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| US awaits Biden-Palin TV debate | US awaits Biden-Palin TV debate |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The two US vice-presidential candidates are set to go head-to-head for the first and only time in a TV 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 Senator Biden could also be vulnerable if he makes a 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. | 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. | 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. |
| Preparations | Preparations |
| Mrs Palin, whose fiery speech at the Republican convention inspired Christian conservatives, produces unusually strong feelings - both positive and negative - among voters. Gaffe-prone candidatesPalin's Alaska debating styleDebate may be turning point | Mrs Palin, whose fiery speech at the Republican convention inspired Christian conservatives, produces unusually strong feelings - both positive and negative - among voters. Gaffe-prone candidatesPalin's Alaska debating styleDebate 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 have a "strongly favourable" view of her, 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, which will be moderated by PBS journalist Gwen Ifill. | |
| 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 Send us your comments | 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 Send us your comments |
| The McCain campaign posted a video on its website on Thursday highlighting some of his past mistakes. | 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". | 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. | "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 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 watched | Closely 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 voters | Wal-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" - white, working-class married women. | In particular, she needs to win over the "Wal-Mart moms" - white, working-class married women. |
| 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. | 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. | 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. |