Heric: I do believe, nay, I know, that between the time that Biden and Palin emerged from backstage and the time that the first question
was asked - Palin looked at Biden and asked, "Can I call you Joe?"
That is a fact, all you have to do is review the "debate" film. My contention is that she was being pretentious in that she was not asking him if she could call him, "Joe" out of respect, but rather, the question was asked so that she could use the phrase, "Say it ain't so, Joe," which is a very well known line from the life of "Shoeless" Joe Jackson who was accused of cheating in the 1908 Black Sox Scandal (movie: Eight Men Out).

I believe she asked Biden's permission so to give forth a sense of respect, but, she never called him "Joe" until three-quarters of the way through the "debate" when she throws out her quip from "Eight Men Out." Sorry folks, but: McCain/Palin - thanks; but, no thanks. Cheers,.....mwh