This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon: October 2, 2008 - Gov. Sarah Palin gave a strong performance in Thursday night's vice-presidential debate at Washington University -- but so did Sen. Joe Biden, said those attending the 90-minute face-off, as they exited the hall.
Margie Medelberg, 50, of St. Louis, said she was impressed with both candidates, but the debate confirmed her opinion that Sen. John McCain and Palin are a strong ticket. Medelberg said she thought Palin would be more effective in motivating people than Biden.
"I thought she did well. She was very explicit in what she said, and she is very real,'' Medelberg said.
Lissa Hildreth, 47, of St. Louis thought the difference between the candidates was significant and that Biden came across as a "guy who had been in the Senate for 1,000 years."
"I thought she was refreshing, and she was genuine,'' Hildreth said.
Karina Stridh, 18, a Washington University freshman from Westchester County, NY, said she remains undecided, but is leaning toward Barack Obama. She said Biden did a better job discussing the economy, the issue she is most concerned about, and that Palin kept wanting to bring the discussion back to energy.
"I felt that Gov. Palin was charming, but occasionally she was insulting. I thought she insulted the moderator at one point," Stridh said.
Jeremy Laub, a sophomore from New Jersey who is an Obama-Biden supporter, said he thought Palin did a good job, but "some of her comments seemed a little idiotic -- childish and very informal." He pointed specifically to her use of the word "darn."
Laub said Biden was effective and confident. "I think it will be perceived that he did a better job.''
Troy Cosey, 20, a junior from Oakland, CA, said he felt privileged to be able to attend the debate. He thought both candidates appeared qualified and did a good job presenting their views.
"I think Palin hit her stride with energy,'' said Cosey, who remains an Obama-Biden supporter. "Biden did a good job of focusing on middle-class America.''
Emily Hawkey, a graduate student from Cleveland, Ohio, said she came to the debate completely undecided as to which ticket to support.
"I was right in the middle,'' Hawkey said. She believes that neither ticket has addressed the nation's health crisis.
Hawkey said she was impressed by Biden's ability to handle the gender issue during the debate.
"I also think Sarah did a very good job, as well," Hawkey said, adding that "some of the things [she] said were a little bit outlandish." She said Palin seemed too folksy.
Hawkey said the debate definitely helped her decide on her vote, but she declined to say whom she now supports.
Debbie Bearden, 51, of St. Charles said her mind was made up about voting for McCain and Palin before attending the debate, but she wanted to hear directly from Palin. She said Palin spoke directly to the people, using everyday language, unlike a Washington insider.
"I thought it was a good debate. Palin made her points, and she made her presence known,'' Bearden said.
Mark Schwieder of Ballwin, a social studies teacher in the Rockwood school district, said he went to the debate supporting McCain and Palin. The face-off only strengthened that support. He called Palin "a breath of fresh air."
"Why not? Let's give this change thing a try,'' Schwieder said.
Schwieder said he thinks liberal pundits will give the debate edge to Biden. "But certainly she held up very well and did herself proud,'' he said.
