Democrats Should Ignore the Palin-Biden Debate

Everyone will be watching the Biden-Palin vice presidential debate. This is an eagerly awaited event, with predictions that Americans will tune in high numbers to see whether Palin can handle the tough questions and if Biden puts his foot in his mouth, once again.

Democrats need to be very careful. When Senator McCain introduced Governor Palin as his running mate, Republicans completely knocked Democrats off their message. The Democratic Party had just come off a very strong convention and a historic speech by Senator Barack Obama. Yet the introduction of Palin created a media frenzy around her, distracting reporters from the main contest, and giving Republicans a chance to regroup and to rebound in the polls.

Palin served two functions for the Republican Party. The first was to mobilize the conservative base. Republicans sensed she could generate the kind of enthusiasm that conservatives had not shown towards McCain.

The second was to attract the kind of media attention that only Obama had enjoyed until August. Before Palin, McCain had terrible trouble combating the media attention that his Democratic opponent received. The Palin strategy worked; for two weeks after the convention, Obama had to fight for media time. While Democrats have clearly benefited more recently, when Palin has stumbled in front of the camera, there is also a cost when Obama has less time to explain his ideas, directly, to the public.

This time, Democrats should not fall for the bait. The Obama campaign is once again in a strong position as Republicans struggle to deal with the economy. There is considerable unease among moderates with McCain's erratic performance during the bailout debate. The weakness of President Bush and the obstructionism of House Republicans with the financial legislation have opened up an opportunity for Democrats to take the ball and run down the field for a touchdown.

Tonight's debate, in certain respects, comes at perfect time for Republicans. Whatever happens, Americans will be watching Palin not Obama.

Democrats should stay focused on the themes from this week, rather than encourage reporters to spend the next week talking about the gaffes or intelligence of Palin. In the end, this is a contest between McCain and Obama, and about Bush's record over the last eight years. When Republicans shift to other issues, they do better. When forced to confront the main issues, they have struggled.

Julian E. Zelizer is a professor of history and public affairs at Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School. He is currently editing a book about the Bush presidency that will be published by Princeton University Press and completing a book on the history of national security politics since World War II that will be published by Basic Books.

Comments

[keepingfaith]

"Great minds talk about ideas, Average minds talk about things, Small minds talk about other people." --Unknown

"Speech is the mirror of the soul; as a person speaks, so he/she is." --Publilius Syrus

[pontiuspilate]

And Biden did nothing but talk about McCain...he spoke his name 73 times during the debate...I suppose Pubililius Syrus got it right...

"Small minds talk about other people."

touche'

[ProudLiberalDan]

Agreed. This time, whatever happens, the news cycle tomorrow will be dominated by the bailout debate.

Palin is the sideshow. The Republicans will do anything so that the campaign isn't about the issues, in particular the economy.

[pontiuspilate]

Biden ignored the issues...couldn't stop talking about McCain and Bush...it was great comedy.

Palin by a landslide.

Palin had a 'bug' in her ear...one of Huffington's top writers claims.

and I'm laughing all the way to the voting booth.

[EvasDaddy]

You contradicted yourself in your first sentence. McCain and Bush ARE the issues.

Enjoy your funny vote. It won't seem so funny on November 5.

[Waterguy]

McCain took the gamble on Palin much like Bush gambled our economy and credibility away in Iraq. Like a game of Texas hold'em, he's all in! The stakes are too high for Biden not to take every opportunity he can, to make Palin answer questions forthright and in great detail. She needs to show that she can handle the job. I personally don't think she can do this. As McCain is 72, the actuarial risk, based on mortality tables, of Palin becoming president if the Republican ticket wins the election is about 1 in 6 or 7. Talk about fear.

[nellie]

I'm following the VP debate mainly to watch Biden. He is so knowledgeable, I'm sure to learn something. The Palin factor is pretty much irrelevant, as far as I'm concerned.

[checkitout]

If you know anyone who is still thinking of voting for McCain have them read this new Rolling Stone article:

http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/make_believe_maverick_the_real_john_mccain/page/1

[pontiuspilate]

Sorry, I stopped reading Rolling Stone when I stopped smoking pot at age 23...but all you teenie boppers, go ahead and read on.

Good God, check out the latest spoof in Mad Magazine while your at the children's mag rack.

[EvasDaddy]

The Rolling Stone article is an amazingly detailed account of John McCain's life.

As "checkitout" suggested, anyone thinking of voting for the man needs to read it; unless you're afraid to have the "curtain" pulled away from your wizard.

[debinoregon]

Point well made, but our pesky economy will still be at the forefront tomorrow along with the debate. People are on pins and needles whether the House will pass the bill. The Bailout/Rescue is huge and McCain handled it so badly I don't think six-pack Palin will have the ability to change the momentum like she did at the Convention no matter how well she performs. And I don't count Biden out on his the ability to connect with everyday folk. I'm a Washington outsider and I see a down home quality in Biden. And face it, even if Biden overwhelming wins the debate tonight the McCain camp will spin it was six-pack Palin who won .

[cdub1991]

For most Democrats, I believe that Palin is now more of an entertainment rather then a distraction. This is her last hurrah, at which point (barring a truly miraculous performance) the GOP will quietly move her into the background and try to bring the focus back to McCain. She can't carry the water, so he'll have to do it.

Watch out though--McCain is going to be ready for the next debate. If I were McCain I would spring some sort of new initiative on Obama at that debate to try to knock Obama off his game and shift momentum. McCain has time for one more run at Obama, but has to start before mid-October.

Here's hoping that McCain doesn't take my advice.

[Ahoon]

I assume that you are speaking to the few Democratic journalists who have survived the corporate take-over of our media...Every day dem.s didn't get caught up in the hype! JOURNALISTS DID!