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)

Fisher watching everything around tonight's debate

I'll be a little AWOL this afternoon as I work on one of those paper-edition stories, but I'll leave you for now with some comments from Belmont President Bob Fisher on the school's final preparations for the debate. You can see more from my interview with him at our YouTube page.

Early lunch links: Biden and what's-her-name debate tonight

I don't know if you've heard, but tonight there is the Vice Presidential Debate feat. Gov. Sarah Palin. Oh, and that Joe Biden guy is showing up, too! On PalinWatch, Nashvillians sure are interested, reporters are being blamed for her slips, and independents are playing the skeptics. And Baptists? Well, they're not quite sure what to do about her.

And the general consensus: The winner of tonight's debate will be the candidate who screws up less. Didn't the campaigns have months to pick these two?

Also:

The Senate OK'd a revised, "sweetened" (earmarked?) bailout plan, and the Dow still dropped 200 points this morning. Doh!

(Photo credit: Associated Press)

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

Morning Links: It's beginning to look a lot like Debate Day

We're less than a week out from the presidential debate here, and it's getting pretty obvious. This banner was going up outside the Curb this morning, the security fence is snaking its way down to Belmont Boulevard, and there are now bathrooms on the tennis courts. Belmont President Bob Fisher has been waiting eight years for this day, and unless the candidates decide they have to rush back to Washington again, it looks like it's going to happen.

Outside Nashville, debate news centers on tomorrow's VP tangle, and as expected, Republican VP nominee Sarah Palin is getting most of the attention. Meanwhile, anybody hear about moderator Gwen Ifill, who'll be gaming through the debate with a broken ankle? Give her a Klondike bar.

Also:

Gov. Bredesen tells everybody to stop all their bickering.

Billy Joel and The Boss know who they're voting for.

Mason-Dixon gives McCain a 16-point lead in Tenn., but Quinnipiac says Obama is surging in the battleground states.

Gore, Quayle and Stockdale star in vintage 1992 veep debate footage

From Ryan Underwood:

In doing a some research for another project I stumbled across this vintage clip of Al Gore, Dan Quayle and Adm. James Stockdale at the 1992 vice presidential debate. A classic.

Morning Links: Biden looks toward VP debate with Palin

Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Joe Biden says he's ready to take on Republican counterpart Gov. Sarah Palin in the VP debate at Washington University in St. Louis next month. The debate comes less than a week before the Belmont debate and could set the tone for the presidential candidates when they come here.

Also:

USA Today has a new version of its Candidate Match Game between McCain and Obama. Nice way to discern basic differences between the candidates, although you're stuck with the topics they give you.

President Bush's announcement about Iraq troop levels today means major Iraq War decisions will likely be left to the next president. Wonder how that will influence audience members' questions at the Belmont debate?

(Photo credit: AP)

Palin: "Sudden and relentless reform never sits well with entrenched interests"

From Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's acceptance speech last night:



With the vice presidential debate to be held just five days before the Belmont debate, how will Gov. Palin and Sen. Joe Biden shape the tone -- and expectations -- of the debate here?

You can read the entire transcript of Palin's speech here.