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Debate Drinking Games Offer a Shot of Politics

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October 02, 2008 3:38 PM

ABC News' Nitya Venkataraman Reports: Who says debate-watching is a passive activity? You can take your debate watch party to the next level with a swig for 'mavericks', a shot for 'Alaska', and permission to chug every time Sen. Joe Biden references Amtrak, the working class or Washington insiders.

In anticipation of tonight's vice presidential debate, some debate watchers are proving that there's no need to wait until Election Night to drown your political sorrows.

There's a game for every skill level. [And even a non-alcoholic Bingo! over at Newsweek for those who want to be on their toes at the watercooler on Friday morning.]

The online edition of MIT's student newspaper, The Tech, offers a drinking game tailored to the questions and answers: a shot of vodka if Alaska governor Sarah Palin cites her state's proximity to Russia as foreign policy experience and a license to spill if Biden gaffes.

Nick Semenkovich, editor-in-chief of The Tech, called tonight's face-off an "epic debate" and said the Campus Life department of his newspaper targeted the vice presidential candidates because the pairing involved made it "more likely to see a hilarious gaffe". (The Tech didn't do a drinking game for last Friday's presidential debate.)

Over in the Talking Points Memo Café, a reader posts a more simplified version in swigs and shots: a swig of beer whenever Palin mentions the first name of a member of her family or utters the phrase "Let me tell ya,"; a shot of whiskey for the 'Bridge to Nowhere.'

And there is an even more simple game over at the Greasy Guide. Flubs are measured in drinks and you take one every time Palin mentions a world leader, calls Sen. Biden "Joe", and answers a question to which someone at your debate-watching party questions her answer.

Timeout tacks on drinks for every time Biden says "malarkey", "Geraldine Ferraro", or refers to himself in the third person.

Anything you'll be drinking to that weren't mentioned? Let us know in the comments.

And don't start drinking so early that you forget to tune in tonight for the actual debate -- ABC News live coverage begins at 9 p.m. ET or can be streamed online at ABCNews.com.

October 2, 2008 in Biden, Joe, Palin, Sarah, Vote 2008: Democrats, Vote 2008: Republicans | Permalink | User Comments (48)

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Everytime Palin uses the word "like" incorrectly. i.e. I have been hearing Joe's speeches since I was like in second grade.

Posted by: Paige | Oct 2, 2008 3:42:16 PM

I am willing to bet there will be several Republicans drinking by the end of tonite. Most of them associated with McCain campaign. Why is McCain in Iowa? Anybody?

Posted by: Jenny Rome Ga | Oct 2, 2008 3:55:13 PM

I am willing to bet that here will be a lot of drinking before tonite is over. Mostly among the McCain campaign staff.
Why Is McCain in IOWA? Personally I am going to try to make a baked Alaska!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Jenny Rome Ga | Oct 2, 2008 3:59:04 PM

Not sure... I am from Des Moines Iowa and after if his drama of an interview here.. I must say... my 5 people who was for McCain has now decided Obama has the judgement to be President and will voting for Obama November 4th... Go Obama and "Thanks McCain", dumb move.

Posted by: beck | Oct 2, 2008 4:01:16 PM

Let me try this again.. Not sure why my words came out wrong?

Jenny not sure.. I am from Des Moines Iowa and after McCains drama of an interview he gave, 5 people who was for him have now decided to vote for Obama, they said they felt he has better judgement to run this country. Thanks McCain... dumb move on your part.

Posted by: beck | Oct 2, 2008 4:04:51 PM

visit www.sarahpalinfanclub.com

Posted by: obvious guy | Oct 2, 2008 4:08:43 PM

Staged "debate" dance now ready for 24/7 consumption.
Bailout Barack Obama w/partner Bailout John McCain.

Full-spectrum media suppression/distortion
target Ralph Nader and Ron Paul.

Your vote is your power,
they fear it, use it.

Posted by: Paul & Nader v Bailout! | Oct 2, 2008 4:09:14 PM

Posted by: Seig Heil Obama | Oct 2, 2008 4:13:33 PM

It would be like way funner if Bush were in the debates and we could drink every time someone used a made up word!

Posted by: Phyllis | Oct 2, 2008 4:17:40 PM

That's right. Get rid of all your liquor now. Obama's islamic buddies frown on alchohol. They'll just take it for themselves, or pour it out in your yard, when they arrive.

Posted by: Jeanie | Oct 2, 2008 4:17:45 PM

Perhaps this will make up for CoverGate: The New Yorker has just endorsed Barack Obama in an editorial just released online and on newsstands on Monday in the October 13th issue. The editorial — by "the Editors" — is called "The Choice" and should probably surprise no one, but man do they make their case: 4,214 words with a laundry list of areas in which the Bush administration has failed the country, and McCain has failed to lead or inspire. (That's the kindest way of expressing it. Here's a ess kind way: "John McCain [has] played the part of a vaudeville illusionist, asking to be regarded as an apostle of change after years of embracing the essentials of the Bush agenda with ever- increasing ardor.") In contrast, the "Editors" point out how Obama has done just that: Leading and inspiring, but also following up his promise for change with thought, strategy, work and action.

Posted by: beck | Oct 2, 2008 4:19:08 PM

Nancy Polosi gave her speech and the House failed to pass the bill. The Senate passed a horrible bill that will do nothing to fix the problem. And, then Harry Reid (Democrat) says insurance companies are failing.....and their stock begins to drop. Can it be that all of the problems are being caused by the Democrats so that Obama will win the Election? Where I live in NC there is NO trouble getting any loans, my daughter just got a loan to buy a house, my neighbor just bought a car, no problem. My brother in Washington State said the same thing...no problem. Remember that Harry Reid claimed two weeks ago a complete catastrophic disaster on Friday last week...didn't happen and in fact the stock market went back up. With all the rhetoric coming from Nancy and Harry Reid is driving the disaster? Might this be the biggest highjack in America....Obama says we are "lost" we need to decline...less food, less driving, less everything to get in line with the rest of the world.

Posted by: Mike | Oct 2, 2008 4:26:10 PM

Wonkette has a great one as well!

Posted by: Jodi | Oct 2, 2008 4:33:52 PM

You can put lipstick on your Bush but its still that same old stupid douche bag!

Posted by: Bill in NC | Oct 2, 2008 4:37:26 PM

Jeanie - I am a Christian and have many Jewish and Muslim friends. Your post is obnoxious.

Posted by: Paige | Oct 2, 2008 4:38:06 PM

It's obvious to me that Obama supporters are so BLIND. They can't see this wolf in front of them.

1. First, MOBILIZE ACORN in your face voter (FRAUD) registration (DEAD or ALIVE or multiple Person accepted) to try to "STEAL" the votes early. Their motto:"Vote, Vote EARLY, Vote OFTEN, Vote AGAIN!" That's why there are investigations on-going in several states.

2. BRAIN-WASH the litle ones, one by one. Have you seen the Video "Children for OBAMA" It reminds me of Hitler's Youth.

3. BRIBE, PROVIDE, and SUBSIDIZE voters with Gas Cards, Restaurants, and whatever can entice the voters to go to the POLLS and vote for HIM.

It's a SAD day when REAL/TRUE/PATRIOTIC American would not be able to see this "CON" man act.

It's the ECONOMY. It's REPS faults, It's REPS in the majority for 6 years.

Well, Have you FOUND the ROOT causes?

I am OLD enough to refresh your memory about this current Financial Crisis.

It started in Carter Adm. under the Community Reinvestment Act or CRA. Remembered how Carter was doing with this thing called Habitat for Humanity (it's a GOOD idea since it's FREE).

Clinton Adm. just re-inforced it so Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were FREE to roam under the watch of Mr. Raines.

When Bush attemped to "regulate" it, the Dems in charge (Frank, Meeks, Waters, et al.) protested and said that these GSEs are sounded and stable.

Then came along McCain tried to do the SAME, it also blocked by the DEMS.

When things crumbled, all the fingers were ready to point at Bush, then McCain.

Sure, They are part of the BLAME for NOT standing up to these DEMS. Remembered that DEMs are in the Majority, any attempt to reintroduce legislation would be useless.

Obama has NO CLUE on Economic or anything for that matter. He is "supposedly" a Constitutional Liar (Lawyer).

So, when this crisis happened. He and DEM. Leaderships (if you want to call it) have no f--- clue how to solve it.

Poor Reid, "I'm calling on Reps. candidate to tell us WHAT to do."

Pelosi promised the "ETHICAL" Congress, right? She paid her husband without performing any work. Nice to know that she is ETHICAL.

If you want these people to run our country, be my guest. Just remember this, when it f--- up, it will take 15 years to restore to its forefathers conditions.

Posted by: Voter In America | Oct 2, 2008 4:40:28 PM

Paige, I meant no offense to anyone, other than the fact that I am worried for the future of our country.

If I offended, I apologize. Some people can admit when they are wrong, or went over the top...I can, and I apologize.

However...take the time to read this, and ask yourself why this isn't on the front page of every msm site.

http://www.newsmax.com/timmerman/Obama_fundraising_illegal/2008/09/29/135718.html

Now tell me this doesn't bother you just a bit. And this article is but one of many issues that have come up, that the msm's have NOT covered. Now ask yourself why? IT's news isn't it? More so than Whoopie disagreeing with Elizabeth.

Posted by: Jeanie | Oct 2, 2008 5:08:17 PM

Posted by: Jeanie | Oct 2, 2008 5:21:06 PM

I'm more bothered by people who find one or two extremely obscure partisan "news" stories and base their votes on them because it provides convenient cover for their prejudices.

Posted by: David | Oct 2, 2008 5:38:20 PM

the msm's are all partisan!

Posted by: Jeanie | Oct 2, 2008 5:43:23 PM

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