Instant Debate Reaction

From Politicalwire.com:

CNN Poll: Biden Wins Debate
A new CNN poll of Americans who watched the vice presidential debate shows that most felt Sen. Joe Biden beat Gov. Sarah Palin, 51% to 36%.

Vice Presidential Debate Reaction
With expectations so low for Gov. Sarah Palin, she did better than many probably thought she could. But in the second half of the debate, it was as if she ran out of things to say. Her performance was very uneven, particulary on foreign policy.

In contrast, Sen. Joe Biden got stronger as the debate went on. He showed he has the best debating skills on either ticket. He was particularly strong in defending Sen. Barack Obama and strapping Sen. John McCain tightly to President Bush. Biden handily won this debate.

Other reactions:

Andrew Sullivan: “Biden’s sobriety and authority and call for fundamental change is both reasonable and solid. It will resonate, I think. As you can read, I began this debate feeling that she was steam-rolling him. She was. But it was a steam-roller coming at you on fumes, not real fuel. She doesn’t have it. Maybe one day she might. But not now. Biden’s peroration was very, very strong. There is no contest here. There was only one loser: Gewn Ifill. She was intimidated, peripheral, neutered. The rules didn’t help. But Ifill put in a dreadful performance.”

Ben Smith: “My quick take is that Palin passed a pass-fail test, though she flagged as the debate went on. Though she was chosen for her emotion connection, she was the drier of the two candidates… Biden, meanwhile, was — as he should have been, given his experience and skill at this — a more effective presence, and a more lucid one. He effectively, and emotionally, used the forum to drive the Obama campaign’s core message that McCain isn’t the man for the economic moment.”

Marc Ambinder: “Averaging expectations, style and points, it was a wash. Partisans have reason to be satisfied; I honestly have no idea how undecided voters will react (although CBS’s panel of them gave Biden an edge.)”

Mark Halperin: “No big moments, no news, little to spoof about Palin, no major Biden gaffes.”

Ezra Klein: “Palin turned in a genuinely competent performance, and Biden turned in a superlative one. His performance tonight was the best I’ve seen from any candidate in this election, including the primaries. Just a superb job. I’m a bad barometer for middle America, but tonight seemed a clear win for him and his ticket.”

Voting By Average IQ in 2004

Even Republicans Say Biden Won

On ABC, all the conservative commentators say that Senator Biden won the debate.

It is true that she did not self-destruct, but I don’t think she helped the ticket either.

That’s a good sign!

The Vice-Presidential Debate

9:17 p.m. — Did anyone catch Palin say she wouldn’t answer the questions the way the moderator wanted? That is, she won’t answer the questions she doesn’t want to!

9:17 — Palin: paying taxes ISN’T PATRIOTIC?

9:24 — Governor Palin can’t seem to say much other than platitudes and slogans.

9:32 — Biden: If we don’t know the cause, we can’t fix global warming! [Palin said she wouldn't argue the causes!]

9:40 — Palin can’t give an exit strategy for Iraq.

9:47 — OH GOD! She says NUCULAR! Not again!!

9:56 — Gwen Ifil is really terrible at asking questions.

10:07 — SHE WON’T ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS WITHOUT SPOUTING SLOGANS! IT’S UNBELIEVABLE!

10:09 — “Team of Mavericks” is an oxymoron!

10:14 — She agrees with Cheney on vice presidential power? Has she even read the constitution?

10:26 — SHE’S NEVER CHANGED HER MIND?

10:28 — Balancing your family differences = balancing differences in Congress? Huh?

10:30 — Lousy and rambling closing speech. “Mainstream media,” yada yada yada.

My estimation? Biden won. Palin didn’t answer more than half the questions she was asked, and simply mouthed slogans.

Palin Bingo!

[Click on image for source]

Sarah Palin’s desk before the debate:

Joe Biden’s desk before the debate:

[Click on image for source]

From Slate.com:

McCain Surrenders Michigan and Other News

All from the very excellent site Politicalwire.com:

McCain Gives Up on Michigan
Sen. John McCain “is pulling out of Michigan,” reports Jonathan Martin, “a stunning move a month away from Election Day that indicates the difficulty Republicans are having in finding blue states to put in play.”

“McCain will go off TV in Michigan, stop dropping mail there and send most of his staff to more competitive states, including Wisconsin, Ohio and Florida.”

Democracy Corps: Obama Leads in Ohio
A new Democracy Corps poll in Ohio shows Sen. Barack Obama leading Sen. John McCain, 49% to 43%.

Advice for Tonight
George Stephanopolous offers some pointers for tonight’s vice presidential debate:

For Sarah Palin: “Enjoy yourself. You’re the candidate facing the most pressure tonight…this debate is about you. Given the fact that 6 out of 10 Americans don’t think you are qualified and a third polled now say they are less likely to vote for John McCain because you are on the ticket, you can’t afford to make a mistake tonight. But the mistake is if you are so tightly wound that you freeze up. Your mantra: while risky, your best hope is to enjoy yourself. Embrace this, bask in the national spotlight, don’t be afraid. It’s better to risk a mistake by being who you are than to look so frightened that you freeze up.”

For Joe Biden: “Restrain yourself. It’s only natural for you to want to show how much you’ve done and how much you know. But a little bit of that can go a long way. Everyone will be on alert for overbearing, condescending or patronizing moments. People are lying in wait to call you sexist, so restrain yourself. Remember the opponent is McCain and the goal tonight is to make your case as clearly and simply as you can. When in doubt, say nothing. Less is more.”

As Palin Sinks, Obama Surges
Public Policy Polling surveyed four states immediately after the Republican convention and then again three weeks later. In those states, Gov. Sarah Palin’s favorability has dropped by a net average of 12 points, and Sen. Barack Obama’s standing in the horse race has improved by an average of seven points.

Palin Lied About Meeting British Ambassador

What a surprise! Yet another embarresment from Governor Palin!

An excerpt from the (UK) Daily Mail:

Sarah Palin blunders over talks with British ambassador that never took place as her first TV debate looms

By PAUL THOMPSON and MAIL FOREIGN SERVICE
Last updated at 6:06 PM on 02nd October 2008

Sarah Palin has committed yet another political blunder after claiming she had held talks with a British ambassador – talks that never actually took place.

In an answer to questions about her foreign policy experience ahead of tonight’s make-or-break vice presidential TV debate, her aides listed numerous contacts with foreign officials – including Britain’s ambassador to Washington, Sir Nigel Sheinwald.

However the meeting never occurred. Officials at the embassy swiftly contacted the McCain-Palin campaign to inform them of the discrepancy.

A British Embassy spokesman said the error arose after Sir Nigel’s name was listed among those who had attended a US Governor’s meeting in July.

Mrs Palin was at the meeting in her role as Governor of Alaska. However Sir Nigel pulled out at the last minute, leaving his name on the guest list.

The embarrassing mishap comes as Mrs Palin faces the biggest challenge of her political life tonight in a head-to-head vice-presidential debate with Democratic candidate Joe Biden.

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