Palin, Biden Clash In St. Louis Showdown

VP Candidates Spar On Credit Crisis, Foreign Policy, Energy And Taxes In Nationally Televised Debate

(CBS/AP)  Vice presidential candidates Sarah Palin and Joe Biden clashed on the financial crisis, foreign policy, energy and taxes in a nationally televised debate on Thursday night.

Click here to watch video from the debate, plus reaction and analysis.

Palin committed no major mistakes, but CBS News chief Washington correspondent Bob Schieffer gave the edge to Biden.

"I thought Sen. Biden had a very good night," Schieffer said. "Time and again, Gov. Palin would choose not to answer the question."

A CBS News instant poll of uncommitted voters who watched the debate also showed Biden to be the winner by a margin of 46-21 percent. About one-third thought the debate to be a draw.

But Palin's debate performance boosted her standing with these voters. Fifty-five percent said they now thought better of Palin. Fifty-three percent now think better of Biden.

Eighteen percent of the uncommitted voters say they now back Obama. Ten percent say they now support McCain. Seventy-one percent remain uncommitted.

Click here to read more from the poll.

As the much-anticipated debate unfolded, Palin accused Barack Obama of voting against funding for U.S. troops in combat and chastised his Democratic running mate, Biden, for defending the move, "especially with your son in the National Guard" and headed for Iraq.

"John McCain voted against funding for the troops," as well, Biden countered, adding that the Republican presidential candidate had been "dead wrong on the fundamental issues relating to the conduct of the war."

Click here to see fact-checking of this and other claims made during the debate.

Biden did not immediately reply to Palin's mention of his son, Beau, the Delaware attorney general, who is scheduled to fly to Iraq with his National Guard unit on Friday.

Palin also has a son who is serving in Iraq.

The exchange over Iraq was easily the most personal, and among the most pointed, as the two running mates debated for 90 minutes on a stage at Washington University in St. Louis.

They also clashed over energy, the economy, global warming and more in their only debate, with little more than one month remaining in the campaign and McCain struggling to regain his footing.

Biden was scathing in his criticism of McCain's position on the Iraq war, calling him the "odd man out" for his refusal to accept a timeline for the withdrawal of U.S. troops.

But Palin countered that a timetable was tantamount to "a white flag of surrender in Iraq," and at a moment when victory was "within sight."

She also said Biden had once supported McCain's view of the war, and noted that he once said 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."

"I don't know how you can defend that position now, but - I know that you know, especially with your son in the National Guard."

As for Obama, Palin said, "Another story there. Anyone I think who can cut off funding for the troops after promising not to - that's another story."

Biden's reply was in clipped tones. "John McCain voted to cut off funding for the troops. Let me say that again. John McCain voted against an amendment containing $1 billion, 600 million dollars" for protective equipment that is "protecting the governor's son and, pray God, my son and a lot of other sons and daughters. He voted against it."

CBSNews.com senior political editor Vaughn Ververs offered this analysis: "There may have been two candidate on stage tonight but all eyes were fixed firmly on the poltiical newcomer from Alaska, whose uneven performances in recent media interviews have raised questions about her qualifications for high office.

"While Palin stuck to her campaign talking points and, at times, veered away from the direct questions, she addressed a range of issues with the kind of specificity voters have not heard from her. It may not be enough to change opinions that have begun to turn against against her, but it could help soothe nervous Republicans who have taken to openly questioning her selection for the ticket."

"Biden proved that he's capable of getting past his penchent for committing gaffes and brought the full force of the three-plus decades in the U.S. Senate to bear in the debate," Ververs said. "He was effective in making his campaign's case against John McCain and avoided looking condescending towards Palin. Palin may have had the most to win or lose but Biden didn't do anything to hurt Barack Obama's cause."

Click here to read more of Ververs' debate analysis: "Palin's Steady Act All GOP Could Ask For".

Palin, who has been governor of her state for less than two years, was under intense pressure to demonstrate a strong grasp of the issues as she stepped onto the stage. Polls show the public has become increasingly skeptical of her readiness for high public office.

As is her custom on the campaign, she spoke in familiar terms, saying "betcha" rather than "bet you" and "gonna" rather than "going to."

She also spoke to the home folks. "Here's a shout-out" to third graders at Gladys Wood Elementary School in Alaska. She said they would all receive extra credit for watching the debate.

"Can I call you Joe?" she asked Biden as they shook hands before taking their places behind identical lecterns.

He readily agreed she could - and she used it to effect more than an hour later. "Say it ain't so, Joe," she said as she smilingly criticized him at one point for focusing his comments on the Bush administration rather than the future.

She made only one obvious stumble, when she twice referred to the top U.S. general in Afghanistan as "Gen. McClellan." In fact, 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."

[sickofpalin]

JOEJOEPALIN IS AN IDIOT

[obamaslame]

CBScensorsU, Your name could not be more true... CBS has only one agenda... The same as NBC,CNN,MSNBC... Liberal... Love the name!

[sickofpalin]

DOES ANYONE THINK(REPUBLICANS) MCCAIN HAS A THINK FOR SARAH

[wl7bzh]

When it comes to politics women should be obscene and not heard!

[sickofpalin]

PALIN IS SO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!UNQUALIFIED

[xmanborg]

Saple Question and Answer for Sarah Palin Read Below.

QUESTION TO SARAH PALIN: Can you tell me how Alaska has Relations with Soviets and what qualifies you as a diplomat with the Russians.

SARAHS PALINS ANSWER: Well just recently is currently believed that the ocean levels rose and fell several times in the past. During extended cold periods, tremendous volumes of water are deposited on land in the form of ice and snow, which can cause a corresponding drop in sea level. The last "ice age" occurred around 12-15,000 years ago. During this period the shallow seas now separating Siberia from North America near the present day Bering Strait dropped about 300 feet and created a 1,000 mile wide grassland steppe, linking Asia and North America together with the "Bering Land Bridge". Across this vast steppe, plants and animals traveled in both directions, and humans entered the Americas. So that makes us all Russians because we all walked over that land together holding hands to North America and it makes us all Kin-folk in other words we are all related and one big family.

[obamaslame]

Oh Yeah, There is a tustworthy source of information the New York Times...

[martin9p2]

It''s easier for Biden to avoid "gaffes" that it is for Palin to fake intelligence.

[martin9p2]

If Sarah fubbs up tonight, it''ll be the last nail in the GOP coffin and there''ll be a funeral tomorrow before sunset. I hope you know this is not a joke.

[xmanborg]

Hey martin9p2

The question is not IF but When .

[misha128-2009]

It''''s easier for Biden to avoid "gaffes" that it is for Palin to fake intelligence.

Posted by martin9p2 at 04:12 PM

yea with shorter answers there will be more questions -- this should be interesting.

[redbds]

PALIN IS SO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!UNQUALIFIED

Posted by sickofpalin at 04:10 PM : Oct 02, 2008

SO!!!!!!!!!!!!! IS OBLAMA

[joetoolswat]

I''''m going to play Palin bingo tonight!

www.palinbingo.com

Posted by daffy64 at 04:21 PM : Oct 02, 2008




I know!


It''s hilarious!



www.palinbingo.com



pass it on!

[misha128-2009]

THE BEGINNING OF THE END


From the NYT:


McCain Pulls Out of Michigan

John McCain%u2019s decision to cancel a campaign event in Michigan next week was not a matter of scheduling: Mr. McCain is giving up his effort to take the state back into the red column, concluding that economic distress there has simply put the state out of reach, according to Republicans familiar with the decision.


Posted by gun_tower at 04:10 PM

The AP report indicates he is pulling commercials and staffers from Michigan too.

[noloyalisti]

If you think Obama is unqualified just look at his answers to questions and hear his vision. Then look at Quaylin who doesn''t even know who Hamas is, doesn''t know what Supreme Court decisions are and can''t give a straight answer.

The lipstick should come completely off the Government of Pigs (GOP) tonight. Of course they will steal this election again, that''s what Republicans are about.

[pastdue1]

Hopefully, the debate will shed light on Palin''s knowledge. She has already dazzled us with her genuine glittering generalities so now she can surprise us with some genuine knowledge. Perhaps she can give some details on her resume claims. Perhaps she can give us some specifics on her knowledge of Russia ~ who really runs Russia now, what kind of government do they have? Perhaps she can give us a definitive stand on Roe V Wade. Is she truly anti abortion or just pro life? Would she work to repeal Roe V Wade? Perhaps she can give us a definite view of her job a reformer. Not just saying she is going to reform in the most provocative terms. Perhaps she can share her exact knowledge about our energy policy and would she keep it and what would she change. We all understand there is "smart" and wily and then there is "smart" and capable.
Sarah Palin has already shown us her smart and wile side, she now needs to show us her smart and capable side.

[donevis-2009]

She''ll win!! She''ll just answer every challenge with "It''s about Job''s isn''t it"? Then she''ll lift her top, flash everyone, and wait for someone to hang beads on her.

[joey7776]

Palin will do very good tonight, if the debate is done
fairly, if not you know it was another media setup.
If alot of Americans don''t get it? shame on them.
McCain/Palin 08!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[antoniof123]

The AP report indicates he is pulling commercials and staffers from Michigan too.

Posted by misha128 at 04:25 PM : Oct 02, 2008

As the economy sinks further into despare more people will leave and McCain will sink further. The party that has spearheaded the deregulation efforts for the last 35 years is seen as the blame by 2 to 1 Americans.

So you are correct his campain is in real trouble. Florida is now swinging more and more to Obama when Bill Clinton starts to campain in Flroida it will move even more towards Obama. Remember Florida likes the Clintons durning the 8 years he was President Florida had some really good years.

Don''t care if you don''t like it neo cons it is just the way it is.

[misha128-2009]

Palin will do very good tonight, ....

Posted by Joey7776 at 04:29 PM

Only if reciting memorized sound bytes that are seldom releated to the questions is considered good.

[donevis-2009]

Oh Joey, Your head seems to be up the name of that planet that''s between Saturn and Neptune.

[ajmarine111]

PALIN IS SO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!UNQUALIFIED

Posted by sickofpalin at 04:10 PM : Oct 02, 2008

SO!!!!!!!!!!!!! IS OBLAMA

Posted by redbds at 04:21 PM : Oct 02, 2008



If Obama is qualified,.....Sarah is qualified.

[antoniof123]

Palin Bingo is funnier than anything I have seen so far.

One question do you think she knows all the words that are on the sheet.

[joetoolswat]

Palin will do very good tonight, ....

Posted by Joey7776 at 04:29 PM

Only if reciting memorized sound bytes that are seldom releated to the questions is considered good.

Posted by misha128 at 04:31 PM : Oct 02, 2008



You know what will make Palin''s dribble easier to sit through?

Palin bingo!

Get your bingo cards here:

www.palinbingo.com





pass it on!

[babooph]

When he debated Clinton,he could be tough[all knew she could give & take with all!]-With Palin he would be attacked for picking on a lady.

[joetoolswat]

Palin Bingo is funnier than anything I have seen so far.

One question do you think she knows all the words that are on the sheet.

Posted by antoniof123 at 04:34 PM : Oct 02, 2008



The problem is, when it comes to talking about issues, these are the only words she knows.


www.palinbingo.com

[hawksprings]

Hey, does anyone know which of the 57 states Obama will be watching the debate from tonight?

And will he watch it with Tony Rezko, Jeremiah Wright, or Bill Ayers?

[ajmarine111]

I bet in two years most people will want to see Obama leave office. No use me arguing this but just wait and see.

Posted by archibunker2 at 04:35 PM : Oct 02, 2008


He says he wants to tax only the rich,......that''s like saying "I only want to turn the engine of on the ship".

And if he does raise taxes on the rich and oil companies, who do people thing will end up paying the taxes? They will just be passed on to us.

[joetoolswat]

Just printed off all four cards.

There are four of us watching tonight.

Perfect.

I even have prizes.

The grand prize is a stuffed monkey.


Posted by gun_tower at 04:36 PM : Oct 02, 2008



Awsome!

Pass it on!

This thing is gaining momentum and it reinforces the obvious fact that she''s a trained monkey!




www.palinbingo.com

[xmanborg]

Sarah Palin has been Coached for at least a week and she has memorized answers that Bushies Cronies and the Republican Party have Spoon Fed Her.

Sarah Palin is going to fall flat on her face during this Debate and try to Shot Gun answers that she knows nothing about. Sarah Palin is not even qualified to be a 5th grade teacher.

Fail Sarah Fail.

[forever1973]

Remember: poise counts.

[linymo]

FOUL BALL by GWEN IFIL the VP debate moderator!!!!!
She has a book coming out On Inaugaration day proclaiming the "Age Of Obama"? If ever we have seen the disgusting slanted media at work, we see it in full bloom now. How can see look the American people in the eye and say she is not biased---bull something!!!!!! How about it Charlie Gibson, Katie Couric, Brian Williams and Tom Brokaw----are you folks so in the tank too? YOu bet you are--cowards!

[xmanborg]

Sample Question and Answer for Sarah Palin.

QUESTION TO SARAH PALIN: Can you tell me how Alaska has Relations with Soviets and what qualifies you as a diplomat with the Russians.

SARAHS PALINS ANSWER: Well just recently is currently believed that the ocean levels rose and fell several times in the past. During extended cold periods, tremendous volumes of water are deposited on land in the form of ice and snow, which can cause a corresponding drop in sea level. The last "ice age" occurred around 12-15,000 years ago. During this period the shallow seas now separating Siberia from North America near the present day Bering Strait dropped about 300 feet and created a 1,000 mile wide grassland steppe, linking Asia and North America together with the "Bering Land Bridge". Across this vast steppe, plants and animals traveled in both directions, and humans entered the Americas. So that makes us all Russians because we all walked over that land together holding hands to North America and it makes us all Kin-folk in other words we are all related and one big family.

[misha128-2009]

Did anyone see the story that Palin has never seen Russia from Alaska -- she never traveled to the beach where she could see Russia -- so much for that National Security Credential.

[concorde5]

I''m going to pray for Sarah Palin because only devine intervention will get her through a debate with Biden.

[misha128-2009]

FOUL BALL by GWEN IFIL the VP debate moderator!!!!!
She has a book coming out On Inaugaration day...
Posted by linymo at 04:43 PM

That McCain should have known about assuming someone in his campaign could use "THE GOOGLE". Now they are crying about it. Thank goodness that they were only negotiating with the debate commission and not the Russians.

[concorde5]

Gwen Ifill is one of the most objective journalists out there. She will certainly be objective and fair to both candidates.

[ajmarine111]

How about it Charlie Gibson, Katie Couric, Brian Williams and Tom Brokaw----are you folks so in the tank too? YOu bet you are--cowards!

Posted by linymo at 04:43 PM : Oct 02, 2008


........Chris Matthews, Keith Olbermann, The View, CNN,.....

[misha128-2009]

Roosevelt also was the President during the Great Depression that created the New Deal, was President from the late 1930''''s to the early 40''''s and also I believe witnessed the dawn of commercial television during his Presidency? What kind of anal-retentive cognitive detail in any of this gives the richly deserved title of "plagiarist" to Biden?

DUMB-***

Posted by prometheus41 at 04:43 PM

DO you have any idea what plagarist means -- I doubt it. On the other hand at least Joe really knows the players in Iraq and does not require a Joe Lieberman, personal assistant, to get the significant and important facts wrong.

[ender18-2009]

I hope governor Palin is bright, because with Old Man McCain riddled with cancer, if he wins she may be our first female president.

[ajmarine111]

Gwen Ifill is one of the most objective journalists out there. She will certainly be objective and fair to both candidates.

Posted by concorde5 at 04:53 PM : Oct 02, 2008



McCain even said this.

[cemeartis]

I am looking forward to the debate tonight. I am a registered democrat and supportor of Obama/Biden. Yet, At the beginning, I was very impressed with Gov. Palin. Now, I am not very impressed with her interviews, comments, remarks, etc. As a voter, I think about at the end of the day, who would I prefer answering that 3 am phone call. Health Care, Gas, Groceries; My children''s future and grand children''s future, with our government the way it is NOW... I don''t want to hear stories about Russians flying in the Air Space, unless they are droping GAS from those planes... It''s time we look at the real issues... and Yes, put our country first.... All the money being sent to fund the war could have been utilized to help bail out Wall Street... I am just tired of the lies... politics... We need CHANGE...

[mydiatribe]

I do believe this moonbeam Obama moderator has just edited my previous posting! WOW! we have really gone over the edge now CBS !!???

[misha128-2009]

How about it Charlie Gibson, Katie Couric, Brian Williams and Tom Brokaw----are you folks so in the tank too? YOu bet you are--cowards!

Posted by linymo at 04:43 PM : Oct 02, 2008


........Chris Matthews, Keith Olbermann, The View, CNN,.....

Posted by AJMarine111 at 04:53 PM

All unwilling to support McCain''s crying about his campaign''s incompetent negotiations with the debate commission based entirely on another trumped up McCain charge. The story should be how incompetently the McCain staff negotiates even simple things like debate rules, procedures and moderators. Thank goodness they were not negotiating with the Chinese.

[mydiatribe]

Don''t stop sipping the cool aid because if you do you OBAMA DING DONGS may get a cold dose of reality.

[misha128-2009]

She might be (might be) "a nice lady", but she isn''''t qualified to be Commander In Chief, period. As far as "smarter" goes, it took her 6 years to get a 4 year degree in Journalism. No way, no how, is she "smarter" than any of the other players McCAIN included.

I''''m sorry if you think I''''m being harsh on her, but it really ticks me off that McCAIN''''s choice of Palin has kept so many qualified women in the GOP ranks from having this chance.

Posted by indevoter at 04:58 PM

NORAD even debunked the McCain/Palin claim that she protects Alaskan airspace.

[ajmarine111]

All unwilling to support McCain''''s crying about his campaign''''s incompetent negotiations with the debate commission based entirely on another trumped up McCain charge.

Posted by misha128 at 04:57 PM : Oct 02, 2008


I don''t care what they do.

They come off looking like Obama cheerleaders and if that is what they are, they are not doing their jobs as unbiased reporters and should start wearing Obama/Biden pins to go with their cheerleader outfits and get it over with.

[mydiatribe]

Sarah is kind to dumb animals and that will becomeclear tonight when she eases up on Uncle Joe, butI''m confident Gwen Iffel will bring back the topic RACISM!
After all the ONLY reason the inexperienced freshmen Senator from Illinois could possibly lose to a bona fide war hero with tons of experience is what???
Yes Gwen. That''s right RACISM! OY VEY!

[livewire190]

Everybody check out "What Jack Carrferty Really Thinks Of Sarah Palin" on youtube. A Must See! Funny Stuff!!!

I think I spelled his name right. Mabey not.

[livewire190]

Everybody check out "What Jack Carrferty Really Thinks Of Sarah Palin" on youtube. A Must See! Funny Stuff!!!

I think I spelled his name right. Mabey not.