The Obama Tape

Editorial
New York Post

Media's O-Colored Glasses Blank Out Leftist Truth

Diana West
Townhall.com

Political lives

By David Warren
Ottawa Citizen

This Is What Real Reporters Do

By Jennifer Rubin
Contentions
Commentary

Election 2008: Objective journalism the loser

By Michael Graham
Boston Herald

Smearing Joe the Plumber

By John Hinderaker
Power Line

Sources: Sarkozy views Obama stance on Iran as 'utterly immature'

By Barak Ravid
Haaretz

The L.A. Times Suppresses Obama’s Khalidi Bash Tape

Obama, Ayers, and PLO supporters toast Edward Said’s successor, but the press doesn’t think it’s quite as newsworthy as Sarah Palin’s wardrobe.

By Andrew C. McCarthy, Foundation for the Defense of Democracies’s Center for Law & Counterterrorism chair
National Review

Hatin' Palin

She's not the reason Americans can't stand their politicians.

By Daniel Henninger
Wall Street Journal

The Obama Enigma

Change… from what to what?

By Victor Davis Hanson, 2007 National Humanities Medal and 2008 Bradley Prize winner
National Review

It's an Abortion Friday!

By Glenn Beck

Transcript
The Glenn Beck Program

What They're Saying About John McCain at the Hofstra Debate

McCain-Palin 2008
15–16/10/08


I think the fact that John McCain was able to make Joe Wurzelbacher a character in this campaign, I'll bet you we're going to see him in campaign ads starting tomorrow, shows that, why this was his best debate so far. He was able to set the agenda on a lot of issues like taxes, especially with Joe Wurzelbacher.
— George Stephanopoulos, "Vote 08: The Final Debate", ABC News, 15/10/08

HUGE moment for McCain. Slams Obama for comparing him to Bush. VERY savvy. AND, he looked directly at Obama. … McCain with a break from Bush Administration — 'disappointed' with Paulson's approach on financial crisis. … McCain has done well for himself so far — kept Obama on defense.
— Chris Cillizza, "The Fix Twitters The Final Debate!", 15/10/08

John McCain creates an instant headline with some of his firmest language yet to distance himself from President Bush. 'Sen. Obama, I am not President Bush,' McCain said, in a line clearly in his pocket. 'If you wanted to run against President Bush you should have run four years ago. I will take this country in a new direction.'
— Jonathan Martin, "Your Morning Lede (So Far)", Politico, 15/10/08

McCain's best line so far: 'Senator Obama, I am not President Bush. If you wanted to run against President Bush, you should have run four years ago.'
— Jim Geraghty, "If You Wanted To Run Against President Bush, You Should Have Run Four Years Ago", National Review, 15/10/08

I do believe that this was John McCain's best campaign. I think he clearly won it on points. It was his best performance. He was intense and ideological and he's appealing to the base, clearly.
— Pat Buchanan, "Post Debate Analysis", MSNBC, 15/10/08

Joe the plumber gives round one to McCain on points! … McCain much more aggressive and specific, and more compassionate on John Lewis, issues of ACORN and Ayer.
— Pat Buchanan, "Buchanan And Maddow: Live Debate Commentary", MSNBC, 15/10/08

McCain again shows that he came into this debate more focused and more disciplined than in the past ones.
— Don Frederick and Kate Linthicum, "Live blogging The Final Barack Obama And John McCain Debate,", Los Angeles Times, 15/10/08

McCain's doing well on the issues…
— Marc Ambinder, "Live blogging The Final Debate", "Marc Ambinder" blog, The Atlantic, 15/10/08

Good zinger from McCain; Obama mentions he wants Warren Buffett to pay more taxes and McCain says we're talking about Joe the Plumber, not Warren Buffett.
— John Podhoretz, "Warren Buffett Vs. Joe The Plumber", "Contentions" blog, Commentary, 15/10/08

McCain says sure he's qualified but then points out his record of bad ideas. Digs at his 'cockamamie' idea about dividing Iraq. Maybe his best answer.
— Jennifer Rubin, "Joe Biden", "Contentions" blog, Commentary, 15/10/08

I am impressed with McCain tonight. Obama is off his game, as they say.
— Mark R. Levin, "A Different Debate", "The Corner" blog, National Review, 15/10/08

McCain came ready tonight, he has Obama resorting to his stump speech answers and a bit unnerved, IMHO. And for the most part, he is not letting Obama get away with his endless dissembling.
— Mark R. Levin, "Ready. Set…", "The Corner" blog, National Review, 15/10/08

McCain has best debate yet in final face-off. … McCain: A- …
— Time's Mark Halperin, "Enough (!)(?)" TIME's "The Page" blog, 15/10/08

During the first half of the debate, showed off the best of himself — dedicated, sincere, patriotic, cheery, earnest, commanding — all without seeming old or anxious. Even scored some points in the 'change' category, against the candidate who has owned the theme. Clear, upbeat, and totally on message. … [I]f a majority of persuadable voters watched the debate, they saw why McCain's advisers have faith in him and still believe he can win this race.
— Mark Halperin, "Mark Halperin's Grades For The Final Presidential Debate", "The Page" blog, TIME, 15/10/08

It was by far McCain's best performance of the three debates. … It was by far McCain's most aggressive, assertive.
— John King, CNN, 15/10/08

This time, John McCain kept Barack Obama on the defensive. The feisty Republican tried hard to find a lifeline Wednesday night, challenging his Democratic rival at every turn over his truthfulness, associations and record. By that measure, McCain won the last debate of the 2008 campaign.
— Liz Sidoti, "McCain Puts Obama On The Defensive", The Associated Press, 15/10/08

I thought John McCain had a very strong night. I thought it was his best debate, clearly.
— Andrea Mitchell, "Post Debate Analysis", MSNBC, 15/10/08

I thought it was a stronger night for McCain, though, than the last debate, and he got in some licks, like the one that Dan was talking about where he said you know, if you wanted to run against George Bush you should have run four years ago. I think he brought up Joe The Plumber and used that quite effectively for most of the times he brought it up, which was a lot of times. So a stronger performance from McCain.
— Former Clinton White House Press Secretary Dee Dee Myers, "Presidential Debate", CBS, 15/10/08

I would agree this was not Obama's best debate.
— Candy Crowley, CNN, 15/10/08

John McCain finally got to say tonight I am not George W. Bush. … That was his best line. That's the line he has been waiting to say.
— Gloria Borger, CNN, 15/10/08

I thought that McCain had the best start than he's had in any debate. The first 30 minutes I thought he excelled, I thought he played very well to his base. Obama started to look, I thought, flat.
— David Gergen, CNN, 15/10/08

My sense is that McCain has done much of what he needed to do tonight… … The 'long line of McCains' remark a slightly emotional, and probably effective, close.
— Rick Klein, "Live Debate blog", "Live Debate" blog, ABC News, 15/10/08

I thought McCain was feisty and tough.
— Charles Krauthammer, "On The Record", Fox News, 15/10/08

It was interesting — my only thought, when he said that, first of all, very good line.
— Charlie Gibson, "Vote 08: The Final Debate", ABC News, 15/10/08

McCain's best line of attack in this debate: Obama talks about bipartisanship but doesn't get it done.
— Chris Cillizza, "The Fix Twitters The Final Debate!", "The Fix" blog, Washington Post, 15/10/08

Well remember last time I said I didn't think that McCain broke through. I think he did this time. He had a very strong debate.
— Bill Bennett, "Anderson Cooper 360", CNN, 15/10/08

Clearly. Best of the three debates. especially at the beginning when he did introduce Joe the Plumber and put Barack Obama on the defensive on issues like taxes, especially taxes and the economy. Also laid out his plan for buying up those bad home loans. I think his first half hour was very, very strong.
— ABC News' George Stephanopoulos, "Good Morning America", ABC, 16/10/08

Wednesday night John McCain put a dent in the Obama persona. There's no doubt that out of all the debates this fall, John McCain had his best one at Hofstra University. He was able to pokes some holes in Obama's armor. He nicked him with Ayers, ACORN, public financing, negative advertising, abortion and yes, Joe the Plumber. … The 'Joe the Plumber' moments were probably some of McCain's best moments. Not only was McCain able to use the Joe the Plumber story as an example of class warfare, he also used Joe as a way to make the economy a personal story. … Clearly, the line of the night was when McCain's distanced himself from the President by saying [that Obama should have run four years ago if he wanted to run against Bush]: I'm sure a lot of McCain supporters thought 'It's about time'. Obama has been hammering McCain on his ties to Bush forever but Wednesday night McCain not only delivered the big line but also listed numerous examples of how he is different than President Bush.
— David Brody, "McCain Dings Obama At Hofstra Debate", "Brody File" blog, Christian Broadcasting Network, 16/10/08

Senator John McCain was in a groove early in the presidential debate on Wednesday night, looking Senator Barack Obama in the eye and chiding him over taxes, over his backbone in standing up to Democrats and over the Obama campaign's portrayal of Mr. McCain as the second coming of George W. Bush.
— New York Times, Patrick Healy, "Pressing All The Buttons, McCain Attacks, But Obama Stays Steady", The New York Times, 16/10/08

For McCain, It Clearly Was His Best Debate Performance And For At Least The First Part Of The Proceedings He Effortlessly Kept Obama Off-Balance.
— Dan Nowicki, "Both Candidates Stand Tall In The Final 2008 Presidential Debate", The Arizona Republic, 16/10/08

The winner, and in my view quite decisively, was John McCain. From the very first question, McCain seemed certain of himself and his answers.
— Stephen Hayes, "McCain Wins Round Three", The Weekly Standard, 16/10/08

Who Won? There Seems Little Doubt That McCain Scored Many More Points Than Obama.
— Byron York, Op-Ed, "'I Am Not President Bush.'" National Review Online, 16/10/08

On issue after issue, McCain made his case, deftly countering Obama's jabs. Why, he asked, does Obama 'always say we have to spend more?' Added McCain: 'Throwing money at every problem is not the answer.'
— New York Post, Editorial, "Lessons From The Plumber", New York Post, 16/10/08

With an assist from Joe the Plumber, John McCain delivered the best debate performance of his campaign last night. And it was probably the best night of the entire general election so far for him, rivaled only by the electric evening on which Sarah Palin gave her acceptance speech during the GOP convention last month. … McCain last night made the strongest and most convincing argument yet that he is prepared to keep the federal government from making the current economic crisis even worse.
— Charles Hurt, "Old Warrior Finally Has His Great Debate", New York Post, 16/10/08

So the Republican's tone was crisper, sharper and more cutting than it had been in the first two debates. He kept Obama on the defensive for much of the 90-minute forum, attacking him for everything from his association with '60s radical Bill Ayers to his decision not to take public financing for his campaign.
— USA Today, Editorial, "Analysis: McCain More Cutting; Obama Low-Key", USA Today, 16/10/08

On Wednesday, Joe, you saw Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain making their cases, seated uncomfortably close, without the distraction of a town hall. It wasn't Obama's night.
— Joanne Ostrow, Op-Ed, "McCain Seemed Energized; Obama Kept Cool", Denver Post, 16/10/08

John McCain Last Night Put Barack Obama Through A Red-Hot Grilling, Barely Hiding His Disdain For The Illinois Senator And His Outrage Over Obama's Policies. … McCain Also Scored Substantively By Focusing On 'Joe The Plumber,' A Real Person Who Wants To Buy His Business And Worries That Obama's Tax Policies Would Hurt Him.
— Peter Canellos, Peter S. Canellos, "Intensity May Help The Republican", The Boston Globe, 16/10/08

What are the Odds?

By Glenn Beck

Transcript
The Glenn Beck Program

Grading the Final Presidential Debate

By Mark Halperin
Time

Poll: 60 Percent Oppose All, Most Abortions; 28% of "Pro-Choice" are Pro-Life

By Steven Ertelt, Editor
LifeNews.com

Obama's Abortion Extremism

Sen. Barack Obama's views on life issues ranging from abortion to embryonic stem cell research mark him as not merely a pro-choice politician, but rather as the most extreme pro-abortion candidate to have ever run on a major party ticket.

By Robert George, McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence and Director of the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions at Princeton University and member of the President's Council on Bioethics
Public Discourse: Ethics, Law, and the Common Good

Krugman and the Nobel Fraud

By William L Anderson, PhD, economics professor, Ludwig von Mises Institute adjunct scholar, and American
Economic Services consultant
LewRockwell.com

100 U.S. Ambassadors Endorse McCain-Palin

McCain-Palin 2008

What They're Saying About John McCain at the Nashville Debate

[M]cCain is roaming the stage, playing to his strength. And comes out with a policy proposal to help people stay in their homes — a strong lead answer, to have a meaty response to that. McCain looks confident early.
— Rick Klein, "Live Debate blog", "Live Debate blog", ABC News, 7/10/08

Mr. McCain is developing a chatty rapport with Mr. Brokaw about the candidates exceeding their time limits. He seems relaxed, as if he knows he is making a connection on a personal level. He roams the stage. Mr. Obama, who once stood in front of classes as a college professor, stands still while delivering his answers, and this one on health care sounds more like a lecture.
— Katharine Q. Seelye, "McCain Warms To The Setting", "The Caucus" blog, The New York Times, 7/10/08

McCain, taking a question from a naval retiree, gives him a pat on the shoulder and a firm handshake. 'Everything I ever learned about leadership, I learned from a chief petty officer,' says one old sailor to another. It was surely a moment that won a lot of nodding heads from vets all over the country. … McCain unveils a new pork-barrel project to be condemned: an overhead projector for a planetarium in Chicago that was included in Obama's earmarks. … A strong close by the GOPer with: 'We can't afford somebody who needs on the job training, my friend.' … Right at the outset, [McCain] offers empathy: 'Americans are angry, they're upset, and they're a little fearful.'
— Jonathan Martin, "Vets And Servicemembers Had To Love This Moment", "Jonathan Martin" blog, The Politico, 7/10/08

McCain seemed to answer first question [on a rescuing main street] better.
— Candy Crowley, "How Tough Is Too Tough?" CNN's "Political Ticker" blog, 7/10/08

That's a pretty fundamental question should there be for profit health care? Obama's answer… he's not answering the question. … McCain's tone is better at talking to the audience…
— Bill Schneider, "Obama Not Answering The Question", "Political Ticker" blog, CNN, 7/10/08

I think McCain did come in with more heart and more fight. And I agree with you, he was the aggressor. He was throwing the punches. He did it in a better way than he did it last week when I thought he had won on points. Here he smiled. He looked at his opponent. He looked at Tom Brokaw. He talked to the audience, and he did it in a more calm fashion. And I think he clearly scored more points than Barack Obama did.
— Pat Buchanan, MSNBC, 7/10/08

Is it necessary to explain the basics? McCain is doing really well with the audience in the room by doing so. Does it translate to the TV audience? McCain is really sounding clear, energetic and firm.
— Lisa Schiffren, "Talking Down To The Audience", "The Corner" blog, National Review, 7/10/08

This is McCain's mantra. I know how. I know how. Here's what I will do.
— John Podhoretz, "I Know How To Do That", "Contentions" blog, Commentary, 7/10/08

[M]cCain is delivering tight, crisp, and extremely effective answers. Every answer has a similar structure: (a) I care about this issue (b) I've stood up against Bush/special interests on this issue (c) Obama has never taken a stand, never acted on this (d) so let's compare records.
— Daniel Casse, "McCain's Well-Structured Answers", "Contentions" blog, Commentary, 7/10/08

I thought John McCain was more effective than he was last time on domestic policy. I thought his answers in general were more organized and he made his points more effectively.
— David Gergen, "Anderson Cooper 360", CNN, 7/10/08

McCain won the first hour on domestic (issues).
— Charles Krauthammer, "Presidential Debate", Fox News, 7/10/08

I thought Senator McCain started out very strong when he said we have to address this financial crisis by having a plan to buy up all of the bad mortgages in the country showed real compassion and empathy there… … I was also struck in the way that both candidates handled the stage tonight … Â As we know Senator McCain wanted these town hall meetings all year long against Senator Obama. He made a crack against that. He is comfortable in this setting.
— George Stephanopoulos, "The Candidates Debate", ABC, 7/10/08

I do think if there was any new proposal in the debate, it was what John McCain said about buying up the struggling home loan mortgages and renegotiate them at a new value, have the government do that.
— Charlie Gibson, "The Candidates Debate", ABC, 7/10/08

Nice moment for McCain: he claps a man (Terry Scherry) who asks about Iran on the shoulder and they shake hands.
— Chris Cillizza, "The Nashville Skyline Debate", "The Fix" blog, The Washington Post, 7/10/08

[M]cCain did get stronger, I think, as the night went on. When it turned to foreign policy, you can see his comfort zone and you could see him getting more comfortable
— Chuck Todd, "Presidential Debate Coverage", NBC, 7/10/08

I think he was very comfortable in the format … McCain was walking around approaching some of the questioners. Thanking them. Actually coming quite close to them. … And as Chuck has pointed out, with the economy in such a tail spin, he came armed with a new proposal to have the government buy up failing mortgages … That was a gutsy move.
— Andrea Mitchell, "Presidential Debate Coverage", NBC, 7/10/08

Really, the first of the night. McCain takes a question from a Navy veteran. 'Everything I ever learned about leadership, I learned from chief petty officer,' he says, walking over to the man and patting his shoulder.
— Ben Smith, "A Connection", "Ben Smith" blog, The Politico, 7/10/08

On Afghanistan, Iraq and Russia McCain talks in action words what we will do, what will work and what our goals will be. Although he obviously wants to assure voters he will show restraint, his real strength is projecting a force of will and determination.
— Jennifer Rubin, "National Security", "Contentions" blog, Commentary, 7/10/08

And he has shown more energy than usual. Obama is supposed to be the great orator (what happened to the messiah and the fainting?). The 72-year-old McCain has the upper-hand on the 47-year-old messiah, IMHO.
— Mark Levin, "In Defense Of McCain", "The Corner" blog, National Review, 7/10/08

The last comments [John McCain] made, I thought, were quite impressive and quite moving.
— Bill Bennett, "Anderson Cooper 360", CNN, 7/10/08

The Lies Biden Told

Editorial
New York Post

Why I love this candy-covered ball of granite, Sarah Palin

By Janice Turner
Times

And the joy of Mrs Palin, what endears her to Middle America and fascinates every British woman I know, is her quality that cannot be bottled and sold: authenticity.

It shines out, even through her shopping-channel presentation, the Day-Glo patriotism of her XXL Old Glory lapel pin, her talent for talking while perpetually smiling (which, ask Gordon Brown, is a tough trick to pull off without looking deranged), the cheeseball winks, the local DJ shout-outs to kids at her brother's elementary school, the exaggerated nose wrinkles when uttering something as disgusting as “single-sex relationships” or “redistribution of wealth”. She is Nicole Kidman as the driven weather girl in To Die For, Reese Witherspoon, the ruthless high-school candidate in Election. A candy-coated ball of granite.

…

But the power of Palin — what I enjoy about her, despite myself — is that she celebrates mothers as tough and capable, resourceful and stoic: moms as the political front line!

…

But then the debate ends, her great messy family spreads out on stage, and Mrs Palin tenderly passes her always-placid Down's baby to her little girl. The sound is off, the scripted babble is over. It is a silent gesture, something compellingly real in a cooked-up world.

Debate analysis: Palin spoke at 10th-grade level, Biden at eighth

CNN

An Unhealthy Debate

Obama and Biden’s health-care deceptions

By Yuval Levin
National Review Online

Biden's Restaurant to Nowhere

By Ryan Cormier
Pulp Culture
DelawareOnline

Joe Biden’s Alternate Universe

By Michael J Totten
Contentions
Commentary

What They're Saying About Governor Sarah Palin at Wash U. Debate

I think she just spoke to the people, the American people. She was direct.
— Luntz Focus Group Voter, Luntz Focus Group On Fox News, 2/10/08

I thought she was every bit his equal. I thought she was fluid, confident, she struck her theme, just the regular old mom. But she handled the foreign policy issues. She did fine with Iraq. She did fine with Iran. She certainly hit energy often enough. I suspect Republicans are going to be quite pleased. … She could do policy, she did quite well on the gubernatorial issues and did quite well on mentioning John McCain all the time, much more than Joe Biden who scarcely mentioned Barack Obama, she did quite well with that. I thought was just that style of me versus Washington. I thought it was quite effective for her in general. I suspect most people, there are a few more hallmark moments, Norman Rockwell moments but I suspect most people will really like that.
— The New York Times' David Brooks, "Post-Debate Analysis", PBS, 2/10/08

[W]here has this Sarah Palin been? She's articulate, quick, detail-oriented tonight. … 9:03 pm CT: 'It's so obvious that I'm a Washington outsider,' Palin says. Again, better done than said, but undeniable. This line of attack, driving a wedge between Biden and Obama, is legit, though it can seem forced at times.
— Rick Klein, "Live Debate" blog, ABC News, 2/10/08

Palin is going after Biden over his comments that the wealthy should pay more taxes as a patriotic move. The Alaska governor has come to this debate fully armed.
— Bill Schneider, "Schneider: Attack, Counter Attack", "Political Ticker" blog, CNN, 2/10/08

Palin to Biden: 'Can I call you Joe?' GENIUS. … Palin starts with a 'kids soccer game' story in regards the economy. Folksy — playing to her strengths. … State of Alaska… taking on oil companies… this is good ground for her. The more she talks about reform, the better.
— Chris Cillizza, "Twittering The Showdown In St. Louis", "The Fix" blog, The Washington Post, 2/10/08

Here's that folksy, everyday American appeal right out of the gate with Palin's first answer. She says you can hear about the consequences of the tough economy just by asking parents at a hockey game on a Saturday afternoon … 'You're going to hear some fear' about 'the few investments some of us might have,' she says.
— Carrie Dann, "The Palin McCain's Been Talking About", "First Read" blog, MSNBC, 2/10/08

Good start on the first question from Palin. She was crisp and went right to those … soccer moms, if you will. She brought the economy to the middle class and said the barometer is how parents on the sidelines feel. There are likely a lot of nodding heads in some living rooms at home.
— Domenico Montanaro, "Palin, Off To Good Start", "First Read" blog, MSNBC, 2/10/08

Those who have seen Palin debate in Alaska say she is very efficient, and you're seeing that now. She's taking Biden on directly, speaking at him and then turning to the camera to make her points.
— Matthew Berger, Carrie Dann, "Palin's Efficiency", "First Read" blog, MSNBC, 2/10/08

Ms. Palin makes a grab to be more pro-Israel than Mr. Biden, which seems to tick him off.
— Katharine Q. Seelye, "A Tense Moment", The New York Times, 2/10/08

Palin is adept at keeping Biden on the offensive.
— Marc Ambinder, "The Debate: Liveblogging I", "Marc Ambinder" blog, The Atlantic, 2/10/08

Palin is easier to listen to than Biden. First answer was, if not a home run, at least a double.
— Linda Chavez, "VP Mom", "Contentions" blog, Commentary, 2/10/08

Palin reminds Biden that he has often differed with Barack Obama on the Iraq war, and offers her respect for Biden's previous positions. 'I don't know how you can defend his positions now.' Brilliant. … She calls Biden out on voting for the war before he was against it. Biden has only himself to blame for setting Palin up with a meek explanation of why he authorized the war without (supposedly) supporting it. This is the knockout punch of the night thus far.
— Eric Trager, "Her Best Moment Yet", "Contentions" blog, Commentary, 2/10/08

She knows all the wedges between Biden and Obama, including their votes on troop funding, and even drops in a reference to that Jon Stewart interview where the Delaware senator said he'd be honored to run with his colleague from Arizona.
— Jonathan Martin, "Palin Got Good Oppo Brief", "Jonathan Martin" blog, The Politico, 2/10/08

Palin says Obama's vow to meet with foreign enemies goes 'beyond naivate [sic], beyond poor judgment. Diplomacy is hard work by serious people' with guidelines and sanctions 'before any kind of presidential summit would take place.'
— Amanda Carpenter, "Palin's Smoking Obama On Foreign Policy", Townhall.com, 2/10/08

Sarah Palin takes us back to the Bush-Cheney energy plan and reminds him that Obama voted for it. Then she goes back to her own record of getting tough with the oil company. Forget expectations, she might just be winning this. At least for now.
— Jennifer Rubin, "Energy Plan", "Contentions" blog, Commentary, 2/10/08

She killed. It was her evening. She was the star. She had him at, 'Nice to meet you. Hey, can I call you Joe?' It was very interesting to me, for Palin tonight, for an hour and a half, I think America saw her for a really long time, and she became a star probably on a new level. Gwen Ifill was not there for Sarah Palin. Joe Biden was not there for Sarah Palin. Sarah Palin was there with a camera. It was classic go over the heads of the media and everybody else, talk straight to the American people. She hit every populist chord. It is amazing to me that 15 minutes in, she had Joe Biden on the defensive on the subject of Obama and taxes. … She killed.
— The Wall Street Journal's Peggy Noonan, "Vice Presidential Debate Coverage", NBC, 2/10/08

I think they're whooping it up in Alaska tonight and all those parties across the country for the McCain campaign because I thought in terms of theatrics and personal style out there, you can see why she's such a successful politician in Alaska. … And any question asked of her, she talked about John McCain's tax cuts, his record as a maverick, about his determination to reform what is going on and about energy independence. She had been called, as you know, the bumper sticker is coldest state, hottest governor. You saw some of that tonight.
— Tom Brokaw, "Vice Presidential Debate Coverage", NBC, 2/10/08

I really wanted her to get up there and do a good job, and I think she did. … I think it was a good evening for — certainly for Governor Palin. … I think she showed she is certainly capable of going toe to toe with a man who is more than qualified to be vice president, if not president of the United States. … The thing about it is she held her own, and that for me, from a historic viewpoint, I wanted my granddaughters to be able to look at this debate — I hope they're in bed right now. I wanted them to look at this debate and see that a woman could go toe to toe with someone who has had tremendous experience in the Senate and someone who is an incredible candidate for vice president of the United States. That to me is very very important.
— 1984 Democrat Vice Presidential Nominee Geraldine Ferraro, "Vice Presidential Debate Coverage", NBC, 2/10/08

I think she's an extremely appealing politician. Her energy level was much better than Biden's. I think Biden lost a little speed there during the evening. I think she came across terrific in terms of presentation.
— Chris Matthews, "Vice Presidential Debate", MSNBC, 2/10/08

On the first go, you're right, I thought that Governor Palin, after a bruising time in the media, showed up not just with confidence, but cheerful confidence that might surprise a lot of people, talking about her personal issues …
— Diane Sawyer, "Vice Presidential Debate", ABC, 2/10/08

Under intense scrutiny, Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin stood her ground Thursday night against a vastly more experienced Joe Biden, debating the economy, energy and global warming, then challenging him on Iraq, 'especially with your son in the National Guard.' … The Alaska governor also noted that Biden had once said Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama wasn't ready to be commander in chief, 'and I know again that you opposed the move that he made to try to cut off funding for the troops and I respect you for that.'
— Jim Kuhnhenn, "Palin Stands Her Ground In VP Debate With Biden", The Associated Press, 2/10/08

She was spirited, she came out well, she came out strong.
— David Gergen, "Debate Coverage", CNN, 2/10/08

My take is Sarah Palin was sensational tonight. She not only met the expectations, I think she wiped up the floor with Joe Biden, quite frankly. She is personable, she is young, she's got a sense of humor… I think that she has done a sensational job and I think she as recaptured that magic she had out there at the convention.
— Pat Buchanan, "Countdown With Keith Olbermann", MSNBC, 2/10/08

She was most effective when she argued against Barack Obama …
— Marc Ambinder, "Palin-Biden: First Take", "Marc Ambinder" blog, The Atlantic, 2/10/08

It was match point against Sarah Palin and she won the set and she kept the race alive.
— The New York Times' Bill Kristol, Fox, On The Record, 2/10/08

Biden had a good start, but Palin was exceptionally strong.
— Ramesh Ponnuru, "The Opening", "The Corner" blog, National Review, 2/10/08

If the debate was the defining test this fall of Sarah Palin, she emerged from it largely unscathed. … [S]he came across as a forceful, articulate and well-prepared candidate, able to go toe to toe with an opponent who has been debating on the floor of the United States Senate for the past 36 years. She may not have had any breakthrough moments but she never stumbled in response to any "gotcha" questions and Joe Biden largely focused his attacks on John McCain, not her. … But she was aggressive and kept on the offense. Mr. Biden never seemed to rattle her. To be sure, he had some strong moments where he may have gotten the better of the argument on points, but she had a parry for every thrust…
— Peter Baker, "Live blog: St. Louis Showdown", "The Caucus" blog, The New York Times, 2/10/08

Palin is going after Biden over his comments that the wealthy should pay more taxes as a patriotic move. The Alaska governor has come to this debate fully armed.
— Bill Schneider, "Attack, Counter Attack", "Political Ticker" blog, CNN, 2/10/08

Governor Palin proved very adept at being a good debater. … In many ways, she was a better surrogate for her top of the ticket than Joe Biden was for his. … Governor Palin started this debate very strongly, I think.
— Chuck Todd, "Vice Presidential Debate Coverage", NBC, 2/10/08

The moment in this debate when she knew how well she was doing, and was actually winning the debate came at 9:55 eastern daylight time and she said to Gwen Ifill the moderator, "can we talk about Pakistan, or rather can we talk about Afghanistan for a minute?". In other words she wanted to go back to one of these foreign policy issues. She knew that she passed the test that she could handle Joe Biden, and it was all about her as Mort said, and Bill said. This was not a debate where Joe Biden had to do much of anything, it was entirely a test of Sarah Palin, and she passed it.
— The Weekly Standard's Fred Barnes, Fox, On The Record, 2/10/08

She's sticking to her broader message, not getting caught up in a back-and-forth on policy that she can't win with Biden. it's all about energy, energy, energy.
— Jonathan Martin, "Palin Doesn't Care What The Topic/Discussion Is (Cont.)" The Politico's "Jonathan Martin" blog, 2/10/08

Palin's primary strength is her outside of Washington status. She doesn't act like an insider, she doesn't talk like an insider, and a lot of voters may respond to that.
— Bill Schneider, "Palin's Strengths", "Political Ticker" blog, CNN, 2/10/08

One theme Palin keeps hitting tonight is the idea that Biden and Obama are looking backward. After a riff by Biden on how McCain's policies are the same as President Bush's, Palin pounces. 'Say it ain't so, Joe,' she said. 'There you go again, pointing backwards. Now doggone it, let's look again and tell Americans what we plan to do for Americans in the future.'
— Walter Alarkon, "Liveblog: The Veep Debate" The Hill's "Briefing Room" blog, 2/10/08

We knew this was coming — attacking Obama by using Biden's own words. And the rest of the answer — 'we're getting closer and closer to victory, and it would be a travesty' to quit now — was very well put. 'Your plan is a white flag of surrender in Iraq,' she said.
— ABC's Rick Klein, "Live Debate" blog, 2/10/08

Palin Stands Her Ground In VP Debate With Biden
— The Associated Press Headline, Liz Sidoti, "Analysis: Stakes High, Palin Tops Expectations", The Associated Press, 2/10/08

Palin Meets A Test.
— Peter Baker, "Palin Meets A Test", "The Caucus" blog, The New York Times, 2/10/08

[S]he delivered a performance that filled in the resume and also helped people perhaps connect to her on a very visceral level.
— NPR's Michelle Norris, "Vice Presidential Debate Coverage", NBC, 2/10/08

I Think She's Going To Be The Clear Winner In This." "I think she's going to be the clear winner in this, and oddly enough, it's directly symmetrical to what happened with McCain and Obama. In this case, she held her ground. She was informed and she was strong. … And I'll tell you what, she made very strong distinctions on energy drilling for lower prices and lower taxes not higher.
— Larry Kudlow, "The Big Idea With Donny Deutsch", CNBC, 2/10/08

A confident, folksy Sarah Palin attacked the Democratic presidential ticket on taxes and partisanship, holding her own against her senior vice-presidential rival.
— Washington Wire Blog, "Who Won The Vice-Presidential Debate?" The Wall Street Journal's "Washington Wire" blog, 2/10/08

Joe Biden tried to critique Sarah Palin's call for using successful techniques from Iraq and moving them to Afghanistan, but her response seemed to leave him uncharacteristically at a loss for words.
— T.W. Farnam, "Palin Gives Biden Pause On Afghanistan", "Washington Wire" blog, The Wall Street Journal, 2/10/08

She really played to her strengths saying in words and demeanor, I'm one of you, and she was not afraid to go on the attack.
— Savannah Guthrie, "Vice Presidential Debate Coverage", NBC, 2/10/08

She's the real deal.
— Andy McCarthy, "Sarah", "The Corner" blog, National Review Online, 2/10/08

I have been involved in and observed politics for a long time. Governor Palin is a truly unique national figure. She is down to earth, personable, and smart as hell. That's right. She has been on the national scene for a little over a month, she has been campaigning everywhere, she has had to bone up on all kinds of national issues, and she has shown class throughout. Too often too many are persuaded by the mainstream media's opinion and react to that. This should be another lesson in that regard. As for some of her populist views, she cannot openly campaign against the positions of her presidential running mate. She is the bright light in this campaign from my perspective.
— Mark Levin, "Palin Tonight", "The Corner" blog, National Review, 2/10/08

The [Obama-Biden] campaign was saying today she's a very skilled debater, and that's what they got.
— Ron Allen, "Vice Presidential Debate Coverage", NBC, 2/10/08

Sarah Palin's strategy was to defend Sarah Palin and repair her damaged image and I think she did pretty good job of that.
— Democratic Strategist Paul Begala, "Anderson Cooper 360", CNN, 2/10/08

I am speaking as the resident Palin, and representative of the effete Eastern establishment, I thought that she did extremely well. … I think over all, as an impression, she left a very good one
— The Washington Post's Charles Krauthammer, "Vice Presidential Debate", Fox News, 2/10/08

[W]hen you look at Sarah Palin, you saw America, you saw outsiders, you saw Main Street, not Wall Street. The Republican brand needed to see that tonight and they got it. … There were two debates, the first on economy and energy. I thought Palin won that. In that, she established herself as a legitimate contender for the vice-presidency of the United States.
— Alex Castellanos, "Debate Coverage", CNN, 2/10/08

AND THE WINNER IS … Sarah Palin is the breath of fresh air on the political scene so many hoped she is. And she'll be honored to beat the guy who's been in the Senate since she was in the second grade.
— Kathryn Jean Lopez, "And The Winner Is", "The Corner" blog, National Review, 2/10/08

Sarah Palin was supposed to fall off the stage at her vice presidential debate Thursday evening. Instead, she ended up dominating it. She not only kept Joe Biden on the defensive for much of the debate, she not only repeatedly attacked Barack Obama, but she looked like she was enjoying herself while doing it. She smiled. She faced the camera. She was warm. She was human. Gosh and golly, she even dropped a bunch of g's.
— Roger Simon, "You Betcha Sarah Palin Can Debate", Politico, 2/10/08

Combining a happy warrior spirit with a home-spun style and some substance thrown in to boot, Palin proved that she belonged on that stage with Joe Biden tonight.
— David Brody, "Palin Hurdles Over The Bar In VP Debate", "Brody File", Christian Broadcasting Network, 3/10/08

As for Palin, she seemed to hit her stride tonight. She offered more substance on issues like healthcare, energy policy, taxes and even Darfur by explaining how her role as Governor played a part.
— David Brody, "Palin Hurdles Over The Bar In VP Debate", "Brody File", Christian Broadcasting Network, 3/10/08

In a fast-paced exchange about a range of domestic and foreign policy issues, she was the aggressive campaigner who in the first weeks of her candidacy had so energized the Republican faithful.
— Dan Balz, "Palin Delivers, But Doubts Linger", The Washington Post, 3/10/08

From the minute Palin walked onstage and said, 'Nice to meet you, Joe — can I call you Joe?' she had her performance down. It was very winning and very appealing and we saw that throughout the debate.
— George Stephanopoulos, "Stephanopoulos: VP Debate Report Card", ABC News, 3/10/08

Gov. Sarah Palin, once again, confounded her critics with a strong performance. She did it at the Republican convention, and she did it again last night in her debate with Sen. Joe Biden. She performed with poise and charm. She effectively made the case that Senator Obama would be nave in foreign policy and harmful to economic growth, and that Senator McCain would be a common-sense reformer.
— National Review, Editorial, "Palin's Triumph", National Review, 3/10/08

She handled questions about Iraq, Afghanistan, and Iran well. She connected domestic-policy arguments to the lives of average voters. Anyone who hoped — or feared — that she would fall flat on her face was proven wrong.
— National Review, Editorial, "Palin's Triumph", National Review, 3/10/08

Palin delivered a strong and sure performance Thursday night.
— Byron York, "Sarah Palin, The Winner By A Wink", National Review, 3/10/08

Eight real-life 'hockey moms' plucked from the ice to watch the vice-presidential face-off last night said their high-profile counterpart from Alaska dealt her critics a bell-ringing body check.
— New York Post, Brendan Scott, "Sarah Scores!" New York Post, 3/10/08

Sarah Palin gave as good as she got in her televised faceoff with Joe Biden Thursday night - and by that measure she shored up her standing as John McCain's vice presidential running mate. Palin sailed through the 90 minutes with none of the unsteadiness she had shown in TV interviews. She was both assured and down-home folksy in arguing the case for McCain and against Barack Obama.
— New York Daily News, Editorial, "Sarah Palin Scores", [New York] Daily News, 3/10/08

Palin Wins Big With A Reagan-Like Flair.
— Dick Morris & Eileen McGann, Dick Morris and Eileen McGann, Op-Ed, "Palin Wins Big With A Reagan-Like Flair", New York Post, 3/10/08

Last night was a big, big win for Sarah Palin. She showed originality, charisma and sass - a style that is refreshing and different in our politics. She didn't just win the vice-presidential debate, she showed that she belongs with Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton as among the best communicators of our modern political times.
— Dick Morris & Eileen McGann, Dick Morris and Eileen McGann, Op-Ed, "Palin Wins Big With A Reagan-Like Flair", New York Post, 3/10/08

A confident, folksy Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin attacked the Democratic presidential ticket Thursday over tax hikes and partisanship, holding her own against her vice-presidential rival, Delaware Sen. Joe Biden.
— The Wall Street Journal, Laura Meckler, "Biden, Palin Clash On Taxes, Iraq In Sharp-Edged Debate", The Wall Street Journal, 3/10/08

Was she capable of being vice president? Based on her debate performance, the answer was yes.
— Fred Barnes, Op-Ed, "Comeback", The Weekly Standard, 3/10/08

She won because to a vast majority of those who watched the debate tonight she likely came off as a plausible vice president. And that was all that mattered.
— Stephen Hayes, Op-Ed, "A Plausible Vice President", The Weekly Standard, 3/10/08

But Palin kept her cool, stayed on her game and lived up to her reputation as a spirited debater. She played to her strengths — her ability to connect with people like a neighbor and her resilience. Despite the contempt and criticism she's endured in recent days, she walked onto the stage like a candidate on top of the world. She shook hands with Biden and said 'Hey, can I call you Joe?' That opening line was friendly, down-to-earth and said, 'We're equals.'
— Anchorage Daily News, Editorial, "Palin Hits Her Stride", Anchorage Daily News, 3/10/08

This thing's not over yet. She held her own. In what was likely one of the most-watched vice presidential debates in the country's history, Sarah Palin went in as the underdog Thursday night and came out of it with nary a scratch.
— Denver Post, Editorial, "Palin Has Fun, Holds Her Own In Tepid Veep Debate", Denver Post, 3/10/08

In her opening answer to a question about the troubled economy, Palin spoke with clarity and confidence and got to the heart of the matter with the kind of populist candor she displayed at the Republican National Convention. 'Go to a kid's soccer game on Saturday and ask any parent what they think about the economy, and I betcha you're going to hear about fear,' Palin said. 'Our economy is hurting.'
— Denver Post, Editorial, "Palin Has Fun, Holds Her Own In Tepid Veep Debate", Denver Post, 3/10/08

Most effectively, perhaps, she turned Biden's past criticisms of Obama's plans for Iraq against Biden, adding, 'John McCain knows how to win a war.'
— New York Daily News, Editorial, "Sarah Palin Scores", [New York] Daily News, 3/10/08

Sarah Palin used folksy language, winks, smiles and sharp elbows to try to put seasoned rival Joe Biden on the defensive in last night's vice-presidential debate.
— New York Post, Geoff Earle, "Pit Bull Sarah Shows Her Bite", New York Post, 3/10/08

Palin surfaced issues that put Joe Biden on the defensive or, at the very least, made him uncomfortable. And she had several moments where she scored clean hits on Biden and Barack Obama: on clean coal, on the patriotism of raising taxes, on Obama saying one thing to one group of voters and something different to another, on Biden criticizing Obama for his vote on troop funding in Iraq, when she reminded Biden that he himself said that he'd be privileged to run on a ticket with John McCain.
— Stephen Hayes, Op-Ed, "A Plausible Vice President", The Weekly Standard, 3/10/08

When Biden complained that Republicans have taken to repeating the 'drill, drill, drill' mantra, she owned it and gently corrected him. 'I think the chant is drill, baby, drill.' It was a clever turn, and judging from virtually every poll on the issue, it was politically very smart.
— Stephen Hayes, Op-Ed, "A Plausible Vice President", The Weekly Standard, 3/10/08

Appearing assertive and confident in her national debate premiere, Palin battled Sen. Joseph Biden on a broad range of issues — the Wall Street meltdown, taxes and spending, Iraq, foreign relations, which candidate best represents change — and more than held her own.
— Steve Huntley, Op-Ed, "Palin Eases GOP Jitters, You Betcha", Chicago Sun-Times, 3/10/08

On international issues, the area where she has been considered to be weak, Palin appeared to get under Biden's skin when she criticized Barack Obama for saying he would meet without preconditions with some of the world's worse dictators. Biden's face turned grim, and he went so far as to deny that Obama had ever said he would meet without preconditions with the president of Iran, when in fact the Democratic presidential nominee said that during the primary.
— Steve Huntley, Op-Ed, "Palin Eases GOP Jitters, You Betcha", Chicago Sun-Times, 3/10/08

Oh, and by the way, she morphed into 'Sarah Barracuda' tonight by using Biden's past statements on Obama against him. She had it all working tonight.
— David Brody, "Palin Hurdles Over The Bar In VP Debate", "Brody File", Christian Broadcasting Network, 3/10/08

The Republican nominee more than held her own on foreign policy in general, and in our view won on points at least on Iraq and Afghanistan. She didn't let Mr. Biden get away with interpreting the comments of a U.S. general in Afghanistan as a rejection of Mr. McCain's strategy. And on Iraq she exposed both Mr. Biden's change of heart on the war, and his change of heart on Mr. Obama's views on the war. At times Mr. Biden even looked a little frustrated — as if he couldn't quite believe he had to share the stage with someone who hasn't hung out with Dick Lugar or … Mike Mansfield back when the Senate was still a civil place. Or someone who says 'doggonit.'
— The Wall Street Journal, Editorial, "Free Sarah Palin", The Wall Street Journal, 3/10/08

Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. appeared to incorrectly outline the constitutional role of the job he's seeking in Thursday's debate. In attacking Vice President Dick Cheney, Mr. Biden said the vice president's only role is to support the president and to preside over the Senate 'only in a time when in fact there's a tie vote. The Constitution is explicit.' The Constitution, though, actually says the vice president is always president of the Senate and legal scholars say he has the right to preside at any time. Early vice presidents, such as Thomas Jefferson, actively exercised that role, the vice president still keeps offices at the Capitol, and scholars say it wasn't until the middle of the 20th century that the vice president had an office at the executive office building.
— Stephan Dinan, "Biden Gets Veep Role Wrong", The Washington Times, 3/10/08

You betcha Sarah Palin can debate

By Roger Simon
Politico

The Veep Debate: She's Back!

By Rich Lowry
New York Post

Comeback

Sarah Palin changed her image overnight.

By Fred Barnes
Weekly Standard

Free Sarah Palin

She's doing just fine being herself.

Review & Outlook
Wall Street Journal

Biden & Partners

How they're making Delaware a mecca for the tort bar.

Review & Outlook
Wall Street Journal

A shocking conflict of interest

By Paul Mirengoff
Power Line