Biden On Debate Prep: I Won't Take Palin's Bait

LANSING, Mich. — Democrat Joe Biden has tapped Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm to be the stand-in for Sarah Palin as he prepares for next month's vice presidential debate.

Biden predicted that Palin would try to make their debate personal and said he wouldn't respond in kind if she attacked him.

"She's going to try to make it as personal as she can. She's going to take a lot of straight lefts and jabs at me, she's going to try to get me to respond, she's going to try to get me to respond in a personal way," Biden said at a fundraiser Tuesday night in Chicago. "That's not my style. I'm not going to do it."

Biden said Granholm had agreed to spend four days with him to help prepare for the Oct. 2 debate in St. Louis. The Obama-Biden campaign asked for her assistance, and she was pleased to accept, Granholm spokesman Liz Boyd said Wednesday.

Granholm, 49, graduated from the University of California-Berkeley and Harvard Law School. She is married with three children.

Granholm's superior performance in some of her 2006 debates against Republican opponent Dick DeVos, a businessman whose father co-founded Amway Corp., was credited with helping her win re-election despite the state's struggling economic performance.

According to the pool report from Tuesday's events, Biden said he'll be concentrating on national issues when he debates Palin.

"I'm not into the small-bore stuff. I don't care whether or not she built a bridge to nowhere. I don't care if she sold a plane," he said.

"What I care about is what in God's name is she going to do _ along with John McCain _ about the thousands of people who don't have health care," those struggling with other economic problems, and the foreign policy challenges facing the country, Biden said.

Comments

[mergina]

Well you don't look like a MOOSE OR A WOLF, so don't worry too much. Why can't you just go in there and SPEAK THE TRUTH, i mean hell, LOOK AT WHERE WE ARE AFTER 8 YEARS OF THE RAPE AND PILLAGE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

[BOin08]

Hilary a better pic for VP? Shut your pie hole Joe, you're killing us--Obamaside by Binden gaffs

[BOin08]

Hilary a better pick for VP? Shut your damn pie hole Joe-you're killin' us....it's unjustifiable obamaside

[Bocobo]

Underestimating her as predictable and pre-programmed is a HUGE mistake. Instead of believing the tut tut dismissals of her as a dim witted, unintellectual, small town PTA Queen, just research her This woman knows how to look down the barrel of a gun and gut an animal in the wilderness, is not afraid that she'll break a nail when she punches an opponent right between the eyes in a political fight. She's demonstrated grit and determination while pummeling the former Republican governor out of office, shoved the former Alaska attorney general out of her way, and effortlessly took out the former Alaska GOP chairman.These are men in her own Republican party. Do you think those men rolled over? Do you think they graciously conceded? No, they fought her tooth and nail, and she not only beat them but pummeled them into the ground. Biden's flipant, no problem the girl doesn't scare me attitude is scaring the bejeebers out of me. He needs to man up or she will with a smile and flip of her hair outman him and he will not have seen it coming.

[HarryTichbaum]

For all of you who are worried that Joe "the Shark" Biden will go easy on Sarah "the Barracuda," relax. Joe is going to come at her with rows and rows of sharp, biting questions that cannot be answered--­intelligen­tly--with a quick soundBITE. The man knows his foreign and domestic policy better than any other democrat or republican, for that matter, so don't listen to the worry-warts who fear that Biden won't bite the barracuda. His pre-debate rhetoric is intended to lower everyone's expectations of his performance against her. As long as he doesn't say anything that could be interpreted as sexist or belittling to women, he will do just fine. If you fear otherwise, you have never seen Biden debate. Remember, he's the guy who ended Guliani's political career with one sentence: "Rudy Guliani--what's he got? A noun, a verb, and 9/11." Sarah a-noun-a-v­erb-and-a-­bridge-to-­nowhere Palin should be shaking in her shoes, not Joe "the pro" Biden.

[MmeFlutterbye]

Dear Senator Biden, Sarah Palin is spending her days before the "debate" learning 15 to 20 bumper-sticker phrases which she will use to answer any question. The press will say she was succinct and accurate in her answers. They will gush over her and they"ll quote her ad nauseum. They will say she has won the debate. They'll disparage you if you intimate that she is incorrect on any question saying that yoo are denigrating poor Sarah. You are in a bad place, Senator., if you give answers of more than a sentence. The press and the republicans will call you a blowhard. I'm sorry but Madison Avenue has weened the American public away from thinking critically. I don't know what the answer might be to this dilemma. Still, there are a lot of people like me who want you and Barack Obama to win. We fear a theocracy , a prolonged war, and loss of SS and Medicare, and inadequate care for the needy.. GOOD LUCK, Senator. We'll be rooting for you.

[Icantbelieveher]

So they ask Palin what she would do about the problems in Russia during the debate, and she will tell them how she sold a plane on ebay! Or maybe she can talk about her bridge to no where!!! Yeah, that's the ticket! (Literally)

[tyger]

That's the way to go Joe. I have confidence in you.

[PAposter]

Good for you Joe. Did you get my email?

[IronMikeHouston]

Biden is a long-winded, say nothing, know-it-all! Why did Barack pick Biden (who received ZERO delegates) over Hillary (who received over 1800)? Barack had his first decision and blew it! McCain took the opportunity and is blowing by Barack! Who cares who the VP is? Find Hillary, put some lipstick on her and nominate her for VP!

[Bobrobert]

PORKER PALIN SEEKS MORE EARMARKS - ALASKANS HAPPY!!!!

[DanSmith]

Joe better have a list of questions to ask her since she's been hiding. Sarah sarah, where are you? You can run, but you can't hide.

[CocteausTwin]

Joe is going to treat her with due respect and he is going to out her for her fundamental lack of understanding of national concerns.

[keepemhonest]

Dear Joe Biden,

I am not from your state, but your father was good friends with my grandparents. In fact, my grandparents helped you get elected the very first time you ever ran for Senate. I have ALWAYS admired you and your dedication, hard work, loud mouth .... all of which have helped middle class families in America! THANK YOU.

You will do great in the debate! Fight like HE&& ... AMERICAN FAMILIES NEED YOU AND BARACK!!!

Obama-Biden 08-16!

[OldKnute]

OMG,, NO,, Thank YOU Keepemhonest. Than you and your WISE Family.

I have followed Joe Biden for nearly 30+ Years. You did good in helping Joe. Straight Talker, means what he says and does what he promises. And I am saying this as a former Republican.

Go Joe Biden GO!

WE TRUST YOU!

Oh man,, if you could only sell seats to this debate. WOW!

If Sarah makes it past her first interview,,,,,, that is.

All the best

Knute Neo-LIB

[Bobrobert]

PORKER PALIN HAS NO INTERVIEWS - ABC agrees to push McCains talking points and not ask any questions.

[jiml1956]

How much does the State of Alaska tax the oil extracted there and how much does that add to the energy costs of the lower 48?

[Bobrobert]

Alaskan oil is sold to China.

:-)

[dlscio]

The side fighting problems, not personalities is on the left and is the right side to be on!!