OK, how about tomorrow night's Debate Format?

[ThomWV]

It is my understanding that the McCain campaign required a debate format that doesn't allow for the two candidates to actually interact with one another. Neither will be allowed the chance to bring the other into an in-depth discussion on the subject at hand. However I could not find the rules of the debate on the website of the Commission on Presidential Debates. To my mind if this hour and a half is turned into a fluff piece I will be pissed. To be quite honest about it I have no faith in Ms. Iffil to bring out any meaningful discussion between the two.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

1. Even if those are the "orders" on the debate format, I don't think that there is no

way on earth that Joe Biden won't challenge her if he needs to. Maybe he'll look into her eyes when he does!

[Debi]

2. I heard on some cable news show that the format is

Question to one candidate - two minute answer period. Over to other candidate - two minute answer period. 30 second rebuttal - 30 second rebuttal.

No direct confrontation.

sorry, don't remember where I heard it so can't guarantee the accuracy.

[ThomWV]

4. I heard much the same thing on a Pittsburgh radio station yesterday

That is how I remember it too, but I might be off by a little bit.

I do hope the first responder is correct and Biden will take the challenge directly to Palin. Fuck the kid-gloves approach. He should reach out and slap her hard with his formidable knowledge and experience.

[Warpy]

7. That sounds about right

but don't expect Palin to be able to limit her verbal diarrhea to the time allotted. She is incapable of doing so.

Do expect word salad and flight of ideas.

I sincerely hope Biden read today's Horsey cartoon and will be able to talk past her without reacting to the sheer idiocy likely to exit her mouth as she gibbers on and on.

Gwen Ifill, while being slightly right of center, is a tough and fair moderator. She will have her hands full with Palin and I wouldn't have her job for all the money in the world.

Palin will likely be given credit for winning the debate as long as she doesn't puke on herself. Pundits will be universal in holding their heads in their hands and wondering what happened to the party that she was selected to run.

[HuckleB]

3. This is all I "know."

"... the McCain campaign demanded changes in the debate rules to include shorter question and answer times and limited interaction between the two candidates to prevent any free flowing discussions...

This is why we need a press conference. This debate was rigged to allow a know-nothing to mouth platitudes and charm. We need to know if she knows anything. And we need follow-ups."

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/09/quote-for-th-41.html

[radfringe]

5. 90 second answers

It's my understanding there is a 90 second answer period by each candidate.

Pros and Cons of the 90seconds

Good for Biden, less time for him to elaborate

bad for Palin - 90 seconds is too long, plenty of time to demonstrate word-salad recipe

[kellyflan1]

6. look at these numbers?

I'm sorry to thread jack but I can't post yet. These number are really interesting. I thought I would share.

http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x2882.xml?ReleaseID=1218

I believe that this debate will not create an environment that fosters diarrhea of the mouth during open discussion. The good news is...Palin will have 5 minutes to ramble on and I don't think she can go more than 30 seconds without a word circle forming.

[Richardo]

8. There's nothing to prevent either candidate from *indirectly* challenging the other

"In answer to your question, Ms Ifill, contrast Ms. Palin's oversimplification to the actual conditions in the region..."

"The Palin/McCain (!) policy as described here tonight would actually INCREASE instability and here's why:..."

etc

etc