Don't forget "the moderator is biased too" so if she does bad it isn't her fault you see it is the liberal media once again @@ I don't think my eyes have rolled this much since I was 13.

I think a very effective technique for Biden is when Palin criticizes Obama quietly point out that she's never met him, and then talk about his experiences working together for the past four years.  And when she praises McCain, emphasize that he's known him for 30 years whereas she's barely met him.  Without belaboring the point it would be clear that Biden really knows the Presidential candidates while Palin is just repeating talking points.

I'm sure the pundits, at least the right ones, will give her the win.

They need an easy "so shiny" moment, talking about credit swaps is not sexy enough for the punditry.

It's not going to matter. This is about Obama V. McCain.

I don't see her or Biden getting the opportunity to go back and forth in this manner.

These ochestrated VP and presidential debates are a lot more like interviews than actual debates.

I bet she does a lot better with being able to jot down a couple of thoughts and then go on a 90 second spree. This is actually much easier than a person to person interview.

That said, the ship has sailed as far as setting expectations for her go, it's not going to work to bash her as not knowing a newspaper exists and then turn around and be amazed she's being given low expectations.

Even if McCain/Palin lose the election, the name Sarah Palin will live on.

Every Wednesday at Trivia Night.

http://www.wilytrax.com

I don't know if I would go that far, but I think she is going to do well enough to go forward.

But, I think the media is also getting tired of Palin and her zingers.  She has already proven that she can get those out and she can answer a question without a follow up.

I don't think the media is going to let up too much on her until they get a press conference.  As much as the media types have a vested interest in keeping the election close, I think that the thought of President Palin terrifies many of them who realize she is not capable of handling the presidency.

So, I think she will 'win' the debate with a big but.   That big but is going to an albatross until she can handle herself in a press conference without McCain by her side.

VP debates have had zero impact on the presidential race--see 1988.

But this is Palin, so who knows.  Biden needs to
be sharp, not wordy.

I don't think this debate will be a game-changer, but McCain could get a lift in the polls.

Who knows?

Who knows what'll happen?  Last time we thought Edwards would trounce Cheney and he didn't.  It was a flop for the Dems.

ANYTHING can happen in this campaign.  Probably won't, but could.

Is tonight's "debate" going to use podiums.

This sit-down crap works in her favor.

My thought is that Biden could wait for her to give her attacks and talking points and then as the first part of a previous answer point out that what she said doesn't add up.  Then he can give his own answer to the question.  A few of these, and he can turn to her and say something on the order of:

"Governor, John McCain picked you with almost no notice and nowhere near enough time for any human being to fully prepare for one of these 'final exams from hell'.  He sure didn't do right by you, and I'm wondering how you can continue to defend him."

Palin had a stock answer she used for every question asked during the gubenatorial debate: let's get everyone together, make Alaska more prosperous, and not continue with the failed policies of the past.

I don't think that's going to work tonight.  She's a polarizing figure, the economy is not prosperous, and the Republicans have held the White House for the past eight years.

I'm doubtful that Palin will say something so stupid that she'll disqualify herself (in the minds of most voters).

Biden's job tonight, though, is very simple.  First, he should say something like this: "The main duty of the Vice President is to be ready to assume the presidency during a time of national emergency.  When Ford replaced Nixon, Johnson followed Kennedy, and Truman took over from Roosevelt, the country was in the midst of confronting huge challenges.  While I hope such an occasion never arises, if the worst happens I'm confident I can steady the country during a time of emergency".

Then say nothing more.  The comparison invites itself.

As for responding to the substance of Palin's comments, he really just has to make two points.  First, the US is probably heading into a recession, so all of this talk about prosperity is pollyana.  Second, the Republicans brought us to where we are now.

Biden doesn't need a home run.  It's really the first argument which would win over voters, because no one doubts he could play this role during an emergency.  All attention at this point should be focused on the race between Obama and McCain (and if Biden is smart he'll realize that he doesn't want this debate to be a story past today).

and so will Palin.

The problem is, "fine" for Joe displays a very in-depth understanding of issues. "Fine" for Palin will seem very unspecific in comparison.

She will attack him all night, push talking points, and do nothing to reverse the existing narrative. We already know she's a pitbull in lipstick. Unless she can pull "PHD in lipstick" out of her hat, she's done.

I have no doubt she'll get a soundbite out of the deal, but she will still be hiding from the media, and having France confuse her with Tina Fey.

While our side has been typically focused on Palin's lack of.... anything useful in being prez. or veep, McCain's aides have been preparing her to do be a classic running mate i tonight's debate.

She is going to shamelessly and relentlessly attack the opponents. She will twist the truth. She will outright lie. She will dog whistle. She will attempt to instill fear. She will assail the character of Barack and of Joe, in an attempt to make voters rethink their support for the Democratic ticket.

In other words: "liberal liberal liberal liberal, out-of-touch, shifty, not trustworthy, wishy-washy, effete, liberal liberal liberal liberal...."

She'll get points for being well-spoken, although she will say absolutely nothing of substance. She will be credited for going toe-to-toe with Biden. And GOP talkers will tell every interviewer that Palin did her job tonight, that she gave an "accurate" depiction of the Obama and Biden records and their scary liberal tendencies.

She's gonna spider up and try to sell McCain's famous pig with one word and pivot her answer around it.

'Radiant', 'Terrific', 'Humble'.  I don't know what she's gonna do with 'Some Pig', maybe just put some lipstick on it.

I swear to god, if she uses just one of those words, I'm gonna shit myself.