Stakes high in V.P. ring
Palin, Biden preparing to duke it out in 1st debate
NEW YORK — For an audition to be second fiddle, tonight's debate between often ill-informed newcomer Sarah Palin and often gaffe-prone veteran Joe Biden offers unusually large pitfalls — and promise.
File/Jack Dempsey/AP
Sarah Palin
AP
Joe Biden
For once, the whole world may be watching. Already, 3,100 media credentials have been issued, the most the Commission on Presidential Debates ever needed in seven vice presidential debates it's hosted.
The attention is driven by the public's fascination with Palin, the first-term Alaska governor who Republican presidential candidate John McCain plucked from relative political obscurity to be his running mate.
Initially, Palin was praised as a superb political communicator for the delivery of her acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention four weeks ago. She energized theparty's conservative base, which had reservations about McCain, and quickly showed she could outdraw McCain on the stump — a likely factor in their decision to appear together more often than running mates usually do.
But a series of shaky Palin television interviews have left even some conservatives questioning whether she is ready to be vice president. She couldn't describe the Bush doctrine in foreign affairs, seemed to have little grasp of the proposed financial industry bailout and even appeared to endorse Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's position on chasing al-Qaida terrorists in Pakistan.
Palin's performance against Biden, the Delaware Democrat with 35 years in the Senate, could restore her initial luster or seriously weaken the GOP ticket.
Last week's Obama-McCain debate appeared to give the Illinois Democrat a small boost in the polls but produced no knock-out blows. So the vice-presidential debate at Washington University in St. Louis could be a pivotal moment in a race already filled with surprising twists.
On TV
WHAT: Vice presidential debate
WHEN: 9 tonight.
MODERATOR: Gwen Ifill of PBS
Palin herself outlined the contest in an interview broadcast Tuesday night on the "CBS Evening News."
"He's got a tremendous amount of experience and, you know, I'm the new energy, the new face, the new ideas and he's got the experience based on many, many years in the Senate and voters are going to have a choice there of what it is that they want in these next four years," Palin said.
Palin left the campaign trail Monday to prepare at McCain's ranch in Sedona, Ariz. She is being coached by McCain's top campaign strategist, Steve Schmidt, as well as advisers Tucker Eskew, Nicolle Wallace and Mark Wallace, all veterans of President Bush's political operation.
Biden was prepping at home in Wilmington, Del. On hand to help were top Obama campaign strategists David Axelrod, Anita Dunn and Ron Klain, who helped coach Vice President Al Gore in 2000.
A veteran debater after his Senate experience and his own two short-lived presidential campaigns, Biden has his own set of challenges.
His first presidential bid in 1987 ended after he appropriated the life story of British politician Neil Kinnock during a Democratic primary debate in Iowa.
Even now, his off-the-cuff speaking style still produces verbal blunders, like when he mused aloud recently that Hillary Rodham Clinton might have made a better running mate for Obama.
And his reputation as a windy orator will be tested by the tight debate format, which allows 90-second answers and two-minute follow-ups.
In addition, Biden will be debating a female candidate who has excited many women and elicited sympathy for some attacks perceived as sexist. If Biden comes on too strong or is condescending, he could be viewed as bullying or disrespectful.
Biden spokesman David Wade expressed confidence.
"Joe Biden debated Senator Clinton 12 times in the presidential race and those debates were substantive and hard-hitting, and he debates strong women in the United States Senate," Wade said.
Biden has spoken to Clinton and California Sen. Barbara Boxer for advice on how best to debate a woman. And Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm was portraying Palin in his practice debates.
"Biden's advisers have to keep beating into his head that his normal style ... can be offensive," GOP strategist Ed Rollins said.
"He has a tendency, like a lot of senators, to talk down to people. And that's a danger for him because there are an awful lot of women out there who relate to Palin."
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Comments
Tammie (anonymous) says...
My mind still hasn't been fully made up so this is another debate I will be watching.
Hey, I have a question for y'all...hypothetically speaking, if my bebeh comes early, can I vote absentee and if so, how? I figure one of you nerds out there know. (Lol, that was not an insult)
October 2, 2008 at 7:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jk_newhard (anonymous) says...
Here is the link to absentee voting guidelines.
http://www.state.sc.us/scsec/absent.htm
October 2, 2008 at 8:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tulane75 (anonymous) says...
I have figured out why our country is in such a mess. Whenever I say something about Sarah Palin's qualifications, the response is always that the other side is no better. I have concerns about the other side as well. How is that responsive to my question though? Admittedly, I may be putting too much emphasis on qualifications, intellect and general competence. We elected George Bush twice, which convinces me that competence and intellect are simply not issues or at least not important.
Nevertheless, the parties are more concerned with beating one another than they are with competence. Even if you give George Bush a pass on 9-11, the war and the economy... Wait, what else is there? Being in "lock-step" with either political party is not good for our country.
Sarah Palin is qualified for foreign policy because she can see Russia. Someone in the Chicago Tribune posted, "I can see the moon from my backyard. I am qualified to be an astronaut!"
What a disaster, no matter which candidate wins the presidency!
October 2, 2008 at 8:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCdeacinNYC (anonymous) says...
As long as Sarah Palin walks up to the podium and is able to speak a few complete, coherent sentences, it will be deemed a win and an amazing performance for her by the spin machines. Her media image has been badly damaged by the ridiculous interviews she's given where it's been clear she is unable of putting together a complete sentence or thought without adding in a few campaign talking points in there. Just horrible. Biden is full of gaffes too, no doubt. The FDR thing was yet another classic and it's annoying how he can get so long-winded, but no one is questioning his ability to grasp issues.
Much has been made about whether Palin is prepared, the truth is many people are right, she is only the VP candidate, not top of the ticket. However, what does it say about McCain's judgment that he picks someone that immediately after a national interview, (one of three? so far) the entire campaign goes into damage control.
October 2, 2008 at 9:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tammie (anonymous) says...
Much appreciated JK. Thanks!
October 2, 2008 at 9:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JDHawg (anonymous) says...
Have Your Voice Heard
You should be polite and professional, but let the Commission on Presidential Debates know that having Gwen Ifill moderate the debate tomorrow night is unacceptable.
Email: jb@debates.org (Janet H. Brown, Exec. Director of Debates Commission)
Office: 202-872-1020
Fax: 202-783-5923
The reason why Gwen Ifill should be removed. Michelle Malkin's article
October 2, 2008 at 10:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JDHawg (anonymous) says...
My first syndicated column of the week, filed this afternoon, shines light on PBS anchor Gwen Ifill, who will moderate Thursday's only vice presidential debate. Try as she might to deflect questions about her impartiality, her biases - and her conflict of interest - are clear. But don't you dare breathe a word about any of this. You know what will happen if you do:
RACIST!
Sidenote: TVNewser reports that Ifill has broken her ankle, but she's still going to do the debate. But will she disclose her conflict of interest? Inquiring minds want to know.
Ask the Commission on Presidential Debates if she will acknowledge her conflict of interest: 202-872-1020.
And here's the e-mail address of Janet H. Brown, Executive Director of the Debates Commission: jb@debates.org
Hopefully, their email system works better than the House.
Tons of readers recommend that Sarah Palin open her debate remarks by congratulating Ifill on her book and asking her to tell everyone the title.
***
A debate "moderator" in the tank for Obama
by Michelle Malkin
Creators Syndicate
Copyright 2008
My dictionary defines "moderator" as "the nonpartisan presiding officer of a town meeting." On Thursday, PBS anchor Gwen Ifill will serve as moderator for the first and only vice presidential debate. The stakes are high. The Commission on Presidential Debates, with the assent of the two campaigns, decided not to impose any guidelines on her duties or questions.
But there is nothing "moderate" about where Ifill stands on Barack Obama. She's so far in the tank for the Democrat presidential candidate, her oxygen delivery line is running out.
In an imaginary world where liberal journalists are held to the same standards as everyone else, Ifill would be required to make a full disclosure at the start of the debate. She would be required to turn to the cameras and tell the national audience that she has a book coming out on January 20, 2009 a date that just happens to coincide with the inauguration of the next president of the United States.
The title of Ifill's book? "Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama." Nonpartisan my foot.
Ifill's publisher, Random House, is already busy hyping the book with YouTube clips of Ifill heaping praise on her subjects, including Obama and Obama-endorsing Mass. Governor Deval Patrick. The official promo for the book gushes:
October 2, 2008 at 10:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coolfreaknbeans (anonymous) says...
I find this article a little biased.Did anyone else notice that Bidens long list of blunders were not mentioned.When Clinton said she was under sniper fire,the media tore her up.Biden said he was "being shot at" and claimed that they had to land a chopper he was on because of gunfire and it landed because of the WEATHER!You dont hear crap about that!Biden is a loose lipped,arrogant fool.He had said previously that it was impressive that O'Bama was a clean,articulate,lean black man.Are you kidding me?How much of a bigot does that make him sound?That guy is loose cannon with a big mouth.
October 2, 2008 at 10:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCdeacinNYC (anonymous) says...
I can't believe people are calling Gwenn Ifill biased because of her book. She is writing a book about how race and politics have changed since the nomination of Obama. It's an excellent idea for a book, and she won't be the only person writing about it. Seriously give me a break here, this just seems to be another pre-emptive tactic by the Palinites to place blame even before she gets a chance to blunder.
I guess the new tactic is to say the moderator doesn't play "fair" when your person loses. I doubt she's going to ask Biden "What's his favorite color?" and then ask Sarah Palin "Where Israel is on a map?". Per every debate there will be general questions and we will get to see where the candidates stand.
JDHawg, nice Michelle Malkin quote, why dont' you just come out and quote Ann Coulter while you are at it. She is a nutcase and nothing she says is legitimate.
October 2, 2008 at 10:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Larz13 (anonymous) says...
Pretty much everyone at PBS is in the tank for the Dems. I suppose that it would be worse if Moyers was the moderator.
October 2, 2008 at 10:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JDHawg (anonymous) says...
scdecin if the role were reversed you would be jumping up and down too!
October 2, 2008 at 10:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tulane75 (anonymous) says...
I agree with JDHawg's "brilliant" logic that Blacks are inherently biased. Just get somebody who looks like JD and be done with it! Oh Brother!
October 2, 2008 at 11:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCdeacinNYC (anonymous) says...
If a moderator had written a book about McCain, noticed I say "about" McCain and not a "pro-McCain book.", I would honestly not care. I would be curious as to what the book focused on. There are many books written about politicians, but if they aren't written by them, they are usually "anti-" the politician or more of an analysis of the politician and their life, beliefs, et cetera. The book is not about Obama, its about how race and politics have changed with the nomination of Obama, which is a very fascinating subject to cover. But sadly JDwhatever, I'm going to have to lump you in with the Jane "cut and paste" crowd..."cut and paste" things that you've read that are better written than your own beliefs and than acclimate to whatever these pundits say. Two words: Do better.
October 2, 2008 at 11:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCdeacinNYC (anonymous) says...
The election, as it's played out on this board, has been mostly anti-Obama (not even pro-McCain). But there is something to say about being objective even when you are blindly against/for someone. I am voting for Obama, I've made no secret of that, but there are many things that I disagree with him on. I still however think he is the better candidate compared to McCain.
I will call BS on any person on this board that is love with Sarah Palin that will not admit that she is proven to be less than intelligent on more than a few occasions in the past few weeks. She didn't merely commit "gaffes", shes mostly been unable to form a coherent or intelligent sentence about anything relevant. She may very well prove herself tonight, but if you are a human being with a brain, her answers and disturbing lack of knowledge should be alarming to you. If not, you are as much of a drone as most people on this board are.
October 2, 2008 at 11:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coolfreaknbeans (anonymous) says...
OK ScdeacinNYC.O'Bama didn't know how many states were in the US.I think he said he'd been to 57 states and had one or two more to go.So,is O'Bama "less than intelligent" or did he commit a "gaffe"?I can't stand O'Bama.But I can admit that that was a gaffe.Every single person on both sides of the ticket have said/done some really stupid things or made gaffes.
October 2, 2008 at 12:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
guidedbystewart (anonymous) says...
The Republicans are starting to realize how much of a liability Caribou Barbie actually is! I am sure McCain is really starting to second guess his choice for VP. Have you guys seen some of her interviews? And this women is a heartbeat away from president! These debates will bring this fact more to the forefront!
October 2, 2008 at 12:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
SCdeacinNYC (anonymous) says...
cool, there's a difference between a "gaffe" which politicians make ALL the time, they are giving plenty of interviews and doing LOTS of talking (well some of them are...) and plain ole stupidity.
McCain has made gaffes and so have Obama and Biden. Palin hasn't made gaffes..she's made stupid statements and remarks that prove not that she's a gaffe machine, but that she lacks a clear and intelligent understanding of what's going on in the world. McCain has a world view that I disagree with, but at least he can put together sentences on what's going on in the world, Sarah Palin, his VP choice lacks some serious coherence and understanding which makes me doubt his judgment. Why would you chose someone who continues to defend, as you do, her foreign policy credentials as being based in the fact that she can see Russia, and defended it in with a sentence that really made no sense. I can barely discern an opinion from her statements and interviews for me to even disagree with.
October 2, 2008 at 12:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eyfigueroa (anonymous) says...
The sad thing about the Palin pick, is that she could very well be the next President. (not that I would wish ill on McCain, who I think is inehrently a good person).
I revel in the idea of a Minority or a Woman being President. I truly do, but I don't want JUST ANY minority or woman for the job.
Palin is sassy, and easily someone the average 'joe sixpack' can relate to.
I get that.
She's also done some pretty impressive things in her short tenure as governor.
I get that too.
But to just feed into this frenzy over this woman because "anything is better than Obama" is extremely short sighted.
However the future of our nation we should be concerned about, not just party ideology. And Palin just doesn't sit right with me. I'm politically conservative and I want a President with strong moral values who will help to heal this nation and see us through this financially and militarily tumultuous time.
But this Palin pick has me worried. Her performance so far on the national scene has been dismal intellectually and though she can throw out a good sound bite, anyone who ONLY knows about Roe v. Wade in reference to important Supreme Court decisions that have affected America, has me worried.
Hopefully she will do well, even though I'm not fan of what the Republicans have become, I hate for anyone to be embarrassed by the faux pas of their candidate. And I feel that way about Biden as well.
October 2, 2008 at 2:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
whatelseisthere (anonymous) says...
No, I think that was Carter.
October 2, 2008 at 2:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tammie (anonymous) says...
A little humor before some of y'all bust a damn blood vessel...lol
I've compiled a list of Dan Quayle's more famous misquotes that left most of America rolling with laughter. Compared to Quayle, Sarah Palin is a genius:
"If we don't succeed, we run the risk of failure."
"I love California, I practically grew up in Phoenix."
Welcome to President Bush, Mrs. Bush, and my fellow astronauts."
"One word sums up probably the responsibility of any vice president, and that one word is 'to be prepared'."
"Quite frankly, teachers are the only profession that teach our children."
"It isn't pollution that's harming the environment. It's the impurities in our air and water that are doing it."
"What a waste it is to lose one's mind. Or not to have a mind is being very wasteful. How true that is."
"Mars is essentially in the same orbit: Mars is somewhat the same distance from the Sun, which is very important. We have seen pictures where there are canals, we believe, and water. If there is water, that means there is oxygen. If there is oxygen, that means we can breathe."
"I believe we are on an irreversible trend toward more freedom and democracy - but that could change."
"May our nation continue to be the beakon of hope to the world." The Quayles' 1989 Christmas card.
"I have made good judgments in the Past. I have made good judgments in the future."
"A low voter turnout is an indication of fewer people going to the polls."
"When I have been asked during these last weeks who caused the riots and the killing in L.A., my answer has been direct and simple: Who is to blame for the riots? The rioters are to blame. Who is to blame for the killings? The killers are to blame."
"We are ready for any unforeseen event that may or may not occur."
"I am not part of the problem. I am a Republican."
"The American people would not want to know of any misquotes that Dan Quayle may or may not make."
"I stand by all the misstatements that I've made."
Source: www.sandrarose.com
October 2, 2008 at 3:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tammie (anonymous) says...
Lmao @ DTMB!
October 2, 2008 at 3:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jbgooch (anonymous) says...
I am not a big fan of John McCain. I want to make that clear. I was going to vote for the Libertarian or the Constitutional Party candidate. Then McCain pulled a quick one. He added Sarah Palin to the ticket!
I adore this woman! She is exactly the type of American patriot I want to represent me in Washington DC. I will cover this woman's back anytime day or night. My admiration for her courage and motivations for getting involved in politics is boundless. She has received a lot of unfair criticism from Liberals and Conservatives alike; those who are critical of her are just plain scared of her because she represents ME...and that should make them scared because I am angry as hell!
She has my support 100% and if this country is too stupid to see the truth about a future with Obama, I hope she will continue her struggle to return our country to the citizens. OUR COUNTRY NEEDS HER! I wish John McCain would take some lessons from her.
Incidentally, the debate last night had no effect on my sentiments for her, other than reinforce what I already knew. I've read everything about her I can find, and SHE is the one I want leading the GOP.
BTW, if she is ever in Charleston SC, I would love to share a moose burger with her!
October 3, 2008 at 1:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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