Blogging the Vice Presidental Debate

First question was on thoughts about the bailout, whether it was a good thing or bad thing. According to Biden, Obama was THE mover and shaker on it, that his ideas were shaping this policy, and that his ideas became the bailout plan. Huh- so this is what it is like to live in Venezuela- politicians can just make stuff up. Palin's reply was to make it real to every day people. I guess this means she is dumb, because Americans are all dumb, right? She sounds nervous and very coached. Less good.

Asked about gap of polarization. Biden solved many problems, is noted bipartisan... really? He then mocked McCain by going after the "fundamentals are still strong" comment- didn't Obama make that same comment this week? Palin's response- Obama is same old liberal Democrat, bought and sold by special interests. Moderator says "neither answered the question"- what was her question anyways?

Asked about predatory lending. Huh- notice how every issue is through the lens of a liberal- pro-bailout, Republicans are more polarizing than Democrats were, 'predatory lending'... wonder if the next question will be on global warming or something. Palin has to play on their turf. That's rough. Missed their answers- both blah.

Biden did say that the best way to fix economy was to give more power to government. Palin should point out this fundamental difference between the two candidates- Obama/Biden believe in government, McCain/Palin believe in the people. Biden talked about more regulation. Palin talked about tax relief. Biden accuses Palin of not answering the question on deregulation- there was a question on deregulation? That's the Palin I like! She is not going to be led around by Biden or the moderator- she is going to say what she needs to say. That smile is real now. Now look at her go. Opps, cut off now. Time up? Wonder what kind of clock the moderator was using to time this exchange.

Biden says that under McCain's plan 100 million households would have their taxes raised. Are there even 100 million households in the US? I wonder how accurate this figure is. It sounds 100% made up. Palin points out that Obama's plan is a wealth redistribution plan, and that the increased taxes will fall on small businesses. Government is problem, not solution. Biden says that it isn't redistribution when money is taken from rich (small businesses, wealthy individuals) and given to the poor- it is fair. Ring... ring... hello? Soviet Union? How you doing?

Moderator- would you like to defend McCain's healthcare plan? Is she going to ask Biden if he would like to defend Obama's healthcare plan? Nope. The moderator never asked this. Palin says feds can't run poop, so don't give them more power. With the bailout, what expansions of government will you now forgo? Biden says nothing, in fact, like Obama did last week, he said he would expand government further, and eliminate wasteful spending with line-item veto and closing loop-holes in the tax code. Palin says that Obama is hypocritical- voted for tax breaks and now talks about getting rid of them. She interacts well with Biden and the camera. Biden isn't bad- he is a good speaker- I can see why he is a long-time Senator. I don't mind him- he's better than Obama is.

Moderator- Palin, can I get you to say something bad about McCain's policies? Palin, with a tired reply, says you won't suck me into your trap. Moderator- Biden, speak about how your vote helped out people? Biden- okay. Will give more power to courts to adjust your mortgage rate. Wow. Did I hear that correctly? Did he just say he would give our courts the power to tell a bank to lower your monthly payments? Seriously? Palin talked about energy- wasn't really the time for this card to be played.

Moderator- talk about climate change, and how anyone who doesn't agree with the mythology to it is an idiot. Palin- there are cyclical changes, let's not argue with the causes, let's focus on what we can do. Biden- climate change is man-made, without a doubt. Cause is man. Must kill man. Man is destroying polar ice cap. America uses a lot of energy. Must stop Americans from using energy.

Moderator- Biden, you talk about what you support- can you reconcile this with your voting record? Palin- drill, baby, drill. All of the above approach to energy issue. Biden- you can't take my statements at a rally out of context- look at my record. Huh. Obama never said 'look at my record'- I remember Obama pulling random out-of-context quotes out.

Moderator- do you believe in granting same benefits to same-sex couples? Biden- Constitution calls for it. Must have a different version as me. Palin- careful about redefining the age-old definition of marriage. Had to defend herself from 'bigot' charge. Biden didn't- it is okay to be anti-conservative, but not okay to be anti-liberal. Palin is not supportive of gay marriage. Biden says not supportive of gay marriage either. Moderator twists question and asks it of Palin- Palin refuses trap again, and answers same question Biden was asked.

Moderator- missed question, but something about Iraq and funding of troops. Biden said he and Obama agree fully on one thing- that implies that on a lot of other issues, they disagree. Biden wants to 'end the war'- and probably forget it was ever fought. Palin points out that it isn't about 'ending the war'- it is about winning the war. Palin jokes that Biden was very supportive of McCain- I like Palin, and I like Biden. They're good politicians. Biden says that McCain voted against funding for the troops- I think that that's playing games with votes, and not an honest attack. McCain has been wrong on a lot of issues with Iraq. Moderator lets that stand.

Pakistan or Iran- who to fear? Biden- Iraq not part of war on terror. Should be building schools and hospitals in foreign countries. Palin- military and terrorists both consider Iraq central to war on terror. Iran more unstable, needs to be dealt with. Diplomacy is hard work- it isn't just 'let's sit down and talk it out.' Obama's ideas on diplomacy are dangerous. Biden- Iran not even controlled by Achy, need to sit down and talk. Brags about Bush's diplomacy with Iran, saying he'd do the same- don't brag about bad ideas, brag about good ones.

Moderator- Palin, solve Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Palin- will work for two-state solution, will back Israel. Biden- Joe Biden friend of Israel. Hezbollah same legitimacy as Israel. Moral relativism. Moderator- do you support Bush? Palin- nope. Positive change coming. Biden- McCain the same as Bush. Moderator let this stand. Palin brought up Obama's reckless comments about our soldiers being bad- we will win in Afghanistan. Moderator- you can talk about whatever you want Biden. Biden- touted Obama's loose-nukes legislation. Disagreement on what McClellen (leader in Afghanistan) actually said. Wonder who is right? If it's Palin, that's stunning- Biden is a 30 year senator, Palin is rather new to this.

Moderator- Biden, you have quite a record of intervention. Biden- Success and winning is important. End result is it worked. It saved lives. Why doesn't he apply the same logic to war in Iraq? Partisan logic- he was against Bush. Good old leftist- wants to intervene all over the world, but doesn't want to use the military. Palin is a good old righty- doesn't want to intervene, but when do wants to win. Palin brings out the old 'for it before I was against it line'- she is getting the better of this debate. She is nicer, nice smile, serious knowledge. Talks to Biden. Gives him credit where it's due. Biden is okay too, smiles as well, good knowledge, talks to Palin. I like him, just don't agree with him. Obama I don't like, he scares me, and I don't agree with him.

Moderator- Heartbeat away. How would Biden be different from Obama? Same in principle, different in practice. Palin different than McCain? She's a maverick, and McCain likes that, so they don't agree on everything. Will make government more relevent to everyday people. Biden- McCain is the same as Bush, and Bush has been unmitigated disaster, overseeing 7 years of recession, war, and disaster. Palin- folksy answer about looking forward and change, transitions well to policy points about education.

Moderator- both candidates dissed VP spot. Palin joked that both made jokes that no one got, so no big deal, don't read too much into it. Biden also knows role to play. The thing is- which joke does the media focus on? Which joke, Biden's or Palin's, does the media say reflect on the candidate? The media talks about Palin's joke, not Biden's. Moderator- do you agree with Cheney's ideas about the VP? Palin- flexible and understands how policy is created. Biden- Cheney is bad man and evil. Although I think that is baseless, I actually agree with Biden on this what role the VP is supposed to play in our system- VP is useless position in our government.

Missed question, but caught Biden talking about what people on the streets want. McCain= Bush. Palin replied that McCain is a maverick, and pointed to record and support from Democrats.

Final question to Biden- can you think of a single policy issue where you have changed your views? Biden- wasn't tough enough on judges early on. Seriously? Same question to Palin- didn't veto some budgets, wanted to work more with other party, but some regrets that had to pass those budgets.

Final question, first to Biden- how do you change the tone in Washington? Learned lesson from Mike Mansfeild- Republican? Democrat? Don't question motives of politicians- just disagree with their policies. That's fair enough. I believe Biden on this- Obama questions motives all the time. Palin- appoint quality people, regardless of their political beliefs, to positions of influence in administration. It's all about policies and proposals, not about meaningless empty rhetoric. Rained solid blows at the end.

Closing statement of Palin- enjoyed debate, doesn't like filter of media. Will have to fight for freedom, have to fight hard to maintain our liberties, will fight so that we don't look back and think about what we've lost as a nation. Closing statement of Biden- again mentions that this is the most important election ever. Says we need fundamental change- and not change towards lower taxes, not change towards less government, but fundamental change towards higher taxes and more government- a government that controls education and healthcare.

Good debate. Thought moderator stayed out of the way. I thought Biden did a good job, but Palin did even better- more personal, likable, and made policies more real.

After debate coverage- CNN- Palin did good for a women, but she dodged questions. MSNBC- someone spewing Democratic talking points I heard last week, word-for-word. FOX- balanced, thoughtful- most thoughtful comment- journalists are too baised and can't make this call.