Live-blogging the debate, Part 1

Joe Biden and Sarah Palin square off.

Published October 3, 2008 1:10AM (EDT)

I think right now we're seeing the problem created by the low expectations for Sarah Palin. She hasn't been spectacular so far -- she seems far more robotic than Joe Biden does, far more programmed, and she could use a little bit more confidence as she speaks.

But she's not a bumbling idiot, and she has certainly come off that way for a lot of people over the past couple of weeks. Simply the fact that she sounds knowledgeable and competent -- at least for now, during the start of the debate when questions are more general and less specific -- is enough.


By Alex Koppelman

Alex Koppelman is a staff writer for Salon.

MORE FROM Alex Koppelman


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