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Palin Advisor: Tonight is an opportunity
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ShareOctober 02, 2008 2:53 PM
ABC News' Imtiyaz Delawala report: Palin advisor Tucker Eskew tells ABC News tonight's debate is an "opportunity" for Palin to speak directly to the American people with no filter and show what she's made of.
It's also an opportunity to turn around days of bad press.
"Things are good," Eskew said of Palin's level of preparation and readiness for tonight. "Get outside the media bubble and things are really good."
After two full days of debate prep at Sen. John McCain's Sedona, Ariz., ranch, Eskew said Palin is relaxed and ready to go up against Biden, who he labeled "a lion of the Senate."
"He thinks it's a lion's den... She thinks it's an opportunity," Eskew said of tonight's ninety-minute debate.
A Palin aide said it was McCain's idea to have Palin prepare at the ranch with her family in tow, to provide a more relaxed atmosphere.
Palin aides are fully aware that the Governor has taken a beating in the press and on the comedy circuit over the past few weeks. That Saturday Night Live sketch from last weekend has had more than four million hits online.
And beyond the comedy, there is serious trouble brewing for the McCain campaign.
The latest ABC News poll indicates Palin is now more of a drag than a boost to the GOP ticket. Sixty percent of those polled on September 29 did not think Palin has the experience it takes to serve effectively as president, up 15 points since early September. And just 46 percent think Palin "understands complex issues," while 49 percent think she does not.
But they remain confident that she can hold her own tonight.
"I've been hearing about his senate speeches since I was like in the second grade," Palin said of Biden in a recent interview with CBS' Katie Couric. "I'm the new energy, the new face, the new ideas."
Palin's debate preparations have been a mix of reading, listening to oral presentations and engaging in mock debates. A foreign policy advisor, Randy Scheunemann, played the role of Joe Biden. Aides say Palin has not been asked to memorize anything.
Still, her sister told Glamour magazine it is "absolutely phenomenal what my sister can learn in a short amount of time." She also said, "What's happening to Sarah Palin right now is like the worst college exam cram period ever."
One memory expert says-- despite what you might think-- cramming can work just fine.
"It's better to overstudy than to understudy," says Mark McDaniel, Professor of Psychology at Washington University in St. Louis where tonight's debate will be held.
"Cramming is a useful technique if one is only worried about bringing that information to mind immediately in the next day or so. If one wants to bring the information to mind over the long term, it's not the best technique. If one wants to be able to be facile with bringing that information to mind under stress, such as in a debate, under a nationally televised audience, cramming may not necessarily be the best technique," McDaniel says.
October 2, 2008 in Biden, Joe, McCain, John, Obama, Barack, Palin, Sarah, Vote 2008: Democrats, Vote 2008: Republicans | Permalink | User Comments (145)
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I think Sarah Palin will surprise everyone tonight!
Posted by: Ashley | Oct 2, 2008 3:28:47 PM
Della - By all means don't vote on the issues.
Posted by: Paige | Oct 2, 2008 3:29:12 PM
funny thing is
people who call her "smart" are just confused...
conniving...is not "smart"
and conniving and politically tactical is what they are talking about when they say she is smart because of how she achieved her position.
her "brains" as far as policy goes...point blank...suck.
look at the reports out of Alaska from those around her.
Posted by: dl | Oct 2, 2008 3:29:56 PM
della
you are funny
go look at the polls
republicans are saying she sucks too.
you know why
because she does.
arguably the worst VP candidate in the history of our nation.
Posted by: dl | Oct 2, 2008 3:31:35 PM
'And just 46 percent think Palin "understands complex issues," while 49 percent think she does not.'
Wha...?
46 percent think that Palin understands complex issues?!!!!!!
It's not Palin we should worry about but rather the people who'll put her in charge.
I think Ifill, to show that she is not biased, must asked Palin the following question:
"As Putin rears his head and comes into the airspace of the United States of America, where do they go?"
Posted by: Shripathi Kamath | Oct 2, 2008 3:32:34 PM
Palin couldn't handle softball questions from Katie Couric. Enough said.
Posted by: Republican Christians for Obama! | Oct 2, 2008 3:33:14 PM
Della:
That's reason to vote for someone?
Posted by: The Unshrub | Oct 2, 2008 3:33:29 PM
Poor palin. if this guy is her coach and aviser. here is a bit about him...Randall J Scheunemann is an American lobbyist. He is the President of the Committee for the Liberation of Iraq, which was created by the Project for the New American Century (PNAC), of which he is a board member. He was Trent Lott's National Security Aide and was an advisor to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld on Iraq. He is a paid lobbyist for the country of Georgia Ask yourself. what happened to Lot, Rumsfeld and not to forget Randy's best friend Ahmad Shalabi who gave the Iranian US secrets earlier in the Iraqi conflict
Posted by: Sofian | Oct 2, 2008 3:33:35 PM
Perhaps Palin will be able to think of a newspaper she reads. Moose Hunter or some such journalism.
Posted by: Gus | Oct 2, 2008 3:36:56 PM
I REMEMBER HOW THE LIBERALS UNDERESTIMATED GW BUSH BUT HE WON BOTH ELECTIONS, AND THEY WILL NEVER GET OVER IT. PALIN WILL SHINE ON HER OWN BECAUSE SHE IS THE REAL MCCOY, AS IS JOHN MCCAIN WHO WAS ALSO UNDERESTIMATED!
Posted by: DL | Oct 2, 2008 3:37:18 PM
At least Palin is sincere and speaks from the heart; unlike the overly scripted Obama bin Biden team
---------------
What? The ONLY thing she has done well is read scripted, sarcastic speeches. Every time she has spoken without her speech, she's made an ass out of herself.
I expect some sarcastic punches thown and a load of meaningless generalities.
Posted by: But she's so "likeable" | Oct 2, 2008 3:37:33 PM
I'm interested in observing the dynamics between the two of them. Will Biden hold back debating against a woman because of that crazy idea that he should take it easy on a woman? or will he let it all hang out?
I'm really excited...this is gonna be much more entertaining than the first presidential debate!
Posted by: Jay Dub | Oct 2, 2008 3:39:32 PM
you people are horrible -
OMG - give the woman a chance - she's been thrown under the bus. I think she's just what this country needs - a breath of fresh air. All of your (dem)comments sound like the lesbian in Legally Blond
Posted by: Dawn | Oct 2, 2008 3:40:22 PM
If the moderator tonight shows any sign of favoring Obiden in any way, which she does, I would point a finger straight at her face and tell her in no uncertain terms that if it continues down that road I will leave the Stage and Joe can talk to him self for the rest of the night. Remember this moderating moron has a lot to win if Obama slithers in. Her book depends on a Demorat victory to make a lot of money for her self. "OH" on a side note, did you all hear about Oprahs mother refusing to pay a $125,000 credit charge bill at some "chic" botique? Come on Op' help out your old lady here, you sure gave enough to the Oslima campaign. ugghh !!
Posted by: bombem | Oct 2, 2008 3:43:21 PM
wow. only Lefty liberals read this blog
Posted by: yoman | Oct 2, 2008 3:43:39 PM
"I think they're just not used to someone coming in from the outside saying, 'You know what? It's time that normal Joe Six-Pack American is finally represented in the position of vice presidency"
------------------------
I think they're just not used to someone who sounds like they just drank a six pack in the position of Vice President.
Posted by: But she's so "likeable" | Oct 2, 2008 3:44:31 PM
Isn't there anyone better than Palin in the entire Republican Party? If this the best the party can do, it really is sad.
All Republicans should hold an emergency convention or some sort of an on-line voting to draft another better candidate and force her/him on the ticket instead of Palin.
Posted by: Ravi | Oct 2, 2008 3:44:50 PM
I think she does have a very general understanding of issues, but that's as far as it goes. It seems that she's unable to vocalize what she does understand and doesn't know how to dance around tough questions without looking like you have no idea about what the iterviewer is talking about. If she can't speak intelligently with American journalists, I dont think she'll be able to handle Biden.
Posted by: Jay Dub | Oct 2, 2008 3:45:24 PM
Whether you are cheering for Biden or Palin you have to admit the prep and info cramming these two must be going through is tremendous. I commend both nominees for their effort in this election campgin.
Posted by: FriendlyFred | Oct 2, 2008 3:46:29 PM
Remember, Sara will do fine tonight if
the debate is done fairly, If not then
you know it's a setup by the media. If the Ameracan people can't see that, then
I feel sorry for them.
McCain/Palin 08!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Joey | Oct 2, 2008 3:48:15 PM
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