Extra Credit v.p. debate

VICE PRESIDENT DEBATE EXTRA CREDIT

While watching the debate I learned a few things about Biden and Palin. Biden wanted to focus more on the middle class, because he felt that it was over looked due to the tax issues. When Palin was asked if their was any promises she promised that she couldn't keep, she replied that she had only been running for about 5 weeks and all the promises that were stated before the debate were still up and going. Biden had to change some of his promises but it really wasn't a big deal. Some topics that i felt was useful and informative were that when the debate was about to start and the v.ps were coming on the stage Palin whispered into Bidens ear and asked if he could call him Joe. I really had to think about what her method was behind having to address him in a very in formal way, but i came to the conclusion that she was either just trying to make it a little more comfortable for herself, or she was trying to make him sound less important by calling him plan Joe instead of Senator Joe Biden, or Senator Biden. I guess it can be taken into a few different ways. I also thought it was useful that Palin was connecting with real people she made alot of connections with the "Soccer Mom." It made her look more real, maybe not as professional but real for sure. Also when the candidates were asked about drilling in America Palin was knowledgeable about this because of the Alaskan Pipe line. Drill baby Drill was all she had to say. Biden wanted to have the windfall tax issue be in forced his idea was that every American would get 1,000 dollars rebate on gas from the leading gas company. Irrelevant and unimportant things that i felt were talked about were mostly the question about the climate change, i understand that the issue of global warming is a bug deal, but i felt there was more important things to talk about, during the timed debate. Biden commented on climate change, he said he believed that it was a man made problem and you can't change what has already been done. Also i felt that the talk about Pakistan and nuclear weapons were stretching it a little. Some topics in other debates would be alternative fuels which both support, they want to first focus on clean coal. They were asked about the Sub-prime mortgage situation and Palin said that the predator lenders, greed and corruption were to blame, and we will never live outside our needs again. Biden said it was the people who were spending money foolishly that were partly to blame, and the other part was the lenders. Another issue that I focused on was health care, this has been an on going issue, and both candidates have different approaches. biden wants Universal health care meaning everyone will have the same coverage, and Palin wants to have a 5,000 dollar health care rebate given to all Americans. Palin feels that the universal approach is way to bogged down and will never work. Biden feels that Palins way about the rebate will go to the insurance company and not to Americans. When the topic of same sex marriage was brought up they were both were for having benefits but not for the official marriage. Biden loves the idea that they can have an influence on emergency descions and also share the same health care. Palin feels the same way but added a little more to it by saying everything was okay as long as it would not be changing the term marriage and that marriage is indeed meant to be between only a man and woman. Iraq hit home for both Biden and Palin because both have a child in the war or in the reserves. Biden feels that they should cut off money to the war and shift Iraq people into positions that our soldiers are currently in today, he said we are spending 10 billion a month when Iraq has an 80 billion a month surplus. He feels it time to let them take over slowly again. and Palin said they need to stay and fight, she feels if they stop now when they are so close it will make many people who had family members die feel like it was a waste. Watching this debate has affected my idea on who i want as president and V.P and I am not 100 percent sure yet on who I will vote for. This has also made me search for more articles to read because I am more interested in the debate now more then ever. I always try to watch something about the election on t.v each night as well. All in all i felt the debate was handle in a great matter, even with Palins little winks and Bidens huge smirking smiles.

Megan Founier
10-6-08