There is no doubt that this debate was an all-out win for Joe Biden, who came across as a political heavyweight, affirming to me, at least, that Sarah Palin, is in no way, shape or form ready to be vice-president. It was a very uneven [debate], with the impressive Joe Biden doing the majority of the serious debate and discussion. He comprehensively, confidently and substantively discussed issues like healthcare, foreign policy and the economy while Sarah Palin, on the other hand, insisted on not answering the questions fully, declaring at one point: “I may not answer the questions the way you or the moderator want to hear, but I’m going to talk to the American people.” Biden’s was to focus on the issues, set out Obama’s policies and directly criticise McCain. He did this well, giving powerful and compelling arguments why McCain is far from being a maverick, as well as dealing a strong punch when he said: “I haven’t heard how [McCain’s] policy is going to be different on Iran than George Bush’s. I haven’t heard how [McCain’s] policy is going to be different with Israel than George Bush’s. It may be. But so far, it is the same as George Bush’s. And you know where that policy has taken us.” Biden was clever last night, showing that two can play Palin’s “ordinary American” game. When she talked about families and what people talk about across the dining table, he talked about his family, actually seeming at one point to choke on his words as if about to cry.

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