Sarah Palin won the debate with Joe Biden because she came across as the Ronald Reagan candidate.
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Like Reagan, Palin projected pride in America, optimism about the future, and determination to reform the government and vanquish our enemies.
Like Reagan, she was at times self-deprecating. Like Reagan, she took a swipe at the mainstream media. And like Reagan, she made it clear she was not afraid to take views contrary to conventional wisdom in Washington.Fittingly, Palin closed with a reference to Reagan saying that freedom is always just one generation away from extinction.
Palin’s performance confirmed McCain’s vice presidential choice. In the end, people make their decisions on whom to vote for based in large part on character and values. They want to know if the candidate is genuine.
In the St. Louis debate, Palin showed she is.
— Ronald Kessler, Oct. 3 Newsmax column