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October 2nd, 2008
11:49 AM ET

It's all about Sarah Palin

Program Note:
It's the showdown everyone's been waiting for.
Sarah Palin and Joe Biden face off on the issues.
Join the best political team on television for your front row seat!

Debate Night in America: Vice Presidential Debate
Tonight, beginning 8p ET

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[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/09/17/art.vert.palin.jpg width=292 height=320]

James Carville
CNN Political Analyst

Let's just call this the NASCAR debate. If Palin doesn't crash, the spectators will surely be left feeling like they didn't get their money's worth. Needless to say, I'm looking forward to tonight's Vice-Presidential debate in St. Louis, Missouri.

Shortly after John McCain announced Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate, I was accurately quoted as saying that she is "uniquely and supremely unqualified" to seek the position for which she is running. And I have seen nothing to date that refutes that notion.

Her few media appearances and recent interview with Katie Couric buttress my and others' argument that she just isn't ready to be a 72-year-old heartbeat away from the Presidency. Even some influential Republicans have joined in their opposition to a Palin vice-presidency.

Also consider that Governor Palin has yet to outline her position on the current bailout bill in Congress. We know where Senators McCain, Obama, and Biden stand. But what about the Republican's vice-presidential nominee? Mum.

On the single most important piece of legislation in many years, we have yet to hear a major party's vice-presidential candidate outline her specific position. I'm sure she'll have one come tonight but that just doesn't cut it.

One thing is clear; this debate is not about Joe Biden.

The good and bad is that the low expectations set for Palin on Thursday will either give McCain's campaign some very necessary life-support if she is seen as successful or it will cement the trouble that lies ahead for the Republican ticket if she is seen as, well, herself.

soundoff (219 Responses)
  1. EM

    I am afraid that because she did not totally fall on her face that the Repub pundits will call it a victory for her. Biden is so much more experienced and ready for the job. The prospect of her as VP is very Scary

    October 2, 2008 at 10:31 pm |
  2. Paul Clarke

    What debate is CNN analyst Ed Rollins watching???

    October 2, 2008 at 10:30 pm |
  3. Joe

    Not convinced by SP. She is empty!

    October 2, 2008 at 10:30 pm |
  4. Sam Murdock

    Palin is totally not answering any of the questions. She is just spouting platitudes and slogans. She is little more than a brain dead cheerleader with rose colored glasses and is stupendously ignorant on the issues. She doesn't have the first clue what it means to be vice president and it is scary that she may be one step away from the presidency. All she can say is the maverick, the maverick .... Does she have any original thoughts? Her responses are rehearsed speeches, not answers to the questions.

    October 2, 2008 at 10:29 pm |
  5. keith

    i give Joe credit on the fact that he has not gone after her more because she has given him sooooooo many chances

    October 2, 2008 at 10:29 pm |
  6. Joe

    I would really like for her to answer the questions

    October 2, 2008 at 10:28 pm |
  7. Joe

    This woman is all over the map. A bridg to no where! A road to nowhere.

    She talks about partisenship but she and McShame are the ones leading in the charge

    October 2, 2008 at 10:28 pm |
  8. Joe

    How is she different from Bush. Empty! SP talks about maverick give me real examples

    October 2, 2008 at 10:24 pm |
  9. jill

    Wathing her is an embarrasment to intelligent people and to women. Please let's just vote, let's just more Obama into office and end this circus.

    October 2, 2008 at 10:24 pm |
  10. EM

    Does anyone think her flirting with the camera (winking at the audience, squinting her eyes) is Vice Presidential?

    October 2, 2008 at 10:23 pm |
  11. April

    Sarah is far from a bully she's more of a red neck want to be or maybe she is. Instead of bullie I'm thinking more dumb blonde attitude. Does she really have brown hair. Sarah please don't attack dead children it only makes you look worse.

    October 2, 2008 at 10:22 pm |
  12. Piano Guy

    Is Palin running with Ross Perot or John Anderson? She sounds like she's from a third party, not the one that's been in charge for 8 years.

    October 2, 2008 at 10:21 pm |
  13. EM

    The Dems control the Legislative, Repubs the Executive, the Judicial is supposed to be NON PARTISAN – and would still be if they would have stayed out of Bush v Gore

    October 2, 2008 at 10:21 pm |
  14. Laurie S

    Jessica J.... 'considering the fact that the host of the debate wrote a book praising Obama' ... Jessica – I'm voting Rep, but you have got to get your facts right. Just Google it and you will see how you have misspoken. Your statement is incorrect.

    October 2, 2008 at 10:20 pm |
  15. rcasteel

    keith

    you don't really expect straight talk from a polotician do you:)

    October 2, 2008 at 10:19 pm |
  16. kay S in LA

    She's tanking, little substance just snide sarcastic remarks. She is impressing Joe six pack but not rational America. Americans understand it was Joe Six pack that brought us the Bush that has brought us to this crisis point in history.

    October 2, 2008 at 10:19 pm |
  17. keith

    when asked a question that she has not had a chance to practice, she seems to try and just talk through it and hope that you would not remember the question at hand

    October 2, 2008 at 10:18 pm |
  18. darren johnson

    no.

    people would like her to be.

    she has debated well, unlike her interviews.

    i think she doesn't get it or she doesnt want to.

    i think she is a small time politician not washington.

    she is filling the void of women that hillary clinton left.

    she will not vote their way on their issues, but her way.

    She is a great story, but thats why mccain chose her.

    i will always she her as a hockey mom or soccer mom. because she wants to be defined that way.

    when she speaks hillary clinton is somewhere grabbing her face.

    October 2, 2008 at 10:18 pm |
  19. Char

    Was it me or did I get a sense of a little Romper Room when Sarah was talking about teachers and schools...My brother is a great teacher and so and so is a teacher...

    "I see Terry
    And I see Jason
    Hello Jimmy"

    I miss romper room...thanks for the flashback Sarah!

    October 2, 2008 at 10:18 pm |
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