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A good show, but questions remain
Despite her stumbles in a couple of recent one-on-one interviews, she was in her element in the debate format, which required brief answers with no time for elaboration. She knows how to connect with a TV audience and was able to relate complex issues to the lives of the middle class - of which she is a card-carrying member.
For his part, Joe Biden refrained from patronizing or talking down to her, which would have been a terrible blunder under the circumstances. Palin's "May I call you Joe?" seemed to set the tone for the evening both for Biden and the onlookers.
Unfortunately, as has been typical of the campaign so far, the substance of the debate bogged down too much in accusations about the records of John McCain and Barack Obama. Both sides are playing loose with facts, and too often the discussion consisted of "He did ..." "Did not." "Did so." The Associated Press used several examples in a fact-checking article the next day.
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Making the connection to today's financial crisis, Biden blamed the economic policies of the Bush years that led to "excessive deregulation." But the deregulation liberal groups are citing - that allowed Wall Street investment banks to create mortgage-related securities - took place in 1999 and had bipartisan support, including that of President Clinton. Biden voted for it.
Palin said Obama had a "plan to mandate health-care coverage and have a universal, government run program." Obama's plan, however, does not mandate coverage for adults. That was a major difference between him and Hillary Clinton, who pointed out that Obama would leave millions of people without coverage.
On the same topic, Biden said McCain's proposed $5,000 tax credit to help families buy health coverage "will go straight to the insurance company." Well yes, it's to buy health insurance. Where else are you going to buy it - at Home Depot?
But the big story seems to be that Palin held her own. Of course, the ability to field questions during a debate is not the same as governing, and there are still plenty of reasons to doubt if she is ready to be vice president. Obama's résumé is slim also, and he has compensated for it only by spending the last four years talking and thinking about national issues.
There is no question that were Palin in the other party, her life would be a great liberal narrative, from her child with Down syndrome to her blue-collar, outdoorsman husband. As it is, she must settle for media commentary that is amazed she is able to talk coherently.
McCain's economy : 10/5/2008
Of course McCain wants to turn attention away from the economic crisis. He has said he intends to attack Obama on his character in order to do so. Unfortunately, McCain's character is tied to the economic crisis. He claims to be straight talking and above handing out favors, but he is up to his neck in incriminating relationships. Even more than the Keating 5, his long held relationship with Nevada shady investor Donald Diamond shows just how corrupt he really is. See
Palin : 10/5/2008
C'mon OR. If she was in the other party she'd be a femi-nazi, a hormonal witch who is to be despised. You are Republicans, that's ok. I'm a Democrat. The system is broken and the participants are corporate sycophants. That's the real issue. The people are getting hosed with regularity.
palin : 10/5/2008
it is easier to traverse the terrain of a debate if you constantly avoid answering direct questions.
Palin : 10/6/2008
No Comrade Nader, you are a communist!
No questions : 10/6/2008
Palin is an empty suit, mouthing whatever soundbites she is told. McCain has just announced his new strategy-smear Obama's patriotism and charactor, just like George Bush and Karl Rove did to beat McCain in 2000 primary. No issues, just innuenedo.
Stalin : 10/6/2008
At least I'm not afraid of who I am. I post my name. That alone gives me some credibility. I have to explain my views because folks know who I am. You, Stalin, are so afraid of confronting reality that you hide behind your moniker. So be it. Let the readers decide .
Sarah Palin : 10/6/2008
I watched the debate and thought Sarah Palin did very good, and I also thought Joe Biden did very good. But I am very dissapointed with the allegations Sarah made right after in California where she accussed Obama of being a terrorist. That was unfair. I have made up my mind to switch from McCain to Obama.
Nadar : 10/6/2008
If Palin were from the Democrayic party she would be like the second coming for you dumb donkey brains. But since she has the common sence to see thing correctly and became a republican, all you idiots on the left cam do is try to make her out to be some kind of idiot. You will not be sucessfull, she is not an idiot, she is a republican.
CDB : 10/7/2008
Insults and charactor assassination will not work. The Republican failed economy and recession, jobs and middle-class family security are the issues not name calling. Obama is calm and decisive, McCain has decided to "turn the page on the economy" and call names.
Failed congress : 10/7/2008
The econemy was doing fine for the first six years untill the stupid people like yourself voted in the democratic congress. You claim to know so much about everything, than how is it that you want to blame the president for the econemy, when the congress is who has direct control over the spending in this government? Congress has more power to make or break the econemy than any president could ever hope for. So like it or not, the actions, and inactions of the congress has caused this economic problem, not the president.
CDB : 10/8/2008
Insults and charactor assassination will not work. The Republican failed economy and recession, jobs and middle-class family security are the issues not name calling. Obama is calm and decisive, McCain has decided to "turn the page on the economy" and call names.
: 10/8/2008
Insults and charactor assassination worked in 2000 and 2004! Try them again! Ride the Muslem terroist named Hussein out of town on a rail! He had donations from foreign lands! He speaks indonesian, muslem, pals around with domestic terrorist.
