Posted on 08/27/2008 4:15:15 PM PDT by TitansAFC
Well, Barack Obama has made his VP selection, taking Washington's most vicious attack dog, Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware. So, the question has now become how to combat the fast-talking Biden and his decades of foreign policy experience. Unfortunately, most of the Republican punditry is running scared from Biden and, in my opinion, suggesting that McCain adopt a disastrous strategy with his own pick. So, here are my thoughts on how to beat Biden, and they are probably different from what you've been hearing on the news:
Biden is a fast-talker who pulls no punches. He has an encyclopedic knowledge of foreign policy, and will try to bludgeon any debate opponent with all of the minutia of different situations. He is also a hothead who is overly fond of personal attacks. The best way to beat him is to make him look like a mean-spirited jerk (which is not hard), but unfortunately the punditry seems to think that McCain should now be forced to pick an aggressive VP who can crawl into Biden's gutter and beat him at his own game. I think that that's a horrible idea, and I'm not just saying that because I'm promoting Palin.
Biden is without doubt the best attack dog in the country, period. We aren't going to find someone who can beat him on that front. Furthermore, sinking to Biden's level would make the ticket look sleazy. Instead, we should note that Biden totally undermines Obama's "change" mantra, which McCain can now seize for himself by taking a reform minded VP from outside Washington. We can also show up Biden in the debates by selecting a calm, collected candidate who will show Biden for the hothead he is. Sarah Palin fits both bills.
For one, Palin has actually produced the sort of change that Obama and Biden can only talk about. Secondly, she will refuse to play in Biden's mudpit, which makes him look even worse. Third, she knows how to debate hotheaded opponents. Biden compares very well to John Binkley, another fast-talking attack dog who ran against Palin in the 2006 primary. Palin filleted Binkley (and incumbent Gov. Frank Murkowski) by sitting back while they ranted and then delivering crushing one liners that made them look like bratty kids ("Alaskans deserve better than this."). Finally, Biden will do everything he can to attack his opponent on personal terms, which is very dangerous when you are running against a woman or a military parent. Biden WILL say something stupid in the debates, probably belittling Sarah for having been a housewife or mentioning that Track Palin is in the Army, and Gov. Palin will be ready with with a "you're no Jack Kennedy"-style response.
Biden must not be allowed to interrupt the McCain game plan, which likely calls for a young, reformist VP. And when it comes to the debates, the secret will be to allow a cooler head to prevail over the fire-breathing Joe Biden. Gov. Palin is that cool head, and a reformer to boot. If she plays the debate right, she could reduce Biden from "distinguished senator" to "schoolyard bully" and nullify any gravitas that he brings to the Obama ticket.
I like the Ursa Minor (”Little Dipper”) constellation next to Palin’s name, but the jokes about it regarding spending could get really weird. Of course, the average lib wouldn’t be able to follow it. ;)
I forward the motion that any post about, or mention of, Sarah Palin be subject to the “Coulter Rule”-a picture must accompany the post.
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“she could reduce Biden from “distinguished senator” to “schoolyard bully” ...................... Yeah, and she can also play the victim like Hillary in 2000.
She and Jindal have a lot of work to do in their home states. Once they have earned some accomplishments, they can move to the next level. Perhaps Palin/Jindal 2016?
Well IMO, If McCain picks a woman, ANY WOMAN, it’s game over for him. McCain must pick someone who is ready to be president on day one and no woman can fill those shoes at this time. America is not ready to elect a woman president.
The Dems are baiting McCain to pick a woman because they know he would lose in a land slide.
Palin Zing!!! ;)
>>Well IMO, If McCain picks a woman, ANY WOMAN, its game over for him.
I KNOW that you are not including Ann Coulter in that generalization. And she is the one woman who is stronger than Biden.
Actually, don’t bother yourself with Old Joe. His mouth is our biggest aset. Let him rant and rave for 20 minutes in a TV debate. After 2 minutes, no one is listening. Then you come back with “Sorry Senator, my mike was not on. Would you mind repeating that?”
I can see the debates now:
Biden: Rant Rant Rant Rant Rant
Palin: Joe, try to stay on message...(then, in a more breathy tone)America! Drill Here...Drill Now! (Wiggles the shoulders a bit and smiles). End of debate.
I am not sure how to take those comments.... :o
That would put her in direct opposition with McCain who is against drilling in ANWR. Why would McCain pick someone who opposes him on a major issue like drilling? Don't you think that would be the first question asked in a debate?
First of all, don't even begin to think that the Dems have any strategy that goes beyond the next meal. They are in survival mode.
Even their own are wary of Hillary, fearing her conniving and thinking she would off the nominee to take his place.
Then the Biden choice just showed what hypocrites and idiots they are. The wheels are falling off Obama's wagon and Biden is too much baggage for a wheel-less carriage.
So don't think that the Dems are plotting on how to get McCain to pick a woman...and are you saying that the same people that are so shallow that they'll not vote for a woman are going to flock to a Black candidate?
She’s more experienced than Obama. A woman would really help McCain and she’s the best of them.
I have in mind three strategically smart conservative choices for McCain (in no particular order):
1. Governor Sarah Palin (executive experience; conservative, oil state, exploits Hillary slight)
2. Congressman Eric Cantor (young, articulate, hard-nosed, very conservative, Jewish)
3. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson (recognizable name, conservative, exploits Hillary slight)
All three are conservative and good strategic choices; none being perfect. All three head and shoulders above liberal Romney in attracting votes from dhimmicrat constituencies.
I’m not so sure it’s game over, but Joe Biden would bluster and want to appear to be more authoratative with any woman he debates. Romney would not be intimidated in the least by Biden. In fact, I think Romney could easily make Biden look foolish. Biden’s got lots of heavy baggage to carry aroud. He a living, breathing gaffe machine.
No.
Sorry.
Just because a mom with five kids (including a newborn with Down’s Syndrome) can handle the backwater-state governorship of Alaska in NO WAY gives her qualifications or credentials to be vice president of the United States in a time of war. She has no more experience than Obama when it comes to high-level office. Why is it fair game to criticize him for that, and not her?
A perfect debate question for her:
“Governor Palin, you are well-known for having chosen to go through with a risky pregnancy, and having choosen life.
“Given that decision, how many of our soldiers are you prepared to order to their deaths if war should come with Iran?”
(and YES, I would love to see her asked exactly that. This is WAR - not much of a place for women. Sorry, I’m a troglodyte.)
- John
now that’s what I’m talkin’ about. I like the photo of her from Vogue Magazine (the cover).
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