Does the Debate Between Biden and Goldilocks Really Matter?

[maseman]

One of two things will happen Thursday night. Either Palin will look like a complete ass and she will be written off as lower on the rung than Dan Quayle. OR she will hold her own, skate by and become an overnight "winner" and "maverick" according to the media.

The big question is if the latter situation happens is it too late? Her knowledge has been proven by her few interviews to be almost zero on foreign policy. She has been deemed almost as an airhead who is more interested in mooseburgers and snowmachining than governing. She has her scandals that she is fighting right now. The media is not very happy with her overall and is now bored of her.

I think Thursday is moot. I don't see it as game changing in either direction.

[KittyWampus]

1. No. VP Debates don't really matter. Although McCain's camp will spin it like hell

[maseman]

3. We can say they do not matter

But I think it will be the most watched debate this year and also she did help the McCain camp go up dramatically in the polls after the convention. (Rally the base.)

I'm torn on this. Traditionally the VP debates haven't mattered. Will they this year though?

[Clio the Leo]

2. WE know she's not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but does the general public know it? ...

.... if she fails in the debate, it could be the final nail.

Plus ....... the debate will bring me joy. And that's really all that matters anyway.

[maseman]

5. That's funny. As long as you're happy!

:hi:

[CK_John]

4. McAnchor's age and health issues make this very important. n/t

[mtnsnake]

6. I think the hopes of Republican Party depend on it

If Palin holds her own, Republicans can jump up and down for joy and once again claim that she is the best thing that's happened since the invention of the wheel.

If she comes off as what we all know she is, an incompetent and drastic choice, then it's curtains for the Repukes.

If she comes off as somewhere in between, then we'll just be right back where we are now, and that's not a bad place to be.

[southpaw]

7. Sadly, she could help McCain if she does well

but I doubt that a poor performance by Palin will significantly hurt McCain.

I agree that this will probably be the most-watched of the debates. Not only are people still interested in seeing Palin, but the debate is on a Thursday night... a traditionally high-rating's night for televeison viewing.


BTW: Does anyone know exactly what the debate format and rules are going to be?

I've heard that the McCain campaign has stipulated conditions that will be the most favorable for Palin, and that Biden has responded that he is willing to debate in any format.

[southpaw]

8. Dupe

[Stop Cornyn]

9. Nixon won with Agnew and Poppy Bush won with Quayle. Few people vote based on the VP. She'll be

wrongly declared the winner for besting low expectations while the media obsesses over whichever gaffes Biden makes, but it will be wholly irrelevant because McCain supporters will buy into the illusion that she won we will recognize that Biden won and everyone else will vote (if they vote) based on their preference between Obama and McCain.