An Opinion Poll and Resource for Information on the Vice Presidential Debate
It Oughta Be a Doozy!
Sarah Palin vs. Joseph Biden
Sarah Palin, governor of Alaska and former PTA officer, has a lot to prove this Thursday. She was an instant star after an electrifying speech at the Republican National Convention, but her popularity has been slowly but steadily eroding since then. The few interviews she has given show a total lack of true understanding about issues that are vital to the interests of the United States.
She's good at spouting the phrases and talking points fed to her by her trainers, but when forced to think for herself, comes up blank. Can she learn enough by Thursday to salvage her credibility?
Joseph Biden, a longtime Senator, certainly knows his stuff (most of the time), but has a tendency to say unwise or embarrassing things on a fairly regular basis. He needs to check with the campaign more often to check on its official stance on a given issue before opening his mouth.
Biden also is in the unfortunate position of having run against Barack Obama in the primaries. I know it happens all the time, but, if the Palin trainers are smart, his past may come back to haunt him on Thursday.
Who Will Win the Vice Presidential Debate?
Who do you think will win?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byPalin
Joyce says:
Obama is any empty suit, empty hat, simply he's just a pawn for the democrats to rob us all of our heard earned money with the many programs and give-aways they want to put in place asap.
Posted October 01, 2008
beeobrien says:
Do you think Sarah Palin can learn enough by Thursday to ace this debate?
Posted September 30, 2008
Biden
stoetzels says:
Are you kidding me...with Palin, Based on Experience and the Caliber of Biden's Personality showed his abilities in the debate. He was outstanding, right to the FACTS...ofcourse when you read specific Newspapers (and not all of them..lol).
Posted October 03, 2008
CRYSTAL says:
PALIN IS NOT SURE OF HERSELF WHEN ADDRESSING COMMENTS MADE BY BIDEN AND WAS ALWAYS GOING BACK TO THE SAME STATEMENTS INSTEAD OF ANSWERING THE QUESTIONS. SHE IS JUST NOT READY!!!!
Posted October 02, 2008
Gary says:
The fewer words Sarah Palin speaks, the better off she will be. She can only hope that Biden makes a major blunder.
Posted October 01, 2008
ThomasC says:
I have to go with Biden, but only because there isn't a third choice! I don't really like either of them, but Palin IMO is far less experienced than Biden. I am still trying to figure out why McCain picked her. Maybe it was her looks!
Posted September 30, 2008
CrypticFragments says:
please God let it be Biden
Palin scares the crap out of me...as does McCain
we CANNOT let this "team" win
Posted September 30, 2008
beeobrien says:
Do you think Joseph Biden can keep his foot out of his mouth long enough to win this debate?
Posted September 30, 2008
What Does a Vice President Do, Anyway?
The Vice President of the United States is the holder of a public office created by the United States Constitution. The Vice President, together with the President of the United States, is indirectly elected by the people through the Electoral College to a four-year term. The Vice President is the first person in the presidential line of succession, ascending to the presidency upon the death, resignation, or removal of the President.
Under the Constitution, the Vice President is President of the Senate. By virtue of the Vice President's role as President of the Senate, he or she is the nominal head of the United States Senate. In that capacity, the Vice President is allowed to vote in the Senate, but only when necessary to break a tied vote. Pursuant to the Twelfth Amendment, the Vice President presides over the joint session of Congress when it convenes to count the vote of the Electoral College.
While the Vice President's only constitutionally prescribed functions, aside from presidential succession, relate to his role as President of the Senate, the office is now commonly viewed as a member of the executive branch of the federal government. The U.S. Constitution does not expressly assign the office to any one branch, causing scholars to dispute whether it belongs to the executive branch, the legislative branch, or both. The modern view of the Vice President as a member of the executive branch is due in part to the assignment by the President and Congress of executive duties to the Vice President, although such activities are only recent historical developments.
Economics
Foreign Policy
Social Issues
What If?
Do You Think Debates are Useful?
Let's Talk About Joe Biden
Let's Talk About Sarah Palin
Sarah Palin very publicly stated that since Alaska is bordered by TWO foreign countries, she has the foreign policy experience necessary to help govern the country.
A month ago, when John McCain announced Sarah Palin as his running mate, it was seen as a "maverick" move on his part.
Show Your Support for Obama/Biden in '08
Obama Biden for World Peace Sticker (Oval)
Price: 4.99 
Obama Biden for World Peace Women's Dark T-Shirt
Price: 27.99
Re-Elect Obama Biden '12 Sticker (Bumper 10 pk)
Price: 36.99
Joe Biden on Video
Learn More About Joseph Biden - from Joseph Biden
Promises to Keep: On Life and Politics
Amazon Price: $11.25 (as of 07/13/2009)
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Background reading that might come in handy
Second String: Trivia, Facts and Lists About the Vice Presidency and Its Vice Presidents
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Show Your Support for McCain/Palin in '08
Sarah 2012 Women's Light T-Shirt
Price: 21.99
Girlfriend of Palin Jr. Jersey T-Shirt
Price: 26.99
American Woman for McCain Palin Women's Light T-Sh
Price: 18.99
Read My Lipstick Sticker (Bumper)
Price: 5.49
Sarah Palin Videos
Who Is Sarah Palin?
Sarah: How a Hockey Mom Turned the Political Establishment Upside Down
Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 07/13/2009)
Avg. Customer Rating:
More Background Reading About Sarah Palin
Sarah Palin: A New Kind of Leader
Amazon Price: $10.19 (as of 07/13/2009)
Sarah Palin - The Alaskan Barracuda (Biography)
Amazon Price: $2.99 (as of 07/13/2009)
SARAH PALIN: In Her Own Words - Recent Speeches, Interviews and Official Biography (includes Republican Convention Speech)
Amazon Price: $2.99 (as of 07/13/2009)
God, Prayer, And Sarah Palin: Sarah Palin And The Power Of Prayer: The Power Of Prayer And Sarah Palin
Amazon Price: $11.65 (as of 07/13/2009)
2008 Complete Reference Guide to Governor Sarah Palin, Republican Candidate for Vice President (CD-ROM)
Amazon Price: $25.00 (as of 07/13/2009)
Resources to Keep You In-the-Know about the VP Debate
News on the Debate Around the Web
- National Security Debate Takes Partisan Turn
- ... call "for an investigation into whether then Vice President Dick Cheney ordered the CIA to hide a covert counterterrorism program from Congress. ...
- Today in History
- Today's Highlight in History: On July 24, 1959, during a visit to Moscow, Vice President Richard Nixon engaged in his famous "Kitchen Debate" with Soviet ...
- Ann Coulter on Bias in Mainstream Media
- I mean, we have a vice president who, in the vice presidential debate, could not keep reality separated from fantasy, talking about, you know, Bush and NATO ...
- AP News in Brief at 5:58 pm EDT
- The former Republican vice presidential nominee said she plans to write a book, campaign for political candidates from coast to coast ? even Democrats who ...
Recent Blog Posts
- Video American » 2007 NH Democratic Presidential Debate (Part 7)
- Obama has a better game plan in almost every area that has been debated on. I think Hillary would be fantastic as a Vice President and nothing more. She used to be my #1 before the debates started. Now I feel her and Obama would make a ...
- The Myth of Palin’s Debate Victory
- The myth that ?Palin won? the 2008 vice presidential debate is predicated on expectations, which were created by journalists, and pure narrative demands, which were also created by journalists. Cannon's article argues that Biden made ...
- Reporter: 'We Took Sides, Straight and Simple' Against Palin
- But the most eye-opening part of Cannon's piece looks at the vice-presidential debate. He chronicled some of Palin's mistakes on that night, but then made a list of Biden's egregious errors that were overlooked by a supportive media ...
- Indonesia's Presidential Debate Audio Podcast Download ...
- This is a list of Indonesia's presidential debates in audio podcast format. I didn't have the forth episode (vice-presidential debate) since I wasn't at.
Meet the Moderator
Gwen Ifill
Gwen Ifill is moderator and managing editor of "Washington Week" and senior correspondent for "The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer." She is also frequently asked to moderate debates in national elections, including the Vice Presidential debate during the 2004 election and the upcoming Vice Presidential debate scheduled for October. Ifill is also the author of the forthcoming book The Breakthrough: Politics in the Age of Obama. During the 2008 campaign season, Ifill is bringing Washington Week to live audiences around the country on a 10-city tour.
Gwen Ifill on Wikipedia
Gwendolyn Ifill (, ) (born September 29, 1955) is an American journalist, television newscaster and author. She is the managing editor and moderator for Washington Week (PBS) and a senior correspondent for The NewsHour (PBS). She is a political analyst, and moderated the 2004 and 2008 Vice Presidential debates. She is the author of the book The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama.
Remember!
The Vice Presidential debate is Thursday, October 2, 2008 at 9pm EST.
Anything Else You Want to Talk About?
This is the place. Just keep it civil, please.
Margo_Arrowsmith wrote...
5* lens, well balanced (as opposed to many political lenses) and informative!
Posted October 13, 2008
Evelyn_Saenz wrote...
The presidential debate may be drowned out by the economic debate.
Posted September 30, 2008
Seth1492 wrote...
Great lens. I made sure to favorite and 5* it. I will definitely be back to see what you say on Friday! I am really excited for the debates, this will be a real test for the VP choices. Oh and by the way, the poll's are taking quite a long time to load. But it is a fantastic lens and you have put a ton of work into it!
Posted September 30, 2008
Seth1492 wrote...
Great lens. I made sure to favorite and 5* it. I will definitely be back to see what you say on Friday! I am really excited for the debates, this will be a real test for the VP choices. Oh and by the way, the poll's are taking quite a long time to load. But it is a fantastic lens and you have put a ton of work into it!
Posted September 30, 2008
CrypticFragments wrote...
5* lens bee... I am just praying praying praying that Obama-Biden comes out ahead at the end
Posted September 30, 2008
CrypticFragments wrote...
5* lens bee... I am just praying praying praying that Obama-Biden comes out ahead at the end
Posted September 30, 2008
