The stakes were high for Governor Sarah Palin in the U.S. Vice Presidential debate Thursday night. Her challenge was to prove to the increasing number of doubters that she is competent to be Vice President, and if called upon, President of the United States. She did not manage this. On the contrary, she demonstrated that she was out of her league.

When she was unable to give a prepared answer to a question, she either refused to answer it or was superficial and naive, and searched for help from her notes. Her tendency to occasionally play the role of a cute, slightly sexy woman was very unhelpful indeed for her cause. It is almost pathetic that in spite of this, post-debate opinion polls indicated she did better than expected. The reason: expectations were extremely low.

Joe Biden, on the contrary, had nothing to prove. He is known to be competent for the office he is running for. His mastery of complex issues and his fluency in stating his positions was impressive. Americans might not like how Washington functions, but 30 years of service in the U.S. Senate certainly does educate and refine a person.

Joe Biden could have emphasised the difference in qualifications between Governor Sarah Palin and himself. Instead he let her talk, did not interrupt her, did not ridicule her, and even said he respected her. Had he behaved otherwise, she might have won the sympathy of viewers. Senator Biden debated wisely.

The Vice Presidential debate probably further increased the electorate's comfort level with Barack Obama. At the start of the campaign many felt Obama was the riskier choice. Now it is John McCain.

The main worry is twofold: McCain's impulsiveness and judgement; and the possibility that Sarah Palin would succeed him as President if he were incapacitated. More than ever, we need to be reassured that the person who might become the leader of the Western world is up to the job. Governor Palin has not provided that assurance.

Palin winks at America: