Voterspeak on the VP debate
No train wrecks, flops or errors, despite the liberal news media. That's some of what our folks on the Voterspeak panel had to say after last night's vice presidential debate. Their thoughts:
Phyllis Davis, 64, Republican: Governor Palin and Biden both had their moments - Palin however clearly won the debate in my opinion. She related to the average citizens and their concerns. Biden was still taking cheap shots at McCain and his proposed policies - Don't think Palin took enough shots at Obama and his tax increases on average america and the desire to send more troops in to Afghanistan but cut military spending.
In spite of the liberal news media - I think that Palin gave the GOP and the average american a boost!
Kendall Garvin, 29, unaffiliated:
I think Palin did a lot better than what most people expected. However, there were many times where she did not really answer the question that was asked of her. She is definately more confident on energy versus foreign policies. Although she did better than most expected, I still think Biden has more experience and did a better job in the debate than Palin.
Trevor Hamm, 25, Democrat: Nothing spectacular about this debate. I do think that Gov. Palin communicated much better in the debate format than she did in her interviews with the networks. With that said, I did have a problem with her avoiding some questions in favor of bringing up unrelated talking points. Sen. Biden's performance was adequate and he proved knowledgeable of the pertinent issues.
Mike Kelly, 60, Republican: A very fine debate that did not devolve into a train wreck as some pundits had predicted. Were I a member of a forensic society, I would deem Senator Biden as the winner on the strength of his command of his numbers and his overall demeanor.
Governor Palin's primary objective was to not be incompetent. This she accomplished with ease and truth to tell, she was Obiden's equal in nearly every phase of the debate. She was quite formidable when the questions were tossed into her wheelhouse. And with those that were not she sort of fought off the pitch and went to the opposite field.
All in all, this debate was far more entertaining than that rather lame affair between the McCain and Obama.
Kate Peeples, 27, unaffiliated: I was, like most of the commentators & analysts, surprised that neither of them had any major flops or errors. I was also relieved by that, because I think the election lately has taken a backseat to politics of personality. Even the furor over the Wall Street crisis has come down to name-calling and who's guilty of their party's typical behaviors, etc. As far as the VP debate specifically, I felt that Biden was a clear winner. I thought Palin held her own fairly well, but I'm not sure that it was much more than "cramming for a test," as several newsanchors have described it.
Deonna Kelli Sayed, 34, Democrat: Biden did well and performed very presidential. I appreciated this clarity, composure, and knowledge. Palin didn't screw up, but she came off as amateurish, unable to directly answer questions, and twitchy. She knows a lot about a few of the issues (energy) but not enough to make me feel comfortable with her as a VP to a really old man.
