Of course the fellow in question has a long reputation as utter scum, but…
Eh? As an observer from afar, it seems there is a stereotype that certain rubes and those who affect the rube accent are stupid, but not a general stereotype as such (you do have a whiney tendency in these areas mate), although I’d grant on this board your Left colleagues have taken up that argument. Nevertheless it hardly seems to be generalisable (not as a serious argument).
That’s a very good point, gonzo. Depressing as hell, but still. I would like to think that those of a conservative (socially) bent would open their minds enough to consider what [del] the babykiller and rabid socialist Dem VP candidate [/del]Biden has to say. I’m a bit weary of being told I’m elitist and closed minded when it’s these people who are doing the castigating. Pluck that ole mote outta yer eye, mate, and all that.
I said accent upthread; I mean diction. The way she forms her “sentences” and her delivery of them is astounding. I have never heard anyone from Alaska talk this way (ok, I’ve not heard that many people from there, but you know what I mean. Ted Stevens doesn’t talk that way).
ETA: at least for me, I don’t think Reps are stupid. Pigheaded, perhaps, but not stupid. In fact, I can sometimes admire their pigheadedness, until I get fed up.
Question: if we can elect someone we want to have a beer with (surely the worst criteria ever–the fact that it was said about a dry drunk just made it all the more ironic), can we elect someone we would want to “do”? (I’m not asking for me, mind you–she doesn’t not trip my trigger one bit). And what does that say about us, period? (try to leave feminist politics out of it. Imagine Obama as Colin Firth or Denzel Washington etc.)
You may be right. After the Obama-[del]Bush[/del]McCain debate, Biden said he thinks he’ll have little to say directly to Palin, as he will be directing his remarks to the American people.
To me, this kind of accessible rumor screams “sucker punch”. I don’t expect she’s going to suck as bad as the Couric thing, and if Biden waltzes into this feeling he’s already won, well, perhaps her managers are setting us all up for RNC Part Deux.
(I’m one martini deep on a half empty stomach, so make of this what you will…)
There’s no way Biden will be anybody’s sucker. This is not his first rodeo. Moreover, the Obama campaign people are way too smart to take anything for granted. Biden will prep like he’s going to debate Winston Churchill. The Obama campaign will also make sure to talk up Palin’s expectations as much as possible. They know that McCain’s people are going to drill her within an inch of her life. They’re not going to go in counting on Palin blowing herself up. That may happen, but they’re not going to base their gameplan on it.
Then I hope that Biden will look at her and see a gender-neutral debate opponent, knowing this is a critical election, and go for it.
While I don’t doubt Palin is loved by the zealots, how in the heck would this even work, gonzo? Think about what you’re saying:
MODERATOR: Governor Palin, this is for you. How would an administration of Sen. McCain and yourself tackle the issue of funding Social Security with an aging population and significant pressures on the federal budget? Two minutes.
PALIN: Gad will give us ahl the money, you betcha!
MODERATOR: Uh, okay. You still have a minutes and fifty seconds… umm, I’ll ask you another question. What role do you see for the federal government in improving America’s eduational system, which according to a report was ranked 31st among industrialized nations?
PALIN: Uhh, I know Gad’s in dere sommere, but I’ll get that to ya!
Gee, I don’t think that’s going to work at all. You have to think he’ll be pretty disappointed when they don’t ask him any questions about de-Nazification of Germany or what to do about that Gandhi fellow. 
At this point, I think there is no possible way that Biden can “win” this debate, no matter how well he does, due to the expectations factor. I mean, you guys are talking (apparently somewhat seriously) about Palin crying. Come on. That’s how ridiculously low the expectations are for her. There is no doubt in my mind - despite her horrendous appearances so far - that she will exceed those expectations, and *that *will be the story, no matter how many rings Biden runs around her.
I can hear the pundits now: “While she may not have been spot on in regards to details, Sarah Palin stood up well to Biden and showed a scrappy, fighting spirit. Republicans around the country are breathing a sigh of relief that Palin apparently can play with the big boys. And she scored some points with blah blah blah…”
Mark my words…
No matter what happens, this will be Wednesdays headline.
Mark our words…
Well maybe Friday’s headline…:smack:
This does not strike me as an argument. People who are clever and smart fuck up and underestimate all the time. The leaks may subconsciously relax. All too common.
When I read “Wednesday’s headline,” I thought you were spoofing the “McCain wins debate!” add.
I’m surprised this hasn’t already happened. Come on, guys, saying that Biden’s going to wipe the floor with Palin simply isn’t helpful. There’s basically no way he can exceed expectations on that, and it’s relatively easy for her to do so.
I’ve seen Biden doing it already. He’s saying stuff like, “this is going to be tough…she’s really smart…I don’t know if I can do it…” etc. (with tongue ever so impercepibly in cheek, I think).
I’m guessing that Palin will answer questions mostly with pre canned soundbites. Very little substance, but it will play well with her base. Just a guess, but I think its a good one. Unless she is cramming really hard right now.
Remember that we aren’t talking about winning points in a Harvard-style debate. It is all about appealing to the average voter, who, in many cases, is a moron.
If I was advising Sarah Palin, I would have her be a pit bull with lipstick. Attack Biden, Obama, on every question. Even work in a crack about plagarism.
Then make popcorn, grab a beer, and watch Biden either come unhinged, or watch his face contort from faking a smile to concealing a grimace. Then, the Joe I know will start falling all over his dick. Why? Because he is being coached to be nice and polite, and won’t know exactly how to respond.
Then Palin could ask Biden, “Besides all of the times that he did, can you name one time that Sen. Obama has actually told his children that he loved them?”
and then spin his answer into “Obama hates his children” Pull a Katie Couric on him.
How would that be a “Katie Couric?”
Don’t you know? Katie cut all of the intelligent answers Palin gave, and only kept the answers Couric had affected with her dumbifying ray. Geez. You don’t really believe the librul media line that the interview wasn’t mostly CGI, do you?
I didn’t perceive the tongue in cheek stuff. I think he’s serious about her being a formidable opponent. She is only the face: he is really trying to reach those who think she’s the saviour of social conservatives. He has to play to them, not Sarah Palin.
Even if the majority of the viewing public tunes in the Simpson’s instead, the media will replay the highlights of the debate for the next 24 hours. So, at least in that regard, the majority of the public will see the debate.