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She did not start speaking in tongues, or writhing around on the floor in the throes of religious mania. 

She didn't even stumble too badly, except at the rare moment when her handlers missed a talking point--such as when she was asked whether she agreed with Cheney as to the Veep belonging to both and neither the Executive and Legislative branch, and she burbled about the Constitution's "flexibility."  Biden crisply responded by a reference to Article I. It was, perhaps, the best contrast in the actual knowledge level of the two candidates, but it took place over an issue the American people do not understand and about which they do not care.

Sadly, Gwen Ifill appeared so cowed by the rightwing attacks that she refused to pull Palin back to the topic, or to expose her for avoiding it.  And why no question about abortion?

Palin "won" the debate only in the sense that she did not self-destruct.  But she hardly made a compelling case for her knowledge or ability.  As she correcty noted in response to a question, "I've only been at this for five weeks...."