No doubt it was a disappointment to many that Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin did not wilt or implode during her 90-minute faceoff with Democratic nominee Joe Biden.

Many in the Democratic camp consider Palin to be a lightweight, a ditz vaulted onto the international stage — not nearly ready for the seriousness of the challenge.

There was little doubt that Biden, in the U.S. Senate since Palin was a grade-schooler, would have a better mastery of the historical context of issues. A far more practiced inter-

viewee, Biden could also be expected to be more precise and articulate — a master of the nuances we hear incessantly from the experienced politicians. Sounding informed, detailed and sincere while saying absolutely nothing is an art.

Although no memorable one-liners were generated Thursday, any vice-presidential debate provides a reminder of the best put-down ever articulated at such an event. It was in 1988 when Ohio Sen. Dan Quayle, the Republican nominee also tarred as a novice, compared his time as a senator to that of President John F. Kennedy when Kennedy ran for president. The response from Sen. Lloyd Bentsen, the far more seasoned Democratic nominee, was a somber stare and the words, “Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy, I knew Jack Kennedy, Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you are no Jack Kennedy.”

While that line drew long and loud applause for Bentsen, previously best known for forming a club in which member-lobbyists would pay him $10,000 each to have breakfast with him, it must also be remembered which ticket won the election. It wasn’t Dukakis-Bensten. It was Bush-Quayle.

It wasn’t a point as much as it was a theme when Palin and Biden met in St. Louis, but clear choice did emerge for American voters. On the domestic scene, Obama-Biden stands for more government and McCain-Palin stands for less.

It is this choice Americans will make on Nov. 4. Democrats (liberals) tend to see government as a solution. Republicans (conservatives) tend to see government as a problem. That really hasn’t changed much election to election.

There was no meltdown for Palin. She didn’t give the comedians much fodder for new routines. Biden certainly didn’t break any new ground either. It’s not an easy choice for voters. But the decision is theirs to make.