How tough do you think Gwen Ifill will be with Sarah Palin?

[CTyankee]

Do you think she'll let her get away with a well rehearsed talking point and then nod and move on to the next topic? Will there be an opportunity to "drill down" with Palin on her answers, or is the debate set up designed to discourage that?

I don't know that much about Ifill since I rarely watch "Washington Week" any more. But my recollection of her as moderator is to ask other journalists questions where there is no probing for what they "mean" by their answer. So the format will be interesting.

I have LOTS of questions about how this debate has been designed and I think THAT will be key to how well Palin can possibly fare.

[TheCowsCameHome]

1. I think Palin will "talk over" the moderator and get off-topic ASAP

It's her only chance - Palin is obviously is out of her league, and I hope Gwen Ifill keeps her in line.

I have by doubts.

[grasswire]

2. apparently the McCain team has already influenced the rules.

Something about limiting the response times so she won't have to talk so much? I saw a thread about it here somewhere.

[Saturday]

3. Actually I'm not unhappy with the not "talk so much" idea.

Biden can run off at the mouth sometimes and I think this will keep him in check.

[RichGirl]

6. I agree...he'll be forced to make his point...

...and not babble on and on, which will make his answer appear even better since it will be just information.

[rvablue]

9. That only means

that there will be more time to get to more questions and more opportunities for Palin to step in it.

[RichGirl]

4. Gwen Ifill is a straight shooter.

Her seriousness and lack of humor make her seem intimidating...nothing warm and fuzzy about her. Obviously very intelligent. There will not be one iota of difference between how she treats Palin than Biden.

[Jennicut]

5. I agree. She is a fair reporter.

I don't think she will treat them differently and the format is different then the presidential debate. I think the answers will be shorter with less back and forth.

[THUNDER HANDS]

7. Gwen Ifill is not that bright

I think she'll give Palin a pass.

I remember watching a roundtable with her on PBS after the debate and she said something to the effect of "I wish they had talked about North Korea." and the guy at the table next to her said "uh, they did."

and she was like, "oh, they did?"

yeah, this is who's moderating.

Biden better bring a floatee to keep his neck above the stupid.

[REP]

13. Glad to see I'm not the only one who does not think highly of Ifill

I've never been impressed with her. At all. To say that she is adequate is to gush.

[Overseas]

8. She wasn't very tough with Cheney, so she'll probably do her best not to harm Palin. //n

[JimWis]

10. Does anyone know what the format will be? Or won't we know

until debate time? I would prefer longer answer time - the longer Palin has to talk, the more chance of repeating herself and sounding dumber. She doesn't know enough about foreign or domestic policies to fill less than 30 seconds on any one question.

[jillan]

11. There are some real strict rules from the McCain camp.

It's to be a question and answer format with not much time for discussion.

Obama camp agreed to the rules.

[bermudat]

12. Not tough at all.

Anyone remember the 2004 VP debates? Ifill nor Edwards pressed Cheney. I guess he is more

scary in person.