First thoughts: Don’t believe the hype

Posted: Friday, October 03, 2008 9:36 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: First Thoughts

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, Domenico Montanaro, and Carrie Dann
ST. LOUIS -- As many had said, last night’s debate was about one person, Sarah Palin. And for those tuning in wondering if we'd see a train wreck between Palin's inexperience and Joe Biden's verbosity, well, we didn’t get it. Palin started strong and proved to be a folksy cliché machine, which probably came across as extremely charming to some, particularly to Republicans who sound relieved this morning. She lit up the screen at times with her smile and occasional winks. She proved extremely adept at avoiding questions or topics she didn't want to answer, which is the big difference between her fairly smooth performance last night and her near-disastrous performances in those one-on-one interviews. Perhaps more than anything else, Palin rehabilitated her image and probably stopped her image nosedive. And she came across as a better advocate for her candidate, John McCain, than Joe Biden was for his guy, Barack Obama. Biden, too often, defended his own record first before touting Obama's. By the way, if you got the sense during the debate that McCain was the center of the conversation and not Obama, that's because he was. By our count, McCain was referenced by name nearly twice as much as Obama. (Which may or may not be a good thing; after all, doesn't the McCain camp want Obama to be the referendum?)

Video: NBC Political Director Chuck Todd offers his first read on how Sarah Palin and Joe Biden performed in Thursday night's vice presidential debate.

*** As for Biden: He had a senator's grasp of the facts, and we mean that mostly as a compliment. But longtime Biden watchers could tell he was struggling with how to deal with her. He spent the first half of the debate on the defensive. It wasn't until the last half hour that Biden found his inner-Goldilocks and found the "just right" tone in dealing with Palin. In fact, Biden ratcheting up his seriousness and emotion may have made Palin's folksiness seem tonally off for a little bit toward the end. If Palin started strong, Biden proved to be the better closer. As we said yesterday, if Biden turned out to be the subject of post-debate chatter, then he had a bad night. As it turns out, he's not the story and the Obama campaign is satisfied with that even if the media elite is scoring this better for Palin than the insta-polls.

Video: Watch the entire vice presidential debate between Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware and Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska.

*** The bottom line: This debate was about Palin surviving and survive she did. Neither candidate committed a major gaffe, and there were probably no moments that will get replayed over and over. Indeed, the debate may have a shelf life of about 24 to 48 hours, and that's about it. We imagine this event quickly fades as attention today turns to the House vote on the bailout or next Tuesday's presidential debate. Palin did well enough to prevent the negative storyline that developed all day Thursday regarding McCain's chances in November. Had Palin stumbled badly, that news -- combined with the decision by the campaign to scale back its campaign in Michigan -- would have created a terrible storyline. Palin's solid performance on the style front prevented the worst outcome. But did it move the needle in a positive direction for McCain? Unlikely. At this point, the number of mega-game changing events for McCain are dwindling. And since he's the candidate trailing, that's not a good sign. The pressure is now on McCain next Tuesday to get his campaign back on track. Given the limited window McCain's facing, this likely means we should expect a very aggressive McCain in the remaining debates.

*** One lingering question: If Palin seems to be doing well with press reviews, then why didn't she win the snap polls or the focus groups? One explanation may be that the last two weeks so damaged her political reputation that as long as Biden didn't step in it, a majority of the public was just going to assume Biden was the better candidate. There's also the possibility that Palin's folksy charm (and folksy clichés) played well for a while, but didn't wear well. Voters looking for a friend found one in Palin; voters worried about a vice president who seemed to have a senator's like grasp of the issues, gave the benefit of the doubt to Biden. Of an even simpler explanation: Voters watching are giving Obama-Biden the benefit of the doubt right now because they’re predisposed to being against the Republicans -- meaning McCain and Palin simply have higher hurdles to clear with rank-and-file voters to prove they are going to be positive change agents from Bush.

*** Wolverines!!!! But the most significant campaign development yesterday was not here in St. Louis, but in Michigan, where the McCain camp decided to pull back its resources and focus on other states. The campaign did its best to spin the move in a conference call with reporters, saying it was Obama who is on the defensive and that Obama too had given up on states (Alaska, Georgia, North Dakota). But with fewer and fewer opportunities to turn blue states red -- Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, New Hampshire and (perhaps) Maine are the remaining options, and he trails in all of them -- McCain might be forced to draw an inside straight to win the election. If he’s unable to win a single Kerry state, he would have to hold onto the battlegrounds of Colorado, Florida, Indiana North Carolina, Ohio, and Virginia, where he’s either trailing or essentially tied. McCain's path to 270, if this trajectory in the race continues, is narrowing.

*** It’s the economy (and money), stupid: Of all the states to become the first one the McCain campaign decided to pull out of, Michigan comes as a bit of a surprise. After all, the numbers have looked worse in Iowa and New Mexico than Michigan. So what happened? Two simple reasons: the economic collapse and money. As one Republican put it to us, when the country gets an economic cold, Michigan gets the flu. McCain's numbers were dropping faster for McCain than in any other battleground these last two weeks. But had McCain had Obama's financial resources, the campaign would not be pulling out of Michigan. We're now at that point in the campaign when Obama's resource advantage is starting to take a toll. McCain has to make hard choices now. He couldn't target Michigan, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania -- and also defend Colorado, Florida, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Indiana, and Virginia. The downturn in the economy has put more states in play for Obama (see Indiana) and taken away opportunities for McCain (see Michigan). How narrow is McCain's path to 270 right now? He's added Maine to the battleground since he can potentially snag one electoral vote in the state's more rural 2nd Congressional District.

*** Campaign talking point of the day: Speaking of the economy, the Labor Department is reporting this morning that employers cut 159,000 jobs in September -- the biggest monthly job loss in five years. The unemployment rate remains unchanged at 6.1%.

*** All systems go: Per NBC’s Mike Viqueira, it’s all systems go this morning in the House for the big vote on the $700 billion, er $800 billion, rescue/bailout package. The fact that they are going ahead is evidence that they have the votes. They wouldn't be doing so if the outcome were in question. One result of the debate in Congress is that Congressional races, more so than the presidential, are being defined by the economy and anger at Washington.

*** On the trail: McCain campaigns in Pueblo, CO. Obama holds a campaign event in Abington, PA. Palin raises money in Dallas, TX and then meets with T. Boone Pickens there. And Biden, in Delaware, speaks at son Beau’s deployment ceremony.

Countdown to the second presidential debate: 4 days
Countdown to the third presidential debate: 12 days
Countdown to Election Day 2008: 32 days
Countdown to Inauguration Day 2009: 109 days

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Comments

If Forrest Gump was the GOP VP candidate, would he be viewed to be more qualified than Barbie Palin? Thank you Chris Matthews for outlining the debate credentials she had to be judged upon yesterday. Why is everyone so afraid to say she is unqualified? She came off no better than a high school student. Is it too much to ask that our national political officeholders have a command of the English language? All she did was reaffirm the horrible interviews she has given ABC and CBS. Many times I laughed at her.

Thank you Joe for debunking the McCain maverick claims last night in the debate. I think that was the best point of the evening. Now if we would just counter attack their constant badgering that Obama would raise spending by 1 trillion dollars. I almost wished Joes had said “The GOP and McCain only have a noun, a verb and higher taxes and spending.” No wonder the GOP is worse than dog food right now.

I get the sense America is going to issue a great big happy “Ahhhhhhhhhh, finally” on November 5th when Obama wins. If nothing else, we can at least relax, find new bearings and finally move forward in a positive way. If McCain were to win, America would be uttering “Aw s**t, not again.”

Chuck, NY (Sent Friday, October 03, 2008 9:43 AM)

Biden focused on long-term strategy not winning the debate on points. He was clearly trained at Obama School:

http://strategy08.wordpress.com/2008/10/03/my-take-on-vp-debate-biden-was-trained-at-obama-school/

Dan, New York, NY (Sent Friday, October 03, 2008 9:44 AM)

Just ONE voter's thoughts:

TRUE: Palin did not implode or do her own future any harm. In fact, she may have salvaged her own gubenatorial career-- probably her biggegst priority. Let's face it-- she may not be ready for Prime Time, but she's no idiot, and she knows she has to go home on Nov. 5. Life would be better if she was able to save face... and she did. Not much in terms of detail & substance, but she held her own.

Joe Biden had a challenge few American men in politics could champion in this age of intense word-by-word scrutiny from the media and the blogosphere: Be forceful, but not too forceful against a woman who's campaign is chompin' at the bit to cry Foul! I believe he was uncharacteristically successful, may be to his own surprise. And when it came to details, this veteran senator went as deep as anyone could go-- speaking of troop levels, int'l political mine fields, power struggles, Darfur, Chad, generals (with correct names)-- the list went on & on. He had substance, for sure. Sure made all the folksy talk by Sarah PTA seem a little light, by comparison.

McCain is a man who uses 20th Century strategies to deal with more complex and nuanced 21st Century challenges we face. All experts say our nation does not have the military "bandwidth" to warrant a Bully Mentality. We need diplomacy, and Obama seems to have and exhibit this temperment in high abundance. Joe Biden's input would be most valuable in navigating such delicate, complex global issues.

That's my 2 Cents. I respect my Republican breathren, and understand their fears for EXPERIENCE. I believe we have a good Team in BO/Joe to make our nation strong-- something BOTH sides of the aisle desire, after all is said and done. I hope, when the dust settles, that we can do our best to stand together... sounds really corny, I know... but there can only be one President. While the Right- and Left-wing media choose their sides and sling their arrows, try to ask yourself, "Is this doing our nation any real good?" (Sure it's entertaining, and satiates a visceral desire inside us)... but is it any good for where we as a nation are trying to progress?

"Progress"--- boy there's a word that Americans like to throw around, but have a hard time living.

Red or Blue-- we'll be stronger if we stand together on November 5th.

"What a country!" (i/m/o T. Russert)

Marc in AnyTown USA (Sent Friday, October 03, 2008 9:46 AM)

But longtime Biden watchers could tell he was struggling with how to deal with her. He spent the first half of the debate on the defensive. It wasn't until the last half hour that Biden found his inner-Goldilocks and found the "just right" tone in dealing with Palin. In fact, Biden ratcheting up his seriousness and emotion may have made Palin's folksiness seem tonally off for a little bit toward the end.
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Indeed. I think Biden performed masterfully. He held her accountable for the non-truths that she spoke, and yet he didn't act condescending or snarky to her (I can't say the same for Palin).

http://thepajamapundit.com

the Pajama Pundit (Sent Friday, October 03, 2008 9:47 AM)

What is wrong with these guys that cover the debates. They must not think of us American people as smart. Other than Chis matthews & crazy Keith, all male reporters are afraid to tell the truth. She ducked every question, & looked like she did a line of coke , with the eye rolling & the snotrts or what ever you call it. Aw shucks da gone it, really is not what us so called joe six packs want to hear. Came across as fake & please grow some & tell the truth Chuck Todd.

Greg SF, Ca (Sent Friday, October 03, 2008 9:47 AM)

If MSNBC says that the shelf life of the VP debate is 24-48 hours, then Palin must have cleaned Biden's clock.

Douggie W, Murdo SD (Sent Friday, October 03, 2008 9:47 AM)

YES ! YES ! YES ! ONLY 109 DAYS UNTIL OBAMA/BIDEN TAKE OFFICE. BUT WHO'S COUNTING ?

ALL OF AMERICA (Sent Friday, October 03, 2008 9:48 AM)

BIDEN WON!!!!

OBMAM/BIDEN '08/12

A RABID REPUBLICAN NOW FOR OBAMA!!!!

RD, ALEXANDRIA, VA (Sent Friday, October 03, 2008 9:48 AM)

Did anyone listen to the fact that at this time last year Biden was in Primary debates with Obama saying he wasn't qualified or didn't agree with him on a majority of issues....yet now he agrees with Obama 100% and said if "god forbid something happens" he would continue an Obama presidency?

Why no out cry from the liberal media that in no way does he agree with Obama and should be called out for it. Its like he changed his opinion on everything if it gets him farther for political purposes....

Palin in 08,12,16,20 (I was impressed with her more last night than at the convention)

John, MI (Sent Friday, October 03, 2008 9:48 AM)

Wow...I expect a little better analysis from you guys then she was "folksy" and he had a Senator command of the details. Let's get past the silly stuff and look at their actual answers. I have a feeling that Palin's answers, upon review, probably won't match the questions.

Bryce Ashby, Memphis, TN (Sent Friday, October 03, 2008 9:48 AM)

I do not understand how anyone could have been taken in by the memorization and spouting of cliches. If a question was not on her "list", Gov. Palin just didn't answer it. Perhaps the public understood what they were seeing more than the media? As a 40 year educator, she got a D on this one. A quick learner, but not a deep thinker.

Sharon Betts, Turner, ME (Sent Friday, October 03, 2008 9:49 AM)

It was a good debate, but it was Biden hands down.

Meanwhile, in VA: "Appalachia is supposed to be a one of Barack Obama’s biggest weak spots. But judging from a surprise work stoppage at the Blacksville No. 2 coal mine in West Virginia, Mr. Obama evidently has some pockets of support there.

Last Monday more than 440 members of the United Mine Workers of America took the day off, halting production at the Blacksville mine. The union declared it a Memorial Day, largely to protest what union officials said was an anti-Obama ad that the National Rifle Association was filming at the mine."

Spin this story from RCP! LOL

Mia in Miami (Sent Friday, October 03, 2008 9:49 AM)

She's a folksy gal, that's for sure. But her performance doesn't do much to erase what we've all seen over the past two weeks. Insta polls also show that less than half of those who watched think she is ready to be VP. Eighty seven percent think Joe Biden is ready. She did not pass the threshhold test and that's why people who watched thought Joe Biden won.

LA in Denver (Sent Friday, October 03, 2008 9:49 AM)

solid performance by Palin? Are you kidding? Her too-too-cutesy performance gave "folksy" a bad name. She was so sickeningly sweet, they should've passed out insulin afterwards. Is this gee-whiz, guffawing, putting togther sentences that mean nothing person what we deserve in the VP? Will this type of person, forinstance, bring Hammas to the table? She was great if were kindergarten teacher she were interviewing for, but not a world leader!! Shame on all the analysts who didn't see through the performance.

C. Schneider, glassboro, nj (Sent Friday, October 03, 2008 9:50 AM)

Congress---god love 'em---thanks for removing the AMT. Sure, it sucked, but I'll admit the 'break' was not absolutely necessary, now. What the hell, thanks for cutting me in, too--ever'body to the trough! Drink deeply! (Shh. Don't tell our sons and daughters they'll be paying for it.)

iowan (Sent Friday, October 03, 2008 9:51 AM)

What Palins debate performance shows is that when you constantly see her through the filter of liberal lenses, like with Couric, that she will not look her best. Liberal reporters actually coach and help Obama and Biden through their major stumbles. No such luck though if you're a conservative. When talking directly to the people, Palit shows she is a fine VP selection and would do well if she had to be president.

Jannie Janes (Sent Friday, October 03, 2008 9:51 AM)

"She proved extremely adept at avoiding questions or topics she didn't want to answer, which is the big difference between her fairly smooth performance last night and her near-disastrous performances in those one-on-one interviews"

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
How is not answering the question a good thing? When did the standards in this country drop so low that NOT ANSWERING QUESTIONS is a valid strategy for seeking the second highest office in the land?

Nashville_fan (Sent Friday, October 03, 2008 9:51 AM)

I thought the debate was about issues and not a person. I must be reading into this election the wrong way. Palin did not address the issues like a VP candidate a heartbeat away from the POTUS. She regurgitated Gingrich's slop. Lying is killing's ugly cousin in the world of Politics.

Whatever (Sent Friday, October 03, 2008 9:52 AM)

Is it just me or does Sara Palin remind you of that High School English teacher, you always skipped class on ? Can't stand that squeelish voice !

John Reese, Tampa,Florida (Sent Friday, October 03, 2008 9:52 AM)

See, a woman can stand up to a big strong man. Or if one isn't around, then Biden in this case.

Sara's Army (Sent Friday, October 03, 2008 9:52 AM)

I'm not buying the charm and b!tch synchrony.

I'll take the focus groups - not the Faux News one sponsored by Budweiser.

Libratine (Sent Friday, October 03, 2008 9:53 AM)

Don't believe the hype? Then how can we believe Obama? That's all he has.

Hyper Bolic, NJ (Sent Friday, October 03, 2008 9:53 AM)

" And she came across as a better advocate for her candidate, John McCain, than Joe Biden was for his guy, Barack Obama. Biden, too often, defended his own record first before touting Obama's."
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
To be blunt First Read, that is a lie. Joe Biden was an EXCELLENT defender of Barack, and he defended his own record because he HAS ONE.

Sarah Palin did not defend John McCain's record on health care or deregulation, and she was ASKED directly and refused to answer.

I can't believe you folks are this gullible.

Nashville_fan (Sent Friday, October 03, 2008 9:53 AM)

Sarah Palin might as well have been a Disneyland automaton singing "its a small world after all." I was appalled by her lack of depth or breadth on any issue, her constant failure to answer at least 10 questions, her continual adherence to the talking points and her failure to show even the slightest command of any given topic-even energy which she is a self-proclaimed expert! Since the low bar set for Sarah Palin was that she didn't p*e on the floor, throw-up on Joe Biden or Gwen Ifill, fall of the stage, or say something amazingly stupid like she did in the Couric interviews, she passed that low bar test. But that's not a low bar I'm comfortable with when it comes to the leaders of the free world. This is not a low stakes exam folks-this is the highest stake test in the world. She failed that miserably. Her folksism were very annoying and distracting. I don't want some one LIKE ME to lead the country, I want some one BETTER THAN ME! And as a working woman in my 40s I find Palin to be an poor example of a working woman. When I think that McCain could have picked some woman like Kay Bailey Hutchinson, Olympia Snowe, Christina Todd Whitman, or Susan Collins, I start to question everything about his judgement and his ability to lead this country in such a time of crisis and conflict. Quite frankly I surprised so many pundits failed to bring any of this up! This debate made me even more comfortable with my choice in Obama/Biden.

Suz In KS (Sent Friday, October 03, 2008 9:54 AM)

FR: "She proved extremely adept at avoiding questions or topics she didn't want to answer..."

You're kidding, right? Someone who is adept at avoiding questions doesn't make it so blatantly obvious he or she is avoiding questions.

I thought it was a laughable performance, and actually under what I expected from her.

I thought - and I believe I posted this here - that she would win the debate simply because she more so than Biden would stick to her talking points, and without an interviewer asking follow-ups that would, I figured, carry the day.

If she was sticking to her talking points, she needs to find a new talking points writer. It sounded to me like she was drawing bits and pieces from various talking points, and putting them together in odd and nearly incoherent combinations.

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Friday, October 03, 2008 9:54 AM)

Joe Biden did a great job of taming the Shrew from Alaska. He was not afraid to answer all questions while the powderpuff girl wimped out on too many of them. She's proven she is unfit to command, she certainly failed to command respect. She is the most ignorant and dishonest VP candidate of all time!

I was impressed with Joe's smooth delivery of clear and concise answers. He exceeded expectations and impressed the undecided. The early pools show he was the clear winner while that clueless old geezer Buchanon was easily impressed. As they say simple things amuse simple minds!

When will the media stop being impressed with this talking point Shrew while she always attacks the media? Time for the media to do unto her what she does unto them, attack, attack, attack! Expose her for the fraud she truly is.

Go Obama/biden 08/12!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Friday, October 03, 2008 9:55 AM)

Ms Palin answered few, if any, questions from the moderator. She actually controlled most of the debate by answering her own questions off topic. The moderator had little choice but to sit and listen based on the negative talk regarding if she should have even hosted the debate.

Biden was full of facts, plans and hope for the american people going forward.

carol, burlington, ma (Sent Friday, October 03, 2008 9:55 AM)

Some of the obvious thoughts:
The expectation bar was laying on the ground, so she cleared it.
The win the debate bar was too high so she is no match for Joe Biden
The Qualification to be POTUS bar was not cleared either. Just the survival bar was passed.

So it looks like we will see more of Sarah Palin. Not on Meet the Press or Hardball, but she will stick around. Conservatives will love her and she will learn a whole new vocabulary. She will stop winking into the camera because WOMEN DO NOT LIKE THAT!! My guess is in time she will wedge the Republican party deeper than it is now. The shallow thinking conservatives (like Pat Buchanan) will like her. The smarter,George Wills of the party will not. You can bet Romney, Huckabee, et.al. will be thinking about "How will I deal with Palin?'

Ron Indiana (Sent Friday, October 03, 2008 9:56 AM)

Is it really a debate if one of the parties decides to ignore the questions?

Gov. Palin did not debate, she ran out the clock by reading talking points and making wild claims that Senator Biden could not let go unchallenged.

If winking at the camera, acting like a caricature of “down home folk”, and creating your own alternate reality is what America is looking for, the Gov. Palin was the clear winner

Nashville_fan (Sent Friday, October 03, 2008 9:56 AM)

The reason she did not do well in the snap polls is because she didn't do well! What debate did you watch? You MSM completely overestimate her "folksy" charm...to most of us it's phony and vomit inducing. So sad that "not too bad" is good enough for McCain. Everyone needs to read the article in the new Rolling Stone...this is the real Maverick. Please encourage all your younger friends and voters to read this factual account of McCain's life. Not the fairy tale he has created for himself.
http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/23316912/makebelieve_maverick/print

freddie, cleveland (Sent Friday, October 03, 2008 9:57 AM)

Let's keep it real here.

Joe Biden won this debate. That is irrefutable.

Joe Biden had command of the facts. He answered almost every question asked of him. He showed a very touching humanistic side. And had they been allowed to go free-flowing like McCain and Obama, Biden would have wiped the floor with Palin. Period.

Sarah Palin did better than most people expected her to. The bar was set down as a line on the street and she went above that bar. She answered 50-70% of the questions asked. She was clearly scripted in what she was going to say. She talked in primarily complete sentences. She had a bit of, but not a lot of, substance. She would have gotten creamed in a back and forth debate.

David Brooks and Pat Buchannan are idiots for saying Palin won. Pat even said Palin wiped the floor with Biden. He is a moron.

This was the best debate in Biden's life and had it not been for the attention put on Palin, that would have been the headline for sure.

Go back and watch the debate again with an objective eye. Check all of the fact checkers too. Biden won.

This is irrefutable. So we can dispense with all of the nonsense.

Fix the Broken (Sent Friday, October 03, 2008 9:57 AM)

I think most of the people who tuned in were Democrats hoping to see Palin make a fool of herself. I, personally, bought popcorn for the event.

Palin did not make a fool of herself, but neither did she reverse anyone's opinion of herself or McCain. She looks like a Fox News Anchors and sounds like a telemarketer. "Call now and you will get all this and more!" No thanks.

Amy B Portland, ME (Sent Friday, October 03, 2008 9:57 AM)

Which hype shouldn't we believe?

And if there's no hype, and if the media continue to treat substance like a vampire treats garlic, what's left?

Joe Don, Topeka, KS (Sent Friday, October 03, 2008 9:58 AM)

And to me the real truth teller here is that none of the pundits, while proclaiming Palin did fine, is talking much about anything she said.

My guess is because they couldn't follow the logic of her points, either.

She threw out words like reform (who knows how many times) and yet can anyone honestly tell me one specific reform she advocates? She said she disagreed with Biden in a couple of his responses, but can anyone honestly tell me why she disagreed?

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Friday, October 03, 2008 9:59 AM)

As someone firmly entrenched in the Obama camp, I watched the debate last night and I will admit that Palin did fine.

What the 'base' doesn't seem to understand by the lack of support in the aftermath polling is that Americans have decided that she is simply not qualified to be a heartbeat away. This debate was not about memorizing your candidates talking points and recent voting record (or in absence of voting - the verbal approval or opposition of an issue). It is about the very real fact that Bush has left our country in disastrous shape and competency is far more important than likeability.

Every time she opened her mouth my mind imaged 'W'. The folksy speak, nucular, refusal to answer questions, challenging Biden and Ifill that she was going to 'do it her way' and 'straight talk'. It was a complete rehashing of Bush. I could not distiguish a single ISSUE that she grasped deeply enough to list points on HOW McCain would change direction, implement reform, etc.

It was, sadly, more of the same.

Americans have raised the bar AND the threshold. Mediocrity is just NOT good enough.

Clara Kansas City, MO (Sent Friday, October 03, 2008 9:59 AM)

"She lit up the screen at times with her smile and occasional winks."

Gov. Palin was too cutsey by half and failed to answer many of the questions put to her last night. She actually gave a shout out to her brother's class on national TV during a serious debate. I could not believe it. If Biden or heaven forbid, Obama had done such a thing, the Rethugs would be ready to call for their withdrawal from the presidency.

The issues that face us are enormous, the future uncertain and it is frightening that so many people, pundits included, that would give a pass to Gov. Palin simply because she beautifully regurgitates talking points, looks adorable, can wink and say "Golly Gee and Gosh Darn It" a lot.

Thank you Sen. Biden for reminding us that having a command of the facts is a benefit and not a liability. Thank you for answering the questions that were put to you during the debate and for treating the forum with respect and for reminding us that being "Ellie Mae" just ain't gonna cut it.

OBAMA/BIDEN 08

J. Ellis, Virginia (Sent Friday, October 03, 2008 10:00 AM)

MSNBC is so desperate for a horserace. Honesty is the best policy. It is clear who is more prepared to be president -- Joe Biden. It is great that Palin can wink at the camera and, in a confident way, avoid answers but that is not what governing is about, that is what broadcasting is about. Biden did well among real voters because we care about real issues not whether someone met expectations, we want someone to get things done.

Biden slammed McCain and your belief that Palin defended McCain better is nuts. Biden went through a list of McCain's ties to Bush and Palin had no reply -- not one.

I am glad that MSNBC has resorted to high school level judging for the most serious election in decades. Thanks for upping the discourse. What a joke.

Jonathan (Sent Friday, October 03, 2008 10:00 AM)

The "doggone" media seems to assume that her fake folksy stuff automatically works with middle America. I live in Tennessee and can tell you that it was not endearing, real, or charming. Would you act like her in a job interview?

The thought of Palin being president is terrifying.

Becky, Knoxville, TN (Sent Friday, October 03, 2008 10:01 AM)

Sell that natural gas....Is the T. Boone fact starting to become obvious...?
Big Oil needs to SIT this one out...
War bleeds the "country first"...
Oil bleeds the "country first"...
McCain prays to two gods...oil and war..

We need Obama/Biden even more now...

BJ, CA (Sent Friday, October 03, 2008 10:01 AM)

To paraphrase Ben Smith, Palin looked like she was trying to get people to take her seriously. He looked like he was running for vice president.

They both succeeded in their goals.

Ken Bartholomew, Concord, NH (Sent Friday, October 03, 2008 10:01 AM)

"Neither candidate committed a major gaffe, and there were probably no moments that will get replayed over and over."
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First Read, you aren't paying attention. The McCain campaign is scrambling to refute Sarah's "misstatement" of their position on the loophole in the federal bankruptcy law- you know, the one that would enable folks like the McCains to keep houses 2-7 in the event of a bankruptcy, while "regular Americans" lose everything?

Oddly enough, Sarah implied that the McCain-Palin team were in agreement with Obama-Biden, in that the loophole should be closed. She guessed that her team favored the common-sense position; she was wrong, and now the campaign has to cover.

Suburban Mom paying attention, IL (Sent Friday, October 03, 2008 10:02 AM)

The American people say, 'NO SALE, GOVERNOR'.

Your winkin' is as phony as a 3 dollar bill.

When are you going to do some press conferences?

OBAMA/BIDEN '08

Obama Is Best For America (Sent Friday, October 03, 2008 10:02 AM)

Chuck's been hanging out with Pat Buchanan too long, it seems to me, buying the NBC Morning Joe it's still the 1990s spin. Maybe, just maybe, voters want something more this time around than talking points and stage business? That's what the polls are saying to me, which is reassuring. Time to get with it, guys. This time around, the voters are way ahead of you.

Jonathan Freedman Ann Arbor MI (Sent Friday, October 03, 2008 10:03 AM)

There is no doubt that Palin needed a bounce here and she did get that. I would argue she did not win the debate but at least she held some grasp of the topics that were discussed. She did what she had to not to look like a joke. Thats good for her and for the Mccain campaign but ultimately the doubts are going to linger and the katie couric interviews will continue to be played on youtube day after day.
Biden wins when it comes to the overall result as does Barack Obama.

Rod, SC (Sent Friday, October 03, 2008 10:04 AM)

"If Palin seems to be doing well with press reviews, then why didn't she win the snap polls or the focus groups?"

Because the press (with a few exceptions) has no idea what they are talking about. You think Pat Buchanan and Joe Scarborough are objective analysts? Much less Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews? Please.

Sarah Palin's "folksy" personality is like nails on a chalkboard. She is about 95% hyperbole and 4% bullsh*t. The other 1% is her actual practical, tangible intelligence. But, as we know, the press loves to feast off of that 99% of nothing. So guess what? She won!!!!!

CitizenJ (Sent Friday, October 03, 2008 10:04 AM)

If last nights debate winner was based off the game "memory" than Palin was the winner. I mean the lady was so scripted it was like she was a robot. However, I feel her past interviews have taken away from her debate performance.

William Bellevue,NE (Sent Friday, October 03, 2008 10:04 AM)

"If Palin seems to be doing well with press reviews, then why didn't she win the snap polls or the focus groups?"

Perhaps it is because they were listening to what she was saying -- as a question of grammar. The media commentariat's attention span has seemingly become so short that they can't even stay focused for the course of a single... um, I would say "sentence", but you know what I mean... one portion of speaking. Her end forgets its beginning, as the saying goes.

Marc (Sent Friday, October 03, 2008 10:04 AM)

Although she didn't crash and burn last night, Sarah palin did little to provide the proff that she should be one heartbeat away from the Presidency. She sounded like a college student who had crammed for an exam without fully understanding the information and how well do you think her "folksiness" will play when negoitating with someone like North Korea, "Well, dog gone it, Kim, you need to stop making those darned nukes." {Wink, wink, smile} She is clearly out of her league in this arena and she needs to go back to Alaska where she belongs. Shame on John McCain for selecting her as his running mateas she's truly not qualified to be second in command. She scares me also because she wants to expand the role of the Vice President......after 8 years of slimy, unethical Dick Cheney, this is the LAST thing I wanted to hear, especially when she refused to play by the rules even last night and NOT answer the questions she was asked.This is a woman who will do whatever she wants to do and think she can wink and smikle her way out of it......seems to be working with Troopergate now, doesn't it? Sarah Palin is WRONG for our country and John McCain is WRONG for our country. No way, no how, NO McCain/Palin. Send them packing. I thought Joe Biden did very well and proved he could step in if necessary.....a far cry from Palin. Obama/Biden '08/'12

Diane from Illinois (Sent Friday, October 03, 2008 10:04 AM)

Emergency, Emergency! The Straight Talk Titanic hit an Iceberg from Alaska and is sinking in it's own hubris! Isn't it funny that the grumpy old man whines about bad luck when he was the fool creating it?

Next Friday another torpedo will hit the Straight Talk Titanic and there goes the First Mate because of her wicked scandal. It will be funny to watch the lobbyist handlers of the Dumb and Dumber ticket try to spin her pathetic debate performance into something special, no amount of lipstick will ever cover up that pig.

Go Obama/Biden 08/12!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Friday, October 03, 2008 10:05 AM)

I didn't watch the debate, I watched the Dodgers/Cubs. But by reading your review of Sarah Palin, then I have to say that I would do well in a VP debate. I'm well read, I have traveled more than her, I smile easily, I dress professionally. I even wink on occasion. AND I can talk sports with anyone, anywhere, anytime.

Senator Obama should have picked me. Well no, not really. Despite all my positives, I don't think I'd be qualified for such a responsible position.

But at least I know it. (wink)

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Friday, October 03, 2008 10:05 AM)

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