ELEPHANT-DONKEY.com

I heard the debate on the radio. That was very revealing. Without all the visual style distractors, I was able to concentrate on what the candidates said. From that angle, Biden had a clear command of all the issues, actually UNDERSTOOD what he was talking about, and was movingly sincere in expressing his convictions. In contrast, Palin was an expert mimic who was able to fluidly parrot back what her handlers had drummed into head for a week, but she was not able to do more than repeat her talking points over and over, as if on an endless loop. She clearly did NOT UNDERSTAND what she was saying, and there was absolutely no sincerity in her "convictions." What's more, there were so many questions she did not even try to answer because she wasn't capable of answering them, but rather side-stepped them by launching into an irrelevant personal story pushing her so-called "qualifications" or "down-home" experience. And shame on Gwen Ifil for not calling her on her evasions and holding her feet to the fire! She gave Palin a free pass, and by letting her get away with her evasions, she did the viewers who are likely to get sucked into the style show a tremendous dis-service. In the final analysis, Palin is merely an attractive, personable, folksy "cheerleader" with absolutely no qualifications for the job of Vice President or President, and compounded with her extremist personal beliefs and obvious lack of understanding of our Constitution, that makes her an extremely dangerous person to have that kind of power. Biden, on the other hand, demonstrated that he was supremely qualified to be Vice President or President. Though he is not as visually attractive as Palin and did not look into the camera and win over the viewers with his folksy, personal, likability, he won the debate hands down. I hope the American people, who are dangerously uninformed, unsophisticated, and blase about the issues, do not get suckered into Palin's phony, shallow, and insincere showmanship. She's all style and NO SUBSTANCE!

bazikr | 10/03/08

I am not sure what debate you were watching antiobama.....perhaps your dreamed up the whole thing?

Proud 2 b liberal | 10/03/08

We'll see how well McCain really thinks Palin did in the debate. If McCain thinks she did well they'll allow her to do an interview or two before election day. If McCain thinks she's an empty headed twit - he'll make sure she remains shielded from the press.

AmyIN | 10/03/08

I'm just curious what "hopecritical" means? Did she mean hypocritical?

Arielle | 10/03/08

Speaking of uninformed, unsophisticated and blase about the issues youngdem! Ha! If you did not "watch" the debate you missed out on the body language, which educated people know is 80% of communication. How can you really have an opinion on who out performed who? If Gwen Ifil gave Sarah a free pass it's because Gwen put herself in that position by moderating a political debate in which she has a bias towards one candidate and kept it a secret until it was too late to replace her. Again, just another typical left wing sneak tactic that is all to common in this Obama slanted media. So Gwen couldn't effectively call out Sarah even if needed because she knew she would be accused of choosing sides... again! Too bad it all backfired for a change. Change. Isn't that a great slogan? Let's change everything about America starting with making Arab the official language and Muslim the official religion too! I'll choose Sarah's "down-home" experience(or inexperience) over Obama's "agenda" anyday. Biden? Come on! He'd be on McCain's ticket right now if McCain would've invited him and he said before that he'd never be be 2nd on a ticket!

antiobama-proamerican | 10/03/08

HOPEcritical is what Obama is

antiobama-proamerican | 10/03/08

90% of the media id Obama slanted. Why do you think McCain/Palin won't give them the interviews? Same reason Obama doesn't want to interview with the few conservative mediums that are out there telling like it is. Political suicide. Simple as that.

antiobama-proamerican | 10/03/08

ditto to you proud to be liberal

antiobama-proamerican | 10/03/08

I think that Biden won the debate, but only slightly. I think Palin definitely helped herself by sounding more confident and not slipping up. However, she still didn't answer questions and repeated attacks on Obama that Biden repeatedly clarified were not true. If something is wrong, why repeat it Palin? She said more of what we've heard from McCain and from her before, nothing new. While she said it all coherently, it was the same information and that doesn't impress me. Biden, on the other hand, sounded very competent. He was not condescending or arrogant and just sounded like he knew his stuff. I was very happy when he talked about how passionate he is about helping stop genocides, like the one in Darfur. I also thought he called her out on many things that she never really explained. He may not have smiled as much as her or sounded as excited, but he knows what he is doing. He said that he will be right behind Obama, advising him and I think this was a great thing to say considering people's fear of Obama's lack of experience (which I don't think really is that lacking).

Jamie | 10/03/08

Sarah Palin appears to a "Stepford" candidate. I keep wondering if other people notice how she constantly doesn't answer questions and speaks boring political chants. We have a very educated country today and people can spot insincerity and often, inaccuracy from a mile away. Perhaps she shouldn't be given as much credit as she was given for the Vice Presidential Debate. Is everyone just being easy on her? This may be out of pity for her having communicated so poorly during the past couple of weeks. I was voting Obama and I still will vote for Obama.

freemom | 10/03/08

fox news live poll: palin 89% biden 11%. just goes to show you the difference depending on where you get your info. left wing medis or conservative outlets

antiobama-proamerican | 10/03/08

http://www.foxnewsradio.com/?p=4

antiobama-proamerican | 10/03/08

I think for many of us this debate was the touchstone to see whether Palin was up to task. My wife came into these debates skeptical of both sides. Matter of fact, she's been telling people she had no interest in voting either way. Funny thing... after the debate she said she is now voting for McCain/Palin. Fact is Obama has been barking "CHANGE - CHANGE - CHANGE" which contradicts his choice of a running mate who has been entrenched in status quo politics for thirty years. Palin may not be nearly as polished and indoctrinated as Biden but that is exactly what makes some people excited. She is a devoted and loving mother who also brings to the table respectable experience in the executive branch of government. She has "heart" and draws from a life that is similar to where most of us live -- the middle class. My take is that we have more than enough life-long politicians clogging up the government. Why not infuse a person who wasn't born and bred to politics into the system. That sounds more like the "maverick" and change we may need. Finally, bear in mind Palin's role is minimal as a vice president. For those of you so worried about McCain dying and leaving her as our next president. Don't be so naive. Our president (no matter who he/she is) draws advice and wisdom from cabinet members and a great many others. Palin is an intelligent woman. Give her some credit. Anyhow, as I said, my wife was firmly on the fence prior to the debate. Biden's use of drawn-out, meandering walks down memory-lane into his times and decisions in congress were off-putting and not very easy to relate to. This is the problem with these lifer-politicians. They live in their own microcosm of a world that very rarely meshes with all of us in the real world. Think about it.

Adam Pletcher | 10/03/08

thank you Adam!

antiobama-proamerican | 10/03/08

Anti-obama you seem to be more concerned about the race of Obama than anything. Do you play a banjo? Not at all surprising since your source of polls is fox news, when every other poll in the nation said Biden won. Palin wont give interviews because the media is slanted??? Yeah right. They have hidden Palin because they know she can not handle interviews. I know Republicans must appear to stand behind Palin for the sake of the election, but deep inside. I know you are cringing

PoliticalJunky | 10/03/08

I think you're more concerned about race Mr.PoliticalJunky. I'm more concerned about someone LYING about their race among other troubling associations in order to take the highest office in the world. I am not a republican either my friend. I'm and American and I vote my conscience. The last time I voted republican was Reagan's 2nd term. I voted for Perot twice, not too proud to admit, but for several reasons too deep to get into now. I would love to vote Democrat for one reason and one reason alone, for unions. However, that isn't enough to sway me to vote for a fake, a liar and a radical! Even if Obama wins this election you will not get what you're apparently voting for, a 1st African-American president. How else can a man that has done nothing, nobody knows anything truthful about and has no experience manage to get a VAST majority of the support of African American vote(not too mention millions of 1st time voters!). It's because they think he's more than 1/16th black! I'm 1/16th Cherokee and I don't call myself Native American. Why should I? I'm 1/4 german and I don't call myself German/American. I'm simply an American. He wasn't even raised in a black family or had to experience the what it's like to grow up with the hardships so many black american kids have to deal with. His wife refers to some as "whitey" and she only became "really" proud to be an American recently. I'd venture to bet that he has 99% of the Muslim vote too. I'm not a racist because I oppose Obama and I, for one, won't allow that tactic of yours to affect my vote or my voice. I'm concerned about the future of this great nation and my children's freedom, all of which are in grave danger today.

antiobama-proamerican | 10/03/08

I would be more impressed with Palin if she could say anything but "Maverick" "Alaska" or "energy" and would answer questions specifically. Biden showed an impressive knowledge of foreign affairs while Palin just shrunk farther back into her shell. O and anti-obama would you mind actually giving us your sources when you accuse Obama of lying. Finally, any network(fox news) that does Push polling which should be illegal is not a reliable source.

leftwingteen | 10/03/08

antiobama-proamerican, thus far the only bits of your argument that pertain in any way to your premise would be when you said "she did great! she was fiesty and confident. she was real. she's been at this for 5 weeks! get real people! all i care about is that, in the white house, she will make decisions that are in the best interest of the majority while being tolerant and respectful of the minority." Being "fiesty," which I hardly believe she was, is not what I would consider a component of effective debating. Confidence is important, but I honestly did not glean that from her performance and, furthermore, if she were genuinely confident in her capabilities I would expect more thorough and relevant answers to the questions and less soccer mom anecdotes. Having been "at this for 5 weeks," while being a direct quote that she used to excuse her dearth of thoughtful offerings, is not a good thing. I believe that any reasonably intelligent human being who had been sent to debate boot camp for those 5 weeks could know the issues just as well. Finally, I also want an administration that defers to the majority while respecting the minority (tolerance is a bit condescending, no?). I do not believe that this woman will embody those ideals and she has not given me a reason thus far to think otherwise.

JohnFest | 10/03/08

antiobama-proamerican how can you say that Obama has done nothing and has no experience when you look at Palin's experience? Have you read Obama's biography or know anything about his experience? because he certainly does have some, maybe not as much as McCain but it doesn't seem like McCain has done anything important or new with his experience. Besides, while McCain will probably not die during his term, he is the oldest candidate ever to run and you have to keep in mind the slight possibility that Palin could become President. She even said in the debate last night that she's been on the campaign for 5 weeks. I'm sure she is a great mom but I'd want someone more knowledgeable than the average middle class person to be the one in charge. Besides, look at the economy, seriously, Obama is for government control and what is this bailout? government control because wall street couldn't take care of itself. While the government can be corrupt at times, the government can provide a much needed check on the economy, health care, corporations, etc.

Jamie | 10/03/08

You failed to prove that you were only concerned about race. Your reply is full of it. I am concerned for this country also, especially xenophobic arguments and conspiracy theories like yours. I would actually think its more likely that you do not know what it is like for black families than Obama. Many black Americans also have white or other races in their ancestry and still call themselves black, who are you to say that he cant. Because you chose not to call yourself native american is your choice. I dont need any tactic to debate you, I only need truth and common sense. I dont know where you get your data, likely probably fox. Who cares that according to you he is 1/16th black. I am not calling you a racist because you do not choose to support Obama, so you can drop that failed argument. I dont care who you vote for, its a free country and you have a right to vote for whomever you choose EVEN Ross Perot. I dont care who anyone votes for as long as they vote. But there is no need to be so color-struck, this country is full of americans that identify will a certain racial ethnicity and their ancestry is filled with wonderful mixtures of races. Out of all the posts on this website, yours seems to be the only one concerned with Obama's race and the only one that mentioned it. You have good and bad people in all races, so what Obama hs a black kenyan father and a white mother, so what.

PoliticalJunky | 10/03/08