Biden and Palin Clash Over the Economy and the War

Palin repeatedly emphasized the GOP ticket's reformist credentials and willingness to depart from party orthodoxy. She contrasted that with Obama, saying "96 percent of his votes have been solely along party lines."

As for Biden's record, Palin said: "I do respect your years in the United States Senate, but I think Americans are craving something new and different."

Asked about the causes of the mortgage crisis, Palin said, "Darn right it was the predator lenders . ... There was deception there, there was greed, and there is corruption on Wall Street."

Biden said that Obama had warned two years ago of a coming subprime mortgage crisis, while McCain had repeatedly called for deregulation of the financial industry. The two candidates quibbled over which presidential nominee had voted the most to raise taxes, with Biden accusing Palin of using "a bogus standard" to count tax increase votes.

Biden and Palin next faced off over health care. Palin suggested that McCain's plan to offer tax credits for individuals to buy health care would be "affordable" and "accessible," as well as budget-neutral. She contrasted that with what she described as Obama's plan to force Americans into a government-run universal health care plan, a characterization Obama's campaign has previously said is inaccurate.

Biden hit back, saying that McCain would pay for his plan by taxing the health care benefits workers already get from their employers. "I call that the ultimate 'Bridge to Nowhere,'" Biden said, prompting laughter from the audience.