US awaits Biden-Palin TV debate

Man! I cannot wait to see this just for the entertainment value given the screw-ups Palin has already made on TV.

But on a serious note, women who have been trying to gain high political office in a nation such as the US will be pissed off if Palin screws this up. Some people with sexist views will surely see Palins failure as a female failure and not recognise the truth, that McCain simply got a pretty face to be his running mate.

In a way I hope she does well in the debate but at the same time, I would not like to see an unqualified babbler one heartbeat away from the Presidency of the USA.

Muzzerino
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BBC Article...

The two US vice-presidential candidates go head-to-head for the first and only time on Thursday in a televised debate.

Democrat Joe Biden and Republican Sarah Palin will meet before a studio audience at Washington University in St Louis, Missouri. The debate is seen as particularly key for Governor Palin, whose poll ratings have been falling amid voters' concern about her relative inexperience.

But Mr Biden could also be vulnerable if he makes a verbal gaffe. A new poll by the Washington Post suggests that 60% of voters now see Mrs Palin as lacking the experience to be an effective president. One-third say they are less likely to vote for Republican presidential candidate, Senator John McCain, as a result. Independent voters, who are not affiliated to either political party, have the most sceptical views of the Alaska governor. And another poll, for CBS News, gives Senator Barack Obama 49% to 40% for Mr McCain.

It is the latest in a series of opinion polls that have shown a significant shift in the direction of Mr Obama since the economic crisis began. Preparations Mrs Palin, whose fiery speech at the Republican convention inspired Christian conservatives, produces unusually strong feelings - both positive and negative - among voters.

The Debate may be the turning point While 29% of the electorate view her as "strongly favourable", an equal number have intensely negative views, according to the Washington Post poll. Overall, 51% rate her favourably, compared with 57% for Joe Biden.

Mrs Palin has spent the week sequestered at Mr McCain's ranch in Arizona preparing for the debate with her Republican advisers. Meanwhile, Mr Obama's running mate has been practising his lines with Democratic governor Jennifer Granholm of Michigan. Democratic advisers have reportedly been worried that Mr Biden will adopt too harsh a tone in his debate with Mrs Palin, thus alienating a key group of women voters.

Republican advisers are urging Mrs Palin to present party policies in her own words, after concern that she appeared wooden and rigid in answering questions from CBS News anchor Katie Couric last week. Mrs Palin's record in Alaska, however, suggests that she has succeeded in winning debates against more experienced opponents with her homespun wisdom and disarming style.

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