Morning Links: VP candidates meet low expectations

Sounds like the verdict is in from last night's vice-presidential debate: not terrible! Both had their slip-ups and their misleading statements, but Republicans seemed satisfied that Palin didn't bonk, and Democrats seem satisfied she didn't soar. Best line of the night goes to Biden's "Bridge to Nowhere" comment; Dems seemed so happy that it's already an ad!

I was at the Lipscomb University debate watch party last night, and while not there as an official journalist-type, there were some pretty interesting reactions from the crowd via their clicker-vote system. A few mental notes:

After the debate, the split was down the middle as to who won the debate. I believe McCain-Palin had about a 6-point lead among the voters (about 75) after the debate, which is probably in line with the traditionally conservative campus.

One of the more lopsided votes: viewers went 80-20 for Biden on who they though has better foreign policy knowledge. On domestic policy, they went 51-49 Palin.

It should be noted that both before and after the debate, the vast majority of voters said that the debate would have no effect on who they voted for. Sounds about right.

And in perhaps the most thought-provoking vote, viewers were asked of the four candidates who they felt was most like themselves. The leaders? Sarah Palin ... and Joe Biden. Each received about a third of the vote.

(Photo credit: Rick Wilking/Associated Press)

Gore fundraiser may convince Obama to stop by

From colleague Theo Emery:

Al and Tipper Gore may finally get the chance to open the doors of their home to Sen. Barack Obama.

On the night of Tuesday’s debate at Belmont University, the former vice president is hosting a $2,500 per person/$5,000 per couple, “post-debate dessert reception” at the Gore residence, according to a copy of the invitation.

The event benefiting the Obama Victory Fund is clearly intended for deep-pocketed donors. The invitation specifies that the first $2,300 each individual contribution will go to the Obama for America fund. The next $28,500 of each person’s contribution, the invitation says, will go to the Democratic National Committee.

The reception is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. There’s talk in Democratic circles that Obama may come by after the debate, but there was no word from the campaign on Wednesday afternoon that that was the case.

Over the summer, the Gores had set in motion tentative plans for a Nashville fundraiser for Obama, but the efforts sputtered until now.

Obama’s arrival in Nashville for the debate will mark the first time that he has made a public appearance in Tennessee in over a year.

Polls have generally put McCain ahead of Obama by a wide margin in Tennessee; the most recent, a Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of 500 likely voters, gave John McCain at 58 percent to 39 percent edge over Obama, a 19-point lead. The margin of error was plus or minus 4.5 percentage points.

Vice presidential debate watch parties

The vice presidential debate between Democratic candidate Sen. Joe Biden and Republican candidate Gov. Sarah Palin begins at 8 p.m. Thursday. PBS correspondent Gwen Ifill will moderate the debate. Here's the list I have so far; if you know of a watch party, e-mail me at ccsledge@tennessean.com.

Lipscomb University
Where: Shamblin Theatre, Lipscomb campus (3901 Granny White Pike)
When: 8 p.m.
Contact: 966-6494

Tennessee Democratic Party
Where: TN Obama ’08 Campaign Headquarters, 907 Rosa Parks Blvd.
When: Doors open at 5 p.m.; party begins at 6:30 p.m.
Contact: 244-1244

Tennessee Republican Party
Where: Limelight, 201 Woodland Street
When: Doors open at 6 p.m.; tickets are $10 in advance and $20 at the door (must be 21 and older)
Contact: 269-4260

The First Debate: Whose Logo Will Capture America's Heart and Eyeballs?

So I thought we could get some friendly competition (read: shameless, cutthroat argument) started among the debate sites by introducing our first debate question: Which school's debate logo is the best? Now, "best" could mean anything by most patriotic to most pleasing to high-minded media outlets who like to pontificate about such things. Below are the logos, in chronological order of the debates, with careful, thoughtful analysis attached:

The University of Mississippi (Sept. 26):




Ole Miss does a fine job of incorporating the school's logo representing The Lyceum, the oldest building on campus (or so says Wikipedia). It switches the colors, however, turning the logo from red to blue. Hints of an Obama victory? Not likely! Also, I'm not sure what the four stars represent: The four debates? The four years in a presidential term? The four S's and four I's in "Mississippi"? The school should have to answer these tough questions! They probably won't, though, given that I'm close to violating their sunshine-and-rainbows policy that states, "logos provided should only be used to reflect a positive image of The University of Mississippi® Presidential Debate." Yeesh, thanks for the ringing endorsement of free speech regarding a debate.

Washington University in St. Louis (VP debate, Oct. 2):
See below.

Belmont University (Oct. 7):



By far the most stately of the logos, Belmont means business (and as we know, presidential campaigns are made of serious stuff!). Points to the attempt to make the flag image actually look like the real thing, but negative points for 15 1/2 stripes! Are they trying to give a preview of what the flag would have looked like if the Union had stopped at Tennessee (and only half, at that!)? However, points reinstated for using three stars, an obvious homage to the state flag and our three grand divisions. Or maybe it's referring to the third debate. At least it makes sense -- and is easily available to download, unlike WUSL's rendition, which looks distinctly Puerto Rican.

Hofstra University (Oct. 15):



Now here's a mind-boggler: The red is on the left, and the blue is on the right. It doesn't match the flag, it doesn't adhere to conventional party-color associations -- it's truly independent! Also, note how the star subtly points to the "Presidential Debate" line, serving as a helpful guide to reading left-to-right. Thanks, institution of higher education! I would say, however, that placing your big-time campus event in lower-case letters might not be the best idea ... unless you're trying to say that the event is secondary to the issues discussed ... man, this is deeper than I thought.

So there it is: It's up to you, dear readers, to decide which graphic design movement you will support! Don't take your position lightly -- after all, we've argued vehemently over less!