October 2nd, 2008 // comments (0)

Just When You Think She’s Down…

ST. LOUIS (Reuters) – Republican Sarah Palin and Democrat Joe Biden clashed on the economy and Iraq during a lively but polite debate on Thursday, and aimed most criticism at their rivals at the top of the ticket.

In the only vice presidential debate ahead of the November 4 election, Biden accused Republican presidential contender John McCain of being “out of touch” on the economic crisis and said he was “no maverick” on crucial issues facing Americans.

Palin said Democratic White House candidate Barack Obama was too partisan to work across party lines to accomplish change and was waving a “white flag of surrender” in Iraq.

With all eyes on Palin in her national debut in an unscripted format, the Alaska governor turned in a steady and aggressive performance that featured repeated attacks on Obama and pledges she and McCain would work for the middle-class.

Sarah Palin just gave Joe Biden, a man with over 30 years experience in the Senate, a run for his money. If the goal was to avoid any major gaffs, both candidates succeeded. If the goal was for Palin to look competent, she succeeded. If you want to analyze the debate like CNN’s Campell Brown, in the most high-minded, Northeastern Liberal fashion, you could say that Joe Biden eeked out a victory here. That’s not how the voting public will see this. This was a David Vs. Goliath battle of sorts and Palin performed phenomenally. Is she ready to be President on day 1? No. Is Joe Biden? Maybe. The fact is, Palin is running for Vice President under the very capable and thoroughly experienced John McCain and Biden is running for Vice President under the inexperienced and virtually unknown Barack Obama. I think many Americans will question his ability to handle the job of President on inauguration day.

She did quite well, there’s no doubt about it. Just when you thought Sarah Palin was down for the count she fought back and once again re-energized the Republican base.

But will this save the sinking ship…?

Well, the McCain camp sure seems happy with Palin’s performance:

“Tonight, Governor Palin proved beyond any doubt that she is ready to lead as Vice President of the United States. She won this debate, putting Joe Biden on defense on energy, foreign policy, taxes and the definition of change. Governor Palin laid bare Barack Obama’s record of voting to raise taxes, opposing the surge in Iraq, and proposing to meet unconditionally with the leaders of state sponsors of terror. The differences between the Obama-Biden ticket and the McCain-Palin ticket could not have been clearer. The American people saw stark contrasts in style and worldview. They saw Joe Biden, a Washington insider and a 36-year Senator, and Governor Palin, a Washington outsider and a maverick reformer. Governor Palin was direct, forceful and a breath of fresh air.” –Jill Hazelbaker, McCain-Palin 2008 Communications Director

Full debate video soon…

Palin wins Luntz focus group hands down…

Related:

• October 18, 2008 -- Video: Terry Tate Vs. Sarah Palin
• October 13, 2008 -- The Most Offensive Palin Hit Yet
• October 10, 2008 -- Panel Finds Palin Abused Power
• October 6, 2008 -- Sarah Palin Pageant: Evening Gown
• September 27, 2008 -- Palin Wearing ‘SarahCuda’ Shirt
• September 26, 2008 -- Palin In A Bikini. For Real.
• September 24, 2008 -- Joe Biden Out? Rumor Circulating
• September 23, 2008 -- Biden’s Gaff-Filled Couric Interview
• September 21, 2008 -- Rockstar: Palin Draws 60,000
• September 21, 2008 -- Palin Hacker Served Search Warrant