Sen. Joe Biden and Gov. Sarah Palin never met each other before last Thursday night, but after briefly shaking hands, the two vice presidential candidates proceeded to debate political policy.
The candidates squared off for the first and only vice presidential debate, held at Washington University in St. Louis.
Gwen Ifill of PBS moderated the debate. Palin wanted not only to introduce herself to Biden, but also to the American public.
After stumbling in recent interviews, she hoped to redeem herself. Caleb Byrd, treasurer of the Auburn University College Republicans, said Palin used the debate to talk to the American people.
“I think her main goal was to prove she was capable and knowledgeable, and that she understands what is going on,” Byrd said. “I don’t think the interviews reflected her intelligence.”
Lerato Matlamela, a senior in chemical engineering, said Palin’s answers sounded “rehearsed”.
“She did the best she could do with the time she was given to prepare,” Matlamela said. “It’s evident she’s a good speaker, but she doesn’t have 35 years of experience like Biden.”
Biden spent the majority of the debate trying to demonstrate experience, listing facts and figures to back up his statements.
Palin portrayed herself as a “hockey mom,” a member of a typical middle-class family and a mother with values.
Matlamela said Palin was playing the gender card during the debate.
“It’s not fair to imply that (Biden) doesn’t have values, just because he’s a man,” Matlamela said.
In response to Palin’s comment about values, Biden told his popular anecdote about taking the train to Washington D.C. every morning and riding it back to Delaware every night. Stefanie Perkins, a junior in business, said the debate was informative.
“It showed a different side of the candidates I didn’t know before the debate,” Perkins said. “You heard from them instead of hearing what the media says.”
Byrd said both candidates said what they had to during the debate, without taking risks.
“Palin proved she was better at speaking to the American people,” Byrd said. “But at the same time, Biden didn’t lose the debate. To me, neither of them won the debate — they did what they needed to do and moved on.”
Throughout the debate, Palin used quotable phrases like “Joe six pack” and “Say it ain’t so, Joe.” Byrd said these comments allow Palin to relate to the audience.
“Crowds love her comments, because she’s open and intimate with the crowds,” Byrd said.
Perkins said these phrases were a distraction from the issues. “I ignore phrases and listen to the facts,” Perkins said.
Now that the debate is over, the attention will once again be focused solely on the presidential candidates.
