Story Photos
![]() Democratic vice presidential candidate Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., left, and Republican vice presidential candidate Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin face off during a vice presidential debate at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo. on Thursday. Ron Edmonds / The Associated Press
|
Biden, Palin spar in lively debate
Thursday, October 2, 2008 9:20 PM PDT
By Jim Kuhnhenn
The Associated Press
ST. LOUIS — Under intense scrutiny, Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin stood her ground Thursday night against a vastly more experienced Joe Biden, debating the economy, energy and global warming, then challenging him on Iraq, "especially with your son in the National Guard."
The Alaska governor also noted that Biden had once said Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama wasn't ready to be commander in chief, "and I know again that you opposed the move that he made to try to cut off funding for the troops and I respect you for that."
Biden responded that John McCain, too, had voted against funding, and said the Republican presidential candidate had been "dead wrong on the fundamental issues relating to the conduct of the war."
The clash over Iraq was the most personal, and pointed, of the 90-minute debate in which Palin repeatedly cast herself as a non-Washington politician, part of a "team of mavericks" that she said was ready to bring change to a country demanding it.
From the opening moments of the debate, Biden sought to make McCain out as a straight-ahead successor to an unpopular President Bush. "He voted four out of five times for George Bush's budget, which put us a half-trillion dollars in debt and over $4 trillion in debt since he got here," he said of McCain.
Palin merely accused Biden of reciting the past rather than looking to the future. "Americans are cravin' that straight talk" that McCain offers, she said.
The two running mates debated for 90 minutes on a stage at Washington University, their only encounter of a campaign with little more than one month to go.
Recent polls show Obama with a small but perceptible lead, and Republican officials said earlier in the day that McCain had decided to pull out of Michigan, conceding the state to the Democrats. At the same time, his own aides said the campaign may soon begin to advertise in Indiana — a state that has voted Republican in every presidential election since 1968.
Palin faced enormous challenges of her own, though. After five weeks as McCain's ticket-mate, her poll ratings had begun dropping and even some conservatives have questioned her readiness for high public office.
Her solo campaign events are few, and she has drawn ridicule for some of her answers in the few interviews she has granted — including her claim that Alaska's proximity to Russia gives her an insight into foreign policy.
After intense preparation — including two days at McCain's home in Sedona, Ariz., there was only one obvious stumble, when she twice referred to the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan as "Gen. McClellan." His name is David McKiernan.
Biden's burden was not nearly as fundamental. Although he has long had a reputation for long-windedness, he is a veteran of more than 35 years in the Senate, with a strong knowledge of foreign policy as well as domestic issues.
For much of the evening, the debate unfolded in traditional vice presidential fashion — the running mates praising their own presidential candidate and denigrating the other.
Palin said Obama had voted to raise taxes 94 times — an allegation that Biden disputed and then countered. By the same reckoning, he said, McCain voted "477 times to raise taxes."
They clashed over energy policy, as well, when Palin said Obama's vote for a Bush administration-backed bill granted breaks to the oil industry. By contrast, she said that as governor, she had stood up to the same industry, and noted that McCain had voted against the bill Obama supported.
Biden said that in the past decade, McCain had voted "20 times against funding alternative energy sources and thinks, I guess, the only answer is drill, drill, drill."
"The chant is, 'drill, baby drill," Palin countered quickly, unwilling to yield to Biden on that issue — or any other.
On the environment, Palin declined to attribute the cause of climate change to man-made activities alone. "There is something to be said also for man's activities, but also for the cyclical temperature changes on our planet," she said, adding that she didn't want to argue about the causes.
Biden said the cause was clearly man-made, and added, "If you don't understand what the cause is, it's virtually impossible to come up with a solution."
Related articles:
Some facts adrift in VP debate
Analysis: Candidates hold their own
Debate quotes
Old Charlie wrote on Oct 2, 2008 9:50 PM:
cobra kai wrote on Oct 2, 2008 10:30 PM:
biasmedia wrote on Oct 2, 2008 10:55 PM:
mad her out to be and did have a lot of good points and you can tell she got under
Biden skin dont know what one would be good for the country because there politicians and they all lie even in there sleep but the media had this set up as a dumb hick going squiring off the best and smartest debater ever and that women hold her own and got in a lot of good licks so dont know if it was all sexist or just media bias but they where wrong "
ccd wrote on Oct 2, 2008 11:08 PM:
sleepless wrote on Oct 2, 2008 11:10 PM:
I know you have very low expectation for Sarah Palin, but this is not even close, unless you think she is running for the city counsel of Wasilla. And "Biasmedia" give me a break, would you stop that already...would you say fox news fair or balanced ?ok let's say so..go check their poll on the debate ..so far Biden won 60 to 39% do you need anymore proof? if you're still not convinced check all the polls from cnn, abc, cbs, washington post...etc etc..not a single poll showed that Biden did not win..but again..biased media... "
ccd wrote on Oct 2, 2008 11:16 PM:
cobra kai wrote on Oct 2, 2008 11:36 PM:
hawkster wrote on Oct 2, 2008 11:42 PM:
An observer wrote on Oct 3, 2008 12:52 AM:
Tonight each side will proclaim a victory, but Palin seems to fit that mold. "
worriedone wrote on Oct 3, 2008 4:20 AM:
Truer words were never spoken.
Obama/Biden '08 "
Amazed By Ignorance wrote on Oct 3, 2008 6:00 AM:
Silly Billy wrote on Oct 3, 2008 6:59 AM:
gimpy wrote on Oct 3, 2008 7:16 AM:
tazer baby wrote on Oct 3, 2008 7:22 AM:
funnyone wrote on Oct 3, 2008 7:31 AM:
TDN Bad Boy wrote on Oct 3, 2008 7:35 AM:
Pierce Co. Repub. wrote on Oct 3, 2008 7:46 AM:
pangborn wrote on Oct 3, 2008 8:27 AM:
She got there first.
It is called body language and she used it well. She bobbed and weaved in all the right places.
Her last two weeks in Sedona for grooming was apparent. She is a quick study.
I think she could have debated her position. She chose instead to be the cheerleader.
I thought everything she said was a Rah Rah for Old John.
He needs all the help he can get. "
banana hammock wrote on Oct 3, 2008 8:28 AM:
pretty easy to get a fair review. "
Lucky7 wrote on Oct 3, 2008 8:34 AM:
Anyone whom truly believes Palin won last night's debate has NO clue in life!
Three criteria commonly used to judge a debate:
1) Quality of Presentation
2) Knowledge of Topic
3) Clear reason for position
On top of this you have time limits, speaking skills & a few other things.
In this debate Joe Biden didn't just win he CRUSHED Sarah Palin. It wasn't close people. If you think any different you're obviously from another planet. Come On! I've seen a few high school debaters with better politcal knowledge & presentation. Palin is a joke! She needs to step and allow a qualified candidate to fill. Paul, Romney or Huckabee would give McCain a chance with Indpedents like myself! Palin - Zero Chance! "
dudester50 wrote on Oct 3, 2008 8:43 AM:
JD Hogg wrote on Oct 3, 2008 8:47 AM:
TwentySomething wrote on Oct 3, 2008 8:48 AM:
Today, I checked in on the response to the VP debates, and I am seeing a slight discrepancy here as well. US media polls are declaring Biden the winner, but the BBC headline says: "Both Biden and Palin Won Their Bouts". Interesting. "
cobra kai wrote on Oct 3, 2008 8:58 AM:
country gal wrote on Oct 3, 2008 9:00 AM:
longviewbiz wrote on Oct 3, 2008 9:12 AM:
Some thing people don't keep in mind is all elected officials don't stand like a dictator and dictate. They have advisers and use then as they see fit. A vise president has those adviser's to do just that advise. The only thing anyone can say about Palin that is remotely bad is her not having a knowledge of middle east politics of a college professor. What she did bring to the table was honesty and integrity. Something Biden did not. He lied over 10 times to the American Public during this debate. I personally see her as a breath of fresh air that is not afraid to cross lines, even her own parties to represent the country she serves. I predict even if she does not make it to the white house, this is not the last we will see of Palin. "
Simple Man wrote on Oct 3, 2008 9:20 AM:
hope wrote on Oct 3, 2008 9:30 AM:
Is she going to talk about "drilling" when Congress asks her to vote about the economy? "
flatbakman wrote on Oct 3, 2008 9:41 AM:
tdn reader wrote on Oct 3, 2008 9:43 AM:
Silly Billy wrote on Oct 3, 2008 9:48 AM:
caldera wrote on Oct 3, 2008 9:51 AM:
AliceKinnon wrote on Oct 3, 2008 9:53 AM:
Who is this educated woman you speak of, TDNBadBoy? "
Redline67 wrote on Oct 3, 2008 9:59 AM:
JMKelso wrote on Oct 3, 2008 10:00 AM:
The Wall Street Journal calls Palin "confident" and "folksy," and adds she held "her own against her vice-presidential rival." The New York Times reports "Palin exceeded expectations in this highly anticipated face-off." In a similar front-page analysis titled "The Politics Of Spunk," the Los Angeles Times reports, "If Palin's goal was to show that she could credibly share the stage with a seasoned politician -- then she succeeded beyond even many Republicans' expectations." The Financial Times says Palin "appeared well-prepared." Roll Call reports that,"Her performance may end questions about her ability to grapple with complicated issues."
Some print stories are even giving Palin the win. The AP reports, "While both vice presidential candidates achieved their goals Thursday night, the stakes were much higher. "...Palin won." USA Today says, "Both candidates exuded confidence and determination -- a victory of sorts for Palin, the first-term Alaska governor performing on equal terms with the six-term Delaware senator." "
donnie54 wrote on Oct 3, 2008 10:03 AM:
American First wrote on Oct 3, 2008 10:11 AM:
TDN Bad Boy wrote on Oct 3, 2008 10:17 AM:
AliceKinnon wrote on Oct 3, 2008 10:31 AM:
"Some print stories are even giving Palin the win. The AP reports, "While both vice presidential candidates achieved their goals Thursday night, the stakes were much higher. '...Palin won."
Why didn't you post the quote in its entirety?
Here, let me do it for you:
"While both vice-presidential candidates succeeded in their only debate of the campaign last night, the stakes were much higher and the bar was much lower for Palin. So, in the contest of low expectations, Palin won." "
Lucky7 wrote on Oct 3, 2008 10:32 AM:
Anderson82 wrote on Oct 3, 2008 10:34 AM:
OBAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA 2008 "
DUH wrote on Oct 3, 2008 10:38 AM:
Happy Camper wrote on Oct 3, 2008 10:39 AM:
Lazer Infant wrote on Oct 3, 2008 11:06 AM:
Viewpoint wrote on Oct 3, 2008 11:07 AM:
tdn reader wrote on Oct 3, 2008 11:08 AM:
AmericanGirl wrote on Oct 3, 2008 11:16 AM:
Kem Cho wrote on Oct 3, 2008 11:16 AM:
Lucky7 wrote on Oct 3, 2008 11:17 AM:
slowburn wrote on Oct 3, 2008 11:26 AM:
Happy Camper wrote on Oct 3, 2008 11:45 AM:
biasmedia wrote on Oct 3, 2008 11:47 AM:
Lucky7 wrote on Oct 3, 2008 11:48 AM:
LviewLocal wrote on Oct 3, 2008 11:49 AM:
biasmedia wrote on Oct 3, 2008 11:50 AM:
DW wrote on Oct 3, 2008 12:09 PM:
Mr. Bastinado wrote on Oct 3, 2008 12:15 PM:
1973 Chinook wrote on Oct 3, 2008 12:16 PM:
DUH wrote on Oct 3, 2008 12:20 PM:
Mr. Bastinado wrote on Oct 3, 2008 12:28 PM:
Gondolapete wrote on Oct 3, 2008 12:28 PM:
Tired of it wrote on Oct 3, 2008 12:33 PM:
Diesel wrote on Oct 3, 2008 12:40 PM:
DUH wrote on Oct 3, 2008 12:41 PM:
klb65 wrote on Oct 3, 2008 12:43 PM:
TDN Bad Boy wrote on Oct 3, 2008 12:52 PM:
Pinky wrote on Oct 3, 2008 1:55 PM:
OBAMA 08 OBAMA 08 OBAMA 08 OBAMA 08 OBAMA 08 OBAMA 08 OBAMA 08 OBAMA 08 "
Pierce Co. Repub. wrote on Oct 3, 2008 2:39 PM:
flatbakman wrote on Oct 3, 2008 2:43 PM:
DW wrote on Oct 3, 2008 3:15 PM:
turkeyhunterman wrote on Oct 3, 2008 3:20 PM:
citizen pote wrote on Oct 3, 2008 3:26 PM:
TheGenius wrote on Oct 3, 2008 3:44 PM:
TheGenius wrote on Oct 3, 2008 3:54 PM:
Lucky7 wrote on Oct 3, 2008 4:13 PM:
Cheney119 wrote on Oct 3, 2008 4:21 PM:
Cheney119 wrote on Oct 3, 2008 5:03 PM:
turkeyhunterman wrote on Oct 3, 2008 5:19 PM:
American First wrote on Oct 3, 2008 5:46 PM:
cobra kai wrote on Oct 3, 2008 5:49 PM:
dude wrote on Oct 3, 2008 5:49 PM:
bmack wrote on Oct 3, 2008 6:21 PM:
cheney119 wrote on Oct 3, 2008 6:50 PM:
kalama river resident wrote on Oct 3, 2008 7:06 PM:
CowlitzSounding wrote on Oct 3, 2008 11:12 PM:
dogshead wrote on Oct 4, 2008 5:01 AM:
TheGenius wrote on Oct 4, 2008 9:56 AM:
speedydog wrote on Oct 4, 2008 10:07 AM:
1982 Hawaii Pacific College – 1 semester
North Idaho Community College (Idaho) – 2 semesters, general studies
University of Idaho (Idaho) – 2 semesters
Miss Wasilla pagent Beauty Contest (Alaska)
Miss Alaska pagent (Alaska – 2nd runner-up and Miss Congeniality award
Matanuska-Susitna Community College (Alaska) – 1 term
1987 University of Idaho – 3 semesters – BS in journalism
Of course the two guys with law degrees did't win a beauty pagent so I guess that they won't be resorting to wink, wink, kiss, kiss as a flirty ploy to curry favor. Heaven help us! "
toledoone wrote on Oct 4, 2008 10:26 AM:
Palin is running as the Vice President.
McCain is running for President. More Kool Aid for the folks please. "
Rocko wrote on Oct 4, 2008 11:18 AM:
Boonies wrote on Oct 4, 2008 11:29 AM:
AmericanGirl wrote on Oct 4, 2008 11:56 AM:
sportymom wrote on Oct 4, 2008 12:21 PM:
DW wrote on Oct 4, 2008 1:19 PM:
cheney119 wrote on Oct 4, 2008 4:50 PM:
DW wrote on Oct 4, 2008 5:15 PM:
Cheney119 wrote on Oct 4, 2008 5:43 PM:
Rosey Glasses wrote on Oct 4, 2008 10:09 PM:
sleepless wrote on Oct 4, 2008 11:41 PM:
Boonies wrote on Oct 5, 2008 8:10 AM:
toledoone wrote on Oct 5, 2008 9:58 AM:
TheGenius wrote on Oct 5, 2008 10:04 AM:
TDN Bad Boy wrote on Oct 5, 2008 1:54 PM:
bucketball wrote on Oct 5, 2008 5:08 PM:
bucketball wrote on Oct 5, 2008 5:12 PM:
Pronunciation: \ˈmav-rik, ˈma-və-\
Function: noun
Etymology: Samuel A. Maverick †1870 American pioneer who did not brand his calves
Date: 1867
1: an unbranded range animal 2: an independent individual who does not go along with a group or party
With that said, why does he have to always go against his party? Is it because they are always wrong? If he was a true maverick he'd be a Democrat. "
Pierce Co. Repub. wrote on Oct 6, 2008 7:11 AM:
TheGenius wrote on Oct 6, 2008 1:55 PM:
Old Charlie wrote on Oct 6, 2008 9:35 PM:








Printable version
E-mail this article
Past Month's Most Commented Stories