Vice-presidential debate between Sarah Palin and Joe Biden

Sarah Palin, Alaska’'s governor, waves to the crowd as she arrives on stage for the vice-presidential debate Photograph: Jim Bourg/Reuters

Joe Biden and Sarah Palin shake hands before the start of the vice-presidential debate Photograph: Rick Wilking/Reuters

Moderator Gwen Ifill speaks prior to the start of the debate Photograph: David McNew/Getty

Biden and Palin greet Ifill before the debate begins Photograph: Chip Somodevilla/Getty

Biden fields a question as Palin looks on Photograph: Rick Wilking/Reuters

Televsion monitors show the debate Photograph: Tom Gannam/AP

Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin speaks Photograph: J. Scott Applewhite/AP

Democratic vice-presidential candidate Senator Biden makes a point Photograph: Scott Olson/Getty

Biden and Palin on stage during the debate as moderator Gwen Ifill is seen on a monitor Photograph: Win McNamee/Getty

Palin smiles while talking to Biden during the debate Photograph: Robyn Beck/AFP

Republican vice presidential nominee Alaska Governor Sarah Palin stands at the podium Photograph: Carlos Barria/Reuters

The vice-presidential debate plays out on screens in a lounge at the Ritz Carlton in Washington, DC Photograph: Tim Sloan/AFP

Democratic supporters watch the televised debate between Biden and Palin at the Social Hollywood in Los Angeles Photograph: Jewel Samad/AFP

Democratic vice-presidential candidate Joe Biden argues a point Photograph: David McNew/Getty

Palin winks at the audience as she speaks Photograph: J. Scott Applewhite/AP

Rudy Giuliani, who failed to gain the Republican presidential nomination, grins while sitting next to his wife, Judith, at the debate Photograph: Rick Wilking/Reuters

Patriotic decorations adorn the stage as Biden addresses Palin Photograph: Bob Pearson/EPA

Biden and his family greet Palin and her family after the debate Photograph: Paul J. Richards/AFP

A Washington University student looks at punching robots with the faces of Democratic vice presidential nominee Senator Joe Biden (L) and Republican vice presidential nominee Alaska Governor Sarah Palin (R) outside the vice presidential debate Photograph: Jim Young/Reuters