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Sarah Palin, Debate Champ

October 01, 2008 10:41 AM

The "expectations game" is a Twilight Zone, because if you praise a Republican you will then be accused of bias by the Republicans, and vice versa.

But that said, it is a mistake to think that the Gov. Sarah Palin who you've seen in recent interviews is the one who will show up for the debate tomorrow night.

As Kate Snow nicely illustrated on Good Morning America this morning, Palin was quite impressive in her 2006 gubernatorial performances.

The liberal Huffington Post likewise finds six examples of Palin responses from those debates that show her to be pretty on the ball -- sharp, concise, smart.

The Los Angeles Times today takes a look at Palin's debate skills, quoting Anchorage Daily News editor/debate panelist Larry Persily testifying that Palin flummoxed her rivals "like Muhammad Ali dancing around the ring."

Likewise, the Wall Street Journal reports that Alaska public-radio reporter/debate moderator Libby Casey recalls Palin in the 2006 debates as "positive,
confident and upbeat."

Democrats, seeking to set expectations high for Palin and low for Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., are emailing stories like those around.

But beyond the expectations game, Palin's debate skills happen to be proven.

Biden too, of course can be quite able, and has far more experience in the kinds of national and international issues that have seemed to stymie Palin on occasion. (As opposed to the Wasilla and Alaska issues she handled quite well in her debates.)

It should prove quite interesting.

- jpt

October 1, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (339)

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If McCain/Palin win the next presidential election, it would mean the the election rigging machinery which was used so effectively to steal the 2000 election from Al Gore has been perfected by the Republicans.

Posted by: joann | Oct 3, 2008 3:41:46 PM

Gov Palin is a great debater. Some women who hate the Gov., because they are so jealous of her.

McCain/Palin will WIN in November regardless the polls show.

Posted by: beatrice | Oct 3, 2008 3:37:15 AM

What is it with McDaddy McCain and ex beauty queen wannabes and dumb barbie dolls? I was kind of wondering if this is the maverick Republican's idea of affirmative action? Speaking of action... well.. I wonder if the McCain campaign is offering any cabinet posts to ex playboy bunnies?

Posted by: Joann | Oct 3, 2008 12:49:59 AM

What an entertaining episode of "Gidget Goes to Washington!".

Posted by: jill | Oct 3, 2008 12:44:48 AM

Governor Sarah Palin needs to learn to pronounce "NUCLEAR" (not nukiller) "IRAN" (not Aayran), "IRAQ" (not Aayrak" before she can qualify for a job as a stenographer or a typist or a public relations assistant of just a pretty escort for the next president of the United States.

Posted by: Wonk | Oct 3, 2008 12:38:52 AM

THE REPLUBLICANS HAVE THE MORE COHERENT TICKET BY FAR...I think their ticket shows more honesty and an actual about-face from Bush-Politics, therefore refreshing...Besides that, Sarah Palin is HOT !!! I am voting McCain and Palin...I hope you are too...MD

Posted by: markrph | Oct 2, 2008 11:50:47 PM

Joe Biden is the clear winner of tonight's debate. Sarah Palin, you don't fool me. You're Dubya in a skirt. I'm a well-educated woman who expects a national leader to have a wider vocabulary and a progressive view of the world than Sarah Palin. You did not deliver that -- but you did deliver a lot of slang, and some inappropriate winking on national TV.

Posted by: small town girl | Oct 2, 2008 11:06:19 PM

This short article has proven to be precient. After a slightly choppy start, Gov. Palin is starting to shine again. She is clearly more effective when she is allowed to speak what's on her mind and heart directly to the American people. She has also proven herself able to stand up to a well-versed politician with a long history in Washington, with no dimming of her brilliance. She may have a little way to go yet, but she has been sorely underestimated in this campaign season.

Posted by: Go Palin Power '08! | Oct 2, 2008 10:11:17 PM

VP Palin could not answer almost all the questions raised by Kate Couric. Do you think that Kate Couric is stupid? We know the meanings of questions that Couric asked and the type of answers that Palin gave. Palin could not answer the questions at all mark is 0%. Now we'll compare the the level and depth of the questions that the moderator asks and the responses of the both candidates. It will tell us who provides the aubstances and the counter attacks. We are not idiots!!! There is no sexism or racism here- it comes back to the strength of argument, reasoning and the logic, not the gender or race. We know that some idiots (those in fox box - Martha & Hans in particular favour creating an outstanding image for Palin - absolute nonsence!) Ability to answer questions is not one-off event like the debate - it is something that Palin has to face whether she is xx, xo, xxx, xxxo or what ever in her sex chromosomes.

Posted by: ramya | Oct 2, 2008 5:26:20 PM

I'm offended that those of us who see that the emperor has no clothes (Palin, and even McCain to some degree) are being accused of being part of the Obama campaign. I find it consistently unbelievable that this woman is still seriously being considered as a viable future president by some. I guess if you can string together a sentence, and have read a book, you are "elitist". Well, my son, who is in grade 2, must be "elitist". I think he knows more about the world around him than this VP candidate. Sad. So very, very sad.

Posted by: Daria Hornell | Oct 2, 2008 12:50:49 PM

What is happening tonight is not a "debate". They will not even be interacting. And Ifel will probably not even be asking "the followup question" that Palin can never answer. She will ask the usual questions and Palin will have her answers memorized. Unless you ask her to actually think, she does ok. She probably will not be a train wreck tonight - the woman can probably memorize just fine. Incredible that we're even having these discussions about someone who is all flash, no substance.

Posted by: Janet Greene | Oct 2, 2008 12:44:35 PM

Voting for someone just because she's a woman is plain stupid and an insult to me and other women. The reason ditzes love her is that she's so much like them a pretty face and no brains. She fiascoed at the UN, with Katie Couric. McCain used poor judgement putting country last and winning the White House first.

What happens when she has to deal with world leaders? We are the laughing stock of the world.

This ex Republican is voting Obama.

Posted by: seenitallx9 | Oct 2, 2008 11:53:35 AM

"Its just skin color babe!"

Posted by: James
-----------------------------------------
Oh no it ain't babe...liberal, liberal.
Right on, Mariann. Go Sarah, this female is on your side..all the way!!!!

Posted by: s | Oct 2, 2008 9:28:55 AM

There is no way to know if the bloggers of this post are really women but, good job slamming Palin. Keep putting her down and maybe you will get a nice little pat on the head by the patriarchy. But that is all you will get.

Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin are getting the same reaction that the suffragettes received. If we don't stand together and vote for a woman, we will never have to option of having our choice of woman candidates. Or maybe you "ladies" of this blog don't want woman in power at all.

I hope at the debate, there are questions asked about how to best govern instead of all of these senate/lawyer questions. I have great confidence in Palin's ability to govern. She has shown that she will fight for the people unlike Obama who has never made a "change" in his life. He can promise the world but he can not deliver.

I am a female, ex-democrat who is voting McCain/Palin

Posted by: emily | Oct 2, 2008 6:49:25 AM

Debates are what Sarah Palin is good at. She might not be very good at giving interviews but, if you've seen the debates that she wss in when she was running for governor, you know that debates are where she shines. She is very good at debating. Joe Biden had better be ready!

Posted by: carlyonsue | Oct 2, 2008 3:35:12 AM

Sarah Palin is going to surprise everyone tonight, especially those who are under estimating her and think she's not very bright! Joe Biden especially should not under estimate her! If he does it will be at his own peril! He had better be ready for battle because, make no mistake about it, she will be!

Posted by: carlyonsue | Oct 2, 2008 3:28:55 AM

Mariann Pepitone
You wrote:
"It probably was a setup for the purpose of Palin and no doubt to make sure she can't answer the questions."

Palin should be able to answer the questions regardless of the person asking the questions! Unless she is stupid!

Obama faced Fox's Bill Oriely

You also wrote:

"Another problem is she is black and Obama is half black."

So what if she is black ? Can only Blacks interview Blacks ? And White interview whites ? Its a VP debate they are both white the interviewer is black!

Its just skin color babe!

Posted by: James | Oct 2, 2008 12:07:38 AM

I hope voters gave Palin a chance to learn on-the-job training after McCain wins, the same way Obama supporters want for their man.

Posted by: young_voter | Oct 1, 2008 11:17:53 PM

McCain's voting record from Veterans for Common Sense.

Posted by: A voter | Oct 1, 2008 11:14:04 PM

I believe the reason they picked Gwen is because her book will be out on Obama and since she is a solid pro-obama supporter it probably was a setup for the purpose of Palin and no doubt to make sure she can't answer the questions. Another problem is she is black and Obama is half black. But Palin said she is not concerned about Gwen. Obama might have to worry about Biden and his mouth.

Posted by: Mariann Pepitone | Oct 1, 2008 11:10:00 PM

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