Debate Blog: Following debate action and reaction
Wrap-up -- St. Louis in the spotlight for VP debate
By staff reportsCheck out our vice presidential debate blog, where we updated debate preparations in the morning and afternoon, and kept track of the debate itself once things kicked off.
For more coverage, read an analysis of the candidates' performances, the audience's reaction from inside the hall and from around St. Louis, read a recap of Sarah Palin's rally held at St. Louis University's Chaifetz Arena after the debate and read Henry I. Schvey, a Washington University drama professor's review of the debate as theater.
10 p.m. -- Wash. U.: Undecided voters poll results
Elia Powers, special to the BeaconThe debate's a wrap, and the panel of 30 undecided voters who responded electronically to the candidates' comments throughout the night has spoken. Here are the results of the final polling:
"With whom did you most agree?": 50-50 split.
"Most likeable": Sarah Palin 74 percent, Joe Biden 26 percent
"Qualified to be president if required": Biden 58 percent, Palin 16 percent. ("Both" and "neither" took the remainder of the vote.)
"Leaning toward": Obama-Biden 40 percent; McCain-Palin 35 percent; neither 25 percent. Prior to the debate, the tally was McCain-Palin 35 percent; Obama-Biden 25 percent; neither 40 percent.
"Debate moderated fairly": Yes 90 percent; no 10 percent
So, to sum up: The folks liked Palin's style and personality but questioned her on substance. Biden won some overall support, and moderator Gwen Ifill can rest well tonight.
9:35 p.m. -- Chaifetz Arena: Palin preparations
Amelia Flood, special to the beacon
Amelia Flood | For the Beacon
As the debate began winding down, the message scrolling around the arena has changed to "Missouri [hearts] Sarah." Supporters on the floor began to rise. Photographers, professional and amateur, began focusing lenses. Campaign workers passed out pom-poms. Applause and cheers sounded and a "Come on, Sarah!" carried over the din. Boos sounded as Joe Biden finished speaking. Then pom-poms flew. Signs ranging from "Sarah Smart Choice," to "Love Your Lipstick!" rose over hands. John Hancock took the stage again.
"She whupped him!" Hancock shouted. "She whupped him!" He and crowd rehearsed the greeting they will shout when the Alaskan governor enters the arena, a short time from now: "You won, Sarah!"
Hancock joked that Palin would enter from the ceiling, lowered onto the platform in front of the American flag. He continued, stressing the excitement Palin brought to the Republican ticket at its convention in St. Paul MN. "You're going to be saying, to paraphrase Britney Spears, 'Wow, she did it again!'"
Then audience practice of "the wave" began in anticipation of Palin's arrival.
9:32 p.m. -- Debate: Discussing their weaknesses; closing remarks
Margaret Wolf Freivogel, Beacon EditorIfill asks about Palin's much-quoted comment that she didn't know what the vice president does.
Palin says it was a joke and no one got it, just as no one got the joke in Ifill's question.
Biden says he'd be the point person on legislation and he'd give Obama advice on decisions and wouldn't be shy about disagreeing with him during the discussion.
Palin says her executive experience as a governor, mayor and business owner will be put to use.
They differ over Dick Cheney's definition of the vice president's constitutional status.
Palin, asked about lack of experience as her Achilles' heel, says her experience is valuable -- as an executive and a mother and someone who has struggled to make ends meet.
Biden, asked about lack of discipline as his Achilles' heel, says he's not going to change. He characterizes his approach as excessive passion. He mentions his experience, and says he understands what it's like to be a single parent. Biden appears to tear up and pauses to collect himself as he says he knows what it's like to not know whether your child is going to make it -- a reference to the auto accident that killed his first wife and daughter and injured his sons.
ifill asks how their thinking has changed over time.
Biden says he changed his thinking in relation to whether jurists like Robert Bork should go onto the Supreme Court. They should not, he said.
Palin talks about wanting to bring people together across party lines.
In closing statements, Palin says she likes being able to answer tough questions without the filter of the media. She says she and McCain will fight for middle-class families like hers. She says it's important to fight for freedom, security and in the economy.
Biden says this is the most important election of all of our lives. He says the country has dug itself into a hole, and change is needed. He says it's time for America to get up and pull together.
Throughout, Palin has spoken forcefully and without noticeable pauses, thereby demonstrating greater capacity to handle questions than she demonstrated during previous interviews. That was thought to be her most important challenge.
Biden has appeared to meet his toughest challenge, which was to maintain focus and to avoid any behavior toward Palin that would be seen as sexist or condescending.
9:15 p.m. -- Chaifetz Arena: Reaction to Palin
Amelia Flood, special to the BeaconPalin drew cheers when she talked about how a possible Palin administration would differ from a McCain administration. "What do you expect from a team of mavericks? Of course we're going to disagree." She joked that she would continue to push McCain on ANWR.
A louder cheer went up when Palin began with "Say it ain't so, Joe," before talking about education.
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9:15 p.m. -- Debate: What if they were in charge?
Margaret Wolf Freivogel, Beacon EditorBiden, discussing interventions, says the American people support sending troops in when they can be successful and save lives. He misspeaks and calls Bosnians "Bosniacs."
Palin says, "It's so obvious I'm a Washington outsider" and can't explain how she can be for something and then against it. She's, of course, being sarcastic. She says Americans crave straight talk. She says Americans should intervene to stop atrocities.
She says McCain knows how to win a war.
Ifill's next question is how a Biden administration would differ from an Obama administration, should Biden have to serve.
Biden says he'd continue Obama's policies -- education, energy policy, job creation, foreign policy that ends the Iraq war and defeats bin Laden, rejection of the Bush Doctrine of intervention with a doctrine that emphasizes preventing problems.
Palin says a team of mavericks is bound to disagree and that McCain wants healthy debate. But she'd continue putting government back on the side of the people. She says Washington needs common sense from Wasilla.
Biden says people on the street in his neighborhood feel Bush's policies have left them on the short end of the stick.
"Say it ain't so, Joe," Palin says, and faults him for looking back to the Bush administration. She gives a "shout out" to a third-grade class in the course of her answer.
9:03 p.m. -- Debate: Israel, Afghanistan
Margaret Wolf Freivogel, Beacon EditorOn Israel, Palin says a two-state solution is the way to go and we'll never allow a second Holocaust. Biden says no one in the Senate has been a better friend of Israel than he is. He says the Bush administration's policy has been an abject failure -- in holding elections that Hamas won, in Hezbollah's rise. Palin is smiling as she watches him answer.
"I'm so encouraged to know that we both love Israel," she says. She says there have been blunders throughout the administration, but says Obama and Biden are doing too much fingerpointing to believe they can lead change. She says McCain will put excessive partisanship aside. "Change is coming," she says.
Biden asks, "How different is McCain's policy going to be than George Bush's?" He lists a litany of areas. "We will make significant change," Biden says.
Ifill asks when nuclear weapons should be used.
Nuclear weapons would be "the be all and end all" for too many people, she says. And that's why we must be sure other irresponsible leaders do not get them.
She says the surge principles need to be used in Afghanistan -- a difference from Bush policy.
Biden says, "Facts matter." And that the U.S. commanding general in Afghanistan said today that the surge principles will not work there.
He said McCain has voted against legislation on arms control.
Palin says there are differences between Iraq and Afghanistan, but that the general did not say the surge wouldn't work there.
9 p.m. -- Chaifetz Arena: Serious mood
Amelia Flood, special to the Beacon
Photo by Amelia Flood | For the Beacon
The audience is serious as Israel and the Mideast is discussed.
8:50 p.m. -- Wash. U.: Crowd patterns
Elia Powers, special to the BeaconAn interesting pattern is developing as far as crowd reaction here at Wash U. The audience in the courtyard watching the debate is cheering vociferously for Biden quite often, while jeering or shaking their heads at many of Palin's comments. But the 30 undecided voters -- some of whom, again, have no Wash. U connections -- are responding electronically that they think Palin is winning many of the exchanges. Go figure.
8:50 p.m. -- Debate: Iraq, Iran, Pakistan
Margaret Wolf Freivogel, Beacon EditorIfill asks about Iraq and notes that both candidates have sons who will be fighting there.
Palin congratulates Biden for criticizing Obama in the past over funding of the war.
Biden says Obama has a clear plan to shift responsibility to the Iraqis and draw down US troops. The Iraqis want the plan, Biden says. Only McCain opposes it. A fundamental difference with the Republicans, Biden says, is "We will end this war."
Palin says the Democrats' plan is "a white flag of surrender."
Palin says Biden at one point said Obama was not ready to be commander in chief. She says she respects Biden for criticizing Obama.
Biden says John McCain voted for cutting off money to the troops because it had a timeline for withdrawal. he says John McCain has been dead wrong on the fundamentals.
Ifill brings up iran and Pakistan, asking which is the greater threat.
Both are extremely dangerous, Biden says. Pakistan already has nukes, he points out. Iran getting weapons would be extremely dangerous. But Biden says the problem with McCain is focusing too much on iraq and not on these other areas.
Palin says Iran cannot be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons. She says Iran's leader is not sane or stable. But Obama is willing to meet with him and other questionable leaders. That shows naivete, she says.
Ifill points out that the country's leading diplomats favor some form of engagement with these leaders.
Biden says the charge against Obama is not true.
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8:42 p.m. -- Chaifetz Arena: No surrender
Amelia Flood, special to the BeaconA huge cheer went up in the arena as Gov. Sarah Palin called the Obama-Biden plan for the withdrawal from Iraq "a huge white flag of surrender." The arena grew silent as Sen. Joe Biden spoke. At times, scoffs were audible. The message scrolling around the arena had changed from "Palin Power," to "Pit-Bull Power." Supporters raised their own digital cameras to capture the scene. Many supporters stood on the floor watching as Palin spoke about Iran and Israel.
8:39 p.m. -- Debate: Climate change, same-sex couples
Margaret Wolf Freivogel, Beacon EditorFurther discussion of the economy:
Palin says there's a toxic mess on Main Street that's affecting Wall Street, though her intent appears to be to say that Wall Street is hurting Main Street.
Biden says bankruptcy courts should be able to adjust mortgage rates and the principal that is owed. He says McCain and Palin oppose the idea.
Palin says that's not so, but turns immediately to energy. She appears to be reading something on the podium. She says America needs energy independence and East Coast politicians are taking nonsensical positions against tapping domestic supplies. Energy independence is the key to the nation's economic future and security.
Ifill brings up climate change.
Palin says Alaska sees its impact. She says she doesn't attribute the activities of man to the climate -- again, she appears to mean the reverse, that climate isn't affected just by man. But regardless of the charge, she says we need an all-of-the-above approach to energy and that will help clean up the problem.
Biden says climate change is manmade. "If you don't understand what the cause is, it's virtually impossible to come up with a solution," he says. Drilling isn't the answer to energy problems he says.
Palin says Obama and Biden have "said no" to every attempt to increase domestic production. She seems to be hitting a stride, throwing in specific charges against Obama and Biden and hammering themes.
Ifill asks about benefits for same-sex couples:
Biden says such couples should have the same legal rights as heterosexual couples -- property, hospital visitation, insurance, etc.
Palin says she doesn't want to make the whole nation have a policy like Alaska's, which protects rights for same-sex couples, if that means getting closer to same-sex marriage. But she says she's tolerant.
Biden says neither he nor Obama support same-sex marriage.
8:30 p.m. -- Wash. U.: McCain campaign at work
Mary Delach Leonard, Beacon staff
Mary Delach Leonard | St. Louis Beacon
Campaign workers for John McCain (wearing orange caps), rush to distribute handouts to the media disputing or clarifying statements made during the debate.
8:27 p.m. -- Debate: Patriotism and oil
Margaret Wolf Freivogel, Beacon EditorPalin brings up Biden's remark several days ago that paying more taxes is patriotic. She's smiling broadly. She says she and her husband Todd don't think of things that way. Her attack on this remark of Biden's was widely anticiipated.
In one answer, Palin refers to Obama by his first name only.
Biden says he doesn't know where to start to rebut her points. In response to a point that the Democrats favor redistribution of wealth, Biden says they favor fairness. He manages to bring up the Bridge to Nowhere.
Ifill asks what campaign promises won't be able to be kept because of the economy.
Biden mentions foreign aid and tax cuts to the wealthy and corporate America. He mentions things that must continue: education, energy independence, health care.
Biden is wearing a flag pin, too, but it's not as big as Palin's.
Palin says McCain doesn't tell different things to different groups. She says Obama voted for an energy plan that included big tax breaks for big oil. But she's taken on Big Oil in Alaska, she says, by breaking up a monopoly and putting people first.
Ifill asks: So is there nothing you'd have to take off the table because of the economy?
Palin says McCain hasn't made any promise he can't keep.
As predicted, Biden seems to be focusing more on McCain than Palin. Palin seems to be aiming her remarks at both Obama and Biden.
8:25 p.m. -- Chaifetz Arena: Patriotic?
Amelia Flood, special to the Beacon
Photo by Amelia Flood | For the Beacon
As candidates continue to spar, supporters watch the debate on large screens at the arena. The arena was encompassed by a scrolling message of "Show Me Sarah." Palin called the Obama-Biden tax increase on those making over $200,000 a year "unpatriotic," while Biden called on Palin to answer questions about the potential deregulation of the health care industry. A loud, laughing cheer went up as Biden accidentally substituted his running mate, Barack Obama's name for that of John McCain in rebuttal of Palin's discussion of taxes and health care. The arena sucked in a collective breath as Biden called McCain-Palin policies "the ultimate bridge to nowhere," before laughing at Biden's inability to say "characterize."
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8:20 p.m. -- Wash. U.: Early reactions at Law School
Elia Powers, special to the BeaconSome early reactions from the crowd of hundreds here at the Wash U. law school: There were some noticeable groans when Sarah Palin started her answer to the first economy question by saying, "If you go to the sideline of a kid's soccer game..." Her "team of mavericks" phrase also got some chuckles. But the largest reaction by far was when moderator Gwen Ifill told both candidates that they had not answered the question about what they would do as vice president. Joe Biden's "that's what I call a bridge to nowhere" comment got roars.
8:16 p.m. -- Debate: Economy and taxes
Margaret Wolf Freivogel, Beacon EditorIn the next exchange, about what they'd do as vice president, Biden goes after McCain for saying at one point that the economy is strong. Palin says McCain meant there are underlying strengths in the workforce, for example. She returns to an argument that mavericks are needed. "I do respect your years in the U.S. senate, but I think Americans are craving something new," she says.
Ifill asks who's at fault in the economic crisis.
"Darn right it was the predator lenders," Palin says. She says Joe Sixpacks and Hockey Moms should "band together and say never again." People should take personal responsibility and live within their means, she says.
Biden says Obama warned that the problem was coming, but McCain favored less regulation. He says McCain wrote a magazine article saying he wants deregulation of the health industry as well.
Palin continues: "Darn right" we need tax relief. She lists the numbers of times the Democratic candidates voted for tax increases.
Biden says the charge of voting to increase taxes is not true. He says Palin did not answer the question about deregulation and "letting Wall Street run wild."
Palin, offered a chance to respond, says "I may not answer the questions the way you or the moderator want to hear" but will speak "straight to the American people."
8:10 p.m. -- Chaifetz Arena: Fundamental strength
Amelia Flood, special to the Beacon
Photo by Amelia Flood | For the Beacon
Supporters cheer enthusiastically as Sarah Palin responds to Sen. Joe Biden's attack on John McCain's "fundamentals of the economy," statement two weeks ago. McCain has been called out for stating that "the fundamentals of our economy are strong," shortly before changing his position on the economic downturn.
8:07 p.m. -- Debate: Debate begins
Margaret Wolf Freivogel, Beacon EditorModerator Gwen Ifill welcomed the vice presidential candidates - Republican Sarah Palin and Democrat Joe Biden - to their only and much anticipated debate at Washington University in St. Louis. The Beacon will give you a running account on this blog, written based on the televised proceedings.
Ifill explains the rules - 90 second answers followed by 2 minutes. She says her questions have not been shared or cleared. She of course doesn't mention that questions have been raised by Republicans about her impartiality because of a book she's writing.
While shaking hands, Palin says, "Can I call you Joe?"
The first question is about the economic bailout. Biden lists criteria Obama insisted on for the plan. He says there's a fundamental disagreement with McCain and Palin because he and Obama want to focus more on helping the middle class.
Palin says it's important to think about the fear people are feeling. She's wearing a big flag lapel pin. She says reform is needed and that McCain has insisted on reform of Freddie and Fannie. She says McCain puts politics aside and the country first.
8 p.m. -- Chaifetz Arena: Ifill reaction
Amelia Flood, special to the Beacon
Amelia Flood | For the Beacon
Supporters settle in for tonight's debate between Gov. Sarah Palin and her rival, Democrat Joe Biden. Chaifetz Arena came alive with boos at the mention of debate moderator Gwen Ifill. Ifill has written a book on politics and black civil rights leaders in the "age of Obama" that has angered some conservatives. Those gathered at the arena on South Compton Avenue cheered at the beginning of the debate even as they booed Ifill's introduction.
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7:55 p.m. -- Wash. U.: Gathering, waiting on campus
Elia Powers, special to the Beacon
Photos by Elia Powers | For the Beacon
Just back from the "Hardball" set, where student McCain and Obama supporters got some serious air time. Chris Matthews really likes getting to know his crowd. Moved across campus to the law school, where hundreds of students and some professors are crammed into an enclosed courtyard to watch the debate.
Roughly 30 people -- most of whom have Wash. U affiliations and all of whom are undecided voters -- are being sequestered in a classroom and are answering questions about the election. Thirty-five percent of respondents say they are leaning toward McCain; a quarter are leaning toward Obama. "Neither" is getting a surprising 40 percent of the vote. On the question of "Which vice presidential candidate do you feel is qualified to be president if required?" Joe Biden leads with 65 percent of the vote. Sarah Palin is getting only 5 percent, and "neither" again is making a strong showing with 20 percent.
7:50 p.m. -- UMSL: Viewing party at Touhill
Dale Singer, Beacon staffAbout 350 people are in the Des Lee theater at the Touhill Center on the campus of the University of Missouri at St. Louis to watch the debate and be a part of an NPR broadcast afterward. The tickets for this event disappeared 24 hours after they were first offered. About 10 minutes before the debate begins, the auditorium is about three-quarters full. A smattering of Obama T-shirts can be seen.
7:30 p.m. -- Crowne Plaza, Clayton: McDonnell Scholars and Prof. Murray Weidenbaum
Robert Duffy, Beacon Associate EditorProfessor Murray Weidenbaum of Washington University, where a center holds his name, spoke to international scholars before the vice presidential debate. He lauded a debate held this morning between two highly qualified economists: Douglas Holtz-Eakin, an adviser to the McCain campaign, and Austan Dean Goolsbee, an adviser to the Obama campaign.
He sad it was enormously thoughtful because it was not interested in political points but in sticking to the issues.
Weidenbaum talked to the students about what they should be looking for. He's concerned that none of the four -- presidential or vice presidential candidates -- is addressing fundamental problems. They come in with certain agendas, he said, but they don't really address the problems that are facing the country. For example, they are characterizing the bill as a bailout for Wall Street when it goes way beyond that to the problems of ordinary Americans.
The former head of the counsel of economic advisers also said that, in the course of this election campaign, none of them has really talked seriously about the fact that the Bush tax cuts are going to evaporate, which amounts to an increase. They haven't talked about the two wars with any kind of seriousness. They haven't talked about Medicare going bankrupt in the next eight years if something's not done. "No one has a solution," he said. No one has addressed global warming.
As for tonight, Weidenbaum said not to expect to hear panaceas, but rather to get one-liners and headline grabbers. On a final thought, he went back to the economists in the morning. That debate, he said, was not about attacking but was really truly serious about issues. The contrast, he thinks, is going to be stunning between the debate the economists this morning and the vice presidential candidates tonight.
7:30 p.m. -- Wash. U.: Clay says McCain moving out of Mich. "too little too late"
Mary Delach Leonard, Beacon staff
Photos by Mary Delach Leonard | St. Louis Beacon
Clay said he expected some of the McCain workers being pulled out of Michigan to show up in Missouri. But he predicted that is was "too little, too late" to save Missouri for McCain.
7:20 p.m. -- Chaifetz Arena: Kinder care
Amelia Flood, special to the Beacon
Photo by Amelia Flood | Special to the Beacon
Missouri's Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, speaks at the Palin Debate Rally Thursday.
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7 p.m. -- Chaifetz Arena: Cheerleader
Amelia Flood, special to the Beacon
Photo by Amelia Flood | Special to the Beacon
John Hancock, the "tour guide" for the Palin Debate Rally, revs up the supporters gathered to watch tonight's vice presidential debate, saying, "Today is the first day of the winning McCain campaign," and that Palin would "absolutely and thoroughly [wipe] the floor with Joseph Biden."
6:45 p.m. -- Wash. U.: Gov. Blunt talks about debate, bailout
Mary Delach Leonard and William H. Freivogel, Beacon
Gov. Matt Blunt, in an interview before the vice presidential debate, said it may have been a mistake for the McCain campaign to have set up a small number of high stakes media interviews for Gov. Sarah Palin.
Blunt said he didn't think that voters would care that Palin had been unable to name Supreme Court cases she opposed, other than Roe v. Wade. The voters care more about other issues such as energy policy.
Blunt said he still opposes the $700 billion bailout in Congress. His father, Rep. Roy Blunt is heading the GOP effort to line up enough votes to pass the bill. Gov. Blunt says he has talked to his father about the issue and understands that he is trying to pass the best possible bill.
6:30 p.m. -- Wash. U.: Seat cushions
Mary Delach Leonard
Mary Delach Leonard | St. Louis Beacon
The audience has started filing into the Athletic Complex to watch the debate. Spencer Goodman, 18, of Los Angeles, a freshman at Washington University hands out seat cushions to people who have seats in the bleachers. Goodman said being selected as a volunteer was an awesome opportunity. "I don't know if anything the next four years can top this,'' he said. (Should you be wondering, the cushions aren't souvenirs; they are to be returned after the event.)
6 p.m. -- Chaifetz Arena: Could it be?
Amelia Flood, special to the Beacon
Photo by Amerlia Flood | for the Beacon
A Sarah Palin lookalike stops to browse among political buttons. Several women entering the Chaifetz Arena have sported haircuts and glasses similar to those of the Alaskan governor while others have copied her manner of dress more completely.
5:45 p.m. -- Web link: Wash U. sings for the veep candidates
Donna Korando, Beacon staffA cappella group sings specially composed songs: "I Have A Crush On Sarah Palin" and "I Have A Crush On Joe Biden." | CBS
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5:42 p.m. -- Web link: Al Jazeera campus interviews
Donna Korando, Beacon staffAl Jazeera has pictures and interviews from students at Washington University talking about the debate.
5:30 p.m. -- Wash. U.: Sen. McCaskill talks about Obama, McCain, bailout
Mary Delach Leonard, Beacon staff
Photo by Mary Delach Leonard | St. Louis Beacon
Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Missouri, explains to reporters in "Spin Alley" why she was an early supporter of Sen. Barack Obama's candidacy for president. She said she had to "hold her nose" while voting for the financial bailout package. Hear more of what she wants Missouri voters to know about her vote:
5:05 p.m. -- Chaifetz Arena: Two Dots
Amelia Flood, special to the Beacon
Photo by Amelia Flood | For the Beacon
Dot Lavitte, 63, and Dot Wright, 69, wait to enter the debate rally. "The Two Dots," both of Perryville, Mo., call Palin "our girl" and view Barack Obama as out of touch and a product of the Chicago political machine. Lavitte, originally from Glen Carbon, said, "I lived in Illinois all my life and I never heard the word 'Obama' until all this."
5 p.m. -- Wash. U.: Northmoor Park protesters
Bill Smith, Beacon staffBy 5 p.m., about 100 protesters had gathered near Northmoor Park just west of the university campus. They represented causes ranging from abortion rights to the Iraq War to children's issues to the aerial hunting of wolves.
Among them were Erin Scudieri and Emily Hill, both of University City, who had come to voice their strong opposition to legal abortion. The women brought their young children who they acknowledged would be "long in bed" by the start of the debate.
Also on hand was Lois Severin, also of University City, who arrived with a four-feet high inflatable screaming figure -- from the Edvard Munch painting -- hung with a sign that said "Palin - NO!"
"She is an embarrassment to women," said Severin of the vice presidential nominee.
4:30 p.m. -- Wash. U.: Free food by Bud
Mary Delach Leonard, Beacon staff
Photo by Mary Delach Leonard | St. Louis Beacon
Let them eat cake ... and steak ... and crabcakes ... and salad and ... Media, security guards and Washington University staff members and volunteers grab dinner in a tent set up behind the Athletic Complex, site of the debate. The free dinner was courtesy of Anheuser-Busch. (Yes, ale products were served.)
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4 p.m. -- Wash. U.: Campus scene
Bill Smith, Beacon staffShortly before 4 p.m.-- with the debate stilll several hours away -- a young woman was handing out what appeared to be legitimate advertising fliers for a local restaurant.
A quick glance at the menu for "John & Sarah's Diner" showed it instead to be a not-so-gentle political jab at the Republican ticket.
On the menu:
Baby-Give-Back-to-the-Wealthy Ribs: Choice cuts to education served with rich tax breaks and a side of creamed economy, all drizzled with a health care reduction."
Sarah's Baked Alaska: Melting icebergs covered with a fluffy oil-bound energy plan and topped with red pipeline ribbons.
The flier says it was paid for by a group called Progressive Future.
By mid-afternoon Thursday, the campus had taken on a carnival atmosphere, with students in Obama T-shirts or holding McCain-Palin signs marching past academic buildings and posing for out-of-town photographers.
At the MSNBC outdoor tent -- a popular gathering place for the politically inclined -- a young woman raised a large sign that read "These People Aren't Students" between two sign-waving McCain enthusiasts.
Moments later, Josh Morris, a junior from East Lyme CT, marched across the university quad, toting a life-sized cardboard cutout of Abraham Lincoln holding an Obama sign.
"We think Abe would have voted for Obama if he had had the chance," Morris said, explaining that he and some college buddies bought the representation of the 16th president in an internet auction about a year ago and had kept it in their dormitory room until deciding to bring it out for a bit of campaigning.
"I just figured he would get the message across better than I could."
At the CNN area nearby, Brinton Callaghan of Salt Lake City, pushed two red and white McCain signs into the air as he and a group of other Republican supporters chanted "We want a gaffe; we want a gaffe. . ." He said the chant was in reference to recent gaffes by Delaware senator and Democratic vice presidential nominee Joe Biden.
The words on the back of his T-shirt -- attributed to Ronald Reagan -- elicited more than a few slaps on the backs from McCain supporters and groans from Obama-Biden faithful.
"It isn't that liberals are ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so," it said.
In the CNN area, the network was asking students to write their thoughts in colored markers on a large board.
Among the ruminations:
"Vote for intelligent, peaceful diplomacy."
"Vote for better education."
"I'm Bristol's boyfriend."
Not far away, yet another Obama supporter lifted a homemade sign in red and blue lettering with a bright pair of red lips drawn on the paper. "I know the Bush Doctrine . . . It doesn't involve lipstick."
Glenda Major, an Obama-Biden supporter from Bellefontaine Neighbors, said she had come to the campus because she was curious and wanted to show her support. She said nobody had questioned her, despite warnings that only students, faculty and credentialed media were allowed on campus Thursday.
She said that she had been "conflicted" between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama until Obama received the nomination. Now, she says, she campaigns for Obama with enthusiasm.
She said she hates that the recent financial crisis has hurt so many people, but said she believes it has made a difference in raising Obama and Biden's standing in battleground states like Ohio, Pennsylvania and Missouri.
4 p.m. -- Wash. U.: The Daily Show's John Oliver
Mary Delach Leonard, Beacon staff
John Oliver, "news correspondent" for Jon Stewart's "The Daily Show''
runs through a standup outside the Athletic Complex at Washington
University, site of the vice-presidential debate. Oliver attracted a
crowd, shooting in the area where "real news" television crews from
all over the world have set up. "Finally, the long-simmering feud
between Alaska and Delaware heads for the world stage," Oliver said in
his opening.
Photos by Mary Delach Leonard | St. Louis Beacon
3:30 p.m. -- Slideshow: Early excitement
Staff reports3:25 p.m. -- Wash. U.: Involved students
Bill Smith, Beacon staff
Photos by Bill Smith | Beacon staff
Josh Morris, a junior from East Lyme, Ct., with a fellow Obama "supporter." (Party switcher!)
There were all manner of sign holders, including one young man whose sign read, "I Need a Nap." (What's with the stamina of today's college kids?)
2:30 p.m. -- Web link: BBC blogs from St. Louis
Donna Korando, Beacon staffJon Kelly is on the BBC election bus, travelling across the U.S. asking where Americans want their country to go. He's in St. Louis talking to financial managers at a business expo and an 11-year-old in Poplar Bluff. Check out his blog.
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2 p.m. -- Missouri History Museum: Obama, McCain economic advisers talk about bailout
Mary Delach Leonard, Beacon staffEarlier this morning, economic advisers to McCain's and Obama's campaigns debated at the Missouri History Museum. The Beacon's Mary Delach Leonard asked the advisers to speak directly to Missouri voters and explain why their candidate voted in favor of the bailout bill that passed the Senate last night. Hear what they had to say:
Douglas Holtz-Eakin, senior policy adviser for Sen. John McCain:
Austan Dean Goolsbee, economic adviser to Sen. Barack Obama:
1:40 p.m. -- Wash. U.: Fred Thompson makes an appearance
Mary Delach Leonard, Beacon staff
Photo by Mary Delach Leonard | St. Louis Beacon
Former Republican Sen. Fred Thompson of Tennessee talks to reporters in "Spin Alley" in the media filing center at Washington University. Thompson said that Gov. Sarah Palin is paying the price for being a Washington outsider. "She knows what she's doing. She's smart, and the proof's in the pudding, as we'll see tonight.'' Thompson said that Palin and her family have been under constant attack since Sen. John McCain chose her as his vice-presidential running mate. "Her only sin is in holding herself out to public office,'' he said.
1:10 p.m. -- Wash. U.: Lieberman talks with media
Mary Delach Leonard, Beacon staff
Photo by Mary Delach Leonard | St. Louis Beacon
Sen. Joe Lieberman is surrounded by photographers while visiting the media filing center at Washington University. Lieberman told reporters he is confident that Republican vice-presidential nominee Gov. Sarah Palin will do a good job in tonight's debate, adding, "It hurts me to say this, but people vote for president, not for vice president."
Lieberman said that voters want to elect a president who will fight for their country and that Sen. John McCain is a proven leader. Asked about downturns for McCain in the polls, Lieberman responded, "McCain is a fighter, and he is resilient."
1 p.m. -- Wash. U.: Checkpoint
Donna Korando, Beacon staff
(Photo by Bill Smith | The Beacon)
One of several security check points on campus Thursday. Only credentialed media and Washington University students and faculty with identification badges were allowed on campus Thursday.
Noon -- Wash. U.: Campus scene
Elia Powers, special to the BeaconWhile Sarah Palin and Joe Biden are jostling tonight at the vice presidential debate, Mark Dudley will likely be carrying cable cords or running notes from producers to production assistants inside an athletic complex turned television studio. The Washington University student is volunteering for ABC News, and he can hardly contain his excitement about the big night.
"Since the day I stepped on campus, I've been waiting for this event," he said.
Dudley has been talking politics even more than usual this fall. He recently founded the Political Science Student Association, a nonpartisan student-led group within the political science department that hosts events for politicos on campus.
Though he'll be immersed in volunteer duties tonight, Dudley said he'll have at least one ear tuned to the debate.
"I'm interested to get a first real look at (GOP vice presidential nominee) Palin," Dudley said. "She's only done three or four interviews, while (Democratic counterpart) Biden has done dozens over the years. This is the first chance for us to hear their platforms on a personal level."
As part of the Beacon's coverage of the vice presidential debate, we'll check back tonight with Dudley and other students to hear what they thought of the candidates' performances. That includes commentary from the presidents of Washington U.'s College Democrats and College Republicans. Here's a quick look at what both student leaders are watching for tonight:
Benjamin Guthorn, president of the College Democrats: "I expect Biden's experience in the Senate and his debating know-how will come through. Whereas Palin has been sheltered from the media for the past few weeks and faltered in the [Katie] Couric interview, I think Biden feeds off of his experiences in this type of setting. Hopefully his handlers won't get to him too much. If they try to boil him down to tabloid-esque sound bites he won't do well. They need to let Biden be Biden."
On expectations: "The McCain campaign has been smart: They want people to think Palin's a terrible debater. They're trying to set the bar so low that any performance above the level of a fourth grader would be satisfactory and even outstanding."
On the format: "The way the debate is timed it does give the person with a cute, one-sentence answer a leg up. If it turns into a true debate, it favors Biden because of his past debate experience. But he can come off as controlling, and when you command a stage and know your stuff it's hard not to make the other person feel smaller. I think he'll try to be respectful, but both sides will be shooting hip shots at the other presidential candidate."
Charis Fischer, president of the College Republicans: "I'm optimistic that Palin will do well. She has a lot of experience in a lot of areas. The only one really lacking is foreign policy, and lots of candidates have had to read up on that pre-debate. It could well be a turnaround night for her. If she does well, it'll make the vice presidential race drop off the radar."
On expectations: "I think she'll do much better than she's done in interviews. Palin seems more comfortable in front of an audience than in one-on-one interviews. She's been through debates in Alaska, and it's clear that she's in her element."
On format: "I think she'll try to engage Joe Biden. She has enough confidence to go head to head. Biden can be harsh, and I think it'll backfire if he gets too aggressive.
{mospagebreak title=Campus awakens}
Late morning -- Wash. U.: A campus awakens to Debate Day
Bill Smith, Beacon staffWe all know about the goodie bags given away in past years to attendees of the Academy Awards -- bags filled with everything from iPods to coupons for laser eye surgery and resort vacations.
Well, the media goodie bags given out to the more than 3,000 credentialed media at this year's vice presidential debate may not have included designer perfumes and diamond earrings, but there was a pretty nice T-shirt, a canvas tote bag, three pinback buttons, a pamphlet from the School of Medicine and a chrome water bottle.
By early afternoon Thursday, a single debate button from the press packet was the only item listed on eBay.
But the online auction site also was accepting bids on a 2 by 6-inch "Neighborhood Access Pass," one of only a handful issued to a "small number of residents of three streets adjacent to the Washington University Debate site." The $4.99 opening bid had no takers by Thursday afternoon.
A full 11 hours before the debate, streets were blocked by police cars and giant orange St. Louis County Highways and Traffic Deparment trucks with snow blades aimed menacingly toward oncoming traffic. The campus was a maze of chain link fencing, keeping all but media, faculty and students off the grounds. Sidewalks on both sides of Big Bend Boulevards were shut off even to pedestrian traffic. A passerby taking in the scene Thursday was heard to remark, "It looks like they're ready for a ground assault."
Shortly after 9:30 a.m. Thursday -- an hour when much of the student body usually would be just rolling out of bed -- a group of Washington University Bears football players were leaving the football field, carrying their helmets and cleats. Bryce Buchanan, a junior linebacker for the team, said the Bears normal practice time of 4:20 p.m. was scrubbed because of security concerns on the campus. Instead, the team had been instructed to report at 6:50 a.m. Buchanan said that meant that most players -- whose normal sack time is about 1 a.m. -- were running on about five hours of sleep. "I hope," he said, "that I can get in a few naps today."
Junior Melissa Legge, an environmental studies and American culture studies student at the university, was scrambling at 10 a.m. to gather signatures on a petition calling for elected officials to support clean, alternative energy solutions. Her group--Power Vote--was among several organizations using the debate to try to drum up interest in their causes. The ultimate goal was to gather 1 million signatures of youth by mid-November. Thursday's goal at Washington University, she said, was 1,000 signatures.
"I imagine I will be out here much of the day," she said.
D-Day, or "Debate Day," on the campus officially began long before sunrise as students gathered for the taping of CBS's "Morning Show." Bo Zhang, a freshman biology major from Chicago, was so excited about the opportunity to be on TV that he was up and at the taping location shortly after 5 a.m. But by the time he got there, "the place was already packed. People were standing on the chairs and tables," he said. "I stood on a flower pot for a while before I decided I couldn't see a thing." He went to another camera location, where he stood for an hour and a half, eventually crowded out by people who arrived later than he did. "I am not sure, but I think I may have gotten my right eye on TV," he said Thursday as he walked across campus after the end of the program. He was still carrying a homemade sign that read, "Hi, Mom."
Debate Blog: Following debate action and reaction
Beacon staff and contributors
What the candidates said - and how St. Louisans reacted - is recorded here as the vice presidential debate happened. Also, get a look at the pre-debate hoopla at Washington U.
