Does anyone really believe tonight's debate is going to change anything?

[Drunken Irishman]

I mean, even if Palin gives a flawless performance, it's not going to pull McCain out of the tailspin he's in. And unfortunately, even if Palin flubs a few lines, it's not going to end the campaign by Friday morning.

This debate might give either candidate a bounce of 1-2 points in the poll, but that's it.

So for all the hype, it'll amount to little in the end.

[justiceischeap]

1. I think if she answers debate questions like her interview questions

We'll see a bounce for Obama.

[NotThisTime]

2. I was actually going to say no, then thought about it,, and maybe just maybe & here's why...

We have a friend who owns a small, but multi million dollar company (but still small, think 50-100 employees....)

They were SOLID McCain - until Palin, now they are on the fence, they are looking at the whole picture and not exactly liking what they see, but they are still on the fence, they need something to push them OFF the fence... my friends can't be the only fence sitters here.... they don't like Palin but haven't entirely booted her out the door, this will give them just that chance.

[peacebird]

6. exactly - if she knocks it out of the ballpark, McLame gets a second wind

If she tanks like on Couric, McLame is hurting....

Having seen video of her debates in Alaska I think we would do well NOT to underestimate her. She knows how to work the room, and dance around questions....

[RichGirl]

11. I don't think she could "knock it out of the park".

She can't undo the past or change what people have already seen and know about her. If she does well...it says she managed to memorize intelligent lines and deliver them well. (Paris Hilton can do that...and has!) It doesn't say she understands basic issues and concepts.

I've watched her previous debates too. She talks a lot better, with more confidence but there is still no content or substance. In fact in one of them she makes fun of her opponent for knowing too much. Debates are serious...she can't wise crack her way through.

[WeDidIt]

3. Might knock a point or two off McCain's numbers

due to people being disgusted with how poorly he handled the first presidential decision test.

[phantom power]

4. I guess the question is whether it changes any media narratives.

Like, if Palin does anything noteworthy that reinforces one or more of the various negative narratives about her, that the talking heads latch on to. Then it will have a more far-reaching impact.

[Lasher]

5. Absolutely.

It will put me in a much better mood. No doubt about it.

[grace0418]

7. I'm hoping it will be good for some laughs anyway. We need to laugh in times like this.

And the "in what respect, Charlie" line is getting old.

[Greyskye]

8. I work w/ a couple people who think Palin is the Second Coming

Even though they can't stand McCain.

If Palin crashed and burned in the debate, I think some of that lipstick will come off of her image.

:hide:

[RichGirl]

18. Not all of it...apparently her lip liner is tattooed on.

[Alter Ego]

9. If Palin holds her own, the press will pat her on the back until the next Presidential debate

and then everyone will forget about it.

If she blows it spectacularly, though...that's the knife in the heart of McCain's campaign.

[Drunken Irishman]

15. dupe

[Drunken Irishman]

16. I actually agree with that.

The gain here is minimal, but the loss could be amazingly bad for the McCain camp.

[Alter Ego]

23. Voters are not SO stupid that they won't be able to connect

"Gibson, Couric, debate performance...maybe this woman is dumb as a brick!"

[BuyingThyme]

10. Yes, because the Pig is the only real decision McCrazy hasn't flip-flopped on.

She's the closest thing he has to a trump card.

Tranaslation: He's in some pretty deep shit right now.

[paparush]

12. The people that "love Sarah" are still going to "love Sarah".

But, she's gonna knock some people off the fence they have been sitting on.

[rucky]

13. It'll give them more stuff to talk about on the teevee.

the couric tapes are starting to drag out.

[snacker]

14. This question was asked on our local news last night?

A political science professor answered that he thought people would just be watching for entertainment value. Thought that was funny!

[BklynChick]

17. it will change nothing. I think we all just need some free entertainment.

[Beregond2]

19. It's an amusing sideshow; that's all.

[Ganja Ninja]

20. I think you'll see an acceleration of the McCain/Palin slide in the polls.

In my opinion a lot of people that are already thinking about voting Obama/Biden are going to tune in one last time to watch her flop. I think they are going to have one last look at her and if she bombs it's going to be all over.

[dgibby]

21. Recent polls indicate that many people think

his health status is questionable and she is not qualified to be president. Even conservatives are distressed, so I do think the debate tonight can make a difference, especially with undecideds. If she tanks, Obama will pick up more support, or, at the very least, people will just not vote.

[Parker CA]

22. I don't think this is going to matter one bit. Even if Palin smashes it out of the park

or fails miserably, or if Biden does one of the same.

Tomorrow is going to overshadow anything that happens tonight because the stock market will be on edge until the house vote is complete, and the real pending issues of our economy are far more relevant to this country than some Moose attempting to debate Joe Biden.

Just as Obama's speech was overshadowed by the puke hate-fest, the debate tonight will lose any luster in the shadow of tomorrow's economic woes and decisions that will be made.

Just my $.02