Democratic and Republican partisans breathed a sigh of relief last night. Neither Biden nor Palin ran the family car off the cliff.

Democrats secretly worry that Palin’s regular-gal shtick might again ignite McCain’s campaign. His chances seem to rise every time he cedes the stage to her. Once again, she won Miss Congeniality. Miss Congeniality with a gun.

We were reminded of why Joe Biden – for all his brains and passion – lost two presidential races. Hard as he tries, he just can’t talk fast enough to get out everything he wants to say. It’s called Senator Syndrome.

But instant analysis of debates misses the long-term impression that sets in – and the impact it has on voters. I suspect the impact of last night will be hurtful to McCain.

Many Americans want to believe – small-d democrats that we are – that any old guy or gal can do a better job than those fools in Washington. Given what those fools have done to the economy, that is understandable.

After all, our system of government was designed by geniuses to be run by idiots.

But – again, given what is happening in this country today – it is clear that Sarah Palin has no business being Vice President. The thought that she could become President is sobering.

If the American people come to that conclusion, what conclusion will they reach about John McCain’s temperament and judgment – especially after the doubts his performance of the last two weeks have raised?

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