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Palin: The great debater? Palin: The great debater?
(about 6 hours later)
By Ali Reed BBC NewsBy Ali Reed BBC News
Mrs Palin took part in a debate with Mr Halcro (left) in Alaska in 2006Mrs Palin took part in a debate with Mr Halcro (left) in Alaska in 2006
Ask nearly anyone in Alaska, and they will tell you that Governor Sarah Palin is a great debater.Ask nearly anyone in Alaska, and they will tell you that Governor Sarah Palin is a great debater.
If anyone knows the challenge that lies ahead for Senator Joe Biden, it is Andrew Halcro, 44, who took part in a handful of debates with Mrs Palin during Alaska's 2006 gubernatorial race.If anyone knows the challenge that lies ahead for Senator Joe Biden, it is Andrew Halcro, 44, who took part in a handful of debates with Mrs Palin during Alaska's 2006 gubernatorial race.
"The one thing I found during the [2006] debates was no matter how knowledgeable her opponents were on the issues, it didn't matter," Mr Halcro told BBC News."The one thing I found during the [2006] debates was no matter how knowledgeable her opponents were on the issues, it didn't matter," Mr Halcro told BBC News.
"She has an amazing ability to turn a 45 second answer into a folksy story... she's never been forced to know the issues.""She has an amazing ability to turn a 45 second answer into a folksy story... she's never been forced to know the issues."
Mr Halcro said Mrs Palin's biggest strength is her ability to "fill the room with her presence".Mr Halcro said Mrs Palin's biggest strength is her ability to "fill the room with her presence".
Having studied at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government and Harvard Business School, in addition to being a lifelong Alaskan and lawmaker, Mr Halcro came to the debates armed with a wealth of knowledge and statistics.Having studied at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government and Harvard Business School, in addition to being a lifelong Alaskan and lawmaker, Mr Halcro came to the debates armed with a wealth of knowledge and statistics.
Beyond statisticsBeyond statistics
Mrs Palin even said Mr Halcro would make "the awesomest statistician," when asked during a debate what position she would appoint Mr Halcro to if elected governor.Mrs Palin even said Mr Halcro would make "the awesomest statistician," when asked during a debate what position she would appoint Mr Halcro to if elected governor.
Governor Sarah Palin is undefeated in previous debatesGovernor Sarah Palin is undefeated in previous debates
Still, statistics were not enough to put even the smallest dent in Mrs Palin's rising popularity.Still, statistics were not enough to put even the smallest dent in Mrs Palin's rising popularity.
"There were many times the third candidate and I would walk off stage and shake our heads," Mr Halcro said. "It wasn't policy it was populism.""There were many times the third candidate and I would walk off stage and shake our heads," Mr Halcro said. "It wasn't policy it was populism."
Whatever it was, Mrs Palin beat her opponents, garnering 48% of the vote, while Democrat candidate Tony Knowles received 40% and Independent Halcro received 9%.Whatever it was, Mrs Palin beat her opponents, garnering 48% of the vote, while Democrat candidate Tony Knowles received 40% and Independent Halcro received 9%.
"I don't think anyone could have beat her," Mr Halcro said. "It wasn't about how much she knew about the issues. People didn't care about her experience, they just thought, 'This is the drink of water we need'.""I don't think anyone could have beat her," Mr Halcro said. "It wasn't about how much she knew about the issues. People didn't care about her experience, they just thought, 'This is the drink of water we need'."
Mr Halcro, and many others from Mrs Palin's home state, will be watching to see whether her commanding presence on stage this Thursday will similarly capture the hearts and votes of the rest of Americans in the "Lower 48" states. Mr Halcro, and many others from Mrs Palin's home state, will be watching to see whether she appears on stage this Thursday to similarly capture the hearts and votes of the rest of Americans in the "Lower 48" states.
I think she has more to lose now. Her ratio of importance to the Republican ticket was greater than Biden's to the Democratic ticket. She carries more weight, so there's the possibility for an equally large downside. Richard Parker Lecturer in Public Policy, Harvard's Kennedy School of GovernmentI think she has more to lose now. Her ratio of importance to the Republican ticket was greater than Biden's to the Democratic ticket. She carries more weight, so there's the possibility for an equally large downside. Richard Parker Lecturer in Public Policy, Harvard's Kennedy School of Government
But Richard Parker, a lecturer in public policy at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, said it may be tricky to transfer her immense success in Alaska on to the national stage.But Richard Parker, a lecturer in public policy at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, said it may be tricky to transfer her immense success in Alaska on to the national stage.
"I think she plays to great advantage the small town hockey mom persona," Mr Parker said. "For Alaska that's terrific. But for states like Ohio and Pennsylvania, who are dealing with panic about the economy, who knows?""I think she plays to great advantage the small town hockey mom persona," Mr Parker said. "For Alaska that's terrific. But for states like Ohio and Pennsylvania, who are dealing with panic about the economy, who knows?"
Balancing actBalancing act
At the height of Mrs Palin's popularity honeymoon a couple of weeks ago, Mr Parker said it was Mr Biden who most needed to put on a strong performance.At the height of Mrs Palin's popularity honeymoon a couple of weeks ago, Mr Parker said it was Mr Biden who most needed to put on a strong performance.
But with the downturn of the economy, the public's dubious reaction to Mrs Palin's recent interviews, and some conservative columnists calling on Palin to withdraw from the ticket due to her inexperience, Mr Parker said more focus will be on Mrs Palin.But with the downturn of the economy, the public's dubious reaction to Mrs Palin's recent interviews, and some conservative columnists calling on Palin to withdraw from the ticket due to her inexperience, Mr Parker said more focus will be on Mrs Palin.
"I think she has more to lose now," Mr Parker said. "Her ratio of importance to the Republican ticket was greater than Biden's to the Democratic ticket. She carries more weight, so there's the possibility for an equally large downside.""I think she has more to lose now," Mr Parker said. "Her ratio of importance to the Republican ticket was greater than Biden's to the Democratic ticket. She carries more weight, so there's the possibility for an equally large downside."
Nearly 55 million viewers tuned into the presidential debate last Thursday, and with more than usual focus on the vice-presidential candidates in this election, Mr Biden and Mrs Palin can expect to have a lot of eyes watching them.Nearly 55 million viewers tuned into the presidential debate last Thursday, and with more than usual focus on the vice-presidential candidates in this election, Mr Biden and Mrs Palin can expect to have a lot of eyes watching them.
Senator Joe Biden, an experienced debater, says he will focus on policySenator Joe Biden, an experienced debater, says he will focus on policy
Mr Halcro, a Republican still unsure who to vote for in November, said the key for Mr Biden is to focus on the policy issues and let the moderator ensure Mrs Palin answers the questions.Mr Halcro, a Republican still unsure who to vote for in November, said the key for Mr Biden is to focus on the policy issues and let the moderator ensure Mrs Palin answers the questions.
"He shouldn't be afraid to point out contradictions in a respectful manner," Mr Halcro said. "He needs to be congenial and not appear patronising or bully-like.""He shouldn't be afraid to point out contradictions in a respectful manner," Mr Halcro said. "He needs to be congenial and not appear patronising or bully-like."
Avoiding disasterAvoiding disaster
Barack Obama's chief strategist David Axelrod has praised Mrs Palin's debating skills, recognising it will be a challenging debate.Barack Obama's chief strategist David Axelrod has praised Mrs Palin's debating skills, recognising it will be a challenging debate.
"I would imagine that Biden and his counsellors are going to keep it as low key as possible and hope the questions she's asked will do her more damage," Mr Parker said. "The last thing he can afford is a disaster.""I would imagine that Biden and his counsellors are going to keep it as low key as possible and hope the questions she's asked will do her more damage," Mr Parker said. "The last thing he can afford is a disaster."
Mrs Palin, on the other hand, has the challenge of maintaining her undefeated debate record and proving to the rest of the world that her readiness to lead is not in doubt.Mrs Palin, on the other hand, has the challenge of maintaining her undefeated debate record and proving to the rest of the world that her readiness to lead is not in doubt.
"Ten days ago, if you asked how important the vice-presidential debate would be, I would say intensely important because of Palin's attractiveness across party lines," Mr Parker said."Ten days ago, if you asked how important the vice-presidential debate would be, I would say intensely important because of Palin's attractiveness across party lines," Mr Parker said.
"But now with what is going on on Wall Street, I don't think that her inexperience is going to play well.""But now with what is going on on Wall Street, I don't think that her inexperience is going to play well."