I think it is funny that Gayle mentioned the same thing that drove me nuts yesterday, Sarah Palin mispronouncing nuclear. I actually started yelling at the tv "It's nuclear, nuclear doggone it!!!"
Overall I think both of them did well. I have always liked Joe Biden and I was hoping Obama would pick him as a running mate. I guess I got my wish
I think Sarah Palin went on the charm offensive and did well with it, it is just that I don't care much for her and I thought she went overboard on the "folksy" talk. I don't know if it is just me but she really reminds me of George W. Bush, just that Sarah Palin is a lot more attractive and has a nice smile. However, listening to her makes me get the same feeling I got with W, there is not much substance but a lot of arrogance. It has nothing to do with her being a Republican, contrary to what many of you may think I am not a die-hard democrat. I like and respect Kay Bailey Hutchinson, Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins.
Over the last several years I just have seen a lot of nastiness, and whereas I usually vote based on issues, arrogance and mean rhetoric is a turn-off for me and I start rooting for the other side, even though I may not agree with their stance. For example, I really liked Ronald Reagan, he took swipes at his opponent but it always was with a sense of humor.
That being said, I expected Gov. Palin to do well, she knows how to deliver a prepared speech and stick with talking points. I thought it was very disrespectful to Gwen Ifill, Joe Biden and anyone who was listening when she said "I may not answer the questions the way that either the moderator or you wanna hear but I am gonna talk straight to the American people ....." What about me, I am the American people, I want to hear her answer to the question she is asked.
I was very moved by Joe Biden tearing up when talking about his 1st wife and his sons. It made him very human. I was kind of astonished when Sarah Palin just ignored it and went on the attack.
Overall, I think it went well for both, I don't think any minds were changed.