I was absolutely fascinated by these debates. I am a single mother of three trans-racially adopted children. I am currently without a job and insurance. Two of my children have been adopted through the state – which means that I (supposedly) have a contractual agreement to get support for dealing with their special needs. Fact, I have gotten some medical insurance support by way of medicaid for the two – but only after my insurance has paid for multiple surgeries and monthly dr. appointments and medicines. —-So truly, I am one of those main street Americans in need. —So, I came away from this debate with a, perhaps, surprising spin. I was very impressed with both of htese candidates. Biden’s passion and political experience. Palin’s compassion and executive expereince. Nothing new there. What did strike was the absolute need for strength and experience in the driver’s seat. Were the tickets reversed – that is Biden/ Obama and Palin/McCain, I would probably vote with Biden. But it is the McCain/ Palin ticket that has the wisdom and experience in the driver’s seat with the “young blood” as co-pilot. Both tickets seek to work the P and VP psotions together – it seems to me that the best ticket is wisdom leading and making the final decision while listening to young blood.
I think that both VP candidates did a terrific job tonight. I was very impressed with the wisdom Biden brought to the table. But I was also impressed with the fresh outlook that Palin brings. —Too bad the Dem ticket is upside down.

Honestly, I heard lots of politics tonight and got nothing that I didn’t already know from it. Too bad. They both had a chance to speak honestly, but it was mostly finger pointing and answering questions that were never asked.

One thing that did sand out to me was this. Biden said that the last 8 years are the Prologue to the next 4-8. He said this in rebuttal to why he kept pointing at Bush’s failings. I understand what he was saying, but I totally disagree. When Obama or McCain step into office, They are not bush. Both men are totally different than Bush. Bush is not the foundation these men will start their Presidency on. Bush’s ends, theirs begins. we cannot move forward, looking back. The reality is that mistakes are only in the eye of the beholder’s agenda.

The one thing that jumped out was Biden challenging McCain (through Palin) to clearly state how he’d be different Bush. Seems to me the McCain / Palin ticket still has a way to go in this area. In just 33 days all the votes will be cast. Maybe we will get to see more next Tuesday in round 2 of McCain vs. Obama.

Igil- Hmm interesting point, hadn’t thought of it that way before.

Brent- I see your point. Both of these people worked all week at how to slick up their talk and it showed.

Jeff- Good point. I said 6 months ago or so that I thought the Republicans had no chance in this election because they were following the hated Bush. If McCain/Palin can’t show they are different than Bush/Cheney I still don’t think they have a chance. I’m not saying they aren’t different…I’m just saying that they have to prove to more people than me that they are.

@ Tyler-
I disagree w/ you about Palin. I think she debated well. If you view her previous debates- this is something she knows how to do, although I agree, she can’t interview to save her life…Nevertheless, both of them answered the questions and pulled through for a good debate. There was no anticipated debauchery or rude gestures. They were asked the question about how they would handle a presidency should, God forbid, anything happen to their candidate. So while most of it was and should have been about their overall ticket, they did have individual moments. While I do not believe that the debate will shift the voting significantly, it probably made more people a little more confident of Palin and Biden’s ability. And for the next few days, her report will change.

We will not learn anything new w/ Obama or Mccain mostly b/c they never say anything different, NOT b/c they’ve already said everything. Not only so, but the two virtually believe in the similarity of managing policy, they just say it in a different way to make us think that they are different. They’re not.

@ Brent-
We’ll never hear anything more than politics w/ these two parties. It’s a game and it’s always played the same despite the change in players

Ash- I am just watching the 2nd half of the debate right now and it seems that both candidates settled down quite a bit. The first half though, they both seemed a little nervous to me.

She started a bit slow, but you could really see her confidence pick up along the way. I thought she did great. She’s a breath of fresh air to the same old cast of characters.. including Obama, who is cut out of the same cloth as the rest of the mainstream. Biden did fine. He’s a nice guy, and has been around a long time. But it was Sarah’s to win or lose, and I think she made out just fine.

I should clarify that I am not saying that I have some disdain about Bush…every poll whether conservative or liberal shows Bush is not well liked by most people. So that is what I’m referring to, not my opinion.

Kirk- Yeah she certainly didn’t lose tonight.

Brent, the last 8 years not relevant? In Palin’s own words, if you like what Cheney has done with the office of the Vice Presidency the last eight years, then McCain/Palin is your ticket. If you take the time to read Article 1 of the Constitution, you would know (as Joe Biden pointed out) that the VP does not in anyway “preside over the Senate”(her words). So if in no other way, on that point alone the last 8 years is relevant. I also find it interesting that for all the protestations of McCain/Palin not being a continuation of the last eight years the campaign is essentially being run by ex-lobbyists and Karl Rove proteges—-yep, the same folks who gave us Bush/Cheney.
Also, she apparently has no clue what the reference to an “Achilles’ heel” is—evidently they didn’t cover that in her journalism studies. If she had written a high school essay on the topic of her “Achilles’ heel” using the words in her answer last night, it would have received an F—she didn’t answer the question!
I agree she didn’t embarrass herself, but we already knew that she can read—whether it is a teleprompter or her note cards. She seemed to prove that she is qualified —to be the press secretary maybe, but not VP or heaven-forbid, President.

Debbie I think you are taking Brent’s comment a little out of context. Both McCain and Palin/Obama and Biden are totally different people than both Bush and Cheney. Change is coming either way. The kind of change will depend on who wins.

I don’t see any reason is discount Palin from last night. She was strong, informed, and went toe to toe with a Washington vet in a format that he should have dominated her in.

Debbie, I can see which side your on, and yes, you have taken my comments hugely out of context.

#1 I don’t know how anyone can compare McCain to Bush. It is not possible. That’s like trying to compare Obama to Clinton. They are all completely different people. I don’t think we should look at a republican or democratic ticket and count anyone out based on that category. we have to weed through the medis BS and get to truth and vote accordingly.

#2 I want nothing to do with the last 8 years. Obama, will run this country different than Bush did, McCain will as well. I do not think that in anyway, we need to use the Bush terms as a catalyst for what we do or don’t do. It’s not about Bush, it’s about the country. What’s best for our country right now. and frankly it’s economic issues we should be worrying about which neither candidate is properly qualified to manage.

Biden failed last night when he trashed Bush, its not about Bush. Palin failed last night when she defended Bush, it’s not about Bush. It’s just that simple. We need to evaluate, right now, what needs to be done and do it.

And frankly, neither McCain or Obama is going to be the answer.

Well Brent- that is why I believe what I do. Go to the polls this year…don’t think your voice doesn’t matter b/c it does. Don’t vote for the lesser of two evils, vote for the candidate that you think is right, even if it is NOT a Dem or Repub….even if it is an Indepen. Libertar. Constitution or Green party candidate….(hence my most recent few blogs)

Ash, I completely agree.

I understand the arguments against voting for someone other than the 2 parties, but I still think there is great moral value in voting for who you see fit to lead and who is most appropriate regardless of party.