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Debate advice for Joe Biden
I think Biden needs to speak as little as possible, stick to his message and Let Sarah Palin do as much talking as possible. The more Sarah banters, the better.
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Agreed --- BUT he needs to introduce himself to the half of America that aren't political junkies and haven't had occasion to do anything other than hear the repetitive jokes. He may make gaffes with some frequency ... but he is NOT a joke, and when people realize that Obama got a serious and truly capable VP selection, it will only help in several ways.
September 30, 2008 4:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
He should be serious... He should be razor sharp... and he should let her talk as much as possible.
Give her enough rope and...
September 30, 2008 5:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Shutting Biden up, just might be harder than getting Palin to talk!
September 30, 2008 6:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Already, sadly, there seems to be a hyper sexism mode projected for this debate.
Women cannot demand equality, but only subscribe to it when it serves their own purpose/circumstance.
Would the same standards of 'debate decorum' be in play if Sarah was Samuel? Giving her any slack or Biden any additional burden due to his opponent being female is absolutely wrong!
Ladies, if we want to play in the same arena, don't expect or demand to be treated any differently than your male counterpart. Unlike the gender specific restrooms, the stage and podium doesn't have a His and Hers!
September 30, 2008 7:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Actually, Aunt Sam -- I don't think this particular advice to Biden has anything to do with the fact that Palin is a woman. His challenge is how he should best comport himself when his opponent is clueless and unprepared and apparently has a tendency to reveal that cluelessness and lack of preparation more and more if faced with silence and time to fill. -- So, yes, given what we're discussing here, I think precisely the same standards of 'debate decorum' would apply. I'm sure Lloyd Bentsen was facing the same considerations when he was preparing to go up against Dan Quayle (except Bentsen didn't have the same, er, tendency to fill up available air time himself).
Now, if you want to talk about his having to consider whether he comes across as bullying or condescending, then yes, gender is part of it. And that is regretable ....... but it's not, at least in my view, relevant because his female opponent *deserves* or *has to have* different treatment. It's because HE would be attacked on those grounds, probably by McCain -- which wouldn't happen if he bullied or was condescending to a man. ------- One thing I will say for Sarah Palin: she herself has not pulled the "poor me, I deserve better, more gentle treatment" routine. (That doesn't go very far, since she's certainly let others within the campaign do it on her behalf and accepted their very chauvanistic treatment of her.)
September 30, 2008 8:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
E2, I agree, but my comments were aimed more at the MSM who keep talking about how he needs to adjust his demeanor and remarks 'because she is female'.
And she doesn't have to bring it up, she has PaPa McCain and all his cohorts to do it for her.
September 30, 2008 9:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Can anyone imagine if Joe Biden stated 5 or 6 times that Governor Palin just "doesn't understand..."
When someone asked him if he would treat her the way McCain treated Obama, Joe answered, "No, I won't be condenscending." I thought it was a great answer with a double meaning that anyone could get.
September 30, 2008 8:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
I do think that Joe Biden has the not only the experience but the intelligence to carry off his part of the debate. The Obama camp has shown us time and time and time again they know what they are doing. How many times have we (you, me and this board) been running in circles pulling our hair screeching for Obama to DO SOMETHING only to have him remain his calm self and he comes out on top ready for the next round while we are laying on the floor panting. Don't think they haven't figured out the right way for them to handle this debate and don't you think that Joe Biden wants to win more than you or I want them to.
Once again, I remind myself - if this is the team that I want to run my country I better start believing they know what to do. Joe is going to be GREAT.
September 30, 2008 9:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
So agree. Thank goodness, Obama is smarter and much more pragmatic than I am (and most I know).
Thanks for this.
September 30, 2008 10:06 PM | Reply | Permalink