# How will, or should, Obama-Biden answer the Palin buzz? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [September 8, 2008, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-or-should-obama-biden-answer-the-palin-buzz/462555 "2008-09-08T01:37:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2008, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-or-should-obama-biden-answer-the-palin-buzz/462555/41 "2008-09-08T15:42:30Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > The USA Today poll is a joke. I am assuming you find the other polls [equally risible](http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/us/general_election_mccain_vs_obama-225.html). Although you are correct - the only purpose of polls come Election Day is to give liberals an excuse to whine about election fraud. Regards, Shodan ---
**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:** [September 8, 2008, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-or-should-obama-biden-answer-the-palin-buzz/462555/42 "2008-09-08T15:51:17Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > “And yet”, despite your assertion that you were too well-organized to be overtaken, it has happened already. And yet, polls don’t vote, people do. And Republican’s haven’t overtaken Obama and the Democrats in the only “poll” that matters – people who actually _vote_, not people who answer national polls. We are TROMPING you in sheer numbers and you guys are playing CATCH UP. > [@Shodan](#): > > Heavens yes, the news that McCain has moved into the lead in the polls, and is leading by 10% among likely voters, terrifies and upsets me. Why, if things continue as they are now, we may have to deal with the horrifying prospect of actually winning the election! :eek: When McCain and the Republicans move into the lead in voter registration and in their GOTV campaigns, you’ll have a point. But you don’t. Keep hoping and dreaming, though. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2008, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-or-should-obama-biden-answer-the-palin-buzz/462555/43 "2008-09-08T15:53:33Z")
> [@Sinaijon](#): > > Obama’s sure did! 😛 Everybody’s does. It’s always like that every 4 years. I’ve never seen any candidate retain a convention bounce for more than a few days. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2008, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-or-should-obama-biden-answer-the-palin-buzz/462555/44 "2008-09-08T15:56:44Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > I am assuming you find the other polls [url=[2008 General Election: McCain vs. Obama | RealClearPolling](http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/us/general_election_mccain_vs_obama-225.html)]equally risible . The polls showing a temporary tie are more accurate than anything showing McCain with a significant lead, but they’ll go back to normal in a day or two. > [@](#): > > Although you are correct - the only purpose of polls come Election Day is to give liberals an excuse to whine about election fraud. Are we supposed to be _happy_ about election fraud? Quit stealing elections and we’ll quit calling you on it. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2008, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-or-should-obama-biden-answer-the-palin-buzz/462555/45 "2008-09-08T15:59:01Z")
> [@](#): > > Quit stealing elections and we’ll quit calling you on it. This never happened. > [@Shayna](#): > > And yet, polls don’t vote, people do. And Republican’s haven’t overtaken Obama and the Democrats in the only “poll” that matters – people who actually _vote_, not people who answer national polls. Oopsie, wrong again! > [@](#): > > A USA Today/Gallup poll that surveyed 1,022 likely voters Friday through Sunday shows McCain leading Obama by 10 points, 54%-44%. [Cite-a-roonie](http://www.mlive.com/elections/index.ssf/2008/09/convention_gives_mccain_big_bu.html). Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2008, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-or-should-obama-biden-answer-the-palin-buzz/462555/46 "2008-09-08T16:01:45Z")
As I said, the USA Today poll is a joke. I think you’d do better emotionally not to get your hopes up so much. They’re only going to get crushed. Good is going to win this time. ---
**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:** [September 8, 2008, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-or-should-obama-biden-answer-the-palin-buzz/462555/47 "2008-09-08T16:07:28Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Oopsie, wrong again ![Cite-a-roonie](http://www.mlive.com/elections/index.ssf/2008/09/convention_gives_mccain_big_bu.html). Again with the national polls. You want I should explain to you how presidential elections work in the United States? ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2008, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-or-should-obama-biden-answer-the-palin-buzz/462555/48 "2008-09-08T16:10:28Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > The USA Today poll is a joke. > > The organization is going to beat you on election day, not at the polls. You seem very certain. Would give give me 3 to 1 odds? I’ll plunk down $100 against your $300; I win if McCain wins, you win if Obama wins. I plan to make similar bets against McCain supporters. In fact, here and now I’ll offer Shodan the same bet, but reversed; I take Obama, he takes McCain. You’re all so darned sure, you shouldn’t have any problem giving me the odds. [QUOTE=Shayna] Again with the national polls. You want I should explain to you how presidential elections work in the United States? [/QUOTE] Of course, the guy who wins the nationwide popular vote USUALLY wins the electoral vote, and the only recent exception involved some serious-ass monkey business. Perhaps you’d like to make a bet as well. I bet you $50 the winner of the popular vote wins the election. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2008, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-or-should-obama-biden-answer-the-palin-buzz/462555/49 "2008-09-08T16:17:33Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > You seem very certain. Would give give me 3 to 1 odds? I’ll plunk down $100 against your $300; I win if McCain wins, you win if Obama wins. > > I plan to make similar bets against McCain supporters. You’re all so darned sure, you shouldn’t have any problem giving me odds. I’m not a fucking idiot. I’m well aware that a.) the Republicans cheat in elections and b.) American voters are idiots and will break my heart every time. So no, I’m not so darned sure, just a little more optimistic than I’ve been since the Clinton years. A part of me still fully expects the American electorate to be just as stupid and gullible and self-destructive as it’s always been. Hate-mongering and tribalism works. It’s very hard for vision and hope to overcome that. I’m putting a measure of faith in the basic goodness of the American people that could very well be misplaced. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2008, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-or-should-obama-biden-answer-the-palin-buzz/462555/50 "2008-09-08T16:23:34Z")
I think attacking her at all is counter productive. When Bidden debates her all he has to do is talk about the issues and his experience dealing with issues similar. Palin can try to do the same if she likes, but the difference will be pretty clear to anyone with any semblance of objectivity. But seriously, those glowing about her now would have sung the praises of Sloth from Goonie’s if he’d been put on the ticket with McCain. Anyone half awake during the past 2 elections must have gotten use to the Republican playbook first laid down by a man that Godwin hath decreed shall not be named: -What good fortune for governments that the people do not think. -Through clever and constant application of propaganda, people can be made to see paradise as hell, and also the other way round, to consider the most wretched sort of life as paradise. -The great mass of people will more easily fall victim to a big lie than to a small one. -Make the lie big, make it simple, keep saying it, and eventually they will believe it. -It is always more difficult to fight against faith than against knowledge. -I use emotion for the many and reserve reason for the few. -The victor will never be asked if he told the truth. ---
**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:** [September 8, 2008, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-or-should-obama-biden-answer-the-palin-buzz/462555/51 "2008-09-08T16:26:28Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > You seem very certain. Would give give me 3 to 1 odds? I’ll plunk down $100 against your $300; I win if McCain wins, you win if Obama wins. > > I plan to make similar bets against McCain supporters. In fact, here and now I’ll offer Shodan the same bet, but reversed; I take Obama, he takes McCain. You’re all so darned sure, you shouldn’t have any problem giving me the odds. > Of course, the guy who wins the nationwide popular vote USUALLY wins the electoral vote, and the only recent exception involved some serious-ass monkey business. > > Perhaps you’d like to make a bet as well. I bet you $50 the winner of the popular vote wins the election. What is it with you Republicans and your demands to put money up as an effort to bolster your argument? That’s not a debate tactic, it’s an ego booster. Not to mention, you’re still wrong about the relationship between **national polls** and election results. You want I should explain the presidential election process to you, too? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2008, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-or-should-obama-biden-answer-the-palin-buzz/462555/52 "2008-09-08T16:38:53Z")
Its a values thingy. I’ve tried to explain to my tighty righty relations that there are things I value more than cash, and their faces look like somebody just tied their frontal lobes into a knot. Sometimes they just say “May Galt forgive you!”, make the sign of the Dollar Almighty, and back away slowly. Kinda fun, actually… ---
**Author:** ![JHE1967](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3bc359/32.png) [@JHE1967](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JHE1967)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2008, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-or-should-obama-biden-answer-the-palin-buzz/462555/53 "2008-09-08T16:42:34Z")
I think the Obama campaign should take a step back and wait for now. At the rate unflattering info about Palin is surfacing I don’t think they should do anything just yet. Give Palin a little more time to dig her own grave and then let Biden destroy her in the debate. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2008, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-or-should-obama-biden-answer-the-palin-buzz/462555/54 "2008-09-08T16:45:25Z")
I used to get that all the time when I would try to explain why I did so much volunteer work. They thought that if I wasn’t doing it for money, it must be a religious thing. When I’d tell them I had no religious beliefs and that I was expecting absolutely no reward at all, either monetary or Heavenly, they’d look at me like I had six dicks. ---
**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:** [September 8, 2008, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-or-should-obama-biden-answer-the-palin-buzz/462555/55 "2008-09-08T16:58:17Z")
> [@TWDuke](#): > > It would rightly be mocked as transparent pandering, it would yield at least one ridiculous photo on par with Dukakis in the tank (or even worse, out-of-context picture of black man aiming a semiautomatic), and the idea that he had some kind of epiphany or meaningful insight after two hours at the shooting range would be derided as shallow and phony. Hey, it worked for my mom. It took a surprise drive down to the range, a free set of lessons, and a very understanding instructor, but she discovered she loved the hell out of it. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2008, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-or-should-obama-biden-answer-the-palin-buzz/462555/56 "2008-09-08T16:59:44Z")
> [@Shayna](#): > > What is it with you Republicans and your demands to put money up as an effort to bolster your argument? That’s not a debate tactic, it’s an ego booster. Well, putting money up is a way to test the sincerity of a statement. It’s easy to make claims when you don’t lose anything if you’re wrong. If you risk losing something by being incorrect, you’re going to be more careful with your statements. In other words, if I’m really certain that Obama/McCain is going to win the election, I have nothing to lose by betting money that he will. But if I’m not convinced he will, I’m going to be more reluctant to risk the money. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2008, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-or-should-obama-biden-answer-the-palin-buzz/462555/57 "2008-09-08T17:09:48Z")
> [@E-Sabbath](#): > > Hey, it worked for my mom. It took a surprise drive down to the range, a free set of lessons, and a very understanding instructor, but she discovered she loved the hell out of it. Hell, I like shooting off guns too, get us a couple six packs, a .22 long and I’m there! Just don’t want to shoot anything that might rather I didn’t, is all. ---
**Author:** ![Key\_Lime\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/48db29/32.png) [@Key\_Lime\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Key_Lime_Guy)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2008, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-or-should-obama-biden-answer-the-palin-buzz/462555/58 "2008-09-08T17:17:20Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > The USA Today poll is a joke. Isn’t it called the “USA Today-Gallup poll”? Weren’t you breathlessly waiting to post the Gallup dailies every day during the DNC? ---
**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:** [September 8, 2008, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-or-should-obama-biden-answer-the-palin-buzz/462555/59 "2008-09-08T17:18:36Z")
> [@Captain\_Amazing](#): > > Well, putting money up is a way to test the sincerity of a statement. It’s easy to make claims when you don’t lose anything if you’re wrong. If you risk losing something by being incorrect, you’re going to be more careful with your statements. > > In other words, if I’m really certain that Obama/McCain is going to win the election, I have nothing to lose by betting money that he will. But if I’m not convinced he will, I’m going to be more reluctant to risk the money. That’s an utterly absurd barometer. I don’t _owe_ you any financial reward as a measure of my certainty. What’s at risk here is far more serious and important than $50 – it’s the future of my damn country! You trivialize that when you play one-upsmanship games of who’s more willing to back up their posts with money. I’ll tell you how I’m putting my money where my mouth is, **by donating thousands of dollars to the Barack Obama for President campaign**. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2008, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-or-should-obama-biden-answer-the-palin-buzz/462555/60 "2008-09-08T17:21:09Z")
> [@Key\_Lime\_Guy](#): > > Isn’t it called the “USA Today-Gallup poll”? > > Weren’t you breathlessly waiting to post the Gallup dailies every day during the DNC? That’s the Daily Gallup tracking poll. Different poll. It’s a little more consistent. The USA poll fluxuates more wildly. Enjoy your tiny, little, temporary lead while you’ve got it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-or-should-obama-biden-answer-the-palin-buzz/462555.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-or-should-obama-biden-answer-the-palin-buzz/462555.md?page=4)