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VP Fashion Face-off?

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September 27, 2008 10:14 PM

ABC News' Matt Jaffe and Sunlen Miller report: When Joe Biden and Sarah Palin square off Thursday in the vice-presidential debate in St. Louis, their much-anticipated confrontation might now be considered a cosmetic competition. So what if Republican presidential nominee John McCain chose a former beauty queen to share his ticket? Democratic candidate Barack Obama thinks he's got the best-dressed running mate around.

"Joe’s one of the best-dressed vice presidents that we’ll ever have," Obama said today at a rain-soaked rally at Virginia's University of Mary Washington.

Obama even offered Biden the chance to take off early so as not to sully his smooth, suave appearance in the pouring rain.

"You look good, though, so if you wanna cut out that’s OK," he told his running mate, who stood up and pretended to walk off the stage to the delight of the crowd.

Call it a consequence of McCain's Palin selection, call it what you will, but Biden's dapper attire has clearly caught the eye of Obama, who cited his running mate's wardrobe not once but twice in their first day campaigning together in the past month.

"One of the reasons I am so proud to be with Joe Biden, it's not just his fancy foreign policy expertise, it's not just because he’s a sharp dresser," Obama said earlier in the day in Greensboro, N.C., then pausing when he spotted some cheering ladies in the audience.

"I noticed a lot of women have been talking about Joe lately," said the Illinois lawmaker. "I noticed that. See, these girls right here!"

Not passing up any opportunity to jump on a moment of jest, Republicans promptly hit out at Biden's biggest fashion fan.

"Obama’s statement that Biden is the best-dressed senator answers a lot of questions," said Republican National Committee spokesman Alex Conant. "Why else would Obama choose a running mate who recently called him unprepared to be president, slammed his votes to cut funding for our troops, and said he’d be honored to run on McCain’s ticket?"

Biden spokesman David Wade in turn, quipped, "600,000 jobs gone in 2008, eight straight months of job loss, the highest unemployment in seven years, more home foreclosures than at any time since the Great Depression, and I'd wager John McCain's nicest pair of $500 loafers that finally the Republicans think they've found an issue that will really resonate on Main Street: Joe Biden's clothes. But you can blame John McCain for being a little peeved -- after all, just imagine the pressure to choose which suit to wear from among your dozens of closets in your seven homes."

"All right, its just trickling down a little bit here," noted Obama as the northern Virginia showers intensified. "That’s OK, I’m gonna have to get my dry cleaning going, too."

Or maybe just have his GQ running mate accompany him on a shopping spree...

September 27, 2008 in Biden, Joe, McCain, John, Obama, Barack, Palin, Sarah | Permalink | User Comments (100)

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What about Palin's hair? Or the fact that it covers an empty skull? Might become a real GOP trend, who knows.

Posted by: trigger | Sep 27, 2008 10:19:25 PM

Wow ... what a sorry blog this is ...

yawn

Posted by: Omentum | Sep 27, 2008 10:21:25 PM

I didn't like the look of Palin in her Miss Wasilla swimsuit, and yet I would advice her to wear it. It will be the only way to make Biden lose his head.

Posted by: Hiss | Sep 27, 2008 10:23:56 PM

And this blog is called Political Radar?

Hmmm.

Posted by: reed | Sep 27, 2008 10:25:31 PM

Will someone please put Sarah Palin out of her agony? Is it too much to ask that she come to realize that she wants, in that wonderful phrase in American politics, "to spend more time with her family"? Having stayed in purdah for weeks, she finally agreed to a third interview. CBS's Katie Couric questioned her in her trademark sympathetic style. It didn't help. When asked how living in the state closest to Russia gave her foreign-policy experience, Palin responded thus:

"It's very important when you consider even national-security issues with Russia as Putin rears his head and comes into the airspace of the United States of America. Where—where do they go? It's Alaska. It's just right over the border. It is from Alaska that we send those out to make sure that an eye is being kept on this very powerful nation, Russia, because they are right there. They are right next to—to our state."

There is, of course, the sheer absurdity of the premise. Two weeks ago I flew to Tokyo, crossing over the North Pole. Does that make me an expert on Santa Claus? (Thanks, Jon Stewart.) But even beyond that, read the rest of her response. "It is from Alaska that we send out those …" What does this mean? This is not an isolated example. Palin has been given a set of talking points by campaign advisers, simple ideological mantras that she repeats and repeats as long as she can. ("We mustn't blink.") But if forced off those rehearsed lines, what she has to say is often, quite frankly, gibberish.

Posted by: Omentum | Sep 27, 2008 10:29:10 PM

Debate question to Obama

you became a millionare in the last 8 years and made 3 million dollars but you are telling that that in the last 8 years american suffering.

Can you be honest on this?

Posted by: adam | Sep 27, 2008 10:32:18 PM

Debate question to Obama

you became a millionare in the last 8 years and made 3 million dollars but you are telling that that in the last 8 years american suffering.

Can you be honest on this? Are you not a American?

Posted by: adam | Sep 27, 2008 10:33:12 PM

COURIC: Why isn't it better, Governor Palin, to spend $700 billion helping middle-class families who are struggling with health care, housing, gas and groceries; allow them to spend more and put more money into the economy instead of helping these big financial institutions that played a role in creating this mess?

PALIN: That's why I say I, like every American I'm speaking with, were ill about this position that we have been put in where it is the taxpayers looking to bail out. But ultimately, what the bailout does is help those who are concerned about the health-care reform that is needed to help shore up our economy, helping the—it's got to be all about job creation, too, shoring up our economy and putting it back on the right track. So health-care reform and reducing taxes and reining in spending has got to accompany tax reductions and tax relief for Americans. And trade, we've got to see trade as opportunity, not as a competitive, scary thing. But one in five jobs being created in the trade sector today, we've got to look at that as more opportunity. All those things under the umbrella of job creation. This bailout is a part of that.


wwwwhhhhhhaaaaaatttttttt!!!!!!

Posted by: Omentum | Sep 27, 2008 10:35:04 PM

Can we now admit the obvious? Sarah Palin is utterly unqualified to be vice president. She is a feisty, charismatic politician who has done some good things in Alaska. But she has never spent a day thinking about any important national or international issue, and this is a hell of a time to start. The next administration is going to face a set of challenges unlike any in recent memory. There is an ongoing military operation in Iraq that still costs $10 billion a month, a war against the Taliban in Afghanistan and Pakistan that is not going well and is not easily fixed. Iran, Russia and Venezuela present tough strategic challenges.

Posted by: Omentum | Sep 27, 2008 10:37:29 PM

McCAIN: P.O.W.

PALIN: M.I.A.

OBAMA: P.O.T.U.S.

Posted by: Ed from MA | Sep 27, 2008 10:39:52 PM

adam

did he make his 3 million on wall street or on the backs of minimum wage earners. NO

YOU ARE SUCH A NITWIT. grow a brain dude.

He wrote a book. The guy has a compelling background and has done some legendary things in his life

can you write a book and sell it and make millions.
oh but you already have a series of books.

CURIOUS GEORGE.

kudos to you

Posted by: Omentum | Sep 27, 2008 10:42:24 PM

What woman in their right mind would think Joe Biden is all that. ROTFLOLOLOLOLOLOL!!

Posted by: Christie | Sep 27, 2008 10:44:18 PM

The good news for Republicans is America has such a low opinion of Palin and her obvious lack of knowledge, all she'll have to do in the debate is pronounce "nuclear" properly and she'll do better than anticipated.

Of course Republicans will call that "a win".

Posted by: Low Expectations | Sep 27, 2008 10:45:46 PM

McCain's been a millionaire for decades by taking money and maneuvering with everyone from Indian tribes and casinos to defense contractors and everyone in between....NOT TO MENTION DUMPING HIS FIRST WIFE FOR A 24-YR OLD MILLIONAIRE!

So, for everyone complaining about Obama making a little bit of money off his book, please folks look it up.

Posted by: Joe Dias | Sep 27, 2008 10:45:49 PM

where was michelle last night?

Posted by: colorado | Sep 27, 2008 10:48:06 PM

Colorado,

Michelle was at the debate. When Barack and John walked away from each other. John walked to Cindy and they embraced, then the camera went to Obama as he walked toward Michelle and they also embraced.

I was like you when I saw John & Cindy, I wondered where Michelle was. Because I didn't walk away from the set I caught the scene of Michelle and Barack. I do admire both women.

Posted by: TRUTH | Sep 27, 2008 10:59:42 PM

NYT's big hit piece on mcCain now online:

"McCain and Team Have Many Ties to Gambling Industry"

OUCH! This one is going to hurt....

Posted by: gambler | Sep 27, 2008 11:00:06 PM

If elected, McCain would NEVER have to worry about assassination attempts. Even a crazy person wouldn't want Palin running the country.

Posted by: Positive About Palin | Sep 27, 2008 11:07:49 PM

Five deferments from military service in Viet Nam...

For asthma...

However Old Joe Biden dresses, you can bet he has never worn military fatigues...

But, then, neither has Obama...

And, whatever Old Joe Biden wears, he probably paid for it with his MBNA credit card...

Anybody But Obama...

Posted by: Jayhawk | Sep 27, 2008 11:14:31 PM

This one's for you, Ed,


McCain...Patriot

Palin...Governor

Obama...Interloper

Biden...Draft dodger


Anybody But Obama/Biden...

Posted by: Jayhawk | Sep 27, 2008 11:19:23 PM

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