The Sarah Palin who can flash a toothy grin and wink while sticking the knife was on display in last night’s debate, a marked departure from recent high-profile stumbles that had many nearly writing her off.

The debate, no doubt the most-watched vice presidential debate in history, was seen largely a referendum on Palin’s qualifications to possibly be president going into the night.

Her job was just to reassure Republicans that John McCain’s Hail Mary pass on picking her was sound judgment and she refrained from any Katie Couric interview-style moments that could be parodied on Saturday Night Live.

That said, the night was largely a draw.

Both Palin and Biden stuck to their guns and stayed (mostly) on message. As Barack Obama’s running mate, Biden hammered on McCain, trying to link him to failed Bush Administration policies at every opportunity.

They clashed over energy, the economy, Iraq, Darfur, government spending, tax cuts, healthcare and more with just over a month remaining before the election and McCain slipping in the polls. Republican officials disclosed Thursday that he was conceding Michigan to Obama.

Each spent the night largely attacking the top of the other’s ticket from behind identical lecterns, and trying to out-folksy and out maverick each other. In fact, Palin spawned a new drinking game: every time she or McCain says “Maverick,” take a shot.

“He has been no maverick on the issues that matter to peoples lives,” answered Biden, who got into the weeds early, defending his votes in the senate.

But Biden quelled fears that he might come across as sexist or condescending. A Labrador to her Pit Bull, Biden turned to Palin while she spoke, appearing to listen politely. He refrained from correcting Palin when she repeatedly misspoke an army general’s name or referred to him as Senator “Obiden.”

Palin was uneven, though.

She veered off topic at several times, coming back to energy policy or tax cuts without answering the question posed by moderator Gwen Ifill.

Passion about the war changed the tenor, however. Each candidate has a son headed to Iraq and Biden visibly choked up at one point. He emphasized the “fundamental difference” between the two tickets as, “we will end this war.” With McCain, “there is no end in sight.”

Palin countered by calling Obama’s phased withdrawal plan a “white flag of surrender” at a time when “victory is within sight.”

Each made a pitch for the middle class; Palin referencing “joe six packs” and Biden his roots in hometown Pennsylvania.

Palin lines: “heckuva,” “darn right,” “doggone it,” and “you betcha.”

When Palin strolled onto the stage at the outset, she asked Biden “Can I call you Joe?” Later, pulling out an old baseball line: “say it ain’t so, Joe,” accusing Democrats of revisionist blame-gaming.

They disagreed about climate change along standard party lines. Palin: not caused by humans. Biden: of course caused by humans. Palin stressed working for solution, giving Biden a great comeback: “if you don’t understand what the cause is, it’s virtually impossible to come up with a solution.”

Ironically, Palin adopted the more condescending tone, often seeming to be scolding Biden before turning back to the camera with a knowing smile, and more than once, a wink.

When Biden characterized Republican emphasis on oil drilling as “drill, drill, drill,” Palin snapped, “the chant is drill, baby, drill” in a snarky tone.

The next presidential debate between John McCain and Barack Obama will be Tuesday in Nashville. NBC’s Tom Brokaw will moderate.

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