I was impressed by the tone of the debate. I think both Biden and Palin seem decent and intelligent. But I am still not convinced by Sarah Palin, she reminds me of Bush. It might sound brutal, but McCain is 72 with cancer, and we need stability, not crisis after crisis.

If Mitt Romney were on the ticket I would have no doubt, and I usually vote Republican, except for Matheson, but this year I think I'm going with Obama.

Dave, SLC

What has become of the Republican party? This lady is a center-left populist. Blame the lenders? Corporate greed? What about out of control Government? Maybe "The MAverick" should have swallowed his pride and picked Romney.

Joe said Obama has never been for sitting down with any terrorist leader/nation without preconditions. Iran for example. Sarah called him a liar in a nice way. Well- I am not as nice- There is a video at youtube, and it shows- Obama telling the whole world that he would sit with Iranian leaders without preconditions. He also said: “Here’s what the president said when we said 'no'. He insisted on elections on the 'West Bank,' when I said, and others said, and Barack Obama said, “Big mistake. Hamas will win. You’ll legitimize them.” What happened? Hamas won. Well Joe, Hamas won the 'Gaza Strip.' I would laugh, but you are not that funny. A VP that flew a helicopter into the 'Gaza Strip' thinking it was safe would get shot down. Bwhaha. - I laughed.

I'm no fan of Sen McCain. But I think Gov Palin went a long way last night towards justifying his pick of her as a running mate. She stayed on-messaqge, presented herself well (not just their platform - but her personality and views on domestic issues), and stayed the course with a much more experienced Joe Biden. I think she showed America that she is best in front of a camera when there is a moderator, and not a "news personality" leading the conversation.

The tone was civil - they attacked the platforms and the presidential candidates, not each other - and the debate was truly enjoyable to watch.

I'm sure most people will be even more comfortable with their choice for the president, knowing that each candidate has a competent vice in the wings. I don't think she changed minds - but a lot of McCain supporters I'm sure breathed a sigh of relief.

Sarah Palin, with John McCain, is the change we deserve in Washington. Undoubtedly, despite what the mainstream media may say, she won the debate. Her solid and not opportunist conservative views and her strong assertives make any undecided voter eager to vote for McCain-Palin next November.

Besides the American flag, she was also with a flag of Israel attached to her clothes. That demonstrates who is the true friend of our friends and who is the terrorists' best friend.

She has much more experience than the community organizer Sen. Obama. She's been Governor of a great State and is ready to help McCain put country first.

Furthermore, Sen. Biden is an old character at the House. Would he change something as VP? Palin will! Let's All Vote Red!

Well done Sarah. I thought it was a good debate and both were respectful and stated their positions adequately. I found Sarah to be more personable and optimistic. I found Senator Biden to be more of a slick politician. Senator Biden bragging about his railroading of Robert Bork was revealing. Sarah held her own and was refreshing.

If the issue is mastery of facts and issules, then Joe Biden won hands down. If the issue is spin and scripted talking-point answers, then Palin had the edge. I'll go with facts and issues before spin and scripted talking points (substance over smoke and mirrors) any day. Well done, Senator Biden.

Calvin missed a few points in his fact check:
Biden confused the Articles of the Constitution. Article Two gives the Executive Branch power. Article One covers the Legislative Branch. Biden has sworn an Oath to potect and defend a document, but he doesn't know what's in it. He also missed Biden missing John McCain's voting record. Palin missed on Iraq troop count and Health Care

Although critics may disagree, Palin rose to the occasion in this debate and performed admirably. Both made minor errors, but nothing that rose to the level of a major blunder.

Sorry, wrong article, I thought you were talking about BYU, and Utah, football players!

I am scared to think that Sarah Palin could be the next president when 76yr old McCain kills over. Sarah had a manufactured and rehersed debate. But she did not give me a clue of her own ideals. I almost thought I was watching the movie Fargo. You betch ya??? I am happy for her accomplishments but she isn't ready to be this nations top excecutive. I am really scared. Just because you are mormon/rebulican doesn't mean you should vote for McCain /Palin. People really think and study the issues before you vote. most of you won't vote dem. because of abortion issue. Obamam doesnt believe in abortion !so take time out of your busy soccer scheldules and do the research before you cast that ballet. This country needs change and spend less $Billions on war.

Palin: Folksy, doggone it. Biden: Substance. Policies. Numbers. Which do we need right now?

She'd be great at selling used cars, getting her audience to overlook the obvious faults in the merchandise. Is that what we want in a vice president?

Every time Palin exposed Biden or caught him in a lie all he could do was flash that cheezy smile and close his eyes. He kept mentioning the "billions" of dollars to pay the troops for the war. Well, If the war weren't on today does that mean that we wouldn't have to pay the troops anyway for simply being in the military? You still have to pay your employee's. It doesn't matter what job they are doing at the time, they still get paid.

Truth is: Obama is planning to raise taxes and plans to take ten or more years at improving the drilling in the U.S. when it should only take six months to start producing. He wants to throw the white flag and surrender that war. How can these things be good for the U.S.?

Well done to Gov Palin and biden seemed like a sour puss that kept touting change and then going back to his 35 years in the Senate where he hasn't really shown any change except solidifying the status quo.

I agree with Karl Rove on Fox News in identifying 10 out and out mistatements by biden that can't even be argued. Facts are facts no matter how one tries to spin them.

Next stop for Palin should be a mock debate on Saturday Night Live against herself (Tina Fey). It would be a hoot and show the country that Sarah has a sense of humor as well.

Go McPalin!!!

Sarah Palin sounded like an over rehearsed stepford wife. Give me a break. She is not qualified to be Vice President or ,God forbid, President of this nation. People better wake up. I am sick of Washington politics, but she is a complete amature. Perhaps people should talk to her direct and indirect reports in the Executive Branch in Alaska. They think she is an idiot and they work for her.

WOW Sarah are you the darling!Wink way to go . You must have really practiced long and hard for the debate. But honey...lets get real. why do you think you are qualified to run this country. You can't even run your own family!! Compare the two last night..Joe is intellengent and experienced. Sarah is ..well Sarah.. doesnt it bother anyone that she choses to be in the public eye instead of caring her newborn. and why is she dragging her baby out to evey event and making someone else care for her newborn. not impressed with this self promoting mother and eye winking gimick.

Where was the debate? The format McCain and Obama used would have been better. It had some back and forth, and allowed for challenging people on their hogwash. Letting candidates (primarily Palin, in this case) get away with ignoring questions they aren't bright enough to answer, and instead give little canned speeches on other topics, doesn't cut it.

When McCain dies, I want someone in office who can do more that say "golly," "doggone," or "shucks" to the likes of Putin. I guess if Jesse Ventura can be a governor, anyone can be. It's a shame that anyone can apparently by a VP too.

Soccer mom must have gotten hit in the head with the soccer ball. Obama is not pro abortion?
As for McCain possibly dieing while in office; I think Biden will die of old age before McCain does.

Guys...DOESNT MATTER if is Rep, Dem, Black or White, WE NEED somebody that will work for US, we know also that ALL politicians sell their souls to go and be the Pres or VP of this nation, everybody have something good and things to do better.
BUT, we need to change the way we are doing things NOW! The war has been lost, we dont have the manhood to say that after many, many years we have bring more hate to US than before and we have lost confidence and trust in what americas value we use to represent, we dont need to go to war agaisnt countries, it is the terrorist groups that we need to find, NOT to make war agaisnt everybody. We dont need the "cowboy diplomacy", we need to seat and discuss the issues, having our allies, UN and countries in our side to force new policies and economic penalties. We need to use that money in our country, the only ones that are winning here are the wealthy gun dealers not us...

As someone who is still undecided, and had been leaning toward McCain over the last few weeks, I'm afraid last night's debate put me into the Obama camp. I tend to be an issues voter, and Obama's positions on several key issues (health care) scare me to death, but Gov. Palin is clearly not ready for national-level politics. Her inability to answer some basic questions without resorting to canned, talking points (several of which were completely unrelated to the question asked) as well as her extremely limited world view and shallow base of knowledge on anything unrelated to Alaska have scared me away. In most elections, the readiness of the vice president would be of little concern to me, but Senator McCain has lived a hard 72 years and I have a feeling that the role of the VP in this election could prove to be substantial.

Dear Sarah
I am sorry to say you have no substance that qualifies you as our next leader of this country. I know McCain thinks you are his sole mate. How does Cindy feel about that statement? I felt sick watching you recite your well rehearsed dialogue. I will hand it to you for getting up there and speking but not really answering the questions. Can't wait to see you on the next SNL

Why so many bitter, sarcastic comments? Isn't it possible to disagree without being nasty and snide? I thought Palin was terrific. Her outstanding accomplishments as Governor of Alaska more than qaulify her for the office of V.P. But even more important are her qualities of integrity, optimism and determination. When she says she will fight for the American people I believe her. The issue of John McCain's cancer is not an issue at all. Any president at any time could drop dead from a number of ailments. A man who can give a "thumbs-up" sign to his comrades in prison as he walks down the hallway after being tortured is my kind of guy. How very blessed we would be to have such a man as President.

About "oil" is not about making mores more holes and "drilling,drilling,drilling", we actually...DEPENDENT,ADDICT to oil,and we are not going to find a solution if we dont really try to have other energy source (and we know oil companies dont want to have that, because black oil is more money for them for existing businesses).
Is ggod not to see the past, but also is ggod to know that you are not getting into the same problems with people that was 95% agreed with the last Pres. term
It is more american to say we failed and we are working to be better than say everything is going ok while your own people is paying for your mistakes.
May God help us ALL and God bless ALL WORLD, because we need it.

If KARL ROVE said it, it's just got to be true! ... Give me a break! ... Palin tried to make us ignore her profound ignorance with her perky performance ... She's mostly a superficial act and if you think she did well, you are not paying attention, or you are too biased to pay attention ... She didn't even know what an "Achilles heel" is (and I found that out by watching the debate, not by listening to the great Rove on Fox News) ... All candidates make mistakes in these situations ... Biden did, Obama did, McCain did ... But Palin makes no pretense of caring if she's wrong or can't answer the question ... She thinks we shouldn't care ... She thinks her Alaskan eccentricity will make up for everything ... That's why I don't like her circus ... She's a clown, painted on the outside, empty on the inside ... She's like a two-year-old who thinks that if she makes enough of a spectacle, we will pay attention to the style and and not to the substance.

You can't have your cake and eat it too I guess if your a democrat. All this talk of equality and women can have it all, but then some one who does gets criticized. I've done day care for years and have had a number of young babies and no one questions women going back to work right after. In fact lately if you do stay at home you are considered backwards. Until it is someone you don't agree with and then it's the worst thing in the world. Palin shows how well women can do and I for one am glad she is on the ticket. I don't like McCain at all, but Obama scares me to death and Palin on the ticket shows that McCain isn't completely out of touch. And to the other poster above saying Obama doesn't believe in abortion . . . What are you smokin? Do you homework.

Global warming is 100% man made? Joe, you know better. Science knows better. There is global warming on Mars. Did we make that? Unusually cold weather in Alaska hampered the salmon season and the coldest summer on record hurt Washington's berry crop. That's warming? Just reading the news, one would know this, so we can assume Biden lied.

One minute later, he said it would take 10 years to get oil from off our costs. Another whopper. 18 months off the coast of California, but the lefties say this isn't even negotiable. 10 years, yes, in the one place the Dems would consider drilling. Another lie.

Facts? Figures? Gimme a break, Democrats. Stick to your guns - high emotional value without a lot of thinking.

Sarah Palin didn't have to win last night. She just needed to do a respectable job so people could see that she is capable and a fast learner. No one expects her to know as much as someone who has been in the Senate for over 30 years, but she needs to be intelligent and quick. She showed that she is all those things, as well as positive, self-assured, and down to earth. Her 5 weeks of preparation compared to Biden's 35 years showed that she can learn the ropes in the office of VP quickly and do the job. No one can be completely prepared for the presidency, but they must choose competent advisors and cabinet members with expertise in those important areas. They must choose Supreme Court judges without political agendas. I trust the kind of people McCain will choose more than those that Obama will choose. And if something happened to McCain, I feel that Palin will call upon competent people for advice, too.

I thought the 'debate' had no impact. Biden is a good talker, so good that people actually believe him when he misrepresents the truth because he is convincing. Palin came across as scripted, yet fresh. I didn't like the format.

Joe is extremely intellengent and he did not rehearse his part either. And did not he say that when the stock market crashed FDR got on the TV and instilled confidence in the american people. He was only off by one president and only about 20 years too soon for the invention of TV.

He is just a smooth talking politician and we dont need any more of that.

Palin has all the right qualifications do do the job. She has had leadership positions (unlike obama) and she has the ability to choose and do the right thing. She shoots striaght and does not talk out of both sides of her mouth. No wonder the liiberals and the media are trying to trash her. Go sarah.

Biden wins
Early polls about last night's vice-presidential debate indicate that Joe Biden won handily over Sarah Palin.

In a poll conducted by CNN, 51 percent of respondents said they thought Biden had done the best job in the debate; 36 percent of respondents said Palin had. Eleven percent said "both." Worth noting, though -- 84 percent of respondents said Palin did a better job than they'd expected.

And in a poll conducted by CBS News, 46 percent of uncommitted voters said Biden won the debate, while 21 percent scored it for Palin. Thirty-three percent called it a tie.

Could Biden outsmart a fifth grader- NO-

A fifth grader is more Intelligent.

If KARL ROVE said it, it's just got to be true!--
I trust Karl Rove more than these two comedians, Obama and Biden. Obama:
Uhhhhhh- Uhhhhh- Joe is my main man for knowledge uhhhh- of the foreign economy, uhhhhh I mean Affairs.

Biden was like watching a Saturday night live skit.

Biden won.

Gov. Palin was not as awful as most were prepared for her to be, but in terms of knowledgeable, accurate and responsive answers to the questions asked, Biden won - hands down.

Did you notice! You talk about Biden and his smile, what I saw was Palin's cheesy smile, after every comment she would look at the camera and flash a phony one, her lips even quivered a few times. I felt like I was watching (as someone else mentioned) a stepford wife. She was robitic and skirted many of the questions. She tried to appeal to families but I myself would rather have someone that was not like my gossiping next door neighbor that talks about things she knows nothing about but thinks she does!!!!

If any of you want Obamanation as president, you will get what you deserve. But why infict him on the rest of us. Apparently you lean to communism. Heath care? Ask the Native Americans about Government guided health care! Biden is a I'll do it my way, just like Pres. Bush, to heck with what others think.

It is all a major crock and we are going to hell in a handbasket. There will be no change. Greed and white collar crime, and corruption will prevail until we fall.

My favorite moment was when Senator Biden talked about how people don't think a man raising motherless children is a big deal -
Palin's ice reaction to this told me all I have to know about this far-righter.

Down with neocons!
Up with normal people!

You are a climatologist? ... Yes, if there were no humans the climate would still fluctuate ... I agree ... But the earth IS WARMING due to HUMAN ACTIVITY ... why don't you ask a swimming polar bear? ... There's a warming that wouldn't have occurred without humans ... Biden was talking about the things we can work on, not volcanoes ... And come on, you think just because some areas had a cold summer that there's no global warming? ... the human effect is changing climate PATTERNS, so some locations may actually be colder at times ... please don't be so simplistic ... And BY THE WAY, my raspberries and blackberries AND BLUEBERRIES did just fine ... I'm still picking a bumper crop ... Who told they didn't do well? ... Rush Limbaugh?

Everybody is scared about the word SOCIALISM (dont run, it is just a word) but talking about Healthcare plan by Obama isnt bad at all, why we dont take a look about OUR ALLIES like UK,FRANCE and some other in Europe works, even closer the Canadians too (under the UK power)BUT nope! because that is socialism!...WRONG!!! we need politicians work for and by the people and that is DEMOCRACY, we REAL reason they dont want to talk or even approve a law for everybody's healthcare is because like Wallstreet, "Health" makes tons of money, and while they take money out of your pocket and from our taxes ALREADY, you dont like a real less cost benefit for all of us. McCain wants $5,000 tax money back, c'mon Health Insurance Companies will never loose money and give more benefits, also not having regulations for those who ALREADY robber our HSA accts and pockets will be catastrophic again for the PEOPLE not for the rich!!!
EVERYBODY doesnt matter Dem or Rep need to get money from our taxes, because the finance hole is too big

About the "same sex" issue last night, Palin say no about marriage, same as Biden.
Everybody deserves the CIVIL RIGHTS in their lifes, wich our Constitution stands for.
But marriage...NOPE.

If I'm able to understand that, why didnt Palin?

...well, she is a big no,no for those issues...God loves the sinner NOT the sin...

It's time for her to "Meet the Press" and soon. It won't be necessary for Katie Couric to be the one asking the questions, nevertheless; I don't want Sean (I'm biased) Hannity asking them either.
She was “schooled” and crammed for her test very well and did a good job during this debate.

I’m looking for the real one of the next two beginning on Tuesday between Obama and McCain.

After reading all the comments I have discovered that only two, anti-Palin, people keep placing comments just to strengthen their point. They all say the same thing.

I’d rather have a “doggonit” leader who is honest than a "matter-of-fact" liar.

I can't believe that people think we have already lost the war and that Biden has substance because he kept puking out the word "Billions" in about everything he said. That's not a sign of knowledge or stability. That is a scare tactic and it works. Everyone KNOWS that the Obama team is going to raise taxes. Probably by the "Billions". We can't afford the Obama team.

I honestly knew most people would take what they wanted form this debate. No matter what, if Palin stood there and didn't drool on herself you would call it a win.

Truth is: Obama is planning to raise taxes and plans to take ten or more years at improving the drilling in the U.S. when it should only take six months to start producing. He wants to throw the white flag and surrender that war. How can these things be good for the U.S.?

Where do you get your facts? Rush O’Hannidy? Unless your one of the 10% of the nations richest (or I guess your all broke now eh?). Guess what, the middle class is tired of bearing the burden of this nations taxes. As for drilling? Is this all you myopic people can see for our future?

I agree with Karl Rove on Fox News in identifying 10 out and out mistatements by biden that can't even be argued. Facts are facts no matter how one tries to spin them.

Wow, a myopian agrees with Karl Rove about spin?Karl Rove is the king of spin, and honeslty he really is smart, too bad he is evil...

Sarah Palin has sound bites, period. She couldn't seem to answer a single question last night without veering off onto another canned sound bite, and even her own staffers have had to admit this morning that she got some of her facts wrong. The woman is bright but shallow. Definitely not VP material.

re: I agree with Karl Rove on Fox News in identifying 10 out and out mistatements by biden that can't even be argued. Facts are facts no matter how one tries to spin them.

Wow, a myopian agrees with Karl Rove about spin? You blow my mind. Karl Rove is the king of spin, and honeslty he is a genious. Nobody could have manufactured that last win for Bush. Too bad he uses his genious for evil…

"John Mccain knows how to win a war?" (Palin)

Uh...last time I checked, we lost Vietnam. Learn from the past, people.

My favorite "honest" moment of Palin's is when she kept telling us that John McCain was a crusader for alternative energy sources (energy is supposed to be Palin's strong suit).
I'm glad that Senator Biden held his ground each time and reminded Ms. Palin that in 26 years, John McCain voted against alternative energy 24 times!
McCain and Palin are clearly oil people bought and paid for by the oil industry.

re: HL | 5:17 a.m. Oct. 3, 2008
>>Sarah Palin, with John McCain, is the change we deserve in Washington.<<

How exactly does the '08 GOP ticket differ from the one preseted in 2000? Other than role reversal and the obvious gender substitution... None IMO.

Eugene | 7:15 a.m. Oct. 3, 2008
>> biden seemed like a sour puss that kept touting change and then going back to his 35 years in the Senate<<

How then would you describe McCain & his performance in round 1 versus Obama?

Palin played the concerned soccer oops I mean Hockey mom to the hilt to cover up her lack of knowledge.

Biden at least answered the questions instead the alleged them & then going off on some populist rant trying to connect w/ the people.

Sarah Palin did great. Joe Biden rehearsed his condescending smile very well. He had been warned not to look down on her, so every time he smiled, I believe he was cringing inside and was inwardly hating her when she scored points. The dems are not happy that she is doing well and held her own in that debate.

By the way, more drilling helps us here and now in this present crisis. She is also for developing alternate energy sources to help us wean off of the fossil fuels. We can't change our whole energy infrastructure overnight. So we need the oil as the stopgap while we can implement different energy sources.

Do you have the funds to turn in your gas guzzler for a hybrid or all-electric car this very day?
I don't. And neither does most of working America. We need some time for the changeover. We need energy independence now....not a decade in the future when we can get all of our ducks in a row.

Your "doggonit" Lady is not more honest than Biden if we are talking about politicians and you know they need to sell an "idea" abou tthe future NOT a real fact.
About the war...have we won the war? do you think we are better there? are we spending less money?are we helping to have more soldiers home than 1 year ago? people around the world like US "values" more?Why dont be brave and patriotic to say we have failed and work to get things done in a much better way, NOT with the world hates agaisnt you, with them like real allies!
About taxes, red or blue are going to raise taxes, remember...we are in a big hole...we need money for all the mistakes done for everybody, sooner or latter is coming from OUR POCKETS, we are not getting money like magic. DEM OR REP...are going to raise taxes...our saving acct is empty.