The Takeaway: Hey, folks! We'll be starting things shortly! 7:48

Andrea Bernstein: Andrea here, from the spin room. Big news today for the GOP, McCain is "pulling out" of Michigan. Which is to say he's not spending big money there anymore. His campaign hastily convened a conference call to say, contrary to perceptions, it's Obama that's in trouble, his "50-state strategy has failed." McCain's campaign bigs say they're putting that money into Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Maine, which splits its electoral vote. Asked after the call why he thought McCain was pulling out, Obama campaign chief David Axelrod professed ignorance, saying "they weren't even that far behind." Lastest poll averages show McCain about 8 points behind in Michigan. 7:50

Andrea Bernstein: And speaking of Obama campaign spin, Axelrod says "anyone who thinks [Palin] is not going to turn in a good performance" is wrong, adding "I don't know where she fits in the national pantheon of debaters," but she's a strong debater. 7:51

Andrea Bernstein: I'm in the "media filing center" aka "spin alley" (that's actually what it says on the campaign surrogates' credentials. I've got a front-row seat on the spin proceedings (mere reporters watch the debate on big screens, like you), so i'll keep you posted. 7:51

Hockenberry/Takeaway: It's WWF all the way. Both sides want this to be as boring as possible. Dissappointment wins for both candidates. Obama and McCain need the focus back on them. 7:52

Andrea Bernstein: Can you explain the wwf comparison? 7:54

Hockenberry/Takeaway: It's WWF where the contest is to be the least interesting and memorable. By the way... did you hear the great MIX we made of your Missouri tape this morning? 7:55

Andrea Bernstein: You mixed the tape? Is there a URL? 7:56

John Keefe, WNYC News: From the control room ... Brian's in the chair for Election Reset ... ready to rolll .... 7:56

Hockenberry/Takeaway: For one of the opens.... we took the guy who said I can't vote for a Muslim and the other guy's too old. and made a mix

7:56

Andrea Bernstein: BTW, the convention wisdom here in the spin room (among reporters that is) is that, well, let's just say there's a lot of head-shaking and tut-tutting, they all expected the race to be closer than the polls are indicating. 7:57

Hockenberry/Takeaway: BL in the HOUSE!!!! 7:57

Hockenberry/Takeaway: I think we're seeing the last important event of the McCain campaign. It's close to over for him. 7:58

Hockenberry/Takeaway: These kind of trends this close to November are very bad..... 7:58

Hockenberry/Takeaway: Where does the audience post? 7:59

[Comment From Erica P.] This looks more promising for you guys than the Twitter feed from last time. Good luck! 7:59

Andrea Bernstein: I dunno. Five weeks is a long time and a lot can happen -- think about the last five weeks. Two convenstions -- Sarah Palin, the economy. Two weeks ago McCain was dominating the electoral map. And now....? 8:02

Hockenberry/Takeaway: BL FEARLESS LEADER.... What say you about the stakes tonight? 8:03

Brian Lehrer: Hi all... I'm about to host this Reset show. Can I blog and talk on the radio at the same time? Probably not! But I'll be watching you as I can. Feed me! 8:03

Andrea Bernstein: BTW -- there's a huge food tent here for all the reporters, with grilled turkey, steak, crab cakes, au gratin root vegetables. Sure beats the soggy sandwiches at UNH during the primary. 8:03 [Comment From E] is there a live video feed? 8:04

John Keefe, WNYC News: E ... not here, sorry 8:04

Hockenberry/Takeaway: TO Andrea (THE WISE ONE) I think you said it on our show: Fear moves the undecideds. 8:04

Hockenberry/Takeaway: It's all about the frigging catering? 8:04

[Comment From Guest] When is the debate 8:05

Andrea Bernstein: Yes, I'm voting for Washington University. 8:05

John Keefe, WNYC News: Debate is in 55 minutes! Until then, its Election Reset. 8:06

Hockenberry/Takeaway: My high school girlfriend went there.... crashed her dorm one weekend... practically got arrested. Jesuits man... 8:06

Andrea Bernstein: Senator Clare McGaskill was here. Apparantly there are serious issues about accomodating high-turnout in St. Louis and Kansas City. MO -- the FL of 2008? (She's assuring the state can handle it) 8:07

[Comment From mary] will you comment on the debate as it's in progress? 8:07

John Keefe, WNYC News: Mary: Absolutely! 8:07

Hockenberry/Takeaway: you bet 8:08

[Comment From Guest] Will there be a twitter blog during this debate like last week? 8:08

Hockenberry/Takeaway: My 4 kids are a live focus group. 8:08

John Keefe, WNYC News: During the debate, we'll be Twittering some of these comments into "wnyc" and "The_Takeaway" 8:09

[Comment From Kate Bornstein] Re fear moving the undecided--recent biological study shows that people who have more extreme reactions to loud noises, or startling images, are most likely to turn out politically conservative. Is biology destiny, after all? http://tinyurl.com/3qho56 8:09

Hockenberry/Takeaway: actually it's not conservative.... it's that you shift to a default choice which may or may not be conservative 8:10

Andrea Bernstein: Yes, but many voters are still puzzling out what they're most afraid of -- is it change, or maybe that there won't be enough change. 8:10

[Comment From Richard Walker] oh thank goodness.. .I hear the music :-) wnyc am stream 8:10

[Comment From Matt R (Eatingliberally)] Any moose sandwiches? 8:11

Hockenberry/Takeaway: I think in a fearful environment you go with the candidate who represents less of a risk. If Palin seems risky tonight it's a huge negative for McCain even if she's entertaining. 8:11

[Comment From Kate Bornstein] Default choice? Sorry, my misconstruing. So, fear triggers whatever your default is, even if that's revolution? And hey, where are all the revolutionaries during these unstable days? 8:12

Hockenberry/Takeaway: Good question... 8:12

Andrea Bernstein: Question to debate watchers -- are any of you watching with a group? If so, please tell us the lines that get the biggest reaction.... 8:16

Bob Garfield, OTM: While you all are frittering your time worrying about "politics" and "the future of our society" and so forth, the Phillies are beating the Brewers 5-1 in the fifth. 8:16

Hockenberry/Takeaway: Poor Brewers... and then Poor Phillies.... all fodder for the Dodgers 8:17

Bob Garfield, OTM: Hater. 8:18

[Comment From dan g] has anyone seen one of Palin's earlier debates? Do you think there might be a significant difference in how she answers questions one one one (as with couric) and in a public forum? 8:19

[Comment From mary] I wanted to watch with my most politically astute friend, but she refuses to watch any debates. They make her "too nervous." Otherwise, she is astute.... 8:19

Bob Garfield, OTM: No, but I have seen her do the local sports in about 1993. Not too bad. 8:19

Hockenberry/Takeaway: Garfield you twit.... did your doctor proscribe that you get off your duff tonight? 8:19

John Keefe, WNYC News: Andrea ... More about what it's like there?

8:19 [Comment From AM in MSP] I have the same reaction as your friend... I will need to give myself the opportunity to pace around 8:20

Bob Garfield, OTM: I am not off my duff and I am not off my meds. But I am slightly off my feed. 8:20

[Comment From mary] I saw a clip of one of her debates and she kept talking over her opponent. I don't think Iffel will let that happen 8:20

Hockenberry/Takeaway: I agree with my pals at Alaska public radio. Palin is in the midst of an extreme makeover.... anything can happen. 8:20 [Comment From PatC!] Apparently Gov Palin did a great job of "deflecting" at her last Gubenatorial debate 8:20

[Comment From AM in MSP] I think she will have good one liners. She will work to get Biden engaged emotionally because that is when he goes off script and can say crazy things 8:21

Andrea Bernstein: The end of my sentence, if you're were listening on air, is that the McCain campaign has been much more silent than the Obama campaign tonight, but when they're spining they're focussing on what they say is Obama's record of raising taxes. That's probably a good strategy -- lots of undecideds saying they don't like Obama's tax policy. 8:21

Hockenberry/Takeaway: There are only three relevant questions in an Alaska Gub debate.... the pipeline, the earmarks, and federal lands 8:22

[Comment From mary] She better be in the midst of a makeover. She needs it! But I think it was on John's show this morning that someone said Biden needs to talk less and she needs to know more...tonight 8:22

Andrea Bernstein: The voters tell me they want to hear what Sarah Palin is going to do on the economy. I really do think that's her essential task tonight -- to assure voters she can lead them out of the current crisis. 8:22

[Comment From AM in MSP] I thought the polling data from the NYT today was quite interesting. Between the president's approval rating at about 22% and the low, low rating of congress, it is incredibly toxic for Republicans. Biden will put Bush and McCain a lot. 8:23

John Keefe, WNYC News: Clarence Page of the Chicago Tribune and Ruben Navarette from San Diego Union Tribune are on the air now with Brian.

8:24 Bob Garfield, OTM: It is a lot easy to stay with talking points if you understand the talking points. As John says, in Alaska, Palin was well grounded in all the issues apt to surface. Here she will have to rely on her cramming for the exam. The Couric interviews show that can be problematic, to say the least. So she''ll likely try to to complex policy questions with pre-packaged lines -- whether they actually address the question or not. 8:24

Bob Garfield, OTM: ..to respond to complex policy questions... 8:26

[Comment From mary] I agree with Bob. In the end, this debate could be kind of uneventful. A lot of canned responses 8:27

Andrea Bernstein: To AM in MSP: what's new is that all summer, voters have been willing to separate McCain from Bush. And while some voters still think that (exhibit A, on air conversation now), I'm finding more and more undecideds who are worried that McCain will be 'more of the same' 8:27

Bob Garfield, OTM: But with Biden's big mouth, and Palin's difficulty in vamping, there is plenty of chance for magic. MAGIC. 8:29

[Comment From AM in MSP] I thought some of the questions presented in the NYT, if they would actually be asked, would make things quite interesting....http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/02/opinion/02veepdebatefortheweb.html?_r=1&ref=opinion&oref=slogin 8:29

[Comment From mary] I hope you are right, Bob! 8:29

[Comment From mary] Andrea, why are people so worried about Obama's tax program? He says he won't raise taxes on anyone making less than 250,000. right? 8:29

[Comment From Kate Bornstein] It'd be good to see some passion in the debate tonite. The right wing draws it's passion from radical right values. The left wing silences it's own radical constituents, and so there's been no real passion on the left wing. 8:30

[Comment From Hammer] Oh, but come on--does anybody really listen to a debate to hear the issues? This is Entertainment! The 'personal stuff' is great canon fodder for that. 8:32

Bob Garfield, OTM: Here's a question for both candidates: considering the nascent recession and the fact that the government is likely to have about a trillion dollars in obligation on Monday that it doesn't have today, what are the chances that either ticket can make good on its tax promises? 8:32

[Comment From rose] I'm not sure if I can watch tonight. The cringe factor will be so high; she reminds me of myself in high school. I'm hoping she self-destructs, but it would be hard to watch. And if she does well, that might be even harder to watch. 8:33

Andrea Bernstein: Re Biden press plane not being full (as per On Air conversation), all the reporters assigned to Biden are bummed, they're not getting an air time or column inches.... 8:34

Andrea Bernstein: The live audience is being told now to turn off their cell phones. 8:34

Andrea Bernstein: Just saw Dick Oliver in the spin room. Who knew? 8:36

John Keefe, WNYC News: From the control room ... Going to Andrea in the Spin Room on the air ... 8:36

Bob Garfield, OTM: For what it's worth, I don't think reporters should set foot in the spin room. It's the no-chance-for-truth zone. 8:36

Hockenberry/Takeaway: Hey both sides want this to be boring and a total disappointment. The wild card is if Biden is playing for personal legacy or Palin is playing for national creds. That's the magic. 8:38

John Keefe, WNYC News: @Bob ... It's the only place they can be, since they're not allowed in the main room ... Right Andrea?

8:38 [Comment From Jeffrey McManus] i think the spin room should actually spin. 8:38

[Comment From O from Forest Hills] Andrea and Brian, you guys are doing great, thanks for bringing us this tonight and thank you for being there live, I appreciate it and am enjoy listening to Brian everyday. 8:39

[Comment From Seth] tonight, in canada, we are having our own PM debate, but most of us are watching the VP debates 8:40

Andrea Bernstein: Hey Bob -- the spin is being brought to us, we have no choice. I like getting the campaign's spin -- so long as all of us are in agreement that's the context in which they're speaking. Let both sides make their best arguments -- then i can share them with everyone and everyone can judge. 8:40

[Comment From Kathryn in Brooklyn] I think Biden's best strategy is to ignore Palin and answer the questions briefly and crisply (the way Obama did the other night). He should just let her hang herself. 8:41

[Comment From Abraham] John, where's Adaora? You and her are a great team! I listen every morning. Keep up the good work! Love the intro sound clips. 8:42

John Keefe, WNYC News: Nate Silver of FiveThirtyEight.com is on right now ... his site is AMAZING.

8:42

[Comment From Kathryn in Brooklyn] Thanks for the great coverage. It's so much better to listen to it on the radio (and online). 8:43

Hockenberry/Takeaway: Glad yer loving it.... Adaora by the way is at Chris Rock's house tonight. 8:45 John Keefe, WNYC News: 15 minutes to the debate (thank you, Outlook) 8:46

[Comment From izzman] SP will be a success not because of anything substantive she says or doesn't say. It will be her tone and her likeability. The ordinary person seems to like the underdog and will give her a pass for her utter inferiority, in part because no one wants to believe anyone picked by the great John McCain could be inferior. 8:46

[Comment From Marc in Manhattan] Can't wait to see Palin do her impression of Tina Fey. 8:46

[Comment From William] Assuming some of the people who moved toward Obama this past week did so because of Palin's disastrous week, it would seem to me that Ms. Palin only needs to perform well enough to make many of them breath a sigh of relief. Also, the media has been having such a good time mocking her this week that she's now bordering on becoming a sympathetic character. She could play THAT "biased-media card" forever. 8:48

Andrea Bernstein: Gwen Ifll has just hobbled in to her chair... 8:48

Andrea Bernstein: Sez she fell, she wasn't pushed.... 8:49

John Keefe, WNYC News: Got *many* folks saying "can't wait for the Tina Fey impression" ... good piece on comedy around the debate on WNYC today: http://www.wnyc.org/news/articles/111386

8:50

Andrea Bernstein: All quiet now in debate room (being piped into hundreds of large video screens0 8:50

[Comment From AM from MSP] My thought is that Palin may even joke herself about the jokes about her. That is a great way to spin things around.... 8:50

[Comment From Connie from CT] Has there been much flack about her book? Heard a brief mention on one of the news stations yesterday.... 8:50

[Comment From dan g] was the mccain camp absolutely aware of Ifill's upcoming book and feigning otherwise? Or, did they just miss news of it in the news? 8:50

Andrea Bernstein: All the reporters here are talking about Michigan. Is there a debate or something that's brought us all togheter. 8:51

Hockenberry/Takeaway: Michigan repubs reporting tonight that McCain has conceded the state 8:51

John Keefe, WNYC News: BC-APNewsAlert,0016

[Comment From carl New City NY] I think that Gwen Ifil will have a problem from minute one from her about to be published book about being independent 8:52

[Comment From John from Brooklyn] Is the book at all seen to be partisan or simply historical? 8:52

[Comment From Erica P.] Connie- NY Times article on the topic: http://tinyurl.com/439tvd 8:53

Andrea Bernstein: Well, his campaign admits he's not making it a fight in Michigan. But they say they have 260 electoral votes, and they say Obama has more to defend than they do. But the McCains and Palin have spent a lot of time in Michigan --didn't they go there after the convention? 8:53

Hockenberry/Takeaway: Yes indeed.... and he talked about Michigan during the debate last friday. 8:54

Hockenberry/Takeaway: Switching over to laptop in front of TV. Can't stand Olbermann. He's toxic. 8:55

[Comment From Evelyn in the Pacific NW] Seems reasonable to note the book isn't even finished yet. 8:55

[Comment From Connie from CT] Could the decision to leave MI indicate a shortage of funds? 8:55

Andrea Bernstein: Looking at the stage now. It's a big red semi-circle with two podiums about ten feat apart, each with a blow-up of the Bill of Rights behind them "We hold these truths to be self-evident...." 8:55

John Keefe, WNYC News: Just heard from Barton Gellman on the air that Sarah Palin said on CBS tonite, in response to previous VP's she admired: anyone who became president. 8:56

John Keefe, WNYC News: Biden said Lyndon Johnson. 8:56

Andrea Bernstein: By the way, my daughter is studying the electoral process in school, she asked me why we have an electoral college. Can someone remind me? 8:56

[Comment From Mary Elizabeth Williams] Hockenberry, I'm going to pretend you didn't just dis my imaginary boyfriend Olbermann. 8:56

Bob Garfield, OTM:

The John King Full Employment Act of 1787

8:57

John Keefe, WNYC News: MBW made everyone in the control room laugh simultaneously. 8:57

Mary Elizabeth Williams: I'm about the love, people. 8:58

John Keefe, WNYC News: Two minute warning, everyone. 8:58

Bob Garfield, OTM: How does my hair look? 8:59

[Comment From John from Brooklyn] Here's more on the electoral college: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/electoral-college/about.html 9:00

Bob Garfield, OTM: Fox is trashing Ifill. 9:04

Andrea Bernstein: Ifill is a pro. And it's about time a woman was a debate moderator. i'm having trouble remembering a primary debate a woman moderated...anyone? 9:06

[Comment From Amy from Manhattan] Didn't Judy Woodruff moderate one? Maybe not by herself, though. 9:07

Andrea Bernstein: Can not believe how LOUD it is in the media filig center. 9:07

Andrea Bernstein: Biden sounds subdued 9:08

Mary Elizabeth Williams: Did she WINK at us? 9:08

Hockenberry/Takeaway: she's on talking points

9:09

[Comment From Denise Krussmer] The strategies are clear - she's going to be the soccer mom and he's going to be the experienced senator - I hope people can listen to the words instead of the "hype." 9:09

Hockenberry/Takeaway: she's a winker.... the camera totally loves her 9:09

[Comment From Guest] Looks like the candidates are going to look at each other 9:09

Andrea Bernstein: Biden looks subdued...pailin looks a bit nervous 9:10

[Comment From Fat Steve in Atlanta] John McCain came of as a bit of a winker in his debate as well 9:10

Hockenberry/Takeaway: Palin is hitting her stride.... Biden is out of his element here.

9:10

[Comment From Ed from Brooklyn] Notice how she looks straight into the camera and Biden looks at Ifiil 9:10

Hockenberry/Takeaway: Right Ed 9:11

Mary Elizabeth Williams: I cannot hear Joe Sixpack and Hockey Mom one. more. time. 9:11

[Comment From ceolaf] Palin actually studied looking at the camera in college. She SHOULD be good at this. 9:11

[Comment From Abraham] Palin looks better than Biden. Let's see if Biden can sound better. 9:11

[Comment From Jon from Riverdale] Joe Six Pack and the Hockey Moms will take revenge on the Democrat de-regulators, crying never again! 9:11

Hockenberry/Takeaway: She's a heavy hitter... Joe Sixpack Joe Biden..... she thought about this.... Biden is wonking 9:12

[Comment From angela] She's garnering some real points here with here camera appeal. 9:12

Hockenberry/Takeaway: He's got to look into the camera 9:13

[Comment From Evelyn in the Pacific NW] I was a good soccer mom and if I was speaking to the nation, I would not use the phrase "heck of a" or drop my "ing" endings. Agree re: I'm already done w/Joe S. and Hockey M. 9:14

Hockenberry/Takeaway: She's killing him.... she knows how to go for the jugular 9:14

[Comment From Kate Bornstein] Okay, this is getting scary. Palin is a whole lot more interesting than Biden, and now she's putting Biden on the defensive. Oh, man! 9:14

Mary Elizabeth Williams: In Salon this evening we noted that Palin has the advantage of lowered expectations going for her now. 9:14

Hockenberry/Takeaway: Biden is wonky... and Palin is way over his head.... 9:15

[Comment From am from msp] Agreed, she is doing well so far. 9:15 Hockenberry/Takeaway: McCain has NO record on deregulation yet she sells it... scary 9:16

Hockenberry/Takeaway: He's getting it 9:17

Mary Elizabeth Williams: Taking his gloves off now. 9:17

[Comment From Lance Case] HE'S MAKING EYE CONTACT! 9:17

Hockenberry/Takeaway: Look at the frigging camera 9:17

[Comment From angela] he needs to hammer some figures here 9:17

[Comment From casey shepard] Did Palin just basically say that she's not going to pay attention to the questions but, instead, just deliver her talking points??? 9:17

Hockenberry/Takeaway: Barak's plan.... she's clever 9:18

Hockenberry/Takeaway: She's forcing Biden to go after her and he's scared. 9:18

[Comment From Jackie] She didn't get where she is by being dumb, much as some of us would wish it so. 9:18

[Comment From nilo] Biden should be saying John McCain, not John, all the time. 9:18

Bob Garfield, OTM: sorry, folks. my connection fritzed out. jeez and heck, this is darn excitin' 9:18

Andrea Bernstein: a problem for the gop: "govt get out of the way?" or govt regualte mroe. 9:19

Hockenberry/Takeaway: Bob... Phillies 5 Brewers 1 Palin 3 Biden 0 9:19

John Keefe, WNYC News: Our live blog is at capacity ... lots of interest ...

9:19

[Comment From ceolaf] What a smile! 9:19

Hockenberry/Takeaway: Andrea not a contradiction anyone will get in this debate 9:19

[Comment From Chris Gay, New York] There we go. When all else fails, play the anti-government card. 9:19

Hockenberry/Takeaway: Now Biden is in full form.... 9:20

Hockenberry/Takeaway: Biden is too Wonky even in his visceral attacks..... 9:21

[Comment From Connie from CT] a joke! 9:21

[Comment From mike reynolds in Maine] Hockenberry. I disagree - Biden is in top form 9:22

Andrea Bernstein: I'm sorry Hock, but voters like detail. They really, really do. They don't have to understand the whole plan, but they want to hear there is one. 9:22

[Comment From Spencer] bridge to nowhere joke was good! 9:22

Mary Elizabeth Williams: Biden definitely doing much better than I've seen in the past. Much more focused than usual. 9:22

[Comment From Jackie] Thanks. I thought I was the only who thought so, 9:22

Hockenberry/Takeaway: Top form is not good enough... if Palin doesn tank McCain wins

9:23

[Comment From Chris Gay, New York] What is this obsession with wonkyness? If you don't have details, you're "vague." if you do have details you're a "wonk." better to have some facts. 9:23

Bob Garfield, OTM: By Monday, tax relief of any kind in 2009 is a nonstarter. So these are dueling fantasies 9:23

Hockenberry/Takeaway: MSNBC or CNN voters maybe 9:23

[Comment From Chris, NYC] Palen is getting snarky... 9:24

Hockenberry/Takeaway: The VEEP debate is about identifying with the candidates not policy 9:24

[Comment From Troy] Thanks Andrea. I crave details. the rhetoric all sounds the same after all these months. I don't expect it tonight, but it would be nice. 9:24

Andrea Bernstein: I'm thinking about Hillary Clinton and the debates. She won when she snowed 'em with detail. And this is not an ordinary veep debate. people want to see if she can be president. 9:25

[Comment From Felicia Buebel -Pleasantv] where are the comments about the truth of their statement? 9:25

[Comment From Amy from Manhattan] definitely wanna hear this fact-checked--a governor has the power to break up monopolies? 9:25

Hockenberry/Takeaway: I crave details too... but the key issue here is reassurance. Hillary lost.... period. Palin's vulnerability here is that she will overreach 9:25

[Comment From am from msp] Interesting to see on the CNN independents ticker, it drops when she winks and gets too cute.... 9:25

[Comment From Charles in Greeley] Palin just has to tap back into the magic she showed at the RNC to win - and she's doing it. This is the pitbull with lipstick we fell in love with. 9:26

Bob Garfield, OTM: You betcha! 9:26

Hockenberry/Takeaway: More hands Biden 9:26

Hockenberry/Takeaway: uh oh 9:27

Hockenberry/Takeaway: she's in trouble now 9:27

[Comment From Ronnie] is "revalation" code? 9:27

[Comment From Abraham in Wash. Heights] She's smart ... looking into the camera. Making the connection. 9:28

Hockenberry/Takeaway: Biden has to see an opening here 9:28

[Comment From casey shepard] you caught that look of frozen fear, right? 9:28

[Comment From daria, nyc] rear their head, just like putin 9:28

Hockenberry/Takeaway: that was shaky....... Biden needs to hit hard 9:28

Mary Elizabeth Williams: I dare Biden to bring up how much real estate the McCains own. 9:29

Hockenberry/Takeaway: Too soft... really bad 9:29 [Comment From Amy from Manhattan] I'm listening over the 'net, casey--who had the look of frozen fear? 9:29

Andrea Bernstein: I'd a thought he'd have a better answer on bankruptcy bill...had to have expected the q 9:29

Hockenberry/Takeaway: That was a pooch screw 9:29

Bob Garfield, OTM: This is Round Two. They're feeling one another out. Getting the legs beneath them. 9:30

[Comment From Guest] did i hear the toxic mess on main street is affecting wall street?palin got it reversed 9:30

[Comment From casey shepard] She wasn't prepared to talk more about the bankruptcy issue, so now it's back to energy 9:30

Bob Garfield, OTM: Jabs now, haymakers to follow. 9:30

Hockenberry/Takeaway: This is an aggressive opening 9:30

[Comment From Pat in Woodbridge, NJ] This is the deflection I talked about earlier 9:31

John Keefe, WNYC News: Gwen just called her on that.

9:31

[Comment From katya rogers] bob - are you watching on CNN? what do you make of the high marks Palin's getting on the "emotion meter" or whatever they're calling it??? 9:31

[Comment From Abraham in Wash. Heights] Good going Ifill. 9:31

Hockenberry/Takeaway: gutter ball 9:32

Hockenberry/Takeaway: "All of the above approach?" 9:32

[Comment From am from msp] Interesting, they are both getting fairly high marks on the emotion meter..... 9:32

[Comment From Charles in Greeley] Hockenberry, don't get hung up on "truthiness" - this is what makes her human. 9:33

Hockenberry/Takeaway: She's smart enough to know to grab the camera with her eyes when she's skydiving 9:33

[Comment From Ed from Brooklyn] Nice how she was told to talk about climate change and she turned it back into reiterating support for Arctic drilling. 9:33

[Comment From Marco] If climate change is cyclical, how is it a policy issue? 9:33

[Comment From am from msp] Men seem not to like when biden says its MAN made.... ha ha 9:33

Hockenberry/Takeaway: I don't trust those focus groups on TV 9:34

Andrea Bernstein: all this stuff on number of votes is too confusing to follow... 9:34

[Comment From cf from msp] that meter on CNN seems to be useless 9:34

[Comment From rebecca in Brooklyn] and now she's said it directly "drill, baby, drill" 9:35

[Comment From ayn from new york] senator o'biden 9:35

Bob Garfield, OTM: senator o'biden! 9:35

[Comment From Chris] Thinking about her greeting to Biden - "Can I call you Joe?". Was that to bait him into calling her Sarah, hoping people would find that demeaning? 9:35

Bob Garfield, OTM: enviromentally friendly drilling! 9:35

Mary Elizabeth Williams: Top o' the morning, senator! 9:35

katya rogers: nucular? 9:36

John Keefe, WNYC News: New York 1 cable news channel's remote-control poll ... Palin is being: Too passive 31% To Agressive 32% Just right 37% ... FWIW (which may be little) 9:36

[Comment From matt] not another politician who cant say "nuclear"! 9:36

Hockenberry/Takeaway: this should be interesting 9:36

[Comment From Ronnie] nice, Chris. i was trying to think why...sounds plausible 9:37

Bob Garfield, OTM: palin: heck, i'm fer re-education! 9:37

Mary Elizabeth Williams: I just heard America get superscared. 9:38

[Comment From Emily] Why are we talking about gay marriage? Is anyone really voting on that given the state of the country? 9:38

[Comment From kalle, denmark] her smile is gone... 9:39

[Comment From Jon from Riverdale] She is tolerant and perhaps has some diverse friends! 9:39

[Comment From ceolaf] She just forced Gay Marriage into the debate. That was NOT the question. 9:39

katya rogers (OTM): gay marriage was cited as being one of the reasons the "values voters" gave Bush a second term 9:39

[Comment From cf from msp] there is a huge gap between tolerance and acceptance 9:40

[Comment From anneca] There go the Mormons' support! "...one man & one woman" 9:40

[Comment From Jon from Riverdale] John McCain is going to spend a lot of time defending her tolerance this week. 9:40

Mary Elizabeth Williams: And "relationship choices" 9:40

Hockenberry/Takeaway: Biden came off as wishy washy on Gay marriage while she camew off as clear on "Toloerance" Show Additional Entries [Additional Entries] 9:41 - 10:43 Show Additional Entries [Additional Entries] 10:43 - 10:56

Hockenberry/Takeaway: It's getting late for me.... spelling going south. 9:41

[Comment From derek] But what does "win in Iraq" mean? 9:41

Mary Elizabeth Williams: Stop doing shots every time she says "Alaska," Hock. 9:42

[Comment From ceolaf] "WIth all due respect, I didn't hear a plan. Barack Obama has got a plan." Biden's best line, so far. 9:42

[Comment From mike reynolds in Maine] Hockenberry: Youre forgiven. Mary - lol! 9:42

Hockenberry/Takeaway: I'm playing a different game.... a shot of Patron for every "darn it" 9:43

Bob Garfield, OTM: interestingly, on fox, the uncommitted ohio voters with the positive/negative dials are reacting better to biden than to palin 9:43

[Comment From Len Franco jr] Great line by Biden and it caught Palin off guard! 9:43

[Comment From Chris Gay, New York] "white flag of surrender" could be her "there you go again" moment 9:43

Andrea Bernstein: EVERYONE -- remember undecided voters are mostly WOMEN. Hock, channel your femine side 9:44

Bob Garfield, OTM: if you do one sip for every "also" you'll be half-in-the-bag before 10 9:44

Hockenberry/Takeaway: this is scary for Palin she's way out on the edge 9:44

[Comment From Ed from Brooklyn] I have to say they are both doing well - it's getting better, they are starting to draw blood now. 9:44

[Comment From Ronnie] Biden bullseye 9:44

[Comment From Len Franco jr] It's about time Biden starts taking off the gloves... 9:45

Hockenberry/Takeaway: Channel it where? How about your Jesse Ventura side? 9:45

[Comment From Farmer Julia] I don't like the format- I wanna see them go after each other some more 9:45

[Comment From lucy] Hate to say it, but this is more of a debate than last Friday 9:45

Hockenberry/Takeaway: Right on Lucy 9:46

Hockenberry/Takeaway: Veep candidates have nothing to lose ever.... remember Stockdale? 9:46

[Comment From Chris Gay, New York] unfair question -- how can you compare the two? she's confronting them with a false dilemma 9:46

Mary Elizabeth Williams: I'd love if McCain and Obama get a little of their running mates' feistiness for the next show. It's tv, guys. 9:47

[Comment From Ronnie] Biden so much more animated, robo-biden banished...at least for now 9:47

Bob Garfield, OTM: dial groups aren't data. the margin of error is like 99% but if by some chance the fox group is representative of undecided voters in ohio, mccain is toast. 9:47

[Comment From Abraham in Wash. Heights] I am impressed by both candidates. 9:47

Hockenberry/Takeaway: So True MEW 9:47

[Comment From am from msp] So far, this doesnt seem game changing either way, other than Palin is redeaming herself. But I dont think that will be a difference for the broader dynamic.... but who knows! 9:47

katya rogers (OTM): nucular 9:47

[Comment From Douglas] NUCULAR! AAAARRGGGH! 9:47

Bob Garfield, OTM: every time she opens her mouth is dips like a water slide.

"a nukular armed EYEran" 9:48

[Comment From Alex] @Hockenberry -- It's because of the speed -- And both of these candidates feel more comfortable with each other. I like the back and forth. 9:48

Hockenberry/Takeaway: McCain actually is toast... I think the economic crisis kills him. Nucular ( another shot of Patron) 9:48

[Comment From Kate Bornstein] NUCULAR! Twice in one sentence. 9:48

[Comment From Ed from Brooklyn] Lol nice Bob 9:48

Bob Garfield, OTM: ok, if it's palin vs. ahmadenajad, i'm voting for palin. 9:48 Mary Elizabeth Williams: Anyone else feeling like they're hearing their kids here? HE STARTED IT! PS my brain is going nucular. 9:48 [Comment From Lucy] Mmn John, I think Palin potentially had a a fair amount to lose, after such a disastrous week. She's carrying a lot on her shoulders as it was such an anticipated debate. 9:49

[Comment From daria, nyc] now she's just reciting memorized mccain lines 9:49

[Comment From mike reynolds in Maine] hock - be careful - you gotta get up early and i worry :) 9:49

[Comment From Ronnie] Father Kissinger 9:49

Hockenberry/Takeaway: T minus 10 minutes and counting 9:50

[Comment From ceolaf] Does ANYONE think that Palin has not CRUSHED expectations, so far. Absolutely crushed them. 9:50

[Comment From dan] i'm just curious, are there voters out there who she wins over by mentioning kissinger? 9:50 [Comment From Charles in Greeley] Palin is pushing familiar but effective buttons - it's 2002 all over again 9:50 Mary Elizabeth Williams: they hate us with our freedoms and our tolerance and our, um, delicious muffins. 9:51 [Comment From am from msp] Given the bar was so low, I would say she crushed it 9:51 [Comment From Steve Gosset] Still no indication that we're getting any sense of her; rather she's more of a McCain drone. But maybe that's how it should be. 9:51

[Comment From Abraham in Wash. Heights] Palin has held her own against Biden. Why not against Katie Curic? 9:51

katya rogers (OTM): I wonder what the "let sarah be sarah" crowd are saying? 9:51

[Comment From Jon from Riverdale] she has held her own by simply not screwing up at all 9:51

John Keefe, WNYC News: Hock ... Debate goes to 10:30 (tho maybe Hock doesn't!)

9:52

[Comment From am from msp] Because it is hard to do scripted answers in a reporter interview... you can dodge or change the subject in the same way.... 9:52

Bob Garfield, OTM: Hock, Hock Hock. From this point forward I wish to be called Ga 9:52

[Comment From Debby in NJ] She's getting better at ignoring questions and saying whatever she has prepared; the usual politician's trick. 9:52

[Comment From mike reynolds in Maine] OMG palin is going to solve the mideast peace issue. 9:52

[Comment From Ronnie] Was the "never again" mantra directed at old Jewish Floridians? 9:53

[Comment From Amy from Manhattan] yeah, Debby, but why is Ifill letting her get away with it? 9:53

[Comment From Jon from Riverdale] On a clear day you can see Israel from Delaware! 9:53

[Comment From Ed from Brooklyn] Here's an idea: screwing up the Couric interview, leaking reports that she was sequestered in McCain's ranch because she was so unprepared, all of that was actually a planned effort to lower expectations for Palin... maybe? 9:53

[Comment From kim] Agreed Debby. I feel like I have heard some of these exact sentences from Palin over and over. 9:54

Bob Garfield, OTM:

jesus. did he just confuse obama and bin laden? 9:55

[Comment From Jon from Riverdale] no way ed, she just got better. Don't forget her prior career as a perky sportscaster 9:55 Bob Garfield, OTM: the blame game! sarah sarah bo barah, banana fanna fo farah... 9:55

[Comment From sally] BIiden is FUMING 9:55

[Comment From Amy] I think everyone is affraid of looking like they are bullying Palin, so Ifill wont push her, and Biden wont attack. too bad 9:55

[Comment From Derek] She is doing waaay better than I would have guessed. 9:56

[Comment From Emily] You're right Debby, but I think Ifill is letting her get away with it because of Ifill's book and questions about her bias - maybe she doesn't want to be attacked as just another biased media person. 9:56

[Comment From ceolaf] Who is going to get or appreciate "past is prologue?" 9:56

[Comment From Fat Steve in Atlanta] I don't understand why people think she's doing well, she's said nothing, as Biden just pointed out 9:56

Andrea Bernstein: the exchange of the night so far Palin: too much looking back. Biden: I haven't heard the difference 9:57

[Comment From Kate Bornstein] NUCULAR WEAPONRY 9:57

Mary Elizabeth Williams: All about both of them distancing themselves from the Bush admin. 9:57

Bob Garfield, OTM: every candidate MUST know that inviolable us nuclear doctrine is NOT to take first strike off the table. she didn't answer, so i guess she doesn't know. 9:58

[Comment From Ed from Brooklyn] Saying nothing is okay, Fat Steve, as long as it's said smoothly. 9:58

[Comment From Connie] She reminds me of a student taking a test who only has one answer, regardless of the question 9:58

[Comment From spoons] What troops will we use for two more surges? 9:58

John Keefe, WNYC News: Anybody's mind being changed here? 9:59

Mary Elizabeth Williams: I think both of them are doing better than expected. 10:00

Bob Garfield, OTM: told y'so. told y'so 8:24

Bob Garfield, OTM: It is a lot easy to stay with talking points if you understand the talking points. As John says, in Alaska, Palin was well grounded in all the issues apt to surface. Here she will have to rely on her cramming for the exam. The Couric interviews show that can be problematic, to say the least. So she''ll likely try to to complex policy questions with pre-packaged lines -- whether they actually address the question or not. 10:00

[Comment From Ronnie] It should be "facts matter, sarah" 10:01

John Keefe, WNYC News: Andrea ... you see all the spin releases flying into our inboxes? So much easier than passing them around the room on paper! 10:01

[Comment From Charles in Greeley] I think Biden is winning on content, but the noise about Palin's performance is going to drown it out - the question is whether the McCain supporters who jumped ship today get back on 10:01

[Comment From anneca] She is just ill prepared to discuss Afghanistan and Iraq with Biden. She's out of her league on this issue. 10:01

Bob Garfield, OTM: wow. surprised she could come up with counter-insurgency strategy. so was biden 10:01

[Comment From Amy from Manhattan] did i just hear a gore-type sigh? 10:01 [Comment From Jen E.] Palin picks one thing from what she hears and then goes for that but ignores the things she appears to not understand. 10:01

[Comment From ceolaf] Palin, in showing that she is not an idiot, is doing 100% of she needs to do. Demonstrating brilliance, depth or nuance were not on the table. 10:02

Andrea Bernstein: The McCain campaign is old school They're still walking thure the spin room everyone few minutes handing out paper releases. 10:02

Bob Garfield, OTM: bosniac!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 10:02

[Comment From Felicia Buebel -Pleasantv] Bosniacs? 10:02

[Comment From Chris Gay, New York] Her tactic is fairly clear: lay down a steady, Gatlin-gun delivery, and no one -- certainly not her supporters -- will notice she's not saying much. Her worst enemy is dead air, which so far she's avoided. 10:03

[Comment From Lucy] Charles, I think you are on the money. Biden is winning on content, but she is exceeding expectation and tomorrow's media will be all over that. 10:03

Bob Garfield, OTM: weren't they a new wave bband in manchester in 1980? 10:03

[Comment From Fat Steve in Atlanta] the fortunate thing is that anyone who likes palin will not get that they're called Bosnians 10:04

[Comment From Kathryn in Brooklyn] My DH says that Bosniac is the correct term for Bosnian Muslims. 10:04

[Comment From Chris Gay, New York] finally, the Outsider card. 10:04

[Comment From pvt. spoons] se's making a good point. 10:04

Bob Garfield, OTM: i mispoke, i'm watching this dial group on CNN. biden is off the charts, palin dead center. here comes bridge to nowhere, i'm guessing 10:04

[Comment From Kathryn in Brooklyn] I just googled Bosniac and it does mean specifically Bosnian Muslims. 10:04

John Keefe, WNYC News: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/bosniak

10:04

Brian Lehrer: Just getting on line here after getting home. Listened on radio en route. After lots of recent questions about both these candidates, I think we are seeing why they were each chosen. She is populist and pugnancious and will rally the base. He is masterful with details and passionate about what he thinks is right and wrong. 10:05

[Comment From Jen E.] AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH! I hate when she makes herself appear that she is an outsider, when she is really just ignorant 10:05

[Comment From imc] I agree with you Mr Lehrer 10:06

[Comment From Kate Bornstein] BL: It's comments like that, that make you the master. Bless your articulate heart. 10:06

[Comment From rebecca in Brooklyn] she's a "populist" if you don't pay attention to any of the ideas of her party. Being a populist now means eating pork rinds and saying "darn" 10:06

[Comment From Ronnie] Brain Lehrer, everyone 10:06

[Comment From Chris Gay, New York] Brian is right. Palin's game is all about the base; damn the rest of them. 10:06

[Comment From sylvia] what question can Gwen ask that Palin was not prepped on? 10:06

Andrea Bernstein: Palin just talked about Alaska's divestment on Darfur. I'm struck by how little she's talked about her work in Alaska tonight...Wish I could hear more from her on that... 10:06

Bob Garfield, OTM: thanks, Kathryn in Brooklyn. Although I haven't heard that ever. And I have a lot of associates there. 10:07

Brian Lehrer: I agree a lot with Charles in Greeley, but who's winning the independents? He may well be winning on content. People can think for themsleves before the post-debate spin. 10:07

[Comment From pvt. 1st class spoons] I disagree. she made a solid - if well worn - point about Biden's vote for the war. I think it's hard for opponents to lose when they sit back and let people like Biden tie themselves in knots over their war vote. 10:07

Bob Garfield, OTM: "John McCain knows how to win a war." wait, didn't we lose his war? 10:07

[Comment From am from msp] Which war did we win with McCain? Gulf One? 10:09

[Comment From Connie from Ossining] team of mavericks? 10:09

Bob Garfield, OTM: wink 10:09

Mary Elizabeth Williams: That little minx just WINKED AGAIN. 10:10 [Comment From katrina] If she doesn't stop winking I'm gonna scream 10:10

[Comment From Charlotte 203] Never trust anyone who winks at you 10:10

John Keefe, WNYC News: SO interesting how often she brings things come back to energy. 10:10

Brian Lehrer: The energy debate earlier was great. But no one asked Palin why she's for drilling if she says she's for solving global warming with "all of the above." She was conflating energy independence with fighting global warming but was not challenged on it. 10:10

[Comment From Charles in Greeley] maybe the wink is this election's sigh 10:10

[Comment From Kate Bornstein] Heaven forbid, she said. Will we ever publicly discuss separation of church and state in a post GW Bush America? 10:10

Mary Elizabeth Williams: She is so going for the MILF chaser vote. 10:10

[Comment From Farmer Julia] I thought she was winking at me 10:10

Bob Garfield, OTM: so far, ifill has not held either candidate to the question asked 10:10

John Keefe, WNYC News: My town v. your town 10:11

Brian Lehrer: Who thinks that TV anchor smile is helping or hurting her? 10:11

katya rogers (OTM): gwen has been chilled 10:11 [Comment From Ed from Brooklyn] Remember that coming out in support of drilling really energized McCain's campaign even before Palin came on board. Adding her put a face to that energy. 10:11

[Comment From nathan] I love the way she talks to "government" like he's her grandpa 10:11

[Comment From Amy from Manhattan] OK, so she winked. Does that mean you have to resort to stereotyped language, MEW? 10:11

[Comment From MNofier] Of course it's helping. She's the one beating up on the press and JB, She's setting her own agenda with every answer, and not answering anything directly. 10:11

[Comment From Jackie] Definitely helping, unfortunately. 10:11

[Comment From anneca] hurting. she's not angry enough to show she'll make a change. 10:12

[Comment From Lance Case] DAWG gon it! 10:12

katya rogers (OTM): "there you go again" no she didn't! 10:12

Mary Elizabeth Williams: Wink once, I'll let it slide. Wink twice, you are hitting on America. Oh my lord, she just did it again. 10:12

[Comment From ceolaf] Brian, the smile is about keeping her fans, not about convincing her detractors. 10:13

[Comment From Amy from Manhattan] "her reward is in heaven"?? 10:13

Brian Lehrer: There are valuable indies who are neither fans nor detractors. 10:13

[Comment From Jen E.] She is insulting me as an educator. Am I a martyr who will have my reward in heaven? What does this mean? 10:14

[Comment From imc] I am an educator and I was not insulted. 10:14

[Comment From koko] Exactly, Jen E. That comment does not bode well for public school reform. 10:14

Andrea Bernstein: I just learned something...she thinks NCLB needs to be revised... 10:15

[Comment From Emily] How does she want to revise NCLB? 10:16

[Comment From DC] this is MUCH scarier in HD! 10:16

[Comment From Jen E.] Of course NCLB needs to be reformed. They'll be in office when the 100% proficiency is expected (2011) for all students when funding hasn't been provided. 10:16

[Comment From Kate Bornstein] DC -- how does her blush look in HD? even scarier? 10:17

[Comment From ceolaf] Kate Bornstein, she looks fine in HD. A bit tan, but fine. 10:18

Brian Lehrer: Did she just agree with Cheney that he can avoid submitting documents by declaring VP is in constiutional netherworld between executive and legis. branch? 10:18

10:19 Bob Garfield, OTM: uh oh...a couric. rambling and unresponsive

10:19 [Comment From Chris Gay, New York] Brian: if she did, i'm sure she didn't realize it.

10:19 [Comment From daria, nyc] she didn't know what she was answering brian - she was taking the lead that gwen set her up with and agreeing with that -- that it's "flexible"

10:20 Brian Lehrer: I'll have to re-listen to that later.

10:20 [Comment From lucie] Are you kidding, Brian? She didn't understand the question about constitutional limits on the vice presidency. 10:21

Bob Garfield, OTM: gwen. GWEN. it's a stupid question, but won't you make them answer it? 10:21 [Comment From dan] the achilles heel question is wasted on politicians. you never get a real response 10:21

Bob Garfield, OTM: did he fart when he clenched? 10:21

Bob Garfield, OTM: i believe the senator farted. 10:22

[Comment From koko] He was choked up about his kid. 10:22

[Comment From nathan] "city on a hill" isn't ronald reagan, it's John Winthrop in 1630 quoting the Bible. 10:22

[Comment From Kate Bornstein] At last! Fart jokes on NPR! 10:22

[Comment From casey shepard] No, he seemed to be holding back tears when he was talking about his child 10:22

katya rogers (OTM): he cried bob...you heartless media analyst 10:22

Brian Lehrer: Bob, you're gross. Go back to South Park! 10:22

Mary Elizabeth Williams: You want fart jokes? Welcome to the Takeaway. 10:22

Brian Lehrer: Better yet, Bob. Back to Beavis and Butthead 10:22

Bob Garfield, OTM: I'm just sayin... Sounded like a choke-up'n'fart. 10:23

[Comment From prasad] a couric moment again. 10:23

[Comment From Kate Bornstein] MEW -- I'll expect a fart joke when I tune in tomoro morning! 10:23

[Comment From fkerm] biden is out da gate! 10:23

[Comment From rebecca in Brooklyn] my American history students are cheering about the "City on a Hill" reference, I'm sure. MY CUNY kids know more than Sarah Palin 10:24

[Comment From Kate Bornstein] I know mavericks, Governor Palin, and John McCain is no maverick. 10:24

[Comment From Marcus in Queens] Finally; Biden is challenging the 'Maverick' appeal. 10:24

[Comment From Ed from Brooklyn] there's your Biden soundbite, mass media. 10:25

John Keefe, WNYC News: Five minutes left. 10:25

Bob Garfield, OTM: there was that sound again. someone needs to investigate. 10:25

[Comment From Connie from Ossining] Biden clearly has much more depth of character than Palin-that's coming thru clearly 10:26

Mary Elizabeth Williams: I want to know what you had for dinner, Bob. 10:26

[Comment From Charles in Greeley] Palin did what she had to do,, so I think she wins - but I've got say that Biden has done a tremendous job considering the odds against him 10:26

[Comment From fkerm] pass budgets I did not veto? isn't that how they pass? 10:26

katya rogers (OTM): her pitch is beginning to REALLY grate on me 10:27

[Comment From Enid] Pallin did what she needed to do, but she clearly is not VP material. 10:28

Bob Garfield, OTM: Palin wins by merely being terrible. Biden wins by not flipping out. Gwen loses for being too deferential. 10:28

[Comment From Dom A] She didn't win, but she didn't need to win. 10:28

[Comment From Kate Bornstein] Ifill has been a great moderator, for the most part stepping back and giving focus to the candidates. 10:28

Brian Lehrer: Responding to Charles, she exceeds expectations, but so does he. I can't pretend to predict public opinion, but I think for swing voters, tonight may well be judged more on content than we media cynics usually think. 10:28

Mary Elizabeth Williams: They both were well prepped to tone down their very well known weaknesses. 10:28

[Comment From helen in passaic] i am still DOGGONE scared of palin 10:29

[Comment From J Franco] It was Biden's to lose. And he didn't 10:29

[Comment From PJ] Ifill has been very weak 10:29

Bob Garfield, OTM: I believe there will be no change in the poll trends. 10:29

[Comment From prasad] Sarah did waht she needed to do. Their base is going to get all excited. can't wait to hear what they have to say on fox after this :) 10:29

[Comment From Marcus in Queens] Biden was and is competent and experienced. Palin was and is strong spoken and driven. 10:29

[Comment From Ronnie] Palin's training talking at the television has served her well. She had to look at Couric; maybe that was the difference. 10:29

[Comment From Ed from Brooklyn] Ifill was just fine! The fact that the debate was good goes to her credit. 10:29

[Comment From Charlotte 203] It had to be said - mainstream media 10:30

Bob Garfield, OTM: whoaaaaaa. the filter? does she mean...the camera? 10:30

[Comment From ceolaf] She just called Couric a filter. 10:30

Mary Elizabeth Williams: You would say that, you mainstream media you. 10:30 Brian Lehrer: Nice bloggin' with y'all. Let's discuss it on the radio at 10:00. Good night ;) ;) 10:31

[Comment From ceolaf] She's always been proud to be an American, as had McCain. Not ever ashamed for even a moment. 10:31

[Comment From Ed from Brooklyn] What about our children's children's children? What about THEM? 10:31

[Comment From Amy from Manhattan] hear ya then, Brian! 10:31

[Comment From Kate Bornstein] If we elect Palin, we could spend our sunset years looking at a nucular sunset. 10:31

Andrea Bernstein: I'm not sure Palin said enough about herself and the details of her vision to sway the undecideds. She stood tall looked straight into the camera and was fluent in foreign policy. Biden counldn't figure out where to look and we know he knows a lot, which we already knew. So the end result...undecideds...it's all up to how YOU perceived it. 10:31

Mary Elizabeth Williams: Hock is passed out in Patron right now, isn't he? 10:32

John Keefe, WNYC News: That's it! 10:33

[Comment From Paul, nyc] Any thoughts yet on radio vs. TV perception of the debate (a la Kennedy vs. Nixon?) 10:33

[Comment From Charlotte 203] Nice way to end it Joe 10:33

[Comment From ceolaf] This view behind the curtain has been a little disturbing, WNYC. I'm not sure what it is going to do my contribution next year. 10:33

John Keefe, WNYC News: Thanks to our great contributors ... especially those who have to be up early in the morning. Which, um, I think is everyone! 10:33

[Comment From Kate Bornstein] The party's over. Send in the spinmeisters. 10:33

[Comment From Kathryn in Brooklyn] Thanks everyone. Great coverage! 10:34

[Comment From Charles in Greeley] Fantastic contributions - this was great idea ... my check is in the mail. 10:34

[Comment From DC] i wonder about the protocol of leaving candidates' mics live before and after the debate...during their interactions? 10:34

[Comment From ceolaf] I'm speaking to you, Ga. And you MEW. And you Hock. Andrea and Brian, at least, still have my respect. 10:34

[Comment From Connie from CT] this was great - thanks all 10:35

[Comment From Kate Bornstein] This live blogging, facilitated as it was by experienced commentators, has made watching this debate more than an exasperating evening. Thank you all very much. 10:35

[Comment From Jackie] Support will be forthcoming. Thank you. 10:35

[Comment From helen in passaic] extra credit for everyone!! 10:35

John Keefe, WNYC News: Thanks, too, to all of our participants for some great thoughts along the way. 10:36

[Comment From Chris, NYC] This was a great experience. Thanks for your company. 10:36

katya rogers (OTM): check out On the Media this weekend for some post-debate analysis 10:37

Adam Hirsch, Takeaway: Thanks for participating, everyone, and thanks for all your comments -- we've got some great listeners and readers. 10:37

[Comment From Jerome] Thanks to all--professionals and laity--you all brought thought-provoking comments. 10:39

Adam Hirsch, Takeaway: For those still hanging around, any comments on the evening or the liveblogging? 10:40 [Comment From Matt R NYC] It was great. 10:40

[Comment From Suzanne in NYC] I never saw any of my comments in the scroll. I felt redundant. 10:40

Adam Hirsch, Takeaway: We'll almost certainly be trying this again for the next debate, and we'll welcome suggestions or comments. 10:40

[Comment From Marco] Yeah, loved it. 10:40

[Comment From Kate Bornstein] RTF file transcript available for download here http://snipr.com/41d7q-nvicqy (virus checked) 10:41

Mary Elizabeth Williams: Much more enjoyable watching with all of you. 10:41

[Comment From koko] Yes Suzanne. Same here. Many of my comments did not display. I assumed I was censored. 10:42

John Keefe, WNYC News: Thanks for dropping by MBW! 10:42

[Comment From Lance Case] I hope that you do this again next week! 10:42

[Comment From Matt R NYC] Add a ustream above the text 10:42

John Keefe, WNYC News: This client actually supports Ustream ... so maybe we will!

10:42

Mary Elizabeth Williams: I can't see Russia from my house, but I can see John Keefe. 10:42

[Comment From Connie from CT] it was great to be part of a group watching - as I am in a hotel on business 10:42

[Comment From PJ] Why was it so great ? She's such a lightweight ! 10:42

[Comment From Kate Bornstein] eeep -- I meant transcript of this blogging, not the debate. Sorry! 10:43

[Comment From Steve Gosset] Maybe another server, Adam. Took a while to get on. Otherwise, it was most entertaining and illuminating 10:43

[Comment From Chris, NYC] It was much better than the last debate in terms of response time and it comments were good geographically... 10:43

[Comment From Miguel] very interesting experience. thanks 10:43

[Comment From ceolaf] I, too, am curious about the level of moderating behind the scenes.

Adam Hirsch, Takeaway: About the comments: we were scrambling to keep up with all the comments coming in and not drown out our commentators. Apologies to those who submitted comments and didn't see them -- we've got a lot of very sharp listeners! 10:43

John Keefe, WNYC News: We put up, I'd say, about 40 percent of the comments. 10:43

[Comment From Amy from Manhattan] Suzanne, I only saw some of mine--tell us, hosts, were the comments moderated? I'm sure some of them were redundant. 10:43

[Comment From Emily] I don't think comments were censored, it was just busy. 10:43

[Comment From Jerome] A question: was a screener choosing which viewer comments made it to the blog? Were there many more participants than space for displaying them? 10:44

[Comment From diane] I couldn't get on - you were over-booked. I only got to join 2 minutes ago. WNYC may consider to get more "juice" for the next debates. 10:44

Adam Hirsch, Takeaway: We'll make it clearer next time that we're moderating comments for space 10:44

John Keefe, WNYC News: Yes ... we hit a limit I don't know that we were aware of! 10:44

[Comment From Suzanne in NYC] We "did this" in chat rooms in the earlier days of the web (1990) and it felt same. 10:44

[Comment From koko] That might be something to let contributers know up front so they aren't confused. Great experience overall. Thank You. 10:44

John Keefe, WNYC News: So true Suzanne! 10:44

[Comment From antoww] yes the censorship definitely unprofessional touch 10:44 [Comment From Adnaan] If you'd like to re-read the live blog... http://vote2008.thetakeaway.org/2008/10/02/the-vice-presidential-debate-live-blog-mirror/ 10:45

[Comment From Evelyn in the Pacific NW] Well, I guess knowing I was among the ignored and not 'censored' is some comfort...maybe... 10:45

[Comment From ceolaf] I really think that the single takeaway, and I don't think that this crowd will agree, is how well she performed. And, therefore, she had the opportunity to flash that smile and work the camera. 10:45

[Comment From Suzanne in NYC] Maybe do clear sign ups next time? 10:45

[Comment From Amy from Manhattan] That would help, Adam, just so we know what to expect. 10:45

[Comment From Suzanne in NYC] I suppose I could see John Keefe if I knew where he was in the city. 10:45

John Keefe, WNYC News: I'll never tell! 10:46

[Comment From Suzanne in NYC] Maybe show names of people in / out / lurking? Like a chat room? 10:46

Mary Elizabeth Williams: How much is it worth to you, Suzanne? 10:46

John Keefe, WNYC News: Yes ... i don't know that we even know how many people were in the room. 10:46

[Comment From ceolaf] I did not think that it was censorship, and most of my comments didn't make up. I felt that it was appropriate moderation. I do with that we could have gotten more from Brian and Andrea. He keeps driving home during the first part of the debate, and that is a loss. 10:46

[Comment From koko] No, the anonymity is nice 10:46

Adam Hirsch, Takeaway: I don't believe the system provides a count, though I'll try and find out. 10:47

[Comment From Suzanne in NYC] You would know you weren't being ignored but that the server was busy or the room was full. 10:47

[Comment From Miguel] it was not censorship. I bet it prevented a chaos and confusion I went to to other chats and you could not follow the lines of thought. Great job. 10:47

John Keefe, WNYC News: @ceolaf ... it's tricky, because we need Brian strong in the morning, so he tries to get home asap afterward. We tried having him twitter in the cab, but it started to make him feel ill! 10:48

[Comment From ceolaf] Perhaps two rooms? One for the WNYC folks, and another one for the "members." Is there a way to get them both in one room? 10:48

[Comment From Roger Mapes] run two blogs. One for just commentators and one for listeners. 10:48 [Comment From Suzanne in NYC] You could actually get a WHOLE CHAT area with a BUNCH of rooms going ... e.g., a Repub room, a Dem room, and Indep Room, a St. Louis Room, etc. ... 10:48 [Comment From Kate Bornstein] ABC television is predicting Joe Biden will be called the winner, but that it won't change the race at all. 10:48

Adam Hirsch, Takeaway: I'm amazed that Hockenberry stayed up as late as he did. 10:48

John Keefe, WNYC News: Me, too 10:48

[Comment From Chris, NYC] Put him up in a hotel room on debate night... 10:48

John Keefe, WNYC News: We actually do that for election nights! 10:48

[Comment From Suzanne in NYC] You mean y'all don't get by on 4 hours of sleep, like me? 10:49

John Keefe, WNYC News: 10:49

John Keefe, WNYC News: Grins 10:49

Mary Elizabeth Williams: I WISH I got four hours of sleep. And Kate, I think ABC is dead right. 10:50

[Comment From Jerome] Maybe Brian can be cloned (with the MacArthur award he will win one day :->. Meanwhile, I hope Hock gets enough rest to function well tomorrow morn. 10:50

[Comment From prasad] 95% of the folks in CNN room think Barack Obama will win election but only 50% in the room decided to vote for Barack Obama. 10:52

John Keefe, WNYC News: Thanks again, everyone ... off to get some rest for another big news day. House vote expected in the morning! 10:53

[Comment From Suzanne in NYC] For the record, I'm a monthly contributing member and proud of it. 10:53

[Comment From Suzanne in NYC] One of the TV commentators seemed to like that Palin was "folksy" ... personally, I was a little gosh darn bummed. 10:53

[Comment From Jerome] I was hoping Politifact and the like would do some live fact-checking during the debate, but they didn't. 10:54

Adam Hirsch, Takeaway: Okay, folks. That's all for tonight ! We'll be back for the next Presidential debate -- the town hall format -- on Tuesday night!