Poll | 10/03/2008 12:00 am

Who won Thursday night's debate?

Read more about: Debate, Election 2008, Joe Biden, Politics, Sarah Palin

516 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Sarah wasn’t too bad, but she ignored too many questions. That hurt her.

By Rainbow Power on 10/03/2008 12:03 am

e-mail alert

I agree, there were too many obvious question diversions. I have a sense that there is a ‘dumbing down’ of candidates as they address ‘middle America’. Are we seen as beer-swilling, soccer moms, who care little about facts and intelligently presented information? Several times commentators indicated that Sen. Biden was ‘too technical’. Well, Gosh Darn, maybe we otta smarten up and lern the technical stuff, so we would get why them bankers need so much help. Just some thoughts from a middle American (who has a combined family income of less than $80,000 annually), and who does appreciate facts and well-spoken responses.

By Lindy Bixler on 10/03/2008 8:32 am

e-mail alert

http://www.salon.com/opinion/conason/2008/10/04/dumb/ It has been long thought by a whole lot of people, Lindy, that the success of the Republican party has been to dumb down the base. Now, please understand, I am certainly not calling all Republicans dumb or stupid, or course not! But, they implanted their pundits where needed and encouraged their base to listen to them instead of doing their homework, and it has come to this. I hope people start catching on that being in high public office requires a person who puts great value in their intellect and their constant studying. I believe it was obvious watching Biden the other night. Proper governing requires far greater attributes than saying “gee”, “betcha” and winking. http://www.salon.com/opinion/conason/2008/10/04/dumb/

By Diana T on 10/04/2008 11:02 am

e-mail alert

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/oct/04/uselections2008.johnmccain1 The signigficant thing in politics this week is not Palin——it’s McCain’s retreat—his pull-out from Michigan

By f p on 10/04/2008 12:23 pm

e-mail alert

Frank, you are very correct. Do you realize that when a candidate does this that it has a huge impact on all candidates running on the slate, all the way down to the dogcatcher. I heard that they pulled out without notifying the State Republicans(why does that not surprise me), and they are furious with the McCain people.

By Diana T on 10/04/2008 12:32 pm

e-mail alert

All I can say about it is: ROFLMAO —ain’t it grand?

By f p on 10/04/2008 12:48 pm

e-mail alert

Besides Michigan which is most likely lost to McCain as he pulled out entirely from the state: let’s look at the other battleground states. The list is roughly as follows: Florida (27 electoral votes), Ohio (20), North Carolina (15), Virginia (13), Indiana (11), Colorado (nine), Iowa (seven), New Mexico (five) and New Hampshire (four). That’s nine states worth a total of 111 electoral votes. Here’s the interesting thing about those nine states: eight of them voted for George Bush in 2004. Only the smallest one - New Hampshire - went for Kerry. This means that the battle is taking place on what used to be almost entirely red territory but is now up for grabs.

By f p on 10/04/2008 12:30 pm

e-mail alert

Frank, What about Pennsylvania? Is it up for grabs? I am worried because I read that McCain has pulled out all of the stops with negative ads and character smearing, and you know what that means.

By Diana T on 10/04/2008 1:14 pm

e-mail alert

Let me ask this: is Penn that important if he grabs most of the rest of the red states in question?

By f p on 10/04/2008 1:20 pm

e-mail alert

I don’t know. I just figure that he won’t get the southern red states, except maybe Florida. And, now I read that the swift boats are being readied, and I know that will have an impact. Sad, but true. But, right now, everybody I am talking to is so worried about their future and they are looking for good answers.

By Diana T on 10/04/2008 1:52 pm

e-mail alert

Yes I know—smear campaigns put off a lot of people—let’s hope that people get some sense.

By f p on 10/04/2008 2:04 pm

e-mail alert

Okay, so my first reaction to the first few times Palin couldn’t seem to correctly pronounce a word commonly used in her “area of expertise” (snort) was: NuCLEaR! NuCLEar! NuCLEar! Arrrrrrgggghhh!!!! I can NOT do four more years of celebrating stupid! I. just. can. not! As she continued, the horrible truth finally dawned on me. Of course, at least a dozen people have probably told her, it’s “nuCLEar”. But that’s “too high-falootin’ for middle America!” Clearly, the way you grab people from the midwest is to be sure to “come down to their level.” I really think McPalin is getting much of her campaign persona from the movie, Fargo! I mean, NOBODY talks like that. I’ve met dozens of people from small towns in Alaska. None of them sounded like that. My family is from North Dakota. I spent my childhood summers there. Is there an accent? Sure. But NO ONE Palin’s age talks like that, unless they’re joking around. Not only that, you’ll notice most of the time her “ing’s” are just fine. It’s only when she’s trying to relate to that ignoramus, Joe 6-Pack, that she starts sounding like a second generation Norwegian-American, who was home-schooled by a drunk. And the media, both liberal and conservative, seem to be just eating it up, because obviously, most of the midwest is nothing but simpleton Joe 6-Packs. Ugh!

By Lori Wheeler on 10/04/2008 12:34 pm

e-mail alert

Lori, I just wonder what all of the heads-of-state that may have to deal with her really think. We have lots of savvy and sophisticated, well educated women all over the world running countries and in power; in fact, Israel will soon have one. But the thing that scared me the most was when she alluded to Dick Cheney and building upon what the powers that he has executed in the white house. Now, that’s dangerous!

By Diana T on 10/04/2008 1:17 pm

e-mail alert

Now, please understand, I am certainly not calling all Republicans dumb or stupid, or course not! So just the ones who like her?

By Star Lawrence on 10/04/2008 2:30 pm

e-mail alert

Star—the conservative movement in this country used pride itself on education, learning and against the dumbing down of America—consider what Bill Buckley would say about Palin. The dumbing down of the conservative movement is here in full force, heck and darn and doggone it. And you should be very concerned about that considering who you’;re voting for.

By f p on 10/05/2008 6:18 am