St. Louis Showdown: Biden and Palin Debate

The vice presidential candidates had their only debate in St. Louis tonight, and, if anything, Republicans are likely relieved that Sarah Palin acquitted herself smoothly while Democrats are likely relieved Joe Biden wasn't too aggressive. And overall, it was a very fast-moving and "energetic," as the NY Times' David Brooks said on PBS, debate. Presidential scholar Michael Beschloss didn't think it was very exciting, since there were no real zingers, a la Dan Quayle and Lloyd Bentsen's exchange in 1988, though Biden did call McCain's health care plan "the ultimate Bridge to Nowhere" and Palin did say, "Say it ain’t so, Joe."

Since this was the only debate, the topics spanned domestic and foreign policy, economy, energy, even gay marriage. Palin was very colloquial (with a lot of gonna's, betcha's, etc.), used folksy charm (when she met Biden, she asked if she could call him Joe), and played up her regular middle class background. She also emphasized her place as a Washington outsider and the governor of a natural resources-rich state. Biden hit a lot of talking points, pointed to his experience in dealing with issues, and teared up when discussing the death of his first wife. He focused more on attacking John McCain than Palin.

Here's a partial transcript of the debate. The NY Times has been checking the facts behind the VP candidates' assertions and MSNBC has video clips from the debates.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on October 2, 2008 10:38 PM

Comments [rss]

Leon Freilich

BLAME McCAIN

Sarah Palin as V.P.?

Prospect makes one nervous.

Paris Hilton's better choice--

Be of greater service

bagelman

goshdarn'it, what're all y'all new yorkers talkin' 'bout on this here goth'mist dot calm website? aren't y'all mavericks like we are?

robingee

#91 - cuz knowin' how to read is elitist! Gee willickers!

Steven

#87

Problem is most Americans ARE stupid and dumb. They usually follow what their family, friends or media tells them because they aren't educated enough to have an option for themselves.

Steven

#87

Problem here most Americans ARE stupid and dumb. They usually follow what their family, friends or media tells them because they aren't educated enough to have an option for themselves.

JenChungsBaby

I don't see what's elite at being interested in actual facts and figures as opposed to choosing who to vote for based on who I feel connected most to me.

But I do see how your point of view is simple. So I guess you're half right.

midtown

Dude69 - to quote Ricky Gervais, "...are you having a laugh?"

The national debt passed 10 trillion last week.

"You're having a laugh!"

Dude69

President McCain/Palin will bring back small government, traditional family values and take back the American economy from the hands of the Wall Street back to Main Street. USA will be debt free and energy independent for many years to come under the Mavericks!

Headzo

Dude69 and others attacking the "liberal media" and "liberal elite", can you please explain to me how Katie Couric asking a question like "What magazines and newspapers do you read" is a liberal question?

I hear the term "liberal media" thrown around a lot, I'm really just curious.

robingee

She did stumble and fall. Because she did not think for herself.

Dude69

Look, all you liberal Obama supporters/worshippers were wishing for Palin to stumble and fall like she did at the liberal media filtered interviews. Even you have to agree that did not happen. When Sarah was addressing the public she was addressing her base, and that doesn't include die-hard Obama neophytes.

bklyngrrl

sorry, I just needed to vent.

bklyngrrl

It is absolutely terrifying to me that ANYONE would think that Sarah Palin did better in the debate last night. She could only reel off non sequitor talking points and said absolutely nothing of substance about ACTUAL PLANS that she and John McCain have to help regular American people. I am truly disappointed with how gullible, too easily impressed, shallow and misinformed people are in this country. No one sees this like a train coming on full speed to wake up and realize that McCain/Palin ticket is exactly Bush/Cheney's insane ideology repackaged for soccer moms and Joe six-pack. During Bush's first term, he destroyed America. During his second term, he tried to ruin the world. What's next? Why DON'T PEOPLE GET IT??! Pick up a freakin newspaper or talk to someone from any other country but ours who hasn't fallen under this delusionary spell that has been nicknamed patriotism. Sorry but this election is another train wreck and I see it coming. McCain will probably get elected Nov. 4 and all the Monday morning quarterback reports will see this clearly when it's already far too late. Wake UP PEOPLE!!! This is not American Idol!!!!

tingo

Why do people consider 'liberal elitist' such a fault?

How is being compassionate and well-educated a fault? Isn't that a good thing?

How is a folksy person who dones't grasp certain concepts or doesn't understand what the vice president really does, or who has only been 'at it for 5 weeks and doesnt' have any policy views yet' a good thing?

Mr Mel

If Tim Russert was the moderator she would never have been allowed to skirt the questions. If she didn't have a stock answer she wouldn't answer the question. She's a fake.

chiefeditor

Biden summed the whole thing up so nicely.

Outter Burrougher

cowboys, #76, laughed my ass off at her use of o'biden

gothamistgal

Screw Palin... Tina Fey for VP '08!!!

Fritzdecat

she talks out of the side of her mouth what message does that form of body language convey? Hmm?

babyhitler

I want to eat sushi off palin's private parts like those chicks in "shodown in little tokyo" with dolph lundgren and the late brandon lee. I don't want her as my vice president.