Biden, Palin Not Likely to Stray Off Talking Points

The vice presidential debate between Democratic Sen. Joe Biden and Republican Gov. Sarah Palin is scheduled for Thursday Oct., 2. The event will be held at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, and will be moderated by Gwen Ifill. The night's debate will cover foreign and domestic policies.

Never before in history has there been so much interest in the vice presidential debates, as there is this year. Usually the attitude is, "Who cares? The vice president doesn't do anything, anyway."

But this year it's different; the race is close.

Under most circumstances, the vice presidential debates do not determine much about the political standing of the presidential candidate, but it does give the American people a chance to see this country's second-in-command under pressure. I really do feel a lot is riding on how Gov. Palin and Sen. Biden conduct themselves on this night.

Some hypothetical Q&A:

Question One: The Dow fell 777 points earlier in the week. The American people are frustrated and angry. They no longer have faith in our elected officials. What will you do as vice president to support your president in implementing plans to make sure this never happens to them again?

Palin will say that McCain has said that we need to lay politics aside, and work this terrible dilemma out together in a bi-partisan manner. Because of her inexperience with federal government, I think she will lean heavily on his statement.

With Biden, It is my opinion, that first off he will do as Sen. Obama has done, and blame the Bush administration; then he will point out, "If our Bail-Out plan would have passed, things would be getting better by now."

Question Two: Iran is threatening turning nuclear missiles toward Israel. What will you, as Vice President do, to make sure this doesn't?

Biden will back up Obama's belief that strong countries and strong presidents sit down and talk with their adversaries.

Palin will support McCain's belief that Iran poses a terrible threat, and they need to be dealt with.

Question Three: With the economy being threatened at home, the American people question the wisdom of having troops in Iraq, What will you do, as Vice-President, to reassure the people?

Palin: will back McCain saying that we have a new general, and a new strategy. I believe she will concentrate on this. Not having much experience with Congress, she will need to lean on a lot of McCain's statements.

Biden will bring up that he is not denying that our troops need to be in Iraq. I think he will stress a 'time-table' for bringing our troops home.

It is my opinion, that right now the best thing that Gov. Palin and Sen. Biden can do to win over voter is, not be accusatory, be gracious and professional, and just answer questions. We can determine from their demeanor if we trust them or not.

We didn't learn much from the first presidential debate except that McCain had a lot of years of experience, and everything was the Bush administration's fault. Since the vice president has no designated job other than what the president gives them, I doubt that we will learn anything new on Thursday. Believe me, I won't mind if I am proved wrong.

Resources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vice_President_of_the_United_States

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ew5qP2oPd+Q

http://www.youdecide2008.com/2008/08/21/official-2008-obama-mccain-presidential-debate-schedule/