While vice presidential candidate debates rarely impact the outcome of elections, it may not be an understatement to say John McCain's hopes in November depend on Sarah Palin's performance tonight.
It's been a rough couple weeks for the Republican presidential nominee. As economic news continues to dominate the headlines and Americans' thoughts, McCain has dropped significantly in national polls. Results released Wednesday showed McCain losing big ground in a number of battleground states. The momentum at the moment belongs entirely to Democrat Barack Obama.
Much of McCain's decline could be attributed to Palin, who's performed so miserably in the select recent interviews she's given that she has become known as much for the "Saturday Night Live" impersonations of her as for her own words on the campaign.
Yes, Palin's image as "one of us" still resonates, at least with the Republican Party base. The problem is that being "one of us" may make her unqualified to be vice president, let alone president.
In the limited glimpses the nation has had to get to know the Alaskan governor, she's appeared out of her league on foreign policy and domestic issues, and generally incurious. That should alarm Americans, rather than charm them. The fact that Palin's popularity ratings essentially have reversed since the Republican Party convention suggests that it has.
Palin debates Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden tonight in St. Louis. Biden has a vast background in foreign policy, is well-versed in economic issues and is experienced in political debates. Palin faces an extremely difficult challenge.
McCain needs a win from Palin to slow Obama's momentum. Polls suggest McCain's not going to win on economic issues, which are certain to remain as the key political issue through Nov. 4 and beyond. Polls also suggest McCain lost a debate last Friday in which he was perceived to have a great advantage, on foreign policy.
Palin provided a strong spike in the polls for McCain after she was tabbed as the running mate. But that was based on personality more than on policy. With the economy in turmoil, the presidential race since has turned decidedly toward the time's important issues and the candidates' abilities to deal with them. Voters clearly, and correctly, are questioning Palin's ability to step in and lead if required.
Palin must convince voters she has the depth and knowledge to deal with economic and military issues. She must prove to voters not that they can like her, but that they can count on her. Given what we know so far, that's an extraordinary task.
It's been a rough couple weeks for the Republican presidential nominee. As economic news continues to dominate the headlines and Americans' thoughts, McCain has dropped significantly in national polls. Results released Wednesday showed McCain losing big ground in a number of battleground states. The momentum at the moment belongs entirely to Democrat Barack Obama.
Much of McCain's decline could be attributed to Palin, who's performed so miserably in the select recent interviews she's given that she has become known as much for the "Saturday Night Live" impersonations of her as for her own words on the campaign.
Yes, Palin's image as "one of us" still resonates, at least with the Republican Party base. The problem is that being "one of us" may make her unqualified to be vice president, let alone president.
In the limited glimpses the nation has had to get to know the Alaskan governor, she's appeared out of her league on foreign policy and domestic issues, and generally incurious. That should alarm Americans, rather than charm them. The fact that Palin's popularity ratings essentially have reversed since the Republican Party convention suggests that it has.
Palin debates Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden tonight in St. Louis. Biden has a vast background in foreign policy, is well-versed in economic issues and is experienced in political debates. Palin faces an extremely difficult challenge.
McCain needs a win from Palin to slow Obama's momentum. Polls suggest McCain's not going to win on economic issues, which are certain to remain as the key political issue through Nov. 4 and beyond. Polls also suggest McCain lost a debate last Friday in which he was perceived to have a great advantage, on foreign policy.
Palin provided a strong spike in the polls for McCain after she was tabbed as the running mate. But that was based on personality more than on policy. With the economy in turmoil, the presidential race since has turned decidedly toward the time's important issues and the candidates' abilities to deal with them. Voters clearly, and correctly, are questioning Palin's ability to step in and lead if required.
Palin must convince voters she has the depth and knowledge to deal with economic and military issues. She must prove to voters not that they can like her, but that they can count on her. Given what we know so far, that's an extraordinary task.
