By John Flemming

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Economic policy took center stage during last night’s first and only vice-presidential debate in St. Louis, Missouri, as Sen. Joe Biden and Gov. Sarah Palin strived to gain political ground with the average American while treading lightly; Sen. Biden had to refrain from overly criticizing the governor and Mrs. Palin had to demonstrate her political prowess.

“The economic policies of the last eight years have been the worst economic policies we've ever had” said Sen. Biden as he solicited enormous effort to attack presidential hopeful, John McCain, by linking his policies to that of President Bush.

Gov. Palin agreed that there were indeed economic struggles facing the country. However, she also stated that John McCain was more likely to work in a bipartisan fashion to fix the problem and that he was one of the first to signal the beginning of the financial meltdown.

“John McCain thankfully has been one representing reform. Two years ago, remember, it was John McCain who pushed so hard with the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac reform measures. He sounded that warning bell,” said Mrs. Palin.

Biden was quick to point out that many of the economic problems have stemmed from the deregulation of Wall Street, a practice he says, that John McCain has fervently supported on 20 different occasions. Palin on the other hand, pointed the finger at the huge lending firms. “There was deception there, and there was greed and there is corruption on Wall Street. And we need to stop that,” said she.