well this time I've woken up to hear it. So far, Biden is kicking shite out of her. She sounds to me as if she's been loaded up with loads of figures, and is determind to Gattlin gun them out, with out thinking about the implications of what she's actually saying. I can't quite escape from the fact that Palin is increasingly lining herself up for another constituency?. About another hour to go. I expect to be equal by the end, I'd love to see someone allowed a free run at her without a moderator though.
She's increasingly campaigning for herself with her answers, Biden looks much more like the team player, and her continual references to Alaska can only serve to alienate swing states.
Palin is a green it now appears, but doesn't want to argue about its causes, shes concerned about cleaning up the planet and is blaming other countries and is claiming America is the most environmentally friendly people in the world.
Biden wants to invest in new technologies and export that expertise, continues to belittle McCains voting record in drilling for new.
Palin sounds good on local issues though, (Alaska is an energy producing state) she supports capping carbon ommissions, Biden is going back over old ground.
Onto same sex benefits now.
Biden supports (I've made a cup of tea and want a fag) daren't hear Palin's answer.
"not if it goes closer and closer to redefining" she says. In Fairness she qualifies it, let me reflect it, she has a liberal take on it (by her standards) Biden sounds surprised but can't bring himself to support it . Both agree they don't support gay marriage.
Iraq
Palin "we've got to win" and "grow our military" and "getting close and closer to victory".
Biden "I didn't hear her plan" (I took a break at this point but it was clear that Biden was better equipped, it became embarrasing)
Iran
Palin - falls back on the axis of evil, plays the Israeli card, uses words like freedom, democracy and human rights and tries to name drop someone she's met recently.
Biden - Oh this is getting embarrassing...... 30 love to Biden, just has a better understanding of the command and controls systems in each country she alludes to. Uses Spain ultimately. McCain won't even sit down and talk to a NATO ally!!! "what hope have we got with McCain"
Palin - keeps using the McCain Palin ticket.
Personal observation now - Biden is knocking ten bells out of her on foreign policy, better briefed and more informed with thoughtful insights, it's getting embarrassing. She attacks Biden on Israel, and then accepts we agree. Second critical reference to mistakes by Bush. Biden is working up a stean here and he sounds good, Palin is a little girl lost.
Use of nuclear weapons
Palin - This would be the end of the world "period" she uses that word too much. She's been allowed by a co-operative moderator to link it to Afghanistan, yet doesn't mention it in a nuclear context!!!
Biden - Poor response, possibly wrong footed by Palin being allowed to totally divert the question. Got totally caught out here, sounds confused.
Obersevation - she shouldn't have been allowed to change the question, total avoidance of the question, but Biden sounds wobbly; getting it back now? No. Poor response
American intervention
Biden - Back on form now (of course these questions are screened first) that would explain why he wobbled when she was allowed to change it. This moderator is a bit biased I have to say.
Palin - "I'm a Washington outsider" washing her hands of the decisions and appealing to the ordinary people. (She's campaigning for herself increasingly and keeps talking about Alaska). Plays the huminatarian card. Didn't sound too bad, but very easy.
Biden - his response is good, yep, he's well briefed, and able to prosecure it
Palin - hesitates a bit, oh this doesn't sound good "John McCain knows how to win a war" (would that be Vietnam I wonder?)
How would a Biden adminstration be different from an Obama administration?
Biden - Platitudes to start with "God forbid" etc pretty predictable otherwise "It's the most important election you'll ever vote in since 1932" but he'll do everything that Barrack would have done.
Palin - No real answer but in fairness I'm not sure she's answering the question (or did I mis hear it?) She wasn't asked about the death of McCain?
It will be interesting to see if the same question is extended to her, as right now I'm sure it only mentioned Obama.
Palin - seems to have gone off message on education. I think she's hit a populist chord and has stirred some reaction from the audience, but she sounds superficial, could backfire on reflection.
Similar question extended to Palin, with the indication that she doesn't know what the VP is. Audience laughed, she said she knew what one was, but her joke was missed (I tend to believe her)
None answer by both parties, Biden the more convincing though.
Debates drifting in to what the VP should be and the suggestion that the role will be expanded, both parties talking it down. Until such time as Biden describes Cheney as the "Most dangerous we've had in history". Biden has a better understanding and more humility for the position, Palin has more ambition for the post.
(fag time again folks - might miss a bit)
Caught a bit on families - but Palin was better, she was able to reach out to a broader church and cover all the bases, Biden couldn't
Talk about what they would differently with hindsight
Both gave slight concessions to minor issues
Missed the last question, (toilet) but Bidens answer gives me little clue to what was asked, Palin's gives me hint, but I think it might hjave something to do with bringing people together..... not so sure now
Closing statements
Palin - wants to speak to the people, thanks everyone, and will fight for the middle class, she's been there, she's proud of being American, invokes a Reagan quote
Biden - pays thanks too, underlines the importance and gravity of the election, plays change card, but addresses contemporary issues, (Palin went on patriotic sentiment) starts to address the American dream but does it more subtley. Uses the "God card"
Sorry for typos folks, but tried to do it in running
I'd give it to Biden by 5 to 6 rounds, Palin was good on the family and common touch, but hopeless on the heavier issues
