Who Won the Debate?

Friday, October 3, 2008

Momlogic asked a Red State Mom and Blue State Mom to give it to us straight.

It was the moment we'd all been waiting for ... Biden and Palin squared off at last. But who did better? Two moms -- one Republican, one Democrat -- weigh in.

Blue State Mom Gina, mom of 1, says:

Remember pulling an all-nighter before a big final? Memorizing all those facts and figures, so you can regurgitate it on the test ... but forgetting it all the next day? That's exactly how Governor Sarah Palin came across tonight. She crammed for American Policy 101 and passed with a C. Sorry, no extra credit for being "straight up with Joe 6-pack and hockey moms." But when you cut through all the slogans and folksy lingo ("say it ain't so, Joe, dog gone it!"), Palin seemed shaky at best.

Instead of answering direct questions, Palin rehashed her canned responses at least a half a dozen times, repeating again and again: "John McCain is a maverick who has ruffled feathers, taken on his own party." But she couldn't come up with one specific example. Senator Joe Biden ran circles around his opponent when it came to foreign policy, the economy and McCain's own record. He called Palin on the carpet for replaying that broken record by blasting that "John McCain has not been a maverick when it comes to health care, education, or on the war."

Joe Biden had much less to prove tonight. He just needed to keep his cool and not make any major gaffes. Sarah Palin had everything to lose. Her supporters are probably breathing a sigh of relief that she remembered her lines. Biden looked like the professor, Palin sounded like the student trying to make the grade.

Red State Mom Martha, mom of 1 with another on the way, says:

Like many in this country, I was very unfamiliar with Sarah Palin when John McCain chose her a little over a month ago as his VP running mate. What I know now, especially at the conclusion of tonight's debate, is that Sarah Palin shares the conservative principles that are needed to propel this country toward sound economic oversight, victory in Iraq and Afghanistan, and a government that puts Americans first.

Governor Palin articulated the ticket's positions in a way that resonates with most Americans. Most of us don't understand the ins and outs of Washington D.C., but we do share the same fears when it comes to paying bills and investing toward the future. Governor Palin understands these issues in a way that old Washington insiders do not. She was able to express that tonight, and at the same time demonstrate a clear understanding of the importance of national security and energy independence.

The only disappointment is that as an American I do not get to hear more under the same conditions. Mainstream media gets the spotlight undeservedly during national elections, and that is truly when we should be afforded the opportunity to hear primarily from the candidates themselves.

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30 comments so far | Post a comment now >>

YEAH SARAH!!! You go girl! You truly showed America what a great gal you are! Thank you for talking straight to us rather than at us like most politicians. We appreciated that. Sarah Palin showed true class in her beautiful red pumps, gorgeous outfit, and her lovely smile. I am sure many men were having to clean the drool off of their faces. Can’t say that about Biden. HaHa!! I am just joking people, don’t get all upset and write something nasty. Yes, I know being Vice President is about more than looks and I think she more than proved that last night. She is a fantastic speaker! I truly think she did an awesome job and I am proud of her! I look forward to hearing more of that kind of talk from her…not Katie biased Couric interviews. It’s hard to say who she actually could interview with that isn’t totally biased to left wing side. Hmmm… How about with Greta or O’Reilly! That way should could actually talk rather than being interrogated and asked stupid questions. What newspapers and magazines do you read Katie? The Enquirer and The Star.

- Jasmine

Posted 10/03/08 02:08 PM

The best comment made in the debate was from Sarah Palin when she looked right at Joe Biden and said, “You, yourself said Barack Obama is not qualified to be a President.” HA! It’s as true as true gets. It is truly funny that now that he is running for Vice President that his opinion has changed dramatically. Whatever Senator Biden! Senator Biden you lies are catching up with you. I am sure all the lies he told last night are being FACT CHECKED to death today. He may be a great speaker but doesn’t it matter more if he was actually telling the truth. Do we need two liars in the white house? NO THANK YOU! I am for REFORM and I trust McCain and Palin to do the job!

- Lori M

Posted 10/03/08 02:24 PM

Some of these comments are seriously retarded. Biden may have screwed up some of his facts like saying Mcain voted when in fact he had not. However at least he made some attempts to answer questions that were presented to him. To me Palin looked like a puppet on a string, reciting whatever crap her peers infused her with. I’ll take the least scary party. I sure as hell can’t imagine that twit being in the executive branch of our gov, let alone # 2. Imagine if it came to #1. Shit I think I’d rather keep Bush then see her take office. Man I wish Gary Colman were running.

- joebaga

Posted 10/03/08 03:14 PM

After watching the debate last night I was impressed by the fact that Gov. Palin did not stutter, but that was it. She really did not say anything substantial, she just kept repeating herself and could not or would not say antything that spoke of what changes would be made. I don’t know she really did not say anything

- Regina

Posted 10/03/08 03:27 PM

I thought Palin did good, but I am going to agree that the whole thing was way too rehearsed. I understand they have to do a bit of “studying” so they are up on all the issues, but she was only spewing the answers that she had practiced over and over at McCain’s house. Her answers were very wordy and often hard to follow. I felt like she (or whoever helped with answers) added too many “big” words to make her seem as though she knew more than she maybe does. She obviously put a lot of hard work into it and I give her credit for tackling so much…but do we really want a VP that’s good at cramming?

- nicole

Posted 10/03/08 03:58 PM

If by winning the debate you mean Sarah looked cuter, talked in a language most of us could understand, and cut down her opponent like she was a ring master, then yeah, Sarah won! But, as far as being able to discuss in depth the dire state of our economic, healthcare, and war challenges goes then that would be Biden! Vote for Sarah when it comes to beauty pagent speeches, but NOT, for our next presidency!

- Morning

Posted 10/03/08 04:32 PM

I am just amazed at how heavy handed the whole Palin issue is. Back in 2000 George Bush was elected because people said they wanted a president they wouldnt mind having a beer with. No, sorry. I am a stay at home mom. I have my degree and stay current with political issues. I do not want the sweatsuit wearing soccer mom sitting next to me to be the one who is negotiating peace in the middle east. I do not want some “winky-winky awww shucks I’m just a down home kinda gal” representing our country. It’s like they are dumbing down the politicians to appeal to the mass American market. We should want more from them than that. We should want the best the brightest making the decisions when they need to be made. I’d rather have the head of the class running the country than one that spent all their time on beer bongs and panty raids. Why does everyone feel that being common is something that our best and brightest should aspire to? I just can’t take Palin seriously.

- Cece

Posted 10/03/08 05:02 PM

Oh CeCe You are referring to someone much more intelligent than your little rant about “a person who spends time doing beer bongs and panty raids”. That was low and completely ridiculous don’t you think? She is a Governor for goodness sakes! That is something to be proud of. Have you served as a Mayor or a Governor? You obviously don’t have a clue what either of these positions in the government do on a daily basis. The job certainly doesn’t involve beer bongs and panty raids. The executive position of the Governor involves ECONOMICS. She has to balance a budget for Alaska. Barack Obama can’t say he’s ever done that and he’s running for President! I prefer on the job EXPERIENCE rather than future on the job training. And Cece for that reason, I can’t take Barack Obama seriously.

- Lori M

Posted 10/03/08 10:51 PM

Oh, so this is what average Americans are like? You people are frightening. Do your homework, don’t just listen to the news sound bites. I hope for this country’s future you will actually do some READING.

- Katie

Posted 10/04/08 04:16 AM

I felt that the Palin/Biden debate was a joke. Looking at candidates records really are not enough. There are so many attachments to bills that sometimes people vote for or against bills to pass in order to get support for or against something else. We need as a country to move away from allowing attachments to bills or allow line item vetoes. Personally, being a female, I found Palin’s performance to be an insult. She didn’t stick to a single topic that was asked and only spoke on the topic of energy. I felt that referring to “the soccer moms” was also an insult. The winking just didn’t work for me. If she is looking for a date, there are websites for that. I do not find Palin to be a fresh face. The situation with her brother-in-law shows she is capable with playing the same games that other politicians play. I also have other concerns based on statistics in Alaska, such as pregnancy rates and STDs. She has a tendency to avoid topics she doesn’t want to discuss. You cannot avoid topics and expect to be elected into the government. People are expecting more out this campaign. The stakes are too high not to get clear and decisive answers to questions. Biden clearly won this debate. Palin didn’t lose because her expectations were so low. I agree with the statement on public education. I too have children in the public education system, sad to say. I hope that whomever gets in office abolishes the No Child Left Untested (oops - No Child Left Behind) program. It doesn’t work.

- time4change

Posted 10/08/08 02:03 AM

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