OMG(oodness) you went there. Well, the Word says Be Bold, eh? Alright here goes. I just love her somethin’ fierce. 1, she’s got a heart for God, 2, She uses her Vote as her Voice. Ahem. Think the rest of the 85% of Americans who claim to believe in God could take a page from this Lady’s book? I sure do. I think it’s nothing short of ridiculous that all the people who were for Hillary all of a sudden don’t support a woman in office. I think it’s ludicrous that more than half the moms in our country are working moms and Governor Palin is the only one who is singled out for shame in that area. I think she’s fresh and fierce. I believe men were born to lead. (I heard y’all just suck in your breath) BUT. I believe behind every great man is a great woman. You just can’t argue that. She’s the real “change” Washington needs.

Blessings, Whitney

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I thought the pit bull with lipstick held her own tonight.

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she just doesn’t seem like a typical politician to me at all. I don’t think she would ever fit in as a washington insider — which is actually what ‘we’ all want isn’t it? I know it’s what I want. We are sick to death of politicians, politics, and their lazy, power-hungry, sneaky, selfish, monopolizing ways.

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Palin did it in my book. You all said it like I was going to. She has what its going to take for change and we sure need some change after this last mess that went down!

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I didn’t like the pandering of Biden, he did show the soft side of himself but, he showed his pride too. I am stumped about the gay marriage deal, his principle is for it and he’s not??

Honestly Palin did well, the only drawback is that she always talked about her energy state. If she’s going to lead she needs to get past her accomplishments and lead.

I am very mixed about the elections. I do believe that I am leading with the Mccain/Palin ticket, it’s just tough this year.. real tough…

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I can’t stand Sarah Palin. I think she is dangerous, inexperienced, uneducated and is a symbol of what is wrong with America.

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Never in the history of the United States, has a VP debate been a “game-changer”. That is, until tonight. Turns out, she is articulate and bright.

I am not a swing voter. I believe Liberalism is short-sighted and wrong (honest disclosure of my bias).

She is a very good #2 person. McCain is who I am excited about. I predict a 3% McCain victory in November.

As a surgeon, I am very fearful of the health care system that Obama is promoting. I have worked for the federal government in the VA system and found it inefficient and administrator-heavy. I would hate to see that imposed on the American public. Red tape gets in the way of patient-care.

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I am shocked that you have a few readers who don’t L.O.V.E. Palin! You must be really good at this “reaching out” thing. Way to go Pete!;)

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was abortion ever mentioned?

Palin looked into the camera, spoke clearly & kindly without fear or cynicism. She was also practical when putting responsibility on Americans to manage their debt/finances rather than just rely on the government. Biden was a professional politician. He pointed backwards more than forward. He made ‘factual’ statements – which as I type are being shown as false (10 statements totally false that he referred to as ‘fact’).

It was refreshing to have a VP debate like this…

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it scares me to think that, after a terrible tragedy of course, she could possibly be our nation’s president. the thought of her communicating with leaders from other nations makes me kinda neuseated. she struggled tonight to really answer some questions. it seemed like she was chanigng the subject so she could use some notes somebody else made for her.

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I agree with the majority here, she did hold her own very well. I respect her immensely for going up against a seasoned politician like Senator Biden. Not an easy task. Go Sarah!

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Whew! I’m just glad Palin did as well as she did. Her lack of experience in these kinds of forums (plus the less than stellar interview with Couric) had me worried (since I want McCain to win). I thought the debate was a draw and not particularly informative, but they’re not really designed to do much anyway.

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Biden stuck with answering questions asked without flitting from the topic. I dont think she answered questions.. mostly she was trying to say what she had an agenda to say. I think she did well as I didnt expect her to be prepared, so I give her a Hand for her Preparation. I wish they had chosen Olympia Snowe for VP candidate if they so badly needed a woman to represent them.

I dont think any of them have any workable plans for the economy, education or for the withdrawal of troops from the war zones. She used the word “Tolerate” with respect to same sex marriages and I was thinking that is scary ’cause when you dont “Accept” but “Tolerate” stuff then there will come a time when extremism is born.

I dont have a stake in the elections so I can say this without much consequence,- NONE of the(4) candidates who stood up there this week are really “Leadership” material. So really, “God save the US”.

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I shared some of my thoughts here:

http://manofdepravity.com/2008/10/02/vp-debate/

I would say that Palin didn’t do a good enough job of showing how her and McCain are different than Bush. If they can’t do that I don’t see how they can win.

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She didn’t screw things up which is a huge victory for the Republicans. But if surviving the debate is a huge victory then she shouldn’t be running on the ticket. Biden won.

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I’m so with you on the whole pressure thing. I was thinking the same thing as I was watching it. Wondering if she was nervous out of her mind like I would have been. Anyone that would put themselves through that must have something they want to see accomplished for sure.

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As for Palin, I am more confident with her ever needing to “step up to the plate if need be” than Biden.

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I am standing by Palin, no matter what! Winning or losing a debate..? How can one say who really won. Election time will tell. and I pray it is McCain/Palin

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I didn’t stay up to watch the whole debate – I know, I’m a bedtime nazi. I left it at 9:45. That was about the point that Palin was finally comfortable and saying some bold things. I like her, I am amused by Biden though and appreciate his ability to control his reactions and be respectful. That man has to have the whitest, flashiest smile!! Ok, i’ll stop being so shallow – Palin held her own and certainly boosted perceptions as even the psycho media has to admit. What I really like about Palin is that she – like mudpuppy just mentioned – does NOT sound and look presidential. Isn’t that kind of the point of Barack’s campaign??

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I agree with Brody… yawn…

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I think the only reason why people think Palin did well last night was because their expectations were so low.

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@tonyyork, I can agree with that. They both impressed me in different ways.

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I thought they both did a good job.

I admire many things about both candidates but am much more politically aligned with Palin. I really believe Washington needs more common sense than experience. We need a person with a good understanding of human nature and what it means to do the unpopular thing because you know it is right. Time will tell if any of these four on the tickets have those qualities. I really don’t think you know for sure until they come under fire.

I told my wife last night during the debate that I honestly believe there are unknown people all over this country who have the qualities to lead it. We have developed a certain “pedigre” we look for in a candidate that I think is missing the mark.

I think my father-in-law would have made a great president. He was a WW II vet who believed strongly in God, Family and Country. Would he have made mistakes? Most likely yes but I havent known of a president who hasn’t. He would have also held is own and then some in a debate. It seems that almost having your arms blown off by a German hand grenade while crossing a river at night in France and then being given your last rights by a Catholic priest tends to make almost everything else “small potatoes”.

He would have loved Sarah.

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It’s time for a female vice president. It is also time for a black president, just not this one.

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This is totally from the outside looking in, as I am a Canadian and we have an election of our own going on right now. The funny part is I hear more coverage about the US Election and I find that I follow yours just as much.

I felt as though this debate was all about Sarah Palin and whether or not she could prove herself prepared and qualified to enter the political ring with the best of them (or worst of them, you decide?)… I think for Biden this was a bit unfair, because no matter how well he did… the attention was going to be on Palin and whether or not she could silence the critics… and so in that way it was unfair for her too… i guess the saying rings true (no press, is bad press) and so i think she actually gained by having the chance to either boom or bust… it was in her hands… We had our Canadian debate last night and so i was flippin the channels between both to see how things were going… I thought both candidates had good things to say and even more they were strategic (especially Palin) at what questions to answer straight out and what questions to dance around with a answer that sounds smart hahah… Although I still believe this night was centered around Palin and whether or not she can… i thought both held their ground and appreciated how gracious they were to each other at the end… Just my distant thoughts.. Don’t hate the Canadian!

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Biden won the debate. Palin won hearts.

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I saw a bumper sticker on my way to work this morning that read “God is not a republican”….

I want to be behind McCain/Palin, but I just can’t. Looks like I am one of few in my church community that stand behind Obama. If I had it my way, Ron Paul would be on the ticket, but that is not the case.

I agree with Marc. I feel as if I am watching a girl scout leader run for VP. I just can’t get behind the bows in her hair and the clever little quotes she uses to dodge the issues.

As for Biden, I felt as if he had to hold back so that the american public/media wouldn’t criticize him for “being mean” to a woman. My opinion is, if you want to be in a boys club, gonna have to take it like a man. Wasn’t so in this case, I’m afraid. I don’t feel that Palin has the jewels to do the job….if you know what I mean. Look at the difference between her and Condoliza Rice….ok, enough. I have to get off my soap box

Looking forward to the Belmont debate this Tuesday.

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Heather, I think Palin has the toughness to take anything that is thrown at her. It was Biden’s choice to try and take it easy and that is his fault not her’s. I am really, really curious why people support Obama and his socialist agenda. Do you really want government to tell you what to do, which doctor to go to, how you can spend the money you earn? This is what could potentially happen with Obama as president and those morons Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid running things in Congress. I am tired of people thinking Palin does not have what it takes to be on the national stage because she comes from a small town and a small population state. It is ridiculous. Harry Truman came from just as humble beginnings and showed that he was more than capable to handle some very tough decisions.

This is what the next 2 years is going to be like. Obama will win in November. He will try his hardest to get his socialist agenda through Congress while he can because in 2010 the Republicans will take control of Congress. Obama will also have 1 vacancy to fill on the Supreme Court and this is what really scares me about him. He will appoint justices who legislate from the bench. Notice that none of Clinton’s appointees faced the type of scrutiny that Bush’s did. Ever since Robery Bork’s nomination under Reagan the Democrats have played politics with Supreme Court nominees.

I continue to love everyone on this board and in the media question Sarah Palin’s experience to be the freaking VP when they do not take a look at Obama’s experience to run this country. Look at his personal ties with Bill Ayers and Jeremiah Wright. I just cannot get behind I guy who does not love this country.

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Both Joe and Sarah did just fine last night. And yes, the pressure must have been intense.

After the debate was over I channel-surfed and hit on PBS for a moment and literally had an LOL-moment. There was this stuffy-sounding elitist woman commentator who said, “I don’t understand how she [Palin] can suggest that the complex problems that our world faces can be solved simply by the application of common sense, and yet this is the message she delivers and it seems to resonate with the public.” Yes friends, that, in a nutshell is the Eastern-liberal elite world view. Kind of like…”Why, why, she’s not one of US! How dare she think she can ascend to the world stage? The nerve! She’s, folksy. She’s down home. And UGH! She’s pro-life – she even gave life to a Down syndrome baby.” So much for that old saw, liberals are tolerant. Yeah, right.

And by the way, too many people think that Obama is pro-life. He’s not. Voted three times to NOT GIVE CARE to babies who survive abortions. That friends is infanticide.

I too love the notion that we’ve come far enough in race relations to have a black president. But black or white or whatever color, I just can’t vote for someone who is pro-abortion.

Thanks for the forum Pete.

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giant idiot – look where democracy has gotten us…maybe a little socialism wouldn’t be so bad

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This is one of the most serious elections of modern times and for people to say they want to vote for Sarah Palin because she’s regular folk, just like them is so dangerous. (I hope people don’t pick their surgeons like that)

Sarah Palin would be fun to hang out with but she is not ready to lead our nation, deep in dept, at war and with record unemployment. McCain would be the oldest president we’ve ever had, he’s on chloresterol medicine and he’s had the most lethal type of skin cancer – 4 times! I’m a woman. I LOVE that Sarah’s a hockey mom, I love her accent, I think she’s really cute and spunky but come on…. we’re not voting for class president. I dream of voting for a woman president ..and maybe it will be Sarah, SOME DAY, but not now. She is not ready.

I love Gwen Ifill but it was supposed to be a debate.. not a monologue!!! Sarah recited her “talking points” and disregarded many of the questions. Gwen tried to rein her in but I think she could have forced the issue a bit more. These are questions we want answers to and I thought Sarah was smug in her declining to answer them.

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Why is it that everyone seems to think the only person who rehearsed or who had talking points is Palen……

Obama spent days being coached before his the last debate….

They all do so… I think it is so dishonest to keep mentioning that about Palin…..

And…they all have speech writers…..

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I keep hearing the media compare the experience of Palin vs Obama. She is the VP candidate he’s the freaking Presidential candidate!!!! Is anyone else sick of this? Why isn’t the media focusing on that??!!

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I agree with Marla – stop comparing experience between Palin and Obama – is she ready to lead the country? God forbid, that she has to fill that role, but yes, she is ready to be the VICE PRESIDENT of the US – she is the only on one either ticket that has ANY executive experience.
People act like McCain is going to keel over dead in the first few months of his presidency – are we supposed to just stop taking our senior citizens seriously because they might die at any day? Statistically, you have more chances of dying by just getting into your car and driving to work.

I will be voting for McCain because he is the candidate that will bring change – know how I know that? He has a voting record – a long one that supports his history of bipartisanship and bucking the system (including the current administration). Obama’s scant voting record proves that he is one of the most liberals in the Senate and the IL state legislature (when he actually chooses to vote yea or nay as opposed to present)- how is that bipartisan? He has strong rhetoric, but please, tell me one thing of legislative importance that he has done? Don’t even get me started on his sketchy associates and supporters.

As far as Biden goes, I thought he did a good job. He also has a long voting record – I just don’t agree with his ideas. And, that is what makes a democratic, capitalistic (not socialist) country like ours so great – you get to choose what you believe in – just please, inform yourselves first (and not through the media).

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@mudpuppy // That is fine because Obama ‘08 is going to lead to Palin or Jindal in ‘12.

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The more I see of her, the more I like – she’s so opposite of everyone else – she kicked some good ol’ boy incumbent bootie in one of the tightest political units in the country (her own state) – she’s sure to shake up some “old school” practices that no longer have their effects in today’s world. Quite refreshing to watch opposite the stiff blue suit of stodgy 30+ years in office who apparently has done ohhhhh so much in all those many, many years – yea, that’s why we all knew him so well going into this election, huh?

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Wow…Politics can get you all bent in a hurry eh?

Here is what I am reading….

Obama supporters think Biden won.
McCain supporters think Palin won.

Well, surprise!

The real question should be how many Obama supporters think Palin won and how many McCain supporters think Biden won? That is a sign of reaching an audience.

Could be hard to find

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Britt this became a discussion about Obama’s lack of credentials after some people started to question Palin’s, who is the VP candidate, experience. That is why I was asking. Since you brought up Obama’s “qualifications”, he did not write one article as President of the Law Review. His so called work with Republicans was with Dick Luger on nuclear weapons a measure that over 90 senators voted for, that is not what I would call rallying troops in the name of bipartisanship.

His speeches throughout the country and the world. How do you think he made them? With a freaking TelePrompTer!! His whole second book is taken from the George McGovern and Jimmy Carter rules on government, which we know do not work.

How is he an example of the American Dream? Because his friend Tony Rezko was able to help him buy a house in an exclusive part of Chicago and do you forget that the church he attended for twenty years had an American bashing pastor?

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I think Joseph is correct. Who won is dependant on who you were planning on voting for before the debate, which means they both did well.

I think the bigger question is who lied the most. If you do some fact checking (going to voting records – not newspapers) you will learn alot. I’ve found that most people don’t really know whan anyone’s voting record really is – they just quote the stuff they’re fed from the media or the political machine. There were exaggerations on both sides last night. There were lies. There were innaccuracies (role of the vp constitutionally, which article is it?)

The chances of changing someone’s mind politically is near impossible. Unless you can get them to really do some research. That is why I rarely jump in on political discussions, although I get FIRED UP in private.

I do think, as Christians, we have to align ourselves with God. Would God vote pro-choice? Does it matter to God where someone is from or where they went to school – or is the state of thier heart more important? As Christians, we need to know what scripture says and where the candidates stand. Ok, I’ll step down off the soap-box.

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I think I have a man-crush on Giant Idiot. His comments are actually the most informed on this forum…except for Pete, of course….and my wife, Holly.

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GI–do you have a job?

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How brave of her to say that marriage is the union of one man and one women. How brave of her to not abort her Down’s syndrome child. How brave of her to gladly send her son off Iraq to defend freedom. How exciting to have a woman running for VP especially on the conservative ticket. I know God can use Godless leaders and I don’t know either man’s heart but I know she had her community church on their knees praying for her before her VP announcement. I hope everyone is on their knees praying about this election.

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So, what was the question again…

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I like Palin. She did a great job. I was back/forth….mostly back before she was added to the ticket. I’m now a solid McCain/Palin supporter.

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Ok, so I admit to my crush for Giant Idiot too.

Let me just say I have a lot of respect for Sarah Palin. She is one brave gal!
Obama is not the man for us. Maybe McCain is not either but he is the lesser of the two evils for me.
To “get change” in Washington we have to start over with Congress….send them all home and start with new people. These career politicians are not there to serve the people-they are self-serving.
Watch Lou Dobbs on CNN if you want to know what really goes on in Washington. The other journalists on all of the networks are so slanted its nauseating.

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No matter how well Palin did, or how little she embarrassed herself or her party, I just can’t get past her “snarky” demeanor. Her cutsey, silly, flip mannerisms are nauseating to me. At times I have a hard time figuring out if I’m watching her live in person, or someone (like Tina Fey) mocking her.

I mean, come on. . . “Joe Sixpack”? Puh-leeze!

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I was driving through L.A. tonight and there are posters all over light poles with Obama in a Superman outfit. I am furious that he is wearing my outfit without my permission.

Before I flew out here I was surfing radio stations in the ATL and stopped on this Jamaican sounding man saying that we needed to praise God…as he continued his ramblings he ended up saying that we needed to Praise God because He has sent us Obama just like He sent the children of Israel Moses. He then finished by saying Obama was God himself (His exact words). (I figured GI would love this bit of information)

Just to stay on subject…I will restate that based on the little bit that I saw Palin won.

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…when I read the above post saying “I was driving through ATL (code word.. black)..and a Jamaican man (duh) called Obama “God”….”

I think 2 things..
1. Obama didn’t call himself, God. He’s a Christian who has spoken and written about his strong Christian faith for years.
2. Why would someone post that? Are they trying to scare people? are they the same people sending around endless chain letters about Obama’s missing birth certificate (uh..it’s not missing) or that he’s a muslim (never has been one) or that he’s half black… oops, that one’s true.

Hmm? is that what the problem really is?
I’ve offered my friends $20 to send me ONE anti McCain chain letter with lies in it. That was last month and I still have my $20.

I have never said anything bad about McCain or Palin on here. I may doubt Palin’s experience but I even said I’d love to vote for her someday. Why does the anti Obama stuff get so mean spirited? Is there something more to it than just disagreeing with someone’s political choice?

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Britt the only person who has mentioned Obama’s Muslim faith is Obama.

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Somebody way smarter then me said to me the other day [as we were discussing this]…”why do we pick people to run this country based on speeches?” I thought it was a great point.

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