Diverse reactions to VP debate in Orange County

Last night's vice presidential debate went off without a hitch or a headline-grabbing gaffe from either candidate, but local Republicans and Democrats came to different conclusions about their performances.

Melahat Rafiel, executive director of the Orange County Democratic Party, to said that it was a wash. 

"I don't think any particular candidate won or lost," Rafiel said. "I think Palin did a really good job of learning her talking points and talking about Ronald Reagan as much as she could." 

Rafiel said Palin's interviews on network television had actually set her up for a successful night.

"I really think the bar was set so low, she would have had to hyperventilate on stage to do a bad job," she said. 

While Rafiel pointed to the blessing of Palin's low expectations, O.C. Republican Party Executive Director George Andrews was more than impressed by the Alaska Governor's performance.

"She connected with the average American and I just think that the way she explained things, how she broke down policy, she really connected with Main Street America," said Andrews. 

Both Andrews and Rafiel thought Democratic vice presidential nominee Joe Biden performed as well as they expected. "I think Biden did spectacular," Rafiel proclaimed. "There was not one single gaffe."

"Joe Biden did what was expected of him," concurred Andrews. "He has more than 30 years of experience. You expect him to have a good grasp of policy."