Digg - Palins inexperience leads to VP debate changes

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676 Comments
Who Dugg It?

TheNovaScotian, on 09/20/2008, -12/+398McCain wants Biden to go soft on Palin in the debates.
- LaceKing, on 09/20/2008, -1/+160McCain wants Palin to get a free pass at the debates.
  - ThoughtfulWi, on 09/21/2008, -2/+91In what respect, Charlie?
  - soot, on 09/21/2008, -1/+56I put my brain on eBay, Charlie.
  - charm803, on 09/21/2008, -0/+52Thanks, you guys, for making me hear her voice in my head after reading your comments.
    
    Argh!
  - iZealot, on 09/21/2008, -0/+68Candy Mountain, Charlie.
    You can see Russia from there.
    Te he he he.
  - tkotam, on 09/21/2008, -0/+101 word.. (((Not even a word))) BOOOOOOOOOOOOO........
  - DrNovacaine, on 09/21/2008, -1/+21Charlie bit me. And it really hurt too.
  - Charlotte_Web, on 09/21/2008, -26/+2"In what respect, Charlie?"
    
    You know, Charlie Gibson was so condescending on that point, but as Dennis Praeger and Slate.com both point out, there are at least four or five doctrines that are labeled the "Bush Doctrine":
    
    http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=28561
    
    Sarah Palin's response was therefore not the wrong one.
  - Charlotte_Web, on 09/21/2008, -24/+2From Wikipedia entry on "Bush Doctrine":
    
    "The Bush Doctrine is a phrase used to describe various related foreign policy principles of United States president George W. Bush, created in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks. The phrase initially described the policy that the United States had the right to treat countries that harbor or give aid to terrorist groups as terrorists themselves, which was used to justify the invasion of Afghanistan.[1] Later it came to include additional elements, including the controversial policy of preventive war, which held that the United States should depose foreign regimes that represented a threat to the security of the United States, even if that threat was not immediate (used to justify the invasion of Iraq); a policy of supporting democracy around the world, especially in the Middle East, as a strategy for combating the spread of terrorism; and a willingness to pursue U.S. military interests in a unilateral way."
    
    Oh, yeah, CRYSTAL CLEAR, Charlie Gibson... a phrase that embodies VARIOUS foreign policy ideas and has changed over time.
  - kayala, on 09/21/2008, -3/+9Buried for using Human Events as a credible source.
  - grillcover, on 09/21/2008, -1/+9Scavenger hunt!! Who wants to take a crack at uncovering just how much and in what ways the 'Bush Doctrine' changed definition after this interview broke?
    
    http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bush_Doc ...
    
    hint: it's fascinating, and that's not the most recent 500 edits. but guess what? today is the 6th birthday of the phrase "the Bush Doctrine"
  - DavidBGie, on 09/21/2008, -4/+5BTW did anyone read the article? The agreement was MUTUAL. Palin is less experienced at DEBATING so the are shortening her and Binden's time. McCain's camp is afraid she will end up on the defensive to long because of her lack of debating skills. (Not her general experience that the lying submitter of this story wrote.) Obama's camp is scared because Binden is gaffe prone so the longer he talks the more chance he has to say something stupid.
    
    It was a mutual agreement based on both sides weaknesses.
  - Aminus, on 09/22/2008, -0/+3Dang, grillcover, that's fascinating about the "Bush Doctrine" wikipedia changes. Fascinating and scary. Looks like debates aren't the only thing being altered to accommodate Sarah "I'm just a hockey mom" Palin.
- mediablitz, on 09/21/2008, -4/+84Her voice is enough to make me go soft...
  - GassyTurd, on 09/21/2008, -3/+58What is that accent? It's like a cross between Canadian and Texan. It's awful.
  - acegi, on 09/21/2008, -2/+31palin sounds like a chipmunk that got run over by a truck...
  - PolarBearCa, on 09/21/2008, -1/+28No need to insult chipmunks...
  - awasson, on 09/21/2008, -2/+15...Or Canadian's for *****'s sake!
    Unless you're speaking about the ones that sound like the sountrack for Fargo... Then it's ok.
  - toetagger, on 09/21/2008, -5/+3You were hard on digg?
  - TrueXtremeIcon, on 09/21/2008, -2/+1toetagger, are you new here?
  - AmazingSteve, on 09/21/2008, -0/+3It's a midwest accent and it's phoney as all hell.
  - RogueGenius, on 09/21/2008, -0/+4I'm a midwesterner, and that is no local accent. I know some Alaskans, and they don't sound like that either. I'm not even sure it's a genuine accent. She got that nasaly, bitchy tone of voice. I think she's just an uptight bitch and the sound has to pass through all those tense membranes.
    
    Doesn't matter. She'll be able to finish her term as governor. We won't have to hear her everyday.
- meese, on 09/21/2008, -3/+40This is an old tactic - they make it seem like they want to cancel the debate to lower expectations for Palin. Then the spin is that no matter how bad she does, she "did well, given expectations".
  
  The truth is that she was a TV anchor and knows how to deliver short talking points like the best of them.
  - infinitexx, on 09/21/2008, -0/+20I thought the bigger change was restricting interaction between the candidates, a TV anchor doesn't need to know much about actual debate, only how to be able to present pre-written info.
  - dave2003, on 09/21/2008, -0/+20She was never a TV anchor, she was however a TV sports reporter who had ambitions of being an anchor, but never realised them
  - rednip, on 09/21/2008, -1/+18She was a sports anchor who read from a teleprompter, and didn't even last that long. Also, she's an intellectual light weight, not stupid, just not that interested in learning for the sake of knowing. They've been giving her a crash course in neocon for the last month, but I think that it'll backfire. I believe that the reason why she gave the very strong response in support of Georgia, was that McCain has an important Georgian lobbyist as a foreign policy adviser. He (and the rest of the lobbyists working for him) has been trying to convince her that he's right, as she is both his student, and potentially his meal ticket. So, I'm guessing that they are only exposing her to one side of any issue, which is a bad position, as she'll only be able to counter the most expected of Biden's responses.
    
    I think that Biden will eat her alive.
  - TrueXtremeIcon, on 09/21/2008, -1/+6"I believe that the reason why she gave the very strong response in support of Georgia, was that McCain has an important Georgian lobbyist as a foreign policy adviser. He (and the rest of the lobbyists working for him) has been trying to convince her that he's right, as she is both his student, and potentially his meal ticket."
    
    I was more apt to believing she thought the Russians were coming to burn Atlanta to the ground.
  - chassach, on 09/21/2008, -0/+5I support Obama but I do feel that Biden and Obama would be making a very big mistake if they underestimated Palin in these debates (a mistake I don`t think they are about to make, incidentally). She has a lot to be modest about but I think she will do surprisingly well in the debate format. I suspect that is one of the reasons McCain went for her. She did well in debates in Alaska previously. Her tactic is to interrupt the opponent mercilessly. This is difficult for an older man like Biden to combat vs. a young woman with some charisma.
  - TrueXtremeIcon, on 09/21/2008, -0/+2chassach:
    
    If her tactic is to mercilessly interrupt (aka being an annoying harpy bitch?) then didn't the McCain campaign screw themselves over by requesting a more structured short answer format instead of the free flowing discussion? I would imagine that in a free flowing debate, the alleged Palin tactic of interrupting would either A) Set Biden off and he ***** up or B) Seriously piss off the entire audience
  - chassach, on 09/22/2008, -0/+1i hope you are right
- wukillabee, on 09/21/2008, -0/+29meh, does it really matter? she already knows what shes going to say before the debates..
  - lintmonkey, on 09/21/2008, -1/+1"I want Senator John McCain to be the father of my babies!"
- ShadowMerchant, on 09/21/2008, -32/+12The story says that both the McCain and Obama camps are concerned about their VP candidates. Palin is inexperienced and Biden is a blowhard. They seem to agree that this format helps both of them.
  - neonoodle, on 09/21/2008, -16/+7With with the brain-dead Obama loving morons that dugg you down? The information you've stated is RIGHT THERE IN THE ARTICLE! Idiots, quit digging people down if you can't be bothered to get some reading comprehension.
  - Gutterpunk, on 09/21/2008, -5/+4neodoodle : I see the part where they say that Palin doesn't know *****, but where it the part about Biden being a blowhard.
    
    Thats why ShadoMerchant is dugged down.
    
    Reading comprehension : try it
  - bamw69, on 09/21/2008, -3/+8Gutterpunk, I guess you need to know how to read before you can comprehend, which in this case you know neither...
    "Indeed, both the McCain and Obama campaigns have similar concerns about the vice-presidential matchup in St. Louis: that Ms. Palin, of Alaska, as a new player in national politics, or Mr. Biden, of Delaware, as a loquacious and gaffe-prone speaker, could commit a momentum-changing misstep in their debate."
- matadata, on 09/21/2008, -6/+13Obviously, and Biden's advisors probably do as well. Honestly, I wonder if the Obama-Biden campaign might have anticipated this. Minimizing "unfettered exchanges" could very well benefit Biden more than Palin. Both are prone to gaffes, but Biden certainly has the upper hand in debating and knowing what the hell he's talking about. If he becomes too long-winded and/or confrontational, he's on much thinner ice.
  - TrueXtremeIcon, on 09/21/2008, -1/+2It would be a big positive vs. a big negative for Biden. If there were long winded and confrontational exchanges, there is a big possibility that Biden would butcher her, but there is just as big a possibility that he says something to piss off an entire gender.
    
    The move to the more structured format is going to minimize the damage that Biden could potentially do to Palin while also minimizing any potential damage against himself. The move to a more structured format will benefit Palin because then she can focus more on the canned responses that have been fed to her ever since she accepted the nomination.
- DFutureIsNow, on 09/21/2008, -3/+26That pitbull is all lipstick, no teeth... or should I say no brain
- monkeysama, on 09/21/2008, -2/+19I think this might be a smart compromise for the Obama campaign. I'm not sure seeing an old white guy absolutely pummel a "helpless lady" would actually help them all that much. Freeform makes it look like Biden's kicking her ass.
  
  With short rounds and plenty of questions she'll still flub things up and Biden will still have time to poke holes in her answers without completely crushing her, which will leave the audience with the impression that she lost to the questions. She'll look incompetent, as opposed to Biden looking like a bully.
- TSK05, on 09/21/2008, -24/+3I am a McCain supporter since he picked Palin, and while this is a little concerning, I am sure she'll do fine both in these debates and as a VP - so it's not vote changing.
  - h3lx, on 09/21/2008, -1/+18and you're fine with these scripted TV Shows starring our VP candidates?
    
    WTF?
  - Unknown038, on 09/21/2008, -1/+14please allow me a second to compose my thoughts.............. WHAT!?
    
    seriously im interested to know so please respond: name one thing about Palin that is politically or ideologically appealing to you.
  - OddMoniker, on 09/21/2008, -1/+10So you're a Palin fan, then? That's as bad as, say, someone becoming a Deadhead after the success of "Touch of Grey" You're a Touch-head, aren't ya?
  - Zarchon, on 09/21/2008, -20/+5@unknown,
    
    1) She is pro gun.
    2) She is antiabortion
    3) She's not a lawyer.
    
    There are three things I like about her. I do understand that here on Digg those are all negatives. That is why I am conservative and you are liberal. If we agreed on these and other viewpoints we would both be of the same political affiliation. Now all you good liberals digg me down for answering his question. After all, that's what you do, digg down anyone and anything that doesn't agree with your point of view, even if it is an honest answer to a question posed by one of you.
  - eyepennies, on 09/21/2008, -5/+15I'm not digging you down because I disagree with you, and I'm not digging you down because you gave an honest answer to a posed question. I'm digging you down because you are a moron.
  - TSK05, on 09/21/2008, -12/+5@unknown
    
    She has taken on big oil several times, including exposing the Republican chair in Alaska and the attorney general.
    She has appointed independents and Democrats to positions so she can reach across the isle.
    She is pro gun and not a lawyer as the guy above me said.
    She has a high approval rating and as far as conservatives go, she's a true conservative, including fiscal.
    She's a true Washington outsider.
    And I get the impression that as far as politicians go, she seems like someone who genuinely cares about the country more than her pockets.
    
    That's my list, I probably missed a few but there you go. Now, there are some mashups you can find which will make it seem like she's not one or two of the things I said, but if you read her entire policy and the full context, it's obvious those things are just mashups.
    
    @ eyepennies, first half of your first sentence and your second sentence disagree. I see your thought pattern now "Crap, he gave an honest answer...but I don't like his opinion but that seems like a crappy reason to digg him down....what DO I do.. Ah screw it, I'll just call him a moron and settle at that." So anyway, you are digging me down because you disagree with me.
  - MrCocktoasten, on 09/21/2008, -6/+1@ eyepennies
    do you ever think before writing or talking?
  - JoeVet, on 09/21/2008, -2/+9Looks like TSK05 bought that lie, hook line and stinker.
    Palin is big time pro oil and supports all their projects. The only standing up to big oil Palin does is taxing their profits and distributing those profits to Alaskins.
    She hires only those loyal to her. Yes they may be from other parties but the big test is whether they support her or not. Everyone else has their jobs threatened with a "loyalty test" that requires them to write their own resignation.
    She is pro-gun but then so are all the candidates. She is distinguished by being an avid hunter.
    She is not a lawyer. She isn't smart enough. In fact she attended at least 6 colleges in 6 years to receive a 4 year degree in journalism. If uneducated is your requirement then the McCain-Palin ticket wins hands down.
    She has high approval rating from conservatives, yes. And if your a typical one issue conservative, she is your choice because she is against choice herself. Fiscally she is a typical "conservative" and presided over the largest tax increase in Alaskan history. In Palin's case though she was able to put those taxes on the oil companies thanks to the states resources. We won't be so lucky when she is president. She is a big supporter of earmarks and successfully lobbied congress for hundreds of millions. In fact she was able to receive a public handout of $1.85 for each $1.00 Alaska paid in federal taxes. Alaska just completed her road to nowhere at a cost of 25 million of OUR dollars that is only good for drag racing and hunting according to the local mayor. As Mayor she build an emergency dispatch center -- even though Wasilla and nearby Palmer already shared the costs of an emergency operation for the Mat-Su Valley. As a result of the duplication, there are now two expensive operations for an area with 85,000 people, while the city of Anchorage, with a population of over 300,000, makes do with one emergency station. She also saddled the town with an ice rink it can't afford and is rarely used. Fiscal conservative my ass.
    She's a true Washington outsider and with the exception of a great ability to get public money, she doesn't even know what the vice president does. Some knowledge is critical to the job she is seeking. Her refusal to honestly face the American people apart from a scripted interview is very telling about how even the McCain campaign knows she is too ignorant of national and international issues that a vice president must face.
    She seems like someone who genuinely cares about the country provided you ignore her involvement with an organization whose goal is to secede Alaska from the United States. At best her involvement was support of their conventions in Wasilla, at worse she and her husband were active members. Either way she has shown disloyalty to the United States.
    
    Face it, the only reason your voting for Palin is that she is an evangelical. Your voting on her stances based on religion.....no choice, no sex education, creationism in science class.
    
    Your most important comment is that you'll vote McCain now because of Palin. That proves my contention that not even the Republicans want McCain as president. The only smart thing he has done during this election was to pick a religious conservative to satisfy the GOP base which consists solely of religious extremists. Even his pick of Palin is a Flip Flop from when he called Rev. Jerry Falwell one of the political "agents of intolerance". Palin is nothing but an attempt at pandering to the religious right, and it has worked. You are blinded by a fellow evangelical and no longer see McCain at all. This election is really Palin versus Obama and it is about those who want this country to come together as a nation versus those who want to continue to split this country along religious lines. Consider voting for a leader for once and not simply an ideologue.
  - RyFo18, on 09/21/2008, -5/+1"Face it, the only reason your voting for Palin is that she is an evangelical. Your voting on her stances based on religion.....no choice, no sex education, creationism in science class."
    
    'Palin has not pushed for teaching creationism in Alaska's schools. She has said that students should be allowed to "debate both sides" of the evolution question, but she also said creationism "doesn't have to be part of the curriculum."' --factcheck.org
  - TSK05, on 09/21/2008, -3/+1Alright, well, I am not going to bother responding to all that ***** because it'd take forever and you probably won't ever see it as the story is off the front page but I can respond to this one easily:
    
    "Face it, the only reason your voting for Palin is that she is an evangelical. Your voting on her stances based on religion.....no choice, no sex education, creationism in science class."
    
    Face it, you don't know me and by making such a stupid assumption, I don't even have to read everything you wrote (although I read the majority of it to get to that) to know you're dead wrong. You meet a lot of crazy religious astrophysics majors, do you? Yes, we are all so crazy about the world being created 6000 years ago, that's the talk of the science world. And I am also pro-choice. Although I don't believe in that bill Obama voted for to teach kindergartners about sex and STDs - there are much more important and relevant things that need to be taught at that level.
    
    "That proves my contention that not even the Republicans want McCain as president"
    
    No, that proves I'm more libertarian than anything else (although I am strictly libertarian, fiscal conservative but liberal socially, not like those crazy libertarians you hear about). But I like what Palin has brought to the ticket so I am willing to vote for McCain and Palin.
  - JenniferInMO, on 09/21/2008, -0/+1@Zarchon, I actually dugg your comment up because it was an honest answer with specifics. But I have to respond to each of those issues:
    
    Sooo, not being a lawyer is a GOOD thing for someone who is set with the duty to enforce our laws and set our policy? That is like saying I hate doctors so I want the receptionist in the hall to do my surgery. THIS is why our Constitution and our civil rights are so dwindled down, because the current morons in office don't have a clue as to why it is important or ever was.
    
    Obama may not be a card carrying member of the NRA, but he respects the Consitution, ALL of it and has specifically stated on numerous occasions that he respects the 2nd Amendment just as much as any other Amendment in our Bill of Rights.
    
    And as far as anti-abortion goes that is a red herring issue to try to get people to focus on that rather than silly things like the economy going to hell, our troops stretched too thin in 2 wars, healthcare getting out of line. McCain has no plan for any of these things except to deregulate more which throws us to the wolves in these areas.
    
    Are you so anti-abortion that you would vote for someone who won't be able to do anything about it (given the fact that we have a Democratic Congress) and sacrifice our economy, healthcare, energy and foreign policy to the lobbyists that control the Republican party?
    
    Are you loyal to your political party or to your country?
  - Zarchon, on 09/23/2008, -0/+0Jennifer, Yes, not being a lawyer is a good thing. Your analogy is poor. Last time I looked you needed to be a doctor to operate on someone but there is nothing other than your opinion that the president should be a lawyer. This is supposed to be a government for the people by the people. Last time I checked all the people were not lawyers.
    
    Obama is as far left as a person can be. Last time I checked the left is against my owning a guy. I don't buy it that he supports my right to own a gun.
    
    I am OK with abortion up until the fourth month. I don't see why Obama voting for the right to put abortion surviving babies in a closet until they die is OK? These are just reasons I like Palin. Sorry that you read into that I was anti-abortion.
    
    Lastly I feel that the Democratic party is out to make America a socialist country. Am I against that? yes. There are a lot of socialist countries but only one US of A. I believe if the two parties didn't spend all their time hating the other side and trying to get all the power then this country would work out all it's problems.
  - JoeVet, on 09/26/2008, -0/+1The only other thing to like about Palin is that she is good looking. if your not voting for her because she is an evangelical then your voting with your little head. She has no experience and is ignorant on national and international issues. She can't even face the media and the American people honestly without hiding behind old man McCain. Ya, that's my kind of leader.
- Wisgary, on 09/21/2008, -0/+15McCain advisors said that Biden should take off his epic purples before entering the senate floor as Palin has not had enough raid experience to obtain full T3 armor.
  - eyepennies, on 09/21/2008, -0/+8God I hate that fact that I know exactly what you're talking about...
  - toetagger, on 09/21/2008, -0/+10And I'm glad I don't
  - snugget, on 09/21/2008, -2/+7You probably do know, otherwise you'd be indifferent instead of glad
- TheDarkstarter, on 09/21/2008, -1/+39I hope they can also convince Putin, Ahmadinejad, etc. to go easy on her too, if she ever has to face them.
  - fluxion, on 09/21/2008, -1/+3that's what's so great about endorsing McCain's foreign policy. she never has to talk to anyone we're having problems with, ever! she need only make their compliance a prerequisite to meetings about compliance. after which, if they've already complied, she can just cancel the meetings. otherwise she just presses the red button.
- consonance, on 09/21/2008, -9/+17LEAVE SARAH PALIN ALONE GUYS. I'M SERIOUS.
  
  /crocker
- worldgate, on 09/21/2008, -1/+4Well in this debate there will be some who use their experience to debate, and other use their debating to show their inexperience... wait... uh i mean, there some people who dont have experience debating and use... oh come on, im a woman and i need the handicap. (Parody)
- 808ethan, on 09/21/2008, -8/+3Thats a problem because Palin always makes me go hard....
- ryanhayn, on 09/21/2008, -2/+5Hit "reply", insert random hard/soft penis joke, return to Digg front page.
- lintmonkey, on 09/21/2008, -0/+5Joseph Biden is a master debater.
- typhinee, on 09/21/2008, -0/+1Is anyone else laughing or is it just me? I mean if she can't respond to hypothetical scenarios why should we trust that she could make the right decision in a time of crisis. Part of the job she is applying for requires communication and strategical thought. If she can't handle the pressure of a free debate then she is obviously under qualified. Plain and simple. Maybe she should start off in the mail room. I mean really?? Is this all a joke? I guess we will see on November 4th.
- gweller, on 10/03/2008, -0/+0You probably don't find it funny, but I do. You all must feel like a bunch of jackasses right now. She made Joe look a fool on plenty of occasions and he was nodding his head in agreement nearly every time she directly addressed him.
Echota, on 01/05/2009, -10/+630FTA: McCain advisers said they had been concerned that a loose format could leave Ms. Palin, a relatively inexperienced debater, at a disadvantage and largely on the defensive.

If she isn't experienced enough for a simple debate how in the heck did McCain come to the conclusion that she had the experience to be VP?

What does this tell you folks that is leaning toward McCain/Palin?

It tells me that John McCain has made a really Bad choice for his VP!
- SpankkBankk, on 09/21/2008, -98/+6No sir!
  - lamiaconfitor, on 09/21/2008, -1/+22No? Because you say so?
- Cyberdactyl, on 09/21/2008, -112/+7It tells me Palin isn't used to (experienced with) inside the belt-line ***** speak.
  - GassyTurd, on 09/21/2008, -2/+51Good one. Has she told the truth yet?
  - youliveinfear, on 09/21/2008, -2/+34she seemed to have no problem with getting earmarks from those same people. Sounds like she lobbyist circles down cold.
  - greenroom628, on 09/21/2008, -1/+34it tells me she's not going to be able to get away with "i have foreign policy experience because i live next to russia" crap in a real debate.
  - MrDoug, on 09/21/2008, -1/+13So then tell me, if she isn't experienced "inside the belt-line" how is she going to be able to spar with a foreign threat that has a finger on the button? She going to bake a pie, or talk about small town values or something?
- UTKEngineer, on 09/21/2008, -73/+4*****. Notice there aren't quotes around what is attributed to McCain's advisers. I promise you that isn't what they said.
  
  They most likely said that a free flowing format would allow Biden to assail Palin on a personal level and distract the audience from the issues of the campaign.
  
  Naturally, the NY times recast this to make it appear Palin couldn't defend herself and added an aside in there which is nothing more than a direct ad hominem on Palin. Nice unbiased coverage.
  - cherwilco, on 09/21/2008, -2/+31Denial: The first step on the road to recovery
- ZeMoose, on 09/21/2008, -5/+17It's only a bad choice if his gamble doesn't work. :P
  - darkciti2, on 09/21/2008, -0/+14Our Founding Fathers didn't give their lives for a "gamble", and any political party that pins it's hopes on such a "scheme" isn't suitable to follow in their footsteps.
    
    Fire the Corrupt Republicans in November '08.
  - nhand42, on 09/21/2008, -0/+10Either way it's a bad choice for America. However McCain puts his election before his country.
- Enasni1212, on 09/21/2008, -2/+21"What does this tell you folks leaning toward McCain/Palin?"
  
  You know, I'm not sure I've seen a single person on Digg who actually supports McCain. I've seen a few who claimed to, but they reeked of troll.
  - Zarchon, on 09/21/2008, -34/+3That's ok, I'm not sure I've seen a single person on Digg who actually supports Obama. I've seen a lot of things that claim to be people but they reeked of troll.
    
    Ok, perhaps a sad attempt at humor but honestly, you guys are so filled with hate you hardly seem human.
    
    Why do you care who I select to run against your candidate? I mean, you are going to win, right? So who cares how bad she is? And when Obama wins he is going to remember that he represents me too right?
  - DarthKozy, on 09/21/2008, -1/+28Hate? where do you get that? The only hate that I perceive around here (at least from Obama supporters) is that the majority of us would *hate* to see our beloved country continue to be raped by the same policies that have plagued us for the last 8 years.
    
    I'm a bit confused by your statement - "Why do you care who I select to run against your candidate?"...
    Um, what? You personally picked Palin as McCain's VP? Or do you think that you get a choice when voting - I'll vote for McCain for President and Rush Limbaugh for VP.
    
    "Who cares how bad she is?" - I'd say the 50% of us who actually pay attention to what is going in the world and not just cast votes because you think a Democrat is going to take your gun away, or that a Republican is going to illegalize abortion. YOU should care how bad she is, more importantly you should understand how borderline psychotic McCain's choice for VP is. WE as a country should have more respect for ourselves and our fellow man and ELECT a leader - not someone you'd like to have a beer with, or someone that you think you could beat at Trivial Pursuit.
    
    I promise you, our economy, our housing market, our way of life CANNOT survive another disastrous administration.
  - Harvester68, on 09/21/2008, -3/+5Amen
  - MrCocktoasten, on 09/21/2008, -14/+0@Darthkozy
    "I promise you, our economy, our housing market, our way of life CANNOT survive another disastrous administration."
    oh *****. just relax and don't worry so much. The US is bigger than any one person, whether be Bush or Carter, or whomever has *****-up in office. Enough of the drama. Also, it shouldn't matter because Obama is so great he will be our next president. I mean, who would vote McCain? Right? Ok, glad that's settled.
- Gracemb, on 09/21/2008, -4/+8More respect, please! This crybaby, errrr, I mean, upstanding citizen, will be your president soon.
- CaLaVa, on 09/21/2008, -0/+17And this is the party that's against Affirmative Action? If she can't handle the debates she shouldn't be in the race.
- mbraynard, on 09/21/2008, -19/+4Obama can't handle an open debate - refusing McCain's town hall offer - in favor of a buttoned-down format.
  
  Where's the outrage?
  - DrCyclops, on 09/21/2008, -0/+14An open debate... with the questions pre-screened and pre-approved by the candidates.
    
    A town hall debate is just a regular debate dressed up in folksy clothes.
  - belfastbiker, on 09/21/2008, -2/+11I love how McCain the other day blatantly, on camera, used that refusal as a REASON for his own lies. Unbelievable.
- CarStan, on 09/21/2008, -0/+16Yeah, if she cant stand up in a simple debate against a fellow american, how can she claim to be 'Ready' to stand up against the leaders of much more fierce nations as Russia, China, Iraq, Iran, North-Korea...
  Oh i know: while constantly having her finger on the red button, that will shut them up...
- LilRabbitFooFoo, on 09/21/2008, -0/+25This is a setup, folks. The McCain camp is lowering expectations for Palin. But since she VERY successfully handled a debate with a very experienced Biden-like opponent for Governor of Alaska, she is NOT a novice here. By lowering expectations, they are preparing to spin even a competent showing by Palin into a WIN in the media. Don't be fooled. As long as she can stay on the bullet points with the "debates" notoriously softball questions, she's not likely to be completely trounced by this format.
  
  Remember, Bush did fine in the debates and he has clearly proven he doesn't have half a brain left. A monkey can be trained to pass this so-called "test".
- macweirdo42, on 09/21/2008, -0/+8I... I... Oh dear God... I can't even bring myself to talk about the strategy here, because this is absolutely just un-*****-believable. McCain, in choosing Palin for his running mate, has completely and utterly made a joke of the electoral system. You wanna talk about people who hate this country? McCain seems to have absolutely no respect for it at all. But this, this is the last straw. I cannot ***** believe he has the nerve to come out, running for leader of the free world, and ask for a goddamn pass because his running mate's too stupid to handle a debate. I don't give a ***** about how it might be better for Biden, or whatever, it's just a sham.
- MrCocktoasten, on 09/21/2008, -6/+0@Carstan
  Haven't you heard? Well, in the US we have these things called debates, and they are kind of like those reality shows on TV. Have you seen them? I think you watch them a lot. Anyway, like I was saying, in the US these things we call 'debates' are just for show, and things that are said in these debates are actually just for show; they have very little to do with what the candidate is actually thinking or what he/she intends to do in policy. I'm sorry you might get confused between what happens between a debate and how someone actually handles a situation behind closed doors. Try reading more and stay away from the 'reality' shows.
  - StarlessKnight, on 09/21/2008, -0/+2... What? Okay, now this is where you come back and tell us how we magically discern what the candidate is capable of if they're not willing or able to show us in a real debate against their opponent in such a way as to show how they are better prepared, more informed, and possess a keener intellect that will guide this country toward success for the next 4 years.
    
    You can't trust television interviews, that's for show.
    You can't trust televised debates, that's for show.
    You can't trust Town Halls, that's for show.
    You can't trust rallies, assemblies, gatherings, meetings, or any other sort of conversation, dialog, or discourse with one of the candidates because that's for show.
    Can't even rely on the media to bring out the voting record because with the right commentator you can say X voted against Heroic Bill Y and therefore X is Satan.
    
    So, again... how are we suppose to decide who the next President will be? Individual research? All well and good but we're talking about America here.
    
    Solution: Individual research into voting record and candidate statements.
    Alternative Solution: The candidates have a shred of decency, respect, and honor left to hold a real and informative debate.
BishkekBuddy, on 09/20/2008, -10/+395HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
- ManInTheBunker, on 09/21/2008, -18/+4I heard she broke up the Beatles:
  http://sarahpalinclubswhales.com/wp-content/upload ...
- puzzud, on 09/21/2008, -1/+32I watched both Palin and Biden's convention speeches. After listening to how intense Biden can be, I was instantly excited about the debates. I anticipate them very much. Biden is going to send Palin through the meat grinder!
  
  O yea, and to all the people who thought it was such a great idea McCain picked a woman as a running mate. If McCain was smart, he would have picked a black woman. What a dumbass!
  - PopcornDave, on 09/21/2008, -0/+14If he'd had picked a black woman the pandering would have been completely blatant. With Palin as his choice it's only mostly blatant.
  - h3lx, on 09/21/2008, -1/+4Not a bad idea... let the news hounds rip Palin apart, drop her at the last minute and then pick up the Chevron Sweetheart and Bush's secret mocha mistress. Bitchfaced and bitter, Princess Condoleeza.
    
    It'd throw a cog in the machine.
  - surferjoemaui, on 09/21/2008, -0/+15What, and risk losing the racist vote?
  - Zarchon, on 09/21/2008, -10/+2@h3lx, you sound a bit racist to me. Actually you sound strongly racist.
  - glutamate, on 09/21/2008, -0/+7Horrible as she may be, I think Rice would have been a far better choice. She's already in a major position of power, so if there's any question about security, she has the preselection.
    
    I think that the reason they didn't is that while the pandering might get them a few more votes, they'd lose the racist vote [i.e. those who are voting Rep. instead of Dem. because they don't want Obama], which is bigger.
  - MrCocktoasten, on 09/21/2008, -1/+1@puzzud - yeah, picking a black women for VP wouldn't be too obvious; McCain is such a dumbass, he should have went further than that. He should have gotten a black Jew women in a wheel chair who worked on Hillary's election committee. That should cover it. Oh, maybe gay or bi, that would cover more votes too. good thinking man
- Tyrghast, on 09/21/2008, -0/+19"Due to her inability to form intelligent thoughts or speak, the McCain campaign has pressured the Commission on Presidential Debates to change the format to benefit Palin."
  
  This is easily the best summary of any article NY Times article, ever. Side-splitting laughter ensued.
  - zacharytelschow, on 09/21/2008, -3/+2If this is their best article ever, it makes me increasingly thankful that I haven't wasted my time reading their rag in the past.
  - TurnipFarm, on 09/21/2008, -1/+2zachary you suck
- BuzzKillingt0n, on 09/21/2008, -1/+2Dugg for excellent choice of words.
- raineee, on 09/21/2008, -1/+2I don't know why but this comment made me HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
- hydehk, on 09/21/2008, -1/+1And i though my jokes are bad
- Vaia, on 09/21/2008, -0/+2That's exactly what I did when I read this too! LOL!!!
BishkekBuddy, on 09/20/2008, -18/+662Poor widdle babeeee.... Even changing up the format, Biden will make mincemeat of that brainless broad. And before ANYone diggs me down, I'm a 60-year old female and that was NOT a sexist remark! -- No, I take that back... it WAS a sexist remark and I stand by it! There!
- shupy, on 09/21/2008, -6/+166another 60 year old female here. Palin is a brainless broad. nothin' sexist about it. She is a disgrace to truly professional and accomplished women and is the epitome of a "token" female. Many of us have dealt with "beauty queens" thinking all they need is good looks and a pair of high heels to get to the top. Unfortunately, for a lot of them, that is all they need, and all they have.
  - GassyTurd, on 09/21/2008, -0/+44Hey ladies, how you doin? Kidding. Nice to hear more female perspectives. McCain would have you believe that women are flocking to him in droves.
  - packerdawl, on 09/21/2008, -0/+63Slightly younger female here, but I think that any woman who votes for Palin is an ignoramus and disgrace to our gender. Her abstinence only ***** led to her own child getting pregnant as a teenager. Bristol has a seemingly supporting family, but other girls aren't so lucky. I've known many girls who were either thrown out of their house, or felt forced to abort out of shame and the prospect of raising a child. If we don't give these girls the proper tools and education about sex, how can we possibly expect anything else? I personally went through such indoctrination and I had sex within a year. Palin is full of failure and this should not even be this tight of a race.
  - kayala, on 09/21/2008, -1/+22Even younger female here. I personally find it pretty insulting that I'm not expected to know that Palin is a woman candidate, but not a woman's candidate. There's a difference between a candidate for women and a candidate with ovaries.
- brainboy77, on 09/21/2008, -89/+7wait, wait, wait, there are chicks on digg? old chicks, to boot? i gotta watch at least 3 hours of porn to get that out of my head
  - GassyTurd, on 09/21/2008, -1/+34Women make you uncomfortable? Enjoy your circle jerk videos.
  - TrevorBelmont, on 09/21/2008, -0/+29"Brainboy", huh? Could have fooled me.
  - robystar, on 09/22/2008, -0/+1HAHAHA...you're a homosexual:)
    Not that there's anything wrong with that.
    I'm just sayin' its funny cuz you think you're a heterosexual now but you'll have a boyfriend by next year;)
- flyingclutchman, on 09/21/2008, -8/+59Another 60 year old female here, and i agree with everything stated above!!!!!
  - AbeX, on 09/21/2008, -2/+6flyingclutchMAN hehe
  - TrevorBelmont, on 09/21/2008, -4/+11flyingclutchman, A 21 year-old dude from Augusta, GA (US) who joined Digg on June 12th, 2008
    Seriously dude, WTF?
  - Atmandk, on 09/21/2008, -0/+17It was funny cause two people in a row said they belonged to a statistically underrepresented group on digg, and then he did it too in a sarcastic way.
- ShadowMerchant, on 09/21/2008, -85/+1Piss off, you silly old bags. Sarah Palin has accomplished more in 2 years in the governor's chair than the jug-eared commie Obama has done in his whole pathetic career.
  - str1fe, on 09/21/2008, -1/+42It's easy to call someone a jug-eared commie on the internet, isn't it? Especially when you have no proof, right?
    
    I ***** dare you to even try to prove that Obama's ideas are in line with those of people like Joseph Stalin, Hu Jintao, Karl Marx, Kim Jong-Il, or just Communist ideas in general.
    
    Obama is so ***** far from communist, and if you can prove me wrong I will create 50 accounts to digg you up.
  - friyaz, on 09/21/2008, -0/+28Wow, you really thing it's OK to talk to your elders like that???? Just shameful.
  - elipabst, on 09/21/2008, -1/+31This is true. Obama never even placed in his local beauty pageant. Not only did she get second place, but she even wowed the audience with her magical flute stylings.
  - TrevorBelmont, on 09/21/2008, -0/+28When you insult his ears, it makes it seem like you have nothing of substance to criticize.
    Also, calling these experience wealthy ladies "silly old bags" doesn't speak well of your character.
    In short, you've made no gains for your viewpoint and lost ground for your party.
  - OddMoniker, on 09/21/2008, -0/+17ShadowMerchant: Look who's being sexist AND ageist now! You neocons are all alike...you stand for nothing, and will switch sides on anything so long as it is to your benefit. You are without morals, without class, and all you can do is talk ***** about Obama. You have nothing intelligent to say about your candidate, no facts to back it up, and you look like an idiot. Piss off!
  - AmazingSteve, on 09/21/2008, -0/+3Commies?! Did I wake up in 1955 this morning?
  - str1fe, on 09/21/2008, -0/+213 and a half hours later, he hasn't even come back to try to prove his point. Political debates are getting easier and easier.
- phocis850, on 09/21/2008, -61/+260 and still no brain.
- friyaz, on 09/21/2008, -1/+73I hope all you 60-year old females convince lots of other 60-year old females AND males to vote democratic this year!
  - GregofJersey, on 09/21/2008, -0/+1And the 80-year-olds like my grandparents who warship Bush/McSame/Palin.
- bingostud722, on 09/21/2008, -5/+45wtf why are there so many 60 y/o females on here?
  - mrraven200, on 09/21/2008, -0/+23Because we are all human beings and curious about the world. Curious what young people have to say to get fresh ideas and engage in dialog, it's how we ALL grow and hopefully even earn something, get out of our narrow ruts and grow and change. It's not the 1950s anymore with knitting and staying home watching the tube it's the 21st century, although you wouldn't know that by listening to McCain or Palin to get back on subject.
    
    42 year old dude here BTW.
  - kevinzak21, on 09/21/2008, -4/+3Fresh ideas and engage in dialog? What the ***** are they doing on Digg?
  - stellamaris, on 09/21/2008, -4/+1Shouldn't they be in the kitchen, baking me cookies?
  - mrraven200, on 09/21/2008, -0/+3kevinzak21
    
    As inane as it sometimes gets here, at least people are talking about politics, cutting edge tech, and questioning concentrated power, which is probably better than many people are getting around the water cooler at work or at a bar, or myspace (shudder). And at least the comments here are better than youtube (shudder) and on broader topics than slashdot, shrug.
- Caffeinate, on 09/21/2008, -1/+89I'm in my thirties, female, and I find Palin absolutely appalling. Any woman who claims to be a Christian, but then supports forcing young women that have been raped or molested to go *without* anything to help stop them from getting pregnant (morning after preventatives) and forcing them to carry the child to term if it does happen, does not deserve my vote. That isn't Christian, it is dogmatism that denies compassion and common sense. In my book, that is child abuse.
  - str1fe, on 09/21/2008, -0/+33That comment was so great it deserved more than a thumbs-up. Especially those last two sentences - a lot of so called "Christians" seem to forget those two important fruits of the spirit that the Bible says you need to follow - kindness and goodness. Palin is just, as you said, dogmatic. It scares the ***** out of me knowing so many people think she's a perfectly great candidate.
  - qwer777, on 09/21/2008, -0/+21well said. fellow christian here, and I think that the republicans are farther from Christianity than the dems. they champion their religion, yet live and pass policies far from it.
  - bamw69, on 09/21/2008, -13/+1So killing an unborn child is the christian thing to do? Promoting sex while unmarried as long as you're safe ?
    pffftt, what biggots. You can't be half christian
  - wintersmile, on 09/21/2008, -0/+1Bamw69, you didn't even understand the topic, much less the question. You aren't going to understand that the answer was given about 3 comments up, either.
  - Thorsten, on 09/26/2008, -0/+1Really? Seriously we have 60year olds on digg?
    I thought my dad was already ahead of the curve by using google and thinking thats the internet wao!!!
- TSK05, on 09/21/2008, -42/+1I am a woman in my fifties and I love Palin, McCain all the way.
  
  See...I am a man and I am nowhere near fifty, but the above was probably more honest than all the "60 year old women" above.
  - true2life, on 09/21/2008, -0/+19Yea, her profile says she's 59, but her birthday is probably coming up soon.
- ileftfark, on 09/21/2008, -26/+2Oh *****, Digg has become so hot.
  
  Wait, did you say six-tee or six-teen?
  - bjornski, on 09/21/2008, -1/+260 year olds will do things 16 year olds think are "icky".
    
    Older gals can be a LOT of fun...
- rinote, on 09/21/2008, -0/+9YOU GO GIRL!
- apophenic, on 09/21/2008, -7/+15Lies, no girls on internet.
- jojo77, on 09/21/2008, -0/+4I logged in just to say this reply gave me some hope that America is still sane.
- smokyjoewood12, on 09/21/2008, -7/+660 yr olds own computers?
  - diggdallas, on 09/21/2008, -2/+8No...webtv
  - danjwray, on 09/21/2008, -3/+1060 year olds INVENTED computers, and the internet for that matter.
    
    Stop being a dick.
  - ronerx, on 09/21/2008, -2/+3Most 60 somethings that DO own computers, have better ones than I.
- 808ethan, on 09/21/2008, -0/+7LOL, that was funny. But seriously, it's America. You should be able to say "A dumb woman" and have people understand "THAT woman is dumb" instead of thinking "He just said ALL women are dumb!! OMG what will I dooz!?"
  
  I know were not England, but English IS our language. Get with the program people!
  - JaronDiggGuy, on 09/21/2008, -0/+2*We're. Heh heh.
- Gutterpunk, on 09/21/2008, -0/+8Did Digg became Cougar Central overnight?
  
  ps : You go girls!
- reenie217, on 09/21/2008, -0/+401/05/48 female agree totally Obama/Biden 08
  - ronerx, on 09/21/2008, -0/+2mommie?!?
- LilaMae217, on 09/23/2008, -0/+1Woo hoo, sister! I hope they send that shrill, pentecostal nutbag home crying....all the way back to that frozen meth-lab they call a state.
jperson, on 09/20/2008, -3/+177October 2nd can't get here fast enough.
- muckemuck, on 09/21/2008, -17/+3You don't like artificial sunshine? Cheer up, it's a happy, sunny day!
- Pusod, on 09/21/2008, -1/+13don't forget to ask her if she believes that DINOSAURS were alive 4000 years ago!
mark925, on 09/20/2008, -6/+245By doing so the McCain campaign admits to America in a roundabout way that Palin is too inexperienced and can't handle it. If she can't handle a debate, how the hell can she handle the position of VP?
- 5celery, on 09/21/2008, -1/+39Roundabout my ass - what is more blatant than "don't pick on her - she is inexperienced" ?
  - SpankkBankk, on 09/21/2008, -44/+5*sigh* It's funny that ya'll throw the word "inexperienced" out ever so often when speaking about the VP.... I don't think I need to remind you about the Democratic ticket....
  - 5celery, on 09/21/2008, -1/+36How much special treatment has Obama requested for his debates, Spanky?
  - Caffeinate, on 09/21/2008, -3/+20Obama has an education on top of his experience in the Senate. Palin went to six schools in four years, which leads me to believe she had to shop for one that would pass her. I'll pick "experienced in National politics of a large state and a Law Degree from Harvard" over "experienced as a mayor of 9000 people, a state with fewer citizens than the city I live in and barely got a bachelor's" any day.
- YEEK, on 09/21/2008, -0/+25McCain's old. Palin could be the person inaugurated in January.
- chuckDontSurf, on 09/21/2008, -1/+16C'mon, she's a mother of five! She can handle anything!
  /sarcasm, as this is probably an earnest response that one of her supporters has given
  - bjornski, on 09/21/2008, -0/+2Being able to breed qualifies you for something?
rickjames47, on 09/20/2008, -6/+428I thought she was a pitbull?
- ThoughtfulWi, on 09/21/2008, -2/+68With lipstick!
- shupy, on 09/21/2008, -4/+32Yeah, and nail polish.
  - angeladtao, on 09/21/2008, -0/+26But with no teeth, alas. :-)
- true2life, on 09/21/2008, -0/+39She's a female pitbull, so she's actually a...
  - brentinkc, on 09/21/2008, -1/+39...bitch
  - dissolutionman, on 09/21/2008, -0/+14We have a winner, ladies and gentlemen!
  - GiggleStick, on 09/21/2008, -2/+1How is calling her a bitch different than calling Obama a *****? I really want to know. I keep forgetting how liberals actually adhere to their "beliefs" unlike Republicans. The problem seems to be pinning those beliefs down.
    
    But, continue to galvanize everyone else against you. Don't examine your true motives, that might be too depressing.
  - brentinkc, on 09/22/2008, -0/+1Well, one comment is sexist and one is racist. Can't you get your classes of stereotype straight? Geesh.
- qwer777, on 09/21/2008, -1/+17please don't demean the pitbull's
- stuffradio, on 09/21/2008, -0/+8I thought she was a barracuda... :S
  - normlsparky, on 09/21/2008, -0/+3if she were a barracuda her lipstick would wash off.
- adss07, on 09/21/2008, -0/+19Calling her a pitbull is an insult to pitbulls everywhere.
- vicshoup, on 09/21/2008, -1/+2More lipstick than pitbull... or even pig
- LucasVB, on 09/21/2008, -1/+3She's a pitbull-pig-fish hybrid with a taste for make up and moose meat.
- IIAmusedII, on 09/21/2008, -0/+2There's no need for a question mark at the end of your statement.
- Homerr, on 09/21/2008, -1/+2All lipstick and no pitbull.
- MediaCrisis, on 09/21/2008, -0/+3I know pitbulls with a better chance of running the country successfully.
  
  Who would've thought bacon could solve so man problems...
- notanidiot, on 09/22/2008, -0/+1Well, she is a stupid bitch, maybe thats what she meant by Pitbull.
Sierra77, on 09/20/2008, -5/+209How unfair that the debate format was changed to accomdodate Palin......that's absurd. We DERSERVE to hear some free and open discussion! I'm so tired of her prepared, repetative speeches and canned answers. I want her to be put on the spot, just like every other candidate. Can't we lobby to get this changed? If so, how do we go about it? Or will we never have the opportunity to see her other than a puppet?
- shupy, on 09/21/2008, -2/+44Well, remember how things were adjusted for Bush.
  
  Seems the republicans can't come up with a candidate that can really survive a couple of tough questions.
  - bigstinky, on 09/21/2008, -2/+21Very true, but those idiots still somehow win elections. Bush? Twice?
    
    We Democrats need to wake up our lazy brethren and motivate their asses to the polls. Those Republicans are frothing at the mouth to vote...All of them.
    
    Spread the word, do what ever you can. If you can convince just one person who normally won't vote, to vote. we have a chance.
    
    We have to stop this Republican charade at all costs.
  - stuffradio, on 09/21/2008, -1/+1It doesn't matter shupy, Bush is funny when he makes mistakes in his speeches =P
  - shupy, on 09/23/2008, -0/+1Yes, hate motivates. The Republicans have figured that out. And they know who can be manipulated. Fundamentalists can be convinced that they are doing "God's" will, even though it involves hatred and lies.
    
    Much like BinLaden knows that the uneducated Islamic fundamentalists can be convinced to be suicide bombers.
- GassyTurd, on 09/21/2008, -1/+19It is absolutely ridiculous that this can happen. What is the point of a debate? To test your knowledge on a range of issues. This is like asking a teacher to give you an easy math exam because you don't feel like writing the hard one.
- UltraDavid, on 09/21/2008, -2/+16The worst part is that Biden was "comfortable" with each debate format. No crap you're comfortable with both, you're an experienced debater who knows things about stuff, but the issue is what's good for your election chances, not what are you comfortable or uncomfortable with. It's better for your election chances that Palin is shown to be the total doofus she is by making her participate in an open and freewheeling debate.
  
  Honestly, what the hell, Democrats, do you want to be elected or not? I am sick of this pansiness, it's a major, party-wide problem that's been the driving factor for losing the last two elections and letting such bad things happen in Congress. Ridiculous, just ridiculous.
  
  Attention Joe Biden: I want you to be vice president, quit being such a pansy and do your damnedest to accommodate me!
  - jwolcott, on 09/21/2008, -2/+3But that's hard for him cuz he went to Pansy Kidd middle school.
  - shupy, on 09/23/2008, -0/+1jwolcott, don't be stupid.
    
    Biden knows his stuff, he can win in any format. Palin isn't going to be able to fake it unless they turn it into a True/False quiz. Even then she'll be easily tripped up. Hell, she probably couldn't even handle multiple choice.
- staunchcentrist, on 09/21/2008, -2/+1Remember that both campaigns agree upon format. This does little that will change the debate. Shorter answer times make sure their answers are to the point, so they can't just aimlessly talk until they think they're around the question. And really the change the Obama campaign requested for the debate makes little sense to me... behind podiums standing instead of sitting at a table. None of this really matters, the only question is who will screw up. Will Palin look like a n00b? Or will Biden look like a blowhard? Because image is everything in this election. Issues unfortunately mean nothing.
  
  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/artic ...
- tortillasolli, on 09/21/2008, -1/+0I respectively disagree; I say let Mrs. Palin spout the exact same talking points at this debate that she has been religiously gushing forth since the RNC convention. Call me an optimist but I truly believe that the deciding independents or our nation are smart enough to identify rote stupidity and dishonesty when they hear it. The more she blathers out the same 5 answers, the more the Democratic candidates’ work is done for them. I’m not even sure Senator Biden needs to show up.
USArugula, on 09/20/2008, -4/+176For easy NYT access: http://www.bugmenot.com/view/nytimes.com

"McCain advisers said they had been concerned that a loose format could leave Ms. Palin, a relatively inexperienced debater, at a disadvantage and largely on the defensive."

That's kind of the point of debates, isn't it? One party winning, one party losing?

"A commission member said that the new agreement on the vice-presidential debate was reached late morning Saturday. It calls for shorter blocks of candidate statements and open discussion than at the presidential debates."

That's because McCain knows Biden would fill that time with informed and experienced policy. Palin, on the other hand, would fill it by alternating feet in mouth.

"McCain advisers said they were only somewhat concerned about Ms. Palin’s debating skills compared with those of Mr. Biden, who has served six terms in the Senate, or about his chances of tripping her up."

So even the McCain campaign is weary of Palin's experience level? If she can't handle a debate with a fellow American, how is she going to handle a debate with world leaders should 72-year old McCain croak? Oh, that's right, she'll just threaten them with the big, red "rapture button". Lord, make a way! Lord, make a way!

This is absolutely ridiculous. She should be treated just like any vice-presidential candidate is treated. The McCain campaign protecting her smacks of sexism.
- oldgal, on 09/21/2008, -0/+36"This is absolutely ridiculous. She should be treated just like any vice-presidential candidate is treated. The McCain campaign protecting her smacks of sexism." Dead on! I always appreciated it when men offered to protect me, but it pissed me off when they insisted up on it.
  - GassyTurd, on 09/21/2008, -0/+12And this is only a small part of the protection that she has received since her nomination. How can voters not see through this crap?
  - PopcornDave, on 09/21/2008, -0/+6@GassyTurd
    
    Football season started and isn't Nascar still running?
  - worldgate, on 09/21/2008, -0/+3Uhm, its because she has a vagina. And we wouldnt want the republicans to claim sexism because they wouldnt agree to dumb down everything so she can show how great her INEXPERIENCE is.
- snowshoeless, on 09/21/2008, -0/+12"That's kind of the point of debates, isn't it? One party winning, one party losing?"
  
  My thoughts exactly. The point of a debate is to....debate, right?
- UltraDavid, on 09/21/2008, -0/+7I'm not even upset about Palin wanting to change the rules, obviously she wants to change the rules because she doesn't want to get her ass kicked. I'm upset at the Democrats for allowing the rule change to happen, just sitting idly by because they're "comfortable" with both debate formats.
- dissolutionman, on 09/21/2008, -0/+1"Smacks?" You sexist.
- AvrgJoe, on 09/21/2008, -0/+1Dugg for "Lord, make a way!" with the rapture button.
- compulsive1, on 09/21/2008, -3/+1@ USArugula: "McCain advisers said they had been concerned that a loose format could leave Ms. Palin, a relatively inexperienced debater, at a disadvantage and largely on the defensive."
  
  That's kind of the point of debates, isn't it? One party winning, one party losing?"
  
  Liberals are really up in arms when served a dose of their own medicine. How does this logic play with arguments they make when it comes to public education, employment, housing, etc, etc.
  Are not the Democrats the champions of equal opportunity and affirmative action? Give some of it to Ms. Palin for reason's sake!
  The woman is obviously at a disadvantage, it's only liberal to help her out.
cattletracks, on 09/20/2008, -3/+164What? So I suppose the Whitehouse is going to call ahead anytime there are meetings with foreign dignitaries or heads of state and request special "formats" for everyone to follow because Palin is a little short on the experience side and we wouldn't want the little lady to be upset. Again, it is appearing this is a win-at-any-cost election for McCain. We deserve to see how Palin handles herself on the stump! This is unbelievable! Please Digg and Shout this to the front page! This is an outrage!
- Gemfinder, on 09/20/2008, -0/+28It's not an outrage, it's just *****.
  - GassyTurd, on 09/21/2008, -0/+7It's an *****. No, maybe a bullrage. I prefer *****.
- sullivanst, on 09/21/2008, -0/+32Yeah, I'm sure Vladimir Putin would be thrilled to grant a special format.
  - stuffradio, on 09/21/2008, -0/+3*holds cue cards up*
  - Eugenitor, on 09/21/2008, -0/+3And by "special format" we mean "his bedroom".
    
    Anybody else know how various feudal societies consolidated their power and minimized conflict with their neighbors?
    
    That's right. Strategic marriages.
    
    Palin: Preventing war the old-fashioned way!
Arishia, on 09/20/2008, -5/+325What a p*ssy. Sorry. Real women don't need special rules to achieve.
- charm803, on 09/21/2008, -0/+82As a woman-
  
  I completely agree.
  
  At least Hilary Clinton wasn't bitching about special treatment.
  
  She's the man!
  - sullivanst, on 09/21/2008, -0/+48Hillary was as good a candidate as any man though, so she didn't need treatment.
  - GassyTurd, on 09/21/2008, -0/+23I used to hate Hillary but she's a saint compared to this dullard cow.
  - Bith8654, on 09/21/2008, -0/+12Wow a positive Hillary comment being dugg up? John Oliver would sleep easy tonight, I think the democratic party truly has healed.
  - Bith8654, on 09/21/2008, -2/+4"I used to hate Hillary but she's a saint compared to this dullard cow."
    
    What a turn of events! Not only has the Democratic party healed, but it was their hate for the republican VP pick that brought them together!
  - tharju, on 09/21/2008, -0/+10@Bith8654
    it wasn't because of the hate Bith. They just don't have no stomach for 4 more years of Republican ***** anymore. Open your mind, you will understand.
- Me0wmix, on 09/21/2008, -0/+22What a pussy.
  
  Fixed for great justice.
- Fogdelune, on 09/21/2008, -0/+15Agreed. As a woman who's worked in a career field dominated by men, and who's had to work harder than them to keep up, this is an insult. This is politics, keep up, quit bitching, or step aside. If you can't stand the heat, get the hell out of the kitchen.
  
  She has to prove her mettle, and is in no position to expect patronizing behavior, but, apparently, so they don't appear to be "sexist", the Dem's caved to her ***** demands.
  
  She's one of those poodles with the frou-frou hair with lipstick, not a pit bull.
  - Kyan, on 09/21/2008, -2/+1I'm sure the Dems did not cave. It's clear they think this format will also help Biden avoid gaffes.
- FeargusMcDuff, on 09/21/2008, -5/+4I think its a bit rich that you call someone a pussy, but then censor your words as to not offend others.
Gemfinder, on 09/20/2008, -3/+160I think if she gets in her title should be "Vice Princess" since that's how she's acting and how she's being treated.
I don't care! She went into politics with her eyes wide open, she's running in the big time now. And she can ***** well stay home if she can't bring it.
I hope Biden opens up on her anyway. What'll they do, shut off the cameras? Pout and hold their breath?
Sarah: "If you don't show me some respect, I'm gonna turn around and walk right off this stage!"
Everyone else: "'Bye."
If she wants to play the game, she can play the game — and everything that comes with it.
- TrevorBelmont, on 09/21/2008, -1/+4That would just make it easy to paint Biden as a "loose cannon" with no respect for the process. That'd be bad.
  If she is as incapable of open debate as this move makes her seem, I think it will shine through in any format.
  - Gemfinder, on 09/21/2008, -0/+2I just can't accept that she's asking for preferential and deferential treatment.
    I don't subscribe to the "respect is earned" attitude, I believe respect should be the default — until it is shown that it is not deserved. And Sarah Palin clearly deserves no respect. One of the quickest ways to lose it is to demand it as one's due. How about a little humility?
    Sarah Palin is a Rovian tool, nothing else. At least Lieberman would have stood up and debated for all he was worth.
- homesickalien, on 09/21/2008, -0/+3"Vice Princess?" Well, wouldn't that make McCain "Princess?"
  - JessicaSarahS, on 09/21/2008, -0/+3No, it's Mr. POW Princess! Get it straight!
datajl, on 09/20/2008, -2/+129Dugg. This sucks. Mccain cries and the rules are bent. I am sick of Bush/Cheney/McCain/Palin the frekin G.O.P/RNC and the rest of their stupid alphabet!
- joereform, on 09/21/2008, -0/+1Lest anyone doesn't know, or has forgotten, the joke that is the Commission on Public Debates adheres to a contract signed by representatives of BOTH major parties. In other words, the Dems had to AGREE to this for it to take place. Nothing was done against their will.
  
  All you whiners need to ask yourself what the DNC got in exchange for this...
- brainscab, on 09/21/2008, -1/+1Yeah, but why did the Dem candidates let them get away with this, I would have loved to see Biden say on TV "They are trying to shield her from any tough questions, and the american people deserve better"
  - joereform, on 09/21/2008, -0/+0Very simple: the DNC got something in return. The contract between the two parties is a secret one, you know.
471776, on 09/21/2008, -2/+150"McCain advisers said they had been concerned that a loose format could leave Ms. Palin, a relatively inexperienced debater, at a disadvantage."

She's a weaker candidate. That doesn't mean she should get special rules put in place to level the field. If she's at a disadvantage, then it's because she isn't as prepared as Biden. We should be allowed to see that. If she isn't ready to face a simple debate, then we should all get to watch Biden demolish her. That's how people will see that she's a weaker candidate who isn't ready for the job, and then they can make an informed decision on who to vote for.

If she's at a disadvantage, too ***** bad. Shoulda picked a better VP.
- saejinn, on 09/21/2008, -0/+19I couldn't agree with you more.
- meese, on 09/21/2008, -5/+15This is an old tactic - they make it seem like they want to cancel the debate to lower expectations for Palin. Then the spin is that no matter how bad she does, she "did well, given expectations".
  
  The truth is that she was a TV anchor and knows how to deliver short talking points like the best of them.
- Caffeinate, on 09/21/2008, -1/+9meese, please quit copy and pasting the same thing over and over again. She can make a planned speech, but the Charles Gibson interview (and what ever happened to all of the Hannity interview - he would have wiped her ass if she asked and even that one "ran into issues") didn't turn out well either. Apparently she can't answer questions at all. An anchor for BFE TV is meaningless compared to speaking before the entire nation. The RNC had a friendly, supportive audience, and that is the only time we've seen her speak that she didn't totally blow it. Even there, she screwed up a lot of facts, and that has come back to bite McCain, too.
- UltraDavid, on 09/21/2008, -0/+8She can read well and she can ad-lib fine, but she doesn't know anything, and in a policy debate, if you don't have knowledge, no amount of being a tv anchor can save you.
- Gemfinder, on 09/21/2008, -0/+4It's a test of character. She's a craven tool going up against a professional with decades of successful debate experience. It's not her fault of course, she was carrot-sticked into her present position. Don't blame her. Blame Karl Rove for fronting her. But she needs to step up and play the game.
- sfanetti, on 09/21/2008, -0/+2republican affirmative action
algaeturd, on 09/21/2008, -9/+128Republicans are hypocrites, liars and cheats.
They are for ANY rules so long as it throws the game in their favor. What a load of horse *****. They are basically admitting that this woman SUCKS at debates and therefore, sucks at understanding what this job will entail.
WAKE THE ***** UP, SUCKERS. This woman is a ***** joke. Undoubtedly less qualified than even Dan Quayle was. And that's unqualified as *****.
- jester55, on 09/21/2008, -1/+2except ron paul
- ronerx, on 09/21/2008, -0/+1Politicians are hypocrites, liars and cheats.
welliwonder, on 09/21/2008, -3/+93Sheesh is there nothing this woman won't ruin?
- lamiaconfitor, on 09/21/2008, -0/+9McCain's chances at becoming president, apparently. :(
ProKid, on 09/21/2008, -3/+71Unbelievable. The Obama campaign must still feel confident about it anyway if they have no objections to this.
- 5celery, on 09/21/2008, -0/+23Why are they doing her favors, though? WTF?
  - IphtashuFitz, on 09/21/2008, -0/+14Which do you think would work better for them, complaining about Palin getting special treatment, sounding like whining babies about it, but Biden destroying Palin in the debate, or conceding the fact, looking like good guys for not arguing the point, and Biden still destroying Palin in the debate?
  - GassyTurd, on 09/21/2008, -1/+8They should release an ad about this.
  - worldgate, on 09/21/2008, -2/+1Maybe she is doing McCain favors.... in the back... you know...wink wink.
  - BenKenobi88, on 09/21/2008, -0/+4IphtashuFitz, the problem is with a very structured debate, Palin will have her answers ready...she'll be unlikely to get stumped, compared to an open debate. Biden will outsmart her either way, but it won't look like she does that bad the way they're setting it up.
  - fluxion, on 09/21/2008, -0/+1the mccain camp does have a little bit of leeway here. obama did turn down the town hall meetings proposed by mccain earlier in the year, however stacked against him those might've been. its a good gesture i think, so long as mccain and obama really get a chance to hammer it out during their debates.
- carpespasm, on 09/21/2008, -0/+12No. They have to rely on Biden being a better debater no matter what because if they tried to make too big a fuss then they'd be giving the McCain campaign fuel to twist into something that says Biden wants to smack Palin around
- Caffeinate, on 09/21/2008, -0/+9I guess they can afford to be gracious. They look like the good guys, and the Republicans just look like a bunch of whiners.
- 007brendan, on 09/21/2008, -0/+5The debates have been rigged since Perot. It's why you don't see third parties at all anymore. Whatever concessions were made for Palin, you can bet that the Democrats got just as many concessions.
- Gutterpunk, on 09/21/2008, -0/+1Why? Palin will look bad no matter what format it is, and Biden will just look better if he has to talk less (not that he is bad, but it will be less occasion for the GOP to use soundbites of him in a slanderous ad)
  
  Plus, the media buzz about the change of format will create "water cooler talk" about how Palin sucks.
  
  It's a win-win for Obama.
- Jhiaxuz, on 09/21/2008, -0/+1"Advisers to Mr. Biden say they were comfortable with either format."
- mikesoba, on 09/21/2008, -0/+1They may have allowed it because of this - public exposure that Palin is weak, inexperienced and the wrong person for this job.
jodimcmullen, on 09/21/2008, -1/+44Commission members wanted a relaxed format that included time for unpredictable questioning and challenges between the two vice-presidential candidates. On Wednesday, the commission unanimously rejected a proposal sought by advisers to Ms. Palin and Senator John McCain of Arizona, the Republican presidential nominee, to have the moderator ask questions and the candidates answer, with no time for unfettered exchanges. Advisers to Mr. Biden say they were comfortable with either format.
kingofinternet, on 09/21/2008, -3/+110just like a beauty pageant.
- Bith8654, on 09/21/2008, -0/+15Hopefully she'll get second place in this one too.
  - mikesoba, on 09/21/2008, -0/+4I believe she was actually second runner up - which would be 3d place. /sad considering how few women live in Alaska.
- Waaaaalt, on 09/21/2008, -0/+5You win $10 awarded by the bank!
  ~Community Chest~
- bjornski, on 09/21/2008, -0/+2Except if she wins the tiara this time, she'll make all the kids pay for their own maps.
- notanidiot, on 09/22/2008, -0/+1"Um, I think that the reason is because many people in the USA don't ...have maps... and we should help the education systems in the Iraq and the South Africa and such as, and..."
Mockerfab4, on 09/21/2008, -5/+60They better ask her tough questions...like how do you spell Potato. This is utter crap. They better make a BIG deal about this in the MSM.
- Gutterpunk, on 09/21/2008, -0/+1I say "pOtato" and you say "potAto".
- bsmang, on 09/21/2008, -0/+1Maybe Obama will make something of it in an ad or two.......
jamesalfaro, on 09/21/2008, -3/+68She has not participated in one actual press conference since becoming the nominee. The McCain campaign is afraid of what could happen if she were to actually answer questions from the public.

In contrast, check out this press conference on the economy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubBFIw6HedQ
- copypastry, on 09/21/2008, -0/+3holy ***** he is ON in that press conference.
- tunit000, on 09/21/2008, -0/+1That is a great video!
- rednip, on 09/21/2008, -0/+3Not only her, but McCain hasn't been doing any press conferences either, and that embargo started before Palin was picked. I'm thinking that the long campaign has worn him down.
jperson, on 09/21/2008, -2/+51How do we complain about these adjustments?
- Dested, on 09/21/2008, -3/+8Post on digg and bite your tongue. The man who should be president will be president in about 50 days and it will all be in the past.
- SpankkBankk, on 09/21/2008, -23/+3You guys are experts on complaining but failures at fixing the problems...
  - twiztidsinz, on 09/21/2008, -2/+12At this point.... the ***** neo-cons are the problem.
  - ArgusDrake, on 09/21/2008, -1/+4How many problems have you fixed lately, mate?
  - tharju, on 09/21/2008, -1/+1look at the bigger picture mate--does supporting for the candidate who is more likely to fix this country count?
  - SpankkBankk, on 09/21/2008, -2/+1Argus, I am not running for president, Mate!
  - Gutterpunk, on 09/21/2008, -0/+2The problems that you guys have caused?
  - SpankkBankk, on 09/21/2008, -1/+1You mean Carter caused?
  - ArgusDrake, on 09/21/2008, -0/+1SpankkBankk -- neither is jperson. So, what's your point?
- 007brendan, on 09/21/2008, -0/+7You can't. The decisions are made by the Commision on Presidential Debates, which is run by former chairmen of the Republican and Democratic Parties. It's been rigged this way since Perot.
- Tyrghast, on 09/21/2008, -0/+5I don't think we can safely say the man who should be President will be. I mean, look at the latest Prez (look a the recount scandal 8 years ago even!).
CryTekEmployee, on 09/21/2008, -55/+10she should wear a bikini
flickrdoodle, on 09/21/2008, -4/+96Fine. Palin must be treated differently. Big whoop. Nothing new here.

But wait...

"McCain aides said that they were conscious of the fact that Mr. McCain has a prominent scar on one side of his face, and that they could not predict how prominent it would appear with the camera angles, lighting and make-up."

Umm.. I want a president with the stamina, diplomacy, savvy and intelligence to lead this country into calmer waters. I don't care who is the prettiest. I want a leader, dammit.

This ain't a beauty contest.
- fortune500b, on 09/21/2008, -11/+6Tell it to John F. Kennedy
  - flickrdoodle, on 09/21/2008, -0/+4Good point and I considered that. Pity the public back then did not have access to information like they do today. This election is truly unique which is why there's less need for cosmetics.
    
    I want substance, character, integrity.. all those things that can't be painted on for an uninformed audience. Simply put, I just need the facts.
- 007brendan, on 09/21/2008, -3/+9Not to sound too shallow, but I like the idea of a president with a badass scar.
- WorldLeader, on 09/21/2008, -3/+3Gorbachev has a wicked scar.
- DarkLance, on 09/21/2008, -0/+4Sure its a beauty contest. It appears the majority of America doesn't want confusing thoughts and principles, they just want the one that fits the image of the most popular person from their high school days (granted, aged a bit)
- gordigor, on 09/21/2008, -0/+5Unfortunately some people vote based on looks.
- rento, on 09/21/2008, -0/+1Sounds like he is freaking out at the thought of the debate. Some people make their vote based on the looks of candidate. Many, many more rely on campaign ads and possibly speeches.
  
  I think McCain made already sure that the good slice of stupid voters would vote for him by making sleazy ads. Obama defence ads and everyone's outrage (apart from those totally anti-Oama... ***** knows why) against the multitude of false and damning claims are not going to travel as far as the blatant lie of Obama teaching children sex and so on.
  
  McCain should get real with himself and to America. An election is normally battled on policies not on sleazy claims. Now he worries about the way he looks, how about the things he says.
  *shrugs in horror*
btschul, on 09/21/2008, -88/+8I wonder how many racist slips Biden will make during the debates.
- sullivanst, on 09/21/2008, -3/+52Racist slips hmm? Just remember, Biden isn't the candidate who refused to apologize for using the word "gook" in his previous Presidential run, nor did Biden, after refusing to apologize, follow up with "I hated the gooks. I will hate them as long as I live."
  - btschul, on 09/21/2008, -45/+7Biden wasn't tortured for years on end by Black or Indian people.
  - ironhide, on 09/21/2008, -2/+42Excuses, excuses. All asian people didn't torture McCain. If he can't keep his past trauma from affecting his judgment then he has no business as president.
  - Bith8654, on 09/21/2008, -1/+18@btschul: Wow are you really saying it's ok that a potential POTUS is racist?
  - btschul, on 09/21/2008, -13/+3no, I'm saying that McCain doesn't just make random baseless racist statements like biden. I am not saying it's ok, Im just saying you can understand where McCain is coming from. Unlike biden. Are you saying its ok that a potential vice president of the US is racist?
  - Gutterpunk, on 09/21/2008, -1/+10btschul :
    McCain being racist because he was tortured : Excusable
    Iraqi hating Americans for the same reason : Glass Parking Lot!
    
    Welcome To The Republican Spin Room!
  - bjornski, on 09/21/2008, -1/+8POW! POW! POW!
  - btschul, on 09/21/2008, -9/+2When did I say I was a Republican? Not sucking Obama's dick like you all doesn't = Republican. And I didn't say McCain's comments were excusable, I believe I said "I am not saying it's ok, Im just saying you can understand where McCain is coming from." You can understand why McCain made that statement. It's NOT ok, I'm just saying he has a reason. Biden is just an ignorant ***** who doesn't like Black or indian people.
  - susilou, on 09/21/2008, -1/+4Will you be able to understand where he's coming from if he decides we really do need to attack those "gooks" because they MIGHT have WMD???
  - theiss, on 09/21/2008, -1/+4allrighty. in a thread of almost exclusive digg ups, welcome to my block list, btschul. let me know when you get your head out of your ass.
- noahgelman, on 09/21/2008, -1/+9Ok, besides the random racist comment by this guy, any McCain supporters have anything constructive to say?
  - btschul, on 09/21/2008, -5/+1What racist comments?
shupy, on 09/21/2008, -2/+54Hmm, can't handle a debate? Yeah, she's ready to lead. If she can't talk to Americans she isn't going to do too well on the international scene. What a disgrace.
nyxxie, on 09/21/2008, -6/+63UNBELIEVABLE!!! This out of EVERYTHING makes me FURIOUS. This is unacceptable!!
- 007brendan, on 09/21/2008, -1/+5That's funny, I thought it would have been the lack of regard for the constitution; the abuse of power by Bush, the incredible irresponsibility of Congress, instead of a biased report on a debate that has already been rigged for years.
charm803, on 09/21/2008, -2/+52At first, this made me think it was the Onion!

"Due to her inability to form intelligent thoughts or speak, the McCain campaign has pressured the Commission on Presidential Debates to change the format to benefit Palin."

While they are at it, they should let Nader in on the debates. That would be a more realistic change.

The McCain/Palin ticket is a joke.
- wburglett, on 09/21/2008, -0/+5All the third parties should be in this! I want my 1800s back!
- 007brendan, on 09/21/2008, -0/+71800s? Try 1992, Perot got almost 20% of the vote. Both candidates are essentially middle of the road. They're policies are essentially both more of the same. As a point of full disclosure, I'm most likely voting Libertarian.
  - cjshamrock, on 09/21/2008, -0/+6I 'm pro-Obama but I think it's really unfair that the third party is not allowed in the debates and general MSM.
    
    If Ron Paul hadn't been sabotaged I bet he would top Perot's record.
- NormalVisual, on 09/21/2008, -0/+4The Commission on Presidential Debates is the entity that's the real joke

Palins inexperience leads to VP debate changes

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Palins inexperience leads to VP debate changes

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