Debating Sarah Palin: A First Hand Account

Christian Science Monitor :

When he faces off against Sarah Palin Thursday night, Joe Biden will have his hands full.

I should know. I've debated Governor Palin more than two dozen times. And she's a master, not of facts, figures, or insightful policy recommendations, but at the fine art of the nonanswer, the glittering generality. Against such charms there is little Senator Biden, or anyone, can do.

Read the whole story: Christian Science Monitor

Comments

[gladys46]

Most reThugs use that bul^sh^t filibustering ploy to appear in control of subject matter ... I can't see Palin being able to use that reThug filibustering ... she has no innate analytical thought process, she has no substantive coherent fillers! Cutzy ranting is what she brings ...period!

[MadFae]

The thing Palin needs to worry about with Biden is not his long-winded, intelligent, substantial answers. It's the fact that Biden is able to connect on a gut level DESPITE that. I've watched him at rallies and town halls. He's a blue-collar guy's guy. He's respectful and charming with women. He's able to laugh at himself (something Sarah seems incapable of). He's able to tell a good story. Sarah doesn't have the monopoly on the "I'm one of you" meme with Biden. Those factory workers are listening to him. They recognize the way he talks. Women appreciate his high rating on women's issues and his ability to be funny and flirtatious without making them feel cheap or disrespected. If Biden is on top of his game, Sarah Palin is going to be in trouble. Her nasal voice and homey speech patterns aren't going to be in the spotlight, and she's not going to be able to make Biden look like a bully. He's debated too many females before this.

[nvr2late]

Thank you. I needed that this morning. I just hope he doesn't go over the top with ladies and gentleman.

[the964kid]

The 'non-answer' may work in alaska but it would work on such a national stage where the most educated voters, the national media, and SNL writers, are all watching closely.

[Smirk]

My guess is that it will work like a charm with her base and some, but not, all of the media and independents.

[adjam]

I really have to say one of the things they are drilling into her head right now is TINA FEY...... you can bet the writers at SNL have their pencils sharpened cause if what truly happened in Alaska happens in a national debate... SNL will make sure it lives forever in our minds.....

[JeffersonState]

Non Answer - Yes. Master... not so much.

[studmoose]

So, this article is saying that...

Sarah Palin is a "Master Debater"

[gladys46]

Broadway may be where she'd fit !!! She's a performer ... a bad one at best! Pundits want "performance" not substance !!??

[Sloane7]

I don't think you read the original article. It's saying she is great at blustering her way out of an answer.

[thedirtman]

I have this vision of Joe Biden saying in his most simple and polite manner just this:

"Yes, mam, the facts do matter."

That should do it.

[Ivar]

thedirtman.......I agree...and the people Palin looks out at THIS time (thanks to newspapers, radio, TV,and COMPUTERS ) will have the facts, and "I will look it up and get back to you." will not cut it. She is as smooth as the old time used car salesman. Truly the master of the nonanswer.

[WritusMaximus]

Perhaps Palin may take a shot or two at Ms. Ifle during the debate if Palin starts to unravel. But is Palin up to it? Can McBush survive such a tactic coming from the lipsticked mouth of their vp pit bull? One thing for sure, Ms. Ifle has been put on notice to be "fair", 'cuz of her pro-Obama book deal. Kudos to the McSame camp. If things head south for Palin (Oops! We talkin' Alaska! LOL!) expect the McSame camp to label Ifle as in the tank for Obama. Again, scores points with the repub base, and forces the media to explain how the book deal affected Ifle's questions/performance. In essence, Ifle is the focus, NOT Palin!

Now, what to do with Ms. Couric? Katie, how's your voting record? Any deals in them cards?

Like somebody already said; Someone should be paying me some serious dinero for this! LOL!

[songman]

Check out song/video parody of Sarah at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqUv0jq8QIs
"The Lady is a Sham"
And pass it on!

[ebanks84]

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20081001/NEWS09/810010377/1056&theme=CAMPAIGN_2008 - top right video on page.

EVERYONE!

Please go to this link and hear McCain say right out of his mouth ..."IF I WERE DICTATOR, AS I HAVE ASPIRED TO BE..."

I hope Sarah Palin can DEBATE this and explain away McCain's words here.

ANY MORE QUESTIONS AS TO HIS INTENT?

[Smirk]

Yet another example of McCain's poor judgment and suspect behavior.

[Sev151]

Agree here with the consensus. Palin has already won the debate.

Everyone, including the Republicans, knows that she is vastly unqualified. But the MSM has been hitting her hard the past few weeks and a handful of prominent Repubs have questioned whether she is indeed fit for this position. This is all working in her favor, as the bar has been set so low that she merely has to answer the questions and they will spin this as a huge win. That is why the Dems have been trying to raise expectations for this debate, highlighting her ability to debate issues and win over the audience with her charm and feisty demeanor... she's very similar to GW Bush.

I think she'll use the debate format to attack Obama and fire-up some of her mouth-breathing supporters... using the same vitriol that she spewed at the convention. They love that stuff. Since completing the disastrous CBS interview, they've had her on an IV drip of talking points and one-liners. And given the non-confrontational format of the debate, I'm sure she'll recall enough to get by.

[robXdion]

As I've stated before, the guy who debated Palin has some good points. But the difference is she won't be able to get away with generalities and couching her non-answers in attacks on Obama. Gwen Ifill will demand specifics. Biden doesn't have to be mean or bully her. He needs to go after McCain and if he does 30% of what he did in the primary debates, McCain is so thru.

The author left out the fact that he had some previous bad dealings with Palin. She KNEW him. And the incumbent governor had anger issues. So while the two men argued like children, she was able to look cool and composed.

[Ramus]

Biden does need to remain calm and not do his lose-cannon routine..calm and relaxed and friendly Joe....he should count to ten and take a deep breath before answering anything.

[MadFae]

He shouldn't have much of a problem with that, considering they two candidates aren't supposed to cross talk or discuss with each other. I'm sure somehow it will happen anyway. I just don't see Palin as being someone with the ability to rile Biden up.

[OBXartist]

Well, we can only hope that America doesn't let her off the hook the way Alaska did. In times like these no one should get elected who is unable or unwilling to answer a direct question about policies, plans, or vision. It seems to me that the debate moderator shares some responsibility for not letting Palin get by with these fluff non-answers.

[Rumba]

Actually this non answer stuff is otherwise known as fudging or bull s***ing.
It is counter acted by stating that you didn't hear an answer to the specific question, and requesting explanation. Hopefully the moderator will point this out and save Biden the trouble.

[woodson]

In college, we called it "baffling with bulls__t." Most people aren't fooled by what sounds substantive but what really isn't.

[newdates]

Americans with common sense know she will appear attractively with an empty brain.
She will earn applauses form some fans.

But she will expose her shallow brain and recite a few rhetoric sentenses. That's all.

There is no short cut in terms of intelligence and knowledge. One must ear it through time. It takes time to get mature. It is good for Obama/Biden when McCain selected Palin as the VP Candidate.
Clinton knew it well, That why he predict Obama will win the election easily.

That is why Hlllary refuse to give up the battle for Dem candidate until the last minute.

[laurinek]

What works in Alaska politics will not work here. Sure her "base" might eat it up but I truly believe her free pass is over.

[Rumba]

So far as I can determine her "in depth" answers to questions seem to be nothing but mixed up drivel containing words that she obviously has heard, but does not understand.

[Ramus]

like W