If you were hoping for Biden to expose Sarah Palin during their one and only debate, stop hoping. Not going to happen.
The debate format will be a series of question and answers from the moderators with almost no exchange between the debaters. Why? Because the McCain camp did not want Biden to "trick" Sarah Palin.
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.
Inexperienced debater? How about inexperienced, period. Now we have to make accommodations for people with special needs? When they send her to Iran and Russia, they will make sure Ahmadinejad and Putin stick to questions agreed upon in advance that way Sarha will not be "largely on the defensive"?
Biden wanted the rough and tumble. So did the Commission on Presidential Debates, which is sponsoring the forums.
Commission members wanted a relaxed format that included time for unpredictable questioning and challenges between the two vice-presidential candidates. On Wednesday, the commission unanimously rejected a proposal sought by advisers to Ms. Palin and Senator John McCain of Arizona, the Republican presidential nominee, to have the moderator ask questions and the candidates answer, with no time for unfettered exchanges. Advisers to Mr. Biden say they were comfortable with either format.
First she does not talk to the media, then she only answers questions about lipstick from the public, and now they shield her during the debate. I will certainly watch but fully knowing that this whole thing is scripted. Sarah Palin will come in with memorized lines that she will insert at the right time. When she lies about her record, Biden won't be allowed to rebuke. So, what is the point?
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Comments: 25
This is the biggest fraud in US history. A candidate shielded from the media and the opposition and given crash courses.
Cramming for a final exam. Can be done. Cramming to the white house. Ouch.
or what?
tail wagging the dog
how does that go again
Jerry P., Sep 20, 2008, 11:17pm EDT
Try and stay focused K.
We all know these people are lying to us. And I include both sides to us. What better way to sort it out, a little bit, than have them go at each other because they better know the falsehoods. Also it will give us a glimse of how they will comport themselves when they represent us at home and abroad in those very often tense meetings.
What happened to Lincoln Douglas? No moderator, just a time keeper who announces the themes and let them go at each other. Two hours, no commercials please.
Bidens Foot in Mouth Disease will be contained and Stuttering Barry will have his answers scripted. You guys have just received a wonderful gift.
This format only applies to the ONE Biden/Palin debate.
"Palin and Biden will each have 90 seconds to respond to questions, with a two-minute period for discussion between the candidates to follow."
Underestimating your opponent is a mistake many campaigns make, thats why Obama won and Clinton didn't. Obama I think is sharp enough not to share your lack of confidence in her nor take the chance she isn't bright.
This is a debate. You have to give them enough time to exchange back and forth on some issues. There are questions that require short answers and let's move on. Some questions require to debaters at least 4 exchanges because often times someone makes a dubious populist claim and the other guy does not have the opportunity to show people how foolish it is.
This is no interview. It's a debate. It's looks more like an interview however.