Utahns focus on Palin during matchup

It didn't matter whether it was Republicans at the GOP's state headquarters or Democrats at a South Salt Lake private club — all of them were focused on Sarah Palin during Thursday night's vice presidential debate.

The 50 or so Republicans gathered to watch the debate at GOP headquarters chuckled and clapped at some of their party's vice presidential pick's answers but were mostly quiet when her Democratic opponent, Delaware Sen. Joe Biden, spoke.

At Saints and Sinners on State Street, about 80 Democrats, including members of the group Drinking Liberally, raised their glasses and cheered when Palin paused after a Biden response about the war in Iraq.

The 90-minute matchup was the first and only debate scheduled for the vice presidential nominees before the Nov. 4 election, and both campaigns organized debate-watching parties around the state.

The Republicans nibbled on bags of popcorn and sipped soft drinks in front of a projection TV tuned into Fox News. Kyle and Erin Hicks of Salt Lake, who brought their 4-month-old son, Elvis, said they liked what they heard from Palin.

"I wasn't expecting her to do as well as she did," said Kyle Hicks, a sergeant with the Utah Army National Guard and a stay-at-home dad. He said he hadn't been impressed with the Alaska governor's performance in recent media interviews.

His wife, Erin, who runs a business aimed at helping wounded veterans, said she appreciated the often folksy comments made by Palin. "She's relatable. She brings a voice and a representation of the regular person, the working mom, ... the regular guy."

Donna Jensen of Sandy, who owns a pest-control business with her husband, said Palin appeared relaxed "and comfortable in her own skin," even winking at the camera. "I didn't have any problem with the wink. I found her to be real," Jensen said.

She said she liked that Palin is a woman, but that alone isn't enough of a reason to support her. Jensen said she wasn't sure what to make of John McCain's surprise pick initially but ended up identifying with Palin because of her ability to balance a budget.

Dave Johnson of Taylorsville, who works for a nonprofit housing agency, said he wanted to see how prepared Palin would be — and how nervous. "I thought she was outstanding," he said, praising her "down-to-earth personality."

At the private club, the Democrats had a different perspective on Palin.

"She's showing the public she does not have a grasp on the economy or foreign issues," said Sheryl Ginsberg. "She's just being cute."

The State Street bar was filled with people watching the debate while sitting at the edge of pool tables that made it difficult for cocktail waitresses to take orders.