For the last two days, the expectations for Governor Sarah Palin's performance in the vice-presidential debate have been so low that as long as she didn't belch between answers, it would be deemed a success. Senator Joe Biden, in comparison, has almost been incidental. Assumptions have been made that he would probably do well.

The VP debate is really not about Palin and Biden. It's really a chance to look at Obama and McCain from a different perspective. Why did they choose these running mates? In Palin you see a clean-up woman. In answer after answer, Palin was 
attempting to clean-up McCain's weaknesses in the first debate. It's a role they 
have cast her in from day one. She makes him seem less angry. Say this, smile,
and get the Republicans excited. That's the job they gave her.

The pep talk on personal responsibility was insipid. In an economy that 
leaves so many without the fundamentals -- gas, medications, groceries -- it's a 
bizarre remark. Let's just throw the baby in the lake and see if it can swim home! 

The difference became clear in the discussion on foreign affairs and
the Iraq War. Biden's experience showed. From time to time he respectfully took the discussion off script, and there was still some reassurance that he would find his way home.

As well as Palin performed tonight, she did nothing to erase concerns about her ability to step in as commander in chief if something happened to McCain. It's never been a question for Obama about Biden. And she never answered the biggest question that haunts McCain's campaign: Why did he choose her?