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Biden vs. Palin: Who Can Shut Up More?
Next door, Kevin says that Biden's path to victory in Thursday's debate against Sarah Palin has gotten easier in recent days as Palin's confidence has fractured: "Biden just needs to show up, talk normally, and wait for her to implode."
That's easier said than done, of course, especially for Joe Biden. This debate will not be a test of his knowledge; it'll be a test of his restraint. He will likely win if he shuts up, stops trying to prove how much he knows, and simply gives Palin enough rope/time to hang herself.
His advisers and handlers know this. That means Biden will likely come into the debate with a strategy of saying as little as possible. And due to her plethora of recent gaffes, Palin will come into the debate the strategy of... saying as little as possible. Can you imagine Gwen Ifill's position? "Senator? Governor? You both have one minute and thirty seconds left. Would anyone like to speak?"
I find this strategy, and the extent to which it is being conveyed as gospel, highly troublesome. What if the highly coached Palin performs above (incredibly low) expectations?
can someone please assure me that she will be THOROUGHLY checked for wires/earpieces? and that if something is fishy it will actually be pursued and not just dropped the way that bush's 'wired' scandal was?
I fully expect Palin to brandish a sawed-off shotgun at the debate.
disdaniel says: I fully expect Palin to brandish a sawed-off shotgun at the debate.
If she does that, then she's even dumber than you are.
I had a nice long argument about this with my dad last night. First of all he needs to be tough enough to keep her from exceeding expectations, but he can't be so tough he comes across as a bully and invites silly claims of sexism. And, as you note, silence has its own problems. The way I see it he has two options. 1) Make the case for Joe Biden as well and as authentically as he can, gaffes and all, and act like she doesn't exist - like it's an interview, not a debate. He won't sit on his hands, he'll use the full measure of his time and no more, and Gov. Palin will still have plenty of rope with which to hang herself. 2) This is much riskier, but more intellectually honest, and just might work wonders: every time Palin says something like "2 + 2 = tomato," he calls her on it. Calls it loud and without respect. He goes from decorum out the other side of bullying to blunt honesty. Letting his derision show, he makes plain just how much an insult to the office and the country her candidacy is. I must say I like it, but I suspect the first option is ultimately more useful.
p.s. Congrats on linkage from Sullivan - I bet that's helped traffic a bit. I'd thought Sullivan had linked to you before, but it must have been Corn.
Cousin Joe, remember that the less said once the point is made the better.'nough said.