Biden and Palin Debate

Some quick observations on the vice presidential debate--

When Gwen Ifill began the debate, she was smiling so much that it looked odd -- Mrs. Nice Guy. She was on her best behavior, and was impartial enough.

When the candidates came on stage, Palin and Biden shook hands. The mic picked up Palin saying, "Can I call you "Joe"?

I didn't hear Biden's response, but Palin didn't call him "Joe" during the debate.

Biden started off rather sedate. I thought he was drugged. It looked like he could barely keep his eyes open. He was directing his answers to Ifill. It took about half an hour before he started to look into the camera.

I think he took that cue from Palin.

Palin spent much of the time looking straight into the camera, directly addressing the America people. However, she wasn't afraid to directly address Biden.

When there was a split screen, Biden was often seen with a big, broad smile as Palin talked, as though he were laughing at her. When he wasn't smiling, he had a condescending smirk.

Shaking his head, Biden began a rebuttal, "Gwen, I don't know where to start..."

"Again, uh..."

He was very condescending.

Once when Biden said "Sarah Palin," he corrected himself and said, "Gov. Palin."

I got the feeling he was told by his handlers not to call her "Sarah."

Biden came out swinging. He was aggressive. He was angry. He sighed like Al Gore did in his first presidential debate with George W. Bush in 2000. He was shaking his head.

As the debate wore on, Biden became more testy.

Palin seemed a bit nervous at the beginning, but she became dramatically more comfortable as she got into the debate.

She appeared confident and strong and intelligent.

I noticed that the creases on Biden's forehead were gone. He could raise his eyebrows a bit, but his forehead was immobile, completely paralyzed. BOTOX.

In terms of substance, there really was nothing we hadn't heard before.

When Palin expressed that she understands what American families are experiencing, Biden launched into his single father story.

He choked up when he said that he knows what it's like to have a child that may not make it. He said that just because he's a man it doesn't mean he doesn't understand.

Yes, Biden was charging sexism against him. And Palin made him cry.

BIDEN: ...But the notion that somehow, because I'm a man, I don't know what it's like to raise two kids alone, I don't know what it's like to have a child you're not sure is going to -- is going to make it -- I understand.

I understand, as well as, with all due respect, the governor or anybody else, what it's like for those people sitting around that kitchen table. And guess what? They're looking for help. They're looking for help. They're not looking for more of the same.

Sickest line: Biden said that Dick Cheney has been the most dangerous vice president we've had in American history.

BIDEN: Vice President Cheney has been the most dangerous vice president we've had probably in American history.

Funniest line: Biden said he spends a lot of time at Home Depot.

Yes, Biden hangs out at Home Depot when he's not spending four hours a day on the Amtrak train.

BIDEN: Can I respond? Look, all you have to do is go down Union Street with me in Wilmington or go to Katie's Restaurant or walk into Home Depot with me where I spend a lot of time...

Do you believe that Biden spends a lot of time in Home Depot?

Overall, Biden embodied liberal politics as usual. Palin embodied change.
___________________

Debate Transcript