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Stephanopoulos: Palin a Drag on Republican Ticket

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October 02, 2008 7:34 AM

ABC News' George Stephanopoulos reports: Stakes are high for Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin going into tonight's vice presidential debate with Sen. Joe Biden, D-Dela., with the latest poll finding she has become a drag on the Republican ticket.

Any mistake or gaffe by Palin could be fatal with a new poll finding voters are now questioning their commitment to Republican presidential candidate John McCain because of her.

About one third of likely voters, 32 percent of likely voters now say Palin makes it less likely they'll vote for McCain, according to the ABC News/Washington Post poll released today.

Palin is beginning to have a big credibility problem: 60 percent of Americans are now doubting her qualifications for office, up 15 points from an ABC/Post poll last month.

<p><p><p>For LINE/COPY: Palin May Use Biden's Words Against Him</p></p></p>

Watch the Vice Presidential Debate-- Exclusive ABC News Live Coverage Begins at 9 p.m. ET

The poll found a minority of likely voters, 35 percent, believe she is experience enough to be president.

The ABC poll also suggests that questions about Palin are reinforcing concerns about McCain's age. Almost half of voters, 48 percent, now say the senator's age is a worry -- a new high -- and 85 percent of that group say that Palin is not qualified to serve as President.

It hasn't been an easy month for the Alaska governor. Palin initially boosted McCain's poll numbers, but after refusing to speak to the media she gave a few select interviews where she gave muddled responses.

Contributing to her perception problem: more voters have likely seen the Saturday Night Live sketches making fun of her rather than hearing her speak on the campaign trail.

It's all cementing in the minds of voters a preconceived notion that Palin is ill-prepared for the job.

Biden's poll numbers contrast starkly with Palin's with 75 percent of Americans saying he understands complex issues, 70 percent saying he has suitable experience to take over as president if necessary, and just 13 percent saying the Delaware senator makes them less apt to support Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.

In his debate against Palin tonight, Biden will try to show gracious restraint, and focus his attacks against McCain, Obama campaign aides tell ABC News.

Meanwhile McCain campaign aides say Palin will attempt to aggressively take the fight to Obama. 

October 2, 2008 in Biden, Joe, Palin, Sarah, Vote 2008: Democrats, Vote 2008: Republicans | Permalink | User Comments (1119)

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If Rick Davis is MORE CORRUPT than Acorn, Why does Capital Socialists only focus on Acorn.

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Say No to Wooden Arrows.(If wood=Metal, then you can figure out Arrows) :)

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Posted by: historyremembered | Oct 2, 2008 7:41:01 AM

If Rick Davis is MORE CORRUPT than Acorn, Why does Capital Socialists only focus on Acorn.

Say No to McCains Pork add on's to the Bill.

Say No to Wooden Arrows.(If wood=Metal, then you can figure out Arrows) :)

Say No to WallStreet Rescue

Watch CNN and MSNBC

Checkout Turning Points, with Tom Brokow, for History Outlines and Debates. Including JFK's Debate.

Call Your House Reps. and say NO to ADDED PORK.

Vote INDEPENDENT

SAY NO to PORK for RACETRACKS. Gambling on Wall Street Has already Gambled AWAY Americas FREEDOM.

VOTE NO TO CONGRESS PORK
VOTE NO TO CONGRESS PORK
VOTE NO TO CONGRESS PORK
VOTE NO TO CONGRESS PORK
VOTE NO TO CONGRESS PORK
VOTE NO TO CONGRESS PORK
VOTE NO TO CONGRESS PORK
VOTE NO TO CONGRESS PORK

Posted by: historyremembered | Oct 2, 2008 7:41:30 AM

If Rick Davis is MORE CORRUPT than Acorn, Why does Capital Socialists only focus on Acorn.

Say No to McCains Pork add on's to the Bill.

Say No to Wooden Arrows.(If wood=Metal, then you can figure out Arrows) :)

Say No to WallStreet Rescue

Watch CNN and MSNBC

Checkout Turning Points, with Tom Brokow, for History Outlines and Debates. Including JFK's Debate.

Call Your House Reps. and say NO to ADDED PORK.

Vote INDEPENDENT

SAY NO to PORK for RACETRACKS. Gambling on Wall Street Has already Gambled AWAY Americas FREEDOM.

VOTE NO TO CONGRESS PORK
VOTE NO TO CONGRESS PORK
VOTE NO TO CONGRESS PORK
VOTE NO TO CONGRESS PORK
VOTE NO TO CONGRESS PORK
VOTE NO TO CONGRESS PORK
VOTE NO TO CONGRESS PORK
VOTE NO TO CONGRESS PORK

Posted by: historyremembered | Oct 2, 2008 7:46:08 AM

Watch the FULL COMMENTS made about McCains ADS, ONly on CNN and MSNBC. See what the other channels will NOT SHOW YOU. Only on CNN and MSNBC.

Posted by: historyremembered | Oct 2, 2008 7:47:46 AM

Headline: Palin a Drag on Republican Ticket

Gee, you would have thought they could have figured that out a LONG time ago.. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize it.. Even Dr. Phil.. DR. PHIL knew!! -- sing along.. one of these things is not like the others, one of these things just doesn't belong..."

Posted by: GreenEggsAndHam | Oct 2, 2008 7:59:33 AM

Stephanopoulos The Colmes of ABC.

The man tooting Obama horn to make himself a name.

Is he Paid off or just a koolaid drinker?

One sided opinionated jourlism,

Posted by: seah | Oct 2, 2008 8:03:46 AM

I think the cute little SNL SKITS are hilarious, but do not deserve air time on credible news reports. Have the news editors of the ABC-NBC-CBS lost all credibility? Tina Fey is doing a fabulous job of showing the world just how dumb American's are. I guess that is her "service to America". Maybe she will win a Pulitzer prize for her work.

Posted by: disillusioned2008 | Oct 2, 2008 8:18:02 AM

Of course Sarah Palin is a drag on John McCain's "bridge to the White House". He chose her strictly for the benefit of one family in America-HIS-- and then runs on a Country First ticket. Mrs. McCain has made it abundantly clear that she plans to remain in Arizona running daddy's business and wants little to do with Washington D.C. so Senator McCain will need a surrogate "first lady". He gives the American people way too much credit for being STUPID!!! I for one do not want to take the chance, I guess I am not a gambler like John--but I don't have the money to be--on President Palin being in labor when the next crisis takes place or having to answer a tough question, Like what newspaper she reads.
Sybil

Posted by: sybil30 | Oct 2, 2008 8:21:07 AM

I think if there were a few more months in this election, Sarah Palin would drop from the ticket. Obviously McCain made a big mistake by not venting her before choosing her.
I believe he chose her because she had that" hollywood" look, she was young, and she was a women.Unfortunately, there was non substance behind that pretty face.

Posted by: militarymom | Oct 2, 2008 8:22:06 AM

From:
Head of State
http://headofstate.blogspot.com/2008/09/mccain-and-couric-on-gotcha-journalism.html

Tuesday, September 30, 2008
McCain and Couric Spar on Gotcha Journalism

COURIC: Over the weekend, Gov. Palin, you said the U.S. should absolutely launch cross-border attacks from Afghanistan into Pakistan to, quote, "stop the terrorists from coming any further in." Now, that's almost the exact position that Barack Obama has taken and that you, Sen. McCain, have criticized as something you do not say out loud. So, Gov. Palin, are you two on the same page on this?

MCCAIN: Now, just a minute, Katie. I have to step in here. That's another example of the media's "gotcha journalism"...

COURIC: But, it was a question from a citizen. How is a citizen asking a candidate a question an example of what you call "gotcha journalism?"

MCCAIN: Because it was hard, Katie.

We don't want Gov. Palin to be asked questions, unless she is prepared for them. When she is prepared, as she will be before the debate, she sounds intelligent, knowledgeable and feisty. But when she has not been prepared, she sounds lost and incoherent.

We can't have people asking her questions before she has had time to be prepared with an answer.

COURIC: But, Sen. McCain, I have to say, you are 72-years old. Actuarial preditions show that if you were to be elected, Gov. Palin would have a 1 in 5 chance of actually becoming President. These are perilous times--unprecedented crises in financial markets, tensions across a wide range of critical foreign policy arenas. Shouldn't we have a Vice President, and a potential President, who actually understands these issues, beyond the preparation necessary for a debate?

Here is her response to a question on the economy, a critical issue, you would agree, Sen. McCain:

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.


COURIC: That answer, Sen. McCain, as noted by Fareed Zakaria, is incoherent.

MCCAIN: Yes. (nodding his head, smiling).

COURIC: Well, isn't it actually important that a potential President actually comprehend issues? That is, beyond debate preparation?

MCCAIN: No, Katie. That's what I mean by "gotcha journalism". It's obvious from these prior interviews that Palin has little to no comprehension of fiscal policy and economics. For heaven's sake, she received a "D" in macroeconomics in college! And, as I've said in the past, I have little understanding of economic issues myself.

No, what's important, Katie, is that she sound like she understands the issues. In the debate. If she is sufficiently prepared, she can give an illusion of understanding the issues--even if she is only giving answers with the prepared and practiced spontaneity and content necessary to give that illusion force.

Given that the bar is set at the lowest standard imaginable, Katie, if she accompanies that performance with sufficient charm, we believe that media will follow, into focusing on the change from that low standard, and on those superficial entertainment values--you know, Katie, (McCain smiles through tight lips and squinting eyes and moves his hands up and down)--"She certainly appears to be more confident tonight; she appears more poised, coherent, humorous"--rather than her readiness to be President from an objective standard. After all, using the more important standard of Presdidential capability, she has already demonstrated that she is unprepared to be President.

So, Katie, we want them to focus on that difference, on her debate preparation, rather than on her actual well-demonstrated Presidential unreadiness. And that's what I mean by "gotcha journalism."

KATIE: But if I understand you correctly, Sen. McCain, you actually believe that it's not important that she understand the issues actually facing the nation...

MCCAIN: Right.(nodding)

COURIC: On which many people's very jobs, health and life will rely at this critical time...

MCCAIN: Yes.

COURIC: And that all that really matters is creating a standard so low that she actually is rewarded for her widely seen and repeatedly demonstrated lack of knowledge and understanding. That we would be using what is essentially a remedial standard for Presidential capability--rather than one of actual capability.

Sen. McCain, you seem to be actually suggesting that we should decide that she is ready for the Presidency, simply because, after preparation, she has improved. Even though just days earlier, time after time, she was unable to give coherent answers on these subjects.

No one can gain Presidential-level understanding in days. And in the office of the Presidency, with its intense crises and unforseeable events, she will not be prepared for each unpredictable day, as she was for the debate.

Yet you expect media to focus on these values, rather than actual readiness to be President. That's what you mean by "gotcha journalism"?

MCCAIN: Exactly. And they will. Katie, I would say to the media: Once again--we "gotcha" to lower the bar. We "gotcha" to set expectations far below those actually required for a President. We "gotcha" to focus on characteristics unrelated to Presidential capability, and to ignore her statements on these issues made only days earlier--as if a few days of debate preparation can erase a glaring and dangerous actual lack of knowledge and preparedness. Yes, indeed--we "gotcha". (smiles).

COURIC: How can you expect the media to fall for that?

MCCAIN: It worked for Bush.

Cite:
Head of State
http://headofstate.blogspot.com/2008/09/mccain-and-couric-on-gotcha-journalism.html

Posted by: Jana Walter | Oct 2, 2008 8:22:53 AM

Georgie, the debate has not even taken place yet, but since you are Oduma's lover, you are already making predictions. He must be paying you a ton of money to make these premature predictions.

Keep suckin' up, Georgie.

Posted by: Alaina | Oct 2, 2008 8:23:00 AM

Think of all the stupid "snip its" as fabulous ads for tonights debates. Sarah Palin still commands the attention of all the world, who is the dumb one here ?

Posted by: disillusioned2008 | Oct 2, 2008 8:23:37 AM

Guys...if you have ever watched Stephanopoulos you would know he is pro Rep all the way...but he has to be honest...Palin is a disaster.
Tonight will be th clincher. If she can hold on and not make ANY mistakes, maybe they have a chance.But if she drops any bombs, McCain is done

Posted by: thetruth | Oct 2, 2008 8:27:22 AM

I am an Obama supporter but I think that Palin will be just fine tonight.

Posted by: Sandra | Oct 2, 2008 8:27:49 AM

disill...she commands attention because they want a little comic relief. She is making the US a laughing stalk. PLEASE...If you were a world leader would you stand in line to see someone who considers living next to a country foreign policy experience?

Posted by: happless | Oct 2, 2008 8:30:05 AM

Everyone in the world knows exactly who Sarah Palin is right now. The media and Barack Obama's 10,000 lawyers have done there best to tarnish this wonderful womans accomplishments, name and family. You lose. Sarah is the ONLY candidate of the four with executive experience. THE ONLY ONE. She is more ready to be President of the US more than any other candidate. Palin/McCain 08

Posted by: Shiny Pennies | Oct 2, 2008 8:31:03 AM

"Tina Fey is doing a fabulous job of showing the world just how dumb American's are"

I'd say she's doing a fabulous job of showing the world just how dumb Palin is. :-)

Posted by: Aengil | Oct 2, 2008 8:31:59 AM

Well, considering the fact that tonight's VP debate "moderator" is writing a PRO-OBAMA BOOK, if Palin can hold her own, she would be considered the victor.

Incidentally, the latest Gallup poll shows the race to be a near dead-heat again - Obama 48% to McCain 44%, within the margin of error.

Posted by: mike | Oct 2, 2008 8:32:15 AM

I actually feel sorry for her. I think McCain walked into her life, told her she could be the VP,built her up, and let the dogs loose.
She is out of her league, and sinking, because a VERY selfish man used her to get what he wanted.

Posted by: christian | Oct 2, 2008 8:32:22 AM

"Make the lie big,make it simple,keep saying it and eventually they will beleive it" Adolf Hitler
This guy knew a thing or two about devious minds.

Posted by: kdefree | Oct 2, 2008 8:32:35 AM

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