09:37 pm
Live Blogging the VP Debate I
Okay here we go.
9:01 I hope Gwen Ifill kicks Palin’s ass at some point.
9:03 Palin was charming, asking if she could call Biden Joe.
9:03 First question: bailout and failure of House. Biden not best or worst, but economic policies worst we’ve ever had. Aside: he’s hoarse. Goes straight to Obama’s four point plan. Emphasizes middle class.
9:05 Palin goes straight to a frame of how this is affecting average folks. That is a much stronger approach than Biden’s wonky answer.
9:06 The new McCain/Palin mantra: a noun, a verb, and Freddie/Fannie.
9:07 Second question: polarization. This format is going to help Palin. No wonder that the McCain campaign pushed it.
9:07 Biden goes to McCain’s comments about fundamentals of economy is strong. Palin comes back with argument that McCain was speaking to and about the American worker. She’s prepared, at least on econ questions. And she’s being homey.
9:09 Ifill calls them for not answering the question. Next question: financial meltdown — who was to blame? Palin says it was predatory lending. Palin: Never again. Charlie: Yep, never again elect a Republican money sucking slime weasel. Now she’s lecturing Americans on personal responsibility.
9:11 Biden hits McCain about McCain’s support for deregulation. Cites that mag article but it wasn’t a major magazine. Still, he’s sticking to the right talking points.
9:13 Side on the people’s side? She’s just this side of coherent. Problem is, so are many Americans. They’re going to cheer for her and want to like her.
9:13 John McCain has voted for tax increases 476 times — pow! bang! boom! Challenges Palin to answer question. Palin avoids replying, saying she’s not going to answer the questions the way you or the moderator want.
9:15 Gwen Ifill is jumping up and down in the weeds on tax policy. Trying to call out Palin?
9:16 Good line: when you do well, America does well. Biden the middle class warrior.
9:17 Palin just (indirectly) called Biden a socialist. What’s the Wall Street bailout. That’s his answer, me thinks. Calls Biden for calling tax increases patriotic. Claims she and Todd have been in middle class.
9:18 Palin has memorized her talking points, but they seem disconnected to the post-meltdown reality.
9:19 “We don’t call that redistribution, we call it fairness.” “Ultimate Bridge to Nowhere. Heh.”
9:21 What promises can’t you keep? Biden: foreign assistance, then goes into McCain’s tax policies. Energy, education, affordable health care all keepers. Really didn’t answer question.
9:23 Palin doesn’t answer question either. Talks about how she took on the oil companies in Alaska. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Oh man, you’re killing me. The fact you even know the names of the CEOs proves what a corporate shill you are.
9:24 Ifill calls her on not answering the question. Palin again avoids it.
9:25 “I’ve been at this five weeks.” ?? Not the message she wants.
9:26 Biden points out McCain and Palin are on opposite sides on windfall profits.
9:26 Bankruptcy bill. Palin says she’d support changes but then changes the subject. Noun, verb, Fannie Freddie. Biden called on his support for bankruptcy bill. Good.
9:29 Palin keeps coming back to energy whenever she doesn’t know the answer to a question. And format lets her get away with it.
9:30 Palin is a good actress, but she’s a parrot, not a politician.
9:31 Incoherence alert! Palin is warming! Danger! Danger! Biden needs to hit her on Bush’s position on climate change.
9:32 Palin: a noun, a verb, and energy.
9:32 Biden: if you don’t understand the cause, you can’t come up with a solution. Second direct hit on Palin.
9:33 Clean coal. Sigh. Bet Palin hits him on it. Makes the point on the problem with drilling — 10 years until we get anything out of it.
9:34 Did Palin just correct Biden on drill baby drill? Heh.
9:35 Senator O’Biden? Heh.
9:36 Biden has a good line about McCain favors only things that don’t work or things that the Government doesn’t do.