Senator Biden's Night

This was Senator Biden's night.

Given the challenges our nation now faces, we need a vice president who can be persuasive with foreign leaders, tough with congress, and relentless in his drive to serve the American people. Tonight, Joe Biden showed why he is the right person for that job.

On question after question, he demonstrated knowledge, careful thought, and a willingness to make hard decisions. And with every answer, he vindicated Senator Obama's judgment and showed why he is considered one of our nation's wisest and most experienced leaders.

He was equally at home with global and local issues, demonstrated an amazing grasp of facts, and gave proof that he is prepared to be a partner who will contribute much as vice-president to solving our nation's problems.

Americans could not help but conclude that any president would be stronger and more confident with Joe Biden by his side.

Read more reactions to the Biden-Palin Vice Presidential debate from HuffPost bloggers

Comments

[VetKor51]

Before people vote on Nov. 4, they should read (or re-read) George Orwell's "Animal Farm."

[Samirah1368]

Orwells 1984 hits more to the point for me showing what the Repubs want to do with us and what we are setting ourseleves up for with all this joe illiteracy bullcrap

[cam]

They should also read Orwell's "1984", Christopher Hitchens' "Why Orwell Matters", and they should watch "V for Vendetta"

[UnhyphenatedAmerican]

Personally I find Palin's refusal or ignorance of proper English abominable. How could she be a journalism graduate with a father who is a teacher and speak from the gutter continually? Every time she says YAH, I cringe. What foreign leader could she speak to when her use of the English language is clearly below middle class? She sounds as though she speaks English as a second language and learned English from comic books.

[claylandg]

Oh please!!! snobbish don't you think. but i guess you like that elistist tag.

[coastalcarla]

Not snobbish - we're just getting sick and tired of sub par intelligence in our highest office. We expect our leaders to be smarter than the average person. That's why we elect them to be our leaders. Electing a buffoon that "we want to have a beer with" didn't work out so well over the last eight years, wouldn't you say? And if elitist means being able to speak the English language properly, then so be it. We're elitist. And that's not a bad thing.

[rwt1138]

I find it sad that insistence on speaking the native language of the country you are attempting to run for office in is now "elitist". She came off as ignorant and common. We have had 8 years of ignorant and common, to the point where our president is now laughed at openly at the UN, and we are becoming an international joke.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,druck-581502,00.html

The president and vice president should be among the elite, they should be our best and our brightest. I cannot believe that anyone seriously would think otherwise.

[AggravationKills]

Snobbish? She is running for Vice President of the US. Is it too much to ask that she speak proper English? I don't think so. I went to a great public school in NY...and it shows in my language skills. My HS English teachers would be appaled at her grammer. You can call me elitist all you want. I prefer to call it something else-smart.

I can pronounce nuclear, because I can read it.

When I went to college and studied Journalism, broadcast Journalism specifically, we took courses in speech and dialect. The goal was for everyone to sound midwestern. I had to break myself of "you's guy's", and my southern friends at Ga state had to learn not to say "yall" and I'm sure when Palin was at one of her many schools they tried to break her of "yah".

She wants to be VP. At least she could speak well. We've had enough of President "C" Student. This is an election, not a dress rehearsal.

[UnhyphenatedAmerican]

My choice of my tag refers to a letter I was recently given, written by my intelligent mother after the 1940 election in response to the German-American bund in Chicago. They had tried to engage her to support their Nazi cause having taken her name off the voter registrations. She wrote "There is no place in our country for hyphenated Americans." She sent a copy of her incredible letter to the FBI. I do remember the day when two FBI men came to interview my mother. I was a small child and I felt she was part of the war effort.

[BobSacomano]

I love this. How did 'intelligence' become 'snobbish', or '(elistist???? )? How did we, as a nation, come to admire ignorance and stupidity? Are people really intellectually insecure enough to congratulate someone because they're dumber than their opponent??

Intelligence matters, any business owner knows that simple fact. The way someone speaks and presents themselves matters. We've just been through a disastrous eight years with a guy that "we could have a beer with''. When Palin was saying 'eye-Rack' and 'eye-Ran' and 'new-kew-lurr 'I couldn't help make the obvious comparison to the beer guy.

Enough is enough! We need "the guy I could read a book with" in the White House.

[ztravelman]

There's no chance in hell that I would vote for McCain. But last night, I felt sorry for Sarah Palin. When I first learned about her, I vilified her in every way possible but last ngiht on a soul to soul level, I felt sorry for her. I don't agree with her stand on abortion but I admire her consistency. If abortion is wrong then it's wrong no matter who the father is.

But I digress... The GOP VP choice was cynical and desperate, Anyone who remotely believes that Palin is qualified, prepared and has the right temperament for that position is either naive, clueless or as cynical as Rove. I'm sure she was drafted and as clueless and shallow-thinking as she is she said "well, sure, you betcha, let's give it a whirl." That's ok if you're asked to try hang-gliding or a new recipe but not to be VP - "I'm not even sure what a VP does." WTF!!!

Sarah Palin is not my focus. Obama and Biden are. They were Biden was outstanding in the debates. And now Bill Clinton is hitting hard for Obama.

Hillary, Hillary, where r u? If uwere really serious about wanting the best for our country then get your ass out there Sen. Clinton. And campaign with the gusto, strength and passion you had for our country during the primaries. If Obama loses I will hold you partially responsible and I'll be sure to remember that in 4 years.

[AggravationKills]

WTF! Thank God Bill is FINALLY out there saying Obamas name and endorsing him with passion...so now you're going after Hillary?!

Hillary HAS been out there working for her party. If we lose in Novemebr, it will be stolen from us. Or perhaps the result of BS like the drivel you post here about Hillary. Our party is united, unlike the Republicans. Obamas support among women is at an all time high. You say Palin isnt your focus, Obama and Biden are, but then go bash Senator Clinton. She's doing what needs to be done. You, however, are counter productive.

[dayala]

of course Biden won the debate no one can dispute that...he stayed on message defended Obama's record and policies and attacked McCain repeatedly on the economy, war and energy policies with Palin never coming to his defense. McCain got pounded again last night.

She sounded like a broken record repeating the same talking point over and over again on her Alaska energy policy showcasing her 'executive' experience as Mayor of Wasilia and Governorship.

I have nothing negative to say about Palin, she came across appealing, perky, spunky and personable but she is a far stones throw away from holding any serious high level position within the White House.

she is better suited for Andrea Mitchell's job.

[Kameleon75]

What concerned me was when she called Mahmoud Ahmadinijad of Iran 'insane'. Now if she were to be vice president and it were required (after initial diplomatic process is played out) for her to sit down with him, what is she going to say?

Or

If the elections in Iran means that he is replaced by someone else, how will they view her name calling?

Not a good start to foreign relations.

[lilbirdblue]

I couldn't agree more....

Sen. Biden was thoughtful and passionate with his answers. He had concern and knowledge for the issues at hand.

Poor Palin was just another McCain campaign commercial every time she spoke......no depth.

Will the rest of the nation see this and make the right choice on election day?

[OCanadian]

A gentleman and a statesman who spoke volumes about Barack Obama's wisdom and judgment in his choice of running mate and superbly conveyed what their ticket needed: solid reassurance that they know what they're doing.

[kiddo418]

Miss Sarah reminded me of a wind-up doll and spewed all her talking points as programmed. She gets points for being cute and has a nice smile, but let's face it, there is no depth.

[ReneeZ]

Ira Levin's "Stepford Wives" comes to mind. Can't help it. Apart from lack of depth she's quite unfeeling as well.

The fact that she didn't even "blink" when Joe Biden had his emotional moment is telling enough. How could one not feel for him at that very moment? How is it possible not to show one bit of compassion. It's beyond me.

[rednecka2z]

Madeleine Albright
“Given the challenges our nation now faces, we need a vice president who can be persuasive with foreign leaders, tough with congress, and relentless in his drive to serve the American people.” The only thing wrong with this statement is the use of the word HIS. There is no doubt that Sara Palin would not cower to anyone. As V.P. She will make foreign leaders shudder much as Our Current Secretary of State. Unlike the Speaker of the House they are leaders with Intelligence. I was concerned the American Public would reject Sara Palin's nomination based on the “Leadership” [i use the term loosely] of that person in Congress. I am happy with McCains selection, but our Ms Rice would have been A good choice. Probably, the only reason Ms.Rice didn't get the nod is because the new administration will be so different from the old there really isn't a good fit.

[izAriver]

This is the point. Joe Biden is credible to the rest of the world. Ms. palin is not.

[KarateKid]

Yup.

[SamuelBerry08]

I agree with Ms. Albright. Actually, Biden showed that he should be President.

[rednecka2z]

Hey It was your stupid mistake!!!!
Now Biden can't really help you and Hillary won't!!! laughing out loud.

[justobserve]

He was in the run but dropped out so you shouldn't speculate.

[manyamile]

Joe Biden carried the debate. Articulate , knowledgeable, assertive, well reasoned and well spoken, Biden made his points clearly and convincingly. He reminded me why his ticket is the better choice for the country. He showed me, without question that he would be an excellent and effective Vice president, an asset to an Obama administration and to the American people, and ready to serve as president if the need arose. After all the McCain/Palin histrionics and drama these pst few weeks , I was glad to finally get to hear Biden

[RiggsMD]

Mrs. Albright, I have always considered you one of the far most intelligent and impressive women of my lifetime. You did Mr. Clinton a world of good with your vast knowledge of foreign relations and diplomacy skills. Thank you for your service!

[dayala]

hear! hear!

[Boadicea]

You've nailed it. Joe is one of our best, and 98% of those who saw him tonight say so. That's a pretty startling number.

Pat Buchanan seems to think that Palin "dominated" the debate because of her enthusiasm, her perky personality. Someone needs to tell Pat that this was not cheerleader tryouts.

This country is desperate for competency. For the last 8 years, we've watched the Republican Party make excuses and design coverups and manufacture distractions in order to obscure the utter incompetency of their party. Why so many politicians I once respected have gone along with this is a mystery to me, but I finally left the party in 2004.

Obama/Biden have demonstrated a mature competence that this country is desperate for. They're going to win in a landslide. And Ms. Albright, I'm glad you're going to be there to assist them.

[justobserve]

Buchanan saw she "dominated" by her chattering noise.

[dayala]

I think Buchanan is 'smitten' with her.

[katebuckingham]

If you were the boss, who would you hire???

OBAMA: Harvard law professor, Juris Doctor of law degree, constitutional law expert, Senate committees: foreign affairs, homeland security, veterans affairs, family, education, health.

BIDEN: Juris Doctor of law degree, Senate committees: Foreign affairs (chair), economy, health, crime, women's affairs, education, technology, environment

McBUSH: graduated from the naval academy in the bottom 5% of his class, senate committees: economy, environment, official conduct (arguably the 3 biggest Republican failures!!!!!!!!!)

PITBULL PALIN: went to 6 different universities before finally getting a BA degree in journalism, no domestic or foreign policy experience but can see Russia from her house.

SERIOUSLY, THIS IS A NO BRAINER!!!!

If you vote McBush/Pitbull, the fate of your country will be in jeopardy. Everyone here in Europe is laughing at Americans--- America has become the butt of all jokes--- people are asking, how can they seriously consider voting for McBush and his Pitbull for another 4 years of Bush's failed policies? Don't they ever learn???

Remember the frontpage headline of London's Daily Mirror newspaper back in 2004 when Americans re-elected Bush: HOW CAN 59 MILLION PEOPLE BE SO DUMB?

[LeftLatino]

I agree with you, but believe me when I say that about 50% of all americans are as bewildered as you are. Sadly in this country there are a lot of ignorant people. I don't like to call them stupid but they are uninformed, uneducated and ignorant. And what is worse, is that many of those people see their ignorance as something to be proud of. If you have a litle education, show some insight on complicated issues like the economy and foreign politics and god forbid is perceived as having an above average intelligence you are immediately branded as an "elitist", the worst possible insult. Cause in America an elitist simply means someone who is articulated, smart and educated, it has nothing to do with your background. That is why smart and intelligent people from modest backgrounds such as Joe Biden and Barack Obama are perceived as being "elitist" while spoiled rich kids like George W Bush are perceived as "folksy" despite coming from an upper class background that is totally disconnected to the average american.

Bush is inarticulate, he isn't very bright and he has no grasp of the issues and the problems facing the average american. Yet people identify with him because of all this. If you want to become president in america being a spoiled rich kid is no problem, but God forbid if you are smarter.

[naluca]

I'd take Sarah Palin and her staff any day of the week. Period.

[PatForObama]

Yep! Jon Stewart said virtually the same thing when commenting on Obama's early "elitist" label, to paraphrase: "If elitist means smarter, I want someone who's smarter than me in the White House!"

Millions of people seem to want hollow tin demi-gods: a figure they can believe in and to whom they can pray. They set the fascist-manufactured icon on a pedestal, vow long-term allegiance/devotion, and feel quite secure knowing they won't have to think for 4 or 8 years. How comfy, as opposed to following issues, studying policies and making informed decisions. Hmmm, maybe I should jump on that train. Life would be a lot simpler, and I'd be well-prepared for the life of serfdom they want us all to embrace...

Actually, NAH!!! :)