In between all the back and forth on the stunning mediocrity that Sarah Palin, Joe Biden is not getting the credit he deserves. He was not "adequate" or "fine" as many people have said. He freaking murdered it. He would have killed McCain or Obama last night. It felt like Ifill could question him all night on any topic out there and he would just drill down to the center of the earth (ohhh, pun?). He was perfect in dealing with Palin, he showed issue mastery, passion, and grace. I have NO issue with this guy in the Oval Office at all (to be frank, I'd be even more comfortable with him than Obama and DEFINITELY McCain). Anyone who believes that two equals were on stage last night has not read up on what it is the President or Vice-President actually does when in office. They don't wink and give props to 3rd-grade classes. They don't believe that just because they say they are mavericks, that people will snap their spines to get out of their reform-wielding ways (Palin, please try telling a Democratically-controlled Congress how much of a maverick you are...see where that gets you). But enough about Bible Spice. Great job, Joe!

"Bible Spice!" That's perfect. Did you make that up?

No, it's from a brilliant commenter on Wonkette. But I agree with you on its perfection.

I agree..Biden nailed it..he was polite, well informed, avoided gaffes,and actually answered the debate questions with a minimum of political slippy-sliding.

and didn't throttle Palin..which I think most people in America wanted to do after all that "noo-coo-lar" speechifyin' and "did you know I'm the governor of Alaska".

Seriously, Alaska's population is about the same as the population of the town of Memphis, Tenessee..how hard can it be?? Must you begin every sentence with "as governor of Alaska"...we already got that from Juliani "9-11" style.

I totally agree, McGeorge.

Biden was terrific. I was preparing myself to find him overbearing, sarcastic and full of himself. Instead he just sounded like a very solid guy who knows issues and who seems to be connected to reality. He was very nice - probably too nice - to Palin, without being condescending.

He really could have hurt himself last night. To the contrary he did very well.

Since Ifill didn't do her job of demanding answers to the questions she asked, I wished Biden had pressed Palin a bit more when she just completed avoided the question entirely. But he let her off the hook, and I guess that might have been smart not to run the risk of looking like a bully, which everyone was ready for.

Rather than finding Palin uninformed but likeable, I found her uninformed and unlikeable last night. She was at times snarky and sarcastic - and egregiously so, as Biden was just being the most polite he's ever been in his life.

What I find so wrong with her is that she doesn't seem to know what she doesn't know, or doesn't seem to understand that these issues are very complicated and important to know. She seems to think being cutesy and a proud "Joe Six Pack" and "hockey mom" is credentials to be put into the highest office in the land.

Biden hit it out of the park. Caribou Barbie (not mine either) just came off as like Bush: What she doesn't know she makes up with absolute certainty. She's terrifying.

Well said.