Vice Presidential debate tonight
David Lightman
Issue date: 10/2/08 Section: Nation & World News
WASHINGTON - Gov. Sarah Palin, R-Alaska, faces a huge problem in Thursday night's vice presidential debate: She's in danger of becoming a national punch line.
As a result, Palin's debate with rival Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., could be her last big chance to convince voters that she's got what it takes to run the country.
"She has a lot to prove," said James Riddlesperger, a professor of political science at Texas Christian University, "and this is a real opportunity for her to do so."
Biden also faces some risks. "He can't appear to be a bully," said vice presidential scholar Timothy Walch. Biden also has a history of putting his foot in his mouth, and a gaffe could cost him.
The debate, though, is largely about Palin, who was barely known until McCain put her on the ticket.
She was an instant hit, at least with Republicans, charming the GOP convention.
Since then, the nation has seen another Palin: carefully managed, kept under wraps, often scripted and seemingly out of her depth. A poll released Wednesday by the Pew Research Center reported, "opinions about Sarah Palin have become increasingly negative."
The Sept. 27-29 survey found that 51 percent of the public thinks she's not qualified to be president, and 37 percent think she is qualified. Just after the GOP convention, some 52 percent thought she was ready.
Worse, Palin has become the butt of late night jokes.
On "Saturday Night Live," comedian Tina Fey's dead-on impression of Palin has parodied her as a rambling, perky celebrity unfamiliar with the day's biggest issues.
Experts say Palin has done too little to overcome that image. Her interviews last week with CBS' Katie Couric have been widely ridiculed. Conservative columnist Kathleen Parker led the charge. Palin's TV interviews, she wrote, "revealed an attractive, earnest, confident candidate."
Couric asked Palin what she thought about the $700 billion Wall Street rescue package pending before Congress.
As a result, Palin's debate with rival Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., could be her last big chance to convince voters that she's got what it takes to run the country.
"She has a lot to prove," said James Riddlesperger, a professor of political science at Texas Christian University, "and this is a real opportunity for her to do so."
Biden also faces some risks. "He can't appear to be a bully," said vice presidential scholar Timothy Walch. Biden also has a history of putting his foot in his mouth, and a gaffe could cost him.
The debate, though, is largely about Palin, who was barely known until McCain put her on the ticket.
She was an instant hit, at least with Republicans, charming the GOP convention.
Since then, the nation has seen another Palin: carefully managed, kept under wraps, often scripted and seemingly out of her depth. A poll released Wednesday by the Pew Research Center reported, "opinions about Sarah Palin have become increasingly negative."
The Sept. 27-29 survey found that 51 percent of the public thinks she's not qualified to be president, and 37 percent think she is qualified. Just after the GOP convention, some 52 percent thought she was ready.
Worse, Palin has become the butt of late night jokes.
On "Saturday Night Live," comedian Tina Fey's dead-on impression of Palin has parodied her as a rambling, perky celebrity unfamiliar with the day's biggest issues.
Experts say Palin has done too little to overcome that image. Her interviews last week with CBS' Katie Couric have been widely ridiculed. Conservative columnist Kathleen Parker led the charge. Palin's TV interviews, she wrote, "revealed an attractive, earnest, confident candidate."
Couric asked Palin what she thought about the $700 billion Wall Street rescue package pending before Congress.
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