Live Blogging - Biden vs. Palin
The 2008 Vice Presidential Debate from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, starring Senator Joe “The Shark” Biden and Governor Sarah “Barracuda” Palin; moderated by Gwen Ifill
Sarah Palin has the upper hand this evening, considering how low expectations are for her following weeks of disastrous interviews. It should be noted that Palin is an expert on Joe Biden — she can see him from her podium. I guess that makes her an expert on Gwen Ifill, too.
FINAL THOUGHTS: Palin started out strong, she had momentum and came off as very folksy, like George W. Bush. But as the debate progressed, her charm and energy were not nearly enough to keep her in the game. Biden slowly gained his momentum and then really started to nail it when they got on foreign policy. Palin was able to hold her on, but there was no substance. Not only did she not answer questions, but she barely addressed them either. Pure fluff. Biden was the winner, hands down.
10:32 PM – And that’s a wrap… Thoughts?
10:31 PM – Palin: “I like answering the tough questions.” But…you didn’t answer any questions!
10:30 PM – When Palin said “proud to be an American” I got visions of Denise Richards in Drop Dead Gorgeous.
10:29 PM – Biden almost choked up when talking about his kids. Very moving.
10:26 PM – Of course Palin has never changed her mind on anything. She’s not a compromiser. She’s a maverick!
10:19 PM – I really want Ifill to ask Palin about her foreign policy experience and how Alaska’s proximity to Russia counts.
10:18 PM – Here comes her family story. Why is this relevant? Palin’s rambles are good at making me forget the question that was posed.
10:17 PM – Cheney has been the most dangerous vice president in history. Wow. Great comment.
10:13 PM – Did I miss something? How did Palin end up rambling on about education? And was there a point? This woman is fluff.
10:10 PM – If Biden doesn’t become Veep he can do commercials for Home Depot.
10:10 PM – “Reality from Wasilla Main Street.” Yes, by all means, let’s bring in some reality from the meth capital of Alaska.
10:09 PM – Palin just winked at the camera! That was for me.
10:08 PM – Biden just mentioned the Bush Doctrine. I wonder if Palin knows what it is now…
10:07 PM – Who is more likely to die in office? McCain or Obama?
10:06 PM – FYI: John McCain knows what evil is.
10:03 PM – “Americans are craving that straight talk.” I think that’s a double entendre. America doesn’t crave that gay talk. Or does it…?
10:02 PM – “The American public has the stomach for success.” Lord knows we can’t stomach any more failure.
10:01 PM – Dick Luger is a horribly hilarious name.
9:57 PM – “Can we talk about Afghanistan real quick?” Palin just came across her Afghanistan note card.
9:54 PM – Did anyone just hear that deep breath Biden took in through his nose?
9:53 PM – I really think Biden is just warming up, now that the topic is foreign policy. As I stated before, you can’t see every country from Russia.
9:52 PM – Sheila says Palin should receive a certificate for “most improved.”
9:49 PM – Palin is sounding more and more like Miss South Carolina.
9:48 PM – The Castro Brothers sounds like some kind of Reggae band.
9:47 PM – Palin is looking down a lot at her notes during this answer. And she says “nucular.”
9:46 PM – Biden needs to chill. He sounds angry.
9:45 PM – Iran and Pakistan. You can’t see those from Alaska.
9:41 PM – “With all due respect, I didn’t hear a plan.” Tell her, Joe. Palin just rambles. And there are no specifics in her rantings.
9:39 PM – Josh just pointed out that Palin said “Senator O’Biden.” Next she’ll be saying Senator Bin Laden.
9:37 PM – Palin appears nervous and shaky while elaborating on her “tolerance” to gay unions.
9:36 PM – Here it comes. Palin’s going to scream, “BURN THE GAYS!” Wait for it…
9:35 PM – Did Palin just drop the R word? Raping the outer shelf?
9:32 PM – Biden better nail it to her on global warming. “Burning dirty coal.” Dirty, filthy, naughty coal.
9:31 PM – Palin just said “state” like four times. That’s her gimmick: repeat superfluous words. She’s writing a book report for a book she hasn’t read. Actually, it’s probably a book she banned.
9:28 PM – One of the best things about Joe Biden is that he and Obama don’t agree on EVERTHING, like Bush and Cheney. A strong voice of opposition is always healthy.
9:26 PM – What the hell is Palin talking about? This is her first true regurgitation of pure hyperbolic bile. “It’s a toxic mess.” WTF?
9:23 PM – “I had to take on those oil companies.” I wrestled them to the ground and gave them all purple nurples.
9:22 PM – I think Biden was just scoping her out. Did you see the look on his face?
9:21 PM – “The ultimate bridge to nowhere.” AWESOME! “Bridge to Nowhere” should be the title of the movie based on the McCain/Palin campaign.
9:19 PM – There will be blood!
9:17 PM – Biden better call her out on that “patriotic” bullshit. She’s twisting his words. Biden said is it was patriotic for the wealthy to pay more taxes, not everyone paying more taxes is patriotic.
9:16 PM – Is Palin going to answer any questions? She just keeps rambling on about whatever she can think of.
9:14 PM – “I’m not going to answer questions the way…” What? She basically just said: I don’t wanna play by your rules.
9:14 PM – Tell her, Joe. Call her out on her misinformation. There’s no way her tutors could have crammed all that senate history into her head.
9:13 PM – How many times is Palin going to say “darn?”
9:12 PM – Biden’s eyes remind me of Mr. Magoo.
9:11 PM – Aaron just asked if Palin has a teleprompter. It’s more likely that she has an earpiece.
9:09 PM – Darn tootin’!
9:08 PM – Palin is repeating John McCain’s ridiculous rationalization that “fundamentals” refers to people.
9:07 PM – Biden’s strategy: Stay on topic and answer the question at hand.
9:05 PM – Why is Palin talking about soccer games? I thought she was a hockey mom? You know, pit bull with lipstick.
9:03 PM – “Can I call you Joe?” This is the first time Palin and Biden have met each other. I’m sure they’ll get along swimmingly.
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:04 pm
ok her dress is very nice.
last girly comment of the night.
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:07 pm
reminds me of You’ve Got Mail. “just call me joe.”
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:09 pm
well theyre doing better at answering the questions than the Prez guys did. Gwen doesnt have to say so back to my first question.
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:09 pm
did they give her a teleprompter?
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:09 pm
never mind - she called them out on that one. heh.
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:10 pm
hockey mom. drink.
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:13 pm
they’re being civil. good. i think they both learned what not do via McCain.
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:14 pm
oh snap Joe!
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:14 pm
ummm….
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:15 pm
anybody else think she looks like Tina Fey????
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Why doesn’t she answer the questions?
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:17 pm
God I would love to make anywere near 150K - if thats the cut-off for middle class then i must be in poverty. Lot easier to achieve than 5 million.
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:18 pm
maybe shes using that quote generator you posted the other day.
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:18 pm
so making $1,000,000/yr is middle class
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:19 pm
McCain has said that making five million a year is middle class.
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:21 pm
ZING!!!!
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:21 pm
i actually read somewhere that he was joking about that….but that could have been coverup.
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:23 pm
hey! he didn’t get distracted by the blinking light!!! bush would’ve.
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:23 pm
and the opening song could be “We’re on the road to nowhere…”
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:23 pm
does anyone else see the sexual tension in the eye contact they keep making?
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:25 pm
hey she’s cute. he’s distinguished. Id rather see them hook up than Barack and McCain.
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:25 pm
was that really a rhetorical question? cuz i want some answers!
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:25 pm
I see it. It’s unnerving. This might get sexy real fast.
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:26 pm
good for him for giving her kudos. i like him.
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:26 pm
he’s giving her props! he totally wants to hit that.
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:27 pm
There she goes again not answering the questions
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:28 pm
toxic crusaders.
remember that cartoon or toys…commercial?
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:28 pm
“quote, i’m paraphrasing…”
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:29 pm
wasn’t it toxic avengers?
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:30 pm
“that is not correct, but i’m still not going to play your game… i wanna play my way.”
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:30 pm
It was Toxic Avengers.
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:30 pm
Does Joe even have to say anything else?
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:31 pm
yes, governor palin, tell us about the things you’ve read in ALL those publications put in front of you
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:31 pm
we’re both right sheila
from wikipedia.
Toxic Crusaders is an animated series based on the Toxic Avenger films.
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:32 pm
Umm…is it just me or is she legit rambling.
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:32 pm
emishes? emissions? do the polar bears use the word “emishes?”
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:33 pm
i believe thats something moose say.
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:33 pm
ugh! he’s so boring! i’m no fan of palin for prez, but at least she’s animated. like a barbie doll on uppers.
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:34 pm
drill, baby, drill!!! yes… let’s drill everything and THEN look at alternatives.
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:34 pm
Platitudes….that’s all she knows.
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:34 pm
She is legit rambling. She’s nervous. But I can see Jesus standing on her shoulder.
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:35 pm
Did you hear here say Senator O’Biden
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:35 pm
yes.. tell us Senator O’Biden.
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:35 pm
“i wanna rape your continental shelf.”
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:35 pm
her also* haha
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:36 pm
uh oh same sex debate.
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:37 pm
I’m afraid of this same sex marriage portion of the debate.
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:37 pm
you can see Palin’s sweat glands kicking into gear now that their on the gays
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:38 pm
I just saw that Jesus on her shoulder shake his head.
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:38 pm
tolerant except for the poor girls raped by their fathers
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:39 pm
notice Biden said nothing about marriage just constitutional right - he chose words carefully.
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:39 pm
“i only define marriage as between one man and one woman, but I’m totally tolerant of gay folks”
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:39 pm
You coulda just said ‘no’
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:40 pm
“im tolerant as like as they dont touch me. i dont wanna catch the gay!”
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Joe Biden, Beau Biden…banana fanna fo biden.
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:40 pm
she’s definitely got an earpiece… you could tell by the pauses in her props to biden just now.
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:41 pm
Nato allies? we still have those?
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:41 pm
biden needs botox
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:42 pm
If Palin is a pitbull Biden is Michael Vick. He’s killin it.
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Haha Biden does need botox. He’s a bit saggy this evening.
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:44 pm
talk to us, joe biden!! love that eye contact!
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:45 pm
“God love him” means “bless your heart” in Southern.
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:46 pm
wait wait wait… i thought it was nucular?!?!
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:47 pm
What I like about Biden is that he has facts, and seems to at least know what he’s talking about…I’m pretty sure Sarah Palin doesn’t know where Pakistan is on a map.
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Also Palin blinks a shit ton.
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:49 pm
i must say, palin should receive a certificate for “most improved”
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:50 pm
she’s got mascara in her eye… that’s the danger of make-up on the pit-bulls
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:51 pm
I loved that incredulous look he just gave to Palin
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:52 pm
Crusade anyone?
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:52 pm
that aint no South Carolina accent.
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:53 pm
friends in israel…. looks like their bringing Jews for Jesus to the Middle East
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:53 pm
mmm i love hummus. wheres my pita chips?
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:54 pm
hummus is yummus! =D
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:54 pm
i <3 israel!!!
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:55 pm
And it’s a good thing that we don’t like punting puppies too
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:56 pm
I think Joe Biden is skipping, can someone reset him?
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:56 pm
It’s infuriating how Palin and McCain refuse to answer questions and just repeat talking points. I wish I’d watched this before I went to MMA class because I want to beat more people up now.
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:56 pm
oh my god!!! she just said nucular!!!!!!!!!
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:57 pm
I caught that too, its going to give me a twitch.
October 2nd, 2008 at 8:58 pm
ya know she kind of clenches her jaw like my mom. *shudder*
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:00 pm
They’re very good about not interrupting each other…. did I just hear Biden sigh?
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:03 pm
i don’t have a stomach for genocide when it comes to darfur.. but anywhere else is ok.
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:04 pm
So all she has for a retort is a campaign slogan
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Lets talk about McCain dying.
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:07 pm
McCain knows how to win a war from his experience winning in Vietnam.
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:07 pm
he just laughs off her snide remarks.. “oh sarah youre gonna get it good later tonight.”
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:09 pm
John McCain knows how to win a war? What, we won Vietnam now? Did he crash on purpose to defeat them from the inside, like Jack Bauer?
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:09 pm
you had to mention Jack Bauer - oh lord Ryan’s gonna cum in his Obama pjs.
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:10 pm
She just winked at me. Did you guys catch that?
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:10 pm
If I could draw, I’d draw a Palin doll with a string, saying, “I’m a maverick!”
Yes, government get out of our way. Just like you did for Wall Street.
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:10 pm
raising taxes kills spending, not jobs
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:12 pm
She sounds like a Mormon
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:12 pm
oh my god!!! say it ain’t so, joe? doggone it?? she makes me want to leap through the screen and slam her head into the podium.
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:12 pm
Oh lord…She gave a shout out
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:13 pm
id gotta admit id give a shoutout if i was on tv
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:13 pm
we’re so lame!!!
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:14 pm
he just got himself a lifetime supply of laser levels and screw drivers.
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:14 pm
McCain tapped her? Ew!
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:16 pm
I bet she has a lot of flexibility
(sorry ladies)
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:17 pm
cheney’s dangerous cuz he shoots his friends in the face
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:17 pm
There something not quite right about how she forms sentences.
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:17 pm
i can just see the SNL skit now - “doggone it, gosh darn, God bless him, what up 3rd grade homies.”
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:18 pm
joe Biden is gonna discipline Sarah.
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:21 pm
single dad. wife and kid died. beat that POW Mccain.
ok that’s insensitive of me but there it is.
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:22 pm
yes… we need to leave McCain
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:23 pm
McCain is a maverick. He stops his campaign to go save…wall street…oh the bill didn’t pass because he showed up?…man…that sucks…
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:24 pm
wow! look at that passion flowing forth from O’Biden!
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Is he at least Goose?
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:25 pm
Goose?
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:25 pm
who’s Iceman?
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:26 pm
isn’t finding a way to work together the meaning of compromise?
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:26 pm
…she needs enough people to tell her to do things before she’ll do them. Ahh…I feel ya…back in 6th grade…shouldn’t have eaten those pogs…
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:28 pm
Maverick’s plane crashed too.
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:28 pm
Nothing on her slip up of “Who should be the one to leave?” I think we should expand on that.
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:28 pm
Oh, Goose and Iceman. I’ve never seen Top Gun.
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:29 pm
If Maverick’s plane crashes then the pit bull with lipstick becomes Prez. Scary.
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:31 pm
oooh yeah!!! he’s gonna hit that later!
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:31 pm
WHAT THE FUCK IS SHE TALKING ABOUT?
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:33 pm
hug it out bitches.
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:34 pm
dude on stage looks like an old Prince Charles
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:35 pm
biden’s face is melting off his skull.
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:37 pm
i’m disappointed palin’s husband didn’t come up on stage in an outfit as blinding as Mrs. McCain
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:39 pm
both their little girls are so cute. ovaries are twitching….
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Haha ovaries…Good Job Ryan!
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:43 pm
MSNBC is also a bunch of garbage.
October 2nd, 2008 at 9:45 pm
And while monopolizing your comments, I agree with you. Palin’s talking points based responses didn’t have the depth or substance that Biden’s did. While he isn’t exciting or plastic or fake, he’s in the end correct. Which is what should matter. Obama and Biden sort of balance each other and I think that’s perhaps the formula we need.
October 3rd, 2008 at 1:54 am
Thanks to everyone who played along. Final thoughts?