Interesting way to phrase it - seems like they should be saying they have given thought to it, but have decided her past association will not affect her performance..
Instead, it sounds as though they're trying to convince everyone they didn't select her in order to throw the debate to Biden.
Kinda like a kid meeting their returning dad at the front door telling him they didn't break the kitchen window.
If she gets out of line as I suspect she will.....I am sure Paul Ryan can put her in her place, by gently embarassing her. If I were her, I would just ask the questions....and then get out of the way!!! If she had an ounce of decency, honesty and fairness, she would have recused herself!!! The fact....that she did not do that, speaks volumes of how shallow she really is!!!
“... that somehow affects her ability ...”
It’s not her ABILITY raises questions. It’s her objectivity or neutrality that we’re concerned about.