VP Debate - Open Thread - BV Black Spin

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More Debate and Election Coverage
+ Republican View - Hang Time For Sarah Palin in Debate Game
+ Democrat View - Palin Avoids Blunders, Biden Gives Solid Answers
+ Biden Wins Vice Presidential Debate
+ Palin, Biden Throw Down On Economy, Iraq

Community Discussion
+ Sarah Palin Won The Debate
+ Who Do You Think Won?
+ It's On .... Biden vs Palin
+ Debate Recap
+ Who's Better Sarah Palin or Hilliary Clinton?

VP Debate Pictures

Democrat Joe Biden and Republican Sarah Palin went head to head in their first and only vice presidential debate in St. Louis on Thursday, clashing on the economy, energy issues and foreign policy. Here, the candidates greet each other at the start of the highly anticipated showdown.

Scott Olson, Getty Images

The debate at Washington University in St. Louis marked the first meeting of the vice presidential candidates. "Can I call you Joe?" Palin asked Biden, who approved.

Don Emmert, AP

The stakes were particularly high for Palin, who has served as governor of Alaska for less than two years. Polls show the public has become more skeptical of her ability to handle the vice presidency. Palin made only one obvious stumble, when she twice referred to Gen. David McKiernan, the top U.S. general in Afghanistan, as "Gen. McClellan."

Rick Wilking, Pool / Getty Images

The pressure was less intense for Biden, a veteran of more than 35 years in the Senate.

Ron Edmonds, AP

The economy quickly took center stage, with both candidates weighing in on the financial crisis and the bailout bill awaiting congressional approval. "The economic policies of the last eight years have been the worst economic policies we've ever had," Biden said.

Rick Wilking, Reuters

Palin said one way to gauge the economic times would be to attend a child's soccer game and listen to parents. "I betcha you're going to hear some fear," she said.

Ron Edmonds, AP

Later, the tone became more heated when the topic turned to the Iraq war. Biden said that he and Barack Obama will be the administration to end the war and said John McCain had been "dead wrong" about the conflict. "For John McCain there is no end in sight to end this war -- fundamental difference," he said.

David McNew, Getty Images

Palin countered that Obama's exit plan was essentially "a white flag of surrender in Iraq" at a moment when victory was "within sight." She also said Biden had once supported McCain's view of the war.

J. Scott Applewhite, AP

Palin got some bad news just before the debate, when an Alaska judge threw out a lawsuit filed by Republicans seeking to stop an abuse-of-power investigation aimed at her. Here, Palin looks on from the side prior to taking the stage.

Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

Palin and Biden smile after the conclusion of the debate.

Ron Edmonds, AP