Colorado Republicans laud Palin's debate performance

Sarah Palin: Getty Images PhotoMany Colorado Republicans were impressed -- if not relieved -- by Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's performance during Thursday night's vice presidential debate versus U.S. Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.).   

Colorado Republican Party Chair Dick Wadhams said the debate was "a clear win" for Palin.

"Joe Biden wanted to prove that he was the smartest guy in the room, and in doing so came across aloof and I thought even times angry, and just another Washington politician," Wadhams said. "Whereas Sarah Palin was direct, she was knowledgeable, and you can tell that she does come from the heartland of America."

Wadhams said Palin's performance "will energize the McCain campaign at a point it needed some infusion of energy after a couple of difficult weeks."

He also said it helped female voters get "a better look" at Palin "under pressure."

Former Colorado Senate president and radio talk show host John Andrews said that "Biden gave a solid performance, but in terms of pizzazz it was all with Palin."

Using a football analogy, Andrews said Palin and the McCain campaign "was at fourth and long last night."

"While I'm very pleased with how well she did -- pleased and relieved -- you have to say all that she and the McCain team did last night was to get a first down that they absolutely had to have," Andrews said. "They now can continue battling for the next four weeks, but they're having to come from behind as the Broncos sometimes have to do in the final quarter."

El Paso County Republican Chair Nathan Fisk said the debate was "really a home run for Palin - and that's not just political speaking.

"I was really impressed with how it came together," he said.

Fisk said he was especially impressed with how Palin framed Biden's criticism of the Bush Administration during the last eight years.

"(Palin) said, ‘Hey, how about we talk about the future? You say you want to talk about change, and then you talk about the last eight years constantly.'" Fisk said. "And when she made that statement, that whole argument, from that point forward, every time the words came out of his mouth about Bush or the last eight years or something like that, made him look a little silly. And I think to the normal person at home, they're bobbing their head, (saying) ‘Oh yeah, he's doing that thing again.'"

State Democratic Party Chair Pat Waak, meanwhile, said both vice presidential candidates did what they needed to do Thursday night.

"Joe Biden did an absolutely fantastic job -- I mean, he surpassed my expectations," Waak said. "He was just on top of what he was supposed to be doing, which is delivering the message that John McCain is not who he says he is, and has not been a maverick, and he has followed the Bush Doctrine in this campaign."

As for Palin, Waak said she "thought it was interesting whenever (Palin) encountered a question she couldn't answer, she'd go back to her credentials on energy."

"It's exactly what I would coach someone to do, is find your comfort zone, go back to your comfort zone," Waak said. "So she did what she should have done. On the other hand, the fact that she was not required to answer questions was a little disturbing, if you're trying to find out where she stands on certain issues."

Waak added she "did not expect Governor Palin to make any major faux pas, because debate formats are the kind that you can prepare for and be almost robotic in your responses."

Asked if the vice presidential debate would affect the presidential election at all, Waak said, "by and large, no, it does not matter."

"In the end, people are going to vote for presidents," she said.