Palin aims wedge between Biden, Obama

Biden warned to be ready for Palin
For Biden, 65, a six-term veteran of the Senate, the challenge was not to appear patronizing to his much less experienced opponent, campaign aides said. Biden also has been known to misspeak, including recently when he mangled history during an interview.

“I know there will be a ‘gaffe watch’ tonight,” said David Plouffe, Obama’s campaign manager.

Biden rarely addressed Palin, directing his answers to Ifill. Linda Douglass, a senior adviser to the Obama campaign, said Biden had no intention of competing with Palin on charm.

“He’s going to be focused on voters tonight,” Douglass said in an interview on MSNBC’s “Hardball.” “This is going to be an opportunity for him to explain to voters ... which of these tickets is going to do something for their lives.”

Biden chose not to point out that Palin botched the name of the commanding U.S. general in Afghanistan, David McKiernan — Palin called him “McClellan” at least twice. And he chose not to criticize Palin’s contention that her two years of experience as governor of Alaska meant she was better qualified for national office than Obama.

Instead, Biden stuffed his answers with facts and figures, implicitly drawing attention to what Democrats see as his command of the issues.

For example, explaining why he believed global warming was a manmade phenomenon, Biden said:

“Now, let’s look at the facts. We have 3 percent of the world's oil reserves. We consume 25 percent of the oil in the world. John McCain has voted 20 times in the last decade and a half against funding alternative energy sources, clean energy sources, wind, solar, biofuels. ... China is building one to three new coal-fired plants burning dirty coal per week.”

Clash over role of vice president
Biden did, however, jump on one answer by Palin, who was asked about Vice President Dick Cheney’s contention that the vice president was a “free agent” unfettered by laws governing either the legislative or executive branches.

Slide show   A look at Biden A glimpse over the years at U.S. Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del. more photos

Palin did not reply directly, saying instead that the Constitution was “flexible,” allowing a McCain-Palin administration to “do whatever we have to do to administer very appropriately the plans for this nation.”

Biden responded heatedly that “the Constitution is very clear.” Under Article I, the vice president is part of the executive branch, he said.

Both sides quickly claimed victory — Palin staffers were arguing for their candidate even before the debate was over.

Jill Hazelbaker, McCain’s communications director, claimed that Palin had put Biden “on defense on energy, foreign policy, taxes and the definition of change.”

“Governor Palin proved beyond any doubt that she is ready to lead as vice president of the United States,” Hazelbaker said.

Plouffe, Obama’s campaign manager, said Biden “won a clear victory” by making “a passionate case for change from the disastrous economic and foreign policies of the last eight years.”

“Joe Biden spoke clearly and strongly about Barack Obama’s plan for a tax cut for the middle class, health care that is affordable, and an end to the war in Iraq,” Plouffe said.

NBC’s Carrie Dann, Courtney Kube, Domenico Montanaro, Mark Murray and Andrea Mitchell contributed to this report.

McCain concedes, urges unity with Obama McCain joins Fey to joke on 'SNL' John McCain still has a shot Subscribe to McCain headlines -

Obama elected 44th president Obama campaign head gets big book deal Tears of joy, dancing in streets over Obama win Subscribe to Obama headlines -

MORE FROM THE DEBATES

The debates Section Front

Final debate a lagging indicator of reality McCain goes on attack in final debate Analysis: McCain puts Obama on the defensive Fact check: Candidates again twist truth 'Plumber' says he has no plumbing license Fineman: McCain stock souring in New York? Can John McCain still win? Newsweek: Don't buy the "comeback" script Dan Rather has no kind words for the debates Schieffer to moderate last debate The debates Section Front   Add The debates headlines to your news reader: