# 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:** 7
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2008, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-v-palin-debate-oct-2/464965/121 "2008-09-28T23:21:25Z")
Nonsense. The whole Palin bounce derived from her freshness on the scene–meaning that almost anyone else McCain would have chosen would have been more of a known quantity–someone with a real record of governance, someone with a real history of positions on national issues, someone who had been interviewed on national TV a couple of times over the last few decades. With Palin, we got none of this, and you were spewing jism down your legs at how exciting she was. The downside of that, aside from the mess of cleaning your pants off, was that she had to --absolutely HAD TO–cram in twenty or thirty nationwide media interviews, give major policy speeches, debate a seasoned politician, all in the next 60-odd days. At first, you Pubbies were all “Piece of cake, she’s going to do fine, you guys are cooked moose, ha ha ha!” But she’s letting you down big-time. She can’t handle even a pool reporter’s indepth questioning on how it felt to say howdy to some turbaned dude who can’t hardly speak English, and she’s toast under the scrutiny of a major Eastern elite news-hawk like Katie Couric, queen of puffery. Who created this problem? That would be John McCain, so please don’t blame anyone else that she is being forced to undergo this intense scrutiny, or else face ridicule for running away from it. He knew this when he oh-so-carefully vetted her, and all he can do now (with your help) is blame this major fuckup on the media, the Democrats, the boogey-man, the leprechauns, etc… ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2008, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-v-palin-debate-oct-2/464965/122 "2008-09-28T23:30:10Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > Just thought of something else–for me, this pick proves McCain’s egotism. He really didn’t think about his health or the future, did he. Obama picked someone who could govern if he is killed (sadly, a likely scenario for him). LIKELY? Jesus Christ, the man isn’t suicidal. Do you really think it’s **likely** he’d be assassinated? ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_Stream](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c2a13f/32.png) [@Carol\_Stream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_Stream)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-v-palin-debate-oct-2/464965/123 "2008-09-29T00:16:57Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > The Press also has not invented her social extremism, her ethical problems, her compulsive lying or **her fringe associations with anti-American separationist groups and lunatic preachers.** And here I thought this thread was about Mrs. Palin, not Barry the Annointed One. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-v-palin-debate-oct-2/464965/124 "2008-09-29T00:21:36Z")
> [@Carol\_Stream](#): > > And here I thought this thread was about Mrs. Palin, not Barry the Annointed One. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ZwvPNXYrIyI/hqdefault.jpg "Sarah Palin and the Alaska Independence Party. Palin addresses AIP convention") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwvPNXYrIyI) [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/GnebvWc8Nx8/hqdefault.jpg "Muthee Prays for Palin") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnebvWc8Nx8) ---
**Author:** ![Frostillicus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Frostillicus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frostillicus)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-v-palin-debate-oct-2/464965/125 "2008-09-29T02:24:09Z")
I think that the bar has now been set sooooooo low for Caribou Barbie that if she manages to put together a few coherent sentences at the debate, it will be spun as a great victory for her. People will be expecting ineptness on the level of the Couric interview. Ineptness that incredibly inept doesn’t happen every day. ---
**Author:** ![BlueOhio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/439d5e/32.png) [@BlueOhio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlueOhio)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-v-palin-debate-oct-2/464965/126 "2008-09-29T02:43:46Z")
> [@Frostillicus](#): > > I think that the bar has now been set sooooooo low for Caribou Barbie that if she manages to put together a few coherent sentences at the debate, it will be spun as a great victory for her. People will be expecting ineptness on the level of the Couric interview. Ineptness that incredibly inept doesn’t happen every day. I think the bar has been set just below “crying jag” and just above “soiling herself”. A classic trap for Biden. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-v-palin-debate-oct-2/464965/127 "2008-09-29T02:58:25Z")
Biden has to ignore her as much as possible and just answer the questions put to him. Any interchange with her creates the risk of him looking patronizing. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-v-palin-debate-oct-2/464965/128 "2008-09-29T03:28:45Z")
> [@jtgain](#): > > You can’t tell me that since day one, the members of the media haven’t been tripping all over each other to interview Palin and ask her THE question that she will give a stupid answer to that will go down in history. > > And, so, like Couric, they are devising complex and little known questions that need to be answered on the spot, immediately. > > I mean, we all know that she is a small time Alaskan politician who may or may not be ready to be President. She has no experience in the national media. Is a determining factor of her ability to be President an immediate knowledge and recitation of obscure facts about John McCain’s voting history? > > I follow politics almost daily. I couldn’t tell you what Senator voted what on which regulation. If I was running with Obama, and he said that he had a history of supporting midgets eating corn on the cob, then I would take him at his word. If a reporter asked me to cite a bill that Obama has sponsored about corn eating midgets, then I wouldn’t know, care, or have asked him. Does that make me an idiot? > > How many thousands of bills has McCain voted on? Should Palin know all of them? > > I know all politicians face tough questions, but Palin is in the bullseye. I’m not crying for her, but I can also understand her shying away from the media. Little over 30 days left. She has no time to hide. If she wants the job she should earn it. She has failed miserably in her few interviews so far. I do not feel she is being picked on. The press is trying to trap everyone. That is what they do. You have the option of saying that is a dumb question ,and I am not going into that. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-v-palin-debate-oct-2/464965/129 "2008-09-29T03:29:00Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Biden has to ignore her as much as possible and just answer the questions put to him. Any interchange with her creates the risk of him looking patronizing. But it also runs the risk of the reaction that the first Obama-McCain debate had, which was that Obama scored some points because he DID engage with McCain, albeit just a little, whereas McCain seemed to avoid engaging with Obama. It doesn’t seem to play well with people; allegedly, avoiding eye contact is a submissive gesture, or some such thing. ---
**Author:** ![waterj2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/858c86/32.png) [@waterj2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/waterj2)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-v-palin-debate-oct-2/464965/130 "2008-09-29T03:42:23Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Biden has to ignore her as much as possible and just answer the questions put to him. Any interchange with her creates the risk of him looking patronizing. I’d say he does have a good bit of leeway with attacking McCain, and letting Palin try to defend his positions. I’d certainly expect that Biden is far more knowledgeable about McCain’s positions and record than Palin is. If he sticks to attacking the McCain campaign’s positions and Palin is anywhere near as bad as she has been in interviews at being able to even articulate what they are, I’d say he can win handily. The biggest tightrope for him to walk is to provide enough nuance in his answers to demonstrate superior knowledge of the issues, while being able to simultaneously sum his positions up in decent sound bites. If he concentrates too much on thoughtful discussion of the issues, Palin just just dodges the questions with non-answers and folksy charm. Biden needs to disarm her on the relating-to-the-average-Joe front in order for be able to define her as a lightweight. I’ve got no doubt that he and the campaign staff have studied the footage of the Alaskan gubernatorial debates, and have a good idea of Palin’s strengths and weaknesses. ---
**Author:** ![vison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/e47774/32.png) [@vison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vison)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-v-palin-debate-oct-2/464965/131 "2008-09-29T04:01:30Z")
From reading this thread I have arriven at the following no doubt staggeringly obvious conclusions: If Mrs. Palin is dreadfully inept and incoherent, she will most certainly damage McCain’s campaign. If she does pretty well, the people who already like her will keep on liking her and maybe a few undecideds will decide to go with McCain. It seems as though it really isn’t going to matter very much, as far as the election goes. But the entertainment factor, or the anticipation of entertainment, is nearly overpowering. I won’t be able to see it live, sux for me. \* Schadenfreude\*. That’s what it is. The anticipation of some lovely, sinfully enjoyable schadenfreude. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-v-palin-debate-oct-2/464965/132 "2008-09-29T04:03:06Z")
A 19th-century entrepreneur made a killing by selling tickets to a staged train wreck. This appeals to the same instinct. ---
**Author:** ![vison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/e47774/32.png) [@vison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vison)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-v-palin-debate-oct-2/464965/133 "2008-09-29T04:23:23Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > A 19th-century entrepreneur made a killing by selling tickets to a staged train wreck. > > This appeals to the same instinct. Oh, jeez. Now I feel all guilty and stuff. . . . Nah. I don’t. I just wish I was going to be able to watch it all. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-v-palin-debate-oct-2/464965/134 "2008-09-29T07:46:03Z")
Palin has been armed with a series of one-liners that would make both Leno and Letterman envious. She will have a pat answer for every question, whether she even understands the question or not. She will have a perky, can-do attitude and do her best to come across as fresh instead of naive. She might even do a “flirt” moment with Biden to throw him off his game. In other words, she will be able to do what Republicans do best - deflect issues and make the entire debate a matter of perception instead of content. Biden: Yes, the (fill in blank of sect) is certainly a threat to (fill in region), but more importantly, the (fill in blank of other sect) is making inroads to the political process and might convince (fill in name of leader) to side with (fill in name other political leader.) Moderator: Thank you Senator Biden. Governor Palin, your comments? Palin: Well, as we say in Alaska, you can’t build an igloo if you ain’t got snow, and that sounds like a snow job to me! Senator McCain has a solid plan to put these sects in order, and his policy is sound! Senator Obama has probably never even met these leaders, or has he Senator Biden? (Perky, spunky, fresh and a zinger…Palin wins by not even answering the question.) ---
**Author:** ![leander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bcef8e/32.png) [@leander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leander)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 10:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-v-palin-debate-oct-2/464965/135 "2008-09-29T10:15:38Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > There’s not going to be that much attention paid to this and very few people will watch. This is a very good article about why you’re probably off base here. [http://www.variety.com/VR1117992965.html](http://www.variety.com/VR1117992965.html) ---
**Author:** ![Harborwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Harborwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harborwolf)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-v-palin-debate-oct-2/464965/136 "2008-09-29T11:07:59Z")
> [@DMark](#): > > Palin has been armed with a series of one-liners that would make both Leno and Letterman envious. She will have a pat answer for every question, whether she even understands the question or not. She will have a perky, can-do attitude and do her best to come across as fresh instead of naive. She might even do a “flirt” moment with Biden to throw him off his game. In other words, she will be able to do what Republicans do best - deflect issues and make the entire debate a matter of perception instead of content. > > Biden: Yes, the (fill in blank of sect) is certainly a threat to (fill in region), but more importantly, the (fill in blank of other sect) is making inroads to the political process and might convince (fill in name of leader) to side with (fill in name other political leader.) > > Moderator: Thank you Senator Biden. Governor Palin, your comments? > > Palin: Well, as we say in Alaska, you can’t build an igloo if you ain’t got snow, and that sounds like a snow job to me! Senator McCain has a solid plan to put these sects in order, and his policy is sound! Senator Obama has probably never even met these leaders, or has he Senator Biden? > > (Perky, spunky, fresh and a zinger…Palin wins by not even answering the question.) I’m 50/50 on this. That will probably happen a few times overall, but if she gets a question that she hasn’t been briefed on, that will knock her right off the track. Biden would do best during interaction to press her for detailed answers on questions and not look for a zinger. Make her look uninformed and press on it. I’m really looking forward to this. Sarah Palin has the potential to be her own best satire. Biden could let his mouth run away again and sound like a crazy man. It’s gonna be some great television. ---
**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:** [September 29, 2008, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-v-palin-debate-oct-2/464965/137 "2008-09-29T13:36:15Z")
One thing I think Biden probably has to avoid doing is calling Palin by her first name. He should stick to calling her “Governor” or “the Governor.” ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-v-palin-debate-oct-2/464965/138 "2008-09-29T13:44:25Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > LIKELY? Jesus Christ, the man isn’t suicidal. Do you really think it’s **likely** he’d be assassinated? Yes, I do. ☹ I have seen too much racism, up close and personal. I’m talking casual, unthinking racism where other whites just assume that you’re on the same page as they are. I’ve seen it in country clubs, in reformed and unreformed churches, in conservative savings and loans, in nurses who are charged with helping others, in my kids’ schools, next door to me, and my inlaws. :mad: Given that, the rabid, nutters are also out there. Didn’t the Secret Service have to start protecting Obama earlier than a “usual” candidate? I have two worries that can make my stomach turn: 1. That Obama not win this election. 2. That he is assassinated shortly into his term. I don’t worry that Biden will be Preident then, I get sick about what that event would say about America and the consequences of such an act. I’m a worst case scenario kind of girl, though. I most sincerely hope and pray that he serves two terms and sets this country back on track. But I cannot deny the hate that is out there. ☹ I think \*\*DMark \*\*is right. She’ll do her folksy, downhome shit and never give a substantive answer. And Biden must NOT call her Sarah. Ms Palin or Governor or candidate Palin. Sad to say that, but it’s true. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-v-palin-debate-oct-2/464965/139 "2008-09-29T13:45:35Z")
> [@leander](#): > > This is a very good article about why you’re probably off base here. Maybe, then again, maybe not. I know weasel-word writing when I see it: > [@](#): > > The veepstakes has all the action, and this week’s match between Joe Biden and Sarah Palin could make ratings history. > [@](#): > > “The vice presidential debate usually draws the lowest ratings, but this could be the year that changes all that,” > [@](#): > > And when those candidates are a moose-hunting hockey mom and a wonky D.C. insider squaring off in primetime over the most pressing issues of the day, showrunners and scriptwriters can only dream of the ratings likely to come. This is how you write when you have no facts to support your thesis. You cook up a news peg by saying something could happen and get quotes from someone who thinks it might. That doesn’t mean it actually will, of course. I also don’t particularly trust political analysis from Variety. ---
**Author:** ![Burton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Burton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Burton)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2008, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-v-palin-debate-oct-2/464965/140 "2008-09-29T13:47:11Z")
" GOP strategist Todd Harris… I think expectations for Palin will be so low on Thursday that it will be difficult for her not to meet them,” Harris said. “And debate performances are not graded in a vacuum. It’s not just how she does, but also how Biden does and how he acts towards her, that makes for the ultimate grade. She could stumble through the entire evening, but if Biden talks down to her, the debate will be a draw.” That’s really pretty pitiful if that’s what they deem good enough. I don’t think she deserves any kid gloves either. She’s the Governor of Alaska and potentially the POTUS. Biden should walk all over her. Expecting any deference because of her sex or her ignorance is way out of line. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-v-palin-debate-oct-2/464965.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-v-palin-debate-oct-2/464965.md?page=8)