Great expectations

Posted: Thursday, October 02, 2008 4:21 PM by Carrie Dann

From NBC/NJ's Mike Memoli

IN THE AIR BETWEEN WILMINGTON AND ST. LOUIS -- In a late bid to set expectations heading into tonight's vice presidential debate, Obama campaign manager David Plouffe repeatedly called Sarah Palin a formidable foe, at one point calling her "one of the best debaters in American politics."

But the reporters flying to St. Louis with the candidate weren't exactly buying it.

"No, she is," Plouffe stressed as a few reporters chuckled at the superlative. "[In] her 2006 debate, she knew where she wanted to take every question, and so I think she'll be relentlessly on message tonight."

Plouffe also predicted that that the Alaska governor would offer a few "biting and witty one-liners" that may be "scored well by the press," but thought viewers at home would be more concerned with hearing the candidates talk about their respective ticket's vision for the country.

"Our focus is on the person sitting at home in Canton, Ohio, tonight, [in] Akron, Ohio, tonight, who's struggling economically," he said. "Who is delivering a message about the agenda that's going to most positively impact their lives and deliver the kind of change the country's so desperate for?"

Republicans today tried to play up Biden's reputation for being gaffe-prone, releasing a greatest-hits Web ad documenting some recent and no-so-recent examples. Plouffe, calling Biden a "plain-spoken person," said that the real gaffes that matter are "what George Bush has done to the American people, and what John McCain wants to continue."

Looking beyond the debate, Plouffe said that the campaign has been showing successes of late by showing a consistency of message that he said seems to be lacking on the Republican side.

"There's been an erraticness in the last 10 days that I think has puzzled voters," he said.

He highlighted gains in states like Florida, one he said Republicans hadn't really expected to be a battleground at this point.

"We like to play offense. That's a state where we're playing a lot of offense," he said. "I think you would have assumed that states like Ohio, and Iowa, New Mexico, the Bush states would be more competitive."

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Comments

Yes, Red's grandmother was a formidable foe. Young Miss Riding Hood comes from grand American stock that I never took for granted. Buuuurppp!

The Wolf (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 4:38 PM)

I still don't understand why Biden has to treat Palin differently then any Hillary Clinton debater treated her. I don't believe I heard anyone discuss using "calf gloves" on Hillary. If Palin whats to be in the thick of it, she needs to be handled the way Hillary was. Everyone was tough on her...but she could handle it. Whined a little but dealt with it none the less.

Gerri of PA (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 4:40 PM)

Seeing Gwen Ifill is in a wheelchair, I just hope Biden has the sense and decency not to ask her to stand up.

Chuck Graham - Missouri State Senator (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 4:42 PM)

If the Obama as President is half as effective as a campaigner, it will be one of the best ever.

His campaign is a case study of how to run one, steady, on message, not overly reactionary. From the primary until now, it has been one of the best run ever.

Paul DObro Bettendorf (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 4:43 PM)

Why doesn’t McCain just pull out of the race and save both $$$ and our sanity.

Aside from a severe lack of knowledge on pertinent issues, after reviewing the Couric interviews I find that nothing bothers me more than the fact that Sarah Palin (just like John McCain) delivers “deception” with far too much ease and that the similarities to the Bush/Cheney legacy are both striking and indelible. I suspect that no kind of Kabuki Theater performance by her tonight could ever retrieve John McCain’s already sinking ship. McCain’s demeanor over the entire course of the campaign has been anything but Presidential. With desperation on display, McCain will stop at absolutely nothing - even discrediting a highly renowned political journalist with an impeccable record for his own personal gain. FACT: The higher Obama climbs in the polls, the lower McCain’s ethics will sink - and it shows over and over and over again. Senator McCain's increasingly erratic behavior and hostile temperament is deeply, deeply disturbing at best.

Obama/Biden 08: True and HONEST change!

Libratine (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 4:43 PM)

Plough is cracking us all up on this one too, but he's got a point, she did beat out some formidable men before with her one liners and creepy stories. However, will the rest of America be as gullible as Alaska?

LB, Virginia (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 4:44 PM)

Bad news Joe, Ifill's ankle is acting up, so they had to get Laura Ingraham to fill in for her. Laura is a professional journalist, so I doubt you need to worry about her being biased in any way.

Julie Roberts, Calmen, CA (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 4:44 PM)

Palin should bring up tonight that in 2005, there was a bill called the Federal Housing Enterprise Regulatory Reform Act co-sponsored by John McCain while Barack Obama and Joe Biden were unusually silent. This act was to protect against exactly what has happened with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. McCain said at that time, "If Congress does not act, American taxpayers will continue to be exposed to the enormous risk that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac pose to the housing market, the overall financial system and the economy as a whole." Liberals voted down on the bill.

The Truth (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 4:45 PM)

All depends on your definition of "debate". The bar has been lowered so far that a debate is no longer really a debate. By definition, it is about issues, arguing sides, and convincing an audience that your side made the best arguments. The new definition is about relating to a targeted audience, saying what they want to hear. That's not even a debate anymore, just a 90-minute string of commercials done live with the media's blessing and encouragement.

If I don't hear Ms. Palin mention a few facts that a middle school student doesn't already know, she is just plain not qualified to hold any elected office whatsoever.

Patrick, Mass. (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 4:46 PM)

Does Biden still believe that FDR was president during the great depression and that people watched him on tv back then? Also, next time Biden helicopters to Iraq and Afghanistan, and he get shot at, maybe Sara can go with him so at least he'll have someone that can shoot back.

Hounders (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 4:47 PM)

Sarah Palin has lowered the bar so low for herself that she really can't fail (or can she?).

If she has done this on purpose she is a genius. Somehow I don't think that is the case.

LoOK (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 4:47 PM)

"...David Plouffe repeatedly called Sarah Palin a formidable foe, at one point calling her "one of the best debaters in American politics."

Watch out for that home-grown, media nurtured, Palin bounce:

A giggle, a smile and a wiggle when she walks.

Now that's reportage you can take to the bank.

(of course, check for the FDIC symbol on the front door of the bank where you take it; and make sure the door is not locked)

Mark Thieme (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 4:47 PM)

MCCAIN PULLING OUT OF MICHIGAN !!!!!!

m, ohio (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 4:48 PM)

"...David Plouffe repeatedly called Sarah Palin a formidable foe, at one point calling her "one of the best debaters in American politics."

Watch out for that home-grown, media nurtured, Palin bounce:

A giggle, a smile, and a wiggle when she walks.

Now that's reportage you can take to the bank.

(of course, check for the FDIC symbol on the front door of the bank where you take it; and make sure the door is not locked)

Mark Thieme (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 4:48 PM)

Sarah Palin has lowered the bar so low for herslef she can't fail (or can she?).

If she has done this on purpose she is a genius. Somehow I don't think that is the case.

http://lastofourkind.blogspot.com

LoOK (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 4:49 PM)

FR: 'the real gaffes that matter are "what George Bush has done to the American people, '

Yeah, it's been a real gaffe that we haven't been attacked by terrorists in over seven years. If Obama gets to the oval office, we'll see that streak end real quick. Heck, Obama will invite terrorists to have tea and a smoke with him on the White House lawn.

Billy Neice, Watkins Tx (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 4:49 PM)

But the reporters flying to St. Louis with the candidate weren't exactly buying it."

Who cares about the opinions of reporters? They're supposed to report facts, not give their opinions. The biased media is what is wrong with the election this year. As a commentator on another network says, 2008 will be remembered as the year journalism died in America.

real change? vote out all incumbents (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 4:50 PM)

First Read: "But the reporters flying to St. Louis with the candidate weren't exactly buying it."

Being the good liberals that they are in carrying Baracks message to masses.

How Much Does Barack Pay These People (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 4:50 PM)

Sarah Palin, as Governor of Alaska was involved in one of the most disappointing decisions that the Supreme Court has made in years....the decision to lower the payout on the Exxon Valdez case. This decision affected 30,000 Alaskans as well as Governor Palin and her husband because of their business. She was incapable of remembering this decision....6 months ago...when Katie Couric fed her this softball....I would like to see this readdressed in the debate tonite.

Michael Allen, Las Vegas, NV (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 4:51 PM)

There were enough other things added in the Senate version that the House might go for it. I would have hoped that there would have been some power the the bankrupcy judges to change some mortages so that some people could stay in their houses.

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ

**************

Stay in "their" houses? That would now be stay in "our" houses.

Rent A Mule (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 4:53 PM)

"I think you would have assumed that states like Ohio, and Iowa, New Mexico, the Bush states would be more competitive." - ouch -

VP to Nowhere (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 4:53 PM)

I just hope Biden shows up sober.

Kitty Wells - Georgia (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 4:53 PM)

After the Katie Couric interview, if Palin can accurately name the Pres and VP candidates she'll be deemed the winner.

Valerie, Baltimore MD (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 4:54 PM)

Obama compaign advisors should teach their candidates (Obama and Biden) to let McCain and Palin speak. In first debate, McCain has nothing substantial to say, rather keep saying reducing taxes and leading bipartisan. While Obama was rushing to answer all tough questions and elaborating on them.

Yes it is good to send out their message but at the same time they should ask (when Lehrer as them to ask question from each others) McCain to elaborate on what is his policy, instead of generalizing everything.

Tonight also every one knew Biden command and experience of issues at home and abroad, so he doesn't need to prove anything rather he should let Palin explain to the point, what she knew and where she want to take this country.

Adam, Blaine MN (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 4:55 PM)

Just heard that during the breaks in the debate, Gwen Ifill will be taking pre-orders for her fluff piece on Obama. Ifill said 'You can't buy that kind of free commerical time.'

Money Matters (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 4:56 PM)

I don't completely agree with this article. In hearing some former candidates who had run against Palin, I've heard that for the most part she seemed well informed, articulate and qualified in her earlier debates because she had so much time to learn about the topics at hand - one man interviewed said something like over a year or so. This isn't some kind of test she is cramming for - this is serious - its about our nation, the issues at hand and our well being and security.

What is so upsetting about Palin is her total lack of response to the most simple of questions - in her last interview with Katie Couric she would not or could not mention the newspapers, news stories, magazines, online accounts, periodicals, whatever she readse. To be smug she said "all of them" and that was not an answer - it was a smart a--ed answer to a legitimate question.

I think America has seen the real Sarah Palin and for most of us that's been enough. Hopefully the rest of America will see through this so called candidate and vote with their intelligence.

Marcia Gerber, Moline, IL (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 4:56 PM)

Biden will lose his composure when he asks Ifll, who is crippled with a broken ankle, to stand up.

Oh, God Love You, What Am I Thinking (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 4:57 PM)

Obama here is a quote from the wisdom of Tiger Woods "The course looks good, I feel good, I like my chances" As a proud american it is refreshing to see a campaign that has been run with the up most professionalism and for that Senator Obama I salute you and your staff. I look forward to telling my unborn child about our new POTUS.

Jonathan Houston, TX (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 4:58 PM)

Even poor Katie Couric was appalled to the point of being almost speechless several times during her interview with Palin. That Palin could not name one magazine or newspaper she reads on a daily basis or even quote one Supreme Court decision she doesn't agree with other than Roe v Wade is so disturbing that even McCain has to see what a problem it would be if she becomes president. My first year law student daughter has more business being president at 24 than Palin does at 44. Palin will no doubt "win" the debate because expectations are so low. I hope that Joe Biden doesn't totally turn off his knowledge in order not to intimidate Palin. As far as I'm concerned, he should let her have it with no holes barred. Obama/Biden 08' in order to save our country.

A. Kozlosky, Sacramento (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 4:58 PM)

David Axelrod is right on the money . The one liners and zings that Palin may hope to deliver tonight are starting to get old with voters who want to hear what her running mate's vision is for this country. Her vagueness and air headed approach isn't cute anymore. As far as the Republican Convention bounce--let's all remember, any trained actress could deliver the lines that Palin did from her highly scripted speech. She wasn't "Sarah being Sarah" , she was Sarah being a creature of Karl Rove.
I look forward to tonight--not because I want to see sparks fly, but because I want to see the American people truly LISTEN--who do we really want picking up that 3:00 AM phone.?? Mc Creaky ? Sarah Barracuda ? Or a rational, intelligent, clear headed thinker like Barak Obama and an experienced foreign policy expert like Joe Biden..I know where my vote is going.

jvf (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 4:58 PM)

As the debate wears on, more and more of Bidens hair plugs will fall out.

Holey Ghost (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 4:59 PM)

The politics of all this has gotten pretty disgusting from both sides. The McCain camp has mishandled Palin and protected her too much and has brought undue attention on her. On the other hand, the Obama camp has been playing ugly political games the other way (didn't Obama promise to show us "new" politics?)...attacking her credentials one moment and superfically building her up (pre-debate per the above) for political purposes the next. Add to that the national media's disdain for her (probably merely for being pro life and Christian) and the perception of her with voters has gotten worse.

One point for her critics...when I think back to the primaries when Obama was being questioned (put on the defensive) about Reverand Wright or when at Saddleback he was questionned about when life begins...he looked and sounded pretty incompetent and like political lightweight. There was a whole lot of "um,...you know...um...you know..um..." coming out of the normally great orator's mouth. It's usually that way when you're always being probed and those asking are looking for "gotcha" moments. Palin has been put on the defensive from day 1. Let her have a chance in a neutral setting. I bet if the media was fair and probed Obama on Bill Ayers, Tony Rezko, and his relationship with Acorn (radical left organization) we'd again see him looking pretty incompetent with more "um....you know...um....you know" coming out.

Ugly politics--let's give her a chance (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 5:00 PM)

Plouffe is correct Sarah Palin is a formidable foe.
Palin will give piercing, sarcastic, one liners attacking Obama. If I here community organizer and inexperienced in her chide, I’ll croak. Plain is an unequivocal liar the shame as demented McCain.
Now, if she can just set her focuses on the economy and actually knows it; instead of sweeping generalizations, she just may score.

Enough
no glossing over
McCain =more of the same.
Nobody but Obama/Biden

Beverly in Chicago (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 5:00 PM)

One-liners is all that the Lipsticker can deliver. She can't talk coherently about any real issue!

If McBush can repeatedly say to Obama that "You don't understand", during their debate, knowing full well that Obama DOES understand; Joe can certainly use that line on the Lipsticker.

She will certainly go after Obama, so Joe can go after McBush. Her one-liners will be useless!

She may cry foal, but turn-about is fair play! If she can't run with the big dogs, she should have stayed on the porch in Wasilla!

Ed, San Antonio (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 5:03 PM)

This:

Jobs R Us - the absolute first rule when you are trying to implement a new plan and sell it to other is to SELL THE PROBLEM, not the solution. You can't make it to the solution without having everyone agree on the problem. He's not President yet. I, for one, am not interested in a President who has already made up his mind before he's even gotten in the chair.
squintz, philly, pa (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 2:04 PM)

And this:
*sighs* No, he doesn't, but I suspect you knew that I are just trying to cast shadows, like more of the repubs here. Still, not one of you has ever come here with a positive postof your candidate, always a negative one on Obama. Nervous? Scared? Cant face the fact McCain/Palin are painfully wrong for the country?
DV, CA (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 2:44 PM)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Looks like you two need to talk. Not exactly on the same page as it were.

Cliffy M., Davenport IA (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 5:03 PM)

Ed, San Antonio (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 5:03 PM)

Joe can show everyone that he got almost 1% of the vote in Iowa. That should impress a few people.

Loli Hanks (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 5:05 PM)

We've already seen Palin's sarcastic, snarky side and we're not interested in more. We want issues.

Jen.MI (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 5:06 PM)

I just heard on MSNBC and POTUS that McCain packed up and left Michigan, word to McCain, we don't want you in Pennsylvania so please pick another state, we hate you and Palin!!!!! And yes FR I know you won't post!

Obama/Biden you got pa!!!!!

Pa Voter (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 5:06 PM)

Come on David - even I don't buy that spin - and I normally DO drink the koolaid!

Mark, New York, NY (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 5:06 PM)

Being a person sitting in Akron, Ohio, tonight, who's struggling economically I'll certainly be listening!

What I really want is for both sides to actually answer the questions asked. Dodging answers is not acceptable.

James, Akron, OH. (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 5:07 PM)

I think Palin will do fine enough. She’s been I debates before and will be able to play off her charm (she’s very telegenic).

The question for those undecided (wow, I can't believe there could be many after her interviews with Couric, but if you say you're undecided, who am I to question that?) is this:

If you were in a hiring position, and you saw the video resume (interviews with Gibson and her “in what respect Charlie?” confusion, or any of her Katie Couric interviews, as well as the paper resume, would this person still be in the pipeline for a possible face-to-face interview to get the job from you?
I mean really, would they?

And then, if they gave you a lot of mumbled sentences and then it was proven that a part of the resume was a fib - she's never been to the island that allows citizens of the state of Alaska to see Russia, just one example of an exaggeration at best, and a lie if you really look at it - would you really look to hire this person?
Or put it another way, if you were the friend of that person and just before the interview process starts they ask you to loan them $5,000 until their first paycheck, would you reasonably expect that type of person to get the job and then be able to pay you back?

I don't fault the Gov., although at some level, you hve to know your limitations. When one tries to do more than their abilities to do that role, the entire team goes down in defeat. Rather, I look at McCain who tells us she's ready, but that she's having to be "taught" things. Sorry, that just doesn't fly in most hiring processes, certainly not one where you're looking to hire a Senior Manager.

Roofin Reality, back from hurricane Ike in Houston (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 5:08 PM)

I am going to watch to see the AIRHEAD beauty pageant has to say..... she is full of it....no skills at all, she is good attacking your opponent though....but about SUBSTANCE in answering the questions...this is what I am looning for tonight.

mattie, sacramento (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 5:09 PM)

After the past few weeks, Palin needs more than her "cute" personality to win this debate. People will be looking to confirm the impression that has been solidifying over the past month that Palin at best lacks a basic curiosity about the world in general or that she is truly an imbecile. Her image will be solidified tonight if she does not show some glimmer of intelligent life.

Barb, LA (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 5:09 PM)

Good Luck GOV Sarah Palin - Millions of Americans are pulling for you!
McCain/Palin - A Team we can TRUST!

Molly (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 5:09 PM)

Nice,...Plouffe skillfully deflects expectations from the debate to existing expectations of the electorate.

Say whatever you will about Obama the candidate - and I know you will - he has run one of the absolute most brilliant campaigns. We would be so lucky that he ran the country with a fraction of the skill he's exhibited in the campaign.

Clara Kansas City, MO (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 5:11 PM)

She is formidable because the public decides on style, tribalism, and emotion instead of logic, facts and issues. She will eschew the latter and emphasize the former. She will not answer any questions because there are always some people who won't like the answer and hold it against you. She will spew almost true anectdotes and platitudes like Reagan except not as articulate -- more like Bush. She will try to convince people she is a joe six pack person like they are. Why alcoholism is a good thing is a mystery. She is one of them and people who are different or even better than them are bad. If she carries in a 6-pack of beer and puts it on the lectern (not podium by the way) you heard it here first.

nuanced (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 5:11 PM)

ps. there is an obvious joke about "...in the air between..."; but I won't go there.

Clara Kansas City, MO (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 5:11 PM)

I got great expectations that that little wrist cast Palin is wearing is outfitted with a TSCM listen device that can pick up sound in a 500 range.

Where can I hire one of those airport security guards that like feeling folks up and calling it 'security' looking for rubber duckies? I'm sure if they search Palin tonight they'll find at least 5 devices (earrings, watch, padded wrist cast and that rhinestone Alaska pin) all ready to feed her the answers.

If she does well tonight we know the above is true.

McGimmick's Trick is Tricked Out! (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 5:12 PM)

Plouffe is a prime example of the smugness and arrogance of the Obama campaign. They are definitely full of themselves. God Help Us if we have to watch this dog and pony show for the next 4 years.

NK, Alabama (Sent Thursday, October 02, 2008 5:13 PM)

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