Joe vs. Joe Six-pack

Hey Charles,

Honestly, I think Biden’s probably got a tough path to victory … whatever victory means in these things. Just the fact that all the talk will be about Palin and whether she stepped over the bar (which, after Katie Couric, is about as low as you can go, no?) will probably be enough of a welcome distraction for the McCain camp from the past two weeks.

I tried looking at past VP debates for some hints as to what might happen, and, of course, the two debates that are frequently cited are Bush I-Ferraro and Bentsen-Quayle. But I’m not sure that they’re particularly helpful in this case. Yes, Bush clearly crossed the line of being too condescending. Quayle, as we all know, set himself up pretty good with that inane Jack Kennedy comparison. In both elections, the Republicans won handily, which I suppose tells you something about the overall importance of the vice presidential debates.

(As an aside, I did find it interesting that Bush Sr. admitted to the Today Show yesterday that he was nervous going into his 1984 debate with Ferraro. And, somewhat scarily, Dan Quayle actually looks pretty good on the experience front when you stack him up against Sarah Palin.)

Still, I tend to agree with the media masses that this one promises to be more important than those other debates. And I think you’re right on with your analysis of Biden’s best strategery for victory. He can’t be condescending—but he also can’t be afraid to tout his own command of the issues or question Palin’s real beliefs on important issues.

But mainly, I think Joe needs to focus his attacks on John McCain, McCain’s record and his erratic behavior over the past few weeks, especially in responding to the economic crisis, while praising Obama’s coolness under pressure. If Palin’s advisers are saying “Let Sarah be Sarah,” Joe’s folks should be telling him to be himself and to come out swinging against McCain. I mean, we’re talking about the guy who probably “won” several Democratic primary debates and had the best line of the entire primary debate season with his “noun-verb-9/11” zinger against Rudy Giuliani. What I would hate to see is a Biden who is handcuffed like Al Gore in his second debate against Dubya. I don’t think that’s going to happen.

One more thing, Biden might not be “Joe Six-pack” as Palin calls herself, but his story of overcoming obstacles and terrible personal tragedy is pretty remarkable, and I hope that comes across in the debate. For me, one of Obama’s best moments in his debate with John McCain was when he pointed out that he, too, wore a bracelet given to him by a soldier. How better to remind people that no one has a monopoly on patriotism? Likewise, Joe would be wise to remind people that he, and Obama for that matter, weren’t exactly born with the Bush silver spoon in their mouths.

Just, please, no Rocky vs. Paulie. If Palin starts quoting the great Burt Young (“I don’t sweat you, Joe!”), Biden’s in real trouble!

Ryan