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US awaits Biden-Palin TV debate US awaits Biden-Palin TV debate
(about 5 hours later)
The two US vice-presidential candidates go head-to-head for the first and only time on Thursday in a televised debate. The two US vice-presidential candidates are set to go head-to-head for the first and only time in a TV debate.
Democrat Joe Biden and Republican Sarah Palin will meet before a studio audience at Washington University in St Louis, Missouri.Democrat Joe Biden and Republican Sarah Palin will meet before a studio audience at Washington University in St Louis, Missouri.
The debate is seen as particularly key for Governor Palin, whose poll ratings have been falling amid voters' concern about her relative inexperience.The debate is seen as particularly key for Governor Palin, whose poll ratings have been falling amid voters' concern about her relative inexperience.
But Mr Biden could also be vulnerable if he makes a verbal gaffe. But Senator Biden could also be vulnerable if he makes a gaffe.
A new poll by the Washington Post suggests that 60% of voters now see Mrs Palin as lacking the experience to be an effective president.A new poll by the Washington Post suggests that 60% of voters now see Mrs Palin as lacking the experience to be an effective president.
One-third say they are less likely to vote for Republican presidential candidate, Senator John McCain, as a result.One-third say they are less likely to vote for Republican presidential candidate, Senator John McCain, as a result.
Independent voters, who are not affiliated to either political party, have the most sceptical views of the Alaska governor.Independent voters, who are not affiliated to either political party, have the most sceptical views of the Alaska governor.
And another poll, for CBS News, gives Senator Barack Obama 49% to 40% for Mr McCain. It is the latest in a series of opinion polls that have shown a significant shift in the direction of Mr Obama since the economic crisis began. And another poll, for CBS News, gives Senator Barack Obama 49% to 40% for Mr McCain.
It is the latest in a series of opinion polls that have shown a significant shift in the direction of Mr Obama, the Democratic presidential candidate, since the economic crisis began.
PreparationsPreparations
Mrs Palin, whose fiery speech at the Republican convention inspired Christian conservatives, produces unusually strong feelings - both positive and negative - among voters. Mrs Palin, whose fiery speech at the Republican convention inspired Christian conservatives, produces unusually strong feelings - both positive and negative - among voters. class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7646243.stm">Gaffe-prone candidates class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7643879.stm">Palin's Alaska debating style class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7647559.stm">Debate may be turning point
class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7646243.stm">Gaffe-prone candidates class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7643879.stm">Palin's Alaska debating style class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7647559.stm">Debate may be turning point While 29% of the electorate have a "strongly favourable" view of her, an equal number have intensely negative views, according to the Washington Post poll.
While 29% of the electorate view her as "strongly favourable", an equal number have intensely negative views, according to the Washington Post poll.
Overall, 51% rate her favourably, compared with 57% for Joe Biden.Overall, 51% rate her favourably, compared with 57% for Joe Biden.
Mrs Palin has spent the week sequestered at Mr McCain's ranch in Arizona preparing for the debate with her Republican advisers.Mrs Palin has spent the week sequestered at Mr McCain's ranch in Arizona preparing for the debate with her Republican advisers.
Meanwhile, Mr Obama's running mate has been practising his lines with Democratic governor Jennifer Granholm of Michigan.Meanwhile, Mr Obama's running mate has been practising his lines with Democratic governor Jennifer Granholm of Michigan.
Democratic advisers have reportedly been worried that Mr Biden will adopt too harsh a tone in his debate with Mrs Palin, thus alienating a key group of women voters.Democratic advisers have reportedly been worried that Mr Biden will adopt too harsh a tone in his debate with Mrs Palin, thus alienating a key group of women voters.
Commentators also warn that he will need to avoid a tendency to be too talkative and make gaffes. We expect that she'll have very witty, biting lines that she'll get off tonight David PlouffeObama campaign manager
The McCain campaign posted a video on its website on Thursday highlighting some of his past mistakes.
Meanwhile, Obama campaign manager David Plouffe sought to raise expectations for Mrs Palin, describing her as "an extremely good debater".
"We expect that she'll have very witty, biting lines that she'll get off tonight," he said.
Republican advisers are urging Mrs Palin to present party policies in her own words, after concern that she appeared wooden and rigid in answering questions from CBS News anchor Katie Couric last week.Republican advisers are urging Mrs Palin to present party policies in her own words, after concern that she appeared wooden and rigid in answering questions from CBS News anchor Katie Couric last week.
Mrs Palin's record in Alaska, however, suggests that she has succeeded in winning debates against more experienced opponents with her homespun wisdom and disarming style. Mrs Palin's record in Alaska, however, suggests that she has succeeded in winning debates against more experienced opponents with her disarming style.
Closely watchedClosely watched
With interest in the presidential election at a record high, the debate is expected to be watched intensely. According to the Pew poll, two-thirds of voters will be following the debate, far more than in 2004.With interest in the presidential election at a record high, the debate is expected to be watched intensely. According to the Pew poll, two-thirds of voters will be following the debate, far more than in 2004.
Wal-Mart shoppers are a key target group of votersWal-Mart shoppers are a key target group of voters
Although Mrs Palin has succeeded in mobilising conservative Republicans, her key challenge is to appeal to the swing voters who could determine who will win the battleground states, analysts say.Although Mrs Palin has succeeded in mobilising conservative Republicans, her key challenge is to appeal to the swing voters who could determine who will win the battleground states, analysts say.
In particular, she needs to win over the "Wal-Mart moms" - the white, working class married women without college degrees who are one of the key swing groups in the election. In particular, she needs to win over the "Wal-Mart moms" - white, working-class married women.
A recent poll of customers of Wal-Mart, the giant discount store that attracts one-third of all American shoppers each week, suggested that Mr McCain was slightly ahead with this group in Ohio and Florida, while Mr Obama was leading in Virginia and Colorado. A recent poll of customers of discount giant Wal-Mart suggested that Mr McCain was slightly ahead with this group in Ohio and Florida, while Mr Obama was leading in Virginia and Colorado.
Meanwhile, the McCain campaign is scaling back its operations in another swing state, Michigan, effectively conceding the advantage to Mr Obama there, the Associated Press reports.
The BBC will be streaming the Biden-Palin debate live on its website from 0100 GMT, with live running commentary and further analysis from our correspondents in St Louis and Washington.The BBC will be streaming the Biden-Palin debate live on its website from 0100 GMT, with live running commentary and further analysis from our correspondents in St Louis and Washington.