Our Vice Presidential Poll Result

Our small poll asked people to respond on two specific issues. First, we asked you who won the debate. 40 people believe Joe Biden won, while 16 stated that Sarah Palin won. So, 2.5 to 1, the nod goes to Joe Biden.

Secondly, we asked you who answered the questions as posed to them. 27 of you felt that Joe Biden answered the questions as posed to them, while only 9 said that Sarah Palin answered the questions posed to her. So, again the nod goes to Joe Biden by a vote of 3 to 1.

We are putting up a new poll that will run until Tuesday nights debate...let us know going into the debate who you think will win.

My After Debate Thoughts

Other than some TECHNICAL glitches with my internet connections, I had an enjoyable time twittering and blogging this debate. I disagree with the initial opinions of the pundits following the debate, but then that is not surprising.

Perhaps the greatest moment of this and any debate ever was when Joe Biden started talking about being a single father and had to stop to hold back a tear! Joe Biden the man, the father and the widower on display for every one in the world to see, and it was one of the most touching public examples of personal emotion and heart I have ever witnessed! I would have thought that would have been the first thing that the pundits talked about, but it got not a mention.

Sarah Palin for my money did not answer ONE QUESTION that was put to her. Further, she made several blunders...wrong name for a general, and Joe Biden was smart enough not to correct her on that blunder. In the first half of the debate, she twisted things around, and said a Toxic Main Street was ruining Wall Street.

However, what really bothered me, was when she said Iran should not be allowed to have either a nuclear bomb, or nuclear energy. First, denying Iran nuclear energy goes against the basic charter of the International Atomic Energy Agency which gives all nations the RIGHT to use the so called Friendly Atom, to develop NUCLEAR ENERGY. Secondly, her tone and demeanor made it clear that is she were president, she would take MILITARY ACTION against Iran to stop either of these actions from happening.

The night from my perspective was Joe Biden's. He showed a grasp of the facts, a deep knowledge of International Affairs, answered every question put to him, and was far more diplomatic towards Palin that I would have been.

the Debate is Over...Let the Punditting BEGIN

For my money, I give the win to Joe Biden...there will be a poll up on this blog in the next five minutes as the Pundits start telling us what we should think.

This Debate So Far is A BUST

Shaking Head....Sarah Palin is going to put me to sleep. She is a red haired Barbie doll puppet with someone else pulls the strings.

Sarah Palin though so far is DANCING...she has NOT ANSWERED ONE QUESTION.

Tax question. Asks why raising taxes on wealthy is NOT class warfare.

Joe Biden comes out strong, says its about FAIRNESS. He is doing good at hitting Obama's points on tax issue and who will not be TAXED.

Sarah Palin takes issue, goes it a wealth redistribution, but DOES NOT ANSWER the question that was put to her! Says she is middle class, but earns over $250,000 a year. Dissappointed in the moderator...she is LETTING SARAH DANCE.

Palin Looks Tense!

Sarah Palin looks VERY TENSE and STILTED, and her first answer is not very impressive.

Joe Biden speaking about reaching across the aisle.

BIDEN DRAWS BLOOD...Points out McCain's FLIP FLOP on Economy! Says John McCain is out of touch.

Sarah Palin sounds very REHEARSED and CANNED. She is not really touching on anything, but instead sticking to TALKING POINTS...BORING.

Moderator just threw Sarah Palin a SOFTBALL.

God, I hate Sarah Palin's platitudes!

Round One...Who Drew First Blood?

It's about three minutes before start of the debate. Getting this post ready, and will post up my first thoughts shortly into the debate. Wish it would start, as I am about ready to barf on the pundits and their diatribe.

Gwin spells out the rules...the usual.

Sarah asks permission to call Senator Biden Joe...don't like that.

First Question goes to Joe Biden. It's about the bill to Bailout Wall Street. Is it the best or worst of Washington.

Moderator is In Her Seat, Ready To Go!

Ten minutes folks, so FASTEN YOUR SEAT BELTS...Gwin is seated, the political pundits are wetting themselves with excitement, and America is tuned in!

Some Pre Debate Twittering

A sampling of the Pre Debate Twittering....

	TheFix More Office homage: http://tinyurl.com/4uds95 less than 20 seconds ago from web
	lepouse cnn, as always #vpdebate #current half a minute ago from TwitterFox
	lepouse why is it all the republicans I know will NOT be watching the debate tonight? are they frightened it will all fall apart? #current 2 minutes ago from TwitterFox
	media_girl I won't be live-tweeting, I will be live-snarking. It's about all I can manage for this event. 2 minutes ago from twhirl
	TheFix Baseball update: Phillies 5, Brewers 2...top 8th. 4 minutes ago from web
	politicalticker Toobin: Not so great expectations http://tinyurl.com/3oq4fh 5 minutes ago from Twitter Tools
	Dantcer wow! twitter is going nutz! Going to go fix myself a cold drink. No wait - Joe SIX PACK is supposed to drink a whole six pack right? 6 minutes ago from TweetDeck
	jthrasher I hate when CNN uses their huge touch screen monitor to show us how they can throw websites around...it's pointless and dumb. 7 minutes ago from Election 2008

Audience Rules Handed Out

They have just given the audience at tonight's debate the rules. Turn off your cell phones, no clapping, keep quite...the usual diatribe before such an event. Watching CSPAN on one screen here on my laptop, Politics CNN on another, have my twitter box open, and my TV is tuned in to CNN for the debate...I'm ready for the RUMBLE!

Play PALIN BINGO Before The Debate

OK folks, we are almost down to half an hour before the Great Biden VS Palin Championship Fight...while you are waiting, go play some Palin Bingo! I'm going to eat my dinner.

Your Pre Debate Movie Short...The Other Palin For President

Remember the good old days when you got a short, and a few cartoons before the main feature? We are pleased to bring you tonight's Pre Debate Short.

Make Sure You Follow The Fix

Greetings readers...almost down to one hour before show time. I learned about twitters just before last week's debate when I happened upon an article from, "The Fix" in the Washington Post. Do yourselves a favor...if you are not following "The Fix" on twitter, get hooked up now before the debate starts.

washingtonpost.com's Politics Blog

About This Blog Meet Chris Cillizza RSS Feed (What's RSS?)

Twittering the Showdown in St. Louis

Tonight's vice presidential debate between Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and Delaware Sen. Joe Biden is among the most anticipated political events of a campaign that has been chock full of memorable moments.

We'll be twittering the debate starting around 9 p.m. ET so make sure to sign up for The Fix feed. (Don't know what Twitter is? Check out this cool video tutorial that explains it all.)

Help me, help you. See or hear something interesting? Reply to one of my tweets or shoot me an email at chris DOT cillizza AT washingtonpost DOT com and I will do my best to work them into the discussion.

Sarah Palin Steps In Shit Before Debate...Meets With British Ambassador Before She Doesn't Meet With Ambassador

Sarah Palin has been caught in a lie, forced to issue a public apology, and just before her big DEBATE DEBUT...God, you cannot make this stuff up. Seems she was claiming to have met with Sir Nigel Sheinwald. She was MAKING THIS CLAIM because his name was on the guest list for a US Governor's meeting that she was speaking at. Turns out he CANCELLED, but his name was left on the guest list. Honest mistake? NOT...she would have known if she had actually had a MEETING WITH HIM, which is what she was claiming in a FALSE ATTEMPT at padding her resume before tonight's debate. Now on top of everything else she is a LYING BITCH!

Meanwhile, David Axelrod was just interviewed on the CSPAN cam. Additionally, seems that the VIP types, and perhaps the press ARE EATING GOOD.

Sarah Palin has committed yet another political blunder after claiming she had held talks with a British ambassador - talks that never actually took place.

In an answer to questions about her foreign policy experience ahead of tonight's make-or-break vice presidential TV debate, her aides listed numerous contacts with foreign officials - including Britain's ambassador to Washington, Sir Nigel Sheinwald.

However the meeting never occurred. Officials at the embassy swiftly contacted the McCain-Palin campaign to inform them of the discrepancy.

A British Embassy spokesman said the error arose after Sir Nigel's name was listed among those who had attended a US Governor's meeting in July.

Blunder: Sarah Palin has been forced to apologise after she mistakenly claimed she had met with British ambassador Nigel Sheinwald at an event which he did not actually attend

Mrs Palin was at the meeting in her role as Governor of Alaska. However Sir Nigel pulled out at the last minute, leaving his name on the guest list.

The embarrassing mishap comes as Mrs Palin faces the biggest challenge of her political life tonight in a head-to-head vice-presidential debate with Democratic candidate Joe Biden.

Pre Vice Presidential Debate Musings

The C Span pre-debate cam is starting to get a bit interesting, and if people knew they were being watched, they might spend some time looking less like a dork...perfect example is the woman walking around in the PINK winter coat with an orange baseball cap on! TACK A. It is surprising with security what it is in America to see as many back packs as I have noticed so far.

Should be an interesting night, and I am betting on a serious GAFF by Sarah Palin, and would lay odds it will be on You Tube before the debate has even ended. If we hold her to the SAME STANDARD that we hold Joe Biden (equal rights), she does not stand a chance unless Joe Biden falls into her trap, and lets her get away without really answering questions.

A good tactic for Joe Biden...force her to talk about John McCain by starting his answers with something like, "John McCain has said he supports so and so, and his position is blah blah blah, but I think, and then the rest of his answer. This will place her in a position of having to DEFEND John McCain.

A Question On tonight's Debate

I am not a BIG FAN of Gwin Hill, do not feel she was/is the best choice for moderating such an important debate. That being said, do feel the attack on her integrity was/is unfair, and feel it was done deliberately. Simply stated, if Sarah Palin is caught in a "GOTCHA" guestion, the radical Right Wing of the Republican Party as well as McCain staffers will be quick to race to the airwaves in a "we told you so moment".

Now if I were Gwin Hill, I'd be more than a triffle miffed at this unfair attack. So my question...do you think Gwin Hill might now have a grudge against Sarah Palin, a proverbial axe to grind, and if so will she try to trip Palin up this evening.

Tonight's Debate, The Bailout and Other Political News

Don't Count on It McCain...The White House is Slipping From Your Grasp With Each Passing Day.

For those tracking the Bailout Bill(s), I recommend this site to stay informed. I'll put the link for Open Congress in my sidebar for easy access. Personally, I don't support the bailout, and hope Congress says no a second, and final time. Maybe it is time for America to swallow the BITTER PILL needed to start healing. Our debt is out of control, and unless we real that in, this situation is going to get worse. My own advice to the nation, and our government. DECLARE BANKRUPCY, and immediately stop making payments on our debt to China. My advice to Americans...if it is NOT MADE IN AMERICA, do you REALLY NEED IT? In short, JUST SAY NO. To illegal aliens...pack your bags and head back home as the situation here in America is about to get really UGLY FOR YOU as America's lower and middle class lash out at those who have been depressing our wages, and stealing our jobs.

Everyone is getting ready for tonights debate, and the big issue in the news is the matter of sex, male verse female. My advice to Palin and every other woman...if you want to break through the glass ceiling, don't claim sexism at every turn in the road. Stop acting like you are fragile, or using that as an excuse/tool to keep men from going after you in the same fashion we would go after a man. Joe Biden should not have to hold his punches because he is debating a woman, regardless of her last name, be it Clinton or Palin.

That said, I'd advise Joe Biden not to use terms like little darling, darly, listen missy, or god forbide, "LOOK LITTLE GIRL". My advice to her...refer to her in a gender nuetral fashion by always referring to her as Governor Palin, and then SMASH HER IN THE MOUTH, EXPOSE HER STUPIDITY.

From a friend of mine in Pennsylvania...don't be surprised to see McCain pull his forces within the week. Word is, that if Palen losses badly tonight, Pennsylvania is ALL OVER FOR McCain.

By the way, I'll be LIVE BLOGGING THE DEBATE on my twitter at BeltwayScandal this evening.

Sarah Palin Practices For Debate

Just appearing on You Tube...Sarah Palin practicing for debate!