Were I a US voter, "none of the above" would have had my vote for as long as I can remember. Why can't the Yanks find some decent material for such an important office?

Adam, Oxford, UK

Palin didn't answer one question - she stuck to her script from the beginning. It's frightening to think she could be President. It's even more frightening to think the comments from my fellow Americans who think she's great are real. Never overestimate the intelligence of the American people.

Teri, San Francisco, CA, US

Palin's experience? Making rape victims pay for their own rape kits. Using her position as governor to get her former brother-in-law fired. Sueing the U.S. gov't to keep polar bears off the endangered list so she can drill for oil. And can't name a single newspaper she reads. I am horrified.

Sunshine, Minnesota, USA

I am so sick of that word. Folksy. It's not folksy. It's stupid. And it's patronizing. She has insulted my intelligence. As a member of the middle class. As an American. And as a woman who has been in situations where I have had to prove myself -- through substance, not looks or "playing cute."

Michelle , Nebraska, United States

Who exactly are some of the commenters on here trying to kid? Palin could only trot out the standard Republican lines even after days of McCain's team cramming facts into her head. The fact that she includes the odd 'folksy' expression and winks at the camera cannot hide this basic fact.

Owen, London, UK

If after 30 years JB could only manage a draw with a woman that has been in this game for barely a month then give me SP any time. And if any of you think that he did so much better, you are fooling yourself. Unlike Hillary she is a self made woman ( not beholden to her husband for her career, )

tanya, Baton Rouge, LA , USA

Good grief..stop seeing the pres/vp election as a personality contest...you're not in high school. If you go to a doctor, you would choose one who's competent, same with any profession. Pick the most competent team! Palin has no grasp of the major issues, winking/ avoiding answering qs = failure

David Brown, Coronado, USA

Sarah Palin would fight terror to the end. Don't make me laugh.

She said McCain knowshow to win a war. How? He spent most of it in prison. He was a soldier and hero yes. But that doesn't mean he knows. He was never a general running a war.

She would simply 'surge' many men to their death.

Paul, Toronto, Canada

If you were pulling for Palin, she won. If you were for Biden, he won. This election will be decided not on the strength of these debates, but on the all-important "undecided" voters. The side that wins will be the one that gets more of these voters to the polls. Just ask Al Gore.

Bruce Hebert, Panama City, Florida, USA

She recited her lines with poise and confidence, but rarely ANSWERED a single question! At best, her responses came within a football field - oops, hockey rink - of the subject. At worst, her responses were on entirely different subjects than the question asked. She is totally ignorant & proud of it

Sarah Mills, Greenwich, CT,

Palin may not have all the experience yet, but she will get it fast. She showed again that she is smart and determined, two good combinations for success. She also showed flexibility and tolerance towards different opinions. As Geraldine Ferraro said on channel 4, "she is ready"!

Anne , LA, USA

I've been on the fence this election but after last nights speech I am more inclined to vote McCain. I was not impressed with Biden and don't see he will bring change to gov't. Palin brings a fresh approach w/o the baggage and McCain has proven his ability to work with Democrats.

Jim, Charlotte, USA

It seems many of the comments here come from the RNC who say Palin won, to lift their campaign. There's no way that Palin won the debate. Look at other blogs and focus groups across the country and what real people have to say, and majority agreed that Biden won the debate.

Arlene, LA, CA,

Governor Palin has common sense and charm. She can rely on advisors and experts for the detail when she eventually becomes President.

Payne, Honolulu,

I just can't believe that anyone can imagine that SP 'won' - she sounded like someone on 'Just a Minute', where people speak for a minute on a subject and it doesn't really matter what they say so long as they keep speaking without pause and it is vaguely relevant to the subject.

Po[[y, Eastbourne, England

Let's get real people, neither of them won but Biden showed coherence and understanding, whereas the Republicans should thank the Lord, the woman did not blunder through it, like all her interviews. Those thinking that Sarah Palin is your saviour, should she become president, you will regret it.

Jessica, Coventry , United Kingdom

My wife is the undecided voter who will decide this election. She was for Obama then switched to McCain after Palin's acceptance speech. She swirched to Obama after the Tina Fey skits (she didn't see the actual interviews). After last night she is back in the McCain camp.

Pete, Middletown, NJ, USA

sarah palin was fantastic - she won hands down. more so she is young and hungry, biden has lost that eye of the tiger. he looked sombre and unpassionate. if nesessary i think think she would make a fantastic president, and would fight terror till the end.

janet, south carolina,

Biden clearly won this debate. Sarah's self-proclaimed 5 weeks experience was evident in her question dodging. You betcha!

Jeff, Sacramento, CA, USA

The "may I call you Joe?" line was a reference to the prior presidential debate, in which Obama referred to Senator McCain as John for the first half of the debate only to switch to Senator McCain when it became awkward, because McCain persisted in referring to him as Senator Obama.

Dan Collins, Monkton, VT, USA

On the contrary, Palin's looks will win her votes. She would not be popular were she ugly.

Kazuki, Tokyo, Japan

Governor Palin won. Biden expected a walk, but was run over wit, knowledge and class.

Ray, Liberty Hill,

She's pretty!!!!!! but prety dont win votes-its subtance

sammy dayal patel, king williams town, south africa

This was clearly a win for Palin. Biden could only lose. She was fresh and new he was the same old Washington double speak you get from almost every politician. Hafl truths and stretchs. I thought she did a nice job using his own past statements about Obama's lack of experience against him.

Steve, Kentucky, USA

I cannot believe that people believe Sarah Palin won the debate. Ok, there was no clear cut winner and neither Palin or Biden committed any major faux pas. But if you look closely debate, Biden's answers were more to the point whereas Palin sidestepped many and parrotted a prepared statement.

Jack Bauer, NY,

What's with Palin's blinking? How about less blinking and cutesy talk. This is America's future at stake. Not a beauty pageant. Get serious and give real answers. Biden won in every measure.

T-Rod, Columbia, USA

Thank you. How refreshing. A balanced insightful article. Sarah Palin won. Joe Biden did well. If it wasnt for the perilous state of the American economy and the fear that that will invoke, then one could imagine that a McCain/Pailn ticket could very well win. Well done Sarah Palin.

Robert Wilson, Auckland, New Zealand

Palin is pretty, folksy and may resonate with ordinary US folk. But these r NOT reasons to vote 4 her. Clearly out of her depth, shows little substance, limited political knowledge, sometimes barely articulate. If she is voted in it is a sad reflection on US society.

TD, Dublin, Ireland

JB trounced her for knowledge of the issues and a coherent strategy going forward. SP had no answers other than the scripted replies, she had nothing but, 'I'm a good ol' American mom'. There's nothing wrong with that, if she had substance, but she doesn't and you need so much more to move forward.

Jim, London, UK

Nucular is an ad hoc spelling of an incorrect pronunciation of the word nuclear, representing the (NEW-cue-lurr) pronunciation of that word instead of the correct /ˈnjuːkliːɚ/ (NEWK-lee-urr).

This pronunciation is disapproved, although some dictionaries recognize it because of its increasing usag

bhd, boulder, usa

I have just seen the debate, for the people that say SP won is the reason the USA and the world economy is were it is right now. why did she (SP) not have a come back on how the JM government will defer from the Bush one. anyone with half baked intelligence will knows that the USA needs CHANGE.

oliver tengende, Madrid, Spain

Its obvious....Palin and McCain! Great job, Sarah!

Charity, Deerfield, USA

In times of crisis, people want a leader they can trust. On that basis, Palin won the debate in a landslide. She connected. Biden scowled.

Alan, Atlanta, Ga

Palin lost so badly it's impossible to measure the extent of her defeat. She dodged nearly all the questions put to her because she's too ignorant to provide serious answers. So she hopped around the stage like a drunken bunny reciting folksy but irrelevant sound bites. McCain has disgraced America.

Richard Bennett, Livermore, USA

Oh, please. Governor Palin was vague and evasive and repeatedly failed to answer questions. Folksiness gets old; gravitas matters. She is a lightweight championing failed policies that make the US a meaner and more isolated country. Biden won; Palin lost. It's time for adults to lead us again.

John Ludy, Fremont, USA

Governor Palin clearnly won the debate, and she did it with "style and class." She has the beauty of a Queen Rania, the poise of Ronald Reagan, and the conviction of Mother Theresa. She will be THE reason McCain-Palin ticket wins. What an answer to prayer!

Jeff Burnsed, Jacksonville, USA

There is no way you can say Sarah Palin won simply because she did not stumble her way through the debate. If Joe Biden gave her performance anyone would easily say he lost. Joe listed all the facts, connected with the people, and showed that he has the ability to be a leader. SP didnt- Biden wins

Patrick, State College, USA

Sarah Palin won...and won big! I've seen anything like this in American politics..since Ronald Reagan..."Palin Fever!"

tony fox, Atlantic beach, USA

Last week, the conventional wisdom was that Obama was the victor for matching up evenly with a more experienced McCain. Since then the rules have changed. Now Palin, having come off of dreadful performances in the news, keeps pace with her opponent, and it is still called a loss. Funny that.

Kyle, Long Beach, USC

Joe Biden was fantastic tonite. He didn't miss a beat. He is credible and well versed in the issues. Palin was shaky, side stepped a few questions and didn't come accross as honest or believable. I felt like I was listening to a commercial when she spoke. Biden won the debate by miles.

Kay, Lindenhurst, USA

Sarah Palin was the clear winner here.

Glynn, Shelby, USA

This article is wrong - Palin won. It's not that Biden did poorly, it's just that she did better. Couple that with the low expectation of her, and it was a blowout.

Robert, Dayton, Ohio, USA

Palin was awesome! There is no doubt in my mind; this woman will be President one day. And I say this as someone who voted for Clinton twice and am a registred Democrat.

Carol, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Nice article. I will say that Biden certainly did stick to the questions more closely than did Palin, but there were some statements that he made in regards to McCain's record that were just incorrect. However, I will say that both candidates had imperfections and overall Palin did take the debate.

Levi, Raleigh, USA

Sarah Palin won the debate by holding her own with poise and confidence. The strength and quiet joy she showed tonight are remarkable in light of the attacks she has endured. As governor of Alaska, she has demonstrated her ability to bring about change. Obama and Biden only talk about it.

Judi English, San Clemente, USA

On any objective viewing of the debate JB clearly won. He seemed in command of the facts and the issues & adressed the questions asked. SP used the questions to launch into a series of well rehearsed speeches. She was better than expected & appealing in a way but expectations aside she surely lost.

Cameron, Melbourne, Australia

Sarah Palin deserves tremendous credit. Three of the four candidates in this race have been debating off and on for a year and a half. All of them performed quite well in their latest round. Palin was entirely out of the loop until about a month ago. Yet her performance was mostly equal, and in some

KSM, Williamsburg, USA

Sorry Mr. Baker, but Sarah Palin won it, not old Joe Biden.

ann, Seattle, USA

Not only should Governor Palin step down as the Republican presidential nominee, Senator McCain should go ahead and endorse Senator Obama for president. It is really a sad comment on America when this ticket will receive maybe 30% of the vote this November.

Timmy Coffee, Memphis, TN, USA