PATRICK RUFFINI: Sarah is back. It’s no coincidence, I think, that she does better without a big-media filter between her and the audience.

Plus, from Mickey Kaus: “Big loser, again, is Hillary. In two years Palin will be so much better she won’t even be in the same league.”

And Rich Hailey comments: “Joe won his debate, totally eviscerating President Bush. Unfortunately, Bush wasn’t actually at the debate, so it was kind of an empty victory . . . . Palin held her own against Biden, which, according to the Obama/Olbermann Law of Diminished Media Expectations, means she won a huge victory. Oddly, I don’t think I’ll see the media spinning it that way for her the way they did for Obama last week.”

Jennifer Rubin comments: “In short, she entirely and completely beat the spread. Her performance, given how poorly she has fared recently, was nothing short of stunning. And Biden knew it.”

Plus, a roundup of reactions from Joe Gandelman.