Vice Presidential Debate Shatters Records

They may only be a heartbeat away from the presidency, but Thursday proved that Joe Biden and Sarah Palin may be only a heartbeat away from the new fall lineup, as their first and only debate gathered a record 70 million viewers, according to Nielsen ratings.

According to Reuters, the Thursday night debate between Senator Joe Biden and Governor Sarah Palin shattered the record for most watched vice presidential square off in the nation's history and highest viewed debate in the past 16 years (Clinton versus George H. W. Bush). Their 70 million spectators far exceeded their primary's first debate last week, which garnered an impressive 52.4 million.

It's speculated that much of the viewership was due to Palin making several embarrassing comments during her few and far between television interviews with CBS's Katie Couric and ABC's Charlie Gibson. Biden himself is also known for his gaffes, which often come along on the campaign trail. The unpredictable duo together proved an impressive draw.

While the debate in itself was relatively "gaffe-free," it was still a telling hour and a half between the two individuals who could be on deck for the presidency.