Palin may not have the Washingtonian street smarts that Biden has but she does have the savy to pick a grest Cabinet......Go Sarah !!!!!!!!

Bob Williams, DeLand, Floridfa, USA

"audiences are enraptured by her...." well-written convention speeches and knock-knock jokes? The REAL Sarah Palin was interviewed, who was merely silent or clueless when asked spontaneous questions, the REAL Sarah Palin believes in the bible in a literal sense. This woman cannot be trusted.

Rick, The Falls, WI, US

I think we are in for a surprise with Governor Palin. She may be young, she may not have much experience, but I think she
understands people and the need for change, and some honesty and forthrightness as needed in Washington!

I for one am betting on her making a great debator!

Ellie, Montvale, USA

All Palin is is a political puppet to get support of hardcore right wingers who dont support mccain

M, Ottawa,

Sarah Palin is being treated like crap by Liberals, CNN's Campbell Brown in particular with her snarky remarks has made me turn off CNN. Also Katie Couric and Charlie Gibson were very condescending and unpleasant with her and asked questions to suit their liberalism.

Charlene, Montreal,Que., Canada

It's not about underestimating Sarah Palin per se. It's about underestimating her appeal to right of center voters who value her "down-to- earth character", confident demeanor, and " good ole fashioned common sense" . Sadly, personality and likeability still accounts for too much in the U.S.

Gene, Boston, U.S.A.

My gosh people. Everyone needs coaching, regardless of what role you are in. In a business, you have coaches and advisors. Sarah Palin is no exception. Just as Obama and Biden have advisors and are prepped to the enth degree!! Sarah Palin is no different.

Laura, Calgary, Canada

Palin is the least qualified person to EVER run for US VP or Pres. She's a complete joke. Not only does she know zip about anything outside the US, she knows nothing about internal US issues! Looking forward to the VP debate. I'll watch that instead of the Canadian debate for our Prime Min. tonight

Mike, Mississauga, Canada

I'm sure Ms Palin is a good mother and a committed Christian. But as backup President she'll be another Bush. Naiive, ideologically driven and subject to manipulation. The world can't afford another Bush. Wake up Americans! You need someone capable of rebuilding relations with the rest of humanity.

peter, canberra, australia

I just want to say something: Why they have to be revising and selecting the questions they are going to ask her during an interview. If she can't cope with tough questions she should not be running for Vice President!!! That's it...

Mariana, Brisbane, Australia

Isn't it great that an "ordinary person has got this far?" Isn't that what democracy is about?

Philippa, Goonabudden, Australia


As an American, I don't WANT an 'ordinary person' in the second most powerful position in the government of the most powerful nation on Earth.

Danielle, Ascot, Berkshire

Sorry, Phillippa, you don't want "ordinary" people holding important office - you need exceptional people to cope with the most difficult situations.
Even the most outrageous spin couldn't show Palin could handle high office - she plays on her mother role and photogenic appearance - no substance.

Padraig, Perth, Australia

By the way having two foreign countries and none American state among neighbors Alaska is a unique state in the USA. In addition despite foreign policy issues belong to Washington Alaskans to have own relationship with the neighbors and some indigenous people have relatives in Canada or Russia. It would be unfair not to recognize Palin to have some experience in the sphere.

Alexey, Moscow,

Palin beat Joe all the way. Joe still does not answer questions, he beats around the Bush.

Richard Kirrstetter, Lansing, NC , USA

Gov. Palin knocked Sen. Biden for a loop, and he was not prepared for her American "true grit" and poise.

Tucano Fulano, Big Bear, USA

Sarah took Biden to the cleaners! What a woman! This is someone we can truly trust!

Maribeth Wallace, West Chester, Chester

I think Joe Biden was better than Sen. Obama But I also think that Gov. Palen was better than either. I'm a Democrat for Hillary having no choice but to vote for Sen Mccain, thank you Liberal Media....

William, Murfreesboro, Rutherford

How dumb does the republican party think that women are? They saw how much of a following Hillary had, and thought that women would vote for Palin simply because she was a woman, not because they shared the same views as her.

Now here's a great idea: Let's vote for someone with no experience!

Cha, Chicago, USA

The reason that Palin captured the hearts and imaginations of conservatives is that she is a beautiful, intelligent woman who chose to give birth to her son who has downs syndrome. This woman with a child is still seen as something beautiful and full of hope by many of us who affirm life.

Dwayne, West Des Moines, IA, USA

Palin and McCain get a lot of crap, but both of them have more experience than Obama and if you want to be sure someone's loyal to our country it's McCain. Obama's loyalties have been questioned more than once. He even switched to christianity superficially just for politics.

GO PALIN AND MCCAIN!

Mike, Washington, USA

Facts and figures make for good legistators or advisors. Character and judgement make for good leaders.
We are electing leaders, therefore I look for those traits.

Duane, Nampa, ID, US of A

Why is America trying to shred Sarah Palin? Isn't it great that an "ordinary person has got this far?" Isn't that what democracy is about?

Philippa, Goonabudden, Australia

Eduard, the next administration will need to contend with an economy that is either in or close to a depression. Do you really think the McCain or Palin will have any clue how to handle the worst economic environment in the last 100years? The entire world needs someone with half at least 1/2 a brain

Mike D, Mississauga, Canada

Were the issues Alaska-specific, perhaps Biden should not underestimate Sarah Palin.

The debate is related to the US presidency, and Palin curently shows, through the well staged interviews, a lack of understanding of the gravity of the issues.

She does not have presidential qualities.

Anthony, Edmonton, Canada

" For the second most powerfull position in the world we want the next door neighbor? We tried that with Bush, we need extrodinary people for leaders."

Its a crying shame that none are running. This is emptiest, most vacuous field of candidates in my 50+ years of life.

John Harlow, Snellville, USA

Before you say that Palin is unqualified to be V.P., look at the present government. There 100 in the senate who are unqualified and over 400 in congress who are unqualified to govern this country, considering the mess they have created. Palin can not be any worse!!

Eduard, Houston, USA

Why are people so easily taken in by this phoney and her ridiculous and offensive views? Sarah Palin is a joke, and the joke will be on America if she gets anywhere near the White House. Sarah Palin is no more a 'hockey mom' than George Bush is a good president.

Eoin McManus, Corfe Mullen, UK

er, John, Oxford England is a big part of the problem, arrogant, effite, liberal snobs, with no real world experience!

Steve, Saint George,

It is amazing how nasty people are to Sarah Palin, especially women. Calling her unqualified is really funny considering she has more experience than the top of the Dem ticket.

Cathy, Toronto, Canada

The thought of Palin being VP is a shocking and scary one and thats just what she must be thinking! no way is she qualified for this important job, shame on McCain for picking her. Even more so with these current financial circumstances Obama/Biden looks the ticket to back.

Martyn Shepherd, Leicester, England

She falls within the lovable myth of the backwoods homespun sage except she's very much like Miss Congeniality being run by a cynical public relations team. Yes, it's true, anyone native born can run for President - and we've got an " anyone " on the list.

Donald T Hart, Baltimore, USA

Biden is not afraid to debate Palin-he is using reverse Psychology! Trying to get us to expect more of her puts her in a tougher spot than if we expect nothing.He will win this debate hands down if he can contain his laughter and Annie Oakley will shoot herself in the foot again! God help us all!

Nancy, Pittsburgh, usa

I see all these comments about how 'She's the only one there that has any first hand experience in what real people go through in life'...seriously? For the second most powerfull position in the world we want the next door neighbor? We tried that with Bush, we need extrodinary people for leaders.

Eli, Tucson, USA

Palin is barely qualified to be a governor. Someone need to put her in her place. The presidency is for the big dogs; not hockey moms.

Jeff, Sacramento, California, USA

Palin may not have "Washington Street Smarts" but she does have the savy to know how to pick a Cabinet with the experiential knowledge to do whatever job she has selected them for..Go Sarah !!!!!!!!!!

Bob Williams, DeLand, Floridfa, USA

Definitely not qualified.

I'm still baffled that this is the best the Conservatives could come up with - what an embarrassment. Answers every question with a generalism, while unable to name specific facts, dates, issues, events, etc etc etc

Ron, Washington, D.C., United States

The thought of Sarah Palin being a heartbeat away from the presidency is terrifying. She gets through debates by changing the topics, never answering questions, and insulting much more respectable and qualified candidates. I hope she falls flat on her face, but she probably won't.

Greg, Colorado, USA

I am Christian and would prefer an authentic Christian to be vice-president the sole world superpower. But having seen her in action I doubt she has the basic knowledge or experience to do the job. I am also unsure about this American brand of self-centred, invade-now-think-later Christianity.

Ross, Birmingham, UK

She's the only one there that has any first hand experience in what real people go through in life. She doesn't come from a rich or politically connected family. Her husband is a regular working guy. So what if she doesn't have foreign policy experience. That's what advisors are for.....

Alchik, Washington, USA

What is this experience?

That's the central question, all this so called experience, has put us into a mess that is greater than anything we have seen in our lifetimes.

Perhaps we have had too much experience, this widely touted "experience" is wiping the avererage family out

leslie, martha's vineyard, usa

I love her, because, she is Of the people, by the people and for the people. Period. The Rest of Washington long forgot, what their primary duty is. And a large handful of them are serving time.

mark, daytonA, USA

As two short planks.

Laura Roberts, London, UK

Er, Emily, Clinton was a Rhodes Scholar, who studied Political Science and International Relations at, amongst other places, at Oxford (England, not Mississippi).

Palin took 5 years to get a Bachleor's degree from the University of Idaho. In communications-journalism.

John, Cleggan, Ireland

Sarah Palin has wisdom, integrity, faith, spirit, intelligence, humor, perserverence, love of God, family, and countomplain. She has deep insight into the needs of all people. Who better could represent our nation as Vice President.. She is a fighter....and we need her tenacity in our country.

Rita Hobbs, Malvern, Arkansas , USA

Her interviews have proven to the country that she does not know enough about US domestic & foreign policy to be VP. She is likeable, smart, good-looking. But she lacks knowledge and substance. We don't need another celebrity. We need someone who can solve problems. She cannot.

Pat, Boston, MA, USA

how much foreign policy experience did Clinton have before his presidency? He ran one of the most rural one party states for 10 years.

emily, hope ar, usa

Sounds like a complete circus to me.

Chris , London, England

All the candidates have undergone extensive coaching. All the other candidates have been running for national office 4-30 years with the exception of Governor Palin (only 1 month). None have been villified by the media as she has. She is tougher than the rest and will excel tonight

Patricia, Oklahoma City, United States

ALL candidates need and receive coaching for these debates! This goes for past, current and future leaders...this is why they have so many advisors/ experts on various 'hot' topics, PR people, etc surrounding them. They can not possibly know everything and need to be briefed & coached.

Lisa, Whistler,

Sarah Mamm, don't be yourself but be the profession your are. And pause a minute before you answer even if you know the answer. please slow down. just move one lane over to the right. you have five lanes. Get out of number five, and into number 3 lane. the point slow down before you answer.

Carl r. Callison, Millbrae, United States

"and independent who ran as a businessman"??!

Lauren, Staffs,

The mere fact that she required coaching, advanced advice,in view of her faultered past interviews. Indicates or it should. She isn't qualified to even be a vice President. Much less a possible leader of a world super power.

carrol, overland park,KS., USA

If she's so tough, why are they accommodating her lack of experience by modifying the debate format so that they can't debate each other directly? She should have to speak extemporaneously so that viewers have a truer sense of her capacities and knowledge.

Sandra, Ottawa,