Considering the magnitude of the event and knowing that millions were watching, I don't think she helped or hurt the ticket. Biden on the other hand, was crisp, poised, demonstrated a deep grasp of the issues and defended the top of the ticket well while effectively linking McCain to the failed policies of Bush. He did a good job skewing the mythical "Maverick" moniker Palin likes to refer to. He also underscored the fact that McCain has not put forth any detailed policy proposals for significant change on any issue. This point needs to be perpetually emphasized for the remainder of the campaign because it demonstrates the "more of the same" reality of the Republican nominee.

Obama/Biden have been effectively linking the Bush policies to McCain/Palin and need to continue to hammer that point relentlessly. Palin countered with an accusation that Biden was looking backwards rather than forward. He did not effectively rebut that and I believe that Obama will be better prepared to respond to that tactic.

Post debate commentators pointed out her folksy charm punctuated with winking. I would like to share a couple of Proverbs that address that style of discourse and what it reveals about the character of the person that uses it.

Proverbs 6:12-15
12 A scoundrel and villain,
who goes about with a corrupt mouth,
13 who winks with his eye,
signals with his feet
and motions with his fingers,
14 who plots evil with deceit in his heart-
he always stirs up dissension.
15 Therefore disaster will overtake him in an instant;
he will suddenly be destroyed-without remedy.