Biden Says Palin's Gender Doesn't Change His Debate Game

By: Ryan Corsaro
Topics: Joe Biden

(CBS)

From CBS News' Ryan Corsaro:

(KALISPELL, MT.) - Joe Biden says he's not expecting anything different from what he's used to in taking on Sarah Palin in the upcoming vice presidential debate.

"I've got to say, I find it fascinating. It seems like the only people in the room that think that debating a woman is going to be fundamentally different are people who don't hang around with smart women," Biden said aboard his campaign plane as he traveled to Montana today.

"I mean, you know, the idea that I've not debated tough, smart women. Come to the Senate, man. Take on [Senator] Barbara Mikulski. You know, uh, take on [Senator] Olympia Snowe. You know, take on [Senator] Dianne Feinstein. Take on [Senator] Barbara Boxer. Take on you know, the list goes on.

In response to questioners who ask if he will prepare differently for debating a woman, Biden said, "I think they're in a time warp. They're in another era. If they'd ask that question, you know, when I got to the Senate, when there were no women, you'd say, 'Yeah, I wonder how this is going to work.' "

Biden responded to accusations by Palin yesterday that Biden's 35-plus years of experience as a senator makes him a Washington insider.

"Look... I think it's a legitimate political point for her to make. Obviously she's going to make it."

Biden, though he has worked in Washington since 1973, pointed to the fact that he has never lived in Washington -- he commutes to work from Delaware each day. Biden insisted that unlike Palin, his career made his views on policy and record more transparent to Americans.

"People are going to say she was the governor of a small -- I mean, a mayor of a small town, governor of a small state. She's not ready. People are going to say about me you've been there 35 years. Neither one by themselves tells you much until you delve in and find out, 'What'd you do as governor? What do you know? What do you say? What are you for?' I just…I know it sounds corny, but I really do have faith in the instincts of the American people. You give enough information, they'll make the right decision."

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by obbcbs September 8, 2008 6:38 PM EDT: Why is it a protected email that Todd Palin receives from Mrs Palin?
He is not a member of the government.
This is Cheney again, making secrecy a religion.; Reply to this comment


by obbcbs September 8, 2008 6:36 PM EDT: Why did Sarah lie to 37 million people that she sold the state''s plane on Ebay? It was easy to find out that she sold it at a $600K loss to a political connection. Could it be that FOX and ABC will be silent about the facts, and support her lies?
Tell your friends and family the clever Ebay story was a lie. She sold that plane at a loss and not on Ebay.; Reply to this comment


by obbcbs September 8, 2008 6:34 PM EDT: Since husband Todd has been claimed by Palin to be a special case and a member of her government, whose emails may not be viewed, because he is part of her government, then his membership in the secessionist party is now even more important to look at.
The only two options people really consider for the AIP are
secession from the union leading to nationhood for Alaska
Secession from the union leading to tax free status of commonwealth, like Puerto Rico.
Which did Todd recommend to the mayor of teeny town?
Apparently he is part of her government, so now his many years of membership in the Alaska Independence Party (that''s independent from the USA (during her whole mayor''s time)
is worthy of deep review.; Reply to this comment


by drmom8-2009 September 8, 2008 5:59 PM EDT: He commutes every day by amtrak! He isn''t driving 100 miles in a car or driving around DC in a limo.; Reply to this comment


by beer_buzzed September 8, 2008 5:34 AM EDT: I really have to wonder about Palin. She is a mother of young children. When it comes to doing something as vice president and a mother which will she chose?; Reply to this comment


by PulSamsara September 8, 2008 4:37 AM EDT: ###

Why would America REWARD complete Republican failure ?

We WONT.

###; Reply to this comment


by rgartner2 September 8, 2008 3:14 AM EDT: Joe Biden had better acknowedge that he failed men and fathers when he schemed the Violence Against Women Act, a law that provides no support for abused men.; Reply to this comment


by rgartner2 September 8, 2008 3:13 AM EDT: to acknowledge that he needs to draft a Violence Against Men Act forthwith.; Reply to this comment


by cacatua08 September 7, 2008 11:25 PM EDT: Joe Biden is cool. He''s not at all the person the media has pigeon-holed him as being.

And the population of Delaware is greater than the population of Alaska, for whatever that''s worth!; Reply to this comment


by tverde2 September 7, 2008 9:51 PM EDT: Thank you, Joe. You are truly the breath of fresh air. Hey Sarah Barracuda: Bring it!; Reply to this comment