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

[meleon]

Joe, it's why I love ya. Stick to the issues and let the people decide whose proposed solutions they can live and work with with. I'm an already decided Independent who has every confidence in the Obama/Biden ticket, and so the debate will simply be an opportunty for me to finally get a sense of who and what Palin is away from her cheering squad, fanbase, and Republican guard dogs.

Biden isn't interested in tearing her down. He wants to debate the issues but I know she'll make it personal and try to bait him so the McCain camp can accuse him of sexism etc. I know it as surely as I know the sky's above and earth's below.

....but so does Joe so it's all good.

[Independent voter]

McCain has been running hillary's playbook all summer. As soon as the VP debate is over, the Repub's will be whimpering about how Joe "picked on the girl" - just like Bill Clinton did.

I saw Joe at a town hall meeting in MO yesterday and he was great. But I have to wonder if these events do any good - everybody that I stood in line with was already a supporter.

[nomobull]

it affirms your decision and causes you to talk him up to others so yes.

[zenlikejen]

In all honesty, aren't a MAJORITY of people who go to these 'town hall meeting' things already supporters of the candidate holding them?

[njm50]

oBAMA JUST HIT BACK. And he was talking issues. Let's hear about issues from mccain/palin. NOT JUST LIES, THATS RIGHT LIES.

[Tom95134]

The one problem can I see is that Palin may try to motormouth her way and just constantly talk over the top of Biden. I hope that Gwen Ifill keeps control of the debate and doesn't let Palin get away with those kind of cheap tactics.

[soupson52]

This is the only debate I expect to be honest and fair. Wish Gwen was doing one of the presidential debates. Just watch. This debate will have the most intelligent and important questions.

[Hopalongpoppyseed]

It is surely going to be a night for a big bowl of popcorn.

[JackND]

Nice way to point out the offer on Jennifer Granholm's part...her gesture could help her favorabilities in the state.

[Sparklez]

If you are a Georgia resident, then make sure you are registered because the Sec. of State is throwing away ALL registration that is not legible

As opposed to calling the people at the telephone numbers listed to verify any info that they cant read

[Cowtippin]

If I were Biden I would stress to the American people that Palin is running scared because she will not debate me. Anytime, any place, any where Sarah. The ball is back in Palins court. Now if we could get the main stream media blow the whistle and start the real game. I think once we see a debate between Biden and Palin the world will see that this mayor from Alaska will be heading back to that the bridge to now where. Vote on the issues that matter to all Americans. Think beyond what you believe and lets all vote for what really matters ok. And if your still confused with 55 days until the election please stay home because we do not need millions of people voting for McCain or Obama because they are unsure. My choice is clear. I will vote for Obama because McCain is wrong for America. His ideology is wrong for America and he is not a true American when he calls for 100 more years in Iraq. If you like how things are going in America then vote for him. If not then vote for Obama

[Hedonist88]

Why is it that when a woman candidate is legitimately queried on her stand on issues or past possbile transgressions - it suddenly becomes a sexist issue? Yet the same woman can go full out and disparage her opponent with outright lies and snide remarks

[robXdion]

To answer this question would give the moderators fits, because the truth will provoke angry responses. Some women just want to have it both ways. It's a sad shame the future of the country comes down to coddling hypocritical feministic whims, but it is poetic.

[roninracer]

welcome to the republican double standard way of thinking.

[Vote For America]

Obama 274, McCain 264
http://voteforamerica.net/electoral.aspx

GOP Stealing Democrat's Blue Brand
http://voteforamerica.net/editorials/Comments.aspx?ArticleId=47&ArticleName=GOP+Stealing+Democrat%27s+Blue+Brand

[TGCNY]

IF YOU CAN SAY WITH A CLEAR CONSCIENCE THAT U ARE LIVING BETTER NOW THAN YOU DID 8 YEARS THEN FEEL FREE TO VOTE FOR THE PITBULL AND THE MAVERICK
You'll just love this Admin

Look at whats happening today on the Economy (Lehman Brothers now want help)

[JudgeCCrater]

Joe had better be prepared to say something appropriate but sympathetic IF Sarah starts crying. "I'm sorry I upset you but can't you admit that you are clearly not prepared to deal with Vladimir Putin?"

[nomobull]

pitbulls don't cry

[JudgeCCrater]

crocodiles do

[eddiebly]

[Liebermann] OK here we go, who is the prime minister of Great Britain
[Palin] Queen Elizabeth


[Liebermann] When did Washington D.C. achieve statehood
[Palin] During the Civil War

[Liebermann] When.....
[Palin] I gotta go, the baby is crying.

We are dooomed!!!!!

[Hedonist88]

this has nothing to do with her being a mother - and everything to do with her being grossly under qualified and unsuitable to be VP.

[eddiebly]

I agree, however she is a NEW mom of a special needs baby. That should be the priority. Wait til she finds out you can't moose hunt in Washington D.C.

[joeyp404]

Is this Biden fella running with Nader?

[lthuedk 1]

I see the blatant Rovian theobot, the ideal servant of power, is about to come unglued.

http://www.light-to-dark.com/palin_speaks_to_god.html

Should Palin get x'd I anticipate it would happen very near the election, not affording any time to vet the typically much worse nominee. Of course, there's nothing the MSM could do for the Neo Cons in repairing the fatally damaged McBush machine. Keep her or lose her, Palin is a permanent two ton granite boulder in the eye of Liberty.

[twiggy2]

good for you biden

[libertyanne]

Biden will put "Caribou Barbie" back in her box. But we cannot underestimate the ability
of her to learn quickly what she is told to say. She could trip herself up but remember she
has experience in front of a camera and in debates. Biden MUST cover all bases.

[CanadianinCleveland]

I agree.. I look forward to the debate...
Biden is, I'm sure, aware of her ability to be a talking head...
I'm ready to see her taken down a few pegs.. Her arrogance has no place for someone so unqualified for this nomination..
P.s. love the "Caribou Barbie"...lol

[WeMustChange]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EM58nqX1ehE

[Yermammy]

There's going to be women that will instinctually get defensive at the sight of a man getting in the grill of a woman. Resist that urge gals. You know as well as I do, that some women play both sides against the middle and that's exactly the game plan. Sure, she brags about being tough, but watch the "victim" come out on hard hitting issues. LISTEN to the issues :) Let's not elect this woman because she's a heartbeat from having to deal with REALLY ruthless men (Putin, Chavez, et al). Men that don't care one whit whether she's female or not. I don't want a "hockey mom" hanging the future of the planet's existence on her small minded, bigoted, vindictive and vastly ignorant views on world policy and foreign affairs. God in heaven this can't happen.

[OhioJan]

Amen to THAT, Mammy!!!!!

[JackND]

I still strongly suspect that the meetig with B'ill tomorrow will result in some deal, perhaps with H'illary being offered the State Department.

Now H'illary, as SoS, dealing with your Putins and Chavezes and what have you, would be a strong presence in the office.

And serving 8 years in the State Department, an office that used to be, in the Jefferson-Madison, Monroe era of early American history, a stepping stone to the presidency, would set her up well to succeed O'bama, since Biden will be 74 then.

Palin as the VP, on the other hand, would place here as an obvious candidate to succeed J-Mac, especially if we ascends to the office between elections.

In short, a VP Palin drastically reduces the chance that H'illary ever gets the chance to become president.