You're ma boy Biden.

It was a good debate. The moderator behaved, like the previous one, like a moderator. The candidates talked relatively well, though I seriously disliked Palin's incredible overuse of 'also' and disagree strongly with her views. Palin did evade some of her and McCain's problem areas; and she did so conspicuously. She and Biden were both polite, more or less. No real problems there. Palin did keep coming back to the lie that Obama would raise taxes. She repeated her trusted talking points again and again. Biden came up with really good counter arguments (and I now remain of the opinion that he isn't verbose at all, at least not when he doesn't want to be).

It was a pity that the debate seemed to focus a little too much on the presidential candidates, instead of on these two. This way, Palin's (and, to a lesser extent, Biden's) controversial opinions were mostly kept under the rug. Palin mentioned women's rights once, and I chuckled. I was disappointed that Biden did not follow that one up.

Biden won, in my opinion; but he didn't blast Palin away. He won more decisively against Palin than Obama did against McCain, though I can make a good case that Obama didn't win in his debate (but that is was a draw).

Ridiculous that this is the only VP debate this time around; if Palin continues to evade many interviewers and McCain and she win (very unlikely), I don't think 'ordinary' people have been given enough opportunity to get to know Palin (Biden is well known). Arguably, one only needs to watch one interview with Palin to make an informed decision, but it isn't acceptable that the Republicans toy with the voters. I hope they lose big. Granted, Obama and Biden, too, are a bit troublesome, what with especially their views on international issues such as Pakistan and Iran, and domestic economics (though they are far preferable to McCain's views on these issues). That bailout would be a huge blow to the dollar -- and most American people.

Regardless of your political persuasion, I would just like everyone to take a moment to contemplate hearing the phrases "You betcha," "Hockey Mom," and "Maverick" for the next four years.

Seriously. If you've decided you're not going to think about any of the issues or qualifications of the candidates whatsoever, just think about that one absolutely certain outcome of this election before you vote.