Liveblogging The Vice Presidential Debate

The Vice Presidential Debate between Sarah Palin (R-Alaska) and Senator Joe Biden (D-Deleware).

We’ll be liveblogging it here, so stay tuned!

8:03 P.M. “Hey, Can I call you Joe?” Sarah Palin just asked Biden this as they shook hands. Oh, Lodry.
The first question was on the economic bailout. “It’s neither the best nor worst of Washington, but evidence that the economic policies of the last eight year have been the worst,” Biden says.

Palin says that a good barometer is going to a kid’s soccer game and asking them how they feel about the economy. She says you’ll hear fear in the parents’ voice. A good answer, but the “I’ll betcha” thrown in with the quirky smile was a bit too “I have overprepared and don’t know what I’m talking about.” She says McCain represents reform, sounded the warning bell on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Typical of Vice Presidential Candidates, Biden is articulating Obama’s economic plan, and doing a good job of that.

8:09 who was at fault in the subprime lending crisis. Palin answers first:

“Darn right it was the predator lenders who thought it was smart to buy a $300,000 house when they could only afford a $100,000 house. Oh, my god. The Alaska “Northern Exposure,” crap is too far. SHE JUST USED THE PHRASE JOE SIX PACK.

Biden says Obama warned about it two years ago, McCain was surprised by it. Points out the flaws of “deregulation” and Wall Street “self regulation.” Says McCain wants to do that for healthcare, too.

Pailn says we need tax relief. Harps on the 42,000 falshood.

Palin: second and THIRD mentions of Mayor of Wasilla.

Palin just scored a decent point by telling viewer that he won’t answer the questions like Biden or the moderator want because she’s speaking to the American people. Interesting, because she’s taking a very “Joe Sixpack” approach to the debate, to use her own phrase.

8:15: Now talking about “selective tax increases”, insurance. Says that middle class families got not a single break under McCain’s plan. Says that nobody making under $250,000 will see an increase under Obama’s plan.

Palin does not sound natural using phrases like “redistribution of wealth.” Hit on small businesses allegedly making higher taxes under Obama’s plan. Palin says paying taxes is not patriotic, and that government is the problem. Calls it the “backwards way to grow our economy.” Defends McCain’s healthcare plan, including the useles 5,000 tax credit for purchasing their own healthcare. Says it is “budget neutral.” She sounds like a game show presenter, not a statesman.

Woah, she just talked about cutting down barriers across state lines to boost the economy. She didn’t do a good job of expressing herself, but it does appear she was talking about interstate commerce, and I doubt anyone could figure out what she was saying.

Biden calls McCain’s health tax credit the “ultimate bridge to nowhere.”

8:21: Asks about promises campaigns won’t be able to keep. Biden says doubling foreign aid.

Palin just addressed Biden like he was an idiot child, and just said she’s only been on the trail five week and hasn’t made many promises that she can’t keep. ARROGANCE.

8:28 talking about bankruptcy bill.

Biden says that bankruptcy courts need to be able to adjust principle and interest rate on home loans. Good point for biden, assuming the audience understands the complexity of bankruptcy litigation and the changes from the bankruptcy bill.

Palin is GOING BACK TO HER RECORD ON ENERGY. IS THIS THE ONLY THING SHE CAN TALK ABOUT?????

8:30: What is true and false about climate change!

Palin says that as the only artic state, Alaska sees it, but that not every activity of man isn’t responsible, it’s more the cyclical temperature changes on it. Doesn’t want to argue about the causes, but wants to “positively impact the effect.” What? that doesn’t work with not admitting it is manmade. Reduce emissions? Why, Governor, if they don’t cause global warming?

Biden says it is clearly manmade. “If you don’t undertand what the cause is, it is virtually impossible to come up with a solution.” HELL YES. Hit one out of the park.

Asks about clean coal tech. OH MY GOD. Palin corrected Biden and says the phrase is, “Drill, Baby, Drill.” As the Pink Lady would say, get off the stage and “go make me a sandwich.”

8:36 asks Biden if he supports benefit for same sex partner. Says yes. No distinction, he says, between the couples in an Obama Biden administration. It is the correct progressive answer, but he just gave the R’s ammo.

8:38 asked if supports gay marriage. Biden says he and Obama don’t support civil redefinition of marriage. Says he take Palin at her word that there should be no civil rights distinction between gay and straight couple.

8:39 Iraq. Bla bla about the surge from Palin, says the oppoed troop funding. She has her jaw set in a very pouty yet confrontational manner. And…that persistent head tilt. Ugh.

BIDEN: With all due respect, I didn’t hear a plan. SCORE for Biden. Even if McCain had a plan, Palin couldn’t articulate it.

Palin: Calls Obama plan a “white flag of surrender.” A good soundbite, but total and complete bullshit.

Palin can do nothing more than take Biden’s statements from the primary and use them.

BIDEN SLAMS HER AGAIN, by noting that McCain voted against M-Wraps that protect PALIN’S OWN SON. Good comeback.

Ok…we’re going to blog the rest of it on Twitter. Check out our Twitter page here.

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