Sarah Palin-Joe Biden show a ratings sensation!

Expect network television executives to any minute now start a grass-roots movement with one simple aim: more debates starring Sarah Palin and Joe Biden.

The buzz surrounding the Thursday night forum, the only one they're scheduled to have, translated into whopping viewership numbers, the Nielsen Co. reported today.

The figures not only obliterated the previous record for a debate featuring vice presidential candidates -- the 1984 face-off between incumbent George H.W. Bush and Geraldine Ferraro -- but tied for second place as the most-watched debate ever.

The 1980 gabfest pitting then-President Jimmy Carter against Ronald Reagan remains secure in the top spot, having attracted 80.6 million viewers.

But the estimated 69.9 million watching the Palin/Biden encounter matched the Nielsen number of a 1992 debate that featured Bush (then president), Bill Clinton and Ross Perot.

It had been expected that Thursday's debate would exceed viewership for the initial verbal skirmishing six days earlier between the tops of this year's presidential tickets, John McCain and Barack Obama.

The figure for that debate came in at 52.4 million -- held down, in part, because it occurred on a Friday night, when lots of Americans are otherwise occupied.

But interest surrounding Palin -- both from supporters and detractors -- clearly drove Thursday's numbers to their stratospheric heights. A Nielsen breakdown of viewership in the nation's largest markets showed Baltimore with the highest rating -- 59.1% of the households with televisions in that community were tuned to the debate.

Ranking second, with a 58.3 rating, was the St. Louis market. The debate was held in the area -- at Washington University -- but it already had been established that the community is focused on the campaign. It posted the highest rating (52.1) for the McCain/Obama debate.

The Times' Matea Gold, at our Show Tracker blog, has more on the ratings report.

-- Don Frederick

Speaking of excellent ratings, you can still get free instant alerts on all Ticket items like this flashed direct to your cellphone by registering here free at Twitter.

Art credit: Jennifer Kohnke/ TMS.TMS

Comments

[Olivier G]

The way some folks - journalists and "pundits" included - seem to be convinced that Mrs Palin "won" the debate beats me...
How is that possible?

It just can't be... Unless substance has been devalued to such an extent that it urgently needs an intellectual bailout...

[Martin, GA]

If I recall correctly, she called both for big new oversight of Wall Street and less government regulation in general. How do those two thoughts fit together? Neither Biden nor moderator Gwen Ifill asked her.

[Steve Rodriguez]

Hey Democrats let's flip flop the order, put Biden on top and Obama on the bottom. I feel that Obama and Palin
are an equal match!

[Kelly Breen]

This female greatly enjoyed watching the debate. Biden is a class act. He'll be an asset to the Obama Presidency. Palin's performance highlighted her personality as better fitting a prison matron than a VP. She could play the Cloris Leachman character in a remake of “Young Frankenstein.”

[angel city sensation]

Johnny Mac and Barry Who?

[SN]

Hey can I call you Joe...the next VP of the United States. You betcha!

[Carol]

Who cares how either of them "did?"

Their presidential counterparts both voted for the bailout -- for destroying the dollar and the world economy! Wow!

I don't care if Biden was brilliant or Palin was perfect because I'll be voting for Barr.

[sammy]

She is a joke. I laugh and laugh all the time at her.
Put her in the White House and we will be the
laughing stock of the world.
Go Home to Alaska and stay there. Please do us
a favor and go home.

[Deborah Harry]

ALL I CAN SAY IS "WOW!!"
Who is this chick?
She's radical, awesome, and definitely knows what Americans want!
Boo to the whiney harvard Harvard sissies with slight shoulders and feminized attitudes.
Cheers to Strong men like McCain and strong women like Governor Sarah Palin!

[Allan Wallace]

Since the story was about the ratings, why do the comments keep repeating tired views of the candidates? That is not the issue. We know how you feel, the same way as you felt before the debate.

Your minds were closed then, they remain closed now - be honest, neither side would admit the other party won. Let it be, start writing your response to the next presidential debate instead - then it too will be ready before the action starts.

Perhaps you might try thinking?

Ah, forget it, I'm just kidding - go back to your party's hymnal and sing another chorus instead.

[steve rodriguez]

LA Times when is the last time you wrote
anything even remotely negative about Barrack Obama?
The 2008 presidential election has seen the main stream media and journalism take the vote out of the American peoples hands through deceit and lies!

(Oh, Steve, Steve--There you go again showing everyone that you only read the Sarah/John items. You gotta broaden your interests.)

[VJ Machiavelli]

Why not a "JOINT DEBATE" McCain & Palin vs Obama & Biden that should draw a 100 Million.

VJ Machiavelli
http://www.vjmachiavelli.blogspot.com

[Crickets]

Woman on woman hate never ceases to amaze me, then these women in the same breath will say I am a feminist. Got news for you, you're not even close. Stop the hate on Palin, there weren't just Democrat women at the bra-burnings. There were women from all political parties. It was women standing up with one voice to say, "I have a voice". Second Pro-choice isn't just one choice. It is respecting every woman's choice. Just because Palin isn't being a Hypocrite. Is standing by her religious beliefs, not lieing to people to say what they want to hear, doesn't mean she's going to take away your rights either. Biden also believes life begins at conception. I thought both candidates did a wonderful job.

I did catch Sarah in one Gaffe. However, I caught Biden in several. France and the USA never chased Hezbellah out of Lebanon. McCain did not vote the same as Obama on the tax hikes. Joe said he's always been for clean coal, he just told voters in OH he was not for clean coal. Sarah was correct when she said Obama said American troops were flying over and killing civilians. He said it in NH. You can find the videos. Joe was wrong when he said Obama never said he'd sit down with leaders and no pre-conditions. He said it many times which you can also find in the primary videos.

Biden forgot to mention when he talked about McCain's plan on health care the same article said under McCain's plan 21 million more people that had never had health care would get it. Joe repeatedly kept saying a surge wouldn't work in Afghanistan, yet he kept calling for a surge in the same sentence when he said more troops were needed there. Or could Joe explain what his definition of a surge is? He misquoted McKiernan, what he actually said was, "There were principles of the surge strategy, including working with tribes, that could be applied in Afghanistan." I'm sure there are more. That said, I expected as much out of Joe, he's always been one that says I caught a fish this big.....You either love him or hate him. He makes me laugh. He's not the problem on the Obama/Biden ticket. Now why has the MSM ignored these gaffes?

[steve rodriguez]

LA Times...thanks for caring!!!!!

[jon]

Joe Biden can do these type of debates in his sleep because he's been doing it for the most part of his life on Capitol HIll. Heck, he's a better debater than Barack Obama because he knows a lot more. Why don't Obama take on the VP against Palin that way we will have two experienced leaders running against each other for President.

[Amy]

Regardless of what you think of Palin, she is obviously out of her league and over her head. McCain's poor judgment for his VP choice is one of many reasons not to vote for him. He is bitter, angry and a hothead. We need our country to be brought together not wedged further apart. Call your friends and family and remind them to register to vote! We need every vote!

[S Dorsett]

I'm from Australia and I watch almost everything about the presidential contest and I am horrified and shocked at how biased the mainstream media is over there.

Sen. Barack Obama looks dangerous and even anti-American from where I am. How can a person like that be the president of a country he clearly despises and trashes. He should be president of the Anti-American League or of an African nation.

I know I can't vote in this election but the outcome will affect the world. I wouldn't even want Obama to mow my lawn....:)

[EUROPE]

Response to Carol at 9.10

"Put her in the White House and we will be the
laughing stock of the world."

YOU ALREADY ARE ! Just by putting her on the ticket and giving her a possibility of coming anywhere near the White House. You might as well put Marge Simpson on the ticket. She at least has half of brain.

WE are laughing all the time!

[Dmitriy]

Biden was just a bystander for this 70 mil audience. This was all about Sarah.

Go Sarah.

[Demitry Ranged]

A direct quote from the transcript of the VP debate:

"BIDEN:
Number two, with regard to bankruptcy now, Gwen, what we should be doing now -- and Barack Obama and I support it

-- we should be allowing bankruptcy courts to be able to re-adjust not just the interest rate you're paying on your mortgage to be able to stay in your home, but be able to adjust the principal that you owe, the principal that you owe.
That would keep people in their homes, actually help banks by keeping it from going under. But John McCain, as I
understand it -- I'm not sure of this, but I believe John McCain and the governor don't support that. "

Bank (or individual, or institution) forks out 250,000 to buyer, to pay for house. Borrower (mortgagee) defaults on loan, declares bankrupcy, and Biden appointed judge not only lowers interset rate on the loan, but drops the principal (amount owed) to say 150,000.
1. So much for America a land of laws.
2. Forget contract law - contracts are now meaningless.

A judge is going to award a defaulter the reward of staying in "your" house, and steel 100,000 from you in the process. If I own that mortgage, tighter gun laws will not shield that judge.
It will however solve the mortgage crisis. There will be no more mortgages. Who would be stupid enough to sign a legally binding contract to supply money to someone who can simply forfeit, go to court and negate your legal document? Even democrats aren't that stupid. OK, most Dem's probably are that stupid, but they probably are too busy buying plasmas to invest in mortgages, or anything that might help the country or secure their financial future. Chairman Barack and Comrade Joe are their for that.
And for the banks that suddenly find their "assets" devalued, not by the market, but by a judge - that is going to keep them in business HOW??. Oh, they can declare bankrupcy, and get the judge to lower the value of your deposits in the bank. Or take away your interest. Or stop you from withrawing your money. But if your deposit was under 250,00, the government will cover your loss. And the other tax payers (those rotten filthy rich sob's) will pay. Which court does the gov't seek redress in, when the gov't declares bankruptcy???
MMMM - Joe. Might have exposed the real you. Karl Marx, and Vladamir Lenin are obviously your favorite authors and role models.

[m]

Obama attended a Madrasa when he was 6 years old. I wish Sarah Palin pointed that out when the Biden brought up the Madrasa problem. Its just scary to have an american president who attended a madrasa during his young years.

[Jerry]


A Few Words of Wisdom
"There are those who use change to promote their careers,
and then there are those who use their careers to promote change."
-Sarah Palin

[adrian]

s dorset you republican fraud. You are not an Australian so go drink a seex-pack of VB,play back yard cricket and bowl underarm to your true-blue mate while wearing flip-flops and a cossie.

Me as a kiwi, I'll go eat some fush and chups.

[Jon]

It's just amazing. Amazing.

How can it not be clear to the world that Palin simply repeated prescripted talking points? Are we that stupid? She never addressed the questions, never used ANY detail, and simply repeated unrelated talking points when detail was called for. Didn't you see that?

She simply recited what sounded like arbitrary sections of a children's book on conservatism. Her performance was an absolute embarrassment not only to our country but to the entire concept of competence.

The fact of the matter is that although the media is focusing on Palin as the story of this debate (and clearly that's what people tuned in to see), the net outcome was a disaster for McCain as Biden trashed him uninterrupted and with virtually no counter point for 90 minutes in front of 70 million Americans. Pure and simple, at the end of the night, more Americans believed that John McCain's policies would be similar to George Bush's policies than did at the beginning. Don't be confused by the smoke and mirrors...the net outcome of the debate was horrible for McCain. This campaign is about as over as it gets in modern politics.

[Carol]

Europe:

I think your comment was directed to Sammy, not me.

America will be the laughingstock of the world no matter which of the major parties get elected. They are both THE SAME, as the bailout effectively proved. It matters not if they say: "I am going to confiscate your property to expiate my guilt over my own ineptitude" or Gosh darn I'm gonna take your stuff to pay for the fact that congress doesn't know it's head from a hole in the ground."

America's integrity will only be restored if the electorate is willing to start thinking outside of the box.

[steve rodriguez]

To my Aussie friend: Yes! Obama does look dangerous and even anti-American! Your view of the bias main stream media and of Obama look very clear from Down Under!

[SaveYourCountry]

I can't believe national pundits are calling this debate remotely close; they must be concerned about remaining neutral. That folksy act; the winking, the smirks, the betcha by golly wows....?

I've heard more credible pitches from strippers

Apparently Joe Six Pack buys tickets to this type of show. Palin appears to me as someone overly confident, working hard to hide a sarcastic nature that borders obnoxious, combined with her supreme sense of arrogance. She appears to be a world class expert at both the art of seduction and public speaking. I can see why McCain picked her. Frauds wearing similar feathers, flock together.

Hey Joe. Yeah, you in Ohio. Read a few books, wouldja? You're screwing up this country. You're telling me that church on Sunday gets in the way of watching Meet The Press? Then please, at least pray to Jesus that John McCain's first executive decision will be his last one.

Alaska is just...insert sarcastic smirk here ...the perfect distance between her and Washington D.C.

For the middle class to get stronger, the middle class needs to get smarter. Humor me, Joe.
Put that beer down and takeagander at the new article about Mr. McCain over at Rolling Stone.com. McCane hasn't changed one iota since age 15. You really to investigate his life before Nov 4th

And while you're at it, forward the the link to your brothers in Indiana and Florida.

It's up to you, Joe Six Pack. Don't blow it for us

John McCain, Make-Believe Maverick
Cover story: A closer look at the life and career of the Republican presidential candidate reveals a disturbing record of recklessness and dishonesty.

[Susan]

Independent fact checkers found that Biden "mis-spoke" (lied) 14 times during the debate.

The liberal media criticized Palin for referring to her notes.

I'd rather have a VP who checks the facts before speaking than one who makes things up just to win an election.

The choice is clear: VOTE MCCAIN /PALIN

[FloridaCounts]

It's amazing how many feminists come out swinging at women like Condi Rice and Sarah Palin.

[Melissa]

much of what I've learned about Biden, Palen, Obama and McCain has been through reading articles on the internet. After viewing the debate live on myspace, my impression of both has broadened. Biden seemed to have more of a depth of knowledge than Palin. Palin showed a great deal of determination and willingness to step out in the arena and tackle issues. Biden showed a seasoned and diplomatic nature whereas Palin's vitality and hutzpa seemed to be undermined by surliness and some immaturity. I thought both expressed a passion for public service. As far as where each are at on issues, I'm still a little stumped, especially in the Palin arena. Although, it seems that from this debate, it can be safely assumed that much of the emphasis on the McCain/Palin ticket will be more on security and war, and less on economic issues and long-term solutions.

[L. Koos]

I am amazed that more pundits and journalists do not take issue with Palin’s use and abuse of the English language. Since when do fractured syntax and rambling sentences filled with folksy idioms and unnecessary repetitions constitute plain speaking? If Palin’s verbal style is an example of America’s education system, then clearly more than one child has been left behind. More comments on Palin-ese at: www.kulturerant.blogspot.com

[Dr]

Are all Australians that racist? Or Republicans in America posing as Australians online to try to sway us to think the world is against the black man? Come on now....if you want someone to mow a lawn, Sarah can do that too!

[Nanny from Canada]

Having read the comment from your correspondent in Australia, I feel compelled to tell you how others in the world are viewing this election. We watched with sympathy when the Supreme Court handed the 2000 election to George W. Bush. We watched in disbelief when you re-elected him in 2004. Now we're watching in wonderment that this election is even close. How we would love to have a Barack Obama to vote for, instead of the neo-con Bush imitator we now have as Prime Minister. Lucky you. Don't blow it again.

[KC]

Sadly, I happened to be one of those 70 million Americans that watched the debate. But, make no mistake about it, majority of the people, like myself, that tuned in to the debate did it out of curiousity of whether Sarah Palin was going to hold herself together in the debate - whether she was going to crumble and put the final nail on her own coffin or whether she would resurrect her battered image. To some watchers, it was analogous to watching what was suposed to be a scheduled train wreck, but thank goodness, it didn't come down to that in the end. No one, including myself, expected that she was going to offer anything substantive in the debate to back up her qualification for the 2nd highest job in the land or to sway undecideds in McCain's favor. The only expectation of her was to make complete coherent sentences and not melt down before the audience.

With regard to oe Biden, majority of Americans already knew going into the debate that he meets the VP tests and therefore the focus on the debate was not about his qualification but rather about hers.

[KC]

S Dorsett, will you please crawl back into your cave in Australia and stay there? You and your racist ideologies are 200 years behind. America has come a long way and has moved beyond the racist/backward ideologies which you espouse and attempt to inject into this discussion. Why don't you just do everyone a favor and hide in your cave and never come out to civilization again? And by the way, I am white and a republican but I may be voting for Obama because he offers better choices than McCain does. No offense intended here!

[mksyed]

Mccain campaign and GOP are in " DiSARRAY" . In fact these Mccain people are scared of serious loss in Nov.4 what looks obvious. Bush-chainey ,Economy ,iraq war .Bailout everything is against them . With " Unknown Palin " Mccain saw some hope in his biggest "GAMBLE" of life . But with two interview with ABC and CBS she is already exposed to every voters. In every battleground states of PA,VA,OH,WIS,Iw,NV,MN,Mi everywhere Mccain is 6-10 point behind & pulled out of MI . Voters are not buying Mccain/palin . Nov.4 is not very far. Barak/Biden will defeat Mccain /Palin in nov.4 what is obvious. May god Bless America . It is time for "Change" Barak/Biden "08

[thorninurside]

Nothing much surprises me about the repugnicans. At first they were terrified to have her exposed as a semi-illiterate about almost anything substantive, and now they're thrilled that she could either read the notes of canned answers to many of the questions, or at least refuse to answer for fear of repeating the moronic blabberings at the Couric interview. She reminds me of the prizefighter with the bashed in face bragging about how he damaged his opponent's fists. Poor old McCain had to be at his lowest when he shrieked about "How great she was". The spectacle of his hypocricy removed, for me, any lingering vestige of respect. How anyone on the GOP side can face the public is a mystery. Keep it up guys, the Dems don't have to do anything...your own laughable posturings will give them the landslide.

[gosh]

Your comment about Obama attending a Madrasa when he was 6 years old is ridiculous. Madrassa literally means 'school' in many languages including, Arabic, Persian and Urdu so please don't insult yourself by showing your ignorance.
He is a Christian and thats a fact and please don't spread your ignorance.

[T Sabo]

Once again the left is being intellectually dishonest.
Unwittingly,her critics did her a big favor continually lambasting her in the press on the view and many other Hollywood stars had to weigh in with their opinions of her as being a nit wit.Well she sure didn't sound like a nit wit to me,in fact all the people who critisized her were the ones that had egg on their face and sounded like nit wits to me.Lets be honest please, when the left dosen't like politicians views and they are not lockstep with their liberal views than he or she is labeled and idiot.
Keep the critisizms coming, and we'll see what happens come election day.

[T sabo]

Say it ain't so Joe.....Biden got his clock cleaned and her detractors never looked so good with egg all over their face...

[Plain Jane]

This is absurd she didn't pass the debate test, didn't answer the questions, put on a faux folksiness. How did americans become so inept ... lack of proper education. It was a joke, we are a joke to the rest of the world, for her performance was a joke. And she is very dangerous for our country. Wake up.

[scottm]

"Ratings sensation"... oh please give us a couple more debates between these two. Yes we Americans love our TV entertainment especially if there is a potential for a "dogfight" or "trainwreck". We are a pathetic lot, especially the supporters of either ticket that say emphatically to everyone else..." the choice is clear".

[Kelly]

The FBI has raided the home of another Obama Chicago crony. This one is somebody for whom Obama got millions of dollars earmarks. This is not just a guy in Obama's neighborhood, as Bill Ayers is, according to Obama. "Larry Walsh, a poker buddy and close political confidante of Barack Obama had seen home raided by the FBI." The Chicago Sun-Times reporting is this: "Mr. Walsh, who served in the Illinois Senate from 1997 to 2005, was endorsed by Mr. Obama in his county executive election bid. With the support of some of Mr. Obama's U.S. Senate volunteers, he easily defeated incumbent [the Republican]. ... A corn farmer from Joliet, Mr. Walsh has supported his friend's presidential bid, and campaigned for him in rural and farming areas of the state." Obama got a lot of earmarks in there for Will County which is where the offices of Walsh are. "[T]he Walsh investigation may be tied to lobbying firm Smith Dawson and Andrews, which was hired in 2006 for $10,000 per month to help Will County acquire federal grants," and they got 'em through Obama.

[J HW McClinton]

Moderator: Governor Palin, what is the definition of the constitution?

Palin: That's a darn good question and as a maverick soccer mom from an energy producing state whose residents despise oil companies and Russians, I think that most Americans who live on Main Street sitting around with their six packs wondering whether or not I can answer this question will agree that Obama's policies aren't working. General McArthy of the American People's Army once stated "My country tis of thee" and as a maverick, I say no more party line crossing. We're all one. A big old golly happy country. We live, we work and we play America. Offshore drilling is the only logical solution to the problem of putting our kids through college in Iraq. Well, not Iraq you know, but one of those states on the Mainland. And that's what makes me team, the great team standing behind John McCain, mavericks.

Moderator: I apologize Governor Palin, but I meant what is the constitution of America.

Palin: Oh sorry, well as a soccer mom from an energy producing state like Alaska with huge global reach to like Russia you know, I think that most middle-class Americans already recognize the constitution, its principles and they're sitting on Main Street and they're like: "Constitution, we need some jolly good news from Washington, cause we's a be's a hurting" and it takes a maverick like John McCain to provide the bandaids to their pains you know. He's a maverick and he understands the Constitution very well. He has international experience and has met him before. In fact, not only has he met Prime Minister Constitution, he also met that little Chinese man with the bald head, the Daily Llama. Who know an animal had not one day, but everyday. Must be tough being a Llama, but a Daily one, and running such a huge country like China!

[anonymous]

What happened to the days when it was a given that a presidential level nominee was actually intelligent and knowledgeable? Have people not learned from George W. Bush, now that he has made a complete disgrace of himself? Do people actually think that memorized soundbites will actually work in a meeting with world leaders? Sarah Palin will make a laughing stock of America. It is time for people to put stubborn party loyalties and partisonship aside and actually vote for what is right for America.

[steve rodriguez]

Hey Dr.: Your the one playing the race card! Who said anything about race, certainly not the lady from Australia!
Obama loves to play the race card just like you Dr.!

[Ramon]

Shut up already, Steve Rodriguez. The old bat from Australia was being racist.

[Paul Duvane]

Joe Biden - Mr. Inside-the-Beltway Slick. If his nose grew with his lies, it would stick out somewhere in China. Come on you liberal wimps, one would think that having gone through Billy Bob and his "I did not have sex that woman" era, you would now embrace a little straight talk. Apparently not. Keep on with your trash talk, it only help McCain and Palin.

[CA]

When I look at Sarah Palin and her place in the presidential race, I see ....

Sarah Palin could have never risen from the GOP had it not been for Hillary Rodham Clinton. The GOP did not have anyone like Hillary Clinton so they invented one. Isn't interesting that Sarah Palin owes her political existence to the Democratic Party? If it were not for Democrats, women would continue to be marginalized in society. Four years ago, Republicans would have never dreamed that they would be rallying behind a woman. In a sense, the Republicans are being changed and don't even realize it's happening to them.

The old adage, "necessity is the mother of invention" could never be more true than with Sarah Palin in the 2008 Presidential Election.

http://www.politicsreligion-superblog.blogspot.com/

[steve rodriguez]

Hey Ramon: I won't vote for your race baiting candidate - Barry Obama!!!!