Vice Presidential Debate Report Card

It may have been one of the most watched debates of our generation. Everyone in America was chomping at the bit to see Sarah Palin mutter out one of her characteristic George Bush-esque ramblings or to see Joe Biden spill out another one of his gaffs. While neither of the two happened, there were plenty of moments worth mentioning. Here is my admittedly biased report card of last night's debate:

SARAH PALIN: C-

Going into the debate, Palin had us wondering if she would be phoning a friend or asking the audience when asked about foreign policy or the economy. Given her recent catastrophes with journalists such as Katie Couric, I say she had a distinct advantage going into the debate. Should she have been able to simply string a coherent sentence together, we were all but certain to say she came out better than expected. Coherent sentences she did indeed give us, but they appeared to be nothing more than regurgitated speeches written by the McCain camp. Nonetheless, she did gain a few points for appearing to be the intelligent woman we have been told she is. She came across as not only well-versed on the issues but articulate. While I believe the latter to be true of her, I simply cannot give her the former.

The downside to her performance was the incessant plastic smile, folksy rhetoric, and cutesy winking. They made her appear somehow arrogant and unrefined at the same moment. I found it to be nothing short of obnoxious and nauseating.

Her best moments were when she was able to relate to average Americans, something her running mate has yet to do. The scariest slice of her performance was when she suggested the Constitution allows for greater power and flexibility in the Vice Presidency. At the debate watch party I attended, a collective "WTF?" resonated throughout the room at her mere suggestion of this idea. It's scary enough thinking there is any possibility, large or small, that she should have to assume the role of President. To think, however, that she intends to wield power from the Vice Presidency may be the scariest thing I've seen since Dick Cheney.

JOE BIDEN: B+

People often call out Joe Biden for his gaffs. As for his debates though, Joe Biden came off as charismatic, intelligent, and experienced during the primaries, and last night he delivered the same. Joe Biden is nothing if not witty and often charming. His strength in this debate was utilizing those skills sparingly. He used them to punctuate his policies appropriately. He clearly explained the Obama-Biden plan and drew sharp contrasts to the McCain-Palin plan. Perhaps his most genuine moment was when he reminded Americans that he knows what it is like to be a single parent and to struggle with some of life's most horrific challenges. Biden touched the soul of America when he said, "But the notion that somehow, because I'm a man, I don't know what it's like to raise two kids alone, I don't know what it's like to have a child you're not sure is going to -- is going to make it -- I understand." This not only showed his authenticity but put to rest the notion that Sarah Palin somehow relates to mainstream America better because she is a working mother.

The one criticism I offer for Biden's performance is that he did not truly debate Sarah Palin. It was disappointing to see that he apparently gave into the idea that debating Palin too hard would appear as bullying. He argued his positions quite well, but often seemed to be debating McCain more than Palin. I would have liked to have seen him put more pressure on her. In many ways, she was the one applying the majority of the pressure -- and he aptly responded.


Nearly every poll in America today has indicated that Independents favored Biden in this debate. News outlets across the nation have declared him the winner, and frankly, I agree... though I'm sure this comes as no surprise.

Best Quote of the Debate: "So you're going to have to replace a $12,000 plan with a $5,000 check you just give to the insurance company. I call that the 'Ultimate Bridge to Nowhere'." - Joe Biden