Does anyone have information or thoughts on the VP debate?

[Gregorian]

From what I can find, there is only one VP debate. Moderated by Gwen Ifill.

I'm concerned that this will be another "debate". And not a real debate. Like we've seen in the past. Or in other words, the fix is in. I mean, I want to see a true debate where Biden and Palin go at it. Not something where the Palin talking points are presented in a way that essentially deflates and preempts any real discussion.

Is one debate the usual? This seems pretty light. I mean, Biden would rake this Pinhead across the coals. But if the format is formulated to protect Palin, the country may not see her true colors, or lack thereof. Charlie Gibson may be as good as we'll get.

I just haven't seen any discussion on what we may see. And I'm curious. We're only a couple of weeks away.

[gateley]

1. I think that just one VP debate is the norm, unfortunately.

And the sense I get around here is that Gwen Ifill as moderator isn't a popular choice.

[begin_within]

2. There was only one debate between Edwards and Cheney 4 years ago

And Gwen Ifill moderated that one too. As far as I can remember, she was the only one of the debate moderators to ask a question about poverty in America. I think Obama and Biden would do well to study Kerry's performance in the first debate against Bush in 2004. Kerry's performance was concise, eloquent and effective. Bush seemed impatient, unprepared and resentful that he had to even be there. That debate erased the lead Bush had at that point. Obama and Biden should emulate Kerry's clear, concise style while still being themselves.

[Gregorian]

14. That photoshop is really nausiating. Haha.

I don't think I'm being paranoid. But the thought of Palin is exemplified by your photoshop. That's truly frightening.

My concern is that the moderator isn't the one picking the questions. Maybe I'm all wrong. My impression is that she is just there with the cue cards. All of which Palin will have rehearsed answers for.


However, I also doubt that even Americans are so pathetic that they'd let the McCain presidency come to pass.

A friend once told me I think too much. My answer was that most people don't think enough. I guess I'm just thinking too much this morning.

[Va Lefty]

3. With the exception of Benson/Quayle

the VP debates have been bland affairs forgotten after a few days. I'm a political junkie, but I could not tell you anything about Edwards/Cheney debate

[jenmito]

4. There's an official website that states the format of each of the debates, including

the one VP debate. I'll look for it, but the rules were set before the nominees were known.

Here it is: http://www.debates.org/pages/news_111907.html

"In each debate except the town meeting format, the candidates will be seated at a table with the moderator.

Kirk and Fahrenkopf introduced two format features different from CPD formats of the past. The first change will be incorporated in the first and third presidential debates as well as the vice-presidential debate.

Each of those debates will be divided into 8 ten-minute issue segments; the moderator will introduce each segment with an issue on which each candidate will comment, after which the moderator will facilitate further discussion of the issue, including direct exchange between the candidates, for the balance of that segment. Time will be reserved for closing statements by each of the candidates in each debate.

Kirk and Fahrenkopf noted that this change is aimed at increasing the educational value of the general election debates. "Our mission is to promote voter education. The public deserves to hear and see the candidates offer and defend their positions on the critical issues facing our country in the most thoughtful and in-depth manner that television time constraints will allow. Loosening the constraints within the ninety minutes debate will allow for more serious examination of complicated questions. This change will also open the possibility of the moderator inviting candidates to question each other. We want voters to benefit from as full an explanation of a topic as possible, and we feel certain that the candidates will welcome this change for the same reason."

[Gregorian]

9. She did ask one question that I hope she asks again.

But I now see more clearly my concern. It's not the moderator. She seemed to be clearly reading prepared questions. Even the supposed internet question was undoubtedly selected for one reason or another. So my concern centers upon whom is selecting the questions. And who is aware of those questions before they are made public. I absolutely guarantee that Palin will already know the questions, and already have completely rehearsed answers, before entering that debate. And that is not a debate. That is a performance. And it's cheating. And I fear that we'll end up with a McCain presidency if we're not paying more attention to this debate creation.

This is not a debate, if either candidate knows the questions in advance. I wish there were a way we could be certain that is not the case. I am certain it is. And I'm nervous as hell about it.

Even the one question I'd like to see asked again, if known in advance will be nothing more than a polished lie.

IFILL:" Ten men and women have been nominees of their parties since 1976 to be vice president. Out of those ten, you have the least governmental experience of any of them.

What qualifies you to be a heartbeat away?"

[jenmito]

12. She WILL have an answer for that, but she WON'T have answers for anything

Biden feels like asking her. They WILL be "engaging each other" which I can't WAIT to see.

[Gregorian]

15. Aha! That's what I wanted to hear.

Thank you. I have a memory of about ten minutes, or I'd have remembered that.

If there is any legitimate exchange between them, she's nothing more than a poof of smoke. Toasted.

[jenmito]

17. I'm glad I could put your mind at ease a little...

Yes. The "exchanges" will be SURE to expose Palin for the un-knowledgeable person she is!

[gateley]

5. Here's the transcript of the Cheney/Edwards debate that Ifill moderated, so

maybe it will give us a sense of what kinds of questions she'll ask:

http://www.debates.org/pages/trans2004b.html

[Gregorian]

6. Thanks everyone. I knew you'd have experienced answers.

I'll go over the links and get a sense.

I really didn't have any experience with Ifill. So this should "fill" that in.

[AlinPA]

7. Start with ten questions on God and religion and two on flag pins.

[napi21]

8. Here's a link to info on all the debates and includes the format for

each and the topics.

http://www.debates.org/pages/news_111907.html

[saltpoint]

10. It can be a limited format, granted, but Gwen handled Dick Cheney

pretty well. In fact, better than just about anybody who's ever tried to ask him anything.

I think Biden will set the tone in the way Bob Gibson set the pace of baseball games.

Palin will need some serious medication following the event.

[Gregorian]

11. What if Palin already knows the questions?

What if, and I guarantee this is the case, she already has rehearsed answers? Because they will know the questions. Biden probably won't. But Bush and Cheney have hotlines and wiretaps to everyone. It just seems that nobody is admitting to themselves that this other side is comprised of solid cheaters. And that the entire production, from polling, to voting, to reporting, to debating is prone to their fraternity pranks.

I appreciate your reply. I dearly hope your prediction is correct.

[saltpoint]

13. Hi, Gregorian.

I'm all but ruling it out. Gwen is a down-to-business character and not a corporate dicktuck like Charlie Gibson.

ABC has a pretty consistent record against Democrats. With the exception of Juan Williams, the NPR / PBS folks are still pretty independent. They aren't slashers, but they ask intelligent questions which require intelligent responses, a strategy which favors Biden over Palin.

I don't expect her to fall flat on her face. They'll prep her. She's competitive in spirit, if not on points. But Biden is a master. I think he'll own the night.

[Gregorian]

16. I never thought I'd be nervous about a VP debate.

How far I've come. I think it's a good thing, too.

I know very little about what is on tv. I don't watch anything with commercials except the Daily Show. Although that Gibson interview was anything but what I would expect from one of our corporate news outlets. I'm surprised.

I think you have a good perspective on it. She is a governor. Although one that can be compared to that outpost of which she was mayor.

I'll be concerned until January 20th. But for now I'm satisfied.

[saltpoint]

18. I think you're doin' it right.

That's a very effective approah to the temple.

"...I don't watch anything with commercials except The Daily Show" -- also a good strategy.


:thumbsup: :hi: