Jeff Toobin on CNN: "If she can just speak in a normal English sentence she'll exceed expectations."

Note to proctors: letting your friends hang out in Wigg Common Room and hijack the TV to watch the Phillies game is totally not okay.

Before this starts let me just say that I am very worried about this. Expectations are so low for Palin she can't lose...

the Phillies? really? at least it will be over soon.

On that note, a moment of silence for Eric Hysen's Mets.

Truthfully, I'm tired of hearing about the expectations game. A flop is a flop. She's not going to make people swing wildly for McCain by just putting in a mediocre performance. Right now, McPalin needs a Home Run.

I'm slightly more worried about Biden. Biden Wipeout is much more likely than Palin blowing people away.

"She has stumbled recently of late." You don't say?

I love Gwen Ifill. And I don't think she's biased.

"Nice to meet you"???

First Biden, then Palin. Ouch.

Did she say "Can I call you Joe"?

wow. Awkward from the introduction.

PS Hope all you in Thayer are having a great time. I'm liveblogging from the Mather 305 Election center (anyone in Mather is welcome to drop by).

I like it when he says "Barack Obama."
It means he's not saying "Sarah Palin."

Wow that was an extremely good response. So far, so good.

Will, we miss you. You are so very far away.

CNN's cameras make Joe Biden's face look bizarrely asymmetrical.

Grammar mistake #1!

Barometer! Big word, Sarah! And soccer! Did you know she likes sports?

"Soccer game" - damn, I was expecting a hockey reference there.

Soccer games: even more cliche than Wall Street vs. Main Street? Discuss.

Palin seems very very nervous.

I'll betcha those soccer moms fear you being Commander-in-Chief as well....

We need reform to that. Awesome!

I don't think she could sound any more rehearsed.  Can't wait until the questions they haven't given her scripted answers for.

This is not going to be fun. Governor Palin is actually trembling. I feel bad.

Suspending his own campaign - except the debate, and the commercials, and the campaigning.

"Suspending his own campaign" is not playing very well with CNN's undecided Ohioans.

Word, Dylan. Word.

"Out of touch" is the right narrative from Biden

Sarah Palin: Hero of the Working Man. I can see the Soviet kitsch poseters now.

She's winking once a second. Ouch. I feel bad.

He was talking about the workforce.
My ass.

I liked that little wink

Did she just wink?!

This crap about John McCain's "fundamentals of the economy" comments referring to the American workforce - BULL. Come on, that's not what he meant.

Did she just wink at us?

No Senator Palin. I'm not "in" on your joke.

I mean Governor...

YOU ARE THE OLD POLITICS AS USUAL. I am so angry.

"Craving something new" like a 72-year old who's been in the Senate for three decades.

I think the winks are probably due to the fact that she has a fat chunk of bangs in her eye.

I don't understand how sarah palin can say they represent "change" with a straight face.

Pwnage! Answer the questions!

Oh god, can she please stop with the small town sayings? 

Between soccer games, Joe Sixpack, and hockey moms, Palin's festooning this debate with clichés.

She actually said "Joe Sixpack." Who actually says "Joe Sixpack" -- other than political consultants?

From the reaction charts: Wow, voters hate corruption. Who knew?!

But apparently they're not so hot on Joe Six-pack.

we need strict oversight...like deregulation?

Let's not get ourselves in debt...unless it's our national debt.

eva, where are you looking at reaction charts? I'd love to follow along.

STOP SAYING JOHN MCCAIN IS A GOOD MAN.

Could you stop calling John McCain a good man, Joe? Unilateral disarmament sucks.

Biden I think is trying to sound restrained -- instead he sounds tired. Probably his ego will punch its way out by the 45-minute mark though