I think the Biden vs Palin debate will be great.

[seasat]

Some have postulated that Biden will not be able to directly attack her since it may be difficult for him to go after a woman. Biden will have to be careful not to be too patronizing but I think he can beat her easily in a debate by relying on his immense knowledge.

First I imagine that Biden will go directly after McCain and not Palin. Palin will have to defend McCain without the months of preparation on national issues and McCain's policies that other more qualified candidates would have.

Secondly he needs to fill his answers with lots of details that demonstrate his knowledge of world events and policy. Unless Palin is secretly some sort of Mensa scholar, she's not going to have time to learn details about foreign policy and governance between now and the debates. Biden should even throw in an off topic comment on some global situation that is developing and ask her what she thinks about it. A question about something like microlending as a policy for improving the third world or the government of Myanmar would catch her by surprise. She'll look woefully incompetent next to Biden.

The only thing he needs to go after is her religious conservative views. Her views on abortion and creationism will not set well with most voters. A compare and contrast with McCain's past statements versus hers might be a good point on these issues.

All in all, I think Biden will destroy her in the debates without having to resort to a direct attack. Joe needs to show his folksy but statesman side and carefully avoid being patronizing. Unless Palin has some secret talent for debate, I think it will a great show for our side.

[liberalmuse]

1. Biden really likes and respects women.

I don't worry about the debates. He may be tough, but he won't attack her.

[seasat]

6. I agree.

My point was that some of the "really smart people" in the traditional media have mentioned that Biden might have trouble in the debates because he couldn't attack her. The only problem (IMHO) he might have is that he might come across as patronizing if she is as naive as she appears. It would be easy to go for the kill shot if she makes a stupid comment. He has to hold back a little in those moments so as not to make her appear a sympathetic figure.

[Quixote1818]

12. I see him being charming and smiling at her a lot. He will be great. nt

[Norrin Radd]

2. They'll probably give her the questions way ahead of time.

Look out for a wire.

He'll win through being natural and at ease in his insightful responses. She'll be blatantly scripted.

[TheDonkey]

3. Biden is smart and will handle Palin masterfully.

the MSM is trying to make it seem like he is going to curse her out on stage. Biden is classy and will attack her and McCain while she sits there stunned and dreaming of mooseburgers.

[ChimpersMcSmirkers]

4. Affirmative.

[Mojambo]

5. I'm a little concerned about the expectations game, but Biden is REAL good at this. n/t

[Wetzelbill]

7. Biden strong like bull, crush little girl like grape

Sorry. :) Gosh some people make it sound like he's going to walk out and punch her or something. Biden's a gentleman, and he's not going to be a jerk or anything. I say he'll be tough but fair. It's insulting to say he needs to pull back because she's a woman, we aren't talking about a fistfight, this is politics. He needs to use his knowledge and intellect and be forceful on policy and her views etc. I think she'll do ok, everybody expects him to smash her, it's lowering her expectations so that if she doesn't walk out and slobber all over herself it'll be a Palin win. I don't buy that she's not going to be able to handle herself.

I think she'll do fine, he'll clearly handle her, he just can't be patronizing. The media will do two things, no matter what. They will point out that she did better than expected. Expectations are so low, she will automatically exceed them by showing up. They also will pounce on Biden like they did with Gore when he debated Bush. Bush didn't win a single point, but the debates hurt Gore somewhat because people thought he was condescending to the idiot. No matter what, something Joe does will be misconstrued as the smart kid who everybody hates rolling his eyes at somebody he thinks he's better than.

[CitizenPatriot]

8. love your ideas

a few obscure geography references which must be repeated (and understood) in order to respond would be great....microlending is awesome. also, words that will be hard to understand through the ear (the communication device they wear in their ear). I've worn one of them and you have to listen while others are talking and as you begin to speak, you are repeating what is being said into the ear. tricky words....long syllables....:-)

yes she should have to support creationism in a rational way.

Did i really just say that? :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[totodeinhere]

9. VP debates usually don't have much of an impact on the election. n/t

[Wetzelbill]

11. If they did Dukakis would have won

Because Lloyd Bentsen beat poor Dan Quayle like a rented mule.

[Stop Cornyn]

10. Please don't (1) underestimate the opponent or (2) set the expectations beyond what can be achieved