The VP debate will have very little effect on the race. However, here are some thoughts. Not original thoughts but thoughts on tonight's debate.
There were few surprises from Senator Biden. He showed he is a capable, experianced debater with a good command of the issues. He performed as we thought he would. There was little upside or downside for Biden, while for Palin this was all about validation. A Biden miscue and it might have been news for a few days. Whereas Governor Palin needed to save her reputation. And her performance may have slowed the downward slide that has been the McCain campaign for the last two weeks.
Countering Biden's experiance with platitudes and general answers worked to her strengths. She couldn't compete with his experiance or his command of the world stage. She provided enough information show that she had at least, better than a working knowledge of the issues. The issues became more of a backdrop as this debate was more about John McCain's judgement and Sarah Palin's competence.
Unless the Obama campaign does something stupid the McCain/Palin ticket will finish second in November and John McCain may retire but Sarah Palin may be on the national scene for quite awhile.
This was a good debate. Actually better than last weeks.