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VP Candidates Train Hard for First and Only Face-Off
With two days to go until the first and only vice presidential debate of 2008, Joe Biden and Sarah Palin aren't taking anything for granted.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
With two days to go until the first and only vice presidential debate of 2008, Joe Biden and Sarah Palin weren't taking anything for granted Tuesday.
Thursday's debate at Washington University in St. Louis is expected to center on domestic and foreign policy, and the list of topics could run the gamut. So both running mates are hunkering down for intensive rehearsal sessions with campaign aides.
Each candidate will step onto the stage with a distinct set of challenges.
Palin, under fire from liberals and conservatives alike for her recent interview performances, faces questions about her experience and ability to make the meteoric leap from first-term Alaska governor to "a heartbeat away."
Biden, persistently teased, as one columnist put it, for tickling "the back of his throat with his toes," is tasked with showing restraint as well as demonstrating his economic acumen -- as the campaign dialogue shifts away from his perceived strong suit of foreign policy and toward the financial crisis.
While Biden was in Wilmington, Del., on Tuesday rehearsing for his second day in a row, Palin stepped off the campaign trail for two days of sequestered debate preparation at John McCain's ranch in Sedona, Ariz. Palin was surrounded by senior McCain advisers, including Steve Schmidt and Mark Wallace, as well as McCain's wife Cindy.
One Palin aide told FOX News Tuesday that she was rehearsing outside by a creek on the McCain ranch.
"The serenity and beauty of this setting has contributed to what can be characterized as a relaxed environment," the aide said.
Pressure is mounting on Palin to deliver a strong performance, to follow up her rousing GOP convention speech in early September and make up for the relatively few media interviews she's granted since.
In the run-up, Palin was taunting her opponent. In Columbus, Ohio, on Monday, Palin -- who usually reserves her jabs for Barack Obama -- went after her campaign counterpart.
"I've never met him before," she said of Biden. "But I've been hearing about his Senate speeches since I was in, like, second grade," she said to laughter.
"I have to admit, though, he is a great debater and looks pretty doggone confident, like he's sure he's gonna win. But, then again, this is the same Senator Biden who said the other day that the University of Delaware would trounce the Ohio State Buckeyes. Wrong!"
In a joint interview with CBS News Monday, Palin and McCain sounded a confident tone.
"I've seen underestimation before," McCain said, citing Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton. "I'm very proud of the excitement that Governor Palin has ignited with our party and around this country."
Palin and McCain both complained about "gotcha" journalism being used to tarnish Palin.
Amid criticism that she's not opening herself up enough to reporters' questions, Palin is expected to make several appearances on conservative talk radio in the run-up to the debate.
Aides would not say who is playing the role of Biden during Palin's rehearsals. On the Democratic side, Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm has been playing the role of Palin.
Biden spent eight hours rehearsing inside a Wilmington hotel Monday. "Things are going well," he said to reporters as he left.
Biden and the Obama campaign have taken the soft approach to the debate in recent days.
In an interview aired Monday on Entertainment Tonight, Biden said, "I never go into any debate thinking about what I have to do to the other person I am debating."
"I am so accustomed to debating really competent women -- senators and governors," he added, making reference to Hillary Clinton.
Obama strategist David Axelrod raised a high bar for Palin, much as the Obama campaign did for McCain ahead of the presidential debate last Friday in Mississippi.
"I think it would be foolish to assume ... that she's not going to be formidable," Axelrod told reporters on Sunday. "I suspect that she will. ... I fully expect her to be ready for this debate."
FOX News' Cristina Corbin and Shushannah Walshe contributed to this report.
Pilgrim
And she's gonna wipe the FLOOR with Biden. I've got my popcorn, wine and noisemakers all ready. Who's up for a drinking game every time Biden sticks his foot in his mouth? We'll be drunk before the first question is over!
1The men who debated her in Alaska for the Governor position say she is good. So let's wait and see.
2***************
"Glory belongs to the act of being constant to something greater than yourself, to a cause, to your principles, to the people on whom you rely, and who rely on you in return. No misfortune, no injury, no humiliation can destroy it."
I'd like to be on a creek on a ranch in Arizona right now.
3I have no doubt she's good. After seeing her at the RNC, I was so impressed I couldn't even speak. I think these last couple of weeks have been rough for her for many reasons, but I think we'll see the true Sarah Palin tomorrow night and I can NO WAIT!
(And I figured out how to do my signature! WOOHOO!)
4~~~~~~~~~~
If you always do as you've always done, you'll always get what you've always gotten.
Some people are acting like it is such a big deal (by some people I mean one or two select Citizen users/commenters) that Palin has to prepare for this debate. As if that's indicative of her being incompetent or something. Hello, all politicians prepare for debates. I especially think its important for VP candidates because you are not debating strictly with your own views, but with a mix of your views and the views of your running mate.
5I guess they feel Stinky's preparing against a women is okay. Especially since he did not want to go back to DC to deal with the bail out. He probably needs more practice then Palin.
6***************
"Glory belongs to the act of being constant to something greater than yourself, to a cause, to your principles, to the people on whom you rely, and who rely on you in return. No misfortune, no injury, no humiliation can destroy it."
He needs practice in not making people fall asleep.
7also in not saying UH so much.
8***************
"Glory belongs to the act of being constant to something greater than yourself, to a cause, to your principles, to the people on whom you rely, and who rely on you in return. No misfortune, no injury, no humiliation can destroy it."
Uh, hello? Biden is preparing too! And some people aren't as comfortable with public speaking as others. I know people, the most INTELLIGENT people in the world, very well spoken in small groups etc. But when you put them on a podium they freeze, they stumble over their words and have a tough time sounding coherent. It's called stage fright. There's even a group designed to help people get over it, it's called "Toast masters" and people use it to help them with their public speaking persona. Sarah maybe should have done something like that BEFORE becoming Johns running mate, however I doubt she had a lot of time to ponder that. So, she's getting her preparation in now. Good for her and if people don't like it, TOUGH. Regardless of that, I think she's spectacular and I really think she's just gonna lay this joker OUT tomorrow.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO SARAH!
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9If you always do as you've always done, you'll always get what you've always gotten.
I assume Biden is being prepped on keeping his mouth in check. That wasn't in the article, but it seems a given. So they both have prep to do, not only on policy but on how they come across.
10Mykie, I enjoy your enthusiasm!
11AHHH I hate the word PREP!!
Just had to get that out. Had a convo with my Mom about that two minutes ago. Goes along with my disdain for doctors at the moment.
I think she'll do fine. Even if she smokes Biden there will be tons of people knocking her down on something.
12Thank you Bren. I am after all a hotheaded redhead. LOL
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13If you always do as you've always done, you'll always get what you've always gotten.
Me, too.
14Nice ta meet ya. I have to work really hard to keep my opinionism (Is that a word?) in check. LOL
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15If you always do as you've always done, you'll always get what you've always gotten.
Does that make 3 of us -hotheaded redheads??
16***************
"Glory belongs to the act of being constant to something greater than yourself, to a cause, to your principles, to the people on whom you rely, and who rely on you in return. No misfortune, no injury, no humiliation can destroy it."
I think so. Kinda scary. My license plate frame reads "NEver underestimate the wrath of a redhead" and boy ain't THAT the truth! LOL
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17If you always do as you've always done, you'll always get what you've always gotten.
Yeah, that makes 3 of us as far as I know. Most people would think I am pretty mild mannered, I think, however my husband says I go from nice to angry pretty quickly. Then the f bomb comes out. That happened today, but it doesn't happen often.
18I'm really hoping she does well tonight. :crossfingers:
I have red highlights in my brown hair. Maybe that explains a bit about my temper. LOL
19skb I assumed the temper would be blamed on Dave
20***************
"Glory belongs to the act of being constant to something greater than yourself, to a cause, to your principles, to the people on whom you rely, and who rely on you in return. No misfortune, no injury, no humiliation can destroy it."
Brendel, that "F" bomb falls outta MY mouth too, but only when I'm bowling badly. Like last night. I shocked the entire lanes when I couldn't pick up a spare and said "f***ity f*** f***" I think they thought the world had ended. LMAO
I just blamed it on the red hair and they all go "Ahhhh,, yes, that would do it." LMAO
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21If you always do as you've always done, you'll always get what you've always gotten.
Myk-
22Redheads unite and swear!!!!
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"Glory belongs to the act of being constant to something greater than yourself, to a cause, to your principles, to the people on whom you rely, and who rely on you in return. No misfortune, no injury, no humiliation can destroy it."
ROFLMAO Especially when bowling!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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23If you always do as you've always done, you'll always get what you've always gotten.
The media is making such a deal of Palin getting ready for it, but let us not forget that Obama was doing the same thing in FL before the presidential debate.
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