I think it's the responsibility of the moderator to prevent the candidates from giving canned answers. Ifill did a horrible job of it tonight.
There's a difference between candidates answering a question and then pivoting to their own talking points and a difference between completely losing the debate.
Not once did Ifill seriously confront them about their obfuscation. The economic policy part was atrocious for both candidates. Shallow, canned and unchallenged answers. Ifill should have muscled both of them back to answering her questions not just make a passing remark.
There was almost nothing about healthcare or immigration.
Biden was much better at foreign policy, not because I agree with his policies (he's severely more hawkish than Obama) but because he knew what he was talking about.
Not only Ifill had no power to force them to answer the question, she had little control of facts and history.
I mean who the fcuk is Palin's General Mclelland? Is he directing the Biden Bosniacs?
How did Biden get away with his criticisms of Obama? As an Obama supporter Biden concerns me in terms of foreign policy. I disagreed with Biden in terms of foreign policy a lot.
Then how on earth does any serious moderator allow Palin's non-answers on Israel and foreign policy to explain?
EDIT: I SO MISS TIM RUSSERT
Ifill's job was very poorly done.