Palin with Katie Couric on CBS

JC wrote:

It's not possible that Palin could have been acting dumb this entire time is it? She walks into the debate, speaks intelligently about the topics and offers her opinions.... the crowd goes wild and all the Palin doubters jump right back on board and McCain wins the election

that was the nightmare I just woke up from during my nap.

I think if she did that, there would be a TON of people she'd SERIOUSLY piss off. First the group that was expecting a good show tonight, second the group that realizes she's been duping the country for political gain. I guess there'd probably be a subset of the second group that would be pissed off because she dropped the facade.

I wonder if the ratings will be better than the presidential debates because people are expecting a wreck?

A video of Palin surfaced from her debate in Alaska and she seems to do pretty good. I wonder what will happen tonight.

Edwin wrote:

A video of Palin surfaced from her debate in Alaska and she seems to do pretty good. I wonder what will happen tonight.

I didn't watch the video but I'm guessing she's either really pulled herself together or the debate format works in her favor. The mediator isn't going to force her to be specific and pin her in a corner. She might say something stupid up there tonight but there's no way she's going to squirm like she did under Couric.

Heh heh. Under Couric.

Malor wrote:

There's one place in Alaska where you can actually see Russia, and, guess what?

Palin's never been there.

Well, she could have potentially seen Russia's shoreline from a helicopter or a plane...

Tuchman says that only 150 people live on Little Diomede, and that the town of Diomede has no streets and no cars. The poverty rate is over 40%, there is no television, and the only practical way to reach it is by helicopter.

Sounds like Russia proper!!

I think there's a big comfort factor thing that we may be overlooking. It's very different being in a gubernatorial debate in a state you've lived in your entire life vs. debating for the vice presidency. As a native she should at least have a clue as to what the state and local issues are. I could do a decent job debating the issues involved with job loss in upstate New York but I'd look borderline {ableist slur} debating economic policy.

It's a much different issue to debate the myriad of challenges that will face our next administration.

LobsterMobster wrote:
Edwin wrote:

A video of Palin surfaced from her debate in Alaska and she seems to do pretty good. I wonder what will happen tonight.

I didn't watch the video but I'm guessing she's either really pulled herself together or the debate format works in her favor. The mediator isn't going to force her to be specific and pin her in a corner. She might say something stupid up there tonight but there's no way she's going to squirm like she did under Couric.

Heh heh. Under Couric.

Mostly, it centers around very provincial issues. Since this debate will mostly center around understanding of complex national issues, we might be up for fireworks.

LobsterMobster wrote:
Edwin wrote:

A video of Palin surfaced from her debate in Alaska and she seems to do pretty good. I wonder what will happen tonight.

I didn't watch the video but I'm guessing she's either really pulled herself together or the debate format works in her favor. The mediator isn't going to force her to be specific and pin her in a corner. She might say something stupid up there tonight but there's no way she's going to squirm like she did under Couric.

Heh heh. Under Couric.

There's no question that Palin is not dumb. She has a facility of language, she can sound persuasive, and can be articulate on the subject she's familiar with. When she spoke about her personal beliefs and stuff (in an interview with Hewitt, I think), she was quite reasonable and convincing.

Her problem is that she's familiar with so few precious subjects of relevance, if any at all.

Mostly, it centers around very provincial issues. Since this debate will mostly center around understanding of complex national issues, we might be up for fireworks.

NYT staff drew up their own "questions for VP debates". One of them mentions that Alaskan economy depends entirely on proceeds from the oil industry, there isn't even an income tax there (I didn't know that), and they're certainly enjoying a disproportional share of federal subsidies. With all that in place, Palin never even really had to balance the state budget. Even in the provincial purview, her expertise is EXTREMELY thin.

baggachipz wrote:

I blame the fact that Palin was picked, as well as the whole anti-intellectualism trend, on the voting drives and commercials of the last ten years or so. Specifically, the ones which evoke the message: "I don't care who you vote for, just go out and vote. It's your duty as an AMERICAN."

Guess what: If you haven't looked into the candidates and made some decisions for yourself, DON'T go vote. You're ruining it for the responsible people. The act of voting is not noble. A monkey can simply press a button. The act of voting based on knowledge of issues, facts, and positions is noble.

Catch-22 where I live. Local colleges and firefighters have bond measures on the ballot, bond measures that need a double majority to pass. this means that if at least 50% of the registered voters don't vote, no new taxes can be enacted.

I guess I say you don't have to be what my culture considers smart or educated, I just ask that everyone who is a registered voter do what they believe is the responsible thing. I'll take my chances with that.

Gorilla.800.lbs wrote:
Mostly, it centers around very provincial issues. Since this debate will mostly center around understanding of complex national issues, we might be up for fireworks.

NYT staff drew up their own "questions for VP debates". One of them mentions that Alaskan economy depends entirely on proceeds from the oil industry, there isn't even an income tax there (I didn't know that), and they're certainly enjoying a disproportional share of federal subsidies. With all that in place, Palin never even really had to balance the state budget. Even in the provincial purview, her expertise is EXTREMELY thin.

Yup. Last I saw, AK gets close to $1.90 of federal money for every dollar sent to Washington.

Bear wrote:
nsmike wrote:

More Palin interview clips surface from CBS, this time next to Biden.

This sh*t was funny when it first started to surface and we all marveled at how incredibly under qualified and ill prepared she is for the role of VP. Weeks later, this sh*t just isn't funny anymore. There are seriously f*cking problems that need to be dealt with. We're staring into the god damn abyss and we need qualified people at the helm.

It's unconscionable that McCain would goe out and chooses a VP candidate that would have trouble getting a GED. How you go from "war hero" to throwing your country under the god damn bus is beyond me.

Now I'm just really really pissed off............

omfg.. this is ridiculous.

Gorilla.800.lbs wrote:
Mostly, it centers around very provincial issues. Since this debate will mostly center around understanding of complex national issues, we might be up for fireworks.

NYT staff drew up their own "questions for VP debates". One of them mentions that Alaskan economy depends entirely on proceeds from the oil industry, there isn't even an income tax there (I didn't know that), and they're certainly enjoying a disproportional share of federal subsidies. With all that in place, Palin never even really had to balance the state budget. Even in the provincial purview, her expertise is EXTREMELY thin.

Now bear in mind that despite those additional revenue sources, Palin has given out budget surplus checks while simultaneously signing bonds for public works projects.

Wonkette with an awesomely snarky bit on the new Palin polling:

When America’s moms — or at least the white moms who are registered to vote and don’t have much money — first got a look at Sarah Palin, they all said, together, “Oh look at that, a lady with kids, and she has kind of a half-ass job just like me, so why not have some random mom become president when McCain dies on November 5?”

And then Sarah opened her mouth and revealed that she was, in fact, a barely functioning idiot.

Gorilla.800.lbs wrote:
Mostly, it centers around very provincial issues. Since this debate will mostly center around understanding of complex national issues, we might be up for fireworks.

NYT staff drew up their own "questions for VP debates". One of them mentions that Alaskan economy depends entirely on proceeds from the oil industry, there isn't even an income tax there (I didn't know that), and they're certainly enjoying a disproportional share of federal subsidies. With all that in place, Palin never even really had to balance the state budget. Even in the provincial purview, her expertise is EXTREMELY thin.

I believe that 85% of Alaska's revenue comes directly from the oil companies.

Gotta be a real Female Doggo there at budget time when almost 85% of your revenue is guaranteed. I guess her "executive experience" means she has to endorse the checks?

Can someone explain to me all of this "Energy experience" that she has. All day today there has been a a real push by the spin doctors to state that she has the most energy experience of all the candidates. Since when did being located next to an energy source become equated with knowledge?

JC wrote:

Can someone explain to me all of this "Energy experience" that she has. All day today there has been a a real push by the spin doctors to state that she has the most energy experience of all the candidates. Since when did being located next to an energy source become equated with knowledge?

She has actually had to deal with the oil companies directly for just that reason... the energy source is located in her state.

Passing legislation or receiving checks from oil companies don't give you energy experience either.

By those standards, my wife is quite the energy expert after the burrito I ate last night.

Are you talking of the newly discovered vast natural gas reserves?

Gorilla.800.lbs wrote:

Are you talking of the newly discovered vast natural gas reserves?

I'm talking biofuel, baby.

My home grown gas is capable of driving my wife all the way into another room. It's also more toxic than nuclear waste.

Ahhh the Joe six-pack American response!! Fart jokes!

Maybe that's how Palin can win. Walk onto stage with a six pack of bud light and a nascar shirt on. Fart loudly and proceed to burp the alphabet. At this point I think that is about the level that has been set for her

I'm starting to think Palin thinks experience is osmotic. The greater your proximity, the more you absorb. She's going to bathe in crude oil before the debate to make sure she's ready.

I dunno, I think y'all may be underestimating Palin. I want to see a train wreck tonight as much as the next guy but people have a history of underestimating her. I think this 'debate camp' will get her reasonably well prepared to discuss the relevant issues. I'm not suggesting that she is going to win the debate but I believe she will come in well armed with a few soundbites and enough talking points to carry her through. As long as she doesn't get flustered, I think a lot of us will be disappointed by a capable performance by her tonight.

What would be really cool is if McCain showed up and sat next to her during the debate.

Copingsaw wrote:

I dunno, I think y'all may be underestimating Palin. I want to see a train wreck tonight as much as the next guy but people have a history of underestimating her. I think this 'debate camp' will get her reasonably well prepared to discuss the relevant issues. I'm not suggesting that she is going to win the debate but I believe she will come in well armed with a few soundbites and enough talking points to carry her through. As long as she doesn't get flustered, I think a lot of us will be disappointed by a capable performance by her tonight.

What would be really cool is if McCain showed up and sat next to her during the debate.

When she's on a leash all she does is sound bites. I suspect she may not be a wreck, but she'll end up coming across wooden and obviously on a leash and not a free thinker.

Copingsaw wrote:

I dunno, I think y'all may be underestimating Palin.

Agreed. In a debate, as opposed to an interview, it is easier to finesse direct questions of fact into "common-sense" answers about core values. So if she gets pushed on her foreign policy experience, it will be easier for her to riff on the values, experiences, and cultural points that connect her so well w/ the Bible belt/Red State core.

Smart doesn't always win debates. Telegenic wins debates and Palin has that in spades if you consider the convention rather than the Couric/Gibson fiascos. Remember, Nixon won the debate against Kennedy if you asked those who listened on the radio rather than watching on TV. Intelligent and well reasoned answers are not necessarily trump cards.

I'm afraid that if we are expecting her to come on stage and look like a fool, we will be disappointed. She won't win, but she'll appear to be much, much more polished than the left-partisans have made her out to be.

Let's not forget that Bush held his own in a debate despite furrowing his brow for four seconds before every answer while listening to Karl Rove tell him the answer.

Copingsaw wrote:

I think this 'debate camp' will get her reasonably well prepared to discuss the relevant issues.

If the questions favor broad, generalized answers she'll do okay. Anytime she gets to talk about her family, what they do up in Alaska, or just how great America is she'll be okay. She'll probably take some cracks at the media, too. She needs questions like "What have you learned about American politics since becoming a nominee?" instead of "What steps will a President McCain take to improve relations with Spain's leadership and improve relations within NATO?"

Fareed Zakaria talks about Palin on CNN, following his column that slammed her.

Also, again, no one is going to be pushing her for specifics. She can give her vague, round-a-bout non-answer with her big bright smile and the only one who's even really allowed to call her on it is Biden.