Carl, everything you said here is right on. Thanks for telling us like it is.

Once again another liberal being ridiculous! As I recall Sarah is not running for president for one. And secondly if you want to talk scary, just look at the top of the dem ticket. There is someone with no experience what so ever who would take the reigns all by his lonesome on day one. That Carl, is scary. Maybe you ought to open your eyes and see the light.

And Biden, who you praise as bring so great and experienced, told many lies last night. If he is SO great and going to be one for change then you’d think he’d be different than the other politicians. But NOPE…exactly the same…lies and all.

And yeah the liberal media would think that Biden won since they are all in Obama’s pocket.

Cindy…Ga.

I forgot to say one other thing. I was bothered by the winking and “nucular”…

Enough said.

I can not believe what a joke this really is. Palin should have offended many female voters last night. Her winks and head bobs lead me to think that the hair twirl was next. Was it just me? I lose respect for any woman who would jump the Clinton ship and go towards this text book , thats what this country is looking for, Vp pick. I am outraged!

Jamie H.
Arizona

Very insightful disection of the debate. Palin, at times, was condescending in attitude, made a few major gaffes even in her non-answers. First and foremost arguing about McKeirnan’s statements regarding Afganistan (and worse calling him McClelland!). Second gaffe was accusing Joe Biden of not being able to relate to the women who must think of their families’ welfare, etc. Was she not paying attention when they ran Biden’s biography in Denver? Third gaffe: It appeared she either doesn’t understand the meaning of Achilles Heel, or she is egotistcal enough as to allude she has no weaknesses.

I believe Biden did a remarkable job, true leadership and full of knowledge. He answered and then some. As for Palin, I think she has a big heart but that’s not enough to help run a country. Just by watching her and McCain, I think they are both on different pages about alot of things. McCain is about greed and not what is best for the america people. All he loves is military subjects, the rest he’s out of touch with. I think if Palin jumped rope and went over to the Obama team, that would be a force to be reckened with. Obama, Biden and Palin. But in saying that, she is not qualified to take on such a big task just yet, more so since McCain has had so many cancers and the age he is at the moment, he could drop dead after elected and then what? Palin would become President and OMG GoD help us. No that makes no sense sorry. NO way in HELL! I may as well run to become VP or President. That’s what it has come down too. Lets pull people off the street and have them run the country. o.O

Choosing Sarah Palin for the possible presidency was an act of insanity. Totally understandable, considering the who was the “decider”. Go lock yourself in a dark closet for 5 years and see how sane you are when you get out.

Carl was wrong to say that Sen. McCain sealed his medical records. FactCheck.com showed that he released all records (over 1000 pages) while Obama only provide a few pages of his. Carl, are you sure you got the facts right? Or you are trying to mislead people?

What was most pathetic about this media coverage of the debate is she called people wrong names, don’t know who we are fighting and she didn’t fully answer the questions and you people just let it ride. If it had been Biden making those mistakes you would have rode it into the ground.

Exactly! I was stunned at otherwise intelligent human beings thought that Sarah Palin did well last night just because she didn’t stutter too much and there were no extended silences from her. She was robotic, and the winking and folksiness-I was embarassed for her. John McCain has shown stunningly poor judgement by choosing her as his runningmate. She had no idea what the duties of the Vice President were!

Great article and you hit it right on the nose!

It is very very CLEAR that Biden won hands down in the debate. If you call not answering, dodging questions ok, then people would say Palin won the debate. o.O

Way to go people! People who voted Bush and Cheney in…give yourselves a pat on the back. Now lets see if you make the same mistake again. How about voting McCain and Palin in? God Help us if you do! When I look at McCain, I see another 4 more years of Bush. Hey, McCain is Bush’ long lost brother O.O

Last night I kept hearing the term “marverick” used by Gov. Palin as it has been used excessively by the McCain campaign. When I was growing up, a “Maverick” was the ‘72 Ford we had sitting out in the driveway. That car was the true lemon that lived up to its nickname “Fix Or Repair Daily”.
So that is the feeling i get from a possible McCain/Palin administration……… fix or repair daily!

Gov. Sarah Palin’s performance is the female version of Jeff Foxworthy’s highly successful “you might be a redneck if” act, especially the dumber than a 5th grader wink, wink, thumb’s up yours gotcha she adds for emphasis. People are eating up this shtick. It fits what they’re thinking right now. Up against the three-headed dog of government in Washington she goes. As for the maverick, I’ll stick in the saddle with Obama/Biden steady is as steady does, rather than 8 more years of the Texas maverick throwing me, cutting & running with the money.

Carl Bernstein

Exactly….I think you nailed the analysis. She was full of fluff and theatrics. Call me crazy, but I need more than that in a Vice President.

Thanks for the great analysis. McCain really is throwing long, just like when he ditched his wife for the scion of a wealthy beer distributor. Or when he wet-started his jet on the deck of a carrier. Or when he ’suspended’ his campaign in order to ‘help’ with the financial crisis.

He is a contrary, hotheaded, ornery son-of-a-gun, but one thing he is not is a maverick. His record shows him closer to the ‘most conservative (#8)’ than Obama is to the ‘most liberal.’

In the same way that W tried to finish the war of his father, McCain is still trying to win the war of his father, Vietnam.

Joe was great and he will be a wonderful VP. As for Barbie Palin, I found her totally offensive. The little wink wink and hair flicking is something I expect from Jesicca Simpson not a VP candidate. The woman is a complete moron and McCain is a fool for picking her.

Carl - You hit it right on the nose!

I said it five years ago, when W was running for re-election, that McCain sold his soul to Bush/Cheney/Rove. I believe that is the only way that he would have campaigned for Bush. In exchange for his support, they promised their support in 2008. Little did he know that would be a useless promise.

The old John McCain, the man with the strength to stand on his own, the man whose loyalty to his own party has been questioned (to the point that it was rumored he would switch parties), has been MIA during this election. The Republican base isn’t his base, but he needs to appeal to them so much that he desperately chose Sarah Palin as his running-mate. That isn’t “maverick”. That’s plain idiotic.

Unfortunately, she does appeal to the ultra-conservative, ultra-religious Republican. They won’t be swayed by her lack of experience or lack of independent thought. John McCain could have chosen my dog as his running-mate and, as long as he spouts the Republican doctrine, he would get their vote.

For those people that think that the VP nominee isn’t running for president, think again. Who do you think will be president if something happens to John McCain? I can’t envision Sarah Palin in negotiations with other world leaders. She might be required to answer a question with a complete sentence. And get their names correct. And find their countries on a map.

I am outraged with Gov. Palin’s use of the phase “Joe Six Pack” to describe the average Joe. As the next potential president, and the wife of a man with a DUI arrest, I would think that Gov. Palin would chose a better phase to be homesy wink wink….Perhaps she is not aware of the over 12,000 americans killed each year by drunken drivers. Of course she is not promoting drinking and driving, but what is she promoting with the term “Joe Six Pack” wink wink…

I have a new word to add to the college drinking games–instead of wall street and maverick –how about “also”. I want to count up Palin’s also’s. I debated . It is a stalling tactic. I don’t want my VP to be” folksy”. Putin,”rearing his ugly head” may not get her regional cuteness.

Great article ….. you nailed it on the head ….. I am a woman and Sarah Palin should be embarassing every woman out there right now. McCain could have chosen from a number of extemely intelligent, experienced Republican women - his decision making should surely be called into question. Anyone who debates keeps to the format - she couldn’t keep to the format because she couldn’t answer the questions and that’s the bottom line!

Thank you for clearly stating the truth. Every time a commentator on TV makes excuses for Palin and treats her as a serious candidate, the effect is to further enable the corruption of our political process.

Cindy from Ga…you need to stop running the same old Repub talking points. They are getting old. You have a mind, you should use it sometime instead of repeating what the party leaders have told you.

Carl,
Thank you for years of great work in regards to factual journalism.
Your right about Palin being ready for a position as Secretary of the Interior .
James Watt in heels.

Sure Governor Palin exceeded expectations…but when the expectaions are at rock bottom, how difficult is that? I think that Senator Biden did excellent and it made me proud of our democratic ticket. I thought that Governor Palin was very condecending, not only to Senators Biden and Obama, but to the American people. I am tired of hearing the “hockey mom” comment come out of her mouth. I resent the Joe Six Pack comment as well, and I am a woman. There is more to our middle class culture than being a hockey mom and having a beer drinking husband… I have read many comments comments on the blogs from women who hope Sarah Palin runs for president in 2012. Are you people serious? Sure, lets put someone in office that can insult anyone’s intelligence. Palin in a national government position, either as vice president or president surely would be the 2012 armageddon predicted by Nostradamus.

Sarah Palin reminds me of the pretty girl running for vice president of the student body …. In this global day and age she is dangerously out of her political and intellectual range………someone should inform her, she’s not in the tundra anymore.

Yes she can ! Yes she can!

Palin keep telling the truth. Tell them about McCains tax and health plan that will benefit them up to 2018. Keep telling them that a “white flag of surrender” in Iraq will bring down america both miltarily and financially. The world will no longer see america as a source of strength. Keep telling them, that its the same old insiders that are running for President, but yet, there is one ticket with an outsider that can bring perspective and realness to one of those tickets. Change we can believe in!

McCain / Palin 2008/16!

Palin’s performance was nothing more than a feeble swipe at fooling the American Public. Uneducated hillbilly doesn’t go over well in my world Sarah. PATHETIC! John McCain needs to have his head examined quickly, and one of his advisors should be kind enough to tell him he has shown us the depth of stupidity his campaign will go to win the White House…

Can’t Wait to see Saturday Night Live…

Did anyone notice that Governor Palin mispronounced both “Eye-Rack” and “Nuculer” what seemed like an infinite number of times in last night’s debate? After 8 years of uneducated banter and mispronunciations, haven’t we had enough stupid talk? Is it too much to expect our leaders to correctly articulate the name of a country where we spend $10.3 billion per month or to have a vice presidential candidate, whose strength is supposed to be energy, to be able to say “nuclear?” Is this the example we want to set for our children? Haven’t we had enough?
Shouldn’t we give a couple of intellectuals a shot at it this time?
You betcha!

I think we have had enough cheerleaders(Bush college years), (Palin high school)and don’t need another four years of cheerleadering ‘leaders.’ Some low key, scholarly, intellectual diplomacy would be more beneficial for America. And that’s with a ‘wink’ and nod back at ya.!

Carl:
I agree that Senator John McCain’s selection for vice president partner, Governor Sarah Palin, was an act of desperation. But even more, I believe it was an act of rebellion by McCain.

With his version of maverick mentality, he selected Palin as a “shove it” attitude toward the GOP. In some way, the American people would also like to say those words to Congress and President Bush.

In the end, the remainder of the presidential campaign will be watching John McCain and Sarah Palin self-destruct as the GOP candidates. All Senator Barak Obama has to do is wait, calmly wait.

I wonder what debate people who still like Palin were watching, the fact of the matter is is that she didn’t answer about half the questions, and when she didn’t know something she went and tried to bring the conversation back to energy. As a matter of fact it seems to me that she contradicted herself even in the same line, on one side she said she fought against the oil companies in Alaska, then on the other side she said we need to drill.
The one other thing, personnally I think it should be off limits, are comments made during debates trying to win your parties nomination for President. I’m sure Biden said that Obama wasn’t ready to lead he was trying to be President himself, what else is he going to say, OH Obama would be a great President, BUT vote for me anyway. So philosophies can change, like being traded from one team to another, your loyalties are to the team then you get traded and most times you play twice as hard against the team you were traded from. Not exactly the same in this case between parties but I’m sure that Biden and Obama sat down and worked out their issues.

Biden is a seasoned, polished politician in Washington for many years. How does this represent “Change”?

Palin is a down to earth real person who runs a state. She is for the people. She has an 80% approval rating with the people she works for.

It’s ok if you are for Obama/Biden, but you don’t have to get personal and nasty. I won’t vote for Obama based on the issues.

Palin won hands down. Biden had at least 10 facts wrong and he’s been around for over 30 years. It shouldn’t be too hard to memorize Obama’s record because he hasn’t any.
Why all the ridicule of Palin? Afraid she going to be the winning formula for McCain? It’s typical that alot of women are so catty because they resent her accomplishments. It’s like high school again. Most women who knock other women suffer from low self-esteem. Get over it.

One more comment:
I also want to know why when Palin said last night that both her and McCain were Mavericks, that seemed to make it okay for her to not agree with everything Senator McCain likes, but because Obama and Biden are not considered Mavericks (at least they don’t call themselves by that self inflating eogitistic name) it wasn’t okay for them to disagree every now and again.
like the very word maverick gives you automatic rights to go against your party lines just because you feel like it.

I feel McCain should have informed Sarah Palin in the first beginning of the running that she may be considered. This way, she may have been able to gather a little knowledge about what is going on in the world, not just Alaska. She is NOT prepared for the second most important position in the United States. If she ignored questions being asked her durning the debate and proceeded to do her own questioning and answering…what would she do in the White House..ignore important issues presented and go with what is important to her?

They were polite to her last night. The questions were easy..I could have answered better than she did. She (to me) is not taking this position serious AT ALL. She is getty and acts as if “Gee this is fun” attitude. She doesn’t even bring the maturity, professional attitude or demeanor needed for such a very important job. She and McCain do not agree on certain things, but she feels that once she gets into the White House..who needs him. She will make her own changes is the impression I received from her last night, when she said Vice Presidents need more power. This lady is scary. I am a women and we all have heard the saying…”He may not have everything I want, but ..I can change him. This is how Palin is looking at McCain. All she wants to do is get into office.

Biden is old Washington; he’s had 20-something years to “change” things.
\
Biden not only lost the debate but he comes across as a career politician. Not good.

Hey Carl…quit being so brutally honest. McCain played his hand with the cards he could come up with. When you think about it, he was ALMOST successful. Then came the economic “surprise” and his twin did him in. I seem to remember McCain saying something about a promise to veto every “pork-barrel” bill that crossed his desk. Well he got his chance even without being at “his desk.” So much for honesty, intergrity and doing the right thing. Plain and simple John…you are just like your twin brother GWB!

CNN - Please post some of my comments!! I spend alot of time trying to respond and can’t ever get through!!! Thank you!!

Biden was Superior to Palin in every area of the debate. Sarah Palin exceeded expectations - However the bar was so low it didn’t take much for her to exceed expectations. Joe Biden showed tremendous restraint when Gov. Palin kept trying to answer all questions with the same answer.

She can really deliver a memorized line that someone has written for her. She chokes however with simple questions from voters. Tonight she moved around the questions and dodged providing answers bringing everything back to energy. Folksy is fine if you are qualified and I don’t feel Sarah is qualified to be the VP and certainly not the President.

I am getting tired of just hearing the buzz words from Palin - She has no substance.

As a side note: Palin is against the banning of automatic weapons and assault rifles. Now that may have no bearing and virtually no consequence in the rural backwoods of Mayberry where they hunt moose - But - It has tremendous bearing and significant consequences and impact in East L.A, or the South side of Chicago, or the Inner City of Detroit , or in Miami or any other major city.

She’s Folksy which can be sweet but that’s wearing very thin and it’s making me Diabetic. Sarah has no street smarts and I don’t trust her instincts. She’s not ready.

It seems that John McCain wanted to choose a woman and it was an unbelievable lapse in judgement to think that we just wanted any woman. It’s disappointing as there are several women qualified to be the VP right now that could have been chosen.

I guess John McCain thought unknown and moldable would be more
Advantageous - Wrong Call John.

Sometimes, I believe that Sarah Palin lives in a ‘fastasy world’. When ‘reality’ sets in, today, tomorrow or a week from now.., with Thursday nights ‘debate’ and previous ‘interviews’.., Sarah Palin is “not” ready to be Vice-President or President. Sarah Palin is way over her head and ‘out of her league’. Senator Joe Biden, Charles Gibson and Katie Couric proved that. The best thing for the Democratic Party is Sarah Palin. Mike in Montana

One of the more insightful review of the debate on the web. Due to all the buzz surrounding the Palin/McCaine/Obama, I hadn’t followed much of what Biden was about. After the debate, I was very impressed by him and my stance on voting the Democratic ticket has solidified. Much has been said and written about Palin and I won’t repeat, but I am really bugged about her continual comments about “Todd and I.” She said it in the debate and mentioned it several times this morning when she talked about “Todd and her” going to Michigan when McCain decided to bail out. It there is one thing I hate about girlfriends is when they bring up their “old man” in a discussion especially when it is about making decisions or their work!! This debate is about how she will be VP for the US.

palin should be ashamed of herself, instead of debating like a woman who know what she wants, she is here defending her literacy,i believe its a joke. let her ask mrs clinton how its done.but on a seriouse note this is america, the most powerful nation in the world,and this nonsence is happening here its a big shame.McCain we hold you responsible for endangering our lives because you might not be here to see the outcome of your selfishness.

When will CNN change its name to DNN, being the Democratic News Network. Mr. Biden has been in power for 36 years and during this time the US has gone form 24% reliance on foreign oil to 70% now. While Wall Street abdicated its “corporate governance” this past decade, GM and Ford failed to see the future, Mr. Biden has been an abject failure for not being part of any major Energy Legislation for 36 years, which is 12 years longer than Sarah’s running mate. Too bad Carl feels that Sarah cannot measure against the slick senator of one of the nations smallest states.

Told us that its not an obama/biden ticket but an obama ticket, joe is just along for the ride.

Carl - McCain released his medical records for 4 hours only and then released so many pages of detail that no one could reveiw them all in that amount of time.

And Cindy …. GA is on here every time I come to look. Makes me wonder if she is a normal human with a life or a McCain operative. And I write this admitting to what I am doing on Friday night!!

Very good article. Gov Palin to me still did not understand the questions given to her. Until 2 or 3 questions later she went back to the question. She is very knowledgable about energy, she has to be because she lives in Alaska! Also doesn’t her husband in the oil industry?? Everyone set the bar very low for her so I don’t think she could get any lower unless she was doing the limbo. And for analyst commenting that she did well because she looked at the camera to talk to America come on now she had that training when she was in beauty pageants!!

Right on, Carl. For Linda in Michigan - unfortunately, for the rest of us this IS like stereotypical high school - where attractive has always counted for more than intelligence. Were Palin a plain woman, I guarantee you she would still be a hockey mom in Alaska. Any woman in her mid 40’s who cannot put together a coherent sentence unless it is practiced or scripted should not be considered a viable candidate for the second highest office in the land.

Obama, is the one who should be ashamed of himself. He is the man you all want for POTUS, this man who doesn’t know how many states we have. And why shouldn’t Gov. Palin’s husband be allowed to help her campaign. Obama and Biden’s wives have been out on the campaign trail, and so has Cindy McCain. you people are doing nothing more then nit-picking. Biden, tried so hard to cry last night, because he knew he was losing. There’s nothing worse then a man tries to cry, and doesn’t shed a tear. I think all you Obama Supporter’s are starting to see that this is not the sure win, you might think it’s going to be. Sam, maybe you should read a book, or at least know how to spell, before you blog about someone else’s faults.

Carl, thank you for the straight delivery. I agree with all you said.

There are a few things that I feel that I need to comment on as well. I believe that Biden did win the debate. I am an Obama supporter; however, McCain was one of the republicans in DC that I actually respected. Well, I did before the last four years.

I would like to say that for the lady that believes women are making negative comments because we are jealous, this could not be further from the truth for this lady! I am an educated, middle-age, confident mother of two who has been married to her husband for almost 17 years. Oh, by the way, I am a proud member of the middle class. I make my decisions based on facts and figures, not on other people’s opinions. I have stated from day one when the media was saying that women love Sarah Pallin, this woman is not impressed.

She touted an energy policy that is non-existent. “Drill, baby, drill!” does nothing for the energy crisis that we now face. Nuclear energy should be investigated, but I have no idea what “nucular” energy is! In addition, she praised “no child left behind,” which is one of the worst failures the federal government has ever promoted.

I do not need more interviews from her, and I definitely do not need her to “speak directly to the American people.” I do need for other people to seriously look at all of the very critical issues that face us today and explain to me how they believe that a McCain/Pallin ticket can lead this country where it needs to go.

1 She was not answering half of the questions at theV P debate rather than answer the question she by hearted some fraces repeting that again and again.
2 She said a small business hire an employe that effect on their tax. All payment for the employies right off as a business expences, so the business don’t need to pay the tax for any salary or any expencesses for the business and no way it effect on the tax

So Sara Palin don’t have no clue what she talking about.

Anderson, I watched with awe as Gov. Palin took on a 30 vet from the Senate. How can Sen. Biden say his canidate is the one to vote for when he said himself he was not fit to be Commander in Chief? Or that he would serve on Sen. McCain ticket? As a Soldier and Officer I would much rather have Sen. McCain as my Commander in Chief and Gov. Palin advising him from what the people of Main Street are feeling and thinking? Not Sen. Obama who wants to tax those who make over $250,000 so I turned down the job, and have chosen to return to Iraq and hopefully stay until we finish the job and not work toward a timeline of 12 months from Sen. Obama.

v/r

Jim P. Guffey Jr.
Fort, Knox KY

I am very pleased with this article! More importantly, I am deeply saddened at the turn that the Presidential campaign has taken. Yes, people are sick of Washington, yet being sick of Washington does not say put someone like Sarah Palin in office. I am shocked at anyone who says that she did well last night. Yes, she remained calm, but she did not say anything with any substance and she did not and could not state what McCain stands for. She could, however, state what she would change if McCain died. Which leads me to my next point, with McCain being 72, it is highly likely that he will not live through the next 4 years -I am fearful for the hands the country would be left in. At, least where Obama falters, Biden picks up. Palin does not balance the Republican ticket at all. Next, she is not common - her family is sort of dysfunctional! It is bad enough that the divorce rate is sky high and teenage pregnancy. Is this the message and example we want displayed for America - I don’t! Her “beliefs” says that it is okay to be pregnant and a teen and it is even okay to force teenagers (the young man obviously does not want to marry her) to get married -what happened to encouraging teenagers to go to college? I don’t want normal in the White House, I want someone who I will be/feel comfortable with in office. She obviously cannot run her family - I am not opposed to women being in office; I am opposed to Sarah Palin. Where is America’s sense of respect?!

I am amazed that Americans can even consider that this woman could possibly be VP of the greatest nation in the world. A heartbeat away from the presidency. John McCain has done serious disservice to our country by choosing her and she, by accepting.Ludicrous! Can we please move on from this debate issue as it is of no importance. Biden was knowledgeable and at least courteous to her since she obviously is clueless and he was gentlemanly enough not to call her on it. What good would it have done and who would have cared anyway. The 850M is the problem. Buffet is typical of Wall Street. Buying up GE cheap and will sell high. Just like Wachovia, AIG, Sachs, all of them and more to follow. Should be in jail. Don’t know if we have enough room in the jails for all the crooks from Wall Street supported by members of congress. Can’t believe Obama and Biden voted for pork barrel. Thought they wanted Change! To be expected by McCain. Total disappointment. If Obama wants to make good time next month, better have some relief and help for recession rather than tax cuts, etc. There won’t be any money for anythingIts going to be scary time and we don’t need promises that can’t be kept. We need change all right - No promises, just action.

Clearly anyone could see how coached, rehearsed, Palin was….all she did was read from her notes….she was rarely on topic….had she not had coaching then you would have seen a repeat of the Katie Couric interview. I am not looking for a hockey mom …or boys and their 6 pack to be running our country. Senator Biden was strong, educaated, knowledgable, and clearly very experienced. His tears talking about his family won my heart and my vote…Where does the media get off saying Palin held her own…she was a total wreck.

It is obvious that Palin doesn’t have a clue to the issues going on in the country. I am a firm believer in first impressions are lasting impressions and her interview with Katie Couric is the true Sarah Palin. The Debate last night helped me make my mind up on who to support. She is trying to decieve the American people that she is informed but she’s not. I did not hear a straight answer from her. She looks pretty as a woman but silly as a politician. I’m proud of what she has accomplished in her life but she is not ready for Washington and she is not ready for the United States.

Well maybe I’m just a sucker for falling for women but she really seduced me with those winks and at the same time she was a good debater really levelled the playing field with Biden. You know she reminds me of a superhero, someone that sweeps out of nowhere and saves te party. Look, we’ve been at this “change” angle for the longest time now and no one has been able to define it in my opinion.
Since no one has been able to tell me what “change” is, I’m going to vote for Sarah since she has the power to seduce world leaders much less the one’s in congress to pass bills and folks, that’s bi-partisanship in my books … Thank you …

they are really scraping the bottom of the barrell,with pallin.does she not realize that alaska is not a separate country?also she must have x-ray vision to see russia from her home or office.she also need to get her eyes checked that’s a very distracting tic in her right eye,i hope that it’s a medical problem,because it is definitely not cute,and for goodness sake losethesexual come on!!!!!!!!!!!!

Does America even have a heart or common sense anymore? What u left wing media and liberals don’t understand is that Sarah Palin is just like us middle class Americans. We are sick and tired of politicians like Joe Biden or Barack Obama. Don’t you people understand that they’re lying. She called out Joe Biden last night and all he could do is smile because he knew. In America you work your butt off to get to where you want to be in life. NOBODY wants a handout. You earn everything you receive in life, gov’t doesn’t give it to you. You see what gov’t gives you. I’m always proud to be anAmerican and the people who cling to their guns and religion are the reason you people have your freedom first place. Nancy Pelosi, Barney Frank, Harry Reid, CNN, NBC, CBS, ABC, and Barack Obama are stealing the country and taking your freedom right under your noses and you don’t even know it. It’s funny how they all say the same thing. I guess they all get the same memo. DO RESEARCH, your media won’t do they’re job. WAKE UP AMERICA!!!!

Truth is in the ear of the beholder…. In this day & age who ever thinks Palin is a good pick as VP must be from another planet !

This country is in such a mess, don’t know when we’ll ever get out of it. This bill is alful, however if not passed, small business will go under therefore lost of more jobs. Job lost is out of the ballpark, so no matter who voted or who didn’t just doesn’t matter.
McCain is to old to think straight(he is my age and no way do I want him in the WH, especially with that dim whit with him. ) I don’t want a vP who winks and says you betcha with other world leaders. God forbid.

Once upon a time when post office employees were losing it and shooting up the place someone coined the phrase “going postal”. Well, I’m gonna do the same thing here now. When someone’s at a loss for words, acting dingy, babbling, and uttering complete nonsense it’s now called “going Palin”. She gives one interview and completely flops, so her next interview she comes back with her babysitter…I mean her running mate John McCain and we’re supposed to elect this woman vice president? I don’t think so!

Palin wouldn’t “talk down” to Alaskans the way she talked “folksy” in the debate…. it is an insult to everyone that she thinks that is appealing! And for those who think the she has a high approval rating in Alaska, you are only listening to McCain campaign claims. She might have been the lesser of 2 evils in the last governor’s race, but she sure isn’t fooling anyone here with her biases and favoritism.

Biden looked good in the debate……he should he has been a public speaker for the last 30 some years…..he should have performed better than Palin. As for Palin, it looked like she stuck to the script and never deviated…… as for change, that is all we heard from both, it is going to change, I am just not sure I heard how.

Frankly I am not impressed being called a Joe Six-Pack or my wife being called a Hockey Mom. We are intellectual people with minds and we know what matters. Drill Baby Drill…..great but we won’t see any gas or oil from this for TEN YEARS!!! Sarah ….you are small time and we need BIG minds to solve and turn this country around…..Go back to Pageants and play your flute and tell judges what you beleive in….Elections where you receive 900 votes (Wasilla election) or 114,00 votes for Alaska Governorship. Bow out and go wink at someone who doesn’t know any better. Maybe you should talk to the people who know how detrimental drilling in Alaska will be…..primarily the Inuits and other native people…..they have a pulse on the Alaskan wilderness.

Anderson,
My Brother travels the world extensively & he said all over Europe
G W Bush is called a buffoon. We certainly do not need a buffoon as VP
(Palin) & most certainly not another one as President.
Beth

As commented on earlier - a Blogger argued that Sarah Palin has every right to hace Todd campaign with her is indeed normal as Obama, Biden’s and McCain’s wivws are helping them campaign.

I believe that the negative comment regarding Todd may have been put forth as an irritation just as it is an irritation to me - Not because he campaigns, but because it has been brought to our attention that Gov. Palin copies Todd on E mails regarding Alaska State Business, That Gov. Palin has had Todd sit in on meetings regarding Alaska State Business and that Gov. Palin has sent Todd on errands to be her eyes regarding Alaska State Business.

I don’t believe that Todd is on the Alaska State Payroll or that he has been hired by the Governor’s office to perform specific duties —–

So, Why does Todd have to help Sarah Palin be the Governor of Alaska??

Well, after watching Sarah Palin over the past 2 weeks it is certainly obvious why she needs help.

I cannot disagree more with most of the TV pundits right after the debate on how much Sarah Palin beat the expectations. Yes, she may not have tripped on the stage. But, she has never answered one question with straight and intelligent answer. She probably treated this debate as the Q&A section in her beauty contest, in which most contestants divert the answer to “world peace” regardless of the question. She did the same by diverting everything to energy, Iraq, or Maverick, even providing no convincing specifics on these talking points. I think she is a disaster. Selecting her is clear evidence that John McCain is very selfish and only has winning the election in mind. What an irony to his “country first” or “straight talker” campaign slogan! Every American with a slight sense of consciousness should do his best to make sure this team of Bozos does not get elected.

Excellent article. Thank you.

This is the first presidential election that I have been interested in. Therefore I do not know or understand a lot about politics. What I found helpful was the journalist reviews. “Picking” apart the speaches and debates. Through thier informative analysis I have learned what really happen in a situation”. I appreciate the work that the journalist do in thier fact findings missions…..thank you!

When Gov. Palin was debating for the Mayor and governorship, video shows she was not in the character of “Elle May Clampett”. Palin hammed it up for the biggest debate of her life, only to lampoon and make a fool of herself, Sen. John McCain, The Republican Party and American people. What a waste and a setback for women.

Sarah Palin made it clear that her and John are without a plan. How nice.

Wow, frightening that the whole world is watching as an incompetent, uninformed person like Palin is in a position of potential power. The terrorists must love this and are hoping McCain wins, especially since he has less than a 40% chance of living out a full term. I am sure that Palin, with all of her foreign relation experience will be able to handle the terrorists. I bet she can’t even pic out foreign diplomats out of a line up.
Women in America get some education and self respect. Palin is DANGEROUS for this country- what part of that can’t you see.

While I do not like to see anyone lose a debate we all know that someone does have to lose. Palin was good and she really did get the point across. I watched Biden and I saw that he really liked her and I think he respects her. Biden has also had a hard life but, I feel he is stuck in good old boy politics. He seems a decent man and I wish him well, However, I feel Plain won the debate. My problem with this whole issue is that Obama has less experience as Biden himself said during the debates for Presidents and no one brings that up but, because Palin is a woman she get her experience dragged though the mud. Do not listen to what is on TV go to your books, computer and Library to really look up those facts and you will see that Obama is simply not as good as Palin.

As an undecided voter, I wanted to base my vote this November on the debates, interviews and VP picks. As we all know, last night’s debate was equivalent to an NFL team losing without fumbling the ball or throwing an interception. Palin gave basic answers and didn’t once look confused, but she paled in comparison to Biden’s experience and political knowledge .
As a woman, I can’t help but feel that Palin makes me look bad. I wish she would execute her interviews and comments with more diplomacy. The winking and soccor-mom talk is somewhat offensive. The McCain campaign has absolutely no reason to call the uber-hilarious SNL skits sexist; not after this past VP debate. I can’t take Palin seriously anymore. My bottom line is this: McCain has disappointed me with his VP pick. This is the time that Americans need reassurance and can trust our leaders. I’m not sure the McCain/Palin ticket will do that. If McCain loses the election you can mark my words that it would be largely in part to his VP choice.

It’s a big deal that the debate was more than just a typical attack of
party diffrences, or econemy debate sure Sarah Palin took more
camera attention and more smiles, does that make her the win-
ner. Not so much about winning there was the Presidential candidates on their debate last month attacking each other.
For this one it was more about showing what both VPs can provide
the american middle class as far as change, Also being on point
about how will they show support, from the white house into
tax matters I felt closer into the problems more clear in the way
questions were answered.

I agreed with what you wrote. It disturbs me that the candidates are not answering questions. This has more to do with the presidential debate where Jon McCain kept berating Barrack Obama and not mentioning his views. I can see how that works from a tactical standpoint, but was I the only one who noticed that on many key issues he simply just said that Obama is wrong. Palin had very little substance, but she is a piece of work and the camera loves. The question has to be raised if we would want Palin to lead the country if something were to happen to McCain.

I seriously believe that we, the american people are much smarter and insightful than we are given credit. McCain-4 more years of pain. Our focus should be: Who can get us out of this mess? I believe the american government should reflect the lives, values of its people. The majority of people are realize that the time has come for some fall house cleaning.

I felt like I was watching a Saturday Night Live skit. Biden sounded positively presidential while Palin would have a fight on her hands runnng for class president.

Excellent article, Carl Bernstein! You said it all and said it very well! I hope that your views are widely published. Thank you.

McCain is reckless and Irresponsible for selecting Palin as a running mate. It’s very dangerous politics.

The sounding point Carl…”an unprepared vice presidential candidate running on a ticket with the oldest presidential nominee in history — a 72-year-old with four cancer surgeries.”

She is a bigger idiot than the character protrayed on SNL.

Carl
Excellent article. It scares me to my core that Republicans continue to put their narrow minded, black and white ideology above the well being of the country, have they not learned from the last 8 years of incompetence?

Cindy, rather than reguritating talking points try and educate yourself please.

Alan
Regarding medical records, Obama released his and there was not much to see, hence the one page. McCains 1000 page “book” was released to the press in a locked room for a few hours. Lets face it McCain is not exactly what you call a picture of health.

It is right to point out the intellectual deficiencies in the McCain -Palin ticket. We have just finished 8 years with a president full of intellectual deficiencies. Given Palin’s performance on Thursday, we have to ask ourselves whether we want a vice president conducting diplomatic relations using “Palin Speak”. I suggest that the answer is no. First and foremost, she does not listen to the people who are the other part of the conversation. That is why she does not answer the question. Secondly, she is woefully ignorant regarding our constitution and the laws surrounding it. This was evidenced by her answers to the “right to privacy” question by Couric and the vice president question as posed by Ifill. Thirdly, she cannot think on her feet. This is evidenced by her inability to answer even simple questions which take her off guard, such as the magazine question. She lacks all of these qualities which are necessary if the United States is to conduct itself in a worldwide forum. It is part of her job. They will not be able to hide her under a rock, as they are doing now, should she be elected to the position of vice president. Or will they?

I watched Sara Palin with the thought, What if she became President?
Her folksy language may look cute in small towns, but no world leader would take her seriously. They would laugh at her.
.
If she were meeting with Heads of State would she just ramble on about her favorite topic and not discuss the topic at hand?
Senator Biden choked up at the memory of losing his wife and daughter in the car accident and almost losing his son. She was so programed with her memorized answers she didn’t even have the decency to acknowledge his loss. She was rude. Is that how she would handle a world leader who just had a tragedy? Just babble on about energy.
She is not fit for a Cabinet Post let alone VP
If the GOP wants to groom her for the future they have a lot of work to do. Educate her on events in the world, how our government works and teach her some manners.

Palin in know way shape or form shaped the room in her debate with Biden. She is a soccer mom who probably does really well at soccer games but is she ready to be in an all important role of VP of the US - a role she does not even know what the job is. I think not! At this time in our countries situation financially and globally we do not need someone who needs ON THE JOB TRAINING. We need someone who has experience with politics - someone who knows the Washington ropes. This is not the time to experiment with an unknown. What Palin said on stage was no more then I could have said. I know all to well generally what needs to be done, what I did not hear from her was specifics on what Palin and McCain’s plan of action would be. I did hear what Biden and Obama’s plan was. For goodness sake Palin did not even know who many troops were currently in Iraq. How on earth could she be trusted to run this country if the unspeakable ever happened — that scares me…… She can only hide behind cute winks and the good old boy talk for so long - it’s not impressive it just shows me how inexperienced she really is.

The reason to support the McCain/Palin ticket is that the alternative is deeply frightening. I won’t bring up the associations of Obama but the world we are living in now does not need a president who would even consider cutting defense spending.
Does Obama still believe that Iran is not a threat as he did earlier?
What about Russia!

Thank you Carl! I was afraid that no one was going to “tell it like it is” and accurately describe the train wreck a/k/a Sarah Palin’s performance at the debate.

WOW! I really enjoyed reading your comments which I agree with wholeheartedly. I wonder why it is so hard for many Republicans to accept the reality you portray and why is it so difficult for people to accept the truth. Denial is defined by some as an unconscious acceptance of what the conscious mind cannot accept. Isn’t it scary that so many of us seem to be walking around unconscious and like zombies unable to see what is right before their eyes. America needs real help and something needs to happen to unit us so we can live out the greatness we’re so capable of. When I see and participate in the Obama rally’s across the country, I see diversity and something happening beyond my wildest dreams, and I too am Proud to be an American for the first time in my 57 years. I didn’t feel this way when I returned from Vietnam, I didn’t feel it when I graduated from college, grad school, when I got married, had children, etc, etc. But I feel it now, and my pride is at experiencing People of all races, and ethnic groups coming together to vote into office the best man for the job regardless of the color of his skin. This is the America I love, this is the America I dream of, this is the America I hope the Republican Party will wake up to. I pray.

Right on Mr. Bernstein! I was beginning to think the political analyst’s were all crazy after the debates or I was the crazy one. You said so many things I thought anfd more! Thanks for asurring my sanity!

You know this McCain campaign of late kind of reminds me of Mel Brook’s Movie ‘Blazing Saddles’ in real Life ! Thats REALLY Scary !

Palin is a joke, for the rep who think that she is ready to be VP, shows they have a very low appreciation of the VP office of this country

Again, an astute analysis by Carl Bernstein. Her vacancies were replaced with no substantive lines and flirtatious gestures. What kinds of judgement goes into supporting her for a job she cannot handle.

Alan,

The reason why Obama only released one page is because there is only 1 in which is physician said that he is extremely healthy and has almost no body fat. He only needed one page because there isn’t much to say beyond he has a perfect bill of health. Yes, McCain did release over 1000 pages of his medical records, but only to a few select journalists and only for a few hours. Oh what to do……. so many malinomas and so little time. Perhaps you need to check your facts.

Palin is an insult to the women that have worked hard to acheive an education and success. In my world, if I used the cutey pie gosh darn personna, I would be dismissed as a fool. The women that are falling for the ” hockey mom, aren’t I cute, ” VP candidate, in my opinion need to look around at some real down to earth, intelligent women that work hard & juggle family & work. What’s inside that cute little head? Not much. Face it she’s not very sharp–only her tongue is sharp.

How dare you speak the truth with balance… Seriously, McCain had my respect until he started running his campaign like a jack in the box. You really never know what you are going to get. This isn’t the time for drama queens, and I’m not speaking about Palin. McCain has become a drama queen everytime there is a problem, he goes off the deep end trying to appear presidential.

McCain is the one who is supposed to be the cool hand luke, but it’s Obama who is acting like he’s been there before. When you are losing, you show your true character, and I’ve had enough of McCain’s desperation politics. Unfortunately, it’s only going to get worse with 30 something days left until election. I expect McCain to throw everything in the book to make Obama a shade darker if you catch my drift.

What the debate really told us,are you kidding,McCain,never wanted her to begin with,they just kept him from picking his buddy Joe.So picking her,was a way to get even,with those people.And as far as i’m concerned,the republicans,went to the cross roads,for what they did to Sen Cleland.There is nothing,nothing the,republicans won’t do to win.

I am a fifty year old female who registered as an independent in the 70’s to make a point to myself that I would never be a party driven voter. Because of my conservative views, I usually have voted Republican and had decided to support John McCain in the presidential election. I have recently changed my mind simply because I find Palin such an insult to my intelligence, and sadly, I’m just average. If nothing else, a candidate for president/vice president of the United States should be a person whose very presence demands respect. After seeing Palin winking, blinking and nodding, I was just waiting for her to pull out her pom poms. It troubles me that McCain would choose such an embarrassing person as his running mate. My vote, which would have been cast for McCain, will now be cast against Palin. If I find her demeanor offensive, how will leaders of foreign countries view her! I also think most women find the hockey mom reference insulting. I know I do! I personally found, as a mother and a teacher, children’s scholastic accomplishments more deserving of a prefix than any sport affiliation.

It’s amazing that Palin thought it necessary to correct their little “drill baby drill” chant, but didn’t think it necessary to get the Afghanistan top Army Commander’s name correct or Biden’s at one point (calling him O’Biden). I was not impressed at all to her admitting that she wouldn’t answer the questions that the moderator asked. To me it just proved that she was only prepared to spit out whatever she practiced the week before, it didn’t make me feel like she was “being real”.

It show us that this woman isn;t qualified to be a dog catcher , the people in Alaska must be easy to fool to put her in the governors offive. Now saids Obama is atached to communist caracters, what is the Republican party comming to . Are they that desperate that now the brother of John Mccain is now calling northern Vergina commumist country. I have voted for white men all my life , whats wrong with voting for a black man . Also may i re mind you that is half white.

Sandra, don’t feel alone. I can’t count how many times Cindy from GA. has been posted. Any time someone has any negative to say about Palin, HERE COMES CINDY. I know this won’t get posted.

Palin’s remarks about being outside the Washington and media elite is another whine we have heard multiple times. She calls the VP debate a “filter”. You would think answering the questions would let the American people know what her and McCain stand for, but oh no, she wants to go back to the kitchen table and soccer mom. We got it! What we don’t get is her knowledge on the issues. Biden absoultely won the debate, hands down…without the winks.

The fact that Palin wanted to “pivot” only reinforces the fact that she could not answer the questions at that time because they did not jive with her notes as written. Sad. Sarah clobbered herself, don’t blame Ifill. Biden had no problem in answering the questions as asked. Have we heard Biden whine about the debate, no. I try to imagine Sarah sitting down at the political table which is talking about a certain issue and she wants to change the topic because she didn’t bring the right notes.

I realize that becoming a President or Vice President is a new experience for anyone going in for the first time. Cannot have all the answers. The important thing is that you have enough knowledge and working relationships with the politicians that do. Does that mean belonging to the elite, no. It means that you are able to work across all party lines for making decisions that serve the American people.

If Republicans are such Christians, Why do they support John McCain Knowing his wife is the hier to Budwiser King of D.W.I’s?Sounds like they are a bunch of pagans. Does Palin Know about Cindy’s ties to the Liquer Industry?

I am truly appalled,Sarah Palin should be forced to retract her “terrorist” comment, she is beyond words, first she misquoted Albright now she is dredging up this “vietnam terrorist” who Obama has already addressed. If that is the case let’s talk “keating five and the anti-semitic ” groups that McCain has been affiliated with. Truly I am on Anderson 360 because is there no RATIONAL person of standing in this country who will state the OBVIOUS, Palin is nothing but an incendiary blowhard that the Republicans are using to DISTRACT us !!!! Truly mortifying to know that people around the world look at her as a reflection of Americans.

Whatever happened to government for the people and by the people? We do not need someone 30 years of experience in politics. We need someone who is intelligent, honest and surrounded by others who know how to do their jobs. I don’t care if Palin or Obama lack “experience” in Washington. This article disgusts me with it’s bias against Palin. I think she did very well. Biden sounds great when he’s just throwing out statements as facts that are totally inaccurate. He just makes things up and few people call him on it. Read the transcripts. What’s the deal?

Sounds like Shane is the proverbial sucker born every minute. Mrs. Palin is every bit as much a politician as the next guy. She might be new to the big league, but if you buy into that not an insider, then i know where you can get a good deal on the Brooklyn Bridge. Folksy charm is a nice tactic, but quoting James Westbrook Peglen kind of should let you know why she did not respond to the question asked earlier in the week, What do you read? I think she is masking views so far right that Rove must be ecstatic and filled with glee. The brian of Cheny in a womans body with the heart of Rove. Diabolical.
Sarah is one heck of a used snow machine saleslady.

IPalin is one slick politician, and she is a politician, you don’t get to where she is by being little miss main street. If you think otherwise then they have a good deal on a bridge in NYC, you can buy.
Now as the McCain camp will go to the last chapter of the Rove play book and go negative. ( Like his role model said, lie big enough and long enough and they will believe it . SWIFT BOAT 101) We will see the other side of Sister Sarah, the not insider insider. What is sad is that the media will put the fuel in the boats for them if they do go negative and you will hear nothing of Keating 5 , Westbrook Pegler and others in the McCain brain trust who they both seem to quote a lot..

Both Presidents Bush and Clinton began their terms as relatively youthful looking gentlemen but they aged visibly during their tenure. Considering the pressure of the office, McCain may not make it – WHAT THEN!??? I’ve been called “the older lady” myself so there’s no bias here against age. The thought of SarahPalin as President scares me to death!
Secondly, why doesn’t someone start asking Mrs.-Hockey-Mom-Pitt-Bull-with-lipstick what her views are on civil rights and racial diversity and equality. I understand that the debate moderator’s questions needed to be somewhat restrained due to claims of potential bias because of her book but someone PLEASE ask these questions – when she’s not scripted – surprise her!

The writer summed up the situation pretty acurately. I am in the Caribbean and looking at Ms Palin makes me feel that America is falling from grace. We all look up to America and it hurts very much to see Ms Palin being offered as a candidate to lead this great nation. If Mc Cain wanted a female he certainly could have found someone better. Is this what being a maverick is all about? No. this is wrecklessness.

If we haven’t become aware yet that character matters, then we deserve what we get in November. Candidates from inside Washington are groomed to say what we want to hear.Including McCain. Sarah Palin hasn’t yet had time to owe favors to unscrupulous lobbyist and wealthy businessmen.So she isn’t polished yet on handling the media, she has shown good judgement so far in her governing of the state of Alaska and her personal life, in my opinion, Obama on the other hand, has shown poor judgement in many of those who he chooses to associate with. Character and good morals matter most to me. An intelligent person, as Sarah has shown herself to be,can easily ask questions and learn,unlike most leaders in politics .

Say it ain’t So Joe, Sara Palin and John McCain can save the Tax payers even more money by simply Conceding to Oboma now. Their is no possable chance that they can pull their campaign within a close competative race with a chance of winning short of an Act of some Devin Power. Do the math Joe, Its Insane to throw away millions of dollors buying TV adds that will only lead to utter embarisment for the McCain campaign. Go home Joe-McCain, you had a good fight but you lost the war. Oboma will be the next President of the United States of America.

She is a maverick like Mr.Ed was a hippopotamus. I also use my ass as a typwriter also. She is a pathetic, last ditch effort by McFossil and his crew to keep living on the bankroll of their campaign contributors. They are certainly not making a meaningful contribution to the process! Self proclaimed mavericky mavericks ought to be more mavericky when announcing their maverickness to a maverick hungry mass of maverick fans that seek such a sincere level of maverick-like maverickness also. Oh, I may not answer questions the way Americans want me to if elected but I can see Russia on a globe at the library, and also…and maverick too, also.

I cannot wait to hear that line on tape from a NATO summit where she is quoted on global media!

she don’t know what she is doing, and if she wants to run with the big dog then she sould be treated like a big dog and not a puppy.

I think you’re right on. I really don’t get who is impressed by Palin’s so-called folksy-ness. I think it’s contrived and down right insulting. It seems that both she and McCain think that her overwhelming charm will eclipse the obvious fact that she lacks the intelligence and thoughtfulness (nevermind experience) to be VP. Biden schooled her at every level and to think otherwise is just a fantasy.