Which may be more dispositive (Al's favorite word) for this election is how they are sending Palin back to Alaska for 5 precious days (till Weds). At this point of a campaign, days on the road count. Obama knows it, Biden's a seasoned pro and knows it. They will be doing at least 2 interviews a day for 7 days a week. If there are off-days, they will be singular: just a day to catch up on a little rest or prepare for debates before hitting the trail again. They will be able to dominate press coverage everywhere McCain isn't because McCain will have no surrogate to get press time.

Worse, by going back to Alaska, the press will follow her-and get the opportunity to also interview all of those disgruntled people who apparently have a lot to say. She doesn't give interviews-the press will find people who will. She doesn't talk about what McCain wants to talk about-no chance to reinforce his message or reach out to people who simply don't know her well.

On the other hand, Biden's rollout was smooth as silk. He immediately joined the campaign and generated nothing but positive and joyous  press, reassured wavering voters, and is reaching out to undecided voters as well. He's added a friendly, witting, reassuring note of stability to Obama's change message.

So Obama wins the competence argument there too.