The vice presidential race has had its moments in the media without really dealing with concrete issues bound to affect this country in the next four years. Sen. Joe Biden and Gov. Sarah Palin are expected to debate some of these issues for the first time on Oct. 2. No one is sure of what to expect on Oct. 2, but Biden and Palin have provided their stances on many topics.

During the democratic primaries last year, Biden was asked by Tim Russert about lowering the drinking age.

“Absolutely no, I would not,” said Biden. “The cost of alcoholism in America, the cost of accidents that flow from drunkenness, are astronomical. This is a gigantic problem, just like the drug issue. And the idea that we’re going to suggest that it makes good sense to move the age down to 18, I find to be counterproductive. I would not do that.”

Due to strict enforcement of drinking laws under Palin’s governorship, highway fatalities in Alaska are down. Palin signed a bill requiring the upkeep of a database from the state alcohol beverage control (ABC) board that records sales, distribution, and purchase of alcoholic beverages from residents in certain communities to help ban underage drinking.

However, Palin’s stance on underage drinking is a bit unclear seeing as she also signed a house bill making it a non-criminal violation to permit underage people to possess alcohol in a legal-aged person’s home.

Unions, among other groups, have faced their share of discrimination in America. Palin supports legislation requiring labor unions to obtain permission from their members before using dues for political purposes.

Biden carries a pro-union voting record. In 2007, he voted yes to restricting employer interference in the organization of unions.

In terms of civil rights, Biden voted in 2006against a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. Sen. McCain and Sen. Obama seem to agree that same-sex marriage is an issue for the states. Biden though has said that the government should not dictate the definition of marriage but instead ensure that every individual is free from discrimination.

Palin supported amending Alaska’s constitution to ban same-sex marriage.

“I believe that honoring the family structure is that important,” Palin said to the Anchorage Daily News.

Palin’s views on the environment also differ a bit from many Guilford students’ perspectives. She agreed that global warming affected Alaska but said that it was not man-made. She has also debated that polar bears and beluga whales are endangered. She has encouraged the use of natural resources and questions the implementation of a law monitoring cruise ship emission, because that law is covered already under state law, only to a slightly lower standard.

For Biden, his environmental goals include removing subsidies from oil refineries as well as to end road-building in national parks.

For some, following the issues in this election has been difficult.

Senior Alicia Miles, a criminal justice and East Asian studies major, said, “I have kind of been following the race but the media has sensationalized it so much that I can no longer keep up with the election. It’s become more about their personal lives and less about the issues that people want to hear about.