Palin and Biden Square Off in Vice Presidential Debate

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Opinions of the one and only vice presidential debate in the 2008 election depended on who the viewer supported going into the contest.

Most agreed that Senator Joe Biden had a better grasp of the issues, but Governor Sarah Palin was energetic and folksy in her arguments in favor of John McCain.

Palin clearly distanced herself from the policies of fellow Republican President George Bush while also attacking Barack Obama's energy and foreign policies. Biden countered by criticizing John McCain's record on the economy, saying he was "out of touch" with Americans.

Warm Up Questions

1. Did you watch the vice presidential debate between Sarah Palin and Joe Biden? If so, what did you think?

2. What do you know about Alaska Governor Sarah Palin? What do you know about Delaware Senator Joe Biden?

3. How important are debates? Why?

Discussion Questions

1. Who do you think did better? Why?

2. What were some of the most memorable parts of the debate?

3. Do you think the debates will make a difference in the outcome of the election?

4. Who do you think will win November 4? Why?

Comments

Posted:
10/ 6/08 at
04:48 PM

Nicholas : Gov Palin did not fail this debate on any count. Though she did not answer some questions, Biden gave an equal, if not greater, amount of bad answers. Biden seemed to preface every issue on the Bush administration. He continued to complain about Bush's "failed policies", yet offered no solution. Another short falling of Biden's was that he simply restated, verbadum, what Obama had said in the Presidential debate. Now Palin, as I mentioned, was not flawless. However, I believe she disspelled this idiotic statement that she is "not very bright", as Bill Mahr put it. She was on the offencive on issues like the economy, and a bit on foreign policy. Honestly, how can we wave the white flag now? Progress is showing in a big way in Iraq and Obama and Biden want to pull us out now? The reason I wrote this was because this article that I just read only exagrates Palin's short comings and says next to nothing about Biden's performance, except that it was "not perfect". I just wanted someone to understand the other side of the political spectrum.
Posted:
10/ 7/08 at
04:18 AM

Sarah Kruger : I appreciate Governor Palin's candid approach to this debate. The only topic I agree with her on is her support of increased spending for education. I do question whether this is a long-standing commitment or new interest. Nothing is free! We cannot continue to support a war that costs greater than 120 million dollars daily and also meet the complex needs of our future citizens.

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Posted:
10/ 6/08 at
04:48 PM

Nicholas : Gov Palin did not fail this debate on any count. Though she did not answer some questions, Biden gave an equal, if not greater, amount of bad answers. Biden seemed to preface every issue on the Bush administration. He continued to complain about Bush's "failed policies", yet offered no solution. Another short falling of Biden's was that he simply restated, verbadum, what Obama had said in the Presidential debate. Now Palin, as I mentioned, was not flawless. However, I believe she disspelled this idiotic statement that she is "not very bright", as Bill Mahr put it. She was on the offencive on issues like the economy, and a bit on foreign policy. Honestly, how can we wave the white flag now? Progress is showing in a big way in Iraq and Obama and Biden want to pull us out now? The reason I wrote this was because this article that I just read only exagrates Palin's short comings and says next to nothing about Biden's performance, except that it was "not perfect". I just wanted someone to understand the other side of the political spectrum.

Posted:
10/ 7/08 at
04:18 AM

Sarah Kruger : I appreciate Governor Palin's candid approach to this debate. The only topic I agree with her on is her support of increased spending for education. I do question whether this is a long-standing commitment or new interest. Nothing is free! We cannot continue to support a war that costs greater than 120 million dollars daily and also meet the complex needs of our future citizens.