SectionsStudents attend VP debate in St. Louis
Sarah Bennett
Issue date: 10/7/08 Section: News
Vice presidential candidates Sen. Joe Biden and Gov. Sarah Palin debated Thursday night at Washington University in St. Louis.
About 65 members of Missouri State's College Republicans attended the debate, said vice chairman Rachel Hassani. They were also invited to a post debate rally where they were able to meet the governor and her family.
Hassani said she thought Palin did a good job of representing the values and goals of the Republican Party.
"She did so well because she was able to speak her mind without any filter from the media," Hassani said. "She ripped into Sen. Biden, but always did it with courtesy and a smile."
Expert in political rhetoric and Missouri State journalism professor, Andrew Cline said Palin is a natural at speaking to crowds like Barack Obama.
"She is very comfortable speaking to a crowd whether the crowd is in a camera lens or actually in front of her," Cline said. "She also plays folksy very well."
However, Cline said if it were not for Palin's talking points, which she knew backwards and forwards, and the word "also," the governor would not have had much to say.
Palin recovered from her interview with Katie Couric and the "Saturday Night Live" skits, but her inexperience showed through with her clear talking points, Cline said.
Hassani said watching Palin's performance in the debate and spending time with her afterwards inspired Hassani to continue working hard for the McCain/Palin campaign.
Member of Students for Barack Obama, Mary Belzer said she thinks Biden did a phenomenal job and defeated Palin in the debate.
Biden addressed policy well and was able to connect with viewers, Belzer said.
"He did a good job of becoming relatable to the American public, which I don't think he's really done before," Belzer said. "I think he's been so much of this old senator that we haven't really seen the human side of him."
Cline said Biden showcased his years of experience and leadership in the Senate, but he thinks Biden, who typically plays the role of a bulldog who bites and will not let go, held back because of the gender of his opponent.
"I don't get this whole you got to hold back because it's a woman or you got to hold back for this reason or you got to hold back for that reason," Cline said. "When you're up there with one shot like with the VP debate, you got to take it, and he didn't."
Cline said he thought the moderator, Gwen Ifill, was a slave to her list of questions and failed to challenge the candidates.
"She could have been replaced by a screen with list of written questions," he said.
Obama remained ahead in the polls after the vice presidential debate, which could indicate a Biden win.
The next presidential debate will be tonight at 8 p.m.
About 65 members of Missouri State's College Republicans attended the debate, said vice chairman Rachel Hassani. They were also invited to a post debate rally where they were able to meet the governor and her family.
Hassani said she thought Palin did a good job of representing the values and goals of the Republican Party.
"She did so well because she was able to speak her mind without any filter from the media," Hassani said. "She ripped into Sen. Biden, but always did it with courtesy and a smile."
Expert in political rhetoric and Missouri State journalism professor, Andrew Cline said Palin is a natural at speaking to crowds like Barack Obama.
"She is very comfortable speaking to a crowd whether the crowd is in a camera lens or actually in front of her," Cline said. "She also plays folksy very well."
However, Cline said if it were not for Palin's talking points, which she knew backwards and forwards, and the word "also," the governor would not have had much to say.
Palin recovered from her interview with Katie Couric and the "Saturday Night Live" skits, but her inexperience showed through with her clear talking points, Cline said.
Hassani said watching Palin's performance in the debate and spending time with her afterwards inspired Hassani to continue working hard for the McCain/Palin campaign.
Member of Students for Barack Obama, Mary Belzer said she thinks Biden did a phenomenal job and defeated Palin in the debate.
Biden addressed policy well and was able to connect with viewers, Belzer said.
"He did a good job of becoming relatable to the American public, which I don't think he's really done before," Belzer said. "I think he's been so much of this old senator that we haven't really seen the human side of him."
Cline said Biden showcased his years of experience and leadership in the Senate, but he thinks Biden, who typically plays the role of a bulldog who bites and will not let go, held back because of the gender of his opponent.
"I don't get this whole you got to hold back because it's a woman or you got to hold back for this reason or you got to hold back for that reason," Cline said. "When you're up there with one shot like with the VP debate, you got to take it, and he didn't."
Cline said he thought the moderator, Gwen Ifill, was a slave to her list of questions and failed to challenge the candidates.
"She could have been replaced by a screen with list of written questions," he said.
Obama remained ahead in the polls after the vice presidential debate, which could indicate a Biden win.
The next presidential debate will be tonight at 8 p.m.
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