McCain's camp worries Palin may struggle without tight debate rules

[Mentalist]

It's the U.S. election debate that most interested observers have been eagerly waiting for - Democratic vice-presidential nominee Joe Biden against Republican VP choice Sarah Palin - but don't expect them to get into many verbal exchanges.


According to a report in the New York Times Saturday, the campaign of Senator John McCain has fought for tight rules on how the VP debate will run, limiting the chances of anything other than short answers, and ensuring the debaters will not speak directly to one another for anything more than short periods.


This in contrast to the Presidential debates, in which Senators Barack Obama and McCain will be allowed to address each other, argue, and present rebuttals for five minutes per question, after a two-minute answer period.


The reasoning behind the tighter VP rules? According to The Times, McCain advisers were concerned that letting Palin, a relative rookie when it comes to debating national and international policy, go toe-to-toe with Biden, would leave her at a disadvantage.


The Obama campaign was reportedly not involved in the discussion, with advisors to Biden claiming they were comfortable with whatever rules were put in place. The negotiations were between the Commission on Presidential Debates, a non-partisan organization, and McCain advisors.



The first Presidential debate will be on foreign policy, the second will be a 'town hall'-style event with questions from the audience and the internet, and the third will be on economic issues. The format of the Obama/McCain debates will be two minutes or less in answer to a given topic, and then five minutes of discussion between them before the next question.


McCain's camp also pushed for seating positions at the third event that will allow him to obscure the scar on the left side of his face, a remnant from previous medical procedures.


The events will be moderated by Tom Brokaw of NBC, Bob Schieffer of CBS and Jim Lehrer of PBS for the presidential debates, with PBS' Gwen Ifill handling the vice-presidential debate.

McCain advisers were concerned that letting Palin, a relative rookie when it comes to debating national and international policy, go toe-to-toe with Biden, would leave her at a disadvantage.


No shit.

 

[Alyssum]

LMAO

 

[Starship Coyote]

Against Biden? Please. He probably can't remember where he is half the time, he's so fucking old.

 

[Sarek]

Well, McCain is 6 years Biden's senior. So by your reasoning, Obama should mop the floor with McCain then.

But, I'm sure that with the republicans, age, like morality, ethics, conservatism, justice, accountability, propriety, compassion, fair play, and honesty, isn't an issue when it comes to their choice of candidates.

 

[Mentalist]

Direct questioning has never been the friend of the Republican nominee.

 

[CaptainWacky]

I hope Obama makes more borderline sexist remarks but nobody cares and in fact it just makes people love him more and Palin finally snaps and shouts "NIGGER!!!!" on live tv, followed by ten whole minutes of stunned silence.