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Under intense scrutiny, Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin stood her ground Thursday night against a vastly more experienced Joe Biden, debating the economy, energy and global warming, then challenging him on Iraq, "especially with your son in the National Guard."
The Alaska governor also noted that Biden had once said Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama wasn't ready to be commander in chief, "and I know again that you opposed the move that he made to try to cut off funding for the troops and I respect you for that."
Biden responded that John McCain, too, had voted against funding, and said the Republican presidential candidate had been "dead wrong on the fundamental issues relating to the conduct of the war."
The clash over Iraq was the most personal, and pointed, of the only vice presidential debate of the campaign, one in which Palin repeatedly cast herself as a non-Washington politician and part of a "team of mavericks" ready to bring change to a country demanding it.
"Maverick he is not on the important, critical issues," Biden shot back, referring to McCain. And he said Obama was the true candidate of change.
Palin, governor of her state for less than two years, faced enormous challenges as she walked onto the debate stage at Washington University. After five weeks as McCain's ticket-mate, her poll ratings have begun dropping as even some conservatives question her readiness for high public office.
Her solo campaign events are few, and she has drawn ridicule for some of her answers in the few interviews she has granted — including her claim that Alaska's proximity to Russia gives her an insight into foreign policy.
From the opening moments of the debate, Democrat Biden sought to make McCain out as a straight-ahead successor to an unpopular President Bush. "He voted four out of five times for George Bush's budget, which put us a half-trillion dollars in debt and over $4 trillion in debt since he got here," Biden said of McCain.
In return, Palin accused Biden of reciting the past rather than looking to the future. "Americans are cravin' that straight talk" that McCain offers, she said midway in the 90-minute debate.
With one month until the election, polls show Obama with a small but perceptible lead, and Republican officials said earlier in the day that McCain had decided to pull out of Michigan, conceding the state to the Democrats. At the same time, his own aides said the campaign may soon begin to advertise in Indiana — a state that has voted Republican in every presidential election since 1968.
After intense preparation — including two days at McCain's home in Sedona, Ariz., Palin made only one obvious stumble, when she twice referred to the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan as "Gen. McClellan." His name is David McKiernan.
As is her custom on the campaign trail, she spoke in familiar terms, saying "betcha" rather than "bet you" and "gonna" rather than "going to."
She also spoke to the home folks. "Here's a shout-out" to third graders at Gladys Wood Elementary School in Alaska. She said they would all receive extra credit for watching the debate.
"Can I call you Joe?" she asked Biden as they shook hands before taking their places behind identical lecterns.
He readily agreed she could — and she used it to effect more than an hour later. "Say it ain't so, Joe," she said as she smilingly criticized him at one point for focusing his comments on the Bush administration rather than McCain.
Biden's burden was not nearly as fundamental as hers. Although he has long had a reputation for long-windedness, he is a veteran of more than 35 years in the Senate, with a strong knowledge of foreign policy as well as domestic issues.
For much of the evening, the debate unfolded in traditional vice presidential fashion — the running mates praising their own presidential candidate and denigrating the other.
Palin said Obama had voted to raise taxes 94 times — an allegation that Biden disputed and then countered. By the same reckoning, he said, McCain voted "477 times to raise taxes."
They clashed over energy policy, as well, when Palin said Obama's vote for a Bush administration-backed bill granted breaks to the oil industry. By contrast, she said that as governor, she had stood up to the same industry, and noted that McCain had voted against the bill Obama supported.
Biden said that in the past decade, McCain had voted "20 times against funding alternative energy sources and thinks, I guess, the only answer is drill, drill, drill."
"The chant is, `drill, baby drill," Palin countered quickly, unwilling to yield to Biden on that issue — or any other.
On the environment, Palin declined to attribute the cause of climate change to man-made activities alone. "There is something to be said also for man's activities, but also for the cyclical temperature changes on our planet," she said, adding that she didn't want to argue about the causes.
Biden said the cause was clearly man-made, and added, "If you don't understand what the cause is, it's virtually impossible to come up with a solution."
© 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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- Regions: United States , Iraq
 | Palin, in interview, casts herself as a federalist | Associated Press | Wed Oct 1 | 19 |
| Candidates spar on energy, taxes, war | Associated Press | Fri Oct 3 | 315 |
 | The latest Palin-Couric clip - First Read - msnbc.com | msnbc.com | Thu Oct 2 | 0 |
| Analysis: Stakes high, Palin tops expectations | Associated Press | Thu Oct 2 | 44 |
| Analysis: Obama, McCain defy stereotypes in debate | Associated Press | Fri Oct 3 | 14 |
- Public Discussion (16)
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{"commentId":3247800,"authorDomain":"brianford"}
"Palin needs to clear the bar and reframe the debate around Barack Obama and his tax and spend record," he said. "She's got to show a grasp on the issues and she's got to talk about Obama. Most importantly, she's a reformer. She's got to get back to that."
Wrong.
Palin needs to talk about herself, and she needs to convince people that she has some qualification *other than* sarcastic remarks about Obama and Biden. People are waiting for her to say something - anything - intelligent about policy issues and it won't be enough for her to simply talk about Obama.
Viewers will see that as a dodge to answers in an effort to mask her lack of knowledge on matters of substance.
So, as an Obama supporter, I hope she *does* stick to attacking Obama.
{"commentId":3247800,"threadId":"375052","contentId":"1941866","authorDomain":"brianford"}
- 6 votes
#1 - Wed Oct 1, 2008 5:52 PM EDT{"commentId":3248826,"authorDomain":"MissDev"}
This photo provided by the Palin Campaign shows Republican vice presidential nominee and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, right, preparing for her first and only debate with Democratic vice presidential nominee Joe Biden at the Sedona, Ariz., ranch of her running-mate, Sen. John McCain
I know it says "vice presidential nominee", but does the phrasing of this put Palin above McCain on the ticket, or is it just me?
{"commentId":3248826,"threadId":"375052","contentId":"1941866","authorDomain":"MissDev"}
- 1 vote
#2 - Wed Oct 1, 2008 6:42 PM EDT{"commentId":3303596,"authorDomain":"doitrightfirst"}
It's just you.
{"commentId":3303596,"threadId":"375052","contentId":"1941866","authorDomain":"doitrightfirst"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":3249673,"authorDomain":"grosslawn"}
Joe Biden is going to decimate Gov. Palin in the VP debate. She simply is not ready to be thrust onto the worldwide political stage. I have no confidence in her, and that impacts the decision I will make in the general election. I'm afraid John McCain's choice of VP has backfired on him. When I observe her in interviews, I cringe with embarrassment.
{"commentId":3249673,"threadId":"375052","contentId":"1941866","authorDomain":"grosslawn"}
#3 - Wed Oct 1, 2008 7:34 PM EDT{"commentId":3250552,"authorDomain":"thecivicvoice"}
I don't think it'll be that easy. The questions are easy to anticipate, and they'll be broad. If she screws up, I'd be surprised. We'll see.
{"commentId":3250552,"threadId":"375052","contentId":"1941866","authorDomain":"thecivicvoice"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":3250090,"authorDomain":"BlueLeftHand"}
I can't decide whether Biden will eviscerate Palin or she will commit seppuku.
Either way, I admit that I am deep into anticipatory schadenfreude. Stocking up on snacks and wine, and will load lots of words like'ignorant' 'unintelligible' 'nasty' 'liar' and such to describe McBarbie into a buffer for quickie cut/paste.
{"commentId":3250090,"threadId":"375052","contentId":"1941866","authorDomain":"BlueLeftHand"}
- 1 vote
#4 - Wed Oct 1, 2008 8:01 PM EDT{"commentId":3250641,"authorDomain":"RTST"}
I can see a ploy Coming. I will be surprised if there isn't one. Ex. After a while debating, she might faint to draw attention to herself and to postpone or cancel debate.
{"commentId":3250641,"threadId":"375052","contentId":"1941866","authorDomain":"RTST"}
#5 - Wed Oct 1, 2008 8:40 PM EDT{"commentId":3252110,"authorDomain":"pstack2"}
Ladies and Gentleman - Tonight, A Special Made for TV Movie - "The Sarah Palin Story"
A heart wrenching tale about an Alaskan woman, her snowmobiling husband and her struggles for the Vice Presidency. Expecting praise for giving birth to a special needs child and not aborting it. Removing books from a library. Standing up to ex-brother in laws. Spying on Russia from her hometown with a pair of binoculars. Fighting "God's Wars." Speaking for her fellow women and fighting for their rights. Having the courage to drill for Oil where no one has dared to drill before. Bringing the [Meaning of Life] to schools and sex education. Reclaiming the proceed's from Jimmy Carter's sale of the Presidential yacht and investing in a Royal Snowmobile with a built in luxury Ted Nugent hunting package. Giggling with Dr Strangelove, hands poised over the nuclear button.
"The Sarah Palin Story" - Snowmobiling it's way to an American Political Theater near you this Fall. Starring Frank Burns as Sarah Palin, James Brolin as First Man Todd and John McCain as Dr Strangelove.
{"commentId":3252110,"threadId":"375052","contentId":"1941866","authorDomain":"pstack2"}
- 1 vote
#6 - Wed Oct 1, 2008 10:21 PM EDT{"commentId":3303524,"authorDomain":"doitrightfirst"}
You criticize because you are another in the biased, closed minded America who is afraid to admit that Gov. Palin is the right choice and best suited for the job of VP. So clouded by hatred and malicious intent, you can't see the forest for the trees.
Sorry you can't get past the name calling and poking fun at others' expense. Perhaps some anger management counseling is in order.
I kid you. Please don't get angry. You are entitled to your opinion and I respect you for it. I am kinda tired of the character assassination of Gov. Palin. It takes a much bigger person to actually look at the issues objectively and make informed choices intelligently rather than attacking people on a personal level.
{"commentId":3303524,"threadId":"375052","contentId":"1941866","authorDomain":"doitrightfirst"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":3252244,"authorDomain":"pstack2"}
A little birdy told me that Sarah Palin uses Norman Mailer toilet paper and that she burns it when she's done...
{"commentId":3252244,"threadId":"375052","contentId":"1941866","authorDomain":"pstack2"}
#7 - Wed Oct 1, 2008 10:27 PM EDT{"commentId":3262528,"authorDomain":"mmelan75"}
who cares. see everyone makes fun, no one speaks of real issues!
{"commentId":3262528,"threadId":"375052","contentId":"1941866","authorDomain":"mmelan75"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":3255998,"authorDomain":"travelbizcash"}
Actually the STAKES are HIGH for AMERICA and ALL AMERICANS if she wins the election, she and her running mate who is totally out of touch with reality.....
Mccain has proved that he lies and cant make up his mind, he claims he will get rid of all pork yet he VOTED FOR THE OINK OINK package!!
The stakes are at stake for all of us and if this bimbo in lipstick gets voted in there will be mass destruction for all AMERICANS!
My God people if her answers don't prove she is NOT fit for duty I dont know what will!!
Who cares how she debates she already proved again and again she is a mindless airhead!
Would loved to have seen Hillary debate aginst her
For the good of America dont allow her to be voted in
{"commentId":3255998,"threadId":"375052","contentId":"1941866","authorDomain":"travelbizcash"}
- 1 vote
#8 - Thu Oct 2, 2008 7:35 AM EDT{"commentId":3262261,"authorDomain":"cranegirl"}
"Chance to Overcome Doubts" ... Not a Chance!
Nothing Gov Palin says tonight could assuage my concerns about her utter lack of knowledge about any issue impacting the federal government (except perhaps drilling for oil). Her foreign policy rationalizations were laughable, but her utter lack of knowledge about the US Constitution is scary.
I'm appalled at Palin's ignorance of the Supreme Court and Constitutional Law. No, I do not expect Palin to be able to cite the cases themselves (even law professors don't require that on exams). But, I do expect her to be able to discuss the principles of the cases. Anyone who says this is irrelevant or "gotcha" politics is completely missing critical aspects of the President's or Vice-President's job:
1. Given that a President's very first act is to place his hand on the Bible and swear to uphold the Constitution, I think it's very important that a President understands the Constitution's protections and limitations. This is precisely what Supreme Court cases involve.
2. Given that the President appoints Supreme Court Justices, it's important that the President and VP understand Constitutional Law and the legal ideologies of Supreme Court Justices. Does she know what federalism is? Does she understand the differences in Justices like Scalia, O'Connor, Warren, Marshall, and Stevens? Or how about the differences between Rehnquist, Scalia & Roberts? Yes there are differences. I want my President to be informed about these distinctions before they make appointments to the Supreme Court. Otherwise, we will end up with more appointments like Bush's attempted appointment of Harriet Meiers.
3. Given the overreaching by the Bush Admin and its obliteration of the limitations on power of the Executive Branch, it's critical that the Pres & VP understand the limitations on their own power. Indeed, in the past few years, there have been several cases on this very topic.
4. There have been innumerable Supreme Court cases over the past few years that she could have discussed and which arguably align with the McCain-Palin ideology including decisions on the limitations on abortions, habeus corpus for detainees, death penalty for child molesters, Second Amendment gun cases. The fact that not one of these issues passed thru her brain is evidence that she hasn't read one newspaper -- liberal or Conservative --as every term, all Supreme Court arguments and decisions are covered by mags like Newsweek & Time, as well as by conservative papers like the WSJ.
5. Palin heralds her executive experience as governor of Alaska. Why is it then that she couldn't discuss the recent Supreme Court case involving the punitive damage award in the Exxon Valdez spill that destroyed miles of Alaskan coastline, killed millions of animals, and hence, destroyed the commercial fishing economy for many Alaskans, including those like her husband Todd Palin? This is more evidence that she doesn't read either national newspapers nor apparently the local papers in Alaska. A VP needs to be informed about the issues of our day. Why wasn't she able to name let alone specifically discuss the most important decision impacting her own state?
All of the above are the reasons I get frustrated when the Right attacks Obama's qualifications to be President. Thus, I think it's quite relevant that Obama taught Constitutional Law for 12 yrs at one of the Top 5 law schools in the country. He understands the constrained role of the Executive Branch, the inherent checks and balance, the importance of individual rights in the Bill of Rights, and the delicate balance of federalism. He also can't be hoodwinked about what is legal like Bush was with warrantless wiretapping, the Patriot Act, firing attorney generals, etc. Alone, this is not all one needs to be President, but I do think it's a relevant & unique part of Obama's resume that is often overlooked.
And, although Biden is not a Con Law Professor, he was the 8 yr chair of the Judiciary Committee and is still a long-standing member, whose jurisdiction includes, among other things: (1) Overseeing the federal court system, (2)Overseeing the Dep't of Justice, including the FBI, and US Attorney Generals; (3) Protecting Civil Liberties; (4) Confirming federal judges and Supreme Court Justices; (5) Establishing Immigration policies; (6) Protecting against unlawful restraints of trade and monopolies; (7) Drafting statutes for the US Code & drafting Constitutional Amendments; (8) Enforcing federal criminal law and overseeing federal prisons like Gitmo; (9) Protecting against subversive activities re the internal security of the US.
Quoting Supreme Court Justice Breyer on the Constitution:
"We live in a country with every race, religion and viewpoint. Problems will arise and at the heart of [the Constitution] is how to create a country where people can solve their problems democratically."
Coupling Obama's laudatory knowledge of Con Law with Biden's expertise on the Judiciary Committee, it makes Palin's failure to know even one Supreme Court case laughable. This is precisely why Obama-Biden Ticket is a far better choice for this country!
{"commentId":3262261,"threadId":"375052","contentId":"1941866","authorDomain":"cranegirl"}
- 1 vote
#9 - Thu Oct 2, 2008 1:57 PM EDT{"commentId":3262596,"authorDomain":"mmelan75"}
Finally an informative posting about Gov. Palin. Some data to think about and research further!
{"commentId":3262596,"threadId":"375052","contentId":"1941866","authorDomain":"mmelan75"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":3275892,"authorDomain":"Notimpressed584290"}
OMG, Not real data! I,m melting.......aaaarrrrgggghhh
Bout time someone posted something besides personal attacks. thanks.
{"commentId":3275892,"threadId":"375052","contentId":"1941866","authorDomain":"Notimpressed584290"}
- 2 votes
#10 - Fri Oct 3, 2008 1:20 AM EDT{"commentId":3303322,"authorDomain":"doitrightfirst"}
The first reply to the comment by cranegirl should've come from Obama & Biden. It should've read...
...Thanks, mom. See you tonight for dinner. Don't forget to cut the crust off my bread. I love you.
Please! Just another closed mind that chooses to leave their head in a fog of liberal bias.
Again exempifying the fact that there is no independant thought in the Democratic party.
Had you truly looked with an open mind at the debate, you would have seen a much different outcome.
thanks for your comments; but just it's nothing more than the same old yawnfest the left tries to force feed the masses.
{"commentId":3303322,"threadId":"375052","contentId":"1941866","authorDomain":"doitrightfirst"}
- 1 vote
#11 - Fri Oct 3, 2008 11:00 PM EDT{"canLink":false,"threadId":"375052","isPrivate":false}
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