By William Lewis
There seems to have been more interest in the vice presidential debate this year than most presidential debates in past years. Part of the reason was the two candidates' backgrounds.
U.S. Sen. Joseph Biden (D-Del.) has served in the U.S. Senate since he was 30, the minimum age for being elected to that body. Republican Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska, the second female vice presidential candidate, has been a television sports commentator, a city council member and mayor in her home state.
These candidates have reputations for being good debaters. Biden is especially known for his expertise on foreign policy and Palin for her expertise on energy issues.
Recently, I contacted some Republican and Democratic party leaders and political activists who had watched the debate to get their assessments of the results.
The first Democrat I spoke to was Honey Miller, a 24th Assembly District leader and the Queens County Democratic Party treasurer. She said: “Joe Biden is very well-qualified to be vice president and even president. During the debate, he knew his facts. He was on the ball. He said what the average person wanted to hear. He spoke with substance.”
Regarding Palin's performance, Margaret Ognibene, former city Elections Board deputy executive director, said: “She came across very well with no revelations on either side. Palin stood her ground against a long-term incumbent.”
Assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer (D-Rockaway Beach) said: “Joe Biden was excellent. He really hit on issues. He was very knowledgeable and really brought to life the differences between [presidential candidate U.S. Sen.] Barack Obama [D-Ill.] and [presidential candidate U.S. Sen.] John McCain [R-Ariz.]. He put a lot of misinformation to rest.”
Oliver Tan, state Senate candidate Peter Koo's campaign manager, said: “Sarah Palin did a great job. She connected with the American people and the voters. She showed that she and her family understood the challenges that the average Americans are facing in today's economy.”
State Assemblywoman Nettie Mayersohn (D-Flushing) said Biden was “incredibly good and very presidential. He is well-prepared to take over the presidency in the event of any emergency. He was well-informed and able to deliver his views in a very forceful way.”
Middle Village Republican Club President Gabriel Tapalagia said: “She [Palin] did a tremendous job. She represented the Republican Party well. She showed that she has a firm grasp of the issues and she can grow in the job of vice president.”
City Councilwoman Melinda Katz (D-Forest Hills), referring to Biden during the debate, said: “He was very precise in his answers and knowledge. I liked his presentation. It was strong. He did exactly what a vice president is supposed to do.”
Christina Gregorian, the Rego Hills Republican Club secretary and a high school teacher, said: “Sarah Palin is a female version of Ronald Reagan. I find her better at understanding the big picture rather than the details. She seems to be concerned with the good of the nation. She cares for all of us regardless of our social status.”
Democratic political consultant Joe Reubens said: “Joe Biden gave a thoughtful and intelligent vision of where our country needs to go in the next four years and voters around the country are responding to his message.”
Lois Crabill, a Rego Hills Republican Club member, said: “Sarah Palin did very well. She helped John McCain a lot. Never at a loss for words, she kept her cool. She made her points well and was calm and pleasant.”
State Sen. George Onorato (D-Astoria), who also serves as a Queens liaison for U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Astoria), said: “I thought Biden was a bit cautious. However, he knew all the facts. I believe he came out a slight winner.”
In all, this debate helped create more interest in the presidential debates between McCain and Obama. These verbal confrontations between our presidential and vice presidential candidates have become an integral part of American political tradition.
