Sarah vs. Smirky: Vice presidential debate thread
Are you ready? I’m praying and pulling for Sarah Palin. I know you are, too. Let’s go.
8:01pm Eastern. Will Gwen Ifill disclose or won’t she?
Nothing.
The candidates walk out. Sarah looks lovely and confident.
She asks Biden, “Nice to meet you. Hey, can I call you Joe?”
First question: The bailout.
Biden launches into a Bush attack. He sounds tired recyling his tired, corporate-bashing talking points.
Palin’s turn. “Has this been a good time or bad time for the economy. Ask parents at their kids’ soccer. Fear about borrowing money, paying for inventory. Our economy is hurting. Government hasn’t provided proper oversight. Segues to McCain sounding the alarm on Fannie/Freddie reform.”
Trumped Biden on connecting with ordinary Americans. Excellent answer, much better job than Biden at pushing McCain as a leader on “reform.” (Ok, well except for the fact that McCain voted for the bailout behemoth.)
Biden responds by quoting McCain on touting the fundamentals of the economy.
Palin says McCain was talking about the American workforce being sound. American workers. That’s what he meant. What I’ve done as governor and mayor is putting partisan politics aside to get the job done. Obama’s a partisan. Get done to getting business done. Tired of politics as usual. I respect your many years in the Senate, but people are craving something different. Something new.
She is on.
Take that, doubters.
Q: Who’s responsible for the subprime crisis?
Palin agrees there were predatory lenders, greed, and corruption. Echoing McCain. “We need to band together and say never again.”
9:10pm Eastern. Excellent – she’s talking about personal responsibility. Don’t get in debt. We can learn good lessons.
Palin is fresh, cogent, on message.
Biden looks tired. Did I mention that?
He’s laughably asserting that Obama was warning about the subprime crisis two years ago. Now, trying to come across as the Everyman’s crusader.
Palin zeroes in on Obama’s tax increase votes – 94 times. 94 times. That’s not what we need to create jobs. Government’s going to have to be more efficient – and do more less if that’s what’s needed.
Biden protests the tax increase charge and pushes McCain as reckless deregulator.
Palin is not intimidated. “I may not answer the question the way the moderator or you want, but I’m going to answer and talk straight to the American people.” Reiterates the tax increase charge, then cites her experience as mayor and governor.
Ifill gets testy. Cuts Palin off. Turns to health care. Smirky smirks. Goes back to taxes. This is good for Palin.
Palin takes issue with redistribution of wealth. “You said paying higher taxes is patriotic. In the middle-class, where I’m from, that’s not patriotic. You’re the problem.”
She is rolling him.
“Age of Obama” asks if she’s interested in defending McCain’s health care plan.
I am, says Palin with a glowing smile. Cites $5,000 tax credit for health care, budget-neutral. Purchasing across state line. Affordability and accessibility.
Biden: “I don’t know where to start.” Tries to out-blue-collar Palin. Wah. “We don’t call that redistribution. We call that fairness.”
Boy, he looks and sound tired. Don’t you think?
Biden rails another few minutes and calls McCain’s plan the “ultimate bridge to nowhere.” Laughter from audience.
Ifill gives the next question to…Joe Biden. A lot of smoke blown and then he stumble “character, char-, characterize.”
Man, he’s tired.
Palin reminds Biden that Obama voted for oil industry tax breaks in energy legislation a few years ago. “I had to fight them…What I had to do was break up a monopoly. The people have to come first. Obama voted for that plan. I, as a governor, had to undo that.”
Ifill: So there’s nothing you’ve promised as a candidate that you would take back to pass the bailout plan. No, there’s not. How long have I been at this? Five weeks. So, there’s not a lot that I’ve promised. Nothing I’d go back on. And nothing that McCain has promised that he wouldn’t go back on, either.
Biden acknowledges that Palin opposed windfall profits tax. He acknowledges that she fought the oil companies as governor. “I give her credit for it.”
Round to Palin, again.
9:30pm Eastern. Ifill asks about climate change.
As the nation’s only arctic state, we feel the impacts. I’m not willing to attribute everything to man’s activities, but there are changes going on. I don’t want to argue about causes. I want to get to positively changing the impacts of climate. (Yikes.) First garble. “We’ve got to become energy independent.” I understand why she’d be a little tied up here — her position has been opposite on McCain’s.
Biden is trying to draw a contrast between Obama and McCain on this. McCain is right next to or to the left of Obama. Always has been. Give me a break. Biden complains about “Drill drill drill.”
Palin corrects him: The chant is “Drill, baby, drill!” And we hear it all across the country. Obama and Biden have said no to any alternatives. They’ve likened drilling to raping. Palin points out that Biden opposed clean coal. Biden says he was taken out of context.
Ifill rescues Biden and switches to same-sex benefits coverage, “like they have in Alaska.”
Biden goes on and on. Yes. Would you support expanding that to the rest of the country?
Not if it leads to redefining marriage. Says she wants to be straight up that she opposes same-sex marriage. Clear: “I am tolerant.”
Biden echoes. He is against it.
“Age of Obama” says: Wonderful. You agree.
Moves on to foreign policy. You both have sons in Iraq. Surge/Iraq question:
Palin: Touts McCain on the surge. We have got to win in Iraq. Senator Biden, I respected you when you called Barack Obama out on that. You said it was political and it would cost lives.
It would be a travesty if we quit now in Iraq.
Good answer, great delivery, great dig at Biden.
He winced.
Score!
Biden: “We will end this war.”
Palin: “Your plan is a white flag of surrender.”
She should have said: You will end this war? Well, we will WIN this war.
She adds another dig. Reminds Biden that he said he would be honored to run on a ticket with McCain. And reminds him that he said that Obama was not ready to be commander in chief.
Biden smirks.
ZING!
Ifill moves on to Pakistan and Iran. Which is a greater nuclear threat?
Biden brags that he’s been working on this for a long time.
We know, we know.
Biden attacks McCain on Pakistan.
Palin: Both are extremely dangerous, of course. Iraq is a central front in war on al Qaeda. Gen. Petraeus tells us, don’t believe it.
Palin goes after Ajad on his annihilation of Israel rhetoric. Ajad, Castro brothers, Kim Jong Il – Obama says he’d meet without preconditions.
This is beyond naivete and poor judgement. It’s downright dangerous.
Good. Good. Good.
Ifill cites Kissinger as pro-engagement. Palin says no, I had a great meeting with him. He doesn’t support Obama’s position.
These people hate America. Hate what we stand for. Hate our tolerance and respect for women’s right. Can’t sit down with them on the presidential level. Diplomacy is necessary. It’s hard work by serious people with sanctions backing you up before summits take place.
Excellent.
Biden blusters. Mentions McCain/Spain remarks. He wouldn’t even meet with Spain!
Ifill moves on to Israel – one state or two state solution.
Palin: Two state. Israel is our greatest ally. They succeeded with Jordan, Egypt. In a McCainPalin administration, that commitment is there to stand by Israel.
She is on.
Biden: No one’s a bigger supporter of Israel than me! Resorts to his bash-Bush retreat.
Palin: Enough is enough with your ticket looking back and pointing blame. For a ticket touting change, you have too much looking backward. We’re going to forge ahead and make sure our country comes first. Change is coming!
Great smile.
9:57pm Eastern. Palin brings up Afghanistan. The same surge principles in Iraq need to be applied to Afghanistan.
Palin rips Obama for saying troops killed civilians and tore down villages.
SCORE. YES. MORE!
Sarah rocks.
9:59pm Eastern. Biden is ranting about McCain on arms control regime.
Palin corrects Biden on applying surge principles/counterinsurgency principles to Afghanistan. Clearing, holding, rebuilding the civil society. It can work. They’ve not said anything different but that.
Biden is at a loss for words. He can’t defend taking the general out of context.
SCORE!
10:03pm Eastern. Ifill asks about Biden’s record of intervention. He blusters about Darfur and Bosnia.
Palin stays on message: “It’s obvious I’m a Washington outsider. You were for the war and now you were against it. You supported McCain’s strategies. You were for it before you were against it.”
SCORE!
On Darfur, I’m with you. Cites what she did as governor in supporting humanitarian efforts.
Excellent. Keeps hammering her executive experience and record.
EXCELLENT!
Ifill asks if there are lines that should be drawn. Biden: Sure. He then denies that he ever supported
McCain’s strategy.
10:06pm Eastern. I beg to differ. We’ll know the truth. McCain’s been there. He’ll know how to win a war.
Ifill asks about differences between vp and prez. What would we different?
By the way: A reader e-mails that he’s keeping count of the times Biden gets to rebut versus Palin and has it at a 6:1 ratio.
Natch.
Biden concludes he’s agree on everything.
Palin says we’re a ticket of Mavericks and what do you expect? Of course, we’ll disagree. I’ll keep pushing him on ANWR.
Good.
One thing I’ll continue: Reforming Washington. Bringing Wasilla Main Street. Government, get out of my way.
Biden: Can I respond?
Ifill: Please.
(Thinking: “Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease!”)
10:11pm Eastern. Palin turning on the charm. “Say it ain’t, Joe!” You did it again. Looking backwards again! Palin praises Biden’s wife for her career in teaching, mentions teachers in her family, shout outs for her brother, dad, and third-graders at a local school in her hometown for watching the debate. They get extra credit.
Ifill brings up Palin’s joke on vice presidency.
Palin: It was lame joke. So was yours (to Biden). But nobody got it. Either of ours. (Laughter.)
Charming, relaxed, self-confident.
Did I say: Sarah rocks!
Oh, and did I note: Biden looks tired despite his tan and what looks like Botox work on his unnaturally smooth forehead. It’s…weird. Kerry-esque.
Palin is talking and Biden keeps smirking.
Biden calls Cheney “the most dangerous vice president in American history.”
Ifill: The conventional wisdom is that Palin’s Achilles’ heel is lack of experience and that Biden’s is lack of discipline. What are your real Achilles’ heels?
Palin: My experience, my connection to the heartland of America, cites her biography. She didn’t hear the rest of the question.
Biden: My Achilles’ heel – “my excessive passion.”
Gag.
Biden pours on his “I’m a real guy, too.” He seems pissed, pardon my language, though she did nothing to attack him personally.
He’s offended that someone’s claimed the Real Person mantle that he thinks he alone possesses.
Palin is on message with McCain as maverick and reformer.
Biden is waking up. He’s really angry now. I’d say he’s scowling, except his mouth can’t really move. Biden trying to paint McCain as Eeeeeevil.
Final question: Can you think of a single issue that you were faced to change because of changed circumstances?
Biden has a ready answer. He’s talking about a judicial pick, cites his opposition to Robert Bork…cites his judiciary committee chairmanship.
Palin: There are times as mayor and governor that I wanted to zero-base budget or cut taxes more, but on major principles, no, nothing I’ve ever had to compromise on.
Ifill has another question after her final question: How will you change the tone in Washington?
Biden blathers about working together, a Jesse Helms anecdote, never questioning others’ motives. Blah blah. “That’s the fundamental change Barack Obama and I will bring. Not questioning others’ motives.”
Bull crap!
Joe Biden, meet Stanley Kurtz.
Palin stays on message: Support a ticket that creates jobs, reins in government spending, energy independence.
Conclusion.
Palin’s up. She likes these forums. No filtering by the mainstream media (ZING!). John McCain and I will fight for America. I know what the hurts are, I know the challenges, I know the blessings. I’ve always been proud to be an American. (Unlike, ahem, Mrs. “America is Downright Mean.”) There is only one man in this race who has really fought for you. And that man is John McCain.”
Excellent.
Biden’s up. Can he not bash Bush in the next 90 seconds.
He’s tiiiiiiired. Gravel-voiced. Deflated.
But his forehead is really smooth.
Biden ends with a “God bless America” and a “God bless the troops” — the kind of thing the Christian-bashers would flog Sarah over.
Bottom line:
Sarah rocks. Biden’s tired.
***
My quick post-debate analysis is here: Sarah rocks!
See what others have said
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Trackbacks
- Webloggin » Biden Making It Up as He Goes Along - Parsing words
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- Jules Crittenden » Car Crash Liveblog
- Michelle Malkin » SARAH ROCKS!
- Palin does more than hold her own. She cleaned house tonight. « The Right Daily
- Post Debate Roundup : Stop The ACLU
- Frank Luntz Group: Palin Wins : Stop The ACLU
- House of Eratosthenes
- no media filters; just Sarah and Joe « at home with Guinever
- BatesLine
- SARAH ROCKS! By Michelle Malkin | Saint Sarah Palin
- How some Christian bloggers scored the Biden v. Palin debate | blogs4God
- Another liberal double-standard. Surprise! « The Right Daily
- Sarah Rocks The Debate | Faith and Facts
- SARAH ROCKS! « Thoughts Of A Conservative Christian
- We’re HAPPY as Hell! « Mark Epstein
- Sarah positively KILLED at the debate last night… « Illiberal Virtuosity
- Palin vs Biden: Vice Presiential Debate « BUUUUURRRRNING HOT
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Totally man made????? Big Gaffe Joe!!!
The cause is not manmade you idiot!!!
“The cause is man-made.” Yes, Joe. It is hot air from the likes of you.
Did he just refer himself in the third person? Oh lord.
I give him that last question, since she didn’t answer it.
The 25% used is is used cleaner and more efficiently than anywhere in the world. They should send us more oil to use.
wish we had drilled 10 years ago, moron!!
There was the “10 years” remark from O’Biden.
I’m sorry but does anyone know what that pin above Sarah’s flag is?
Bankruptcy question… energy reply. Ugh! This isn’t good.
And now Biden is making his sacrifice on the altar of the Goreacle….
He sounds like a moron. 100% man made??? Wow, show me the proof, because there are thousands of scientists who would disagree with you plugs.
And, plugs, the view of the cause of Global Warming is the least of the differences between Obama and Biden, and the sane candidates.
Drill baby, drill! Now!
OMG climate change. I live in the Bristol Bay area of AK and it sure doesn’t feel any warmer here! I WISH it would get warmer! And I have lived in AK for 35 years. Anyone who says it’s getting warmer is welcome to come and spend a winter with me and then tell me about Gorebal Warming. Trust me, it’s as cold as it’s ever been.
Biden – it IS manmade. This a-hole doesn’t know the first thing about climatology, chemistry, physics… he’s been a useless blowhard for 35 years! How is HE qualified to make this judgement?
The DIMS are attacking COAL?!?!?! Our MAIN domestic energy source??? Who again is in bed with the Saudi’s?
Senator O’Biden. Lol!
Barry F,
Where the heck have you been?
facts? what facts you idiot!
Did she just call him “O’Biden?” Go, Sarah!
How many times is Joe going to say “this is the greatest difference” between Obama and McCain.
Erm, Joe, you only get to use that once.
Just got on. Someone send a memo to John and Sarah to read the cliff notes version of the Community Reinvestment Act. When asked the cause of the sub prime crisis she went after the banks and Wall Street. Ok, maybe 10% of the blame goes to each. The real reason is the shakedown threats and over zealous regulatory scrutiny that forced banks to lend money to risky borrowers or suffer the racism barbs of the left
OMG she cut her off again. She is awful
I like that we’re on a topic that she knows about … but I really don’t want to talk about energy anymore.
I can tell she doesn’t really believe in the global warming scam.
Biden is now spouting off lies about the ice caps shrinking and we all know that’s crap.
Why in hell should a bank write down the principal owed on a property? That is financial suicide. Yeah, I can see interest rate adjustments, but principal adjustments are crazy.
AAARRGGHH!
Here we go…man is bad….BAD BAD MAN.
The ten-yr clock is back on, and were gettin’ some Gore religion.
Does anybody actually read the science, and under stand that the gloom-and-doomers can’t muster a study that can pass any real review.
“I was taken out of context!” Every liberals favorite fallback lie.
Yeah the principal thing is killing me. That’s such a stupid, stupid thing to even mention.
ANd again Palin gets cut off.. and Biden gets to respond and not get cut off..
Is it me or is Biden getting the last word almost every time?
Obama Biden administration- GOD FORBID
Ugh… why do these people buy this global warming crap?
lol barry! yes she did…. lil slip but a good one zing!! roflmao Obiden. hahahahahhahahah
O biden! i love it!
10 years for drilling my a**
Same sex question … interested to see how she answers it.
FINALLY she cuts Biden off. Thank you. About bloody time.
Just got on here!
She is holding her own!
I was listening to it on the radio on the way home from grocery shopping and I have to say it’s better to listen to the radio than stare at the tv to watch.
at least biden knows not to interrupt during a debate, could he please teach BHO that rule.
BarryF,
I heard that, too! LOL! Sen. Biden caught it, too Notice his “smile”?
i vote we change who handles the debates and who writes the questions
Ifill’s body language reminds me of Michelle Obama. Miss Ifill is having trouble hiding her favoritism
and yes – Biden keeps getting allowed the last word in.
He lied about the Coal thing. He said NO COAL Plants in America.
Just say, “Not federally, no.”
Why? Because it’s the TRUTH. Biden is telling lies left and right. Americans don’t like liars.
Watch Biden dance around the gay marriage issue. He stinks at it.
WHAT!!! Doesn’t support gay marriage??? LOL
Constitutional benefits?
Insurance? Ownership?
Which constitution is Joe reading?
LOL
Hey teachem2…think I saw a couple of polar bears looking for a floe..
Staying with traditional family…
O’Biden doesn’t support gay marriage…hmm
exit strategy is VICTORY!
Did Biden step in with the non-support of gay marriage?
Is that what Obama believes?
Please oh please say how BO would cut the military budget and defense to zero!!!
Gwen let him weasel out on his clean coal comments by letting him have the last word before changing topics. Sarah should have hit him and pointed out that it was not taken “out of context”.
Good hit, Governor!!!
She got emotional, because her son is there..
I got inspired with Palin joining the GOP ticket, 30. I even volunteered to do some blogging for the County Party here.
Good to see you, 30!
I’m pretty sure he said that.
Woot put Obama in the hole and called Biden for telling Obama he was out of line.. he can’t come back on that!
The Gov. is holding her own. Biden looks on the defensive. Oh, the burden of low expectations….
timeline = telegraphing to our enemy when they can take over
His lies are almost as twisted as his face lift.
Timeline… timeline…
Yes, Joe, why not tell the insurgents how long they need to hold the line before America will pull out.
Global Warming is my hot-button issue. It is the biggest scam/hoax/lie/power grab in histoty.
THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS GLOBAL WARMING!!!
I liked the emotion. And it was because of her son.
Do we agree – all – that she is doing well?
Not JUST because he’s there mind you..
Barack and I agreed completely on ONE thing… there ya go… what about the other umpteen things… SURRENDER!!! Amen.
Good on Iraq for Palin, a strong point for her now!
White Flag of surrender! YES!!!!
Winning is the only exit…links Iraq to Afganistan…
O’Biden says 16 months and out?Shift power to Iraqis….ain’t that happening.
Maybe we need ex-mil in these offices…you can’t make deadlines for this…it doesn’t work that way.
Come on Sarah…..YAEH…White flag of surrender….go Madame VP go
White flag surrender..ka-ching….
White flag of surrender!! YES
Biden: “We will end this war.”
Palin: “Your plan is a white flag of surrender…. Our commanders will tell us when we are ready.”
OUCH!
White flag of surrender!
I love her! Iraq and the troops on the ground will tell us when we’re ready!
Biden’s talking timeline. Loser. Sarah’s calling him on it.
YES!!!! WHITE FLAG!!! GO!!!
Good on you. I’ll check out the county party website after the debate.
Good to see you too!
He’s getting toasted now..
GO SARA, you da woman!! Pull Biden to the carpet baby.
Biden’s record is haunting him
I don’t know, she’s doing ok at times, but, gosh, she seems nervous and talking too fast….
Oooow!! Flip-flop call-out for Biden on “being honored to run with the likes of McCain.”
oooo slam!
Does anybody think Joe Biden got a look at Gwen Ifill’s questions prior to the debate?
I hope we don’t all crash MM’s website again like we did during the convention!
Yeah, it’s slow.
I liked his pray God moment for his son and hers.
I pray that all men and women over there are safe tonight.
Plugs looks so flustered and angry.
Love the points about what Biden said about Obama and McCain before he was the VP nominee.
She hitting Biden and Obama hard on Iraq…he can’t seem to put a coherent thought or idea together…
Biden BINGO!
Oh yeah! Sarah complementing Joe on calling Obama out on not funding the troops after promising to do so. I love it!
Biden is so misrepresenting McCain’s NO vote for the troops. He voted NO because of the timeline, which was the fundamental idiocy of that bill.
Oh yeah! Sarah complementing Joe on calling Obama out on not funding the troops after promising to do so. I love it!
Biden is so misrepresenting McCain’s NO vote for the troops. He voted NO because of the timeline, which was the fundamental idiocy of that bill.
I think she’s holding her own…she’s not winning, but I honestly think the fix is in.
Two minute time limits don’t leave a lot of time to drag a response out, TH.
Gave him the last word, yet again.
Once again, Biden with the last word.
Sarah Palin is a fool for using the same bipartisanship crap that John McCain keeps peddling. She should be burying Obama and Biden on every issue not just the tax issues. Obama should have been toast when they were talking about the bailout since his cronies caused it. Can anyone say Franklin Raines? This play nice stuff is garbage.
Biden gets the last word – again.
That white flag response was her best of the night. She sounded clear, cogent, and decisive throughout that entire exchange. She hit and she hit hard.
Splitting hairs on the failed attempt to temp fund the war, provided a timeline was made to get out.
DOES HE THINK I/WE ARE DUMB ENOUGH NOT TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE?
How was Biden taken out of context on these comments he made about coal?
Does he support clean coal as he said tonight, or doesn’t he?