Homer Alaska - News -

Inside a darkened Homer Theatre, a crowd of about 30 munched popcorn and listened attentively as the 90-minute debate unfolded on the silver screen, their mostly pro-Biden, anti-Palin sentiments becoming clear whenever the senator scored a point or Palin made a perceived gaffe.

When Biden said Sen. John McCain's health care reform plan was "a bridge to nowhere," the audience broke into applause.

Across the street at Alice's Champagne Palace, 60 or so bar patrons played "Palin Bingo" - a game in which players were able to mark off their bingo squares whenever Palin uttered phrases like "hockey mom" or "maverick" - while they ate, drank and watched the debate.

They enjoyed Biden's "bridge to nowhere" line, too.

Doug Stark, who attended the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis last month - watched the debate at home with his wife, Sandy. He thought Palin - who he has known for 12 years - held her own in the debate, disproving critics who thought she would fail.

"She was articulate and she didn't make any mistakes," said Stark. "The other side has been trying to destroy her. She's been faced with the politics of destruction. I think she did damn well."

Stark supports McCain, calling him "a courageous man with a lot of experience," but said Biden won the debate overall.

Audrey Rearden is "First Dude" Todd Palin's aunt and admitted she may be a bit biased, but said Palin did a great job connecting with the audience.

"I thought it was terrific. She sticks to the issues and talks to the people. She's an excellent communicator and answers the questions that are directed," said Rearden.

Tim O'Leary disagreed.

"She didn't think on her feet. It was a recital for her," said O'Leary. "The only time she can have a coherent sentence is when it's practiced. I'm really finding her to be a superficial person without too much depth and I'm really wondering how we elected her governor."

O'Leary thought Biden was more effective than Palin at showing his "human side," particularly during a moment where he appeared to be overcome with emotion while talking about raising his children on his own.

"That was a moment of poignancy," said O'Leary. "He's not the flashiest person and he has a tendency to put his foot in his mouth sometimes, but what a wonderful soul ... what a great father."

Alan Parks also keyed in on Biden's moment of raw emotion.

"I thought that was a strong point for him that showed some personality and emotion and a level of understanding about what people in hardships are going through. Sarah Palin was trying to play to her role as a mother and a woman but that didn't resonate with me," said Parks.

Tina Day describes herself as a "fence sitter" and said she will likely not make up her mind on who to vote for until she walks into the voting booth Nov. 4. Although she is a registered Republican, she has read both of Sen. Barack Obama's books and thinks he would make a good president.

"It was a great debate on both sides," said Day. "I was impressed with how Sarah Palin was herself and related to the average American. She was more authentic and more up on the issues. She showed that she was educated and able to take over the vice-president's office. I was pretty impressed."

Aaron Selbig can be reached at aaron.selbig@homernews.com.