Comments on: Obama-Biden camp hype Palin’s debating skills

By: BM

BM — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:34:08 +0000

You know, this Palin vp might surprise all of ya!
She has been sequestered since she was selected, therefore she should be well prepared after McSame knew that she was going up against Biden.

By: independent

independent — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:33:45 +0000

Biden, don't feel sorry for her. She accepted the nomination, she thought the VP job was to insult Obama in the convention, she'll face it now. Exterminate that mouse hunter.
Mcbush, it's time to appoint another VP cause you'll be retracting Palin's comment from now till she goes to jail after the verdict of brother in law.

By: Pat F

Pat F — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:33:12 +0000

Someone should ask Biden to define "Leviathan". I'd bet a sawbuck that he has no idea what the word means.

This is the guy that said that when Franklin Roosevelt was president and the market crashed, he went on TV and explained it to the American people. OK, firstly, Roosevelt wasn't president in 1929, and secondly, unless he was standing on a prototype, there was no TV in 1929.

This cotton-head is supposed to be heart-beat from the presidency?

By: greedyboy

greedyboy — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:33:04 +0000

She may be skilled, but she just doesn't know what the heck she is talking about. There is a lot of coaching going on, and the canned answers will be flying, but she is completely clueless. I hope Putin doesn't rear his head in Alaskan air space while she is debating, whatever will the country do?

By: Accountant Guy

Accountant Guy — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:32:54 +0000

I am glad that on Thursday America will see how much of an idiot Palin is. She has given two hilarious interviews and has no idea what is going on in the world. She has been exposed to be a liar and a cheat. THANKS BUT NO THANKS ON THAT VP TO NO WHERE PALIN!!

Obama/Biden '08

By: Baze

Baze — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:32:34 +0000

Palin's a joke. I don't give a crap what she has to say in this debate

ONE NATION

By: TJ

TJ — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:32:31 +0000

"Biden has a difficult task on his hands - not coming across as condescending with his decades of experience and not adopting a tone that could appear as though he’s treating Palin differently because she’s a woman." Gee that's funny. McCain was condescending and downright comtemptuous towards Obama, acting as if it was totally beneath him and totally absurd to even stand there on the stage and have to engage with Obama in the first place, yet no one accused him of racism. What's with the double standard? So McCain's not racist, but if Biden treats Palin the same way, he's sexist? Sounds to me like victimology bias run amuck. I think that very notion is sexist, I thought equality was the goal here. She should be treated just like a man would, so if she's clueless and incompetent, she should be treated as such. You shouldn't accuse her opponent of sexism for not treating her with special standards. One of the most horrible by-products of the primary is these hardcore PUMA's accusing Obama of being sexist, with slights that they just make up and imagine in their heads, simply because Obama won. It's absurd to call Obama sexist, but these people could careless about reality, fairness, or equity, so they engage in this sort of baseless PR lynching. I understand being disappointed that Hillary isn't the nominee, and I could understand if you have legitimate reasons why you just can't vote for Obama, but just say so and leave it at that. This accusing people of sexism for sympathy and political/PR points really needs to stop.

By: Sherri

Sherri — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:32:22 +0000

I genuinely feel sorry for Sarah Palin. She is in over her head and put in that position by her own party. It seems to me they have destroyed her promising political career, by bringing her to the national scene too soon. Every interview so far has only illustrated her lack of knowledge of the issues and her inability to think on her feet.

By: America will be free again

America will be free again — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:32:11 +0000

I thought all repugs are blaiming Clintons and hate him cos he unseated their best...? Dont like him now cos he his the best president so far in the recent history. He his a great man just as much as President Obama his going to turn out. Not the arrogant, self centered, war mongering, ignorant, dumb, lying, inconsiderate and selfish mccain. Obama show supremacy over him in the debate by not totally disagreeing with him on all issues..even though he had to point out to him over and over that his politics and idoelogies are outdated. mcacain never agrees with anything anyone has to say even on talk shows...is that a leader of a tyrant? Its either mccain's way or the highway...Same he tried to pull about suspending his campaign and posponing the debate, if not that Americans refused to go his way he wouldnt have shown up at the debate.
Its a shame that for 72 yrs mccain has not shown any experince at all in finding common grounds. As for Gov Palin i have great respect for her both as an American and as a public servant. I will love to see her showcase the intensive foreign and local policy stand she believes America deserves.
mike Chicago

By: demwit

demwit — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:32:09 +0000

It doesn't matter how many times Biden exposes Palin's misunderstanding, naivety or down right dangerous views of the world. Because the biased media is going to excuse every blunder, misstatement and/or doofus comment she makes, what ever it takes to get their candidate elected. Oh wait....

By: PCS / North Carolina

PCS / North Carolina — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:32:07 +0000

Palin is just a same kind of politician like the women PM's were in India, Sri lanka, Bangladesh, Philippines and Pakistan. They have two things in common beauty / charisma, and the ability to destroy the country and send it through an economic rollercoaster. mm

By: PCS / North Carolina

PCS / North Carolina — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:31:45 +0000

By: ivy ohio

ivy ohio — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:31:40 +0000

palin has no knowledge of our policies did you see the video where she was getting blessed at church and witchcraft.. this is the woman mccain picked for vp if mccain drops dead this is the woman you want to run our country mccain is so out of touch his judgements are erratic
she kills moose, avoiding troopergate, and could answer any questions from her interviews mcsame is angry

By: Bob Indianapolis IN

Bob Indianapolis IN — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:31:27 +0000

"Apparently, the senator doesn't know the difference between a tactic and a campaign."

Well, McSame, we sure do! Sarah Palin was a tactic. And your campaign is toast: Over-done and crumbly...

By: Milton, Harrisburg, PA

Milton, Harrisburg, PA — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:31:26 +0000

A "leviathan of forensics"? Wow, how did they managed to say that straight-faced? I would have gone with something less high-brow, you know like "She is a gourmand of words" or "A lexigraphic knife that can cut through the garrulous Biden's penchant for the loquacious". I think we all know now that Palin was runner-up in the beauty pageant because she bombed the interview portion. Hey, that's okay. You don't need to be a master of language to become President. George Bush can't speak in coherent sentences and look what a successful president he is. Remember too that George Bush won a debate against Al Gore precisely because Al Gore looked like he was bullying someone that was mentally-handicapped. One used to worry that Biden's terminal case of foot-in-mouth disease would cause him difficulty in debates, but given Palin's background knowledge, I think the Biden-Palin debate will look a little like an episode of "Are you smarter than a fifth-grader".

By: OhioGirl82

OhioGirl82 — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:31:13 +0000

There's the oft quoted old saying, "Smart people talk about ideas, average people talk about events, and stupid people talk about people."

The nasty, childish name-calling with respect to Gov Palin seems to go hand-in-hand with the quote. In case you want to pull yourself above the fray and try to discuss a few ideas, quoting Tina Fey as Sarah Palin doesn't count.

If you're looking for an idea to contemplate..... - why did Obama ask the Iraqi prime minister NOT to begin troop withdrawals until after the election? (as quoted by the Iraqi prime minister himself) What could be his driving motivator - doing what he truly believes is the right thing for this nation and the troops, or winning the election, even if it means going against his number one promise?

Perhaps another idea to contemplate would be the attempt of a campaign group to use police force and intimidation to silence any opposition. Anybody want to discuss the ethics of what the Obama campaign is up to in Missouri?

Or shall we stick with shallow name-calling?

By: Eric Cooper

Eric Cooper — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:30:16 +0000

I believe Palin will do a fine job, and Biden should not underestimate her. She's not that good with one-on-one interviews, but neither is Obama, but when you put either of them behind a podium something magical happens. I look forward to serious discussion on the issues, and I hope my guy does well.

Obama/Biden -08

By: Abby

Abby — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:30:02 +0000

Is this CNN – a NEWS site -or- maybe the obama web site -
really CNN with your constant trashing of Palin you should just CHANGE your name.
Biden is Qualified – we all know McCain is Qualified – is GOV Palin -
don't know but – we all know that obama is NOT qualified to lead -
both Biden & Hillary told us so – and we believe them.

By: jeremy - tx

jeremy - tx — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:29:51 +0000

It's understandable that the Obama campaign is expressing this message. I fully agree that Palin is ... let's just say ... intellectually challened. She has a hard time putting together complete sentences in what should be low-stress one on one interviews. So of course everyone expects her to fumble through this nationally televised debate against someone who is defintiely going to know what he's talking about.

Because of that, the media (and probably rightfully so) has drastically lowered expectations for her for this debate. So if she comes out and even just does decent, it will look much better for her because the expectations were so low. This is the Obama campaign's attempt to counter that and not allow her some of that wiggle room. Hopefully it works.

Obama – Biden 2008 / 2012

By: Democrat 4 Life

Democrat 4 Life — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:29:46 +0000

Hey Mitch, what's wrong with speaking in tongues. I don't like Palin any more than you do but don't talk about stuff you have no knowledge of.

By: Erwin

Erwin — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:29:46 +0000

It will be nice to see Biden actually have to recognize Palin's existence. The Obama-Biden campaigns strategy of ignoring her and focusing on McCain is sickening in its inherent sexism. Same goes for the endless sexist posts by Obamabots on CNN. Fortunately, gender-based discrimination is apparently OK by the Democrats.

By: witch

witch — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:29:18 +0000

Maybe she has been playing dumb to sucker everyone in. It is called dumbing down.She is called some type of fish isn't she? I would not be surprised if she is wired some how. Oh well we will just have to wait. Of course I have always said be careful of wolves in sheep's clothing................

By: Independent

Independent — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:28:47 +0000

Philliip Bunn - At what point did she come across as clueless? The "Bush Doctrine" that Charlie Gibson mentioned is not formal and not referred to policitically. Obama's campaign all but admitted that they were not aware of a "Bush Doctrine" either. I'll probably vote Democratic, but Obama and Biden have been on the wrong side of most economic issues (as have most Democrats). Biden and Obama voted against expanded oversight of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that Bush proposed two years ago. Clinton expanded the power of Fannie and Freddie so that they could extend mortgages to "those who could not afford it or qualify otherwise". And Biden and Obama want to blame this mess on Bush? Try looking to senior Democrat and Finance committee chairman Barknet Frank. Not only did he repeatedly ignore suggestions for oversight of the two government behemoths, but he said that their neglect was "overstated and exaggerated". And then he proceeded to have Democrat friends inserted on the Fannie board. The whole thing stinks, and we'll all have to pay for it. Palin should just hammer at Biden and Obama's voting record on these matters. She'll find that the American people want to talk about that as much as foreign policy.

By: james d

james d — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:28:42 +0000

The reference, by Clinton, to Obama on Meet the Press presents here a lousy synopsis–seemingly taken out of context. How could a man as smart as Clinton call an untested Obama "great." He said other things, though, that by implication ranked Obama as extraordinary, and no less than the most capable of the two candidates. I hate reading something other than what I saw, first-hand.

By: rhoward

rhoward — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:28:20 +0000

I wouldn't get too cocky about the vice presidential debate if I were Sen. Biden. While Gov. Palin hasn't demonstrated any real grasp of issues during her interviews, people will side with her if they feel she's being unfairly picked upon.

By: conny

conny — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:28:03 +0000

Sen Biden knows already not to down play this shark!

By: JB

JB — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:27:37 +0000

Hey Joe.. Roosevelt was elected in 1932 and TV wasn't around in 1929.. And they say Palin is a dummy..

By: Paul C.

Paul C. — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:27:34 +0000

They are wise to suspect sandbagging.
She can't be as dumb as she sounds.

By: chas alabama

chas alabama — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:27:20 +0000

Hey CNN, when are you going to report on the anti Palan rallys in Alaska?
Oh, forgot, CNN and FOX are one in the same.

By: Phil, Ashburn, VA

Phil, Ashburn, VA — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:27:18 +0000

Palin is clueless. She is going to drive all of us nuts on Thu by repeating the same points and not answering questions. She is also going to use her twang and folksy talk to gain the uneducated folks who end up voting for her.

By: Juge

Juge — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:27:08 +0000

I an concerned that she will be wired for sound. Check her hair etc. Unless she is the greatest actress in the world and all her previous attempts to speak and express herself was a put-on, I do not know how the Repugs can pull it off without some sort of ability to give her the answers. YES I am cynical and for good reason – the last eight years is reason enough.

By: just joe

just joe — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:27:01 +0000

If you have been alive long enough, you know that sooner or later you are going to read an article like this one......so this is the "new" politics, huh?

By: Toni

Toni — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:27:00 +0000

Yeah. Set the bar high for her so when she falls, she falls hard.

There is not enough talking points in the world

And is it just me, or when she does town halls, she is always reading a prepared same ol speech, whereas Biden, Obama, and even McSane walk around and actually look like they are speaking to the people and answering questions

By: tina

tina — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:26:28 +0000

Well I really hope that america will not be as stupid has they were in the past 8 years and really see what's at stake here. Not to be blinded by what is real. Mccain is over the hill and is not physically and mentally capable of being the president and Palin is sooo out of her league. Let's look at this for what it is. A poor decision and huge mistake. They hide her for a reason. 3 interviews and she has only gotten worse. Biden has gaffe's but he also has had 90 – 100 interviews since being picked as VP. She will probably do OK but OK does not make a good VP and possible President.

By: therealist

therealist — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:25:54 +0000

Condescending!? If Palin or Obama can't handle a little condescending view from the enemy, political or not, then they don't need to be any where near the drivers seat..

By: Brenda Hills

Brenda Hills — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:24:51 +0000

As a Canadian, i can tell you there are a lot of us laughing our heads off at McCain/Palin. He clearly has her on a short leash. Needless to say she is a blooming idiot !!!
When she was being interviewed by Katie Couric, i swear you could hear audible gasps across our country ! Her foreign policy knowledge is virtually non existant !!! She knew nothing about McCain's so called reform feats !! She told Couric when she found some she will bring 'em to her ! OMGGG !!! Oh and not to mention her 'stand' on Pakistan and McCain having to scramble to cover her obvious faux pas was hilarious ! Nice goin' for the geriatric and the dunce !!
CNN POST THIS PLEASE !

By: KH

KH — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:24:34 +0000

Did I just hear right?? I just heard on American Morning that a McCain campaign surrogate was making remarks regarding the Conservatives calling for Palin to step down because of her unpreparedness and demonstrated shortcomings in her recent interviews.

The defense was that -"Only the intelligent conservatives are calling for her to step aside." That most other conservatives are not.

Did they just basically say, only unintelligent conservatives are supporting Palin?

By: S.M

S.M — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:24:28 +0000

Palin said that she is qualified to be VP and if this is true, Ha!, than she shouldn't have any trouble handling Biden. It was said that she won all five of her debates when running for Gov. Pherhaps she didn't have anyone who could challenge her the reason why she won all five and the fact that she isn't dealing with just one state, but if she becomes VP, she'll have to be well versed in all areas, because Palin will need the skill, vocabulary and knowledge to talk to many foreign leaders. In my own opinion, if she gets aggressive with Biden, than Biden should go after her and unload.

By: Jerry Ohio

Jerry Ohio — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:24:17 +0000

Biden will do great in the debate because Palin does not have any experience being VP and President

By: Undecided

Undecided — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:23:44 +0000

James Biggs,

Your comment makes no sense

By: Bob Indianapolis IN

Bob Indianapolis IN — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:23:06 +0000

We can only hope that the moderator hasn't been ham-strung [like the press] by questions the McSame/Palin campaign deems off-limits like foreign affairs, economics, creation "science", witches, the Rapture, birth control, deregulation, global warming, or taxation without representation....as well as the Bush Doctrine.

By: GnosticMan

GnosticMan — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:23:03 +0000

This is rediculous! Come on people!!! This is for everyone, democrat, republican, independent, politicians, pundits and citizens. STOP TREATING PALIN WITH KID GLOVES, SHE IS RUNNING FOR A VERY POWERFUL OFFICE!!!!!! STOP THIS PLEASE. She needs to be scrutinized to the millionth degree! I am sick of this. This lady is being treated by everyone as if she were a pageant queen. WAKE UP EVERYONE THIS IS NOT A POPULARITY CONTEST!

By: TyWebb

TyWebb — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:22:38 +0000

Hey, "JDC // Ohio" – speaking of blundering idiots, you would know.

By: Tony, Tx

Tony, Tx — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:22:28 +0000

I understand why they are doing it, but what I don't understand is how Biden keeps from laughing while saying these things.

By: Georgia Gal

Georgia Gal — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:22:11 +0000

You know, I just had a thought and maybe I am giving the McCain-Palin camp too much credit here, but I wonder if they puposely made Sarah Palin look like the biggest ditz on the planet to lower expectations for her and raise expectations for Joe Biden on this debate. They're a sneaky group I certainly wouldn't put in past them.

By: syl

syl — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:21:07 +0000

This should be an interesting debate. I hope Sara Palin puts the bridge to nowhere issue to rest.
She should indicate how both Obama and Biden voted for the funding for the bridge to nowhere while she did not. This is a question of honesty and trutfulness and the electorate should know about it. This is what debates are all about...highligting the issues and demonstrating the candidates character and integrity (or lack thereof).

By: mel

mel — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:21:04 +0000

I was just thinking about Couric's interview. no comment.........

By: Doug

Doug — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:20:56 +0000

Given that Palin does not have a firm grasp of any of the issues, trying to debate Biden with fact would probably be a disaster.

I'm a firm Obama supporter, and am trying to figure out a way that she could still save face in this upcoming debate... What if she were simply to debate from the heart... acknowledge she has much to learn, but speak to issues with her opinions (staying, of course, within the broad params McCain sets for her)?

It's a long shot, but short of her actually learning (and understanding!) all the issues in the next 72 hours, how is she actually going to pull this thing off?

By: Vic

Vic — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:20:43 +0000

No doubt the McCain camp will write her responses for her word for word. But lets hope that they don't cheat and find someway to get the questions ahead of time. It is largely the media's fault that this woman is still in the race. They are the 4th estate and are supposed to watch over the public so disasters like this woman becoming President don't actually happen but apparently their to scared of the McCain camp and the Republicans to do anything.

By: Barney

Barney — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:20:40 +0000

Stop censoring. I'm entitled my view the same as wealthy republicans.

Barney September 29th, 2008 8:36 am ET
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
If you love shrill, loud, negative, hill-billy yelling, you'll love this woman. Someone needs to teach her how to enunciate properly.