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

[Bluejay00234]

I hope lipstick lady gets her moose cooked.

[lissak]

In the words of Bill Maher, "Sarah the barracuda.­...meet Joey the Shark."

[athenasword]

Amen!

[valleygent]

Hopefully the shark will show up and not just the Joey, but I am behind him.

[7sunday7]

Biden has the knowledge but he still needs to be careful. If an airhead like Paris Hilton can come off sounding a bit intelligent, then you can bet that Palin is going to memorise a lot of stuff by the time the debate happens.

[Vyvjala]

Joe will be the hunter and not the hunted when the debating starts with " safari sarah."...­..........­......

[mikelartist]

Palin is NOT smart enough to be President. That is not elitist... that is a fact. That is common sense. That is an well researched and factual statement. She is not smart enough, strong enough nor worldly enough. George Bush was of the same caliber as Palin. Look where that got us.

McCain has the experience. I used to like him, but sadly he is pandering for votes now and voted with loser Bush 91% of the time.

[GolfingDevil05]

Bush is obviously not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but he still got two terms. Hate his policies, but if there's one thing he's good at (other than running the country into the ground), it's campaigning and winning (stealing) elections. It has never mattered to the country whether someone was smart enough to be president.

That being said, I'm wary of Joe Biden trying to paint her as dumb, even if it's true. It could backfire because Americans for some reason have this knuckle-headed intent on electing someone who reminds them of themselves. Right now, for some reason, Sarah Palin is that person. He has to show her not as being dumb, but as being egregiously unqualified for the job.

To that end, I'm confident that Biden can pull that off. But attacking her intellect will backfire, unless she makes a huge unforced error during the debate.

[Donnat]

Because we've become the ultimate self absorbed nation. We actually think we're smart enough to run the country so why shouldn't someone just like us know how to do it?

This "American Idol" syndrome will be our undoing.

[honeydiva]

I'm sorry, it just doesn't get any better... i just read a few comments from that article AND i almost barfed. there are a lot of stupid people in america, but i already knew that.

[Phil123]

Palin was a brilliant pick. I never thought McCain could find a VP that Dems would hate more than Cheney. I'll bet she can shoot better than him too, so you better watch out, Joe (you doofus).

[Rosanneofpgh]

"she can shoot better than him. too, so you'd better watch out, Joe (you doofus.)"

How cheney-like of her!

Are you telling SENATOR BIDEN that caribou barbie is going to shoot him? You'd better watch what you say, fool. Threatening any politician is still against federal law. Lock your doors and dont answer your phone, phil. The Secret Service will be after your sorry butt any time now. Enjoy your time in Gitmo. Bwaahaahaahaahaa

[valleygent]

THEN HOW ARE YOU GOING TO WIN THE DEBATE SIR?

[loucreattie]

By debating the issues. Something Palin or McCain refuse to do.

[valleygent]

Hold on you guys...I support Obama/Bide­n...beware of those who cannot accept critical feedback..­.! Yes of course he can go on about issues, but she will attack his party, his record and his person...a­nd if he doesn't respond...­unfortunat­ely she will win in minds of most Americans. He absolutely must fight. If he is not up to it then just bow out and give it to Hillary. And I purposely use caps when I want emphasize a point...no­thing wrong about it.

[novmoonstars]

You may be surprised on how well alin does on the issues.

[nomobull]

try on the issues. personal attacks distract from the fact that the gop record on the issues that matter to the majority of Americans suck. personal attacks do not address how they will fix the economy.st­op the wares,lower the price of gas.and provide affordable health care.now if your life is so good that you don't have of these problems .God bless you but if not maybe you should ask yourself how will personal attacks help put food on your table etc.

[305Rider]

There are these wonderful things called the ISSUES that Biden can use to prove Palin is a fraud.

[ATFIllinois]

Caps lock key is on the left side of your keyboard

[moderate1]

yawn. What a terrible pick he has been thus far. Its too bad, I hope he doesn't cost Obama the presidency.

[loucreattie]

What are you talking about. Biden has been great in the town hall meetings. Talking about real issues. Keeping his cool.

You are wrong.

[roninracer]

The only thing I do not like about Biden is his stance on shared parenting/father issues. It's disgraceful.

[Bigeasy]

I'm not a big fan of Joe Biden never knew much about him but I saw him on Meet The Press I have to say I was impressed. The man is a wealth of knowledge and he knows how to deliver his message. Palin will have a tough time if she tries to tackle the issues with Joe and as far as foreign policy forget it she will be no match.

[nomobull]

yeah he actually has experience and you can't create fantasy out his life because he actually talks to the media. gee what a shame.

[joeyp404]

Yeah, it looks like the republicans aren't the only ones with an old white man problem.

[Bluejay00234]

O Live.

http://www.barackobama.com/live/index.php

[HPotamus]

I

[HPotamus]

[toochie50]

pumann:
figures you are one of her supporters - i bet you are UGLY!
50+, fat, single, complainer, etc etc.

[OhioJan]

You GO, Joe!! Give 'er h e l l !!! Kick @$$ & TAKE NAMES!!!!!

I heart that guy!!!!!

[JohnnieP]

Since both John McCain and the Witch of the West have disrespected the Obama/Biden ticket
since the Witch was named as McCain's running-mate, during the VP debate on October 3rd,
it will be time for Joe to throw a bucketful of water on her so the entire world can watch as
she melts.

[mistlesuede]

Very good.