South Sound debate responses

The Olympian • Published October 03, 2008

• Comments (0)

Palin was well-coached, attractive and in some places fairly able to hold her own, but for the most part her lack of knowledge beyond the coaching was painfully evident ... She spent more time concentrating on eye contact with the camera than on the issues. Biden slips from time to time, but his grasp of the issues and his knowledge of voting records, policy decisions and world affairs didn't come from last-minute cramming. My take is that we are no better off understanding either view. We've heard the same rhetoric from both sides for weeks. Palin's weaknesses are still evident and her reactions at times were laughable. Biden was vintage Joe Biden. At best, for me, a waste of 90 minutes of prime time.

Richard Jones, 73, Tenino

I listened to the whole debate. I did not find a special defining moment, but I found it odd that Gov. Palin ducked out of so many questions and issues.

Dana McWilliams, Lacey

I think that the most important aspect of the debate tonight was the absence of specifics by Gov. Palin on most issues. I thought Sen. Biden's discussion of being a single parent put him on a level field with Gov. Palin's homey style.

Mike Carrington, Lacey

When Gov. Palin said a timetable to withdraw from Iraq is a white flag of surrender. The senators seem to think a timetable is proper because it will put pressure on the Iraqis to complete the transition to governance and security. It tells the militants that in 16 months they will have free rein to do whatever they want. It's much better to make that decision based on advice from the generals in charge rather than make a decision now based on partisanship and the benefit to the presidential campaign.

Don Ernst, Olympia

I was unable to watch the whole debate. What question did strike me was about ever having to change position on an issue. Sen. Biden was quite quick to respond about an instance where that had happened. Gov. Palin, on the other hand, commented that she never had to "compromise" on her positions. The question wasn't about compromise -- it was about the ability to learn about and re-evaluate a position. Biden seems open to it, Palin does not. The other would be the "Achilles Heel" question. Biden answered it. Palin did not. Combining the two questions gives me the impression that Biden is at least open to other positions and considerations, even if it questions his own position at that time. Palin portrayed herself as unable to do the same; her positions are unassailable, and she apparently has no weaknesses.

John Elder, Olympia