Palin's new plan: Go after Biden

[Ron Burgundy]

ST. LOUIS — Sarah Palin plans to go on the attack in tonight’s debate, hitting Joe Biden for what she will call his foreign policy blunders and penchant for adopting liberal positions on taxes and other issues, according to campaign officials involved in prepping her for tonight’s showdown.

The Palin camp is projecting surprising self-confidence in the pre-debate hours, despite the vice presidential nominee’s uneven — and, at some points, peculiar — performances in recent television interviews, the officials say. Top advisers to John McCain privately say Palin’s recent CBS interview was a borderline disaster, especially since it played out in several segments over several days. Tonight will be different, they say.

“This is going to finally put her back into a position where we see her like we saw her the first couple weeks,” a McCain official said. “She was herself. She was authentic, and people related to that. ... Tonight, she’ll get into a rhythm. You’re going to see her in a way that you haven’t seen her yet.”

By contrast, Biden plans what an aide calls "a just-the-facts, prosecutorial approach laying out the case against McCain and defending Obama." The aide said Biden will be "keeping the eye on the target, which is McCain."

It is hard to imagine higher stakes for a vice presidential nominee on the national stage. Palin wowed even her biggest skeptics with her spirited introduction to the American people at the Republican National Convention last month. It’s been downhill since then, however. She has been largely sheltered from unscripted moments on the campaign trail. And, when she has exposed herself to improvisation or tough questioning, Palin has been criticized for offering vague and at times unusual responses.

Palin advisers say that she remains just as popular with much of the Republican base as she was a month ago when her convention speech was hailed as a home run. But her ratings have eroded in polls since then, and the advisers see the 90-minute debate at 9 p.m. Eastern as a chance for a swift turnaround from what they call “negativity” in her news coverage.

From her debate playbook, as described by McCain officials:

— Throw Biden’s own words back at him.

“There’s going to be a lot of opportunities to use Joe Biden’s words against him — and not his gaffes,” an official said. “When he says raising taxes is patriotic, that’s a policy position. That’s what he believes. She’s going to use those against him.”

(On ABC’s “Good Morning America” last month, in explaining the need for the wealthiest Americans to pay more taxes, Biden said: “It's time to be patriotic ... time to jump in, time to be part of the deal, time to help get America out of the rut.”)

— Highlight past Biden foreign-policy positions as a way to undermine his core strength.

“He’s a celebrated foreign policy expert, but he has been wrong … dating back to the Reagan administration,” the official said. “There are opportunities there for her to jump in.”

One example that was provided was Biden’s reference to North Korea as “a paper tiger” on CBS’s “The Early Show” in 2006. (“I would rather have seen it do exactly what it did, demonstrate to the whole world that it is in fact a paper tiger.”)

Another example noted by the campaign was voting for defense cuts during the Reagan administration, and voting against the first Gulf war in 1991. (PolitiFact.com points out that he voted with the majority of Senate Democrats on the resolution.)

— Highlight places where Biden and Barack Obama have differed, including primary-season statements about Obama’s readiness to lead and his positions on Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan.

“He voted for the Iraq war, and Obama said that was poor judgment,” the official. “There are a lot of wedge positions between Obama and Biden.”

McCain officials say they are optimistic despite her falling credibility and likability in polls.

“Nobody who’s in the middle of a campaign takes a minute to panic,” an aide said. “Every single day, there’s an ebb and flow — that’s what makes these things exciting. She’s been there before. She’s done this before. She’s been successful. And we as a campaign expect she will rise to the occasion and be strong.”

 

source: Politico - http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20081002/pl_politico/14220 [link]

[motivez]

Yet if he goes on the attack for her ignorance and completely being out of her league, that's "sexist"!

[DosEquis]

If she does that I think he should just stick to addressing the issue, defend it, but not say anything directed at her. Just point out facts and/or justification for his comments.

[motivez]

I think he should talk about the future instead of responding to the past, because that's what this election is about

I understand what they're trying to do here.. They're having her memorize stuff about Biden's record because there's not enough time to educate her on national issues.

So, when she gets a question, instead of answering it, she'll try to make it about Biden.

It's pretty sad, honestly.. but it may just work if she can avoid actually talking about sounding like a complete moron on the issues and keep the focus on Biden.

[Swift]

Originally Posted by motivez

Yet if he goes on the attack for her ignorance and completely being out of her league, that's "sexist"!

And if Hillary went after Obama on his ignorance she was a racist. What's the point?

I'm not justifying it I'm just saying Obama's ticket used this to its advantage before. They can't have it both ways.

[motivez]

Originally Posted by Swift-Bass

And if Hillary went after Obama on his ignorance she was a racist. What's the point?

I'm not justifying it I'm just saying Obama's ticket used this to its advantage before. They can't have it both ways.

Thread about Republican
Republican response about Democrat

I don't ever remember anyone insinuating Hillary was a racist when she attacked his policy positions or insinuated he wasn't ready

[HughRuss]

Originally Posted by Swift-Bass

And if Hillary went after Obama on his ignorance she was a racist. What's the point?

I'm not justifying it I'm just saying Obama's ticket used this to its advantage before. They can't have it both ways.

There was a lot of fluff from both sides of the aisle against Obama using the race card.
AND YET!
Not a single one could provide a shred of evidence to the otherwise.

So I'm going to give you the opportunity to overcome those imbeciles. Prove to me that the Obama campaign was willingly and obviously using race to win the primary. Prove to me that he used race as an advantage in anyway.

[Swift]

Originally Posted by motivez

Thread about Republican
Republican response about Democrat

I don't ever remember anyone insinuating Hillary was a racist when she attacked his policy positions or insinuated he wasn't ready

I'm talking media and perceptions and how she was painted. Especially after Bill opened his big mouth about South carolina and winning the black vote.

BTW, this is NOT a thread about a republican. This is a thread about a republican's stategy against a democrat. How can you not mentioin the democrat?

[7960]

Originally Posted by motivez

Yet if he goes on the attack for her ignorance and completely being out of her league, that's "sexist"!

no it's not. he needs to make sure he frames it as due to her inexperience. then anyone saying he was sexist is just proving that they were going to say he was sexist no matter what.

[Heres Johnny]

I particularly liked the part where she said the hadn't given much thought to Iraq.
"I just want everybody to have a puppy"

[motivez]

Originally Posted by 7960

no it's not. he needs to make sure he frames it as due to her inexperience. then anyone saying he was sexist is just proving that they were going to say he was sexist no matter what.

It doesn't matter if he does that, the GOP will get some women on TV afterward to say how sexist and condescending he was to her and how blah blah blah

[Donkey®]

I think the line "She has more foreign cuisine experience since she's in the kitchen 22 hours a day" will win it for Biden.

[Swift]

YOu know what. I mispoke in my first post. What I meant to say was that "Obama's ticket took advantage of the media spin"

But I still stand by my main point that everyone was so scared to say anything about Obama, good or Bad, because they would get destroyed. Look what they did to Biden his own running mate when Biden said he was clean and articulate. Or Geraldine Ferraro. She was obliterated. For saying something tha twas pretty true about Obama's rise in politics. She even admitted the same thing about herself and being female. But that didn't matter, the media branded her a racist and that was that.

[DosEquis]

Originally Posted by motivez

I think he should talk about the future instead of responding to the past, because that's what this election is about

I understand what they're trying to do here.. They're having her memorize stuff about Biden's record because there's not enough time to educate her on national issues.

So, when she gets a question, instead of answering it, she'll try to make it about Biden.

It's pretty sad, honestly.. but it may just work if she can avoid actually talking about sounding like a complete moron on the issues and keep the focus on Biden.

I can agree with that. He should just respond with his "ladies and gentlemen that was 20 years ago, I am here to discuss what Barack Obama and I are going to try to do to prepare america for the next 20 years from today" then go on some rant about energy independence or whatever the question is about.

[7960]

Originally Posted by motivez

It doesn't matter if he does that, the GOP will get some women on TV afterward to say how sexist and condescending he was to her and how blah blah blah

and that's why I'm saying he has to make sure to frame it as going after her inexperience. if he uses the word "family" or "child" or "mother" or "household" even once he might as well get in the car and go home.

the women who will be on tv after already have their speeches ready, maybe with a blank here and there so they can customize it with some of biden's words from tonight. but the rest of the people (hopefully) will be able to recognize whether he goes after her for being a woman or for being inexperienced.

[HughRuss]

Originally Posted by Swift-Bass

YOu know what. I mispoke in my first post. What I meant to say was that "Obama's ticket took advantage of the media spin"

What media spin was that and how so?

Originally Posted by Swift-Bass

But I still stand by my main point that everyone was so scared to say anything about Obama, good or Bad, because they would get destroyed. Look what they did to Biden his own running mate when Biden said he was clean and articulate. Or Geraldine Ferraro. She was obliterated. For saying something tha twas pretty true about Obama's rise in politics. She even admitted the same thing about herself and being female. But that didn't matter, the media branded her a racist and that was that.

Geraldine attributed his fame to the color of his skin. That *Is* racist. And you're agreeing with it...?

What you're saying is that:
1. Barack Obama is unqualified to be president
2. The reason Barack Obama is famous because of his race
3. Everybody ONLY SEES THAT HE'S A BLACK GUY AND SAYS "YOU KNOW WHAT? I THINK THIS COUNTRY NEEDS A BLACK GUY FOR PRESIDENT AND NOBODY ELSE!"

How honestly can you rationalize that? Are you going to tell me that the only reason any Obama supporter is looking his way is because he's a black guy? Are you telling me a white man with his level of intelligence and eloquence wouldn't have gotten nearly as far as Obama?

Let's play that scenario out:

1. White guy comes from a single-mother home, pulls himself up by the boot straps and attends college.
2. Finds a passion for political science and transfers to Columbia, where he graduates.
3. Goes to the south side of Chicago and works with poverty stricken individuals to help make their lives better.
4. Goes back to Harvard law school, graduates magna cum laude, president of the Harvard law review.
5. Becomes an Illinois state senator
6. Becomes a United States Senator representing Illinois.

So, a white man who tread in those tracks wouldn't have the same popularity as Obama, even with his eloquence, his intelligence, and hes deft mastery of many issues for which nobody gave him credit?

I'm sorry, but assuming that is an absolutely ignorant assumption.

[Swift]

Originally Posted by HughRuss

What media spin was that and how so?


Geraldine attributed his fame to the color of his skin. That *Is* racist. And you're agreeing with it...?

What you're saying is that:
1. Barack Obama is unqualified to be president
2. The reason Barack Obama is famous because of his race
3. Everybody ONLY SEES THAT HE'S A BLACK GUY AND SAYS "YOU KNOW WHAT? I THINK THIS COUNTRY NEEDS A BLACK GUY FOR PRESIDENT AND NOBODY ELSE!"

How honestly can you rationalize that? Are you going to tell me that the only reason any Obama supporter is looking his way is because he's a black guy? Are you telling me a white man with his level of intelligence and eloquence wouldn't have gotten nearly as far as Obama?
*snip*

I'm really bored of this and you're doing exactly what you say is deplorable. You took my statement about Obama's color and assumed that I thought that was the ONLY thing that got him to where he is. Just like you hate when someone says they don't like something about the country and are automatically branded "America Haters".




But let me ask you a few questions:

1. Can you name me another Presidential nominee that had less then 150 days in the senate or any other major seat? govenor, House member or whatever.
2. Do you honestly beleive he would've gotten the press he recieved to get his name out there fast enough to wiin the election if he wasn't black?
3. Do you think he would've gotten recored numbers of the black vote if he wasn't black?

Obviously it's not the only reason for his success(see the rush limbaugh thread), but it is what gave him the national spotlight. Nobody can deny that.

The same goes for Paliin being a women. That's why everyone is focused on her. If Obama had picked a woman it would've been the sam thing.

[edit] Did you read what you wrote? You said that Geraldine attributed Obama's "fame" to his skin color. That's true! He was initially famous because he was a young black candidate that wasn't a race trader like Jackson and Sharpton.

[7960]

Originally Posted by HughRuss

What media spin was that and how so?


Geraldine attributed his fame to the color of his skin. That *Is* racist. And you're agreeing with it...?

What you're saying is that:
1. Barack Obama is unqualified to be president
2. The reason Barack Obama is famous because of his race
3. Everybody ONLY SEES THAT HE'S A BLACK GUY AND SAYS "YOU KNOW WHAT? I THINK THIS COUNTRY NEEDS A BLACK GUY FOR PRESIDENT AND NOBODY ELSE!"

How honestly can you rationalize that? Are you going to tell me that the only reason any Obama supporter is looking his way is because he's a black guy? Are you telling me a white man with his level of intelligence and eloquence wouldn't have gotten nearly as far as Obama?

Let's play that scenario out:

1. White guy comes from a single-mother home, pulls himself up by the boot straps and attends college.
2. Finds a passion for political science and transfers to Columbia, where he graduates.
3. Goes to the south side of Chicago and works with poverty stricken individuals to help make their lives better.
4. Goes back to Harvard law school, graduates magna cum laude, president of the Harvard law review.
5. Becomes an Illinois state senator
6. Becomes a United States Senator representing Illinois.

So, a white man who tread in those tracks wouldn't have the same popularity as Obama, even with his eloquence, his intelligence, and hes deft mastery of many issues for which nobody gave him credit?

I'm sorry, but assuming that is an absolutely ignorant assumption.

are you denying that part of obama's appeal is that he's black?

[HughRuss]

Originally Posted by Swift-Bass

I'm really bored of this and you're doing exactly what you say is deplorable. You took my statement about Obama's color and assumed that I thought that was the ONLY thing that got him to where he is. Just like you hate when someone says they don't like something about the country and are automatically branded "America Haters".

And you never mentioned any other qualifiers that has got him to the place he is (as I did in the list). Are you saying there are other facets to his fame? Or are you presuming that his fame is based solely on his race?

Originally Posted by Swift-Bass

But let me ask you a few questions:

1. Can you name me another Presidential nominee that had less then 150 days in the senate or any other major seat? govenor, House member or whatever.

1. Can you name any presidential nominee before 1984 that didn't win an election?
   
   Originally Posted by Swift-Bass

2. Do you honestly beleive he would've gotten the press he recieved to get his name out there fast enough to wiin the election if he wasn't black?

[HughRuss]

Originally Posted by 7960

are you denying that part of obama's appeal is that he's black?

No, I'm saying that his entire appeal isn't because of his skin color. I'm saying that the situation wouldn't be any different if he was of a different race.


Now, back on topic.

Palin attacks Biden. Biden blinks. Palin flexes.