Play-by-play and Analysis: Biden v. Palin

So, I wasn't intense enough to watch the debate live from 3:00 to 4:30 a.m. local time, but I just watched it on Youtube and everyone in the States should still be asleep so I don't feel too behind. I took notes as I watched, so hopefully my thoughts are somewhat organized and based on what actually transpired.

At the very beginning of the debate, Governor Sarah Palin seemed very giddy, pleased to meet Senator Joe Biden and asking if she could call him Joe. Obviously it was the first time they'd met since Palin the self-described Washington outsider governor of Alaska would have little reason to meet the longtime Democratic senator from Delaware. She probably felt like I did when Senator John McCain winked at me last year on the Senate subway. I don't agree with McCain on policy, but he's famous, someone who I've seen on television and whose name I've seen on legislation. She couldn't get over the "privilege" it was to be a participant in the debate. It was kind of cute.

Right off, she referred to the "soccer mom barometer" of economic hardship, a nod perhaps to the fact that "hockey moms" aren't exactly "main streeters" in most of Middle America.

One quote I liked is when Palin said of herself and McCain that "we're known for putting partisan politics aside." Interesting since Candidate McCain has thrown away his relatively bipartisan legislative record to appeal to conservatives and she's the most polarizing candidate since Alan Keyes.

Admittedly I've never adored Biden, but he came off very polished and knowledgeable. Palin memorized a few talking points (props), but Biden was able to directly combat her stats. Sure, it sounds impressive that Senator Barack Obama (wow hard to believe that's my first Obama reference) voted against alternative energy or whatever it was ninety-odd times, until you hear McCain did so more than 400 times in the same period.

At one point Palin said that she wasn't concerned about answering what Biden said or the questions posed by moderator Gwen Ifill, as if that were a positive attribute as a debater. It's not straight talk when you don't even try to answer the question, instead reeling off a talking point.

One such talking point was when she termed Obama's healthcare plan as an example of the "redistribution of wealth principle." I'm glad the campaign has been teaching her some principles and fundamentals. Maybe the aides will teach McCain next. Biden then termed McCain's healthcare plan as the ultimate bridge to nowhere, to the chuckles of the audience.

Palin claimed energy as her area of expertise, which it probably is. Back to this point in a moment.

During this segment, Palin asked rhetorically, "How long have I been at this - like five weeks?" Tell me about it, Sarah.

After railing against the "East Coast Politicians" who are keeping her from destroying ANWR for a few drops of oil, Ifill directly asked, question to Palin first, what the cause of global warming is. Palin said "Yeah" in a small voice. I'm sure she had been extensively prepped on how to handle this one. She admitted that Alaska has seen more climate change that any other state in the U.S. but blamed it on some kind of cyclical temperature change BS, saying she doesn't "want to argue about the causes." It was interesting when she argued that the U.S. needs to become more energy independent because the foreign producers emit too much pollution. If that's so important, I think we should try not to pollute the temperate rain forest of Alaska. I loved when Biden came back at her by saying, "If you don't know what the cause is, it's difficuly to come up with a solution." We need an administration that believes in science. Climate change caused by man is now an absolute consensus.

Palin corrected Biden that the chant is "drill, baby, drill," not "drill, drill, drill." She would know.

Both the candidates agreed that they are against gay marriage, which is obviously too bad. They also agreed that same-sex couples should have the same civil rights as heterosexual couples. I would like to know, however, whether Palin thinks homosexuality is a choice, because she used the word "choosing" emphasized and carefully enunciated when describing homosexual couples.

In terms of foreign policy, Palin lost all my respect (not that she had much, even though SHE CAN SEE RUSSIA FROM HER HOUSE) because she says "nucular" instead of "nuclear." Deal-breaker.

Since I'm in Spain, I loved how Biden got in the unanswered zinger about how McCain said he wouldn't meet with Zapatero, the prime minister of Spain.

Furthering my suspicion that she can't get over how famous Biden and co. are, she said, "You know, I watched those debates, I know what they were all about," referring to the Democratic Primary debates. I wonder if she's met Obama yet?

She was stuck in her colloquial main-streeter rut, with lines such as "Say it ain't so, Joe," and giving a shout-out to her brother's third grade class.

She excused her summer comment about not even knowing what the vice president actually does as a lame attempt at a joke. Biden specifically elaborated on what his role would be in an Obama-Biden administration. Palin then said she agreed whole-heartedly with Dick Cheney about the role of the VP. SCARY!!!!!

In closing, she said she was from a very diverse family, politically speaking. Someone needs to tell her that there's a difference between "Independents" and the "Alaska Independence Party."

More profuse thanks, then the Palin and Biden broods invaded the stage.

I guess I would have to say that Palin exceeded my expectations, but that's only because they were so low after watching, for example, her interviews with Katie Couric from last week. Biden came off as what he is, a statesman, while she came off as finally able to recite campaign talking points a month before the election. She did not assuage my fears that she is unqualified, but she came off as sufficiently polished so I think at least some Americans will take the bait. In fact, I would go so far as to say that the debate did nothing to change my perception of Sarah Palin but increased my esteem of Joe Biden. He made no gaffes and closed the deal that he could be vice president. She made no gaffes, but sometimes not making a blunder isn't enough. Sometimes you actually need to answer the questions and give off an aura of authority.