews if you want the real meat not this "debate"/debacle. bleh.

From this I observed that Palin is a party puppet and Biden has a mature wisdom.

There are loads of issues with either side. Personally I'd rather have a Harvard graduate for President when we're facing this financial crisis because of the connections this man is going to have with some of the most brilliant minds. I don't envy the person that gets elected with the mess they are going to have to navigate, nor am I looking forward to the work that we're all going to have to do now.

Actually, a one year Gov and who really cares? The appointed cabinet "offer" most decisions anyway. The Pres and VP are talking heads that follow the advice of their advisers. (National Security Advisor, Chief of Staff, Director of the CIA and so forth)......

But the President still chooses his cabinet. If you want to know what type of people Obama or McCain would choose to be part of the of their cabinet, look at the campaign and choice for VP.

The cabinet will be solid, the chosen individuals always are. Take a look at: Colin Powell, Condoleeza Rice, Robert Gates, and so forth...

Bush's cabinet is not without its infamy, John Ashcroft, Donald Rumsfeld, Alberto Gonzales, etc.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

I'm voting against the Messiah, so, in my book, Palin won. Biden is old news, and the fact that he made more sense when he spoke against Obama before deparately taking the second slot behind him is not forgotten. What good is his longevity in life or in Congress when his instincts are always wrong? No good.

[symbiosis 0]

Instant polls show Biden won -- by a wide margin:

http://voices.kansascity.com/node/2298

I'm voting against the Messiah, so, in my book, Palin won. Biden is old news, and the fact that he made more sense when he spoke against Obama before deparately taking the second slot behind him is not forgotten. What good is his longevity in life or in Congress when his instincts are always wrong? No good.

Me thinks your one and only book is the Bible.

[rebeccajo 14]

I heard tonight the inside-the-beltway denizen talking to a Main Street American.

Of course the pundits are going nuts because Palin did not make any gaffes they were looking forward to.

I see in her how a middle class American processes information and how they would respond.

Those of us used to Sunday morning talk shows will see her style quaint but she reminds me of Harry Truman.

Give her 6 months and you will be surprised what she can be.

Clearly, Sarah Palin won in style. She can strike ordinary Americans as a breath of fresh air different from all the elite discourse.

We'll see what the polls say in the coming days but I suspect McCain poll numbers may stabilize and perhaps even improve.

Biden ( I like this guy very much) met the expectation people have of a senator whose been in Washington for 36 years.. No more no less.

I heartily disagree. That "aw shucks, I'm just a newbie from Alaska, gosh darn it" routine did NOT cut it for me. Nor did it cut it for some of the registered Republicans that were in the CNN focus group interviewed after the debate.

She strikes me as what she is. A beauty pageant veteran. They learn how to spin off 3 to 5 minutes of knowledge on a topic while projecting their personality through facial expression and body language.

[rebeccajo 14]

What did the conservatives think about her also supporting legislative acceptance of gay unions?

It doesn't matter, the conservatives already know who they're voting for.

But can the fundies get past some of their 'single-issue' deal breakers? Gay rights and abortion are the two biggies.

I thought it was a good question. Ifill had been given a restrained format. She knew soundbytes and facial expression were going to have MORE impact than a format where there was real time for answers. And she knew the way Palin would have to answer. (Palin's body language was more interesting than her words on this response, IMO). I think Ifill put the question out there on purpose to give the fundies something to think about.

[rebeccajo 14]

Yeah but we have non-religious marriage ceremonies - so the idea that "marriage" is somehow the province of the religious establishment isn't really accurate, and hasn't been for many years. I guess I don't see the distinction - the argument still comes down to a point of semantics. If you have all the tax benefits, inheritance and other civil rights pertaining to a marriage - calling it something else seems superfluous.

It is and that was the point. Those who would have their religious convictions imposed on the rest of the population via legislation don't like waffling on this issue.

How this kind of position changes their vote though - I'm not sure. If they are in vehement disagreement on a hot topic issue, do they stay away from the polls?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

ISSUE: WHO WON THE DEBATE

Republican: Biden - 19%, Palin - 81% -------> Irrelevant

Democrat: Biden - 87%, Palin - 13% -------> Irrelevant

Independent: Biden - 69%, Palin - 31% --------> Relevant; this is the population that will decide who wins

http://www.myfoxny.com/myfox/pages/Home/De...mp;pageId=1.1.1