http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/debate_fact_check

Surely there will be a longer list tomorrow - this is hot off the press - and unlike the FOX news one - it's got fact checks for both participants

Right Mike...I always like reading these after the debates. Although it is disheartening no matter who you support...both sides cater to the lowest common denominator of their base with half-truths and distortions. Many of these falsehoods are campaign talking points, so it's not a case of the veep candidates making mistakes.

Overall, as I said, I agreed with Jodi's assessment. I don't think either changed anybody's mind. Nor were there any embarassing gaffes (dammit!)...certainly Biden came across as being more experienced and comfortable talking in details (whether you agree with those details or not is another matter). I also think Palin came across as smart and savvy...but also as someone who has "crammed" for the past 3 weeks. Not nearly as comfortable or in command w/ specifics (which is to be expected, honestly).

Again, she's good at what she does...but man, she's just not ready to be in this position. McCain just does not make sound decisions in my opinion. He's taking a gamble with the country's future in order to be elected.

I wonder how stupid Republicans think Americans are?  Obviously very stupid.

Amen, Mark.  That's been my gripe for a while - like how the criticisms they threw at Obama are now suddenly things to embrace with Palin?

I honestly feel that's been a factor in people coming around to Obama.

Well, let's be fair here...Obama's done the same thing w/ watering down his change message with nominating a DC "lifer" in Biden (plus, 
Biden's image...the blowhard w/ the fake tan, bleeched teeth, and hairplugs just screams tv show parody of a senator!)

Both sides have gotten down into the dirty business of getting elected...but dammit, no matter how much I don't like the guy, Biden just has more experience and is more ready than Palin. And while know Obama ultimately is what he is -- a politician -- there is something about Obama that makes me trust him (even if I disagree with a lot of what he does, I think he truly believes his positions are best for the country) and want to give him a shot.

Hmm.

Again, the choice between two evils.

It appears to me that Palin either doesn't know certain things, or she is being told what to say about certain things, whether she knows them to be true or not.

It appears to me that Biden is very knowledgeable, but is intentionally misrepresenting things and lying about things he in facts knows are untrue.

Which is worse?

Joel - I agree - though - and this is my pre-existing feelings here - but her voice and that fake populism she kept spewing really bothered me.

And this bizarre about-face where she's going on about how the McCain ticket is all about regulating - Biden was right to call her on that - isn't the premise behind the Republican financial policy one of laizez-faire?  Deregulate and let the market take care of itself?

Hell, she was spewing Democratic philosophy out there, and trying to take credit for it. 

Plus?  Since I agree with the Obama/Biden platform, this should come as no surprise, but I really dug what Biden was laying down.  His ideas sounded good.  They weren't new ideas - they're what Dems like me have stood for all along - so they sounded really good.  Not that watered down stuff the Clintons and Gores and Kerrys have tried to push on the public - Obama and Biden are talking like real Democrats.  I love it.

I was pleased by the debate.  It made me proud to be a Obama/Biden supporter and confirmed my belief that Palin is the worst thing for America.

One notes - in all fairness - I'm not saying McCain is the worst thing for America.  He seems like a decent enough chap.  Don't want him to win, but he'd put America first, and possibly do the right thing every so often.

But Palin is just appalling.  She needs to go.

Oh, Joel - to clarify - my post was aimed at your first one.

Joel - I agree - though - and this is my pre-existing feelings here - but her voice and that fake populism she kept spewing really bothered me.

Me too (although not so much the voice. And I listened to it on the radio stuck in traffic from SV to SF! Maybe I'm used to it by now. That and my relatives all live in Wisconsin...while not Alaska, the accent is similar)

And this bizarre about-face where she's going on about how the McCain ticket is all about regulating - Biden was right to call her on that - isn't the premise behind the Republican financial policy one of laizez-faire?  Deregulate and let the market take care of itself?

Yes! Er...kind of. As Mr. Myers put it (way more succinctly than I ever could) it's not necessarily deregulation as the wrong regulation. And why didn't she just say that the same deregulation was favored by the Clinton administration (and wasn't Biden for it then?). And hey, no one was complaining when times were good (Repub or Dem). Regardless, you know what she said is not what she and McCain really think...but it's what they think the masses want to hear.

Hell, she was spewing Democratic philosophy out there, and trying to take credit for it. 

Why would anyone want to do THAT? :-) 

Plus?  Since I agree with the Obama/Biden platform, this should come as no surprise, but I really dug what Biden was laying down.  His ideas sounded good.  They weren't new ideas - they're what Dems like me have stood for all along - so they sounded really good.  Not that watered down stuff the Clintons and Gores and Kerrys have tried to push on the public - Obama and Biden are talking like real Democrats.  I love it.

I bet you did. Thtat's right up your liberal alley :-)

I was pleased by the debate.  It made me proud to be a Obama/Biden supporter and confirmed my belief that Palin is the worst thing for America.

It reaffirmed my belief that as much as he annoys me and I disagree w/ him on many things, Biden is so much more ready than Palin. She's in WAY over her head, and that's not what we need in a potential president.

One notes - in all fairness - I'm not saying McCain is the worst thing for America.  He seems like a decent enough chap.  Don't want him to win, but he'd put America first, and possibly do the right thing every so often.

I think you are, ironically, more charitable towards McCain than I am.  Ultimately, I think his heart is likely in the right place...but his temperament and decision-making scare me. And I think he DOES make decisions based on his own best interest just as much as he does with the country's best interest. To be honest, he scares me more than Palin.

But Palin is just appalling.  She needs to go.

She shouldn't be here in the first place. Hell, I admit I'D be an appalling choice if put in the same position! 

I won Palin bingo!!!!  I was worried that she wasn't gonna spew out "Joe Six-Pack" for the win, but then she did!  Woohoo!!!

Oh, and here's today's quote, fresh off the press at SLATE.com (where I get all my political quotes):

"I know that John McCain will do that and I, as his vice president, families we are blessed with that vote of the American people and are elected to serve and are sworn in on January 20, that will be our top priority is to defend the American people."
-- Sarah Palin