Concerns About Palin’s Readiness as a Big Test Nears

[JonLP24]

Source: New York Times

A month after Gov. Sarah Palin joined Senator John McCain’s ticket to a burst of excitement and anticipation among Republicans, she heads into a critical debate facing challenges from conservatives about her credentials, signs that her popularity is slipping and evidence that Republicans are worried about how much help she will be for Mr. McCain in November.

Ms. Palin, the Republican vice-presidential nominee, flew to Mr. McCain’s ranch in Sedona, Ariz., on Monday for three days of preparation with a team of his aides — a sharp contrast to the less structured preparation that led up to the senator’s first debate.

The amount of time and staff power being devoted to this was evidence of concern among Mr. McCain’s associates that Ms. Palin’s early triumphs — a well-received convention speech, her drawing of big crowds — has been overtaken by a series of setbacks, creating higher stakes for her in the debate Thursday with the Democratic nominee for vice president, Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr. of Delaware.

“I think she has pretty thoroughly — and probably irretrievably — proven that she is not up to the job of being president of the United States,” David Frum, a former speechwriter for President Bush who is now a conservative columnist, said in an interview. “If she doesn’t perform well, then people see it.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/30/us/politics/30palin.html?ref=politics

[trthnd4jstc]

1. This Should Be Good. n/t

[fascisthunter]

2. whatever... ignore this, Biden

Treat her like a bulldog without lipstick. Act like she's a brilliant debater and bury her because you can and should! I don't want a fascist/religious extremist poodle being that close to that much power... she'll make the "End Times" a reality.

[trthnd4jstc]

7. I agree. n/t

[msongs]

3. after her nasty remarks about biden today Joe has no need to give her any undue deference nt

[Kingofalldems]

4. What did she say?

[Snarkoleptic]

12. Probably something about his ability to race snow machines.

[SemperEadem]

19. some smack about Biden's age and him being in the senate "for ever"

just more shit-talking from someone who can't do anything else but talk shit... because all she knows is shit.

[BlueKansan]

5. Debating someone who is clueless

Even the best debaters are at the top of their game when they go up against other good debaters. Nothing sharpens your line of attack more than a brilliant opponent. This is what concerns me about Thursday's debate. There is simply no way Palin can cram enough data under that hair bump to convince people she has a command of the issues. I have adored Joe Biden for a long time and I am thrilled he is Obama's pick, but I fear he won't be at the top of his game because any great game involves two good teams -- not just one.

[customerserviceguy]

6. Don't have any illusions

that McPain will drop her from the ticket, no matter what she says, his base will love her all the more. Just be glad that the folks in the middle will look at her on Election Day, and say, "What the fuck??!!'

[olddad56]

16. I think that John McCain underestimated the size of Sara's breasts.

she isn't having the impact on white males that he had hoped for.

[Amonester]

8. Installing high-tech earplugs... n/t

[JimDandy]

9. Ann Coulter at the beginning of Sep: "With Palin, McCain didn't miss."

Ann Coulter now: Hmm, the crickets are deafening. I guess it took a Palin to shut up a Coulter.

[ThoughtCriminal]

10. The bar is being set in the Mariana Trench

If she babbles in English instead of speaking in tongues, she will exceed expectations and the media pundits will call it a win.

My prediction - she'll be wearing a wire.

[Liberal_in_LA]

11. “And Dan Quayle never in his life has performed as badly as Sarah Palin in the last month.”

[ExPatLeftist]

13. Sheeeeeeeeiiiit, she ain't ready for a 3rd-grade spelling bee. n/t

[happygoluckytoyou]

14. this is like watching Johnny Mnemonic... hoping she can answer before the knowledge leak out

they are setting the bar so low that if she does not soil herself they will announce she WON

[olddad56]

15. I heard that Tina Fey was going to fill in for Sarah at the debate.

That should help the GOp a little bit.

[DarleenMB]

17. Are you all sitting down?

From http://www.themudflats.net

Rarely do things actually make me laugh out loud, alone in a room…especially the Wall Street Journal. But, there’s a first time for everything.

(clearing throat and trying to be serious)

Apparently Republicans have figured out what Palin’s problem is, and what she needs to do to bolster her plummeting poll numbers. I DARE you to keep a straight face.

Some prominent Republicans and senior members of Congress have expressed worries about certain facets of the Palin campaign, particularly that Gov. Palin may be “overprepared” and not encouraged to be herself, an adviser said.

And, the same article plants the seed for the “need to spend more time with my family” excuse that some are starting to think may be the excuse used to mark the end of her candidacy if things tank after the debate.

oh stop!!! you're killing me!!! :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[ExPatLeftist]

18. Of course! She is OVERprepared...

We truly are in Bizarro-World.

It does seem as if they are prepping her to leave. Thursday night will be VERY interesting. I do not rule out on-stage meltdown. :popcorn: