McCain Camp: Loose debate format could leave Palin vulnerable as an inexperienced debater

McCain Camp argues that a loose debate format could leave Sarah Palin vulnerable as a relatively inexperienced debater
By: John Amato on Saturday, September 20th, 2008 at 4:50 PM - PDT

OK, what gives?

The Obama and McCain campaigns have agreed to an unusual free-flowing format for the three televised presidential debates, which begin on Friday, but the McCain camp fought for and won a much more structured approach for the questioning at the vice-presidential debate, advisers to both campaigns said Saturday.

At the insistence of the McCain campaign, the Oct. 2 debate between the Republican nominee for vice president, Gov. Sarah Palin, and her Democratic rival, Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr., will have shorter question-and-answer segments than those for the presidential nominees, the advisers said. There will also be much less opportunity for free-wheeling, direct exchanges between the running mates. McCain advisers said they had been concerned that a loose format could leave Ms. Palin, a relatively inexperienced debater, at a disadvantage and largely on the defensive.

Don’t you think McCain should have thought of that before he picked her for his VP? Once again the American people are cheated out of an honest discussion of the issues.

McCain advisers said they were only somewhat concerned about Ms. Palin’s debating skills compared with those of Mr. Biden, who has served six terms in the Senate, or about his chances of tripping her up. Instead, they say, they wanted Ms. Palin to have opportunities to present Mr. McCain’s positions, rather than spending time talking about her own experience or playing defense…read on

I don’t know the rules of debates, but wouldn’t it be a smart move to force a more in depth debate between Biden and Palin? I mean, she’s the most qualified Republican for the VP job and shouldn’t have any problems at all. Right?

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/09/20/mccain-camp-argues-that-a-loose-debate-format-could-leave-sarah-palin-vulnerable-as-a-relatively-inexperienced-debater/#comments

Biden should have ample opportunity to take her pants off, so to speak.

GOP Fuckers...as usual...

Carry on...

and to hell with everything else.

But they are just trying to lower expectations to the point that if she simply doesn't shit in her silk panties, they'll say she hit it out of the park!

anybody's experience one way or another. If she can't think on her feet then she isn't fit for the office she seeks. Period!

her short comings. She's out of her league in any forum. She's a fucking dunce. Why do we have to accommodate her? Next they will give her the questions so she can study because Biden has been a 6 term senator? What the fuck?

hopefully will lay the smack down when needed.

Palin is going to go long and rambling and all over the place because she really can't just give a straight forward answer.

Can't she carry her own weight? If not, why not?

talking points. They're trying to lower expectations.

the commission wouldn't go for it. NYT article gives more info.

Pah. disgusting.

I suppose the Obama camp had to make some sort of concession to get that thing going at all, but I'm still surprised they gave even this much ground.

Palin's answers -- long or short -- will be garbled, chirpy bullshit. This way Biden gets to answer directly without having to acknowledge that Palin is even on the same stage. If he challenged her directly he'd be painted as "bullying" her. Under this scenario Biden can address the shortcomings of the Bush-Palin-McCain ticket on both issues and character without actually punching her in the face (which might be otherwise irresistible).

As a second point, it underscores the "poor widdle Sarah" meme, highlighting her not-qualified-for-dogcatcher aspects.

and said "thanks, but no thanks."

:sarcasm:

She is beyond a doubt a phenomenal politician - non other than Bill Clinton himself declared her as having the instincts and reflexes of a political Cheetah. I expect her to debate with the best of the best of them - anything less will be a total failure.

PLUS she hasn't done presser's, so people will think she is less qualified even more because of that. Then they'll bring the Cheetah out. Dirty tricks. Biden be ready.