The VP Debate: Biden v. Palin

the words Biden and Palin used most frequently in the debate.

Both speakers referred to the Presidential candidates, John McCain and Barack Obama. Each tried to show the audience they stand firmly behind their candidate and track record. They frequently used the words: going (38, 42), tax (27, 19), voted (27, 13), policy (22, 4), and Afghanistan (16, 12).

Biden was disciplined and remained dedicated to Democratic topic points. Rather than attacking Palin, he criticized McCain by equating him with the Bush administration. He said "John" 65 times and "McCain" 50 times. He also mentioned "Bush('s)" on 12 occasions. Even though Biden's language became complicated at points, he presented himself as a personable guy; he became emotional when talking about being a single parent after his wife and daughter were killed in a car accident.

Many say the bar was set low for Palin, who topped her performance in the much criticized Katie Couric interview. Last night, she was very personable with lots of smiles and even a few winks at the camera. In the debate, she tried to connect with Americans by playing up her folksiness. She used words like "doggone," "betcha," and "Joe six-pack." In the most remembered line of the night she invoked the Reagan-Carter debate from 1980 when she said, "Say it ain't so, Joe, there you go again."]]>