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Democrats on Hill Worried About Biden at Debate

September 29, 2008 7:34 AM

There doesn't seem to be a single Democratic officeholder on Capitol Hill who thinks Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is better qualified to be vice president than Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del. Many don't think she's qualified at all.

But as the two vice presidential nominees prepare for their one debate this Thursday, there are a number of Democrats who, off the record, say they're worried that despite his far greater breadth of knowledge, Biden could whiff it.

He can be verbose and has a propensity for gaffes, they say. The son-of-Scranton candor they usually find charming can sometimes seem reckless or insensitive.

That Biden will be debating the first Republican woman vice presidential nominee makes his challenge all the greater.

In recent weeks, in fact, Biden has taken advice from Democratic Sens. Hillary Clinton, Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein, presumably offering tips on how to debate women without seeming sexist or bullying.

On Sunday, Obama’s chief strategist David Axelrod sought to lower expectations. Much of this is spin, but some of it is quite legitimately rooted in Biden's occasional charge to open-mouth-insert-foot.

“I think Governor Palin is a skilled politician," said Axelrod, per ABC News' Matt Jaffe. "She got elected in a very tough political arena against tough opponents and we're going to treat her with the respect that she deserves."

Axelrod said, "I fully expect her to be ready for this debate, and I think there will be a great deal of interest in this. I think it will be a well-watched debate, so it's going to be important... She's very skilled and she'll be well-prepared. I know she's preparing this weekend. As you saw at the convention, she can be very good, so I think it would be foolish to assume that this going isn’t going to be a really challenging debate. We're preparing for that, on that assumption.”

- jpt

September 29, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (440)

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Well Backwards dog, you were right on. Sarah Palin knocked one out of the park tonight. Watch out all you lefties out there, She's back.

Posted by: Buster | Oct 2, 2008 11:21:43 PM

Wow, I have been censored! My two previous comments were there and now they're gone. No explanation, just gone. I guess I'm in the wrong place. It's sad when a true American like me can't explain why he supports McCain/Palin like my friend Buster! That's not the American way. Further, people coming along later might read Buster's comments and think he's talking to himself like a crazy man. That's not fair to me or Buster. Well, so long Buster. Nice meeting you and good luck!

Posted by: Backwards Dog | Oct 2, 2008 4:57:58 PM

By the way, Buster, don't worry about the debate tonight. Palin will most certainly be declared the winner!

Posted by: Backwards Dog | Oct 2, 2008 4:49:23 PM

Backwards dog,I had better check my IQ.(lol) I misread you. Sorry about that. I sure hope Sarah knocks one out of the park tonight. I really like her and I do believe with all the corruption in Washington, the time is right for the Mccain/Palin ticket. A new face with the country first slogan that you can believe.

Posted by: Buster | Oct 2, 2008 2:46:31 PM

Hey backwards dog,you're smarter than the average Democrat. I used the word theirselves just to speak on your level. You and the others should be careful, because you might get what you ask for and it won't be a pretty site. You like to bash Bush but you need to realize that our country hasn't been attacked since 9/11. So, actually you might owe him your life. It takes (if I may use your word) "idiots" not to realize that. I'm sure you will have something smart to say back to me and its expected. Whats really funny is hearing Democrats defend other Democrats and with a straight face. Just remember, if you are a true American and want change, vote Mccain/Palin. Washington is full of corruption and greed. I might add that both sides are to blame. They spend all their time for the next re-election. Obama has so much tied to him, its just the same thing, over again. We need truth in government, and Mccain/Palin will offer that big time.

Posted by: Buster | Oct 2, 2008 12:47:17 PM

Exactly Tyler! Listening to Obama talk about the issues and Palin talk about issues, you could almost think you were listening to the same person, apart from what they say and the way they say it, that is if Palin were half black and a man, or Obama were a white woman from Alaska.

Posted by: Backwards Dog | Oct 1, 2008 9:07:05 PM

Palin is not qualified to be the VP... just like Obama is not qualified to be the President!

Posted by: Tyler | Oct 1, 2008 7:18:47 PM

Right on Buster! Only an idiot with a low IQ would think that the Bush/Cheney administration and the Republicans who controlled Congress for the first 6 years of Bush's presidency were the main source of corruption in Washington. Those joke Democrats don't want you to read the record of how McCain/Palin has shaken up the corruption in Washington. They want to distract you into smelling the coffee, and possibly spilling coffee on the records which might make them harder to read. Those Democrats are so stupid and low IQ, they probably think "theirselves" isn't a proper word. Idiots!

Posted by: Backwards Dog | Oct 1, 2008 5:31:02 PM

"Shes an average American women that wanted to make a better world. Shes accomplished more in her short career in politics than most people in a lifetime of Government. It doesnt matter how much she knows about foreign policy, or how many world leaders she knows by name. Shes very smart and intelligent and is a quick learner. She knows how to get things accomplished, unlike Congress".

A person made this comment earlier in the post and it kind of disturbed me. Everything that was stated above is exactly what the Republicans are ridiculing Obama about....his inexperience, being an "average" American, supposedly not smart enough, and as McCain said in the debate "not understanding the difference between tactical and strategic". I believe Americans have become biased instead of looking at the big picture. How is one characteristic good for the goose, but when the other possesses the same characteristic, it is not good for the opposing party.

I will be voting for Obama/Biden come November. Nevertheless, I have been very open-minded concerning what all candidates stand for. In my opinion, Palin was a bad choice. She really has no clue on what is going on. And I am sure if this were a Hillary, there wouldn't be any stipulations on media converage and so forth. I was really hoping for a back in the day Ali vs. Tyson fight for the White House, but I have had to settle for a USC Trojan vs Notre Dame football game and we all know who would win that game.

Posted by: AUGrad | Oct 1, 2008 4:56:49 PM

I can't wait until Wednesday November the 5th.....It's going to be alot of sick people when Sen. Obama awakes as the President of the United States. I love my Country!

Posted by: Monica | Sep 30, 2008 5:30:48 PM

When judging the candidates (all four of them) we have to look at our country as a whole, and not just what's in it for me. I look at the media bias toward the Obama/Biden ticket and I'm sickened. The strengths and values of our country lie within the RNC. We need to stand up and say no to the liberals, whether they be on the Hill or on the evening news. A responsible American (not World citizen) will do the appropriate research and find the facts. The most important fact that you'll find is that the DNC is trying to take away our fundamental rights, our right to free speech, free trade, our right to prosper. To cap executive pay? That dissolves our capitalist environment. To make the taxpayers pay for a corrupt system put in place by a Democratic president? Wrong! I applaud the brave men and women that listened to the American public and voted against the bailout plan. The plan that was voted on had liberal spins and earmarks added to the original. They saw through this and voted with clear conscience. And, in an election year, they all took a risk in their vote. The Obama/Biden ticket promises lower taxes on the middle class. Wake up people! The higher taxes on those making more and on corporations will be recouped by higher prices on the products we buy. I read the polls (put out by the media, you be the judge of the accuracy) and they all say that McCain took a hit by sticking to his morals. So be it, the true patriot and American hero will persevere in the end.

Posted by: heather | Sep 30, 2008 4:48:12 PM

The Democratic Party is a joke. Just look at Obama,Biden,Nancy Pelosi,Reid,Frank,Dodd, etc. They are all and has always put theirselves ahead of country. Now Mccain/Palin has the record for shaking up the corruption in Washington. Wake up People, get smart and instead of smelling the coffee, read the records. Anyone with an IQ over 99 will vote Mccain/Palin.

Posted by: Buster | Sep 30, 2008 3:26:12 PM

I'll give you a roger on your comments Roger. I want all of those things also. I agree that the wacko leadership of the DNC pushed Hillary aside. She was and is the most qualified of the bunch. Just don't hitch your wagon of hope to any of the horses in the running. In the end none of them will deliver that dream. These moronic politicians will go to the extreme to assure that the next president will fail, with or without their direct assistance. We have seen this behavior since the days of Richard Nixon and its only gotten worse. Their interest is centered in their own self discribed needs (a need to keep their positions of power and sell off favors to special interest - they all do it); the common men and women be damned. Welcome to 2008 America. The people must take this country back. Then we will realize the beauty of your statement...

Posted by: The Durango Kid | Sep 30, 2008 1:54:52 PM

I want my president to be decisive and to have a good judgment.

I want my president to say "God bless America" not be a follower and surrogate of a hateful pastor who declares "God damn America" from the pulpit.

I want my president to respect small town people like me who happen to be religious.

I want my president to have a spouse who has always been proud of being an American (not just because her husband became a presidential candidate).

I want a president who can make me a proud American and not one who keeps telling me that the glory days of my beloved country are over.

I want a president who tells me that the fundamentals of American greatness are still solid.

I want a president who can stand with the motto: "My country! right or Wrong!"

I want a president who will never belittle America and the American people when he is with foreigner leaders and people.

I am a proud democrat and will always be one. However, what my party leadership did in the primaries is inexcusable. The careless Democratic party leaders pushed Senator Hillary Clinton, the one with a certain chance to defeat McCain, out of the race.

Above my being a democrat, I am a proud American. Therefore, on November 4, I will be crossing party lines and vote for Senator John McCain. McCain at least has the experience and the record to be a great president. His personal story and achievements make me proud of my country.

That's the kind of president I want.

McCain 2008. Hillary 2012.

Posted by: Roger | Sep 30, 2008 1:11:28 PM

When watching McCain and McPalin campaign, I feel like I am watching the Simpsons, idiot homer and the evil bart, except that its not the weekly 30 minute version, nor the two hour movie, but the daily soap opera version that just doesn't know when to quit....

Posted by: HomerMcCain | Sep 30, 2008 12:55:05 PM

Sarah Palin has been the most popular and effective governor currently in country. She is new to the national scene, and to any objective observer, the media is biased against her (as evidenced by their disinterest in Biden''s gaffes which are far more profound than Palin''s.) Gov. Palin should return to just being herself, that''s what got her the popularity and confidence here in Alaska. Genuineness counts. I don''t expect to convince anyone of anything but I do know that those of us who know Gov. Palin feel she is being unfairly slammed.

Posted by: spot | Sep 30, 2008 12:54:23 PM

Say what you will about McCain's pick for V.P.. He could have done better for sure. It would seem that he and Obama have a simular problem in that they migrate toward town idiots (like Biden, farikan and he likes) and folks with thin resume (like Palin and Bush). Not to mention that Obama's resume is not all that impressive and as thin as Palin's. Do you ever feel like you've died and ended up in a Warners Bros. cartoon? If you can find credibility in any of these yokels then a cartoon is where you belong. "That's All Folks..."

Posted by: The Durango Kid | Sep 30, 2008 11:59:42 AM

I don't think the word 'female' should be considered in this debate, like someone said if it was Hillary they would just debate like it was a qualified candidate. The problem is Palin isn't qualified so we have to walk around on pins & needles? I don't think so, she needs to be treated like anyone else and if she can't stand up to this debate how will she ever stand up to any problems in the country? Just let us get the truth out about her and end this so we can finally forget he actually chose her and she could be the next President. That is the scariest part of all of this election. My 21 year old son could run a country better than her.

Posted by: Grace | Sep 30, 2008 11:59:00 AM

Had McCain & Bush had their way and Privatized Social Security, it would've been on the verge of collapse with the current market crisis.. Thank goodness it didn't pass.. One less bad decision we have to deal with..

Posted by: dvine | Sep 30, 2008 11:42:35 AM

Obama/Biden you got my Vote!

Posted by: dvine | Sep 30, 2008 11:28:28 AM

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