Vice Presidential Debate

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The Vice-Presidential Debate

The only Vice-Presidential debate of the 2008 election was held on Thursday , October 2 . Senator Joe Biden , the Democratic candidate , and Sarah Palin , the Republican candidate , discussed their positions on the economy , on health care , and on other issues that are important to voters this election . This event , despite what it was called , was not really a debate . In a debate , each side takes a position either for or against a and then argues that position . For example

, in a real debate , the moderator might have proposed that Americans universal health care . Each candidate would then take a position , either for or against universal health care , and then argued that side of the issue Thursday 's event was more like a joint press conference for the candidates than a real debate . Palin seemed to be using a prepared script . For example , 13 minutes and 7 seconds into the debate , Sarah Palin said "I may not answer the questions the way that the moderator or you want to hear , but I 'm going to talk straight to the American people "Full Vice Presidential Debate . While there were a few real exchanges between the two candidates , most of what they said was just a repeat of what they or their running mates had been saying in speeches for the campaign

Palin and Biden obviously had different political views . They also had two different objectives for the debate . For Palin , this was a chance to introduce herself to the voters and to show that she was a legitimate candidate . Biden is better known . His objective was to point out the flaws in McCain 's statements and to link McCain to President Bush

The strongest point in the debate was not about policy , but about the real lives of these two candidates . At 1 hour , 19 minutes , and 6 seconds into the debate , Biden said "Look , I understand what it is like to be a single parent . the notion that somehow , because I 'm a man , I don 't know what it 's like to raise two kids alone . I understand "Full Vice Presidential Debate . Biden looked and sounded very sincere when he said this . Palin ignored his comments and stayed with her prepared script

Works Cited "Full Vice Presidential Debate with Gov . Palin and Sen . Biden " Joe Biden , Sarah Palin , with Gwin Ifill , moderator . YouTube .com . 2 October 2008 . 6 October 2008...