United States vice-presidential debate, 2008

Infobox Historical Event
Event_Name =



Image_Caption = ifdc|

AKA =
Participants =
Democratic and Republican
Vice Presidential Nominees
Double image|center|Biden at economic forum 2003 crop.jpg|85|Palin Kuwait Crop.jpg|86|
Sen. Joe Biden
Delaware
|
Gov. Sarah Palin
Alaska

Location = Washington University
in St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri
Date = October 2, 2008
Result =

The 2008 United States vice-presidential debate, 2008, took place on October 2, 2008, between U.S. vice-presidential candidates Sarah Palin, the Governor of Alaska, and Joe Biden, the senior Senator for Delaware, at Washington University in St. Louis and was moderated by Public Broadcasting Service journalist Gwen Ifill. [http://debate.wustl.edu/] Washington State University in Pullman had been offered the opportunity to host the debate, but declined in order to pursue hosting one of the presidential debates. [ [http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004027295_webwsudebate21.html "Washington State University passed on vice presidential debate"] , Associated Press, November 21, 2007.] It is the first such debate to feature a female candidate since 1984. The debate was watched by about 70 million viewers according to Nielsen Media Research, making it the most-watched vice-presidential debate in history. [http://www.cbc.ca/world/usvotes/story/2008/10/03/us-debate-polls.html?ref=rss]

Debate

The first 90-minute presidential debate was divided into nine 9-minute issue segments, allowing the candidates to discuss selected topics, answer follow-ups from a moderator and directly address each other. The vice-presidential debate format followed that of the first presidential debate, but included questions on all topics and had shorter response and discussion periods. [cite web |url=http://www.debates.org/pages/news_092108.html |title=Commission on Presidential Debates Hails 2008 Formats as “Historic Breakthrough” |work=CPD |date=2008-09-21 ] [ [http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/08/21/campaigns-agree-to-debate-formats/ Campaigns Agree to Debate Formats]

The two candidates had never met before, which was part of the build-up to the debate. Palin said on one of her stump speeches before the debate, "I've never met [Biden] before. But I've been hearing about his Senate speeches since I was in, like, second grade." [http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/09/29/palin-takes-on-biden-directly-as-debate-looms/] After moderator Gwen Ifill introduced the candidates, where they came out, Palin asked Biden, "Can I call you Joe?" He replied affirmatively. [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/10/02/MNC013ADAH.DTL] She said at one point, "I may not answer the questions the way the moderator and you want to hear." Critics said she was avoiding the debate itself, while her supporters could make the claim that she was answering the questions to "Joe six-pack" or "hockey moms." She used her inexperience to her advantage by saying, "It's so obvious that I'm a Washington outsider and not used to the ways you guys operate." [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/10/02/MNC013ADAH.DTL]

Palin spoke in greatest depth about energy policy while Biden spoke in greatest depth about foreign affairs. Biden refrained from criticizing Palin, concentrating his criticisms on McCain. While Palin offered brief criticism of Biden, she concentrated most of her criticism on Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama. Whereas Biden defended against Palin's criticisms of Obama, Palin tended not to offer detailed defenses against Biden's criticisms of Republican nominee John McCain and the George W. Bush administration, emphasizing instead generalizations about McCain and Palin's plans to reform the ways of Washington. Biden let it be known that he thought at one time McCain was a "maverick," but that that is no longer the case. [http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/02/debate.transcript/]

During the debate Palin made the point of talking about a potential surge strategy in Afghanistan and mentioned the commanding general there as being "McClellan." Pundits criticized Biden's omission of the General's name; he referred to him several times only as the "commanding General in Afghanistan", until it was discovered the General's name is in fact David D. McKiernan.

Reception

Much interest leading up to the debate stemmed from Governor Palin's poorly handled interviews conducted in the weeks leading up to the event; many of her responses were the brunt of severe criticism, ["Poll shows Palin might be losing some of her luster", "Boston Globe," September 27, 2008] [cite web|accessdate=2008-09-15|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/16/world/europe/16georgia.html?em|title=Georgia Offers Fresh Evidence on War’s Start|publisher=The New York Times] [cite web|accessdate=2008-09-15|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/11/palins-abc-interview-stum_n_125818.html|title=Palin's ABC Interview: Stumped On Bush Doctrine|publisher=The Huffington Post] and a poll in early October from the Pew Research Center showed that the number of people who believed Palin was qualified to serve as president had dropped to 37% from 52% in early September. Consequently, the vice-presidential debate was largely seen as an opportunity for further destruction or redemption on Palin's part. Several polls suggested that Biden had won the debate; [Bolstad, Erika [http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics/AP/story/713320.html Biden won debate, but Palin more likable, poll finds] McClatchy Newspapers (October 04, 2008). Retrieved on 10-05-08.] [Lightman, David [http://www.kansascity.com/445/story/825655.html Polls: Biden won debate, though Palin did well] McClatchy Newspapers (October 4, 2008). Retrieved on 10-05-08.] although, many observers were surprised by Palin's speaking abilities and knowledge of John McCain's policies. [ [http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2008/10/vice-presidenti.html Vice presidential debate yields a split decision] "USA Today" (October 3, 2008). Retrieved on 10-05-08.] It is widely agreed that both candidates accurately followed the "do no harm" guideline of vice-presidential debates. James Taylor, professor of political science at the University of San Francisco commented, " [Palin] resuscitated herself, but I'm not sure she did quite enough to do anything for John McCain." He added "Biden demonstrated he knows John McCain better than Sarah Palin does. She couldn't offer rebuttals during the depth of discussions. She read the Cliff Notes on McCain, and Biden has known John McCain." [Ostrom, Mary Anne [http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_10624895 Analysis: In VP debate, both Palin, Biden 'did no harm'] (October 2, 2008). Retrieved on 10-05-08.]

According to a poll of uncommitted voters conducted immediately after the debate by CBS News and the former Knowledge Network, 46% thought Senator Biden won the debate, 21% thought Governor Palin had won, and 33% thought it was a tie. [cite news |first=Avi |last=Zenilman |title=CBS News/Knowledge Networks insta-poll: Biden wins big |url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/michaelcalderone/1008/CBS_NewsKnowledge_Networks_instapoll_Biden_wins_big.html?showall |publisher=Politico |date=2008-10-02 |accessdate=2008-10-02] Fox News Channel held a poll regarding the performance of each candidate, with 61% of votes in favor of Biden. [" [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/uselection2008/presidentialdebates/3129259/Who-won-the-VP-debate-Palin-or-Joe-Biden.html Palin or Joe Biden?] ", telegraph.co.uk] Another poll jointly held by "The Washington Post" and ABC News found that 32% of registered voters who watched the debate say Palin's selection as the vice presidential candidate makes them less likely to vote for McCain, up from 19% prior to the debate. Just 35% think Palin has the experience to effectively serve as president (down 14% since early September), and 60% think not, up 15%. [" [www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/01/AR2008100103600_pf.html Skepticism of Palin Growing, Poll Finds] ", "The Washing Post". Retrieved on October 4, 2008.] The Opinion Research Corporation's poll on the debate revealed that 51% of viewers felt Biden had won, while 36% were in favor of Palin. In the same poll, 87% said Biden was capable of fulfilling the duties of the vice presidency, while 42% said Palin is. Palin was considered more likable however, scoring 54% to Biden's 36%. [" [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/uselection2008/presidentialdebates/3129259/Who-won-the-VP-debate-Palin-or-Joe-Biden.html Palin or Joe Biden?] ", telegraph.co.uk] Mark Halperin of "Time" graded both candidates' performances a B. [cite news |first=Mark |last=Halperin |title=Debate Report Card: Sarah Palin|url=http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1846977,00.html?xid=rss-politics-cnn|publisher="Time" |date=2008-10-02 |accessdate=2008-10-02] [cite news |first=Mark |last=Halperin |title=Debate Report Card: Joe Biden|url=http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1846995,00.html|publisher="Time" |date=2008-10-02 |accessdate=2008-10-02] The event overall was widely projected as having little effect on the 2008 presidential race. [Lightman, David [http://www.kansascity.com/445/story/825655.html Polls: Biden won debate, though Palin did well] McClatchy Newspapers (October 4, 2008). Retrieved on 10-05-08.]

Moderator Gwen Ifill

The debate's format offered moderator Gwen Ifill great freedom and power to decide the questions which can cover domestic or international issues. [AP [http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iBZRtBDTOeK8QmB-4AwY_BbtecmAD93BHIK00 Ifill hits jackpot in moderating VP debate] ] On the day before the debate, it gained wide media attention that Ifill is author of a new book "The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama", which is to be released by publisher Doubleday on January 20, 2009, the day of the presidential inauguration. [ [http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20081001/pl_politico/22742 Ifill's book was no secret] Yahoo News, October 1, 2008)] [ [http://en.epochtimes.com/n2/united-states/obama-ifill-debate-5095.html VP Debate Moderator Writing Pro-Obama Book] ] [ [http://www.amazon.com/Breakthrough-Politics-Race-Age-Obama/dp/038552501X The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama (Hardcover)] , amazon.com] Ifill did not inform the debate commission about her book. [ [http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iVAeSkYI2HWjkaX11O2cv09Zf73wD93I1TVO1 VP debate moderator's impartiality questioned] ] [ [http://hotair.com/archives/2008/10/01/ifill-i-never-told-the-commission-about-the-book/ Ifill: I never told the Commission about the book] ] Fox News' Washington managing editor Brit Hume claimed Ifill had a "financial stake" in an Obama victory because of the profit she stood to make from her book. [http://worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=76734 Debate's moderator has 'blatant conflict of interest'] ] [ [http://www.jacksonsun.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081002/OPINION/810020301 Ifill should step aside from debate] ] "There's not a lot of demand out there for books about the 'Age of [Walter Mondale| [Walter] Mondale] ' or the 'Age of [John Kerry| [John] Kerry] ,'" said former Indiana Representative John Hostettler. John McCain said he was confident Ifill would do “a totally objective job,” but stated, “Does this help that if she has written a book that’s favorable to Senator Obama? Probably not.” [NYT [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/02/us/politics/02debate.html Moderator’s Planned Book Becomes a Topic of Debate ] ] In response to the controversy, Ifill questioned why people assume that her book will be favorable toward Obama, saying "Do you think they made the same assumptions about Lou Cannon [who is white] when he wrote his book about [Ronald Reagan| [Ronald] Reagan] ?". [ [http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/10/01/america/Debate-Ifill.php Questions raised about moderator's impartiality] , The Associated Press, October 1, 2008]

A national poll was held immediately following the vice-presidential debate, indicating that 95% of viewers felt Ifill was fair and unbiased. [" [http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/03/debate.poll/index.html#cnnSTCText Debate poll says Biden won, Palin beat expectations] ", CNNPolitcs.com.]

ee also

*United States vice-presidential debate, 1984
*United States presidential debates, 2008
*United States presidential election, 2008
*Sarah Palin
*Joe Biden

References

External links

* [http://www.debates.org/ Commission on Presidential Debates] official site
* [http://debate.wustl.edu/index.php Washington University in St. Louis - Vice Presidential Debate 2008] official site
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7649760.stm Live Feed of the Vice Presidential Debate]
* [http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/02/debate.transcript/ transcript] and [http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/02/vpdebate.videos/index.html video] from CNN