I'm watching from Fort Lupton, Colorado 80621

Biden just caught her, she did not answer the question at all. Let us know her track record?

Answer the question woman.

I'm in New Zealand and this is my best chance to follow while I'm at work. What's the status so far?!

Hi, it's just kicked off. I'm an australian living in Hong Kong and I've stayed home to watch this – am working from home though.
Wow! she is a bit of a pit bull. She is NOT answering the questions that she is asked.
This woman who cannot name a newspaper she regularly reads or a single specific example of her running mates past experience.

I hope, hope, hope that she is given enough rope to hang herself.
You cannot keep talking rhetoric without substance.

Thanks for all your work Jonathan.

I must admit, I was looking forward to watching this debate to see Palin get devoured. Well, in the first 17 min or so, she's held up pretty well.

I'm glad Palin was held to the rules of the debate. I loved the time frame cut off.

Brewmaster, I think you are mistaken.

She is not holding up at all, she dodged the question and the moderator and Biden caught her.

Yeah she still did not answer the question about deregulation.

Singapore here, can't watch at work. Some updates on key gaffes would be much appreciated.

I just read a Fox article that estimated the Palin's net worth at about 1.2 million. I'm not sure where that makes you "middle class"

Adrian is correct. She has done rather well to avoid answering questions.

Exxon mobile, ouch.

I'm wachting from the Neherlands and we are looking very deply what Palin has to say about eureopen partner.

Biden is tearing her apart, he understands their economic plans better than she does.

Adrian, agreed. I was actually hoping Palin would show some of the dizzy expressions during her chats with Couric.

She can't even spell equonimiks.

trouble is... she's such a good question dodger.... I really hope she continues to be caught on it.

I hope even MORE that "Joe Six-pack" (who on earth came up with that demeaning term?) can RECOGNISE this?

What I find interesting is that the meters indicating men's and women's approval shows women's line higher than men's for Biden.

maybe they think he's cute?

Hey, watching from Western Australia... there's that bridge to no where again....

I'm watching from perth, australia

Didn't answer the question again!! Does she know what McCain's plan is. Does McCain have a plan. She keeps talking about what she did in Alaska, why doesn't she go back. She's right, she's "been at this for 5 weeks" not long enough to be qualified.

She just admitted her lack of experience! Yes! She has only been doing this for five weeks! Not qualified!

I agree with Monica, who is Joe 6 Six Pack?? Does Palin think she is making connections with us common people by calling us these stupid names.

she is NOT answering the question!!!!!!!!

more of the same rhetoric.
No substance..

just taglines....

Watching from Brasilia, Brazil – all over the world, people are expecting to hear from those who can be the future leaders of the planet. I must say: Palin will have problems defending McCain economic ideology. So far, many attacks, few realistic ideas from both of them: and I’m not buying the average Joe speeches from Palin.

It's 2am in the morning here in London and i stayed up to watch this. Despite my reservations about gov. Palin's performance thus far i have to say she hasn't made a mess of it yet. Her answer are clear and to the point and, at least this time, make sense. However Biden's many years of experience is evident and i think if he can keep from putting his foot in his mouth tonight he'll be the clear winner.

palin seems like she spent the last three days readin text books.

Hearing her blame this economic crash on the Wall Street money grabbers alone is becoming rather tiresome. Recent evident that the current administration's lack of oversight has given these guys the freedom to do so. She not only will not admit that but she also doesn't understand it.

I am watching from Tortola, British Virgin Islands. I will come back in a few with comments.

Watching from Ontario, Canada. We are having our federal election soon and our candidates are debating as well. Not as interesting as the States tho.

I am watching too from New Zealand, I though do think Palin is doing well all up after most media have written her off.

I'm watching from Kuching on the island of Borneo, Malaysia. I continue to be amazed by the average American's high level of tolerance for ineptitude on the part of american politicians

Holy question dodge batman!

Why is Sarah Palin even in the debate? She is so inexperienced that it's downright embarassing.

Palin burst out of the blocks, but she is looking very wobbly at the moment...there could be an explosion soon.

Hi I'm watching from Norway

I think Biden should stop repeating exxons tax-cut, its getting very repetative, but Palin is really struggling under the economics questions and we haven't even reached foreign politics yet

Thank you, Monica & Brewmaster! My thoughts exactly! I hope that tomorrow, Americans will look at tonight's debate and say, "thank goodness, we still can dodge the Palin bullet!"

she thinks people are stupid.
I cannot say more than this....

It is DUMBFOUNDING. I am almost speechless.

bring on the foreign policy issues!!...she's sinking!!

She not only dodging the questions now. She is just babbling about topics that are far from the topics at hand!

ohhhh ms. pallin..stop referring to alaska again and again – it just makes it more apparent just how inexperienced you are!

I can debate better than this.

She just said we need to patch the problem, not fix it.

She speaks like a robot. And the way she looks at the camera is so artificial. Biden looks more natural, appears to be more comfortable with the situation.

She just said ITS SAFE TO DRILL!

Governor Palin who is going to pay for the pipelines?

what – is she nuts? drill drill drill.
the answer is ALTERNATIVE measures.

thank goodness on the moderator for just calling her on answering the question

nice defense on clean energy from Biden

The problem with drilling is how do you refine it. The US refineries are all 30 years old and can't handle any more oil than they already have. Neither of them are talking about building more refineries. We need alternative energy.

She just said Gay/Lesbians should not be allowed to marry.

Jesus

All Republications need to stay out of my bedroom.

How is Palin considered middle class with a net worth of 1.2 million dollars? On more than one occasion she has been caught not answering the questions by the moderator and Biden. Did she really answer any question? LOL at her stating that she has only been doing this for 5 weeks, hell I think that makes her even less qualified than the moderator…LOL
I see that some people think that Palin is doing well, how so? She is talking about everything else and trying to lay attacks instead of actually answering the question. At this point in the game I don’t want to hear any attacks I want to know what her personal views and reasons why she believe what she does. As far as I am concern she is just blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah

I understand she is the governor of Alaska and such but she needs to tell me what is going to for the rest of the country as VP.
Adrian you heard that too, is she serious. How in the world we going to patch the problem, so that it can occur yet again. I really wonder about McCain’s mindset by choosing her as his VP choice.

I like how the moderator just put her in her place with the gay rights…

Am not sure if Palin understands the questions being asked, she has a lot of deviations from what is been asked and goes beyond boundaries. Wow... no way she is not qualified.

Proven to work??

We need to win!!!!!!

Who is she kidding?

I am sick of hearing of the 'surge.' The reality is that much of the decrease in violence is due to a large number of the insurgents being on the US payroll.

Is it just me or does she seem so disconnected? I mean sort of emotion.

Didn’t Bush stated the war was won and over years ago…so what is Palin talking about…

thanks for calling her on that Biden. Where was the plan mentioned Mrs Palin?

I´m watching from Madrid Spain. When Biden made that great "Bridge to Nowhere" quip, everyone here I´m watching with let out a triumphant, "Toma!" ("Take THAT" in Spanish). Hey, we all want to hear the issues in these debates, but those "Toma!" moments are what makes watching so much fun!

im lost – is she running for Vice President or Governor of Alaska?

Oh, here she goes! She's losing her tongue!

She didn't mention no plan....love how Biden called her out.

She said we need to win, I recall Bush announcing that the war is over years ago.

If you are given the Iraq people the chance to govern there own affairs how will they.

Is Talibany a word?

She didn't even know what to say.

HAHA

LOL you are so right Brewmaster.

Was is it up to up us to make other countries secure. Read your history book again. The middle east will always be at war. We are suckers for being in the middle of it. We need not throw good money after bad.

She is monstrously embarrassing to America. She lies, she is confused. She should stay home. Imagine her as president of the US. Its like a bad movie.

Now she's going to talking points after debate camp – the wheels are starting to fall over her wagon. Sometimes 90 mintues just might be too long for Gov. Palin.

Why does she keep saying that man's activities are not caused by climate change? Isn't the question really whether climate change is caused by man's activites?

Let's get back to American issues.

Could our American banking and mortgage companies go back and service their loans. Refigure if neccesary and redo their loans- allow people to keep their homes and start money flowing again as well.

What made her the most qualified VP pick? Because she is a woman? Anyone one (woman especially) that fell for that is crazy.

She doesn't have any substance. She can not be compared to Hillary.

WOW!!!!!

Iran or Pakistan?

Her answer was Iraq

WTF

She about to fall flat here....she has no expertise on foreign policy

I thought mission accomplished years ago

She's been using Bush's dictionary! She just said 'nuculer' several times!

LOL Adrian we are definitely thinking alike I was just about to say the same thing.

Gwen just OWNED HER

HAHAHA

HA! Good catch, Adrian!

she has the nerve to say Barrack Obama is naive? she does not understand anything. She makes old Dan Quayle look impressive.

naivete?!? is this Russian or French?

The other blog said Palin was holding her own and that she was looking into the camera more. Let's not forget that Palin is a former model and is trained to look into the camera. Let us also not forget that Biden has a speech impairment. Palin since she's been on in the race ( 5 weeks!) says only what she knows (which isn't much). If she doesn't know something, she either recycles her words or she just simply doesn't know.
Also, they are timed so she will come up with something to say and probably make herself look bad as usual.

Why do we get to have nuclur weapons but say no one else can. As Americans we always seem to be saying "me but not you" and why do you think they hate us, we keep telling them what they can and cannot do.

"diplomacy is hard work by serious people." Like Sara Palin???

Rudolf,

That is exactly what Bush said years ago, but yet years later there is still a war. Men & Women dying on both sides for what exactly? Oil?!!

If she says

EYEran

instead of
EARan

one more time I am going to throw something

learn the name of the country

I always thought Biden was bottled-up hot air. Palin makes him look, and sound like a real statesman.

Biden looks "speechless" at times – who woulda thought such a thing possible...

I'm lovin it!

"Rice was meeting with leaders on one side or the other" ???? Should she not know which leaders they were?

Good luck to us all if Palin is "so blessed" as to be voted into office..and God help us if she has to be the President..McCain must've been convinced by his choice of Palin after watching seasons of the the TV series Commander in Chief!!..he must think life can imitate art..!!

She is just talking in circles and not answering the questions at all.

He is killing her on foreign policy! Go ahead JOE!

This is a slaughter.

that cow!!! what is she talking about looking backwards and the blame game?

she does this every time she can.

she is So dumb I am so embarrassed to be a woman.

If there wasn't oil in the middle east would anyone care?
I know what Bidin is answering, but not sure what question Palin is on. I'm lost, what is she talking about

I live in Indonesia now. I left the US because of this kind of idiocy. The woman has never even traveled. If McCain and Palin were to get in, it would destroy even further the US reputation abroad. She is giving an answer on nuclear "weaponry" that is absolute gibberish.

She's doing well! Writing from Montreal.

Michiko,
It is all about wars keeping the Economy spinning.

Sarah Palin should campaign for recycling,,,, she's on a role with her words!!! Perhaps if she shuts up and thinks before she speaks she can do more! Let's save our planet one thought at a time!

she seriously did not just answer the question that Biden asked – that is, what are the points of difference between Bush's policies and McCain's policies...

oh – now she is trying to.
She is a very dangerous, dangerous person to have a heartbeat away from the oval office.

BTW, WTF is that pin on her lapel, some crazy flag with seven stripes? Who's flag is that?

panic appears to be setting in, 'oh oh can I talk about Afganistan now' thats mid-sentence about something else

This is like a third grader that knows the answer but didn't get to answer. It's like they preped her on the answer and then the questions wasn't asked, so she had to figure out how to get it in there

I'm surprised to see Palin is definitely able to defend her cause with articulation.

lin I'm not sure that she even has a passport!

Lin I'm not sure she even has a passport

I would be proud to have Biden represent the US. He's smart and sharp and well-read. Can we actually imagine Palin at a summit meeting or meeting a foreign leader?

I totally agree with you liajo.
She is trying to input answers to questions she hasn't been asked and not answering the questions that she is asked.

Jana:
I believe she got one for the first time a couple of years ago.

I agree with Lin. I'm not even american. But I LIKE BIDEN.
He can handle things.

I hope that people are not snowed by this theatrical display by Gov. Palin. This is the future of our country we're dealing with, not a 13 week sitcom!

I am watching the debate from Seoul, South Korea. I am a teacher here and have been here 13 months. I find this debate to very good! They both make some good points and they both have tripped on their own words a few times. I have had some very blatant opinions, but now after watching this, I have a little more faith in both of our candidates! Great debate!!

Someone explain to me why every new question is posed to Biden allowing Palin a moment to better prepare an answer.

Lin, I can understand why you left the US, me and my husband have thought about it also. Palin maybe the last straw.

Biden should watch his behaviour now, starting to seem a little patronicing (spelled wrong?)

does her constant smirk bother anyone else ? I can't stand her

I think Palin's flunked on the foreign policy issues. She mentions no names and makes no references to the key figures who have influenced the current course of politics and policy in the middle-east. I guess one can only cram so much. Biden is just hitting his stride, he's obviously miles ahead.

OMG.
"I'm not used to how things work in washington"?

and she wants to be VP.

I agree with Savannah. I HOPE that americans are not snowed by her theatrical display.
dangerous.

Watching from belo horizonte brazil
Can't wait for my ballot!!!!!

Alaska again?

Biden has been at this since I was a kid (how long already?) – Palin with just a few weeks preparation is standing up to him!
She just might have a real future. Step aside all... you can insult but your fear & his is showing..

I feel one thing for Palin: pity. She got suckered into this and it's clear, as she herself said, that she's only been at it for five weeks. Come January if McCain wins, she'll have been at it for 13 weeks. And she could then become president if he kicks the bucket. There is only one qualification to be vice president, and that is to be qualified to be president. She is not fit for that post, period.

he was a PRISONER of war.
The vietnam war.
ANd YOU LOST THAT WAR

Brewmaster, Biden gets the question first so there won't be dead air. We'd just be watching her standing there if questions were asked of Palin first. She can't answer when asked second. Slow down Joe.

Biden is talking about the substance of issues and she is just dancing around. She has no idea what she is talking about on Iraq. Just talking points and her dimpled smile.

it would have been a killer debate to see Hillary Clinton against Pallin

Sally.
God knows what you are watching.
are you SERIOUS?

The heartbeat away question. Ifill just killed her with this one.

This is ridiculous! Why can't she direct a single question to the VPILF!

She still sounds like some dumb bimbo being interviewed in a beauty contest. I'm just waiting for her to say "Oh....and world peace".

Watching from Northern California... John McCain won a war? Um, no. He, along with many other brave men, won it together. God Palin is a twit. She is FRIGHTENING. Biden's experience and credentials far outshine her 'glitter'. She's good a glitter... but she's all shine and no substance. And it shows.

I'm an American living in Paris since 2002, and vote in every U.S. election via absentee ballot. I watch CNN Europe.

However, I am appalled by CNN and quite dumbfounded that the viewer response graph running during the debate is divided by Men and Women. This is very sexist on CNN's part. The viewer responses should be by Democrates, Republicans and Uncommitted exactly as it was for the McCain-Obama debate. This is an election between two political parties with their own solutions, not between the sexes.

Poor judgement, CNN!

Dean in Paris,
American Voter

Was that a wink from Palin? I think this is where she gets cutesy. Must mean she doesn't know the answers anymore.

That should be 'your fear & his ARE showing'

I agree with John Doe, how dare he even select her. There are average Joe's that can run circles around her and do it more intelligently.

She needs a few English lessons- her grammar is awful – she also needs to know who she is running against – she keeps calling him Senator Obiden

Palin is not having a debate, she's giving a scripted convention speech and not dealing with the questions directly. Unfortunately, her smile and chirpiness will proabably appeal to a good majority of Americans, who like her, does not understand the issues at hand.

She is not showing any substance.

Alaska AGAIN!!! Please go home all the way to Wasilla.

Sally, please tell me which debate on what channel you are watching. Is the fact that she is just dancing around the questions and not saying anything of substance and her continuous smirks impressing you.
Welsah!!!

When Palin responds with meat she does well. When she attacks the shaodws of the dancing Obama Biden she misses. Biden's an old timer who can'tmebe hit. Stick to the topics Pailn you'll take him down.

i think Palin has flunked everything why does she keep on focusing her attention to hockey moms?

"say it ain't so Joe"
she is worse than a dumb beauty queen.

The deep and unsettling streak of anti-intellectualism in America brought us Palin - and Bush. Governing the most powerful country in the world is not a job for "Wassila Main street." experience and intellect are needed. Now she is talking about education. She barely has one.

I think bokth Palin and Biden have given good accounts of themselves. The only point that i am dissapointed in is the fact that Palin supports more drilling in the US. Even my kid brother knows that we need to cut down on our dependence on oil and develop alternate energy sources.

Watching from Canada.

If Biden doesn't get to be VP, can we have him in in Canada!

What the hell she giving a shout out to 3 graders. Is she serious? This is just a joke to her or what!!!!!!!!!!

WTH... shout out to 3rd graders in a vp debate???

Biden has more Main Street experience than she'll ever have! Her populist attempt is a slap in the face of those she claims to speak for.

It is clear who has the knowledge and the details. Biden has a full grasp of the issues that Palin does not have. He is also willing to take on the issues, something that Palin does her best to avoid.
The debate has not been a mauling of Palin though. She has been down to earth, seeking a way of reaching the common folks.
I will give it to Biden for understanding of the issues, and to Palin for the common touch.

Listening to Biden and Palin it sounds that from a cross partisan perspective these two would make an incredibly viable ticket. Both seem to represent their ideas and yet convey a respect for each other. Perhaps this is the answer we need, a true bi-partisan ticket.

was that the 1st shoutout in vp debate history?? God help us all

OMG Say it ain't so Joe and "dog gone it" Where in the world did this woman come from.

Here she goes on education. Here's my question, why aren't any of her kids in school. Each time we see her she has that 7 year old with her. The poor kid should be in school, not dragged around the country from hotel room from hotel room.

Let's remember the audience people. It's probably not as well-informed or sophisticated as those on this blog. Middle America – this is how George Bush defeated a two-term VP under one of America's most popular Presidents and a well-educated long-serving US Senator during the initial aftermath of the Iraq invasion.

I score it a win for Palin – not because she was better (Biden definitely has a better command of the issues and is more experienced and polished) – but because she has (as yet) made no major blunder and hasn't 'lost.'

It doesn't matter what the polls say, McCain-Palen will win in November and Dems will be left scratching their heads for the third straight time.

squeegee, actually it should be noted that John McCain hasn't won any wars. In fact, he was shot down and captured in the only war that goes under the L column. Don't get me wrong. No one should ever questions McCain's sacrifices and patriotism. However, five years in a prison camp will not qualify him for the Presidency.

I have had the luck to have lived in the US, Europe and Middle East. So i find some of the points very interesting. for one:

1. Palin says she is up for new changes and people of the US are tired of the old ways... well then why would you not consider sitting with nations to bridge over past conflict and renegotiate.
2. She then says we would not sit with people who are terrorist who hate US and who do not have women rights. Well for one an entire country in no Middle East place that I have been has ever hated the United States of the people, but certainly there are extremists who are – but that does not make up for a country. And you don't want to sit with a country that does not share your sense of US freedom and women right??? Then how come your number one alley is Saudi Arabia????
3. I am happy both are very supportive to Israel, however what about the Palestinians? You want to support then you should support equal in such a difficult struggle.
4. Afghanistan as country was way destroyed before without the strength to even become as a nation declared dangerous. The danger is within a group of people who move among borders and hideouts. That does not define a country which over so many years has been always in conflict. And many civilians unfortunately have died – as it a war and in war there is always the unfortunate of the civilians.

Honestly, listening to both of them I don't see any clear line of change or hope which i find very sad. As its a time of globalization therefore awareness... be aware of other cultures and don't overstep history of development of a country with what we might consider correct on our side as it might just not be... be should we not all start learning a little more of the world and respect that?

I like Palin and think she kicks butt. I'd rather have her in the White House instead of Barack Obama. He gets elected, I'll be finding somewhere else to live. I want my children to have a future.It won't happen with him as president.

I completely agree with Dean – it would be better to see reactions from Democrats and Republicans instead of a gender-based reaction.

Oh oh her battery gets empty

Finally! I question directed to her! And she fumbles the issue of the VP's job.

vagabond are you crazy you can not even spell Palin

Sarah is just being evasive.I think the election has been decided today. No way she can be a heartbeat away from the presidency of the most powerful country in the world.

At least Biden knows what job he is applying for

She keeps on going back to energy independence...I'm sorry, but "Drill, baby, Drill" is not an energy policy. Wake up people! -Dallas, TX

ANSWER THE FRIGGIN' QUESTION!!!

This is directed to Me, why won't your children have a future if Barack is President? Why would you move?

You sound like Palin, stating she is going to do this and that but not giving the substance on exactly how she is going to do it.

Right on, liajo!

wow, Palin is out of touch here. I share the view that she studies fast and she steps up to Biden, but again, she might have a nice personality, sweet smile, patriotism, but she clearly lacks knowledge about basic issues. Question now is how the public will react to this...

I am writing in from Singapore. Given the global political and economic turmoil, I was keen to hear what the second line in the US presidential election had to say, especially when this selection will determine whether the world will become a better place. The matter of fact is that the United States is still the anchor in world politics and economics. But I was disappointed with McCain and his team's choice of VP because she doesn't answer the questions she is asked. It is scary that with where McCain is with his age and health, the Republican team could not find a candidate more deserving of taking the cudgels in a time of crisis? Are they saying that this is the best America has? Has winning the election become more important than doing the right things for their country at the world? I am disappointed...

how can someone who represents the republican party remove herself from the ideals and policies of that same party by disagreeing with bushes policies

biden's experience shows . he is very clear and precise on his views and looks very comfortable. palin sometimes dodges and keeps looking at her notes . she is obviously well briefed by minders and came very prepared with her response. all the questions are anticipated . she has exceeded the low expectations expected of her. so far i think biden is ahead, but not very much.

Great point Alan Stephens, I was wondering the same thing.

I am watching this with great interest from Vancouver ,Canada.
Overall I would say that Palin is holding her own much better than expected.
As an aside: will someone please tell Monica and Brewmaster to put a lid on it with their inane jabbering? Or maybe they can get in touch with each other and leave normal people alone.

Watching from Nigeria

Does Palin understand the meaning of the word "maverick"? cos she uses it so often and i think she is anything but a maverick

Watching from Toronto Canada, I cannot believe that
Americans would allow this woman to be a heart beat away from the presidency. I an fed up with her cutesy comments, the winks and the shout outs to her friends. She has yet to answer a question. She is speaking like a chatty cathy doll. She has been programmed to state certain positions but cannot make off hand remarks. I am very scared for America if they can seriously consider this woman and McCain.
Heaven help you.

She sounds so scripted, like a robot!!!!!!

This is not a popularity contest. This is the 2nd most powerful position in our country. I hope that Americans will realize that we need to look for sensible, thoughtful people who will speak to issues and not style or glitter!

LOL at Bankole comment....

I am watching the Debate right now. Sarah Paling is an example of a copy cat politician AKA George Bush no substace and political stump in her case political jiberish. Sarah Palin is not answering the questions she is asked, she talks about she is not a Washington insider but she behaves just like those politician providing soundbites.

A Canadian watching from South America......all the comments here are spot on.....she is frightening, she cannot fake the experience of Biden. I wouldnt want her respresenting MY country abroad or during a time of crisis. She is inconsistent and the comment regarding 'theatrical show' hit the nail on the head......she is condescending, she is all show and no substance. Hilary would eat her alive and she's not even on the same playing field as Biden or even McCain and certainly not Obama......she needs to go back to her igloo and chalk it up to experience......which she sorely needs.

We need to leave with Mcain lol

go biden.

She has said NOTHING different.
all i hear is maverick, taking shots from the other party, yada yada yada.
Never once has she elaborated on anything.

My reception is Biden did a LOT better.

Down to the wire. Biden didn't mess at all. Not sure what debate Palin was attending.

"Pain" uses a lot of flowery words but they contain no substance. It would be a disaster for her to be (potentially) the President.
Heaven help America if McCain-Palin win.
Watching from Thailand.

Coming into the home stretch, I think its a dead heat .

it would seem her achilles heel is her total inability to answer a question. this is a slaughter – i came to this with an open mind, leaving it terrified at the (hopefully now more remote) possibility that this incompetent will get elected.

Watching from Sydney Australia.

I feel like I'm getting dumber watching and listening to Gov Palin dodging questions. Sen Biden is really really thrashing her on policy, and answering the questions. That wiggle line isn't making much sense though: it's not really like the uncommitted voters are truly 'representative' of America, right?

I would have paid money to watch a HRC-Palin debate. That would have been a gem. I could just imagine all the gloves coming off in that one. But then again, if HRC was nominated as VP, then the Republicans would have probably selected someone else, and then there would have been a field day.

just for the record.....Talibany is NOT a word! **sigh**

Biden is looking controlled and presidential. Not all answers are spot on. But Palin is really not answering any questions! I'm getting increasingly sickened by the cowboy language and lack of substance.

Why cant the moderator do something?

I don't agree its a dead heat, I haven't gotten any substance from her. Only thing I got from her is that she is determined to mention the points that she was directed to do. But no kind of substance.

To me:

Your probably one of those that are struggling right now and you are wanting to move because of Obama, as to say that G Bush hasn't messed up our economy for the last 8years. Come now. Palin might be kicking butt but not in politics!!

Watching from London. Is Palin the best America can give the world. I seriously question McCain's judgement in selecting this woman. In choosing her he played a selfish card-self above country. John selected her because he felt he could win votes from women. It beggers believe that a VP candidate from the USA could be so low. Calling herself and other people some funny names may appear cool to her but i find it very rude. Especially coming from someone who aspires to the second most powerful office in the world. America needs to wake up to be taken seriously. Is McCain taking people for a ride? Is he just having a laugh?

Dayo

Vanessa, I got it correct once – the second blunder a function of staying up all night to watch from Dubai!

And I'm not saying I support her – on the contrary, I think she's an idiot and a horrible VP candidate. But remember, this is the country that elected George Bush not once but twice!

In any event, I'd rather have McCain and a woefully inadequate Palin than a woefully inadequate Obama and Biden.

how many times does she have to mention her 'diverse family'................and yeah 'its gonna be okay'.........if you dont get voted in!

I am writing from Egypt and it's close to 4:30 am now!! Isn't it very clear that Biden is a clear winner?

She lost me with all the smiling that I don't see as appropriate in many occasions.

Watching from Indonesia...

I'm a little surprised that Palin talks about winning in Iraq. The war in Iraq cannot be assessed in a win or lose context in my own opinion. The mission in Iraq should be like Biden and Obama put it "to hand over the responsibility to the Iraqi people". There will never be an end to the war in iraq if the US seeks to win because insurgency cannot be cut off once and for all. I think Palin and Mccain should read The Prince by Picolo Machavelli. They will understand what i am saying

She really did even worse than i expected. And that was hard to do.

If my fellow American vote in McCain/Palin they deserve exactly what they get.....If Bush hasn't thought American anything....Lord help American....

Palin talks like an old cowpoke. Way too folksy. Doesn't answer questions, changes subject constantly. And her experience as a business owner? She owned a gift shop in Wasilla. My sister owned a gift shop in Oregon. So is my sister qualified to be a breath away from the Presidency?

She sure does say 'there' and 'to' and 'also' more than any English speaking human should.

I am watching the debate from Taipie, Taiwan. I am quiet surprised with Sarah Palin's tactic of avoiding the questions and issues on the podium. Biden in my opinion has proven himself to be the right VP for US with a broad vision of what has to be done in US as well as in outside US.

I'm watching in Iowa. Just a question. How do you take a candidate seriously who is discussing education and the educators in her family while using words such as "gunna", "ya", "ta", "fixin" and "lookun"?

Raymond, Dead heat? Biden is a statesman and an intellectual. Palin is a populist dummy. She is surreal.

From Brazil – Out Palin... you have too much to learn.

She's a $1.2 mil mother of 5 who knows the hurts? Excuse me, she hires nannies for her kids. How does that make her in touch with the middle class?

i have the best Job for Palin!!! I am sure they still have a job open at Teleshopping!!!!!! She is just great for that.... i would hire her for that and probably buy a knife or two from her....

This was great. I was first to sign on and need to go because the battery on the laptop is getting low. For everyone from around the world thanks for taking an interest. For all Americans, regardless of comments the most important thing you can do now is VOTE.

She sounds like a commercial. No substance, just sales pitch.

Im watching from Luxembourg (ps she is a laughingstock over here)

I don't like Bush and think he has failed on many issues during his term. I am a teacher and according to that I should be in full support of the Dems. However, it doesn't work that way. They may be more friendly towards education, but not when it comes to choice and accountability. As a conservative Christian the Republican party aligns with my beliefs. I don't want universal healthcare. I don't want people messing with my taxes. I don't want the choice to end a pregnancy. I want someone with experience and Obama isn't the one. He scares me and I want nothing to do with him in the office. Truly if I had my choice I would have voted for Tom Tancredo. It is a shame that only the wealthy and the butt kissers get to have a chance to run for the presidency. It is opportunity that is not offered to a real person who might actually do some good.

Cheers all.

Every election is the most importan of our lives. This debate still leaves me wondering who is the real "change" candidate.

I wish Palin would loose her Canadian Accent and that Biden would stop sounding like a man who's settled on second place.

I've got a empty feeling now that its over.

Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country! John F Kennedy

McCain and Palin couldn't be more self serving if they tried.

American's would need to be lobotomized not to see through the BS McCain and Palin espouse.

Points for closing remarks ;
Palin ; 50%
Biden: 95%

She did well, did not collapse!

In my humble opinion there isn't no doubt in my mind that Biden did the better job. There is no doubt in my mind that Barack/Biden should be in the White House.

SIde Note: I will assume her kids have tutors, because they are always with her.
I still want to know how she is middle class.

good luck America – Vote wisely.

Yea!!! Maria Let's get her an application and move it to the top of the file!

Watching from Jeddah. Palin has a long long way to go.

I am sorry I had to watch someone so totally unready to hold higher public office try to perform so far above her pay grade.

It was a pleasure chatting with everyone.

Palin surpasses my expectations. She definitely rebounded from the Couric mishap. She speaks "average American" political language. I wish there were more debates between these two

this was good.....but, please, can the baby go to his crib and be left in peace?????

Ozzi voting is the key let's hope that everyone will vote and be able to back up their reasons why they voted for their candidate with legitimate facts.

LMAO!!!!! at Carolina's comment....lol lol
I am passing out laughing.
This middle class mom obviously have enough money for tutors for her kids because they are always with her on the campaign trail.

i think more then ever before is the entire world watching what America will vote this time... after the entire world has and is suffering from many wrong dues from Pres. Bush Administration. I would not know if i had to vote but I beg all Americans to watch and think wisely... we all pray and wish you the best in choice.

I am watching this on transcript – i have only one thing to say,as an australian citizen – 'wake up america!'..put your partisan issues aside and try to analyse what the issues are,this is not about intellectualism vs non,this is the future of democracy.
So the question should be – which party/candidate/ticket stands for values the world once took for granted to be 'American'..think carefully on the answer.

Obama/Biden 08'

Geraldine Ferraro has just said on NBC that Palin did a great job: "she held her own". She says Palin went "toe to toe" with Biden. Although she of course supports Biden.

Ditto.. Obama / Biden

I'm from the Virgin Islands, and this debate has reinforced my opinion of the vapidity of John McCain's VP pick. No solid facts, just babble. She says the same thing every time I hear her speak. Given John McCain's age, I would have expected her to take this debate more seriously with less perky smiling and more serious policy information. This isn't a reality TV show, but it seems like the McCain campaign is trying to turn the presidential elections into one. I was super impressed with Joe Biden; he's hard working, very intelligent, and has a wide range of experience working to enact laws and legislation that helps the average American.

Some of the comments on CNN following the debate are as far from reality, as Palin is from being a VP candidate. I assume they were to busy working to comment on the reality of the debate, as the only person debating was Biden.
Dear americans dont make a mistake, Mccain should move to Alaska with Palin after yet another republican disaster and the sooner the better.

You know lesley if Sarah was halfway intelligent I might would like her because she typically disagrees with Bush. But she really needs to consider taking some night courses as the Wasilla community college> let's start with English: grammar, and Poly Sci 101. Let's go ahead and give her dad a retirement so he can babysit since she obviously can't afford child care or tutors.

Is there anyone out there that likes McCain/Palin?

Jana and Maria, wholeheartedly agree with your remarks. I just hope that America votes based on which candidate has the credentials to get the US (and indeed help the rest of the world too) to a better place. Voting should not be gender or race based.

Speaking simply; the future of this world, positive or negative, will depend on your choice ladies and gentlemen of America. Remember, in a way, you are also a voice for the rest of the world who is voiceless in this election, but is impacted by US foreign and economic policy.

She surprised but she avoided answering several questions and kept to the script. What took me aback was how well Biden did: he spoke directly to Americans, too, and hammered McCain, questiong his maverick status. I think initially because she did not fall flat on her face that the pundits will say she won. But in this critical moment in US history with Americans scared about where the country is heading Biden will be seen as the better bet as vice president. He was passionate, avoided Senate-speak, had the facts at his finger-tips and made it very clear that he came from a challenging background too and he had also been a single parent. He also managed to restore my faith in national politics: his anecdote about Mike Mansfield was interesting.

The only thing Palin is good at is avoiding the questions (and the real issues) but go back to what she was (obviously) coached to say, though she's doing better than I expected.

Lord. She didn't connect with ordinary people, she didn't come across as confident, she didn't connect with middle class voters...

The fact that the Republican commentators feel they still have to support this train wreck despite the blindingly obvious script learning, universal evasion of questions in favour of learned answers, and utter ignorance, says far worse for the Republicans as a whole than Palin's patronising VP post does.

Incidentally I'm in London, although a US citizen, and the fact is America is an absolute laughing stock across Europe.

More scary, though, is that it really is starting to seem, worldwide, that America will be left utterly alone if McCain/Palin get in. I'm not sure we can survive that.

i belive Biden clearly won the debate. This debate clearly shows that Joe Biden and Barack Obama are the most qualified to governed the US. On a personal note. I cannot stand her i think she has no substance at all She kept talking about Alaska i agree with the comment somebody made. it made me wonder is Paling running for Vice president or Governor of Alaska? . I think Sarah Palin Attempt to connect with the Middle class was pathetic.

I am a college student and US Citizen watching with my boyfriend from Bogotá, Colombia. I think it is important for voters to know how important this election is to not only the United States. People are very interested in what is happening in the US right now.

I can't believe she repeated the line about the advantages of choosing a fresh face. The main contest here is between the presidential candidates and which one exactly scores higher on that one?

Both VPs were good. I am really impressed by the way they conducted this debate. Far more civilized than in my country.
America on its best.
Sarah? A nation that can produce such politicians must be a winner.
Sorry Joe, but Sarah represents something new and fresh that any country could need.

I still think we're in for a rollercoaster ride and another dose of 'Bush' politics if McCain/Palin are voted in...... I hope the American people choose wisely.

Governor Palin is not ready to be a heartbeat away from the presidency of the United States. She is lacking in experience and vision. She did not answer many questions tonight and she kept repeating the same phrases over and over. Governor Palin is no Hillary Clinton. Mc Cain erred in his choice of a running mate. We want a woman leader; but not Governor Palin. Too much is at stake now. We have a lot of re-building to do for America on the world front. Senator Mc Cain's health is fragile. Governor Palin could actually become the President of the United States! I'm glad we saw this debate tonight. It makes it abundantly clear that the Obama/Biden ticket is the only viable one.

Hi! Am watching from the Philippines! As expected, you get nothing from Palin's answers. She kept on dodging direct questions and was sticking to her prepared flash cards! How's that for a US VP?

wow, I can't believe what I am reading, people here are paying very close attention to what is going on in the states, and know how much it is going to affect them

pura vida

Watching from Singapore. On substance, Biden 10, Palin 1. She needs help and all the votes she can winked into the camera. The 3rd graders might give her some votes but that is only for the next Governor of Alaska!!

I have to say that she is ok for Wasilla, Alaska.....but she needs to improve sooooo much for the rest of the world. Her expressions are beyond me...darn it, dog whatever.... first dude!!! please!!!! Biden was excellent!!! and again, that poor baby needs to be left alone! I am a first time voter after having just became a US citizen!!!! 7 years of paying taxes and finally having the chance to express myself by voting!!!! My husband is a republican who will give Obama and Biden a chance even though our taxes will significantly go up, we can't wait to see what they will do with our country..... Go Dems!!!!

I watched this debate (VP) here in Bangkok, Thailand, where I reside. Yep, I'm an American, and as far as I am concerned, Joe Biden won this debate hands down. There is no doubt that I will vote for the Obama ticket. I have not missed any of the debates, both primary and general, and I become more convinced every day that Obama has the right policies and solutions to lead America in this era of CHANGE.

Thank you CNN and keep up the good work.

I thought Obama / Biden had no chance to win. Now I think they do.

Nigeria,
Palin upped her game a bit here but then with a bit of help from Gwen mostly questioning Joe first. Overall Joe was sound and Palin... well... fumbled and dodged everytime she got questioned first. I don't think she's ready.

As am american citizen, that lives in Europe, at this time it will be extremely embarassment to have somebody as ignorant, as VP, trying to negotiate, with Angela Merkel, Zapatero, or Putin just on her beauty queen credentials.

What has happened to our beautiful country that we go from dumb to dumber....if that is the best that we can offer to ourselves and the world as our best leader....

She believes in Creatism, abstinence, and the dinasours, and men were created six thousand years ago, what happened to the Pyramids, and other monuments of the world....when you are dumb you want to make the rest of the world dumber and scare so you can rule them ...

God help us....

She did great in front of Mr. Biden, I hate does comedian joking about her because she is female.

Hi al, Zane from New Zealand here.

No gaffe's Jonathan?

Mull this one over......... Palin: "I've only been doing this five weeks!"

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.

The debate continues to illustrate the most significant difference in the political style of both parties. The democrats speak rhetoric and the republicans cliche's. I can see the appeal of both and suspect that the excitement generated by recent world affairs and the current election has been sufficient to change "which style will work" from cliches to rhetoric. Hopefully putting an end to my fear that America is still a country of patriots ahead of intellectuals. Good luck America.

Being a Mexican working mom I can tell you, Palin needs to focus, focus, focus....on whatever she decides to, she is clearly still confused in many issues.
ON A SHORT NOTE:
What´s wrong with Gay marrige.....let them be!!!!!!!!!
Joe, please explain......we know Palin would never agree and said what she thought would please voters...what about you!!!!
The world is in the hands of this election.
FOCUS PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Watching from Muscat, Oman.

The preliminary poll in CNN's opinion search explains it all.

Biden wins the debate while Palin was vague and ambiguous as usual.

I watching from Ireland at the moment and I have to say I was extremely impressed with Joe Biden's performance. Obviously Palin was under alot of pressure to avoid silly mistakes (or perhaps over hyped media coverage suggested as such) I thought she lacked substances on so many levels it was somewhat scary. The "folksy" stuff was too much and if I'm not entirely sure she knows what a maverick is only that she's been told to say it all the time. Biden was very emotive towards the end and his closing statement was a great clincher. He spoke with poise and expertise on the important economic and foreign policy issues (even more so on that) and he didn't over do the folksy vibe. He was very articulate and well versed, Palin well, I'm afraid to say Tina Fey seems better versed in politics!

I watched from Australia, and am left even more scared of the prospect of McCain/Palin winning the election. Palin didn;t answer questions, reverted back to Alaska and energy at every chance. This is a global position, and Alsaka – even the USA is not the world. Palin is clearly very weak on foreign affairs and relied heavily on memorised script – which was made obvious by many of her answers not making any sense, or not answering the question at all.

How many Morons are there writing negatives things, theses people can not be in front of Mr. Biden as she did.

It was like watching Tiger Woods and Sergio Garcia showing up for a "Match Play" event. Tiger follows the rules by simply answering the questions and responding to his opponents comments while Sergio played "Stroke Play" does not follow the most simple of rules to answer the question posed and proceeds with whatever memorized statement needs to be stated, whether or not it made sense... hence, this was not a debate. As to what we know between the two, one has an independent mind that works, the other is a total professional in regurgitating was has been poured into her mind but totally incapable of free thought!

Good call on the 5 weeks jibe Zane – I cringed at that one too. Seriously scary stuff.

Pedro, we are not running for friggin VP!!!!!!!

I was proud of her. She has the grace and charisma to pull this off. Although hounded for her inexperience, I think she has shown amazing progress from the Couric interviews, and with her quick mind, she will pick up the rhetoric and applied knowledge quickly as she goes. After all, she's running against an inexperienced Dem Presidential Candidate, and his flaws don't seem to be pointed out much by the news. I certainly trust her ability to connect more with the middle class and the "average American" far, far, far more than I do Obama's questionable patriotism, radical roots, and redoubted presence in the Senate. The young may be enchanted with Obama's chic style, but those who work, live, pay taxes, and provide the backbone of the country will recognize a familiar voice and an instinctual American drive to carry America forward with McCain and Palin. Godspeed and Good Journey to them on their way to 4 November. Everyone go and vote! (An American living in London.)

Watching in Sydney, Australia on an absolutely blisteringly hot day so great to stay inside.
Palin and Biden did as well as I expected. Palin spent days in debate camp and it showed. She was relaxed most of the time and had memorised alot of facts and figures that her handlers knew were going to be brought up. Biden did very well – he is a seasoned debater. He bit his tongue and let Palin hang herself – a great stategy but one that i expected. He knew that they will both be picked apart after the debate and that the media will pick her apart for him. All in all interesting and worth watching BUT the real issue is the economy and no amount of winking at the camera, Joe Six-Pack talk and muddling of the facts is going to get the Republicans out of this one.

Palin is bellicose on Afghanistan but was carefully silent on Russia on Georgia which she was recently bellicose as well. Today, she was evasive in her answer on the nuclear weapon question.

Does that not speak volumes of her unstable and unpredictable policy response in her mind in any theatening survival/war crisis? Is she not a dangerous heartbeat way from the Presidency and an impulsive trigger-happy strike on the nuclear button?

Is this not frightening enough for America and the world.

Watching from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Is this woman for real? Geez, she's such a phoney! What about that my-bros-a-teacher & kids-get-extra-credit moment? That was sooo rehearsed she didn't even pause for a smile on her own joke.
People say she's exceeded expectations, that's only because she didn't have a major meltdown like in the interviews. She's such an embarrassment, for goodness sake! Never answering the issues, dodging every question, a friggin stiff parrot with a broom down her throat!

i'm a filipina watching from tokyo...

somehow i am not so amused, sarah palin and her likes are not new to me... why, we get to hear the same kind of gibberish from our politicians (elected, mind you)...

anyway, as the philippines is a solid ally of the US, i appeal to every american to please save yourselves from the embarrassment, it's biden or nothing really for VP. palin is a walking proof of McCain's poor judgement.

From A small coastal town in eastern Australia, The sun is shinning, and birds chirping. I can hear the waves of the ocean..and i feel like an all american joe 6 pack .....ok wait, wait...thats Sarah Palins vision of the world..."Elect me and ill smile ur problems away" ..seriously she is running for the 2nd most important place in the Administration.and she sounds like she would lose on "Are u smarter that a 5th grader" .
She is a good presenter...but so is David Hasselhoff..so do we make him the next VP ?? ...ARGH..Cant u see what happens whn u elect someone who is charming and empty..look at the current president..!!

both parties are shouting 'change', the difference being change for change's sake for the republicans and thoughtful meaningful change for the democrats

I am a female Nigerian watching from the UK who has also spent years in the US.
I could rant here all day about Palin/Biden or McCain/Obama but I will try to just give a couple of points:

1. THE IRAQ WAR.

Americans have been so brainwashed by the fear and manipulation instilled by the Bush administration after 9-11 that it forces them to have a debate on Iraq where I believe there is none:

- more civilians have been killed than ever imagined and this war has to end now! America has to think about the Humanitarian crises this has caused to the Iraqi people.

- we should all be more afraid of the Iraqi who were kids in 2003 but are now young men in 2008. Whilst our kids are going to prom, preparing for college, learning to drive, their kids have had to live in an unjustified warzone throughout their formative years. Trust me we in the 'West' have created another generation of Bin Ladens and Husseins...

- to pull out responsibly out of Iraq is not waving the white flag it is correcting the wrongs of Bush and his administration

- why 'win' at all costs if it means taking more lives American and Iraqis? I see true wisdom and leadership as someone knowing how to make tough decisions and also being responsible when they know they are wrong – Iraq war was wrong and unjustified -There were no WMDS

- please make tough decisions and do not create another prolonged Vietnam war! This is not a movie, there is no good buy bad guy Palin, we are all just people with different perspectives.

- there is nothing maverick about supporting Bushs failed policies here. Hyping up the fact that you a Joe schmo from Alaska does not a maverick make.

Change means taking a different direction from where you where in the past. That's is why Biden and Obama can continue to refer to past as this is what they are telling the US that they want to move away from.

As an outsider who loves America and what is stands for, I am longing for a day to come again where I don't have to fear plane attacks, tube attacks, threats of n-bombs etc. America is a population of circa 200million versus 6billion people in the world, please start paying attention properly to what the 5.8billion are telling you.

2. WHY CANT SHE EVER ANSWER A QUESTION !!!!

Watching from Taipei, Taiwan.

Why doesn't Palin answer the question she is asked? Could it be that she can't? Could it be that unless the question is part of questions asked in "debate camp" her only option is to segue into her talking points? Doesn't she realize that when asked about her life experiences and what ways she has changed over the years she starts talking about her "experience" in energy it is meaningless?

Some people have made the observation that Biden was often speaking to the moderator and not directly into the camera to make eye contact. Mabye he was...but I felt he was talking to everyone and I felt he was talking to me. I looked in to Palin's eyes. The lights are on...but nobody is home.

I think the republicans should just quietly replace Palin with Tina Fey...i dont think anyone will notice...:)

Still watching CNN talking heads. Some of them missing the point. Take Johnathan Mann. Reporting on the after debate polls he reported that 85% of the public felt Palin did better than expected. I forgot what the % was for Biden on the same question...but it was lower than Palin's yet still high.

Of course this would be so. Palin has set her bar so low and has failed horribly in interviews till now that it would extremely hard to be any worse. We already know Biden has great experience...he had the greater chance of failing to deliver in the debate. He didn't disappoint and she didn't impress. She just didn't fall flat on her face.

I've been waiting for this VP debate quite a while and I'm happy to says that was a good debate. I live in England and now is 5:00AM so can't write too long. I just wanted to say that Palin has done a good job since I don't have a high expectation. However Biden is just too strong for her. He got so much knowledge and experience, which is very hard to beat. So the winner is Biden.

Does she she have any clue about the situation in I-rak and I-ran? Biden should have told her we need some I-phones in Afghanistan and I-Mohammad in Pakistan.

lol @ scruffy4biden

Watching from Jamaica. Defending a mistake like Iraq is crazy and for Palin to look the American viewer in the face and defend it is just enough reason to not vote for these people. Eight years of Bush lunacy must stop now. Quite frankly any well thinking American who votes for John MCain is nuts. This whole PR campaign about being a maverick and Palin being folksy is not what people need to hear. It does not matter that he was a POW. What the world needs now is less agression and more diplomacy and clearly John McCain has no intention of being Diplomatic. A man who admits his lack of knowledge on economic issues when America faces it's worst economic crisis is not comforting for us in the Caribbean and the world. American vote smart.

It is all very well to look at debating style, you cannot ignore the context, especially when Gov Palin may be a lot closer to the Presidency than Senator Biden. Can the world afford to have a creationist, trigger happy lady who thinks global warming is a figment of the liberal mind's imagination as VP who could easily be president. She makes President Bush look aware about the world! For a change, let us forget about style and have a good hard look at the substance. The world deserves it after 8 years of Bush-Cheney

I disagree that people should have low expectations of Palin in the debate. She is running for VP of the US. I have very high expectations of her at the debate and if she can't live up to them, she shouldn't be VP. Given her atrocious performances thus far, the expectations are much higher than if she had demonstrated competence, understanding and intelligence in prior conversations with the press.

What a bunch of horse hockey that we set our expectations based on the proven (or demonstrated lack of) skills. We should set our expectations based on the requirements of the job! Otherwise, we aren't doing much better than much of the Affirmative Action at its worst - give them a job, a place at school, etc. not based on skills but on skin color, gender, religion, etc. Didn't work too well then (Although I don't totally disagree with Affirmative Action - just how it was implemented, at times), and it certainly shouldn't be the basis for determining qualifications for VP. To say that "Palin was the one who was still trying to make an impression. I think she made a perfectly acceptable one." Confirms the mediocrity of this individual and her performance - not the ability. Why are we settling for utter mediocrity in this country?

I live in Macedonia. I couldn't hear the debates live, but I read transcripts. The tedium of her responses!!! Her record in Alaska is not something she should hold up because it is so full of misinformation that it is embarrassing. Her trite "joe-six-packs" means nothing. Her sound bites are repetitious and non-substantive ('we will fight for this country" - what are we going to commit our troops to another failed effort soon?)

"I may not answer the questions that either the moderator or you want to hear," This is fear of being ask to respond beyond her standard stock lines that we've heard for weeks.

"So there hasn't been a whole lot that I've promised, except to do what is right for the American people, put government back on the side of the American people, stop the greed and corruption on Wall Street." So what - everyone says that - the devil, as we saw last week, is the details. $5000 to purchase health care on the open market. Clearly, this woman hasn't lived in reality for years because there is NO place in the US that a family of 4 can purchase any quality health care for $5000 a year. NO PLACE. There is no discussion of how this will occur, what the specific legislation will be that will ensure quality, low cost health care to every American for $5000 - no matter what your health condition. Will this be every year? Will it increase to keep pace with inflation? What if it isn't enough for every American to purchase health care on the open market? What market exists that currently provides health care at this price? Why don't the commentators expect complete answers rather than allowing repetitions of the same tired sentences over and over. She is right, though, about one thing. In 5 weeks, she has provided nothing substantive about anything important.

"Alaska feels and sees impacts of climate change more so than any other state. And we know that it's real." How does this square with her denial that Climate change is negatively impacting the Arctic. Why isn't she challenged on these issues? If the debate isn't the place to do it, then the Press should be demanding to talk with her again - in another interview. And if the Republicans refuse, then that should be front page news of their unwillingess to subject this candidate to serious, demanding scrunity - nothing less than is demanded of everyone in national office.

Palin recently cast herself as a "federalist". Why the commentators didn't ask for clarification on this "title", I'm not sure. But let's see what that means in our history. This party hasn't been around since the 1800's. Here are some of the things the Federalists are known for:
1) The Federalists passed the Alien and Sedition Acts in 1798 – with one goal to quell political opposition. The Alien Act allowed the President to deport aliens that he declared to be dangerous. The Sedition Act made it a crime to print false, scandalous, and malicious criticisms of the federal government. Several newspaper editors were convicted, fined or jailed under the Act and several newspapers closed (Is this shades of Bush or what? Does this sound like the Republicans efforts to keep Palin from critical scrutiny of the press? - These, by the way, expired or were repealed.)
2) There were groups that promoted and supported the Federalist
mingling of church and state. (Doesn't this violate the First Amendment?)
3) Federalist policies favored factories, banking, and trade over
agriculture - their focus was for the elite - not the populous (So
much for "Joe-six-pack")

Palin can pick and choose what she wants from the Federalist repertoirs, but she is the one who adopted the title. She gets to live with it. She demonstrated that given stock questions she can respond with stock answers - so what - my 12 year old son does that on tests everyday. Please, demand something more of the people we are saying are ready for high office - or are we just so numb after 8 years of utter mediocrity that it doesn't shock us anymore and it has become an expectation of the persons that run this country.

Joe is the winner without a doubt 61% for Joe and 35% for Palin ooooouuuuuch!!!!!

Mann,

Its a debate worth watching. I think Palin did the job expected of her to do and she would be appreciated for that by the conservative base of the republican party who has been skeptical of her inexperience lately with her difficulties with recent interviews.
On Biden, he did the best job and makes democratic party ticket a balanced ticket that i think the whole world will see as a team that is ready to lead without doubts.
with the judgements of Obama/McCain choice of vice presidential running mates, we can all see who will likely make best decisions as american president!
The whole world are upting for Change not more of thesame.
Obama/Biden '08

Bidden was a bluffer. Palin was more sincere in her arguments.

After the K. Couric interview, Palin shined. I would just love ta' invite her invite her to be a motivation speaker at a PTA meeting. She is down to earth and very entertaining. But – would ya' want her to run our country – she's folksy and lovable – but we need leadership to get us back on track – I'm for Obama/Biden.

I was hopping for some kind of major gaffes from Palin. Did not happen, good for her. Still doesn't think she's qualified for vice president. It actually making me a bit sick every time Palin and McCain revered to themselves as "maverick".

Palin tried, but no effect apart from the hard core republicans, Biden won and reaches out with his experience

Seriously .... She is HOT! Nices legs too!

Nice legs on her...

Nice gams vs balding dude

She gets my vote..

It's better to look Hot than Not
She won

Can someone tell me why Sarah Palin winks at us and of late so has John MacCain started to do the same– are they hoodwinking us?

From Sydney Australia–

How can US allow such a woman to be on the presidential ticket– who doesn't know her civics, correct names of the general even we do–
Not answer the questions– only give rehearsed lines like an anchor woman–
Have American people came that low down that a winking anchor woman who can give 2 minute sound bites can be a heart beat away from presidency. It is scary for the rest of the free worl.
I hope Americans are not be that stupid - the last 8 years of Bush presidency should provide lessons.
Bush still has 4 more months to go– how can she say that Bush is past?
Am I missing somethign?

She is HOT! That naughty librarian look …. and I loved it when she looked straight at me and winked.
I especially enjoyed when the cameras panned from behind so i could check out her nice legs and her high heel pumps.

Tito
get yur mind out f the gutter. you pig... this is important...

Tito,

I'm not sure if you are a US citizen, but for us Americans who have
a real stake in the future of our country, it is pathetic that you
are trivializng this to be like Ameircan Idol.

Let’s stop analysing and dissecting this debate like judges
and panelist do during American Idol.
We, and the media like CNN need to wake up and consider the fact that our country is now in uncharted waters with this financial crisis.
This is unprecedented. There was one astute member on the post-debate panel who raised the most critical point:
In the event something happens to McCain, are we ready to hand the reigns of President of the USA to Palin. PLEASE thik abouit this.
This is something we as responsible voters MUST consider very hard. I am quite disappointed by Andersoon Cooper and the post-debate “analysts” who simply do not understand that we no longer have the luxury of discussing Plain’s so-called “improved” performance over the disaster interviews she gave a few weeks ago.

I repeat..There has NEVER been a time when we need to SCRUTINIZE and really THINK HARD when we pick our future leaders. Our right to vote and pick our future leaders also carries with it a huge responsibility. We must take this very seriously. We CANNOT and MUST NOT approach this and pick leaders like the the way judges pick the winners on American Idol.
I am seriosuly scared and horrified when I even ponder the remote idea that Palin could be sitting in the Oval Office.

To my fellow Americans and CNN members, it’s one thing to have greedy and incompetent peole as CEOs in Wall Street plunge our economy into chaos, and having Bush spend billions of dollars a .WEEK, along with casualty toll on a senseless Iraq war..

BUT having them in the White House is unacceptable

Palin -- all form, no substance. This debate betrayed how inexperience she is to a VP. McCain erred in his choice, and he is paying dearly for it.
Biden - talks sense culled from long years of experience as a senator. If I were an American, I will vote for the Obama/Biden ticket so that the world can sleep soundly.

Writing from Papua New Gunea , we are watching the debates with great interest. We want the USA to regain its respect in the world. Barack seems to offer this possibility but McCann definitely seems too much of the same. Their closing remarks at the end of the first debate was in big contrast. Barack offered hope and McCann offerd care for war veterans. Biden spoke about the major issues with command whereas Palin seemed coached to be folksy.
I cannot vote but I do hope the USA makes the right choice. It is such a critical election for even us under the coconut trees..

Well, I live in Abu Dhabi and it is Interesting on how you Americans view this. Palin? Well she tried to contain herself but come on Americans when are you ever going to be serious? Is that a candidate you can even consider for a Vice President of the strongest economy in the world currently bleeding? What a joke! Get serious Americans. McCain, you are a good man but have failed on this one. What is also interesting is how the Republications praise themselves to be winning the War in Iraq. How funny that Palin was telling Biden that moving out is surrender? TO WHO? When you where not supposed to be in Iraq in the first place. Your Economy is in distress and you are still prepared to spend billions of dollars on war? I am not American but frankly Biden and Obama are the only sincere team that will bring real change you Americans and the entire world. Please CNN don’t mislead people just say it openly that Your VP candidate “Palin” is an embarrassment and if that is what you call VP Material, then something is very wrong with all Americans. Well done Biden.

Writing from Papua New Gunea , we are watching the debates with great interest. We want the USA to regain its respect in the world. Barack seems to offer this possibility but McCann definitely seems too much of the same. Their closing remarks at the end of the first debate was in big contrast. Barack offered hope and McCann offerd care for war veterans. Biden spoke about the major issues with command whereas Palin seemed coached to be folksy.
I cannot vote but I do hope the USA makes the right choice. It is such a critical election for even us under the coconut trees..

from what i see in this debate.i think biden is a politician while palin is politics.thanks

May the Vice President of the United States of America not be a talking parrot who calls herself "so blessed ".
Please please please, Americans, go vote for SENSE & RESPONSIBILITY.
Then the whole wide world will love you again.

I CANNOT BELIEVE that some strategists are pleased with the performance of Sarah Palin in this debate. They are praising her for not messing up! They are delighted that she has performed so well in her first major debate! I know High School students that could have memorised the same script she did and demonstrated greater charisma – but Sarah Palin is a candidate for the Vice-Presidency of the United States of America. The most powerful nation on earth. With billions, nay trillions of dollars at its disposal. With the power to do enormous good and hideous evil. Sarah Palin is simply NOT READY to lead the most powerful nation on the planet. Do these so called analysts think that voters do not take their responsibilty seriously? Should we have low expectations for a candidate? Should their sole qualification be the ability to dress a roasted moose? NO, NO, NO! We should have sky high expectations for America's leaders. We are talking about the country that produced George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, FDR... This election has become the difference between a party that are trying to discuss the ways and means of moving America forwards into the 21st Century and a party that will seemingly use whatever gimmick they can to retain power.
SHAME ON YOU John McCain. What a stunning way to destroy what once seemed such a proud legacy!

I tought Barack Obama was something new and energyzing?!
Iám not from the US but this scares me, that Mc Cain and Palin could win the elections. I hope the American voters don't vote their country into the past...

Far more substance to Biden. Palin inclined to perform like a high school rabble rousing cheerleader.
There is also something distasteful about the way Palin has her unfortunate baby on display at the end of each gathering. It suggests that this is done as a sympathy vote catcher.

IWatching from Heidelberg, Germany, I found that while Sarah Palin did better than expected, she still did not demonstrate the gravitas and intelligence of someone so close to becoming president. Her depth of knowledge in most areas was dangerously shallow. Joe Six-pack may be a nice guy, but not the one we want in the Oval Office making decisions that affect issues essential to our economy and to the well being of both our own country and the rest of the world.

Watched from Seremban, Malaysia. A tired mother of two and 8 months pregnant as well, but still set my alarm to wake up in time. Very glad you carried the full debate on CNN International: there are a lot of us US expats wanting to watch and vote correspondingly!

It used to be that the free world looked up to America for leadership and protection. Not anymore. America now provides us with jokes and comedies as embodied by Sarah Palin. What? Not funny? Sorry.....but she's a riot to this tree-dweller on Borneo island

It is almost tragic that the main story on today's news in Europe is that Sarah Palin didn't screw up too badly. Joe Biden's reassuring competence was outshone simply because Palin didn't make any embarassing gaffes. This is American politics? We need a Vice-President who is capable of a bit more than just keeping her foot out of her lipsticked mouth.

From Dubai , U.A.E . I was personally impressed by her she talked directly to camera and she did not blink . She did what she had to do, to prove herself however that's not enough !!!! all that can be trained and she did practised a lot. Don't forget she is a former beauty queen she knows how to make people go down on heels for her just by using ber charm and beauty!
I have to agree she got charisma and some kind of uniqueness by being the outsider and playing the game that she doesnt know how to talk like the people in Washington.
Mrs Pallin did not fool me !!!!! even if her intentions are for the best of American people she does not have the history or decades of experience as Mr. Biden and she would end up doing exactly what she is told by her running mate MCSame.
Iam extremely worried about America s future if we choose 4 more years of Mcsame policies. People don't get it that Republicans will promise anything to get your vote just like Bush did . He is a danger to the world just like MCsame and Pallin,
Wake up America and lets bring the change we need to bring America back on number 1 , a country so loved and admired by all nations. I believe Obama will do just that just by looking into his eyes I can see hope and the wonderful things he will do to this country and all nations will start loving America once again even the Middle East!

A note to eliZZA:

Let’s stop analysing and dissecting this debate like it was
another episode of American Idol.
.
We, and the media like CNN need to wake up and consider the fact that our country is now in uncharted waters with this financial crisis.
This is unprecedented. There was one astute member on the post-debate panel who raised the most critical point:
In the event something happens to McCain, are we ready to hand the reigns of President of the USA to Palin. PLEASE thik abouit this.
This is something we as responsible voters MUST consider very hard. I am quite disappointed by Andersoon Cooper and the post-debate “analysts” who simply do not understand that we no longer have the luxury of discussing Plain’s so-called “improved” performance over the disaster interviews she gave a few weeks ago.

I repeat..There has NEVER been a time when we need to SCRUTINIZE and really THINK HARD when we pick our future leaders. Our right to vote and pick our future leaders also carries with it a huge responsibility. We must take this very seriously. We CANNOT and MUST NOT approach this and pick leaders like the the way judges pick the winners on American Idol.
I am seriosuly scared and horrified when I even ponder the remote idea that Palin could be sitting in the Oval Office.

To my fellow Americans and CNN members, it’s one thing to have greedy and incompetent peole as CEOs in Wall Street plunge our economy into chaos, and having Bush spend billions of dollars a .WEEK, along with casualty toll on a senseless Iraq war..

BUT having them in the White House is unacceptable

I am a French citizen with special interest in the US election . After watching the VP debate, I would first start by congratulating Senator Biden for his performance, knowledge and his political view. Its was a pity to see how Governor Palin failed to respond to many issues. She basically changed the topic or avoided those crucial issues. She was really in trouble .
This shows her lack of depth, too much dependence on charisma and charm. In the past we have seen that in France with president Sarkozy and Segolene Royal. She thought she could win election with charm, pretty face and emotion while lacking in knowledge in some life threatening issues. The French people made a choice, they choose the person most capable to represent them, then it was Sarkozy.
This is a difficult time for America, a pivotal point, Americans will not vote superficially, but deeply. Remember the world is watching u (American people).
America needs to rebuild their image in the world, to use real diplomacy, more talk and less war. This is a big opportunity for the American people to prove the world that they understand what is going on in the world. I think Obama/Biden would do a better job. Obama, Biden administration is needed to correct the direction of America today, for a better future.
Governor palin failed the exam.

ok

I was surprised at the fact that Joe Biden is even MORE of a statesman than I previously thought.
I watched this from Europe. Although not an American, the policies of America send ripples around the world.
I think Biden came across as a measured and experience man, and a very human politician.
Palin came across as a polished, rehersed candidate for high school president, she didn’t answer the questions.
She used the word Fear too much which reminded me of the Bush tactic of using fear to frighten people into voting for him.
Yes people are afraid of what their economic future holds, but they don’t need it drummed into them, her party caused the problem, helped along by Mr Greenspan.
She repeatedly suggested she is an expert in energy, however on research I can find no ‘expertise’ in this field other than the fact she happens to be the governor of and energy state, and not the only energy state in the USA.
Yet when asked direct questions on other subjects she went back to the old chestnut ‘Lets talk about energy’
Her views on Climate change, considering she is governor of an artic state were simply idiotic.
She is gutsy, I’ll give her that, but she is no Hillary Clinton, not even in the same town, never mind ballpark.
I lived in the states for 2 years and I think the average american will be insulted by the folksy tone, especially the ‘Joe six pack’ comment, and the 'Hockey mom' references. This is not a coffee morning or a clam bake sweetie.
This is a VP debate. Catch yourself on girl.
Biden was generous, and gracious, if I was voting in this I would vote for change, and vote Obama / Biden.
I can see either of them sitting down with other world leaders to discuss international affairs and crisis, I can't picture Palin in a meeting with China or India's leaders or discussing trade agreements and NATO responsibilities with Gordon Brown or Nicolas Sarkozy?

She is just too politically immature and blinkered to see the bigger picture.

I liked Biden more . He is knowledgable and gentle man. Pullin is ignorant. I am very surprised of the unconditional support for Israel. Why do not democrates thry to put themselves in the Arab shoes and understand that they defend their land and children.

Please on behalf of the world I beg my American friends to register to vote. The deadline is imminent. Please post this link round all your comments on various websites, add it to the bottom of emails you send out, and update your facebook status. http://maps.google.com/vote. Thanks you.

I'm watching from cnn.com from my little desk in Jeddah Saudi Arabia.
I'm an avid follower of the campaign, despite being a Saudi woman who's remotely related to world politics and not allowed to vote in her own country. I think this campaign has been a healthy engagement of the American voters who've been "lazy" about participating in determining their own future.

Sarah Palin was a joke... too bad she's not blond. I think Biden should have addressed her tract record in Alaska. As a mayor she took a surplus budget to a deficit.

She gave no substance– she had no depth– and I wanted to see the moderator take the conversation deeper. She is full of babble.

To quote another John (McEnroe), "You cannot be serious!" Anyone who watched that debate and is still comfortable with Sarah Palin being a heartbeat away from the Presidency of the most powerful nation on earth really needs to think again. OK, she didn't mangle the English language quite as badly as she did in her interviews over the last two weeks, but she still failed to demonstrate any real grasp of the issues that confront our nation and our world.

At this critical point in our history the questions that voters must ask themselves must, for our collective survival, go beyond, "Is this person more like me?" We must begin to ask ourselves, "What must we as a nation DO to address the serious crises we face?" On such questions, Palin did not attempt to venture beyond her prepared talking points, and spouted campaign rhetoric without giving even a hint of substance or thoughtfulness. What does this say about McCain? On what possible grounds can he argue that this was the best Republican woman to help him run the country (as opposed to just winning an election?)

The nation has seen the consequences of selecting a President based on whom they would rather have a beer with and on whether the candidate can push the "feel good" button. This time, for the sake of all humanity, PLEASE understand that the stakes are too high for such nonsense! We must, for our survival, elect people who are capable, serious, and who are committed to changing the disastrous course that our nation has been on for the last eight years. I leave it to you to decide which team that is.

I actually feel sorry for Biden, I mean they guy had to literally pretend that he was debating somebody that was in his league, or the Obama/Biden ticket would have to face the wrath of women sympathizers if they felt he was condescending or forcefully attacking her. I thought women politicians wanted to be treated as equals. Go figure!!

Will Americans really base their vote on a VP candidate whom has stated that her foreign policy experiences stem from being in close proximity with Russia!!

With all do respect if the Republican ticket is voted in November, this will constitute as one of the biggest blunders in American history or at least rank in as one of the top 3 of their all time blunders.

Here's a rhetorical question if Obama's skin color were white would their even be a competition?

If the world were to vote in the November election, the Obama/Biden ticket would win in a landslide victory regardless of skin color!!

I actually feel sorry for Biden, I mean the guy had to literally pretend that he was debating somebody that was in his league, or the Obama/Biden ticket would have to face the wrath of women sympathizers if they felt he was condescending or forcefully attacking her. I thought women politicians wanted to be treated as equals. Go figure!!

Will Americans really base their vote on a VP candidate whom has stated that her foreign policy experiences stem from being in close proximity with Russia!!

With all do respect if the Republican ticket is voted in November, this will constitute as one of the biggest blunders in American history or at least rank in as one of the top 3 of their all time blunders.

Here's a rhetorical question if Obama's skin color were white would their even be a competition?

If the world were to vote in the November election, the Obama/Biden ticket would win in a landslide victory regardless of skin color!!

What's this "she held her own" being considered as a "victory". If that's the case, the only way Biden could have won was if Palin died on stage! And how is not answering the questions posed even considered as "holding her own"?