The bar has been set so low for Palin that I will be surprised if she is not declared winner

[Clintonista2]

or at least declared as not having hurt herself. It happened with Bush in 2000 and 2004, remember? Gore and Kerry each wiped the floor with chimpy, but Bush was expected to bomb so badly that the media unanimously declared him as having done "not too badly."

[Marsala]

1. But the media hates Palin now

They WANT her to fail miserably. The narrative is now how awful she is. If she makes the slightest mistake, they'll be all over it. They especially will point out her rambling, incoherent answers that make no sense.

I think the general verdict will be "Biden did much better, Palin did fair/poor but her fans won't care at all."

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

2. People said the same thing about the Obama/McCain debate.

Yet it didn't turn out that way.

[countingbluecars]

3. Right.

The people didn't fall for the media spin.

[Clintonista2]

4. The bar for the Obama/Mccain debate was not set nearly as low

As Palin or Chimpy's bar. I've heard the phrase "crash and burn" several times in the past few days in the media to describe how Palin is expected to perform.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

5. Are you fucking kidding me?

People thought he wouldn't even show up.

[Clintonista2]

6. Performance wise

Being expected not to show up is hardly the same as being expected to show up and burn.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

8. Uh huh.

Thank you for your concern.

[Clintonista2]

17. You're welcome

:hi:

[BlueIdaho]

7. Respectfully - I don't buy it.

The bar is... Is this person ready to be President of the United States right now? Is this person ready to decide - yes or no - on launching nuclear wepons in the next ten seconds? Is this person ready to propose or veto a federal budget in the next week? Is this person ready to work internationally to avert a global financial meltdown - today?

This bar can't be lowered - its too damn important.

[Double T]

9. I thought Barracuda Palin had already picked out drapes............

for the Oval Office.

[Double T]

10. I thought Barracuda Palin had already picked out drapes............

for the Oval Office.

[Double T]

11. I thought Barracuda Palin had already picked out drapes............

for the Oval Office.

[Double T]

12. I thought Barracuda Palin had already picked out drapes............

for the Oval Office.

[Double T]

13. I thought Barracuda Palin had already picked out drapes............

for the Oval Office.

[Double T]

14. I thought Barracuda Palin had already picked out drapes............

for the Oval Office.

[Double T]

15. I thought Barracuda Palin had already picked out drapes............

for the Oval Office.

[bobd0]

16. Political and media insiders are the only ones who care about this bar bullshit

Voters don't care about lowering expectations or any bar other than the one down the corner. The polls are showing they see Palin for what she is, a dangerous incompetent that McCain was crass and cynical enough to choose for a running mate. I was having a hard time figuring this election out but now it's becoming clear that after getting a good look at Palin, and after McCain's ludicrous performance last week regarding the economic crisis, the only people voting for McCain/Palin will be the right wing fundie wackos who identify with Palin because the reason they identify with her is; they are just as stupid as she is.

I'm beginning to sense a landslide, and NOT for McCain/Palin.

[RagAss]

20. True...The fucktard vote is locked up.

[budkin]

18. Will it even matter?

[budkin]

19. Will it even matter?

[Clintonista2]

22. Will it matter? There's an election going on...

so you tell me.

[Renew Deal]

21. I agree

She might be declared the winner for not breaking down and crying.

[Telly Savalas]

23. Screw the bar

Rather than trying to play the expectations games, Democratic talking heads need to call them out as the bullshit they are.

The debate isn't about Palin and Biden meeting artificially set expectations. It's about them demonstrating they're capable of handling the job of being president.