That’s the conclusion of the Rasmussen study. Biden was judged the winner by almost exactly the margin separating the two presidential candidates at the moment. with partisans on both sides saying almost unanimously their guy or gal won. The only interesting stat: Palin comes out much higher than Biden on both the Very Favorable and Very Unfavorable front. Clearly she really has solidified the base, but she hasn’t converted many undecideds.
One thing I would like to point out as concerns post debate polls. It is a well known fact in the "blogosphere" that internet polls are "spammed" by the true believers (i.e the left). And who is more likely to be voting in polls but computer-savy folks - NOT the rank and file Americans who don't sit a a computer for great stretches of time. Daily Kos issued its "marching orders" to the true believers to get out there and vote in every poll available. What you see is the effect of that practice.
When Ron Paul was in the Republican debates, EVERY post debate poll showed him winning. We all know that was impossible, but that is what the polls showed.
Thus, internet post-debate polls are never accurate. They are heavily skewed to the left.
At best, Palin Biden tied.
Lawler overlooks the point that Palin's good (not excellent) performance made her less of an issue in the campaign.