Left of College Station

Left of College Station will be live blogging Barack Obama’s first presidential address to a joint session of the United States Congress.

Live blog here.

leftofaggieland will be covering the 2008 General Election throughout the day. Beginning with a report from the polling place; an account of casting my vote. Then throughout the day leftofaggieland will be posting reports from the polls, and following the news locally, statewide, and nationally. Later tomorrow evening leftofaggieland will be posting live reports from the Brazos County Democratic Party Election Party. Stay up with leftofaggieland and listen the nation’s voice be heard.

Vice Presidential Debate (Live Blogging Part 5)

On Taking Over the Presidency?

Biden: “I would carry out Barack Obama’s policies.”

Palin: “I would bring reality from Wasilla Main Street.”

Palin: “You have a choice between raised taxes and fewer taxes.”

Biden: “Ask the people in my neighborhood if they are better off now than they were eight years ago.”

At the end of the of the debate Senator Biden had a great moment, he talked about what it is like to be a single parent and what it is like being in a family when it having tough time. Then after becoming what could only be described as emotional and sincere he said what he thought the American people are looking for:

“They’re looking for help; they’re not looking for more of the same.”

Final Thoughts…

Senator Biden really came across as an elder statesman. The focus of Biden’s criticisms was Senator McCain and President Bush. One of the most important elements of Biden’s debate style was that he was aggressive, but he did not come across as abrasive.

Governor Palin came across as amateurish, and when she was unable to answer a question she reverted to the talking points and the quotes from her stumps speech.

Bottom Line:

Who won the debate? If this debate was about a choice between change and more of the same, then Biden won.

Will this debate change the election? Probably not.

The debate shifts to Foreign Policy…

On a Plan for Iraq:

Palin: Surge, Hero General Petraeus, surge, Hero Jon McCain, we have to win, surge, can’t lose against Al-Qaeda, surge.

Biden: “I did not hear a plan.” Biden then laid out Obama’s plan for ending the war in Iraq, and once again was statistically heavy.

“We will end this war. John McCain, no end in sight.”

Palin: Leaving Iraq would be a white flag of surrender. Surge, Iraq has to govern itself, surges, commanders on the ground will tell us, surge, victory in sight, Obama voted against funding the troops (she might have thought surge).

Biden: McCain voted against funding of the troops because it included a time line.

Iran and Pakistan:

Biden: Central front of the War on Terror is not in Iraq, the front of the War on Terror is in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

On Preconditions:

Are Secretary States wrong?

Palin: No. But they hate American, they hate our freedoms.

Biden: Past is prologue. How are his policies different than George Bush’s?

The first half of the debate has seemed to favor Biden slightly. However, it is hard to really gauge the debate until after it is complete.

Biden is really focusing on criticizing John McCain, however, Biden and has been statistically heavy and has been using lots of numbers.

Palin seems to be performing to expectations; however, as the debate has moved on she has seemed to tighten up.

One observation is that the Vice Presidential candidates are looking at each other much more than the Presidential candidates did. Well, Palin is looking at Biden much more than McCain looked at Obama.

On Climate Change:

Palin: Not everyone causes climate change, followed by nonsensical answer about the environment.

Biden: Clearly man made: “If you do not know what the cause is, than it is virtually impossible to come up with the solution.” This is where Biden tied it together; Biden equated reversing climate change with creating jobs.

Do you support same-sex benefits?

Biden: Absolutely.

Palin: Not if it redefines traditional marriage, but I will be tolerant of adults and their choices.

Who’s at fault for the current economic crisis?

Palin believes that predatory lenders are to blame.

Who does Palin ask about the economic crisis? Joe Six Pack and Hockey Mom’s Across the Nation.

Biden asks someone else named Joe how much does it take to fill your gas tank? Joe said, “I don’t know, I never have enough.”

“I may not answer the question the way the moderator may want, but I’m going to talk strait.”

On Taxes:

Biden used the 100 million house hold stat against McCain, and the 95% of Americans who will receive tax cuts. The word “middle class” is being used liberally, to say the least.

Palin pushes the $5,000 health care tax “credit,” and characterizes Obama’s tax plan as a “redistribution of wealth.”

“We don’t call that redistribution of wealth, we care that fairness.”

Joe Biden seems in good form tonight, he is calm and concise and when are able to through in calling McCain’s health care plan the “ultimate bridge to nowhere (which got a reaction from the audience.)

“Can I call you Joe?” - Palin to Biden

Joe Biden won the coin toss.

The first question is about the bailout.

Biden answers by highlighting the economic policies of the last eight year, and the lays out Senator Obama’s economic policies.

The second question is about bi-partisanship.

Palin answers by talking about soccer games, and the stock market. Then she points to Senator McCain “suspending” his campaign.

The second answer Biden is attack McCain’s economic policies, and reminds us about McCain and the “fundamentals” of the economy.

Palin reminded us that we should take the “maverick of the Senate, and send him to the White House.”