# Biden v. Palin Debate Oct 2. **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [September 24, 2008, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-v-palin-debate-oct-2/464965 "2008-09-24T12:02:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![Burton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Burton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Burton)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2008, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-v-palin-debate-oct-2/464965/181 "2008-10-01T14:43:54Z")
I just don’t understand how this bullying condescending stuff got started. It would It would indeed be bad manners to jump all over some that doesn’t have the intellectual capacity to argue. However, she’s the governor of a State and a potential president of the USA. If it’s already an assumption that she’s not up to a rigorous discussion then why is she there at all? I don’t recall this being an issue between Hilary and Obama. Come to think of it a pit bull with lipstick fits HRC far better than Palin. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2008, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-v-palin-debate-oct-2/464965/182 "2008-10-01T14:45:44Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > Maybe pain will make her cranky and she’ll lay the smackdown on both of them if they weasel. > > “My Vicodin is wearing off, so you answer the question motherfucker or I’ll cut you!” Laughing out loud over here (I can’t bring myself to use LOL). “I said, answer me, man! And you, Missy-wipe that smirk off your face. I’ll get to you in a minute!” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![askeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@askeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/askeptic)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2008, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-v-palin-debate-oct-2/464965/183 "2008-10-01T14:53:15Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > Maybe pain will make her cranky … I thought you misspelled Palin and just now realized you can’t spell Palin without pain… ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2008, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-v-palin-debate-oct-2/464965/184 "2008-10-01T15:07:38Z")
> [@Burton](#): > > However, she’s the governor of a State and a potential president of the USA. If it’s already an assumption that she’s not up to a rigorous discussion then why is she there at all? No kidding. So she can’t handle a tough question from a journalist; what’s she expecting from Hugo Chavez, a foot rub? ---
**Author:** ![Prelude\_to\_Fascination](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a183cd/32.png) [@Prelude\_to\_Fascination](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prelude_to_Fascination)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2008, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-v-palin-debate-oct-2/464965/185 "2008-10-01T15:15:37Z")
[RIGHT][/RIGHT] > [@Cervaise](#): > > No kidding. So she can’t handle a tough question from a journalist; what’s she expecting from Hugo Chavez, a foot rub? Right. Especially the tough, no-holds-barred, take-no-prisoners muck-raking investigative journalist Katie Couric! ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2008, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-v-palin-debate-oct-2/464965/186 "2008-10-01T15:23:29Z")
> [@Prelude\_to\_Fascination](#): > > [RIGHT][/RIGHT] > > Right. Especially the tough, no-holds-barred, take-no-prisoners muck-raking investigative journalist Katie Couric! She’s a jackal of the running pig-dog capitalist press! Oh crap. I think I brought the wrong Talking Points Notecards. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2008, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-v-palin-debate-oct-2/464965/187 "2008-10-01T15:30:20Z")
I don’t know the exact set for this one. Are they using lecterns like the Presidential debate? I read that McCain strongly wanted lecterns for the first debate and wondered why. In previous debates involving Joe Biden, I thought his body language always came off as very free and easy. What does he do when he gets nervous? Is there a tell to watch for? I haven’t watched any footage of Palin during debates. Does she do anything that gives away her mental state? In one of the clips with Katie Couric and John McCain, Palin was leaning toward Couric in a sort of hunched way that made her look like she was wearing the wrong size jacket (the collar was poofing up behind her head). That’s something she needs to pay attention to if they are going to be seated. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2008, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-v-palin-debate-oct-2/464965/188 "2008-10-01T15:50:02Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > I haven’t watched any footage of Palin during debates. Does she do anything that gives away her mental state? In one of the clips with Katie Couric and John McCain, Palin was leaning toward Couric in a sort of hunched way that made her look like she was wearing the wrong size jacket (the collar was poofing up behind her head). That’s something she needs to pay attention to if they are going to be seated. I don’t know about debates, but I noticed that when Palin gets riled or nervous, she gets more “folksy.” Drops the 'g’s at the end of words, says things like “get back with ya!” and uses her hands more, like that finger-waving thing when she was showing Obama checking the “political winds.” And she sounds even more Minnesota-y. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2008, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-v-palin-debate-oct-2/464965/189 "2008-10-01T16:12:24Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > I read that McCain strongly wanted lecterns for the first debate and wondered why. John’s short. A podium can be adjusted to make him look much less short. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2008, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-v-palin-debate-oct-2/464965/190 "2008-10-01T16:13:14Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > . . .like that finger-waving thing when she was showing Obama checking the “political winds.” I remember Tina Fey doing that, but don’t recall seeing Palin do it. Was it in one of the Couric interviews, too? ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2008, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-v-palin-debate-oct-2/464965/191 "2008-10-01T16:19:03Z")
> [@E-Sabbath](#): > > John’s short. A podium can be adjusted to make him look much less short. Was it adjusted? I was looking for it after reading about how many considerations go into the various debate agreements. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2008, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-v-palin-debate-oct-2/464965/192 "2008-10-01T16:24:05Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > … I noticed that when Palin gets riled or nervous, she gets more “folksy.” If I hear her refer to a group of women as “these gals” one more time, I’m going to puke. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2008, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-v-palin-debate-oct-2/464965/193 "2008-10-01T16:44:18Z")
How much will viewership be hurt by the Cubs play-off game beginning at 8:30? Especially among the still undecideds. I gotta think significantly. And how will that affect the effect this debate has on the polls - if any in the first place? ---
**Author:** ![C3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/c3/32/3108_2.png) [@C3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C3)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2008, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-v-palin-debate-oct-2/464965/194 "2008-10-01T16:46:00Z")
> [@Shayna](#): > > I remember Tina Fey doing that, but don’t recall seeing Palin do it. Was it in one of the Couric interviews, too? Yeah, in the one where they’re talking (talkin’?) about the economy and the bailout. [this](http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/09/24/eveningnews/main4476173.shtml) one, at about 2:16. _cringy cringy_ ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2008, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-v-palin-debate-oct-2/464965/195 "2008-10-01T16:58:52Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > How much will viewership be hurt by the Cubs play-off game beginning at 8:30? Especially among the still undecideds. I gotta think significantly. And how will that affect the effect this debate has on the polls - if any in the first place? I think many viewers will be checking in occasionally rather than watching the whole thing. Looking for trainwrecks, essentially. ---
**Author:** ![vison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/e47774/32.png) [@vison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vison)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2008, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-v-palin-debate-oct-2/464965/196 "2008-10-01T16:59:43Z")
> [@E-Sabbath](#): > > John’s short. A podium can be adjusted to make him look much less short. When Mr. Obama went to McCain to shake his hand after the debate, Mr. McCain did not look at Obama’s face, but kept his eyes averted. I suspect that was partly because he would have had to raise his eyes significantly to meet Obama’s eyes. So he stands on a box, to be as tall as Obama. What a jackass. I think they should have to stand side by side so Obama could pat him on the head and say, “Hey, little man, how’s it hangin, eh?” Think of the avenues thus opened. ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2008, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-v-palin-debate-oct-2/464965/197 "2008-10-01T17:00:14Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > How much will viewership be hurt by the Cubs play-off game beginning at 8:30? Especially among the still undecideds. I gotta think significantly. And how will that affect the effect this debate has on the polls - if any in the first place? With this debate I don’t think the viewership will be affected too much. I’m expecting gaffes on both sides, but it will be Biden’s job to really hit her where it counts, meaning stick to the topics she knows nothing about like anything political, and stay away from things she knows a lot about, gutting a moose. Shouldn’t be too hard. We’ll get some great sound bites from it. To be honest, this whole Palin pick is backfiring so bad on the republicans, it will ultimately prove to lose them the election. That an Obama is gaining ground in key battle ground states, and not only gaining ground, but collecting solid sturdy numbers. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2008, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-v-palin-debate-oct-2/464965/198 "2008-10-01T17:01:15Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > I think many viewers will be checking in occasionally rather than watching the whole thing. Looking for trainwrecks, essentially. I assume you mean along the lines of a Cubs choke? (I’ve been in Chicago too long to not almost half expect it.) ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2008, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-v-palin-debate-oct-2/464965/199 "2008-10-01T17:02:19Z")
> [@vison](#): > > I think they should have to stand side by side so Obama could pat him on the head and say, “Hey, little man, how’s it hangin, eh?” :rolleyes: If you watched them walk onto the stage to shake hands before or after the debate, you could see Obama is significantly taller. I did see that the difference didn’t really show up when the split screen was employed, which was a contrast to the Bush-Kerry debates. In those, you could see the camera was definitely closer to Bush. This matters why? ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2008, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-v-palin-debate-oct-2/464965/200 "2008-10-01T17:08:38Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > I assume you mean along the lines of a Cubs choke? > > (I’ve been in Chicago too long to not almost half expect it.) _snerk_ I was talking about the debate, but now that you mention it… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-v-palin-debate-oct-2/464965.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-v-palin-debate-oct-2/464965.md?page=11)