shAARP Talk: Observations from AARP

I am a registered Libertarian -- Sara tended to hold her own -- but appeared a bit "staged" (i.e., tended towards stock answers). No gafs.
Joe generally answered more from his "head" (detailed and specific) - in essense, Joe won this debate.

When you sincerely compliment your opponent you steal their thunder. Sarah did just that several times! As a new face trying to get into the White House she didn't need to win, she needed to impress. She did!

I don't know if anyone else realizes what is going on here in the later part of this year. When Hurrican katrina hit a few oil spots the price of gasoline went sky rocketing. They stated it was because of the lack of production. That year the government payed out what they saw as astronomical amount of increases in our soucial security checks. This year the gas industry got hit again with the hurricans and their production is down. But aside from it being hard for the southern states to receive fuel therehas been a steady decrease in the price of gasoline here in the north. It is funny that this shoudl happen in the months that the federal government figures out the cost of living increase in our checks. I might be wrong but if I am I guess common sense does not figure into the governments policies.

I was very concerned with Governor Palin's statements about the role of the vice president. She seemed to agree with Vice President Chaney that the role could be expanded to grant more power. Senator Biden stated that Vice President Chaney had attempted to do that and that it set a very dangerous precedent. He believed the role of the Vice President should adhere to the guidelines set up by our constitution. I also believe that Chaney's attempts to expand his powers were very damaging and dangerous. The Bush/Cheney administration felt they could bend the laws to their own needs and ideologies. I feel confident that both Senator Obama and Senator Biden will adhere to the constitution and will begin to lead this country back in a direction that will restore our credibility in foreign affairs, restore our economy, preserve our social security system, and hopefully come up with a plan to improve our health care system.

If you base who won as a Washington outsider,Fresh eyes to look at corruption run amock,Exexcutive talent(Mayor/Governor)its Sarah.The liberal media hung her,but she held up.ONE BIG THING-Democrats make fun of her and say-Look how she talks and she don't know this and that,but SHE HAS THE ABILITY AND TALENT TO BE AN HONEST AND NOT CORRUPT PERSON TO WORK FOR US AND NOT FOR GREED.

Palin was obviously told to 1. let the public see her more personal side, 2. be "homey" and 3. repair her devastating gaffs with Katie Couric. In these three areas she was spot on.

I wearied very quickly of her "goshes" and winks and "golly gee I'm just a little ole homemaker from Alaska" mixed in with her vast array of world and executive experience.

I felt Joe Biden humored her a bit too much. He should've cut her off at the knees at the beginning of the debate. That would've saved about a gallon of treacle being poured over our ears.

I felt the moderator should've reined in Palin when she substituted answering the questions with campaign rhetoric. Joe Biden answered the questions clearly and with facts, whereas Palin fell back on "McCain is a Maverick and so am I". (wink, wink, gosh and golly).

What a lightweight!

Is that really how they talk in Alaska? Biden won. Palin didnt implode, but did not impress.

i personally think biden won...............

The debate went very well. The depth and extent of substance discussed was a pleasant positive surprise. In looking for prophesied possible slip-ups, there were no senatorial snore-makers from Joe Biden and no Couric-style curiosities from Sarah Pallin. In thinking about the presentation and command of substance, Joe Biden would make an excellent Vice President for the US and Sarah Pallin could do very nicely as the mayor of a small city.

I agree with Roger... Sarah Palin seem to be giving Stock answers. She looked like a doll with a string in her back and every time a question was asked, someone pulled the string. I expected more from Mr. Biden. I was not impressed with the debate.

Who won? The responses I've heard and read about how efficient and smart Biden was/is in the debate tell and show me how well the American public has been brainwashed in the last 30+ years.

Sarah Palin and John McCain have drawn my husband and I into a first time real interest in supporting our government. I was completely shocked, fasinated and downright excited that Sarah presented herself as a REAL PERSON and she clearly spoke her mind about what she felt was the MOST important issue TODAY. Energy. I can't even gather a perspective on what Biden cared about. I think that as we tackle the energy crisis first, all of the other issues (the answers that she didn't give) will fall into place.

The possibility of having representatives leading this country who are actually genuine and aren't trying to impress everyone is so exciting I'm jumping up and down! I think Sarah did an excellent job of being herself. She showed me that she knows exactly what is going on in Iraq, Healthcare, Taxes and in our Country. With the limited time alloted her, she felt the need to clearly state and clarify her most important first step. I got it. I'd like more citizens who 'got it' to speak up. I'd like to ask the people who think Biden did so well, are you afraid to put your trust in someone who isn't pre-packaged to 'fit' the standard role? Does anyone remember John Kennedy? Martin Luther King? Jesus?

I live in Alaska and as a Governor Palin has done good things for the state. I am also a democrat. But she took on big oil and won. My personal belief is that she was picked by those oil people in Washington to shut her up. As a governor she is great, as a vice president , I Think she should have waited. I dont think she is ready.

Sarah Palin exceeded expectations, but expectations were very low. She seemed to be looking at her notes frequently and stuck to her script. How many topics can you insert "energy crisis" into? It is amazing to me that anyone could even half-heartedly believe this hockey mom is prepared to lead the nation. The world must be chuckling.

Sarah is down-to-earth with good old-fashioned values and morals and that seems to be scaring the heck out of many liberals including the media. Before you categorize me, let me clarify that I am a registered Democrat and a trained journalist. No, she may not be polished, but she is honest. What a concept in politics today!

I am furious with the slant that the media is putting on this campaign! Take the appearance on The View by both McCain and Obama. They blasted McCain in every direction, yet they gushed over how handsome Obama was. (wink, wink, kiss, kiss) If the candidates and their VP’s are going to be interviewed by various members of the media, the same questions should be asked of them, in exactly the same way. That’s all I’m asking for – fairness. That is the main issue with the other interviews that Palin has had with Couric and Gibson.

Obama and Biden are much more experienced orators than either McCain or Palin, and they do very well at it. But let’s get past the oratory. McCain’s answers are always to the point and succinct, yet he gets blamed for not elaborating. Obama’s answers are vague and buried in lots of words and the media says “how wonderful.” Biden is much better at getting to the point than Obama. I think Palin did very well and proved that she was a confident, intelligent, yet believable statesman. She admitted she is a Washington outsider. I personally don’t see a problem with that.

I think Palin did a great job! She is actually a "human" for a change and not a "well-spoken" attorney, which by the way, most people claim to not like attorneys and "Hussein" Obama and Joe Biden are both attorneys! She showed very admirable traits like HONESTY and PATRIOTISM. I guess most people are so used to dishonesty and being unpatriotic they don't even recognize when someone really is genuine!! Who in their right mind would want someone with LESS experience to be PRESIDENT? HELLO people, you talk trash about a VP candidate who has MORE experience than the Democratic presidential candidate. Do you realize how stupid we NOW look to other countries with the way so many so-called American people are so BLIND? The ONLY reason people attack Palin is to take the focus off of "Hussein" Obama! He has done interviews where he has actually stated his "Muslim" faith and was corrected by the interviewer! Why don't people talk about that and the "57 states" he said out of his own mouth, which by the way, there ARE 57 Muslim states! I really fear what is going to happen to our country with so many people completely binded from the TRUTH!!!

Biden definitely won. All you have to do is read a transcript of the debate, rather than watch it.

when deprived of all of her winks and awshucks and overconfident delivery, her answers are revealed for what they were--nonsensical.

The ignorance of Sarah to wink at the American public. Instead of giving answers to the questions she was asked, blatantly she said she would just say her little memorized speeches and was allowed to do so. A Trained parrot could have done as well.

I don't want Joe Sixpack for VP or President.

Sarah Palin did not answer many of the questions. Instead, she just parroted what she was taught at the McCain ranch.
Wink wink ... you betcha ...
Sad that when she asked about her Achilles Heel, she hadn't a clue what the term meant!

I am tired of the unequal treatment she is receiving -- people are AFRAID to ask the tough questions because it will look like she's being picked on. She should be treated as any candidate -- male or female -- and ASKED the tough questions.

Imagine if Obama chose a candidate no one had ever heard of, and kept that candidate pretty much under wraps! People would be demanding to know more about him/her.
The GOP has to keep Sarah Palin away from the media, because they are trying to control everything that comes out of her mouth. They know she is inexperienced and naive and it will show.

And as to the above poster -- Obama is a Christian. Stop spreading lies.

Palin did do a great job at not answering the questions. She even said she was not going to answer some questions but instead talk about what she wanted. Biden on the other hand answered question and did a great job. He won hands down. But that is just one opinion. If you want a second here it is:

While sitting watching the VP debates, Peepers, who is a 14 month old Japanees Chin puppy, was sitting next to me. While Senator Biden was talking Peepers sat listening with her head "cocking" from side to side, never making a sound. When Gov. Palin was about 30 seconds into her response, Peppers suddenly stands up looking right at her and does her "get out of my house" bark. She does this as long as the Governor is talking. When Senator Biden comes back on she just a quickly sits down and listens. She goes back and forth like this for about the next ten minutes then gets up and leaves the room. All I could do was laugh. This is the first time she has ever given this bark at any human on TV. She does give it to some of the dogs on Animal Planet if she does not like the way they bark

Winner - yes - guess there always must be a winner. How about best choice? Palin provides what America needs now which is a honst and reasonable approach to governing. Bieden is of the old school of give everything away and promise everything for votes. Bieden scares me especiall since he had 30 years in congress, did very little other than take up space. I would put Palin up against Hillary Clinton any day who also seems to take up space doing little as possible for her state. The Ticket should read Palin for President and McCain for VP. Factually, Bieden supports a presidential canadate with ZERO experence who promises change but darn little about how changes would take place other than ADDITIONAL taxes on the public and promises which can not happen. As American faces the negative potential to become a socialist country we need a STABLE leader like Palin more than ever so American values once more become important.

Who wants a Stepford wife as VP?

Sen. Biden won the debate. Gov. Palin was beating about the bush, never on the bush. Sen. Biden with his direct and pointed responses, always beat on the bush. Sen Biden spoke based on his own knowledge, experience and judgement. Gov. Palin on the other hand seemed to be talking what she might have been taught earlier to make her ready for the debate.
I am an independent voter.

I think our commentator "Lynne" above needs to get her facts straight and do some solid research before repeating such ignorant and stupid things about Obama and the Muslims. Try reading factcheck.org and learn something instead of displaying your ignorance.

Sarah Palin, in my humble opinion, is not qualified to be VP and I'm not sure she's qualified to be a governor either. Her ideologies are downright scary if you really examine them and if she had her way, we'd all move backward 30-40 years. John McCain is out of touch with America and I find it laughable that people hold him up as an example of "honor" and "putting country first" when his campaign spews vicious lies daily (which can be checked and documented on many web sources such as factcheck.org) - my parents taught me that there is "no honor in lying" and I believe that. Also, does an honorable man cheat on a wife who waited for him faithfully for years. Again -- a measure of the man's character in my estimation.

Obama is no saint - but he does offer some hope for a change for America and a new direction for our place in the global economy. McCain/Palin only offer more of the same.

I would like to know exactly when and where Lynne heard Barack Obama say that he was Muslim. I have heard him talk many times about his Christian faith. I suspect she heard it from someone who is spreading false rumors.

Sarah Palin is an attractive,ambitious and likeable person but she did not answer the questions asked of her. Her answers were "sound bytes" from speeches and showed a superficial knowledge of the many, many subjects a VP or President should know and understand. Yes, they have advisors. But ultimately they make the decisions which require wisdom based on well rounded and historical study. I have heard that from Barack Obama and I heard it from Joe Biden during the debate.
I am a REAL and HONEST person but I am not nearly qualified to lead this country and deal with the many problems in the world.

Sarah Palin won. Joe Biden repeatedly gave false and/or incorrect information - though he did so with an authorative air. Seems he'd have done much better after having been in the Senate for so long. Sarah Palin is MORE qualified than even Barack Obama, who isn't a simple "heartbeat" away, but would be a heartbeat there, should he win. Our Constitution only specifies 2 requirements for the Presidential office: U.S. Citizenship and being of 35 yrs. of age. It doesn't say "Community Organizer," etc., but seems to me that executive experience (say, that of being a Mayor or Governor) counts for MUCH more than Obama exhibits. The Constitution doesn't even specify "foreign relations" experience, nor Senate experience, nor anything else. With Obama's HIGHLY questionable & nefarious relationships, which are becoming more and more known, his absolute lack of good judgment, his contradictory statements, his naivete re: Iran, etc., it is OBVIOUS that he should NOT be elected President. Go check out HOW he GOT INTO Harvard, the Saudi who helped FUND his education; go check out HOW "Community Organizers" work and who the mentor is, one SAUL ALINSKY aka community terrorist ... aside from even THOSE things, WHAT has Obama done, besides give a speech (by the way, I, myself, give GREAT speeches, rousing speeches, I'm eloquent and say exactly what a crowd WANTS to hear - but I am not experienced enough either) ... Obama is NOT qualified. And as far as the VP debate, aside from Biden's at LEAST fourteen (14) untruths, he'd probably put his foot in his mouth / make a gaffe and insult some foreign leader and start a war based on some ridiculous remark made without forethought.
Obama is a sham and nothing but a big shell game.

I find it amazing that so many liberals are so scared of this "ignorant, winking stepford wife". If she's honestly so hokey, you shouldn't have any fear that she'll ever make it out of her frozen tundra. The real fear comes in the fact that she's amazingly intelligent and personable actually walks the walk. I can honestly understand your fear because conservatives feel every bit as fearful at the prospect of an Obama Presidency. But in our case, HE would be the President, not the VP. I don't believe that he's truly a Muslim, and I believe he's a smart, charming man. BUT.... he has shown a tremendous lack of judgement in the people he chooses to surround himself with. And even if he was only 8 when Bill Ayers was bombing his own country, he was well into his 40's when he allowed that unrepentant terrorist to open his home as the jumping off place for his Senate campaign. I don't know about any of you, but I wouldn't allow that monster to hold a Tupperware party for me, let alone one of the most important events of my political future. And then there's the preacher Wright, Tony Rezko, Freddie and Franklin....all examples of his bad judgement of a person't character, and all in the past few years. He may one day make a good President. But he has a lot of maturing to do, and he needs to account for the bad judgement in his friends and associates. We are known by the company we keep. I've told my own children that several times. And when we choose the wrong kind of company, we are held accountable. Let's not let him practice and learn and mature while on our watch. It's just too important.

Palin read her lines and clearly refused to answer questions she could not answer. Gwen should have made her stick with the questions. She is truly a great actress, but that will not give her the experience she will need to be one heart beat away from the presidency. I think her acting during the debate was in poor taste.

John McCain Has Put His Token Female Décor (Sarah Palin) Before The Seriousness of America.

John McCain has put the security and thriving of America in grave danger with his incompetent judgment in choosing an inexperienced and unknowledgeable running mate.
While Palin is cute and may have knowledge of Alaska’s economy, she has no in-depth knowledge America’s economy and problems. America does not need a scatter brain dingbat who can speak about Alaska and read scripts. Palin’s unscripted communication is cluttered and undecipherable and if the Republicans cannot recognize it they need to be examine just as Palin needs to be examine. I can see her talking to great leaders about “Joe six pack” to boost her self. Give me a break. I am middle class, but not a “Joe six pack”. She has no idea of what middle class means.

I do not need Palin to identify with me at this time. I need someone to tell me how they are going to fix this mess the Republicans got us into. I do not want my family to have to suffer.

America needs two strong, calm intellectuals who can sit down with our leaders and great leaders of other countries and negotiate and communicate about complex problems without reading from a script. Obama and Biden bring that to the table without the need for on the job training. They can bring much needed change that America needs to bring honor to America once again.

Now McCain has began using his token female décor Palin again with the same scripted message which we have heard over and over again. Only this time she is doing his dirty work by attacking Obama because he knew Ayers years ago, even though McCain tried this tactic before.

Well I am tired of hearing those lying Republican Strategist, Palin and McCain. She needs to tell America about her relationship with her husband’s friend and Todd's membership with a radical group in Alaska that wants its independence from America.

McCain thinks that America is ignorant enough to fall for his token female décor so he can win the election. He needs to go home and enjoy his golden years with his lovely family which he has spent most of his time away from.

Don says,
I heard the same interview about Barack Hussien Obama and he did say muslim faith and the interviewer had to remind him to say christian faith and as for the Rev. Wright. The black theology agreement Barack signed is very scary read it sometime before he becomes president. You may want to rethink your choice. there is so much that people have not learned about Barack it's scary. The media hides everything so peaple won't know the truth.

Considering the following how can anybody vote McCain/Palin?

McCain Plans Federal Health Cuts
Medicare, Medicaid Spending Would Be Reduced to Offset Proposed Tax Credit

John McCain would pay for his health plan with major reductions to Medicare and Medicaid, a top aide said, in a move that independent analysts estimate could result in cuts of $1.3 trillion over 10 years to the government programs.

The Republican presidential nominee has said little about the proposed cuts, but they are needed to keep his health-care plan "budget neutral," as he has promised. The McCain campaign hasn't given a specific figure for the cuts, but didn't dispute the analysts' estimate.

In the months since Sen. McCain introduced his health plan, statements made by his campaign have implied that the new tax credits he is proposing to help Americans buy health insurance would be paid for with other tax increases.

But Douglas Holtz-Eakin, Sen. McCain's senior policy adviser, said Sunday that the campaign has always planned to fund the tax credits, in part, with savings from Medicare and Medicaid. Those government health-care programs serve seniors, poor families and the disabled. Medicare spending for the fiscal year ended Sept. 30 is estimated at $457.5 billion.

Mr. Holtz-Eakin said the Medicare and Medicaid changes would improve the programs and eliminate fraud, but he didn't detail where the cuts would come from. "It's about giving them the benefit package that has been promised to them by law at lower cost," he said.

Both Sen. McCain and his Democratic rival, Sen. Barack Obama, have recently sought to refocus on health care. The issue once ranked at the top of voters' domestic concerns, but has in recent months been eclipsed by energy and the economy.

Sen. McCain charges that the Obama plan, which would create a government-run marketplace in which people could buy coverage, would lead to government-run health care. Sen. Obama charges that Sen. McCain's plan would leave many people unable to get insurance.

Sen. Obama's campaign turned up the volume in a major push on health care over the weekend with two days of attacks from the stump, four new television advertisements, a series of health-care events across the country and fliers to voters' homes in swing states.

Sen. Obama is focused on Sen. McCain's plan to offer a new tax credit of $2,500 per person and $5,000 per family toward insurance premiums. This would allow people to buy health coverage on the open market, where they may have more choices and might look for a better bargain.

In exchange, the government would begin taxing the value of health benefits people get through work. If an employer spends $10,000 to buy a worker health insurance, the worker would pay taxes on that money.

"It's a shell game," Sen. Obama told an outdoor rally of 28,000 people Sunday in Asheville, N.C. "Sen. McCain gives you a tax credit with one hand -- but raises your taxes with the other."

Sen. McCain's plan actually would lower taxes for most people. But that means the plan wouldn't pay for itself, because it cuts certain taxes more than it raises others.

The federal government imposes two taxes on wages, generally: an income tax, which funds the government's general operations, and the payroll tax, paid for by employers and employees, which funds Social Security and Medicare. If Sen. McCain were to apply both of these to the value of health benefits, he could fully pay for his new tax credits. That is what aides have in the past suggested he would do.

In April, when Sen. McCain gave a major speech about his health plan, Mr. Holtz-Eakin, the senior policy adviser, said the tax provisions alone were budget neutral -- meaning that health benefits would have to be subject to both income and payroll taxes.

Campaign officials have regularly implied since then that the tax plan was a wash. In the vice-presidential debate last week, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin described Sen. McCain's proposed tax credits and said: "That's budget neutral. That doesn't cost the government anything, as opposed to Barack Obama's plan to mandate health-care coverage and have this universal, government-run program."

Mr. Holtz-Eakin said the campaign never intended to apply the payroll tax to health benefits. That means that most people would see a net tax cut, contrary to Sen. Obama's assertions. Only those with very rich benefits packages are likely to see a net increase in taxes. But it also means that Sen. McCain must fill a huge budget hole -- which the campaign says will come from cuts to Medicare and Medicaid.

The nonpartisan Tax Policy Center, a Washington think tank, estimates that the McCain plan would cost the government $1.3 trillion over 10 years. The plan would allow as many as five million more people to have insurance, it estimates.

Mr. Holtz-Eakin said the plan is accurately described as budget neutral because it assumes enough savings in Medicare and Medicaid spending to make up the difference. He said the savings would come from eliminating Medicare fraud and by reforming payment policies to lower the overall cost of care. He said the new tax credits will help some low-income people avoid joining Medicaid. The campaign also proposes increasing Medicare premiums for wealthier seniors.

Sen. Obama also would rely on some Medicare savings to pay for his health-care plan, which would offer subsidies to help consumers pay for premiums. The Tax Policy Center estimates that his plan would cost $1.6 trillion over 10 years and cover 34 million more people.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122315505846605217.html?mod=special_page_campaign2008_mostpop

Sara Palin is not a fake. She at least speaks for the common down to earth person. Joe Biden is full of hot air and a phony like Obama. Be sure to take a long hard look at what Obama and Joe Biden want to change. It is not all for the good of the country, more taxes and welfare programs for those people who are lazy and want the government to take care of them. Obama and Biden need to move on.

Biden was solid, respectful, and well spoken. Bred confidence.
Palen was evasive and arrogant in avoiding questions and in pursuing her own agenda. Cute but insubstantial. Really, rather scary as a potential VP.

Some may have been impressed with Joe Obiden's answers, but hindsight indicates a great number of his answers were wrong. Just palin wrong. So what if you appear to know how to answer a question if the answer is wrong. Sarah clearly won the debate. Anybody can reach me at Katie's Cafe in Wilmington.

I really enjoyed this debate! It was wonderful to see two adults act as such! Glorious to see such politeness & good manners! KUDOS to them both for setting a good example of debate for our youth! (no kicking, no biting, no spitting, no hitting, no sniffing butts!)
I felt the two were pretty relaxed, honest, & candid... a bit "cozy" even... only thing missing was a cup of cocoa, slippers and a crackling fireplace! (I am betting Ms Palin could have easily supplied those! )
Thank you for giving me ONE night of NON-Stressful informative political television reporting made FOR and BY ADULTS!
lol

I agree with Michelle who said:
"I felt the moderator should've reined in Palin when she substituted answering the questions with campaign rhetoric."

I disagree on one point with Was 4 Hillary who said:
"setting a good example of debate for our youth".

The High School kids who watched this with me said they would've gotten an "F" on an English class debate assignment, if they'd answered like Palin -- since she went COMPLETELY off-topic!

Anyone could get up there and smile & wink and mention "Joe Six-Pack"...
But what does that have to do with being knowledgeable and prepared to run the most powerful country on earth?

As a professional woman, I felt she was embarrassing to us; my mother was reminded of Shirley Temple, as she watched Palin.

I'm very scared that someone who can't even give a straight answer to a basic question could end up (through voting, and then some tragedy for McCain) running this country.

In the McCain/Obama debates, McCain & Obama both appear very prepared to handle Presidential responsibilities. Palin, however, did NOT appear prepared. I wouldn't like to send her to represent us against Putin.

On more then one occasion, Sarah, side stepped answering a direct question and moved to an area that she may have been more comfortable with. Great move but not an effective one as it was blatant and affront to the questioner and by extension the voting public.

So, who wants a ignorant, ill-spoken & poorly educated hockey mom for VP?
Not most of us. Most if us want an experienced statesman (woman) with class and intelligence and moxie to handle our governmental affairs.!
She has moxie, and that's about all.
The other countries must be rolling around with laughter at this chickie, and the idiots who had the moxie to ask HER to run for VP

I agree with Barbie, above. It's unfortunate that the McCain camp thought it necessary to have a female running mate - to get the female vote - who doesn't have the finesse to be able to conduct her own debate. Every time she answered a question - yes, with the winking and goshes,etc - she didn't give a direct answer to the question, but repeated the rhetoric used on the campaign trail. IT was just so obvious. It may be an honor for her to be selected to run, but it would be disaster to vote for her.

Dear Diana,

You're right, Obama does offer change and hope. But it's false hope. Not only does Obama not know how to deliver on his promises, but he actually thinks that the President has enough power to perform miracles. He is dreaming. His promises are totally unrealistic.

Stop being so naive!

And then, you act like you know something about McCain's life. Accusing him of lack of character and honor. You haven't got a clue.

"John [McCain] attended college at the United States Naval Academy, and launched a 22-year career as a naval aviator upon his graduation. He continued the McCain tradition of service to country passed down to him from his father and grandfather when he asked to serve in the Vietnam War.

On July 29 1967, John narrowly survived the first of many near-death experiences during his lifetime while preparing to take off on a bombing mission over North Vietnam from his ship, the USS Forrestal. A missile accidentally fired from a nearby plane struck the fuel tanks on John's plane and created a deadly inferno aboard the ship. John barely escaped the fiery disaster that killed 134 men, injured hundreds more and destroyed 20 planes.

Instead of taking the option to return home after the Forrestal disaster, Senator McCain volunteered for more combat duty - a fateful decision that stopped the clock on his life and separated him from his family, and country, for five and a half years.

During his 23rd bombing mission on October 26, 1967, a missile struck John's plane and forced him to eject, knocking him unconscious and breaking both his arms and his leg. John was then taken as a prisoner of war into the now infamous "Hanoi Hilton," where he was denied necessary medical treatment and often beaten by the North Vietnamese. John spent much of his time as a prisoner of war in solitary confinement, aided by his faith and the friendships of his fellow POWs. When he was finally released and able to return home years later, John continued his service by regaining his naval flight status.

Senator McCain's last Navy duty assignment was to serve as the naval liaison to the United States Senate. John retired from the Navy in 1981. His naval honors include the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, Purple Heart, and the Distinguished Flying Cross."

What have you done lately?

You hear what you want to hear. You see what you want to see. Might I suggest looking for a little bit of truth instead.

hello...

FactCheck.org is an affiliate of the Annenberg, Chicago Annenberg Challenge, which Ayers and Obama were on their board. The site is extremely biased for Obama - duh. Be careful what you site as fact - it does not always represent truth.

This was not a "debate" by any stretch of the imagination; it takes two to carry on a debate. Although Sen. Biden offered fairly informed, direct answers to the questions, Gov. Palin doesn't seem to know the difference between a debate and a photo op.

As a woman, I'm deeply offended by Sen. McCain's cynisism in choosing Sarah Palin. He looked at all the choices and this was the best candidate he could pick to be a heartbeat away from the presidency?

While I didn't need a debate to convince me that Palin is unqualified to serve as VP, it did reinforce my opinion. Isn't the purpose of debates to give us answers? Palin faied miserably in this regard, depending instead on rehearsed rhetoric. Gwen Ifell let us down by not calling her on it.
Biden on the other hand was relaxed and knowledgeable. He will serve us well as VP.

Ms Palin is not very knowledgeable about anything. She seems very phony as though she is playing a part. She has a large ego that excludes everyone including her running partner. With all the women in the world that seem to have everything going for them (some of the news women for example).I Don't know what John was smoking?

Politicians and Washington insiders got us into this mess. Gov Palin came across as a regular person without the "polish" of a Washington insider. With her experience running municpal budgets as mayor and now as a governor she has more experience then Biden, McCain, and especially B. Hussain Obama. I can understand far more clearly how Palin got to her position on the ticket than I can understand how B.Hussain Obama got to his position on the ticket. Palin won my vote.

Senator Biden is REALLY informed on the issues, Governor Palin seems as if she if playing catch up with the information she SHOULD know even if she weren't selected as McCains running mate.
Sarah Palin seemed WOEFULLY unprepared and showed me she is not able to present to statesmen as presidential. Could you imagine her greeting say Valdimier Putin with" How ya been over there? I've been looking at your country (russia) wondering when I'd get to meet cha.
Her English needs a good polish and she is NOT doing it.
It looks as if she doesn't really care if she is presidential OR residential.

Biden is smoothe and subserviant to Obama (why have both when they want to agree oneverything?)
Palen is honest and forthright as well as unafraid to disagree with McCain in order to come to a more thought-out conclusion. Palin won.

i think the hole thing would or should be a big joke if it weren't for the fact that john looks like he should have gone to the ranch some time ago if he is elected he will die in office and just where in the unholy does that leave us! if things aren''t bad enough now what do they want it scares mr to death , i am a democrat and a 61 year old white, pink or what ever we are and i wanted obama the night 4 yrs. ago when he gave that keynote speech people here think i'm really smart! what a hoot! some things only take common sense end a little evaluation. obama will save our butts but we must get him in 1 st. i really liked all your thoughts and beliefs thank you each!

Enough with "being honest" as a qualification to lead the nation. There are many honest people who are not smart enough or qualified to be President, Palin is one of them. She is spiteful, vindictive, unfocused on facts, and a reactionary fundamentalist. She misrepresents facts to manipulate truth and swears by it. You won't get the truth from most in Alaska about her only because of her power and revenge she will unleash when she is not elected.
Everybody talks about the importance for every child to get a college education- Palin barely got that ( 6 years 4 different schools), McCain was at the bottom of his class #893 out of 897. Is this what we want for a President? And being a "hero" is not a qualification.
I have always liked McCain as a Senator- he is oppositional and I appreciate that. But, oppositional is also not a qualification to lead the nation- Bush is a perfect example of that. And MAVERICK WAS A GAMBLER- not a leader ! The last thing this world needs is another maverick like those in Venezuela, North Korea and Iran. The two party system is broken and Obama may be part of that system- but at least he is well educated and a thoughtful individual who wouldn't have taken us into a lying deceptive war costing my children and grandchildren trillions of dollars. I am ashamed to be a registered Republican.

Sarah Palin was terrilble and it is a shame that she is told to behave stupid and niave! I sure hope not that she is not vice-present. If so, it will be a very long four year of bull-shit!

If Obama is of the Christian faith, why when he was sworn into the Senate did he INSIST on using a Koran instead of a Bible for his swearing in ceremony????

Haven't you people heard of ACORN and Obama's ties to them??? All of the voter fraud, his campaign giving them $800,000. Come on people wake up.

I believe Gov Palin won. I like her because she is not an insider of Washington. This is why some people would not vote on her. They like the status quo. She brings hope and honesty to the ticket. We need some new fresh ideas and I believe she will listing to people's suggestions.