The spin zone

Sarah Palin was eloquent and pinpointing the achilles heels of Barack Hussein Obama, "no time for on the job training". We need the experienced of MCCAIN. Although I'm a democrat, but I didn't see a viable program from Obama, except "spending" and will hurt more the American ailing economy. We need to encourage business to create jobs. We need John MCCAIN foreign policy experience. MCCain has integrity and respect of American populace. Let's rally behind Mccain and elect him for President. Yes, we'll do!!!

I don't understand the repeating reference to 'maverick'. The word isn't often used, at least from my perspective, by normal, every-day people in the US. I don't have any problems with McCain (in fact, I might vote for him), and I'm not trying to pick him apart with some fallacious straw-man argument, but I think the word choice is odd. Wasn't Maverick the name of the Tom Cruse's character in Top Gun? Is he trying to 'take back' the word from the old-timey abyss that it currently resides in?
The repetition of the word seems like they're trying to push for a newly-cliched brand. It's grating on my nerves.

Well, Palin is charming and good at B.S.'ing her way out of a question by spouting feel-good platitudes. But to say that the V.P.'s powers should be extended to the legislative branch just shows she has no concept of how are founding fathers set up our government to avoid the concentration of power: the executive, legislative, and judicial branch are separate! She evidently didn't learn that in 3rd grade. She's no Dick Cheney, fortunately, but sometimes dumb is just as dangerous and stealthy.

No doubt about it, Palin does well when given time to be coached beforehand. And her background as a sports announcer sometimes serves her well, as it did again tonight. She maintained excellent eye contact with the camera (and hence "the people") and had a professional demeanor.

The content, honesty and addressing-the-subject areas were where Ms. Palin fell off.

Speaking as a college professor, were Sarah Palin a student of mine, I would have flunked her the second time she completely avoided answering a question put directly to her:

She was asked what circumstance would induce her to use nuclear weapons, and she immediately went on a scripted speech about other countries' alleged nuclear weapons programs.

She was asked about her "Achilles heel," and she immediately went into a long-winded advertisement about how great she is, going so far as to let everyone know how very close to real, live trailer trash she is by droppin' her "g" on every present participle like a Country & Western singer cuttin' loose with the good ol' boys.

She declined to identify whether Iran or Pakistan represents the most significant threat to U.S. interests.

At one point, early on, she proudly and defiantly declared that she was not going to let a debate narrator or anyone else deter her from using the forum as she wanted.

Although I support neither McCain nor Obama, given that neither candidate is willing to face the depth and scope of the multi-faceted, looming economic crises bearing down on this nation, to the extent that this debate between the dueling seconds matters at all, it is definitely a win for Senator Biden.

She actually said "I've only been at this for five weeks, so..."

If you're applying for a job that includes access to nuclear missle launch codes, we can't forgive her weaknesses because she can use "heck" and "darn" in the same sentence.

Being likeable and a "real person" is not grounds to give her keys to the white house.

"Sarah Palin was eloquent and pinpointing the achilles heels of Barack Hussein Obama, "no time for on the job training"

Obviously, Brian, you are unable to distinguish between "eloquent" and "incoherent". Her answers were fragmented, and obvious to anyone that she simply memorized a number of short speeches and re-directed every single question to formulate an answer that contained these speeches. In the beginning part of the debate, she never answered any questions directed at her. To Joe's credit, he was rather polite - he really could have nailed her on many of the issues (especially foreign policy).

To anyone who "identifies" with her folksiness and therefore, would vote for her - I have only this one question - do you want someone with the same intelligence as you to lead this country or do you want someone smarter than you leading this country?? If you've not learned that electing someone with an average intelligence has already ruined this country to a certain degree (aka George Bush), go ahead and vote for McCain/Palin and let's keep steering this country into a deeper hole...

Brian, nobody cares that Obama's middle name is Hussein. You don't see people going around saying "John Sidney McCain", so give it a rest. Typical Republican scare tactics... OH MY GOD, OBAMA'S MIDDLE NAME IS THE SAME AS SADDAM'S LAST NAME! Behavior like this shows just how desperate you guys have become. Fortunately folks like you are slowly fading into the background, being replaced by a more welcoming generation with less prejudice and more logic and reason.

Don't worry, we'll be there to wipe away your tears in November, and welcome you into the new America.

I have one question - where has this Joe Biden been for the last 18 months??? On every single issue he easily dispatched Palin. Amazing!

Biden was quick, witty, poised - Biden looked the part, spoke the part and man, did he deliver. He was distinguished and against Palin looked nothing short of presidential. I mean, c'mon, she winked a few times, gave a few shout outs and at one point may have actually spoken in tongues as far as I could tell.

I tell you, I was a Hillary supporter and had been on the fence for a while (and even considered voting for McCain before he selected Palin) but the choice is now more than clear for me. Way to go, Joe!

I don't care the mainstream media, CNN or Sfoon Rhee said about Gov Palin.
She was a great debater vs. old boy Biden.
All I knew no body trust the media anymore. They are the propagandists of Obama camp.

McCain/Palin/08

Clearly Palin is inexperienced.
At least Obama can understand all the issues, not avoid a question and come up with a plan to engage this country on track to a prosperous future.

McCain made a poor choice by picking her as the VP running mate.
It will swipe away any hope of him winning this race.

I think Obama/Biden offers the same old Washington Polictics. Lie about your opponent. The news people noted the many lies that Biden said about McCain's voting record. Just promise to have the government solve every problem known to man without offering specifics. However, the truth is McCain wants to keep government spending down and reform the government. Obama wants the government to spend an additional trillion dollars. How can he say, with a straight face, he is going to lower taxes but spend a trillion dollars more! The sounds like the mortage compaines telling people "You can afford a $300,000 house when you make $12 per hour".
Obama;s increase in spending and taxes will make America less competitive and cost Americans jobs. I for one do not want the government bureaucrats, the same ones that let the current financial crisis happen, make more of my decisions and spend more of my money. I believe that we don't need to move toward socialism as Obama is proposing.

#9 - Ray,

I couldn't agree with you more!

I was completely impressed with Biden. Think about it, he knew he couldn't come across as the tough-guy-know-it-all. He was very diplomatic.....hhmmm, like someone who should be dispatched to talk with our so-called enemies, to build-up our tarnished image in the world.

I especially loved this line: Dick Cheney has been the most dangerous VP in history. No doubt, Palin would be, too.

McCain forgot to tell veryone that he selected an unethical and abusive govenor as VP. Why did McCain and the RNC try to stop and judcial investigation?? Why is Palin so afraid and her office to testify about Troopergate? Why was Palin accepting dirty money from a crook and try to give it back recently. Why did McCain go ahead and accept money from Freddie Mac. If you looked at the paper article posted in the New Yorkr tTmes he is standing next to the CO's all "smiles" that put us all in a mess and he accepted a huge chunk of cash so "who is calling the kettle black McCain" Palin is a funny VP who couldn't even get the Commander in Iraq's name right. What a koke nobody that I know talks like that in a debate who coached her the elementary school kids in Alaska for the debate she did? She is no better and McCain did all of this to please the get the Hillary Clinton woman's vote I call it what it is the"skirt vote" and appease the "christian right" fanatics. McCain could of picked an expierenced person like Romney. He must of had a senior moment on his decision to pick Palin. I guess he thinks all of us fell and that everyone naive. What in the world was he thinking of picking a nowhwere Govenor "Palin" he did this for the wrong reasons which shows me he can't make a decision folr the good of his party. No wonder he is losing and my being a republican isn't going to fall for such a pair such as these two people running for the ticket. Quite frankly they both embarass our party and I am not the only one to feel this way. She debated and couldn't answer questions wouldn't even look in the tube so they say "Palin saved the day" I don't think she did, she should of stepped down long ago and he should of known better than to pick someone like her. They don't have my vote!