So how does Biden handle Palin in their debate?

[book_worm]

he can't act condescending like Poppy Bush did to Gerry Ferarro, but there is no doubt that Joe is much more qualified and up to date on the world situation than Palin would ever be. This is really a laughable selection and calls in question McCain's judgement.

[scheming daemons]

1. Talk directly to the voters with his answers, not her......

And don't criticize her.... criticize McCain.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

13. Great advice. He also has to avoid condescension.

Women will read that as him being sexist. I hope he does not go for any humor that will backfire on him. Best to stay away from personal commentary and just stick to the facts.

[Franks Wild Years]

2. Smash her like he would a man.

If she can't take the heat, Miss 18 months and a Beauty Pageant isn't qualified to be a heartbeat away from the top job.

[BklynChick]

3. exactly.

[Sannum]

4. Exactly

if she is big enough for the job, she shouldn't go running off the playground when she is challenged.

[blondeatlast]

8. This feminist in 5 inch heels says--that's the way to do it. She's playing hardball now. nt

[redqueen]

12. Yes, no special treatment is warranted.

Amazing that anyone would even say such a thing, after the beating Hillary took in the PRIMARIES and not to mention as first lady.

[Faygo Kid]

24. Yep. Crush her.

[redqueen]

5. Talk about the wars? Other foreign policy challenges?

Basically, anything she doesn't know much about (no small amount of issues to choose from).

[Maven]

6. He'll show how completely out of her depth she is without patronizing her.

[Auggie]

17. Ideally. Biden could blow it if not careful.

[RichGirl]

7. He needs to be himself.

To do less than that, would be demeaning to her.

[cindyw]

9. I think he has to look strong and smart, but not condescending.

Republicans have no problem saying (at the same time) that she is a poor defenseless woman and tough as balls (NRA).

Best case scenario is that she makes a huge gaffe.

[justiceischeap]

10. I agree, don't be condescending but stick to the issues

Unless she's well briefed, she'll lose every time.

[Thrill]

11. Biden can tear you down without being mean.

[POAS]

14. As soon as they walk on stage

lean over and whisper in her ear, "How's your brother-in-law?"

[AlCzervik]

15. Treat her like he would if she were a man and that's that.

[Vinca]

16. If Biden speaks in depth on issues, she'll be out of her league

and it will be obvious.

[george_maniakes]

18. Whats the difference between being condescending to a man or a woman?

He just has to show america she is out of her league. Whats her opinion on the iraq govt's current response to the "sunni awakening" movement? Does she even know what that is?

[LynneSin]

19. Biden debates like a talented skilled surgeon with the scapel

He'll make mince meat out of her hand show her inexperience without degrading her at all

[Jennicut]

20. I would tear him apart on the facts. Palin compared to Biden? She knows nothing.

He is sooo much smarter than her. She is a governor for 1 1/2 years? Obama was a state senator and US senator, so much for "experience". I wouldn't trust this chick with my dog. I am a woman and I don't want "special treatment". She better take the heat or get out of the kitchen, makes me aprreciate Hillary so much more. Hill is smart, knows the world, has experience. Palin? She is like Hillary-lite times 10. Plus she is pro-life. That is anti woman enough for me.

[stanwyck]

21. Show us the respect of NOT treating us differently

If Joe Biden can deflate the campaign of Rudy Guiliani with one clever quip: Oh, Rudy, a noun, a verb, and 9-11, then he owes the American women the respect of not condescending to us. Sara Palin is in line to be commander in chief. Joe should be able to debate her as if she deserves to have that status.

[demokatgurrl]

22. Same as he would a man

we want equality, right? I know I can't stand being pandered to or patronized, and if she's a woman worth the job she won't either.

[progdonkey]

23. mixture of the previous posts... :-p

He shouldn't coddle her and should try to treat her as he would a man, but he should also focus on speaking directly to the audience. The fact remains, though, that she is still a woman and many people watching will be put off if he's too forceful with her, so he will have to hold back a little. I think this will be true most of all with conservative voters who already have a patronizing view of women, whereas the more liberal, feminist viewers will have an attitude of "if she can't hack it, she can't hack it."

The message he'll have to get across isn't that she's an inexperienced first-term governor, it's that he's the very experienced Senior Senator from Delaware. That no matter who John McCain had chosen, they wouldn't match up with Joe Biden.

Biden will wipe the floor with her, and I think he'll do it with such style that even she'll be blushing by the end. :P