The Palin/Biden Debate
70 Million Americans held their breath as Sarah Palin took the stage
Oct 6, 2008
All eyes and ears were on Republican Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin Thursday night. Republicans were anxious for some reassurance that she is in fact capable of being John McCain's running mate, and democrats for signs of Palin's inexperience and lack of knowledge for foreign policy. Many were watching for another Katie Couric moment.
Pressure was on Joe Biden, who was termed many times on CNN as "Palin's opponent". Political analysts were concerned about Biden, who ran the risked of talking down to Palin which could have harmed his position with all women voters, not just women republicans. However, this did not happen.
Biden seemed quite taken by Palin, a CNN political analyst stating after the debate that there "seemed to be a warmth between them". They had just met at the debate and both were all smiles, seeming very pleased to meet each other. "Can I call you Joe?", where the first words uttered by Palin at the start of the debate.
While Palin did hold her own the entire night, CNN post-debate polls show that Biden did come out slightly on top. It was a clear victory for Biden two-thirds into the debate when he targeted Bush's policies. "I haven't heard anything showing that John McCain's policies are different than George Bush's. So far, it's the same as Bush's." He continued to repeat this, leaving Palin to respond by saying that McCain is a "maverick" and that he will get the job done. All Democrats have an easy victory with this subject due to the struggle of the Bush administration in the past 8 years. Palin would have to be a miracle worker if she could have successfully argued against this point.
Palin did hint at her recent (and mostly negative) media attention as the debate came to a close, pointing out that "It is an honor to answer these tough questions and speak directly to the American people without the filter of the mainstream media."
The subject of the Iraq War was the highlight of the evening with the most heated discussion. Palin, confident with McCain's policies, called the Democratic plan to withdraw troops a "white flag of surrender", (dramatic pause). "We do have a plan for withdrawal, but we've got to win in Iraq! It would be a travesty if we quit now in Iraq." It was on this subject along with energy independence, her success as governor and her social conservative views where Palin speaks most confidently.
The U.S Federal Elections will be held November 4th, 2008.
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