5 things Biden and Palin need to do in the debate

By James Oliphant - Chicago Tribune

Thursday night's debate in St. Louis might be the most anticipated vice presidential debate ever. Sen. Joe Biden, the Democratic nominee, with 35 years of experience in Congress, is matched against Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, a newcomer on the national landscape.

Here's what each debater needs to do to claim victory:

For Biden

 Attack John McCain, not Palin. Although Palin's poll numbers are down, there remains a large and energized group of Palinites who seem to see every attack on her as a personal affront. Add to that the potentially huge number of undecided female voters and it becomes clear that Biden must walk a fine line.

 Don't lecture. Biden teaches constitutional law on the side and he'll have to resist the temptation to turn professorial if Palin struggles with details or policy positions.

 Keep it short. Biden has a habit of using 12 words when a half-dozen will do. He's prone to gaffes. Giving tight answers will help alleviate that danger, as well as keeping him on message. Which is ...

 It's not about you. As noted, Biden's been in politics for a lifetime. But this debate isn't about whether Biden is fit to be vice president. It's about Biden making the case that Barack Obama is ready to be president.

 And, Joe, please don't smile. Biden has a wide-angle grin that could light up a coal mine, and it's one that's ready-made for every occasion. Except this one. If Palin goes on the attack, Biden has to be viewed as taking those attacks seriously. A smile will suggest to some he's being patronizing.

For Palin

 Attack Obama through Biden. The McCain campaign has already highlighted several ways in which Biden, during the presidential campaign, criticized Obama. One obvious area is the war in Iraq. Biden supported the war and voted to fund it at every instance; Obama has never supported the war. This could keep Biden on the defensive and force him to explain himself, not talk about Obama.

 Keep it short. Anyone who watched Palin's performance last week on the CBS Evening News or Tina Fey on Saturday Night Live knows what can happen when the governor talks extemporaneously. She seems to wander into a verbal corn maze. So Palin's answers need to be short, succinct and crystal-clear. Why ... ?

 Because it's all about her. Unlike Biden, this debate is part of a continuing national referendum on Palin's fitness for the GOP ticket. The truth is, Biden will be an afterthought regardless of what he does, short of setting his podium on fire. All eyes will be on Palin. She can't afford too many mistakes.

In that vein ...

 No more talking about seeing Russia from Alaska. It's just not working — and it's so ridiculous that CNN actually sent a reporter to a distant island in the state to prove that Palin herself has never seen the country. No more hockey moms and lipstick and car pools. Small-scale Sarah has to go.

 Be likable, but not perky. Palin is expected to unleash many of the same attacks on Obama as she did at the Republican National Convention. The danger is that Palin can sometimes come off as mean-spirited. Witness her remark this week about having heard Biden's speeches "since the 2nd grade," which is as demeaning as it is unlikely unless her family's television only showed C-SPAN.