Liveblogging the Vice-Presidential debate

Liveblogging the debate.

9:04: here we go...

Palin asks Biden if she can call him "Joe". I'm sure she knew the mic was open. Nice move.

1st question to Biden...about the "rescue plan", as Biden calls it. "gonna focus on the middle class"...

On to Palin...took as shot at "others in the Senate", (looking at Biden), who didn't go along w/McCain's desire to do some financial and regulatory reforms. Good move.

9:10: Second question....slow ball over the plate..."what caused the current financial mess"..."who's at fault"...to Palin. OK answer, but she didn't go for the jugular on the liberals that caused this w/failed housing policies. (They HAVE to tie this around their necks!)

Biden blames McCain's desire for "de-regulation"...and "he want's to do for health care what he did for banking". Please.

Palin comes back...they "voted for the largest increases in American history".

So far, I'd say she's blowing away the expectations.

Biden lies and says Obama didn't vote to raise taxes. Has this guy not heard of the Congressional Record.

9:20: Palin gets a shot in about the Dems wanting to take over health care.

Biden goes back to defend their "redistribution of wealth" policies.

Next questions: In light of economic problems, "what promises may you not be able to keep?" Biden says "foreign aid". Shheessh. Light's blinking...he's still talking.

Palin goes back to hit on the energy plan...that Obama supported...that gave oil companies the big tax breaks Biden hit McCain on.

9:30: Back to Palin on the crisis...she's going after the problems at Fannie and Freddie now. She's on. Excellent so far. Biden, not so much. And she's doing a better job connecting w/people...and the camera...looks energetic. Is Biden sleepy?

Next question: Energy...to Palin. She zeros in on the need for energy independence as key to economic and national security future.

Now Climate change...to Palin. She reminds everyone she's the governor of the country's only arctic state. Something to be said for climate change...but don't want to argue about causes...but rather focus on cleaning up. First gov. to form a climate change division of cabinet. Need an all of the above approach to energy...and that will deal with climate change.

Biden. It's "clearly man-made". Pretty much tries to say Dems have the market on chasing clean energy...says McCain votes against finding clean energy sources.

Palin causes Joe "Senator O'Biden"... Heh.

Next up: Granting same sex benefits to couples...to Biden. "Absolutely"...no distinction between a same-sex and heterosexual couple. (just lost some votes there...) Sounds like an endorsement of gay marriage to me.

Palin...not if it goes closer to redefine marriage. Good answer. "I don't support defining marriage as anything but one man and one woman".

Biden..."no" we don't support redefining marriage. Huh??

9:40: Next: on to Iraq policy.... to Palin Tells Biden she respects him for "calling Obama out" on his vote against the surge. Nice. Did I mention that she's doing absolutely fantastic?

Biden: "with regard to Obama..." Says McCain voted against funding the troops. Oh, please. Not even the folks at Daily Kos would buy that. "we will end this war".

Palin: "your plan is a white flag of surrender in Iraq". "you guys opposed the surge... we'll leave Iraq in victory. Reminds Joe he said he'd be honored to run on McCain's ticket. She's rolling Joe bigtime. Says she respects Joe...but not the O.

Biden comes back to trying to convince people that McCain opposed funding the troops.

Palin says Iran "cannot be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons". Reminds people what Iran's President has said about destroying Israel. Just realized she pronounces nuclear the same way W does. The folks at the NY Times must be cringing.

Says "those who want to destroy what we stand for cannot be dealt with" by people who just want to sit down and talk to them. Biden gets jumpy...says O didn't say he would sit down and talk to Iran. ????

9:50: Next: what has Bush Admin done wrong re: Palestine?

Palin, "two state solution is the solution". "Israel is our strongest and best ally in the middle-east" "we will support Israel...and move our embassy to Jerusalem".

Biden: "no one in the US Senate has been a bigger friend to Israel than Joe Biden".

Palin: "there's gonna come a time when Americans will say enough is enough with your ticket and the fingerpointing".

Biden rambles that a surge won't work in afghanistan...our general there says it won't work. Palin comes back and busts him...the general didn't say that. Of course the same "kind" of surge might not work there...we have to account for differences on the ground.

Is it just me, or is he talking more now?

10:04: Palin..."not used to the way you guys in Washington operate"...you say you're for it...then vote against it, vice-versa. Say's McCain will "know how to win a war". Goodl

Next: how would administration's be different? (is that really a queston?) Biden runs through a laundry list. He's delivering better now. Says this is the MOST important election voters will have ever voted in...

Palin: what do you expect with a team of Mavericks? But I'll keep pushing him on drilling in ANWR. Work to put govt. back on the side of the people. Need some reality from Main St. brought to DC... Gov't get out of my way... "you've got a choice in a few weeks....lower taxes and win war...or increease taxes and hurt our economy".

Biden...does his best to tie McCain and Bush at the hip. Goes thru the laundry list again...

Palin: "Say it ain't say Joe...there you go again." Got to increase standards in education...more emphasis on profession of teaching...

10:14: Next: what is the VP worth/do?

Palin: supporting the President's policies...working to lead in areas of expertise...

Biden: Cheney's been the most dangerous VP in history...

Next: what is your achillees heel:

Palin: skips that and moves to strengths, (good...don't go for the dumb question)

Biden: I've been here 35 years...people know me...I'm not gonna change. Biden says he's knows what it's like to raise kids...start to choke up...(this will be the talk of the media tomorrow..."it connected", they'll say...unlike w/Ed Muskie).

Biden: starts to trash McCain's rep as a "maverick"..."he's not been a maverick in providing health care..." "He's not been a maverick when it comes to education..." "he's not been a maverick on the war..." (going thru the laundry list again).

Next: can you think of a single issue where you were forced to change your view due to circumstances?

Biden: yes, changed mind on judicial nominees...that their ideology matters...that's why I fought Judge Bork.

Palin: Wish I would have issued more vetos. But no, no major changes on principles.

Next: how do you change the tone as VP?

Biden: I have been able to work across the aisle on the most controversial issues...not question peoples motives.

Palin: walk the walk...I've appointed people from both sides of teh aisle...but the policies have to speak for themselves. She takes more shots at O for wanting to raise taxes.

Closing statements:

Palin: Like being able to answer these questions to the American people...not be filtered by the media. We'll fight for the middle class...I've been there, know what the challenges are...been blessed...proud to be an American...we have to fight for our freedoms. RR said freedom is always one generation away from extinction. Only one man in race that has fought for you, and that's John McCain.

Biden: Look folks, this is the most important election you have ever voted on in your life...we measure progress in America based on whether we can pay the mortgage...whether we have the best health care and education...O is ready to be the next president of the USA...

***

Analysis: Palin, hands down! Very, very good performance. Overwhelmed the expectations. She was energetic. Biden was tired. She delivered well and connected w/the viewers well.