The most memorable candidates on this day of the first presidential debate weren't anywhere near the stage in Mississippi. While Obama and McCain effectively fought to a draw, it was their running mates who turned in performances which could well decide the election.
Palin, fresh from her disastrous wilting in front of lap dog Katie Couric, followed up with an impromptu exchange with reporters in which she again appeared unable to mouth anything but the same eight platitudes she repeated over and over again during her convention coming out party.
But it was Joe Biden, summarizing the debate during numerous television appearances, who put McCain in his place. In terms of experience, foreign policy expertise and gravitas, Biden simply erases any advantage McCain can claim. And his words also fixed a spotlight on the obvious strategy for his own debate with Palin on Thursday. Aside from pleasantries, he should simply ignore the fact that she's there. He doesn't have to worry about 'beating' her; she will very comfortably point the moose rifle at herself.
And as she does, it should be simply Biden vs. McCain. Toe to toe, jab to jab, this should be their fight. Two salty veterans of the Senate squaring off--even though one of them won't be present. Biden can leave the stage convincing America that his side has two people capable of running the country, while viewers can't help but conclude that the Republicans, at best, have one.
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