Poll: Palin More Likeable, Biden More Knowledgeable

A Marist poll released September 30 finds that respondents believe Senator Joe Biden, the Democratic vice presidential nominee, will demonstrate in tonight's debate a firmer grasp of the issues confronting Americans today, but that Alaska Governor and Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin will be perceived by debate watchers as "more likeable."

According to the poll results, 45 percent of respondents expect Biden to win the vice presidential debate in St. Louis, while 36 percent said they expected Palin to win. Expectations about Palin's performance have been drastically lowered since the self-proclaimed "hockey mom" failed to wow viewers during interviews with ABC's Charlie Gibson and CBS' Katie Couric.

Poll results show that by more than 2 to 1 respondents "...believe Biden will have a better understanding of the issues than Palin." However, 65 percent of respondents believe that the Alaska Governor "...will come across as more appealing, compared to 23 percent for Biden."

The New York Post, which reported the results of the Marist survey, cited favorability ratings for Palin and Biden at 49 percent and 45 percent, respectively. Unfavorable ratings for the two vice presidential candidates were at 38 percent for Palin and 34 percent for Biden.

Biden was considered by some to be a "safe" pick for Barack Obama, bringing experience and foreign policy expertise to a campaign that had been criticized for being weak in both areas. Palin was considered, at the time of her selection, to be a wildcard pick for John McCain, a way to appeal to the conservative base of the Republican Party while simultaneously giving an ailing campaign a shot in the arm with someone new and exciting.

With lower expectations for Palin and a significant experience advantage for Biden, some have speculated that the Delaware Senator will have to tone down his rhetoric to keep from appearing condescending and patronizing to the less seasoned Palin. According to the Post, Biden will try to stay away from attacking Palin, instead directing his energy to supporting Obama and attacking McCain. The Post also says that Biden has been engaging prominent female politicians, including Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm, former Clinton strategist Patti Solis Doyle, and Senator Hillary Clinton, to help him prepare for his debate with Palin.

Most Democrats I have spoken with say their biggest fear is that Biden will talk too much. After 36 years in the Senate, Biden has earned a reputation for being quite verbose, and for allowing his ramblings to turn into verbal gaffes.