Vice Presidential Debate Liveblog
Above: Sarah Palin's "Greatest Hits" (via TPM)
Sarah Palin and Joe Biden face off tonight at Washington University in St. Louis. Her limited official media appearances so far haven't done a good job convincing voters she's ready for primetime, to say the least. We all know she can give a fiery teleprompter speech, but how will she fare in a tense, high-profile showdown with one of the most knowledgeable and longest-serving members of the US Senate? Which Palin will we see tonight? The aggressive firebrand we saw in Minneapolis? Or the clueless, moose-in-the-headlights neophyte we saw with Couric and Gibson? We're about to find out...
You can watch live online here.
***
9:00 pm: Here we go, my friends.
9:00 pm: Palin asks, "Can I call you Joe?"
9:04 pm: First question on the economy. Biden is crystal clear and CNN's insta-meter seems to like him. Palin goes right for the soccer moms.
9:08 pm: Biden: John McCain's poor judgment "doesn't make him a bad guy. But it does mean he's out of touch."
9:09 pm: Palin repeats the "by 'fundamentals' McCain meant the American workers" BS. Team Obama is all over it.
9:13 pm: Palin repeats the lie that Obama wants to raise taxes on those making less than $42,000.
9:15 pm: Biden corrects the record and notes that by his own standards, McCain voted to raise taxes on middle-/low-income people over 400 times. Wish Obama said that during his debate.
9:18 pm: I must admit, Palin is coming off as very empathetic. CNN's uncommitted Ohio voters seem to agree somewhat. She's distorting Obama's record, of course, but still more solid than most probably expected, myself included.
9:21 pm: Biden on McCain's health care "plan": "The ultimate bridge to nowhere."
9:25 pm: Biden hits back on the distortion of Obama's vote for the Cheney energy bill. Yes it included tax breaks for oil companies, but it also called for the biggest alternative energy investment in history. That's the perfect rebuttal. Again, something Obama should have noted last debate.
9:27 pm: See here for Team Obama's real-time rebuttal.
9:29 pm: Can Sarah Palin actually start answering the questions that are asked?
9:34 pm: Biden: How can we solve the climate crisis if we refuse/fail to acknowledge the cause?
9:35 pm: Palin: "Nucular" Truly George Bush in lipstick. NOTE: Her convention teleprompter speech actually spelled out nuclear as "new-clear."
9:38 pm: Palin truly is a GOP talking point robot. Affording our gay brothers and sisters equal rights under the law does not threaten the "traditional defintion of marriage."
9:43 pm: Did Palin really just say that Obama's plan (endorsed by Maliki and the finally the Bush administration) is tantamount to "waving the white flag."
9:44 pm: Thank God Biden is hitting back at the "Obama hates the troops" BS. Biden hits back hard: "John McCain voted against funding the troops. Let me repeat: John McCain voted against funding the troops." Boom!
9:45 pm: John Biden is the Democratic answer to John McCain re: foreign policy experience/credibility. Only Joe Biden actually gets it.
9:48: NEW RULE: Anyone who can't pronounce the world "nuclear" is immediately disqualified for high office.
9:51 pm: Biden: John McCain won't even meet with SPAIN!
9:52 pm: I don't know if it's delivery or what, but Palin is just not credible on foreign policy. She's reciting McCain's line verbatim, but it just doesn't come across as believable. I guess that's a tough feat when your standing next to Joe Biden.
9:56 pm: Money quote: "How is John McCain's policy going to different from George Bush's." Substitute any policy in that sentence and you have the question that should be asked incessantly for the next 33 days.
10:00 pm: Reuters wants Palin's ears checked for covert feeds? I'm no conspiracy theorist, but Bush's mysterious "hump" from the 2004 debate still bothers me.
10:06: Palin reading from a script, Biden is speaking from experience. That about sums it up. She's holding up fine, but it's coming across as too canned. The meter is reflecting that. I can't think of a better choice for Obama than Biden. He is brilliant and uber-knowledgeable on foreign affairs. Any concern voters had on that front are dissolving as we speak, in real time.
10:12 pm: Palin: "There you go again, Joe. Doggone it." Ronald Reagan called. He wants his 30 year old line back.
10:13 pm: Props to Gwen Ifill. I dare right-wingers to complain about her performance.
10:17 pm: Nicole:Killer question by Ifill on VP extra-constitut
10:20 pm Biden: "I passed the Violence Against Women Act. John McCain voted against it. Both times."
10:22 pm: Biden chokes up talking about his late wife. Powerful stuff. Again, tales of steady experience from Biden. Boilerplate from Palin.
10:23 pm: Biden on McCain's maverickness: "Maverick he is not on the issues that affect people at their kitchen tables."
10:28 pm: 538's Nate Silver (8/29): "Her authenticity factor is off-the-charts good; her biography sings. But do Americans really want their next-door-neighbor running for Vice President, or rather someone who seems like one?"
10:29: Laughable line of the night: Palin: "I love to answer these questions without the filter of the mainstream media." Gimme a freaking break. Try talking to them first before you make such a claim.
10:30pm: Closing statements: Palin is solid; well-received Reagan reference. Biden hits his populist stride. Meters shoot up.
MY VERDICT: No huge gaffes, only the expected distortions. McCain needed a game-changer. He didn't get it. Palin may have successfully distanced herself from the Tina Fey caricature (her primary goal), but Biden was simply too strong. Palin came off as folksy (another goal) but I just don't see how this changes the underlying fundamentals. Biden spoke from his decades of experience. Palin delivered the lines, but they came off as rather unauthentic and boilerplate. CNN Meter gives a slight edge to Biden, who probably delivered his best debate perfomance to date. Palin held her own and defintiely pleased the GOP base, but I don't see independents seeing it the same way.
first
Media Narrative Takes Gender-Bender Shape on Biden-Palin Debate
http://satiricalpolitical.com/?p=3655
Yes
Does anybody have a better live stream? The c-span one isn't working great for me.
uh oh she's gonna call him joe
Got my popcorn ready...
she called him joe?
baby jesus is consuming adult beverages for this train wreck
Can I cal you Joe? Joe-arino! Josephus! Joe-arooni! The Joester!
it looks like men are way more negative than women..
Her "Can I call you Joe?" means thats how she practiced her lines. Sort of like "In what respect Charlie?"
She's hot, nice dress!
his voice is horse. he's been talking a lot preparing(?)
She will have an earpiece hidden under her hair. Bush had one in the 2004 debates.
What if Sarah Palin intentionally botched her interview with Katie Couric to catch Joe Biden off guard?
god bless us
Palin bingo cards at the ready
duh
ohh barometer, big word
Yes, look at the camera. Good girl.
Cbs live stream in working well for me
I betcha!
baby jesus can't take any more of this nonsense
betcha? oh fuck
she's trying the hypno trick. LOOK INTO MY EYES!
"betcha"
You betcha!
Drinking game? She used the Soccer Mom card!
I'll betcha!
Tommykey @ 15:
If that was acting she deserves an Academy Award.
No ear piece for Sarah. This could be good.
hah!
She knows how to talk without saying anything or making sense. It is rather uncanny.
Ahh, so she's going with Gramp's strategy of not answering the question but rambling off with folksy stories...
Capatain Bitter Elitist Kangaroo @ 24:
LOL! My thoughts exactly!
Tina Fey is KVELLING right now!
FUCK OFF WITH THE ISRAEL ASS-KISSING!
Yea! Bush, Bush, Bush!
Cmon she would have to be a complete dunce not to have answered the Israel questions. Lieberman coached her.
Maverick! Ruffled feathers!
Drink up!
Watch out for those BLENDERS, Sarah!
condescending bitch
Biden is kicking her ass. And there is still time for her to fuck up.
Biden has to cut through her crap while he still has the chance. He can't let her run away with this.
come on people this debate is soft...nonspecific. i figured
she would do well. totally memorized.
Waiting for the bombing of Iran to begin at midnight...
nukyular!
biden's getting a fiery
Why do all presidential candidates have to spend 10% of their time kissing Jew ass??????
C'mon Joe. Just one 7-11/Indian reference. You can do it.
brokenarrow @ 359:
Same talking points of the reich wing and McCain. A lot of the same lies.
Republicans: delusional.
I can say "Ahmandinijad"!!!!
Chuck @ 336:
Wasilla White...
the surge WILL NOT WORK IN AFGHANISTAN
does she believe herself? "Facts matter" thank you Joe. she wouldn't know a fact if it fell out of her hairpiece
she feels if she can snap off the talking points quickly, almost in run-on sentences, she'll remember them all.
Rove Trolls out in full force because Rove's puppet can't cut it on stage. I hope you guys are getting paid overtime cause SHE'S A MORON! !
Biden is totally schooling her on this stuff. Ifill should ask Palin to try to respond.
FUCK THE SURGE
FUCK THE POW card
fuck Alaska
rolo @ 350:
ok so it was a slip? they were talking about afghanistan. the question before iraq/iran.
I think she's doing better than I thought, but I think Biden is doing a good job at schooling her.
Her performance isn't surprising me so much because I saw the YouTube videos from her Alaska governor debates.
I cannot tolerate another administration that pronounces that word "nucular".
Somebody please make it stop.
Infa-structure?
sooth Hussein sayer @ 383:
She's too thick to be schooled.
367 Frybread Says: Biden is kicking her ass. And there is still time for her to fuck up.
I disagree. I'm disappointed in Biden so far.
She's got to get Biden to slip up and show his true colors. She's running out of time.
biden doesnt even know the comander in afganistans name! amazine!
Will someone please tell this stupid bitch to at least say NEW-CLEAR when she's regurgitating GOP talking points?
I think they're both accomplishing their respective goals. It will be easy for both sides to claim victory.
Did she streak her hair?
she is a TRICKY trailer-trash - I trust Joe will control himself, but, go after her if she gets nasty: iron fist via velvet glove.
While they'll be getting thru this beauty contest (answers limited to 90 sec soundbites), how about HELPING OUR CANDIDATE? Here's what just came into my Inbox from Obama-Biden, and I have to share with you (bolding is mine):
.
"" This debate is also extremely important because early voting began this
week in eight states -- including the crucial battleground state of Ohio.
In fact, the votes cast in Ohio this weekend could ultimately decide who
wins this whole election. There are only four days left in the narrow window of opportunity when voters can register and vote early all in one step.
Republican operatives tried to shut down one-stop early vote in court this
week, but they failed. And now you can help provide the resources for an intensive four-day Get Out The Vote operation before the window closes.
Make a donation of $5 or more today to help Get Out The Vote in Ohio and other early vote states.
Early voting will play a bigger role this year than ever before.
And after tonight's debate, voters will be motivated to cast their ballots
for the change this country needs.
Joe Biden and I share a vision for the future of this country, and it's very different from the vision of our opponents.
I'm sure you'll see that contrast in tonight's debate.
But there's another contrast that you can see in every aspect of this campaign. Joe and I know that real change comes from the bottom up, not the top down. That's why we've always put our faith in supporters like you.
Make a donation of $5 or more right now to help reach Ohio voters and
Get Out The Vote in other early vote states.
.
https://donate.barackobama.com/thevpdebate
You've built an unprecedented grassroots movement, and that's what will make all the difference in the next 32 days.
Thanks for everything you're doing, and make sure you tell everyone you
know to watch tonight's debate.
Barack""
.
Well, guys, LETS DO IT !!!!
Bucks for BARACK !!!
OMGawd she is a robot!
She's a bit nervous, though..... She's not facing Joe. She's facing the cameras.
She's lying out of the gate!
stick around sweet baby jesus. it is going to get bloody when her speed wears off
She's good with her notes, which I am sure her handlers have been counting on
C-SPAN's stream is working better now. Strange, but it was all broken up before.
DODGE DODGE DODGE DODGE!!
She's already gettin' "folksie"
I hope that little question she asked to joe "can i call you joe" doesn't back fire on joe and she getas all snarky with him.
baby jesus needs some of the jesus juice
me_over_here @ 31:
No rear piece? Are you sure?
Bosniacs?????
I disagree. I’m disappointed in Biden so far.
Why? What else could he do?
Ugh @ 386:
All she's doing is reading her talking points, whether it's the subject of the question or not. It's like pulling the ring on a talking doll. The only thing I haven't heard is "Math is hard!"
Would some just for once say, "look, enough of the fucking misinformation". Americans giving up their time tonight desrve correct information.
She used the Washington Outsider meme.
My, how they both just "LOVE" Israel.
I'm getting sick now.
You can really tell when Ms. Sarah is flustered - she starts repeating, "also" and
"again". And, then she gets condescending and begins talking about how she and McGoo are gonna' be "rufflin" and "reformin'".....
snoozer @ 395:
Amen.
go Joe go! He's focused and on message....not condescending...
Joe doesn't have the stomach for genocide. Good to know.
Another language tic of hers: "I'm not one who...," "you're one who..." She probably thinks it sounds more formal.
Come on, it isnt as much fun typing "You betcha" as it is to type "Yew betcha" so make a note, alright?
Get back to work.
Capatain Bitter Elitist Kangaroo @ 120:
I yelled at the tv when I heard that. I don't understand why Gwen and/or Joe didn't call her on that!
Smiling for the sheeple is her only saving grace.
I can't stop thinking of Tina Fey. Pchew-Pchew...WINK!
oh my god, make it stop. people actually think she's their saviour, what is wrong with people? when do her Barbie batteries run out, I'm exhausted.
FOLKSY FOLKSY FOLKSY FOLKSY FOLKSY
Miss Bridge To Nowhere is pretty stupid to pull out the "I was for it before I was against it" meme.
Nail her, Joe!
"America is cravin' the straight talk!"
Tell Palin to shut the f*ck up.
Joe is also uncomfortable with decapitation.
Holy Fuck....did I see and hear what I think I did. '"I watched those debates"....
Please confim...did I?
Biden has that nice big fat shit eating grin don't he?
You guys crack me up. You think everybody's as arrogant and indignant as you.
some poor baby wolf should rip that filthy smirk off her face
Knows how to win a war? Wait for it... (gets drink ready)
majicman @ 416:
Yes, she watched the debates with one eye while watching those pesky Russians with her other eye.
Wow! I mean if this was ANYONE other than Sarah Palin then the entire debate would be a blowout! She hasn't answered a SINGLE QUESTION with a specific answer. And she changes the topic when she doesn't have a memorized answer.
the fact that she has NO previous voting record on these issues is hurting Biden right now, because she is free to attack on that front, and he has nothing he can shoot back with.
robotic fast talking cheer leader
how does john mccain know how to win a war? did he win the Vietnam War? Did I miss something?
McCain's a war hero! He knows war!
but, from which side?
she does that thing that mcC*nt does: lies, denies and repeats the lies.
Can someone remind me - what war did JOhn McCAin WIN???
ah yes, demonize the government as mismanaged and incompetent, so your friends can do the work instead.
Privatization is nothing but cronyism.
She's rambling.
Do we take 2 shots for the double maverick reference?. . . If she came from a family of educators, why does she still say nucular?
YES JOE!! Get back on message!
sooth Hussein sayer @ 38:
Stepford barbie
wow, this is going to be quick and back and forth eh?
Soundbite Sarah.
We're the Greatest! You Betcha!
wink!
mavericks!
she is cranked up. wow. what happens when she crashes
get her get her get her GET HER!
She's being the cheerleader!!!!!
She's touting her Governor/Mayoral experience!
Those talking points are coming out!!!!
She prob isn't totally corrupted to the Republican dark side, so maybe she could be turned to the light !
he hehehehehe
Biden can't control his laughter.
MA
VER
ICK
zzzzzz....
Crush her!
And has anyone seen the tell tale signs of the ear piece yet?
new and different? McCain? The maverick! You betcha, Joe!
Bad move for klondike barbie to mention voting party line while her man votes with Dumbya all the time.
He didn't mean the American worker!!!!!!
oh she looks pissed
This is the theme: We're the real reformers!
It's surreal!!
BARF
golly, but she's folksy!
"Darn right!"
Egad...this format was set up to make her look good.
Darn right, Gwenaroonie!
darn right!
"Predator lender" ain't gonna play well to the republican base
GAWD!!!! She is getting on my last nerve! She is rambling on, just regurgitating talking points. At least Biden's answers have some substance.
Oh, Sarah's gone off the deep end >>>>>> she's giving a stump speech - not answering the question about her achilles heel - I don't even think she knew what the question was??!!!
Are there any more Reagan lines left for Palin to steal? ("Government is the problem." "There you go again.")
She still doesn't understand what a VP does?!?! She wants to continue to expand Cheney's office. She thinks the VP has legislative powers. She scary!
Is she going to break out into a folk song? This folksiness is grating on my last nerve. So much for her family of educators, which she spent more time on than answering the questions. Every election the Republicans come up with a magic word. This election, it's Mavericks, which is crap.
Someone shut that dumb bitch up!
The whiny cheerleader is DNP, Definitely not presidential.
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