In the weeks after the debate, Sarah Palin was helping McCain, which is very unusual for a vice presidential pick. In the last week, she’s been a drag on the ticket, which is equally unusual. With this solid performance she merely goes back to being a normal vice presidential candidate – largely irrelevant to the outcome.
Both hit the central themes: Biden: McCain represents Bush III, Obama cares about the middle class. Palin: No, McCain represents real change because he’s a maverick. Come to think of it, the most important part of the debate may have been when Biden frontally assaulted the idea that McCain’s a maverick. Not sure if Biden made an impact but it was smart to go there. Without that, McCain has nothing.