In my opinion, Biden won the debate, because I felt comfortable with Biden’s persona and outward presence, but Palin did far better than I expected, which makes me wonder who was the person in the Katie Couric interview.

On Palin.

Overall impression: Overall Sarah Palin did well. Although at times when answering questions on some issues she sounded like an automaton, she was engaging and took notes, which any good debater should do. In the beginning, Palin slightly stumbled at times and began to channel her persona from her interviews with Katie Couric, but she caught herself and rebounded.

Sometimes, she seemed condescending or patronizing towards Biden, and she at times channeled her mantra “thanks but no thanks” persona/voice, which is very irritating to me. I think she tried to provoke Biden to her advantage as well. Furthermore, at first she sounded less presidential and comfortable with the platform than Biden, but she became more comfortable with the environment and improved.

On change, Palin claimed that Americans crave something different and that McCain is change. However, I believe this is a risky argument for its blatant deception. The argument has problems.

Palin did a much better job of mentioning middle class Americans than McCain in his first presidential debate.

At one point, she attacked Biden for being an insider and his position on Iraq overall. In her closing statement, she attacked the mainstream media for making her look like a fool.

Palin on the recent financial failure: She called for strict oversight, conservation, and for Americans to live within their means.

Palin on energy: She noted that Obama voted on tax breaks for oil companies, and she discussed how she took on the oil companies, and provided a windfall profit tax against oil companies in Alaska. Biden responded by noting that John McCain has not and will not support a windfall profit tax on oil companies. She later attacked Biden on the issue of whether America should extract domestic energy and use offshore drilling to solve America’s reliance on foreign energy.

Palin on climate change: She noted that Alaska, being Alaska, observes the impacts of climate change readily. She was incoherent on the causes of climate change and whether it is anthropogenic in origin or not. She clearly did not want to discuss the causes of climate change.

She said she supports the reduction of emissions and the all-of-the-above energy approach to climate change. I do not agree with the all-of-the-above energy approach, because I believe it’s lazy energy policy. Anyhow, she criticized Obama and Biden for not offering any domestic solutions to our energy needs. However, Obama and Biden are strong supporters for renewable energy, and using renewable energy projects to build a green economy. Palin said she supported capping carbon emission.

Palin on same-sex issues: She is tolerant of adults choosing their relationships they deem best. However, she supports marriage as being left to heterosexuals, so she does not support gay marriage. The moderator should have asked if the vice-presidential candidates believe that homosexuality is a biological condition over it being a mere choice. Certainly, it would be a very hard choice to make.

Palin on Iraq exit strategy: She characterized Obama and Biden’s position on an Iraq exit strategy as a white flag of surrender.

Palin on Iran’s nuclear ambitions/unstable Pakistan: She noted that Iran cannot be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons. She supports pre-conditions before meeting with enemies or dictators that hate America.

Palin on Cheney’s interpretation of the Constitution: She claimed there is flexibility for Cheney’s interpretation of the Constitution, but she was clearly uncomfortable with the question.  She supports giving more power to the vice president.

On Biden.

Overall impression: As he should, Biden looked seasoned and emanated experience, knowledge, skill, and ability. He often mentioned homeowners and the middle class. He did a good job at staying focused and attacking McCain’s policies. At one point, Biden attacked Palin for not answering a question regarding McCain’s support of deregulation. Palin avoided the deregulation issue by claiming that McCain is known for regulation in other areas, so she did not address the issue directly. Palin then attacked Biden for his comment regarding that paying taxes is patriotic. Biden responded by attacking McCain for his support of tax cuts for oil companies. He often used the words “not true” in response to Palin’s answers.  In his closing statement, Biden said this is the most important election ever, because of how the Bush Administration has governed the last eight years. He also focused on issues important to the middle class in his closing statement.

Biden on climate change: Biden said that climate change is anthropogenic (man made), and he attacked Palin for not recognizing the causes of climate change in formulating solutions to climate change. He addressed the issue of America’s consumption. In my opinion, he won on the climate change issue, but Palin did not do bad. Biden also noted that he wants to export alternative and clean energy technologies to countries such as China, which rely on dirty energy sources like coal.  Biden said that his record illustrates his support for clean coal technology, and that he supports capping carbon emissions.

Biden on same-sex issues: Biden argued that the Constitution guarantees rights for same-sex couples. However, it seemed that he did not support gay marriage.

Biden on Iraq exit strategy: Again Biden took the issue back to McCain, and how McCain has been dead wrong on the fundamental issues regarding Iraq. He noted that Obama has been correct from the start.

Biden on Iran’s nuclear ambitions/unstable Pakistan: Biden noted that Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon would be dangerous and a game changer for the Middle East. He attacked McCain’s views on Iraq. He noted that McCain has failed to understand that an attack on the United States will likely come from the hills in Pakistan. Biden said he supports winning the hearts and minds of people in those regions by building schools as a remedy to stopping terrorism. He attacked McCain for not talking with advisories, and he attacked McCain for saying that he would sit down with Spain, an American ally.

Biden on whether McCain is change: Biden asked how are McCain’s policies really different than George Bush’s? He should have used the lipstick on the pig comment here.  Maybe not.

Biden on Cheney’s interpretation of the Constitution: He was comfortable with the question. Biden noted that the vice president should vote only when there is a tie vote, and the vice president should not be part of the legislative branch.  He claimed that Cheney attempted to increase the power of the vice president.

Biden on McCain being a maverick: Biden noted that McCain has not been a maverick on the issues that mainstream people care about like healthcare and the war.

On the moderator.

Gwen Ifill did a good job. She was objective, fair, and asked some good questions.  However, I wished she would have followed up on some questions or pressed the candidates harder regarding some issues.

Image Found Here, (AP PHOTO).