By MICHAEL SCHAFFER
OSKALOOSA — The vice presidential debate Thursday night between Alaska Republican Gov. Sarah Palin and Delaware Democrat Sen. Joe Biden failed to sway Community Newspaper Holding Incorporated Swing Vote participant Diane Brand, of New Sharon.
“Even after the debate, I don’t think that they swayed me one way or another,” Brand said.
Brand said she watched the debate and felt both candidates did a good job answering the questions. She said she is still leaning toward her original ticket or candidate.
“I don’t really think there was a winner, in my opinion. It was pretty even in my opinion,” Brand said. “Like I said, I think they both answered the questions well.”
Both candidates were cordial to each other and answered the questions asked by moderator Gwen Ifill, Brand said.
“I just thought that it went well. They were both nice and polite and not a lot of bad things were said,” Brand said.
Yet Brand said Palin appeared to skirt more of the questions than Biden did.
“I think, like all politicians, they kind of sidestepped a little bit,” Brand said. “Sarah Palin I think more so than Biden. And I don’t know if she didn’t know the answers. And she was right up front and said, ‘I may not answer these the way you want me to.’”
Brand said she was looking forward to watching the next presidential debate Tuesday night between Barack Obama and John McCain.
Swing Vote is a CNHI project to track undecided voters to chronicle what it is that sways a voter to one party or the other.
Herald City Editor Michael Schaffer can be reached by email at mschaffer@oskyherald.com
