Live-Blogging the VP Debate

5:35 On my 200th post here at blogger, I'll be live blogging the VP debate this eve.  

5:49 Getting the sense from CNN that the race here is really heading strong toward Obama.  They say momentum is clearly his, and Palin, though, with a strong performance, can put the momentum on pause, but it would take a huge gaffe of Biden or an major news event to reverse the trend. Campbell Brown did just make the point that they haven't talked about Biden much at all, but this debate is about Palin.

5:53  Howard Fineman of Newsweek and MSNBC thinks that as long as Biden gets off the stage without any major mistakes and the media not talking about him it would be in Biden's favor.  

5:56 80 million people is the record for a debate night, notes a FoxNews commentator.

5:59 Chris Matthews of MSNBC makes a good point that most of the cute buzz words the media talked about was all prepped and scripted anyway.  He did not speak positively of it, and hopes for some true spontaneity and memorable moments.

6:03 The questions have not been shared or cleared by either campaign.  The questions start...

6:07  Biden blaming most of the economic policies on the Bush administration in response to the deep economic issues of late.  Fundamental disagreement, Biden notes, is he and Obama want to help the regular guy and not the "wealthy."

Palin says that McCain sounded the alarm on Fannie and Freddie and such early on, and says many at soccer games would be fearful.  In other words, economic crisis is not just a Wall Street issue, but a Main Street one.

6:10 Palin says McCain meant the "American workforce" when he said the fundamentals of the American economy were strong.  This was in response to Biden's disdain for McCain's remark.

6:12 Palin calls for the American people to not get ourselves in debt and "don't live outside of our means."  Biden says that Obama warned 2 years ago about the sub-prime crisis and notes that McCain said, in the past, that he was "suprised" by it.  

6:15 Palin says that over ninety times Obama either voted against tax cuts or did not vote for them.  Obama did not vote to raise taxes says Biden.  Biden says Palin is not answering the questions.

6:18  Again the classic line Democrats, echoed by Biden, say divide between Republican's is: Repub's are for the wealthy.

6:25  Promises made that won't be kept, asks the moderator: 

Biden- we will slow down committment to double foreign assistance.

Palin- not answering the question.  Instead launches into an attack on Obama's energy policy and the positive things she's done in Alaska.  After being prompted by the moderator, Palin says she hasn't made any promises, being that she's only been at this for 5 weeks, that won't be kept, except to "put the government back on the side of the people."

6:30  Again Biden points out Obama warned 2 years ago about sub-prime crisis and McCain was surprised by it.

6:30 Palin launching, unasked, into energy policy again and the reliance upon foreign oil.  "Energy independence is the key to American's future."  She also believes its a key economic issue and national security issue.

6:34 Palin doesn't want to argue about the causes of of climate change, but to make policies that deal with it.  Biden thinks climate change is all man-made.  Palin doesn't.  She thinks it is also cyclical.  

6:38 Biden supports same-sex benefits, as they do, according to the moderator, in Alaska.  Obama and Biden do not support gay marriage.  Palin doesen't either.  

6:44 Palin pointing out that the Surge in Iraq has worked and Obama voted against it.  Biden says Obama has a plan that is the same as Bush and and the prime minister of the Iraq are now, post-Obama's plan, working on.  "You're plan is a white-flag of surrender," comes back Palin.  

6:47 John McCain has been "dead wrong" on the fundamental issues realting to the Iraq War--"that's the facts."  Biden and Obama have been focused on Pakistan who have nuclear weapons now.  Biden says an attack on the homeland now will come not from Iraq but from the hills of Afghanistan and Pakistan.  

6:52 A "two-state solution is the solution" for Israel and Palestine, says Palin.  Biden: "No one in the United States Senate has been a better friend to Israel then Joe Biden."

6:56 Palin: "There have been huge blunders in the war...and throughout this administration."  She goes on to say that there is "too much finger-pointing backwards" to the Bush Administration by the Obama campaign that supposedly is about "change" in the future.  Biden doesn't believe there is any proof that a McCain administration would be different.

7:00 According to Palin, the surge principles, though not the same strategy, should occur in Afghanistan.  Biden states that today the commanding General in Afghanistan clearly said that "the surge principles of Iraq will not work in Afghanistan." 

7:05 Moderator notes that Biden is for putting troops on the ground in Darfur.  This I did not know, and this concern of Biden's I applaud in this difficult region, though I do not know precisely what strategy would be wise.  Biden can't stomach genocide, and thinks we should rally the world to act and demonstrate it by our own action in Darfur.  It is the strongest statement on Darfur I have heard yet out of Washington.  Good work, Senator Biden.

7:07 Palin comments on Darfur as well and says she is waiting for some legislation in her own state to pass to help Darfur, and supports a no fly zone and doing whatever we can to help that region.  

7:11 In response to the moderator's question, Biden would carry out Obama's policies if Obama was ever to die.  "This is the most important election since 1932," says Biden.  Why always these superlatives?  Palin would have some different energy policies then McCain.

7:13 Biden again connecting the Bush Administration to the McCain.  Palin prodding him, in her characteristic smile, to look ahead to the future and quit looking at the past.  No Child Left Behind is not doing the job, says Palin, as she draws a difference between McCain ticket and Bush Administration.  

7:17 Joe Biden: "Vice President Cheney probably the most dangerous Vice President in America history."  That indeed is a strong statement/accusation.  

7:22 Biden getting emotional, and right there just connected with the public, on saying that he has had the experience of not knowing if a kid is "going to make it."  He also makes the case that a woman isn't the only one that is concerned about one's kids.  A strong father-moment for Biden.

7:25 Biden: McCain has not been a maverick on many of the things that matter to the American people.

7:29 How do we change the tone in partisanship?  Biden says that he will not question the motive another member of the Senate in disagreement but will question their judgment.  Palin says that you appoint people, as she has done in Alaska, regardless of party.  

7:32 Palin makes another hit on the mainstream media in her closing statement.  She says that we must fight for our freedom, both economic and national security.  A vote for John McCain is the only vote for one who has a proven record of fighting for the people.  Biden says its time for America to get up together, and they are ready to lead the country.  End.

7:38 Hume of FoxNews note it wasn't as heated as the Presidential debate, but clear attacks from both parties.  Hume says Palin seemed comfortable and got better as the debate went on.  I agree with that.  Chris Matthews, of MSNBC, amazed that Palin is asking for more power as VP. "Joe Biden gave the best performance of his life," notes a CNN commentator.  

7:40 Chris Matthew thinks watching Palin was like watching a "spelling bee" and reciting.

7:41 A FoxNews comentator makes a similar "spelling bee" comment in regards to Palin.

7:51 Foxnews independents, on a TV set, resonated with the Palin comments on everyone taking responsiblity.  CNN independents, on a TV set, supposedly made a decision on who to vote for tonight far more then last weeks Presidential debate.  

7:55 Senator Fred Thompson (R) says, in regards to Palin, positively that he has "never seen a performance like that."

8:00  I thought controversial Gwen Iffil did a good job moderating this debate.  I did not sense any sort of partisanship to either candidate.  If you are not aware, there were worries she is biased toward Obama.  I saw none of that.

8:07  CNN reporter notes, from the debate hall, that it was a warmer atmosphere then the Presidential debate.  Not that there wasn't disagreement--there was--but it was a "friendlier" atmosphere.  MSNBC's Keith Olbermann opinionist (he is not a reporter), as usual, tearing into Palin on matters like her constantly going back to energy and not answering questions.

8:09 Olbermann says Palin "did not crash and did not burn, but she also didn't answer the questions."  I think, there is a strong point to that.  Fineman of Newsweek and MSNBC says virtually the same thing.

8:12 National poll from CNN of people who watched the debate...Biden did best job with 51% of vote...64% said Biden did better then expected...84% thought Palin did better then expected.

Adios.