Why I fear the VP debates

[nadine_mn]

As evidenced by the "hard-hitting" Gibson interview, Palin is an idiot. In fact, Bush almost seems smart in comparison to "you can see Russia from Alaska" Palin.

And I remember with glee watching the Gore/Bush debates... remember those? Al Gore smacked Bush around, and I believe once or twice Gore had a look on his face of "are you kidding me.... there is a contest between him and me?" - or maybe that was my reflection.

And then that "librul" media spin hit - 'member that? Gore was "elitist" and Bush was an average-joe getting beat up by smarty pants.

For the Dems, the debates won't sway our vote - nor will they for Republicans. But those pesky undecided, independents, and those too lazy too pay attention and think Obama is "muslin" - those people will watch the debates. Obama and McCain in theory should be evenly matched - McCain has been in Washington forever and Obama is intelligent, I don't see the media saying McCain was picked on.

But Biden and Palin - deep down I know many of us want to see that wolf murdering, lying, lipstick-wearing, Tina Fey glasses wearing, idiot get thumped by Biden. Man - I would want to push Biden over and say oooh ohhh let me debate her. But to those who have not made a decision on who to vote for, I can see a repeat of the backlash that Gore suffered from for being umm smart.

In a country where C students are Presidents, Senators, and Supreme Court Justices, there is a disdain for intellectualism. At least that is my opinion - after all, Bush still has a positive approval rating, people are actually debating whether or not evolution is "real" or just devil talk, global warming is a "myth" and abstinance only education and promise rings are considered sex ed.

I know I have offended someone in this post - and all I can say is... oh well, get over it.

I don't have an answer, I am just pointing out my fear.

[Patsy Stone]

1. I hope Joe answers the questions

in simple sentences, sometimes even with a simple yes or no. I don't want him giving her anymore information on an issue than she already memorized. Hopefully, she'll just talk herself right out of the OVP.

[nadine_mn]

3. I want the moderator to push her on her non-answers

like Gibson did once or twice "I got lost in a blizzard of words".

I agree with the yes or no - if he speaks too slowly or simply, then he will be spun as patronizing. I just wish we could actually have some intellectual discussion... I guess that is what DU is for.

[begin_within]

13. I hope that both Obama and Biden study Kerry's performance in the first debate vs. Bush

in 2004. He was concise, eloquent, convincing and yet still hard-hitting. He called Bush's Iraq war a colossal error of judgement. Bush seemed unprepared, impatient and somewhat resentful that he even had to be there. That debate erased Bush's lead at the time. I hope that Obama and Biden will emulate Kerry's concise style in that debate.

[Gman]

2. There will be VERY LOW expectations

remember how they lowered expectations for Bush in 2000? I'm telling you they will lower expectations so that a third grader would look great after it was done. They have to lower expectations to virtually nothing and do it credibly without admitting she's an idiot. They'll probably deflect the idiot speculation with the now standard accusations of sexism.

[davidpdx]

10. No doubt they will have to lower expectations for Palin

I hope it backfires on them though. Honestly I really want to see her make a complete fool of herself.

[Danger Mouse]

4. Biden's best bet? Act as if he's not debating anybody.

Ignore her. Don't condescend, don't engage. Give good, to the point answers and sound bites. Let her look stupid on her own and don't get drawn into a battle with her.

[begin_within]

31. I like that strategy a lot.

[gateley]

5. I think you make some valid points.

Biden will have to walk a thin line. Regardless of how fair he is, the Reps will paint him as being "mean".

But I'm not so sure that Obama will do fine with McCain -- for the same media spin you referred to. If (which I fully expect) Obama trounces McCain on the issues, the MSM could still paint McCain to be the poor, old, POW.

It sucks.

[1Hippiechick]

6. "I know I have offended someone in this post - and all I can say is... oh well, get over it." LOL.

Exactly!

[rxdem84]

7. Hope she is studying the financial crisis. Should have a lot

of questions concerning was has happened tonight. We know Biden has a good grasp of what is happening. Palin....not so much.

[begin_within]

8. She'll be pre-stocked with 6 or 7 well-written one liners, which she will manage to

get out during the debate, though not necessarily at the appropriate times based on the topic at hand. Those one liners will be listed the next day as "highlights" of the debate. The rest of what she says will be just regurgitations of the standard RW talking points. She probably won't even respond to anything Biden says. Meanwhile, Biden will debate in circles around her, making outstanding points and coming across as presidential. But Palin will be declared the "winner" by the commercial media, based on her ability to get out those 5 or 7 one-liners. The thinking public will see Biden as the winner, while the non-thinking public will remember only her one-liners and the fact that she appeared "composed" and "engaging."

[nadine_mn]

11. You are right... and that scares me

I guess I have a negative view of the general public, which I need to get rid of because my view does not take into account the effect of 8 years of Bush. Its hard to pay attention to politics when your home is being foreclosed on, you have little to no healthcare, and your struggling to pay the bills.

You beat people down enough, and they quit fighting. So seeing a composed, attractive, female may seem like "change" to some.

Sound bites are all she will speak in and that is all that will be remembered.

[Quixote1818]

28. One liners can really backfire if not delivered right

Even Hillary blew some of her one liners and she is a lot more skilled than Palin. Palin is at her best giving a scripted speech but put her on the spot where she has to really think on her toes and I think she will stumble and perhaps look nervous and awkward. If so the election is over unless Obama makes a huge blunder against McCain.

[Dumak]

32. She really won't need to be 'stocked' with much of anything

The republicans have been using wireless earpieces for debates since Bush/Gore. They fit way down in the ear canal where you cannot casually see them. This is *very* simple technology. She will pause before many of her answers in her debate, something she wouldn't normally do. The pauses will be her listening to someone giving her reminders of what to say.

[begin_within]

34. Is there any way they could use scramblers or something to mess up the transmission?

[moc]

9. The problem with your theory is there's a big difference between Gore and Biden.

As much as I love Gore, let's admit it, he can be a little stiff. That stiffness plays into the whole "he's an elitist know-it-all" crap, as unfair as that may be.

In contrast, I think Biden is very effective at connecting with people. I think he can connect with the audience while at the same time shredding Palin. I've seen him in action in hearings.

I understand your concern, but I think we're just going to have to wait and see how this thing plays out.

[TxBlue]

18. Biden much better than Gore

I agree. Gore left me cold but he was best of choices available.

I actually like to listen to Biden and Obama. They are more than just the better of the choices available.

[Jennicut]

20. Gore as a public speaker is much better today but Biden has always been a good public speaker

[jillan]

12. Did you see the one debate where Biden went after Hillary?

He was amazing.

He started out by saying how much he admired her - "BUT" - he factually stated the reasons why she may have trouble getting UHC passed again - and then he praised her.

Ha - my repug husband was watching the debate with me and he turned to me and said "Man - Biden is smooth. Very impressive."

Don't worry about Joe.

Plus he is practicing with Granholm of MI.
Another beautiful (much more so than Palin), strong woman.

[nadine_mn]

16. But Palin is becoming the media favorite... she is seen as just your average

hockey-mom... being picked on by bullies. It doesn't matter how smooth or good Biden is because in the end its that shitty media spin. And MSM has swallowed this whole sexism crap that McCain-Palin is spitting out.

[Jennicut]

21. I think her being a media favorite is lessening, they are sick of no access to her

[quiet.american]

14. Prediction: Palin will debut a new hairdo w/contact lenses on night of debate. MSM will be elated.

There will be no talk of how well she did, or didn't do -- all anyone will talk about is whether her new 'do makes her look more presidential... er... vice presidential.

[nadine_mn]

17. With a picture of her son on a button on her label to remind us all

that she has a son in Iraq

[quiet.american]

19. How could I forget that touch! nt

[beac]

23. Biden should wear one too. He's just as entitled. n/t

[jillan]

30. Well then Biden can talk about his son Beau who is shipping out

the day after the debate.

[IDemo]

35. Biden should wear this ->

[samuraiguppy]

15. 35 years in the Senate

has made Biden a fine seasoned debater.

My only worry is the RW media hacks who will be moderating the debates--will they try to swing things in Palin's favor?

We need to keep on top of them.

[Jennicut]

22. Gwen Ifill is moderating

[beac]

26. And that does worry me. I thought she did an AWFUL job the last two times. n/t

[PaDem]

24. Isn't it ironic that..........

certain leaders both in the black community (Bill Cosby) and in the country at-large (GWB) talk about African-American children not wanting to learn because it's "not cool" (see Bush's "soft bigotry of low expectations" comments), and yet on the other hand the right wing talk radio orthodoxy carries on and on about "liberal elitists" (see intellectuals, or even more to the point, thinking people). Unreal.

[beac]

25. They will try and lower expectations, and we need to raise them.

I think that's why Biden has been saying she 'tough' and a 'formidable opponent."

I hope he also starts talking about how he wouldn't DARE be so 'sexist' as to treat her any differently than he would a man he was debating. That he will give her the RESPECT she 'deserves' by ignoring her gender completely. :)

[FlyingSquirrel]

27. Joe is more "likable" and less likely to look like the unpopular nerdy kid in class

But I expect them to attack him soon, in advance of the debates, and make him look a lot less likable.

[DefenseLawyer]

29. I hate to say this, but this debate is getting to me

I think I'm getting The Fear.

[Born_A_Truman]

33. I predict she will try and Sunday punch Biden

If you watched C-Span's showing her debate for governor, at the end she attacked the former governor (a Democrat) about a memo he allegedly wrote at the end of his term that "threw the legislature into turmoil". Watch for her to try and slime Barack and Joe if she gets the chance.

[Left Is Write]

36. The people who think Obama is "muslin" are not likely to watch the debates.

They won't understand them if they do.