I know pictures often misrepresent the moment, exaggerating or downplaying what truly is going on. But this picture of Joe Biden, posing with the #74th most powerful woman in the world, Irish President Mary McAleese, portrays an interesting encounter–one I find myself hard pressed to write off as trick photography. Check it out:

I think Palin won it. There, I had to say it; I couldn’t hold back anymore. With her expectations ankle-high, a horrible string of interviews pressuring her every answer, Sarah Palin managed to prove she is not, in fact, an idiot. And that’s all she needed to do to win.

The Republican supporters were losing faith in the McCain campaign. A poor reaction to the financial crisis, controversies with McCain’s campaign aides, sheltering the Vice Presidential candidate, these all contributed to a poor showing at the polls for John McCain. But tonight, Sarah Palin breathed a breath of fresh–albeit hot–air into her embattled ticket-mate’s attempt at the presidency.

She said very little of quality (though she did speak eloquently about certain issues of personal concern to her), but managed to exceed the low bar set for her. John McCain must be spreading that wry, Cheshire Cat-ish grin across his face right now. No K.O. punch tonight; this race isn’t over.

Update 10:30pm: I just want to make sure I note that I do believe Biden won on merit and quality. But, as far as politics goes, I think the McCain camp can call tonight a victory, as well.