Here is the debate strategy... Biden will attack McCain and almost ignore Palin on Thursday

[Windy]

I couldn't figure out why Obama didn't nail McCain on the Vets and the 911 commission votes last night. Biden let him have it on these issues in his after show comments.

I believe that due to the reality show appeal of the debate between Palin and Biden this Thursday, more people will tune into that debate than even the presidential debate last night. Biden will be cordial to Palin, but will attack McCain and his policies from the podium. Biden will be the attack dog, leaving Obama to continue in his role as statesman, presidential and above the fray.

Anyone else agree that this is the campaign strategy?

[Curtland1015]

1. That's the way it's got to be, IMO.

Don't attack Palin, which even at her hilariously low popularity would backfire on us. Attack the guy she's running with.

[Bucky]

2. I'll hafta get back to ya on that, Katie.

[LonelyLRLiberal]

3. Focus on McLame, but find a way to show how stupid Palin is (when she doesn't do it herself)

I don't think he can totally ignore it when Palin's answers are as stupid as her interview answers have been. I don't know the approach to take, but at the very least Biden needs to follow up Palin's sound bites with an overwhelming demonstration of how unqualified and unprepared she really is. I totally agree, though, that the debate does not need to be focused on her.

[godai]

4. I think that the road to nowhere may come up.

It throws a wrench in McCain's earmark issue. $25M was spent to build the road to nowhere, which ends where the bridge to nowhere would have been, on the 'nowhere' side. One of the worst earmarks in history and I think McCain may have voted for it buried in a transportatiom bill. This road was approved (contract signed) 3 days before Palin took office but she could have stopped the work at a cost of just what the contractor had spent, certainly less than $1M. In addition, Palin's per capita earmark funds while mayor were huge compared to Obama's per capita funds.

[TwilightGardener]

5. I agree with that strategy. He needs to be nice and polite to Princess Caribou, but

not engage her if he can help it. He needs to avoid: Sexism, condescension, arrogance, blowhardiness, and he MUST be able to recite Obama's accomplishments in the Senate and in Illinois, and also must be able to say why Obama should be President. I will bet my behind there's going to be a gotcha for Biden about Obama's legislative record or a question like "Name some bills Obama has had passed that make him qualified to be President". Biden better be able to answer this, because that's the one thing that could sink us, if he draws a blank.

[ContinentalOp]

6. Could be. On Olbermann last night he brought up a lot of points that I wished Obama had addressed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qclcMcD1b8M

But as you say, I guess that just leaves more openings to use later.

[RichGirl]

7. Biden said last night....

...in relation to how he was going to deal with Palin, that his focus was not going to be on her, but on making his own points about any given question.

Let's keep in mind, with all the stuff that has come out about Palin...troopergate, family stuff, bridge, etc. Nothing, NOTHING has hurt her as much as she has hurt herself on interviews. No one could have said anything about her worse than her not knowing the Bush doctrine or the mindless, nonsense rantings with Couric. It reminds me of George Allen and the macaca remark. Nothing that the Webb campaign did was as powerful as what Allen did to himself. As Earl would say...it's KARMA baby!

[weezie1317]

8. Yes, I think that's it. And Palin will try to get some sound bites in. Joe will too, of course.

[H2O Man]

9. Yes.

He will. And that will cause Sarah Palin to become frustrated.

[Gman]

10. I was saying this last night. This is a perfect setup for Palin to use the Pity Strategy(TM)

clearly that is the way for Biden to handle this. He will be (vice) presidential, be statesmanlike. He will in no way be condescending to Palin lest he play into the GOP Pity Strategy(TM).

[Captiosus]

11. I agree, this makes the most sense.

There's no reason to really attack Palin other than to join Palin to the hip of McCain in terms of policies, then focus on McCain.

Palin will probably fail spectacularly without Joe provoking her. I just imagine the moderator giving Palin the question first and watching her stumble through two minutes trying to make a coherent point.

[Debi]

12. I just hope he doesn't rear up and enter into her air space!!

:rofl:

When he ignores her she'll do or say something stupid to get attention. Could be interesting.

[frickaline]

13. Maybe I'm going out on a limb here but ...

I think the McCain camp wants Biden to appear as if he's beating up on Palin in an effort to offend female voters.

If this really is part of their strategy in choosing her, then he best answer for the Obama group would be to focus on attacking McCain.

I really hope this wasn't their intent but I just don't give them any benefit of doubt anymore. Especially not with Rove romping about.

[mamalone]

14. I don't know if it is *the* strategy...

But it sounds like a great one to me:thumbsup: