Date: 2008-10-06
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Washington — In their first meeting and only debate, vice presidential candidates Joe Biden and Sarah Palin described the roles each would play as the next in line to lead the United States. Palin, the Republican first-term governor of Alaska, said she and running mate John McCain “have had good conversations about where I would lead with his agenda.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Washington — In their first meeting and only debate, vice presidential candidates Joe Biden and Sarah Palin described the roles each would play as the next in line to lead the United States.
Palin, the Republican first-term governor of Alaska, said she and running mate John McCain “have had good conversations about where I would lead with his agenda. And that is energy independence in America and reform of government over all, and then working with families of children with special needs.”
The U.S. vice president also presides over the Senate, casting a vote whenever that vote would affect the outcome, such as breaking a tie or achieving a supermajority. It is a position that Palin would take “very seriously,” she said.
Biden, a Democratic senator from Delaware first elected in 1972, said he would be “the point person for the legislative initiatives in the United States Congress for our administration” during a Barack Obama presidency.
“Barack Obama indicated to me he wanted me with him to help him govern,” Biden said. “So every major decision he'll be making, I'll be sitting in the room to give him my best advice.”
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE
Palin and Biden highlighted their political expertise: Biden emphasized his years of experience dealing with international affairs while Palin stressed that, as governor, she has had to tackle complex energy issues in a state known for its oil production.
Biden spoke of his role on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and touted his early recommendations for U.S. intervention in Bosnia. He also discussed his visit to the Darfur region of Sudan, saying, “I've seen the suffering; thousands and tens of thousands have died and are dying. We should rally the world to act.”
Speaking about her current job duties, Palin described Alaska as “a huge energy-producing state that is accounting for much progress towards getting our nation energy independence.” As governor, Palin said, she oversees a $40 billion pipeline project that will produce more oil in the state and has limited tax breaks for oil companies.
PERSONAL STORIES
Both candidates described how their personal experiences have shaped their political philosophies. Palin said one of the reasons she was selected as the Republican vice presidential candidate “was my connection to the heartland of America.”
“Being a mom, one very concerned about a son in the war, about a special needs child, about kids heading off to college — how are we going to pay those tuition bills? … We know what other Americans are going through as they sit around the kitchen table and try to figure out how are they going to pay out of pocket for health care. We've been there also, so that connection was important.”
Palin, who has an infant son with Down syndrome, said working for children with special needs is an issue that is “near and dear to my heart.” Her oldest child is in the U.S. Army and is currently serving in Iraq.
Biden, who has a son soon deploying to Iraq, was clearly emotional when speaking about a car accident that killed his first wife and daughter and injured his two sons. “Look, I understand what it's like to be a single parent. … I understand what it's like as a parent to wonder what it's like if your kid's going to make it.”
“I understand … what it's like for those people sitting around that kitchen table. And guess what? They're looking for help,” he said.
CANDIDATES TOUT RUNNING MATES’ PROPOSALS
When discussing policy matters, the vice presidential candidates focused mostly on McCain’s and Obama’s positions rather than their own.
Biden said his running mate is very concerned about nuclear weapons, particularly in Pakistan. He also said he and Obama believe it is necessary to promote a stable Pakistani government to stop terrorism.
“If an attack comes in the homeland … it's going to come from al-Qaida planning in the hills of Afghanistan and Pakistan,” Biden said. “We need to support that democracy.”
Also speaking about nuclear proliferation, Palin said, “An armed — nuclear-armed especially — Iran is so extremely dangerous to consider.” Palin said she and McCain would practice diplomacy but they believe it is “dangerous” to engage without preconditions on a presidential level “with some of these dictators who hate America and hate what we stand for.”
On domestic issues, Palin described her running mate as a bipartisan leader with the experience to bring about economic reforms. As president, Palin said, McCain would “get rid of the greed and the corruption on Wall Street and in Washington,” provide tax credits for families to purchase their own health care and take an “all-of-the-above approach” to considering ways to tackle climate change.
Biden linked McCain with ill-received Bush initiatives, emphasizing that an Obama presidency would bring change. As president, Biden said, Obama would provide tax relief to middle-class families, change bankruptcy laws to help homeowners and invest in alternative energies.
The October 2 event was the only vice presidential debate. There will be two more presidential debates; the next is scheduled for October 7.