And what was also interesting about what Biden said was watching the undecided voters' meter go way up as he said this (on CNN.)

Final Stats on Peace Tour: 171 signs between san diego and seattle:

http://freewayblogger.blogspot.com/2008/10/pretty-pictures-from-san-dieg...

Free Speech: Use it or lose it.

She means the VP needs to be flexable enough to avoid being held accountable and to avoid being held to any type of rule of law. This is the chink we should exploit in their armor. They believe they are above the law. She is perfect to replace Cheney she has expereince avoiding responsibility and accountability by refusing to cooperate with a legal investigation. Mind boggling.

This site would get so much less traffic if it just focussed on what truths the Republicans tell. Actually, it would be out of business.

Cheney must have been out hunting/shooting good friends in the face the day that he was supposed to learn about the constitution.

Dick Cheney has made a mockery of our political system and succeeded at showing our ineptitude as a democracy.

Palin has been taking notes from that scam artist Sylvia Browne -

"If they are stupid enough to believe this shit, they deserve to be taken."

Way to go Joe.

Persons with a brain (that would be democrats and independents) saw this question for what it was. However, those without a brain (teh Republicans) will simply ignore it and say it was a ‘gotcha’ question.

Small slip-up by Biden there. Article *2* defines the executive. Article 1 defines the legislature.

Except for that, he's absolutely right.

I thought Aaron Burr was a more dangerous Vice President, with Cheney a close second. Or was Biden not talking about skill in use of firearms?

This was one of many questions where Palin talked and talked to get around her ignorance. Do high school debate teams deduct points for dodging the question?

Someone should start up a thread on how the question of global warming devolved into answers about oil supply, which is a different issue.

"Well, our founding fathers there were very wise there in allowing through the Constitution much flexibility there in the office of the vice president. And we will do what is best for the American people there in tapping into that position and ushering in an agenda there that is supportive and cooperative with the president’s agenda in that position. Yeah, so I do agree with him that we have a lot of flexibility in there, and we’ll do what we have to do to administer very appropriately there the plans that are needed for this nation. There. "
How many "theres" are there? I found a new drinking game, every time she says "there" you hit yourself with a sledghammer there.
Hey there, whatcha doing there? I feel like I'm in a Coehn Brothers film with her talking there, doncha know?

I don't know what debate the pundits were watching... A lot of them (Pat Buchanan go figure) gave the battle to Palin or at least said there was a tie. There was not such thing. Biden won big. Pail showed herself to be McCain's ticket candy yet again. She wore too much blush might I add.

For me this was THE defining moment in the debate. That Biden put her in her place was a secondary effect of his cogent explanation, again revealing why she is completely out of her league. She may have initially appeared to be on her game, but the veneer wears away quickly showing a very nervous Sarah who is good at memorization and little else. Folksy is cute, but is it really what the vice president's office is about?

How stupid can one be? To voluntarily associate yourself with the worst, most evil, lying, lawbreaking cocksucker to ever be Vice President was a gift to Biden...who rightly pounced on it and schooled her ass.

PNY @ 2:

And what was also interesting about what Biden said was watching the undecided voters' meter go way up as he said this (on CNN.)

I would like someone to take on this nonsense of the "undecided voter". What utter crap that is. Who, after two very clear conventions, doesn't have enough information with which to make a cogent decision based upon their own beliefs? I do not know what their motivations are, but I do not know anyone who has not made up their minds. I know no one who says "I just don't know" and if I did I would suspect I could spot them by their choice of a one green tennis shoe and one brown wing-tip shoe.

As an example, that clown on CBS right after the debate who said that he was keeping track of on-point answers and he said that Palin did more on-point answering. Someone at CBS got bull-shitted. How do you test for real "undecided voter?" Ask them? Its time for the MSM to just leave these liars/morons in the dust.

Biden did well given the formal debate terms and the informal ones that lowered the bar so that I could barely slide a credit card under it. This dragged Biden's capabilities down to the country hick, who appearently has used up all the "g's' she been given in life and insulted us by speaking to us all as though we are a group of third graders late for speech class, doncha knoooo.

Any, I have slipped of my message, so "undecided voters" you are liars or just plain sloooo.

Best moment of the debate. The contrast between the two couldnt be sharper.

This is a question Palin had no good well rehearsed talking point to revert back to. So she starts rambling her usual incoherent Palin-nonsense we've seen in her interviews. It becomes so obvious (I hope even for the less informed) Palin has absolutely no idea what shes talking about. Especially towards the end of her answer

Biden of course knows exactly what hes talking about and his chastisement of Cheney is brilliant. And the contrast to Palins silly endorsement of Cheney makes it even better

Mike @ 6:

She means the VP needs to be flexable enough to avoid being held accountable and to avoid being held to any type of rule of law. This is the chink we should exploit in their armor. They believe they are above the law. She is perfect to replace Cheney she has expereince avoiding responsibility and accountability by refusing to cooperate with a legal investigation. Mind boggling.

She didn't mean anything. As usual, she didn't know what the Hell she was talking about. She is a moron. Even Republicans think she is a moron, the ones that are concerned about something besides Roe v. Wade and the Rapture. She probably thinks John will be King and she will be Queen.

She could at least, at a very minimum, watched "John Adam", the miniseries. Then she would have seen how impotent the VP role is and was intended to be.

Miss Congeniality made it clear she didn't know what the job of the Vice President is nor does she know the US Constitution. Gwen was nice to her after Sarah never answered the question as the World saw she really didn't know, so Gwen asked if she would be like Dick Cheney and she said Yes. The Oil and Gas Companies need Sarah in office to continue to get big profits as their doing with Cheney now. Americans saw a none professional Law Maker who not only lies with a smile on her face but is very disrespectful to other Law Makers. Right out of the gate Sarah made an ass of herself. She called Senator Joe Biden, Joe and continue during the Debate. Now what do you think would happen to World Leaders when Sarah first meets them and says can I call you by your first name not even knowing these Leaders. That shows why Sarah's kids are in the trouble their in today. This is not a contest for Miss/Mr. Congeniality it's for the Vice President. We have serious problems and don't need entertainment. I wonder if people who lost millions in the Stock Market would want Sarah in charge of their money?

Does Palin really side with Cheney?

Of course not. She just didn't know what the hell she was talking about. I don't think she knew either what the question was referring to,
or what the Constitution actually says.

More importantly, it tells you something else about Palin as well: That she apparently is so out-of-touch and lacking in political intutition that she didn't realize that it's freakin' reckless to the point of political suicide to agree with Cheney without being sure of exactly what you're agreeing on!

This comment has barely been mentioned on MSM. MSM's obsession about how well Palin did is a sham. Just goes to show that MSM and Repugs have all been drinking Koll-Aid.

Limp-Dick Blimpaugh @ 27:

The totally incompetent Palin seriously murdered the English language, not unlike Dumbya did often. Sounded just like she just come down out of da hills.

And remember, she has a degree in journalism. I would think one ought to be able to form a sentence as a journalist. I'm just saying.

i emailed gwen ifill the question about executive or legislative branch and the vice president. i think it is the single most important question the vice president needs to answer. By denying the executive branch definition, palin is premeditating deception and non transparency. Her answer is a clear indication of this. where is the outrage?

Yup so yah I do agree with him that we want a gosh darn lot of flexibility so we can hang out in da shadows with the terrorist and cut off their testicles, like is says we can Undar da Genevah Cahnventions.
Oh yah and we can play bitter partisan politics too when I'm VP, yah, and reveal the names of spies whose spouses (I love yah Tadd) don't agree with us on things. Huh, let's see, oh yah we can gather a bunch of big oil (Tadd, we know a lot of those don't we) and big coal and nukuler people too, yeah and we can let them make our energy policy. Yeah and we need the flexibility to push hard, reeel hard for da no-bid contracts in companies were we have lots of friends (that's good news for BP Tadd!).

Yah, so I agree with Mr. Cheney were gonna use da position of VP, by the way....can somebody tell me what the VP does? but yeah were gonna use it to be da best VP my and John McCain is da maverick is a reformer and yah so we need it to be flexible and yeah, so we can be the best of the VP in the choice of making the best choices for da people.

Yeah, and Gwen, thanks for letting me talk straight to the people with out the main stream media asking me gotcha questions like what do I read.

Help us Obi Wan! You're our only hope!

Oh you mean that guy who keeps claiming executive priviledge while at the same time claiming the vice presidency isn't a part of the executive branch, despite the fact that the US Constitution places its office in the executive section of Article II?

That was my favorite moment of the entire evening. Joe Biden "read" Dick Cheney like the telephone directory. Isn't it nice when an elected official actually understands the Constitution?

Limp-Dick Blimpaugh @ 27:

The totally incompetent Palin seriously murdered the English language, not unlike Dumbya did often. Sounded just like she just come down out of da hills.

"You betcha". "Nookquler". Oh, how I weep for my country full of imbeciles, so freely baring their stupidity for the entire world to see.

ldzppln @ 45:

WTF is she talking about? She used "that position" twice in the same sentence. Who talks like that?

45th president of the United States?

did the rules for this debate allow them to have crib notes? she kept reading and refering to something on the podium in fonrt of her. i do not remember a time when notes were alllowed in a debate for office.

David Ehrenstein @ 50:

That was my favorite moment of the entire evening. Joe Biden "read" Dick Cheney like the telephone directory. Isn't it nice when an elected official actually understands the Constitution?

Yeah, Biden made several references to the Constitution. As if to say to Sarah, "This country is defined by the Constitution. And I put that first."

Biggus Diggus @ 33:

I agree with Jane Hamsher that the most bizarre moment was when she didn't understand what an achilles heel was!

Yeah.. Now I'm starting to wonder if maybe she had been offended by that 'lipstick on a pig' comment.. maybe she doesn't know any common idioms?

Someone buy this lady a copy of Bartlett's.

willie @ 56:

did the rules for this debate allow them to have crib notes? she kept reading and refering to something on the podium in fonrt of her. i do not remember a time when notes were alllowed in a debate for office.

I noticed the same thing. Why was she reading off the podium?

"The idea he doesn’t realize that Article I of the Constitution defines the role of the vice president of the United States, that’s the Executive Branch. He works in the Executive Branch. He should understand that. Everyone should understand that."

The most interesting part of that statement is that Joe Biden is acknowledging that the Democrats have known this all along.
My follow up question would have been "Why in seven years have you done absolutely nothing to rein Cheney in?"

The Democratic leadership has a lot to answer for. Their "impeachment is off the table" attitude has enabled Bush and Cheney to wreck our country
When Obama is elected he should clean house and shake up the Democratic leadership.

We know damn well Repugs would never have allowed a Democratic pesident to get away with a fraction of what Bush did without an impeachment hearing!

Ron @ 62:

willie @ 56:

did the rules for this debate allow them to have crib notes? she kept reading and refering to something on the podium in fonrt of her. i do not remember a time when notes were alllowed in a debate for office.

I noticed the same thing. Why was she reading off the podium?

I wonder if Karl Rove was in the podium telling her what to say.

Bill Iannelli said...
Fannie and Freddie was run by. Mudd and Syron both democrats. Hell Mudd's dad was reporter Roger Mudd from years ago.
Fannie has lost 88 percent of its market value since Mudd was elevated from his interim post as CEO in June 2005. The stock, which was near $60 a share at the time of his promotion, reached a closing high of $69.49 in June 2007 before beginning a freefall to $7.04 on Sept. 5 in New York.
Freddie followed a similar pattern, starting out near $60 at the time of Syron's hiring, peaking at $73.70 in 2004, then beginning a drop in 2007 to $5.10 three days ago. As of the end of last week, shareholders had lost about 91 percent during Syron's tenure.
Fannie has lost 88 percent of its market value since Mudd was elevated from his interim post as CEO in June 2005. The stock, which was near $60 a share at the time of his promotion, reached a closing high of $69.49 in June 2007 before beginning a freefall to $7.04 on Sept. 5 in New York.
Freddie followed a similar pattern, starting out near $60 at the time of Syron's hiring, peaking at $73.70 in 2004, then beginning a drop in 2007 to $5.10 three days ago. As of the end of last week, shareholders had lost about 91 percent during Syron's tenure.
Do you think they share some blame.
Bernanke: Appointed by Bush and has created huge problems. Chalk up bad choice to Republicans. Many on both sides of the ailes are unhappy with his performance, I would love to see him go.
Paulson: Appointed by Bush, strike two. Smart guy, way over his head with this mess, has not gone good job. Trying to cover his ass right now, making no sense when I see him on the tube.
Barney Frank: Good old Democrat Barney.
His fingerprints are all over this fiasco. Frank insisted that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were in good shape. Five years ago, for example, when the Bush administration proposed much tighter regulation of the two companies, Frank was adamant that "these two entities, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, are not facing any kind of financial crisis." When the White House warned of risk for our financial system unless the mortgage giants were curbed, Frank complained that the administration was more concerned about financial safety than about housing.
Now that the bubble has burst and the risk is apparent to all, Frank declares: "The private sector got us into this mess. Wall Street and private lenders have plenty to answer for, but it was Washington and the political class that derailed this train. If Frank is looking for a culprit to blame,just look in the mirror every morning.

Kind Regards,
Bill

Bill Iannelli
Broker
Iannelli and Associates
azrealestatematters.com

I'm for the Obama/Biden ticket...but if Joe thought Chaney was so dangerous why...why...why...didn't him and the rest of the govt do something about it?...by the way ..anyone know where this cocksucker is ?..hes been awfullyquiet...something smells...

Another line I loved from the dingbat was when she said matter of fact that energy was her specialty.

CMINCA @ 57:

Erroll @ 29:

While it is laudable to note how Biden distanced himself from Palin's position on Cheney and the Vice Presidency, it should be strongly pointed out that there is very little overall difference between Palin and Biden on most of the major issues. It certainly would have been nice if there were third party and independent candidates on that stage to explain that to the American people but since these debates are run by former heads of the Democratic and Republican parties it is highly unlikely that the voting electorate will be told the truth about the two corporately run and pro-militant candidates and their running mates anytime in the near future.

Were you watching the same debate. The only things I can agree with you on was the support of Israel and Gay Marriage. Although their reasons are very, very different, I can assure you.

Palin didn't really illustrate any policy, just some talking points about Mavericky Change. No actual policy or plan was ever set forth. I'm no more clearer about McCain-Palin than I was before the RNC.

I agree largely with Erroll. Biden & bankruptcy bill? What a horrible piece of legislation. Biden looks like and is a hypocrite. The fact is Biden is centrist, and has some really bad votes on his record. I don't agree with him much on foreign policy either.
Despite this, in the choice we have in front of us, yeah, we got no choice but to support Obama. The lack of 3rd party candidate remains huge problem for American democracy.

Somehow, a woman who can't manage a coherent sentence about Russia, can't remember the names of any newspapers or magazines, and can't think of any Supreme Court cases ...

... knows what the Constitution says?

Oh, sure. Youbetcha.

Ron @ 62:

willie @ 56:

did the rules for this debate allow them to have crib notes? she kept reading and refering to something on the podium in fonrt of her. i do not remember a time when notes were alllowed in a debate for office.

I noticed the same thing. Why was she reading off the podium?

They can't bring in notes with them but notebooks are allowed. These notebooks are used to help the debater rebut their opponent.

A neurology professor was interviewed on BBC World Service radio, and he was asked about the fact that Palin gets by with only a few hours of sleep. He concluded that she may have mania and that we should keep an eye on her for signs. Manic's eventually crash and burn. That's why she's kept under wraps most of the time.

Sweet Jesus what have American politics become? How humiliating for a learned and distinguished public servant like Joe Biden to have to share a stage of "equals" with such an imposter. The sheer realization of what our politics have become is quite depressing. Palin is scary only because, like Bush, putting someone so truly inept in charge of other people's lives can have such disastrous results for all of us. She is an ideologue spoon-fed talking points hiding behind a high school cheerleader persona.

"How long have I been at this? Like five weeks?" -- Palin

That soundbite should be looped.

She once started to say "nuclear," but she "corrected herself" to pronounce it "nucular." I think she's been trained to make sure to pronounce/butcher it that way--to keep on message--as opposed to what might be going with natural tendencies.

But at least she "know(s) what the hurts are."

Noodles @ 77:

CMINCA @ 32:

Mike @ 6:

She means the VP needs to be flexable enough to avoid being held accountable and to avoid being held to any type of rule of law. This is the chink we should exploit in their armor. They believe they are above the law. She is perfect to replace Cheney she has expereince avoiding responsibility and accountability by refusing to cooperate with a legal investigation. Mind boggling.

She didn't mean anything. As usual, she didn't know what the Hell she was talking about. She is a moron. Even Republicans think she is a moron, the ones that are concerned about something besides Roe v. Wade and the Rapture. She probably thinks John will be King and she will be Queen.

She could at least, at a very minimum, watched "John Adam", the miniseries. Then she would have seen how impotent the VP role is and was intended to be.

Actually, it sounded to me as if she was floating the idea to the audience. She mentioned as I remember it, that perhaps we consider a constitutional amendment, that the VP SHOULD have more influence in congress.

Biden shut that down for certain. But I'm guessing this will be an area conservatives might push for, a mingling of the branches. It's a seed planted I believe.

On the other hand, it is a pretty stupid idea to float at a time of crisis. When times are good, sure you might sneak some of that by. But right now people want the government to be like a rock, so in that case they are morons. Perhaps flailin' Palin slipped up herself by saying it out loud. That would be totally stupid, dagnab it!

It is her intention to be "more active in the legislature" because she has the radical religious right agenda to force down our throats: the reinstitution of prayer in schools, making Christianity the official language, outlawing abortions.

You can put lipstick on a Cheney...but it's still a Cheney.

CNN has found Palin wore a ear device in her right ear. Also, if you go back and review the debate, you will note Palin takes about 4-5 seconds to respond to a question from Gwen Ifill. She received a sound bite on each question, and while Biden was making his responses.

5 Friends? Hell, tell 10 and tell them: There are 6 presidential candidates who are on the ballot in enough states to win enough electoral votes to win the election: Ralph Nader, Bob Barr, Cynthia McKinney, Chuck Baldwin, Obama and McCain (video)

JD611V @ 90:

CNN has found Palin wore a ear device in her right ear. Also, if you go back and review the debate, you will note Palin takes about 4-5 seconds to respond to a question from Gwen Ifill. She received a sound bite on each question, and while Biden was making his responses.

I thought I noticed something in her right ear, but then I figured it couldn't be, they wouldn't do something so obvious - or would they?

CMINCA @ 57:

Erroll @ 29:

While it is laudable to note how Biden distanced himself from Palin's position on Cheney and the Vice Presidency, it should be strongly pointed out that there is very little overall difference between Palin and Biden on most of the major issues. It certainly would have been nice if there were third party and independent candidates on that stage to explain that to the American people but since these debates are run by former heads of the Democratic and Republican parties it is highly unlikely that the voting electorate will be told the truth about the two corporately run and pro-militant candidates and their running mates anytime in the near future.

Were you watching the same debate. The only things I can agree with you on was the support of Israel and Gay Marriage. Although their reasons are very, very different, I can assure you.

Palin didn't really illustrate any policy, just some talking points about Mavericky Change. No actual policy or plan was ever set forth. I'm no more clearer about McCain-Palin than I was before the RNC.

I did not watch that poor excuse of a debate because, as I explained, there was no third party or independent candidate on that stage who would call them on their duplicitous statements. The Democrats do not condemn the illegal occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan as being illegal and immoral. Instead, they will claim that should be able to somehow manage these obscene wars better than the Republicans, with McCain and Palin wanting to escalate the war in Iraq while Obama and Biden favoring more military action in Afghanistan and Pakistan while both candidates issuing not so veiled threats against Iran and Russia. And who will point this out to the American people? As directed by the former heads of the Democratic and Republican parties who run these debates, they make sure that no one is afforded that opportunity.

Don@70
I keep asking this question everyday

WHERE THE HELL IS DICK CHENEY? When was he last seen in public? As you say, something is beginning to smell. He is probably in his bunker trying to wrangle something out of the last days in office.

Why have US drones been bombing Northern Pakistan? Is he trying to capture Bin laden as his last hurrah?

Cheney and Bush need to be marched off to the Hague.

IdiotShrub @ 47:

What we witnessed last night was Professor Biden educating the student (guess who). It was amusing to watch the student shuffling through her script to find just the right line to counter the Professor. Nice try, kiddo. Professor Biden's dept and breadth as well as his absolute gravitas on the issues was on full display last night.

Poll results on how well the VP candidates understood and had a grasp of the issues: 60% Palin, 98% Biden.

Dale @ 61:

Dale @ 58:

David Ehrenstein @ 50:

That was my favorite moment of the entire evening. Joe Biden "read" Dick Cheney like the telephone directory. Isn't it nice when an elected official actually understands the Constitution?

Yeah, Biden made several references to the Constitution. As if to say to Sarah, "This country is defined by the Constitution. And I put that first."

Of course, she'd first have to read it.

If she can't name a newspaper or magazine, she isn't going to read the Constitution of the United States of America. Wouldn't it be wonderful if after so long this country had two people heading the executive branch who actually understand and revere the rule of law?

Bill Iannelli @ 68:

Bill Iannelli said...
Fannie and Freddie was run by. Mudd and Syron both democrats. Hell Mudd's dad was reporter Roger Mudd from years ago.
Fannie has lost 88 percent of its market value since Mudd was elevated from his interim post as CEO in June 2005. The stock, which was near $60 a share at the time of his promotion, reached a closing high of $69.49 in June 2007 before beginning a freefall to $7.04 on Sept. 5 in New York.
Freddie followed a similar pattern, starting out near $60 at the time of Syron's hiring, peaking at $73.70 in 2004, then beginning a drop in 2007 to $5.10 three days ago. As of the end of last week, shareholders had lost about 91 percent during Syron's tenure.
Fannie has lost 88 percent of its market value since Mudd was elevated from his interim post as CEO in June 2005. The stock, which was near $60 a share at the time of his promotion, reached a closing high of $69.49 in June 2007 before beginning a freefall to $7.04 on Sept. 5 in New York.
Freddie followed a similar pattern, starting out near $60 at the time of Syron's hiring, peaking at $73.70 in 2004, then beginning a drop in 2007 to $5.10 three days ago. As of the end of last week, shareholders had lost about 91 percent during Syron's tenure.
Do you think they share some blame.
Bernanke: Appointed by Bush and has created huge problems. Chalk up bad choice to Republicans. Many on both sides of the ailes are unhappy with his performance, I would love to see him go.
Paulson: Appointed by Bush, strike two. Smart guy, way over his head with this mess, has not gone good job. Trying to cover his ass right now, making no sense when I see him on the tube.
Barney Frank: Good old Democrat Barney.
His fingerprints are all over this fiasco. Frank insisted that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were in good shape. Five years ago, for example, when the Bush administration proposed much tighter regulation of the two companies, Frank was adamant that "these two entities, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, are not facing any kind of financial crisis." When the White House warned of risk for our financial system unless the mortgage giants were curbed, Frank complained that the administration was more concerned about financial safety than about housing.
Now that the bubble has burst and the risk is apparent to all, Frank declares: "The private sector got us into this mess. Wall Street and private lenders have plenty to answer for, but it was Washington and the political class that derailed this train. If Frank is looking for a culprit to blame,just look in the mirror every morning.

Kind Regards,
Bill

Bill Iannelli
Broker
Iannelli and Associates
azrealestatematters.com

Hmm, a broker (you notice that anyone who deals with a broker is) from AZ. Gee, I guess he was polite enough to sign this claptrap so he deserves an answer. Nah, he's totally in bed with McLame and doesn't know it or doesn't care. Nice deflection (complains about Bernanke and Paulson) then goes for the gold with the attempt to pin this on a Dem from '03 WHEN EVERY COMMITTEE IN CONGRESS WAS CONTROLLED BY RETHUGLICANS Yeah, maybe Barney said something, but the party in power is the one responsible for this debacle.

Hope you get a nice tin-foil hat with your McPain blogging points. Bye-bye, troll.

JD611V @ 90:

CNN has found Palin wore a ear device in her right ear. Also, if you go back and review the debate, you will note Palin takes about 4-5 seconds to respond to a question from Gwen Ifill. She received a sound bite on each question, and while Biden was making his responses.

I am surprised that no one noticed the square bump under McCains jacket last week.
The camera pointed at his back several times and I am pretty sure it looked just like Bush's back at the debate years back.

Gaw-allll-ly. Kin I call you Crook? There you go talking about the actual substance of the debate again. I mean, do you think substance matters to those who still tie Iraq to Al Qaeda and 9/11, or those who gave Bush two terms, or those who believe it was Ron Reagan who coined "City on a hill," as Palin said in the debate? Nyet. What should scare us is that she pulled off her sorry, tired colloquial schtick...I think it was Nicole that warned us not to underestimate her in this debate and that was prescient. This was a beauty pageant to her and she prepped well. If we could rely on substance this whole thing would have been over a long time ago.

shaggles Says: I never got how Cheney could say he wasn’t part of the Executive branch and still claim executive priviledge.

The reason you never got it is because he can't do that, it's ludicrous, it makes no sense, and for you to "get it" you would have to be trained in Newspeak, Doublethink, and Intentional Cognitive Dissonance. These three things will drive any thinking person INSANE within hours, but for conservatives it feels just like home.

Alexdem @ 60:

Biggus Diggus @ 33:

I agree with Jane Hamsher that the most bizarre moment was when she didn't understand what an achilles heel was!

Yeah.. Now I'm starting to wonder if maybe she had been offended by that 'lipstick on a pig' comment.. maybe she doesn't know any common idioms?

Someone buy this lady a copy of Bartlett's.

One commentator said that Sarah Palin should have responded to the "What do you read question" with "The Economist", because, as he says, "everyone pretends they read The Economist". I took great offense to this, because I actually do READ The Economist; I'm not a poseur who pretends to do so, as this ponce who said this actually seems to be. I also don't want someone to tell me what they "pretend to read". How about a truthful answer, for once. How about an answer.

JD611V @ 102:

Just scroll down to bottom.

http://willyloman.wordpress.com/2008/10/03/what-does-gov-palin-have-in-her-right-ear/

That's a reach.

Ever get the impression Palin has been winking and fluttering eyelashes and bluffing her way through life? And getting away with it!

Dale @ 113:

JD611V @ 102:

Just scroll down to bottom.

http://willyloman.wordpress.com/2008/10/03/what-does-gov-palin-have-in-her-right-ear/

That's a reach.

A distraction from the issues we don't really need. The photos are inconclusive at best. If she was fed answers they certainly were not very good answers so who cares?

VP Debate: Biden - “Vice President Cheney has been the most dangerous vice president we’ve had probably in American history.”

2nd most dangerous if God forbid this woman gets in office. She has the phoniness of Reagan, the secrecy, deceit and corruption of Cheney with the ignorance and moral arrogance of Bush. What a lethal toxic mix.

Ruthless People @ 119:

VP Debate: Biden - “Vice President Cheney has been the most dangerous vice president we’ve had probably in American history.”

2nd most dangerous if God forbid this woman gets in office. She has the phoniness of Reagan, the secrecy, deceit and corruption of Cheney with the ignorance and moral arrogance of Bush. What a lethal toxic mix.

And she will hit the ground running with all of that already in motion.

Teddy Phuf @ 74:

CMINCA @ 57:

Erroll @ 29:

While it is laudable to note how Biden distanced himself from Palin's position on Cheney and the Vice Presidency, it should be strongly pointed out that there is very little overall difference between Palin and Biden on most of the major issues. It certainly would have been nice if there were third party and independent candidates on that stage to explain that to the American people but since these debates are run by former heads of the Democratic and Republican parties it is highly unlikely that the voting electorate will be told the truth about the two corporately run and pro-militant candidates and their running mates anytime in the near future.

Were you watching the same debate. The only things I can agree with you on was the support of Israel and Gay Marriage. Although their reasons are very, very different, I can assure you.

Palin didn't really illustrate any policy, just some talking points about Mavericky Change. No actual policy or plan was ever set forth. I'm no more clearer about McCain-Palin than I was before the RNC.

I agree largely with Erroll. Biden & bankruptcy bill? What a horrible piece of legislation. Biden looks like and is a hypocrite. The fact is Biden is centrist, and has some really bad votes on his record. I don't agree with him much on foreign policy either.
Despite this, in the choice we have in front of us, yeah, we got no choice but to support Obama. The lack of 3rd party candidate remains huge problem for American democracy.

We certainly do need more than the two parties we have. A lot of people here don't understand why there are undecided voters. Some voters vote their convictions and if neither party truly speaks to those, then what is the choice.

Biden explained his position on the bankruptcy bill; I don't agree with it, but he explained it thoroughly on one of the Sunday Morning Talk shows. He couldn't get into it much last night, stating that it was too detailed to explain the difference between Chapter 7 and Chapter 11. I was a bit uncomfortable with that, because the difference, essentially is liquidation versus the restructuring of debt. All senators and congress people have "bad votes" on their records. There is so much pork in the bills put before them, that there are reasons other than the purposes of the bills themselves for voting yes or no. For example, the Senate bailout plan provides a tax break for American Samoan business people. It provides for a tax credit for people who ride bikes to work. Whether you agree with these two policies or not, they have absolutely nothing to do with this rescue plan. The whole purpose of the original bill was to provide a rescue plan that addressed the immediate economic needs of the country and did add unnecessary or irrelevant issues to the bill. Because the voting records are taken at face value, instead of explained in proper context, it is difficult for a senator or congress person to become president, which is why we elect governors, with no foreign policy or national experience, as our presidents.

JD611V @ 102:

Just scroll down to bottom.

http://willyloman.wordpress.com/2008/10/03/what-does-gov-palin-have-in-her-right-ear/

A frame capture from the CNN coverage does not equal "CNN has found Palin wore a device ..."

And if she *was* wearing an IFB (news anchor earpiece - think Secret Service or Agent Smith from the Matrix), those are usually wireless devices with a receiver that is slightly smaller than a deck of cards. For it to be worn and escape notice, it would have to be tucked inside her dress or strapped to her thigh, and the cord would still be noticeable as it comes up past her collar and to her ear.

If it was a 'hard-wire' IFB, then she would have to plug in at the podium, and disconnect before leaving.

carol @ 110:

Hey, Doofuses, read the Constitution. Article One defines the role of the Legislative Branch. Article Two defines the role of the Executive Branch. Biden, chair of the Judiicary Committee, completely botched his little lecture, saying Article One talks about the executive branch. Article One talks about the VP's voting in the Legislature--Legislative Power. The Constitution is broken down like this: Article One powers (Legislative), Article Two (Executive), Article Three (Judiciary). He completely botched it, and you doofuses don't know what you are talking about either. Go watch a movie, it's more your speed. Fantasy.

Biden mixed up Article 1 with Article 2 Section 1. Big deal. Probably because Article 1 also talks about VPs limited role in the Senate which Biden mentioned just sentences later. The important thing is Biden understands the limits of the VPs powers, and Cheneys abuse of power

Left&Left @ 109:

JD611V @ 90:

CNN has found Palin wore a ear device in her right ear. Also, if you go back and review the debate, you will note Palin takes about 4-5 seconds to respond to a question from Gwen Ifill. She received a sound bite on each question, and while Biden was making his responses.

Dude, we have enough legitimate ammunition on this empty skirt....we don't need to turn into Sean Hannity and make shit up.

So true. Even if she had an earpiece, is this really the best she could do. C'mon now. I think I'd be feeding her better stuff than "all of the above" and "we're just a coupla mavericks".

Her extensive use of the placeholder "there" (seven times in a 97-word paragraph) is a way to remove herself. From everything. And especially in an intellectual sense.

Anais @ 102:

Dale @ 61:

Dale @ 58:

David Ehrenstein @ 50:

Yeah, Biden made several references to the Constitution. As if to say to Sarah, "This country is defined by the Constitution. And I put that first."

Of course, she'd first have to read it.

If she can't name a newspaper or magazine, she isn't going to read the Constitution of the United States of America.

I read it in it's entirity every 4th of July, and then throught the year for spot reference.

"See Spot...see Spot litigate...litigate Spot litigate...

carol @ 111:

Hey, Doofuses, read the Constitution. Article One defines the role of the Legislative Branch. Article Two defines the role of the Executive Branch. Biden, chair of the Judiicary Committee, completely botched his little lecture, saying Article One talks about the executive branch. Article One talks about the VP's voting in the Legislature--Legislative Power. The Constitution is broken down like this: Article One powers (Legislative), Article Two (Executive), Article Three (Judiciary). He completely botched it, and you doofuses don't know what you are talking about either. Go watch a movie, it's more your speed. Fantasy.

Okay armchair quarterback. When you go on TV in front of millions of viewers and hope you don't screw up your presidential nominee's campaign, because the bar has been set so low for your opponent and you're told you can't be too nice, because it would be patronizing and you can't be too fierce, because it would be viewed as bullying, you can come back here and lecture us on the constitution.

You forgot to mention that Joe Biden teaches constitutional law. He sure schooled Palin in it last night. Where are her references to the Constitution? To Supreme Court cases? To anything, in fact? She is a mean-spirited little climber who will spout off talking points all day long, but needs to be protected from the softball questions of the likes of Katie Couric. Give me a break.

On mastery of the issues: Palin 60%; Biden 98%

Next!

127 galmud

To flesh your argument out, Article I defines the Vice President as president of the senate, but with no real function beyond voting to break a tie vote. Article II goes into the actual details of the vice president in the Executive Branch where they have the potential to be more active, although John Nance Garner once described the office as not being worth, "a bucket of warm spit."

CMINCA @ 32:

Mike @ 6:

She means the VP needs to be flexable enough to avoid being held accountable and to avoid being held to any type of rule of law. This is the chink we should exploit in their armor. They believe they are above the law. She is perfect to replace Cheney she has expereince avoiding responsibility and accountability by refusing to cooperate with a legal investigation. Mind boggling.

She didn't mean anything. As usual, she didn't know what the Hell she was talking about. She is a moron. Even Republicans think she is a moron, the ones that are concerned about something besides Roe v. Wade and the Rapture. She probably thinks John will be King and she will be Queen.

She could at least, at a very minimum, watched "John Adam", the miniseries. Then she would have seen how impotent the VP role is and was intended to be.

a moron with ambition, with people enabling her. scary.

carol @ 111:

Hey, Doofuses, read the Constitution. Article One defines the role of the Legislative Branch. Article Two defines the role of the Executive Branch. Biden, chair of the Judiicary Committee, completely botched his little lecture, saying Article One talks about the executive branch. Article One talks about the VP's voting in the Legislature--Legislative Power. The Constitution is broken down like this: Article One powers (Legislative), Article Two (Executive), Article Three (Judiciary). He completely botched it, and you doofuses don't know what you are talking about either. Go watch a movie, it's more your speed. Fantasy.

Truly a minor slip up....trust me, it happens in court all the time. Now if YOU really want to watch a funny movie, pick up the compilation of Katie Couric interviewing that dumb bitch you love so much....you'll be laughing and crying throughout....dolt.

Michele @ 132:

Thank you for bringing this up. Can't believe it didn't get more play on the MSM. Chris Matthews talked about it, but it pretty much got glossed over. She essentially supports merging the executive with a portion of the legislative, thereby gutting the checks and balances system our founding fathers sought to set up. Or it could be she simply has no idea of the actual constitutional role of the VP. Is one option really any less frightening than the other?

I think she had no idea what the moderator was even talking about. Which is why the GOP picked her to be the running mate. She's cute, clueless, and easily manipulated; the perfect tool. She's pretty good at stringing a bunch of catch phrases together; but, she doesn't really know what any of it means. It's almost sad to watch.

CMINCA @ 135:

carol @ 111:

Hey, Doofuses, read the Constitution. Article One defines the role of the Legislative Branch. Article Two defines the role of the Executive Branch. Biden, chair of the Judiicary Committee, completely botched his little lecture, saying Article One talks about the executive branch. Article One talks about the VP's voting in the Legislature--Legislative Power. The Constitution is broken down like this: Article One powers (Legislative), Article Two (Executive), Article Three (Judiciary). He completely botched it, and you doofuses don't know what you are talking about either. Go watch a movie, it's more your speed. Fantasy.

Okay armchair quarterback. When you go on TV in front of millions of viewers and hope you don't screw up your presidential nominee's campaign, because the bar has been set so low for your opponent and you're told you can't be too nice, because it would be patronizing and you can't be too fierce, because it would be viewed as bullying, you can come back here and lecture us on the constitution.

You forgot to mention that Joe Biden teaches constitutional law. He sure schooled Palin in it last night. Where are her references to the Constitution? To Supreme Court cases? To anything, in fact? She is a mean-spirited little climber who will spout off talking points all day long, but needs to be protected from the softball questions of the likes of Katie Couric. Give me a break.

On mastery of the issues: Palin 60%; Biden 98%

Next!

I concur. Except the poll should have read: Biden 98%; Palin 0%

carol @ 111:

Hey, Doofuses, read the Constitution. Article One defines the role of the Legislative Branch. Article Two defines the role of the Executive Branch. Biden, chair of the Judiicary Committee, completely botched his little lecture, saying Article One talks about the executive branch. Article One talks about the VP's voting in the Legislature--Legislative Power. The Constitution is broken down like this: Article One powers (Legislative), Article Two (Executive), Article Three (Judiciary). He completely botched it, and you doofuses don't know what you are talking about either. Go watch a movie, it's more your speed. Fantasy.

Botched? Sarah Palin couldn't put together your paragraph without help. She's shown no knowledge about the government. Biden just slipped. At least he's READ the constitution.

But this has nothing to do about policy. So if you want to pull a red herring, by all means, do so. The rest of us will laugh at you for actually supporting this joke of a candidate.

Michele @ 132:

Thank you for bringing this up. Can't believe it didn't get more play on the MSM. Chris Matthews talked about it, but it pretty much got glossed over. She essentially supports merging the executive with a portion of the legislative, thereby gutting the checks and balances system our founding fathers sought to set up. Or it could be she simply has no idea of the actual constitutional role of the VP. Is one option really any less frightening than the other?

yeah and roger simon of politico didnt care. he was too happy about palin not crashing. i hope he saw the sign by wash u student saying "tire swings are not toys".