Alright, let's try to keep this one civil. ![]()
If you could ask one question of each VP, what would it be?
Palin - I'd ask her about her views on eminent domain. She used it as mayor to build a hockey rink, so I think it's a gold mine that the press just hasn't explored yet. I'd want to know if she supports Kelo v New London, and if not, why she thinks forcing a land sale to build a hockey arena is an appropriate use of executive power.
Biden - since he's been on the judiciary committee, I'd ask him about nominations. Specifically, how he would handle Republicans threatening to filibuster...at what point would he recommend a nomination be pulled and replaced with someone more moderate? I'd probably follow up with a question about why he didn't join the Gang of 14, the bipartisan group formed in the Senate (that McCain was a member of) that pledged to stop filibusters on certain judicial picks.
Re: Poll! Question you would ask each VP if you were the moderator
You are the moderator. You make the rules.
(I am guessing that it can be either or, and there probably will be some of the same questions, and some different questions.)
I want to know her opinion of Texas v. Johnson, which held that flag burning is constitutionally protected speech.
Edit: Biden... I'm not sure. I feel like I know where he stands on the issues that are important to me. I'm sure I'll think of something in a minute.
I'd somehow question Palin on the separation of church and state and if she realizes the implications of certain actions she eludes to wanting to make (i.e. making abortion illegal, etc.)
it hard, because I think shes pretty uneducated, so I would want to somehow "show" that through a certain type of question.
I don't even know if this is an appropriate question (I've watched past VP debates, but can't remember them well), but I'd like to ask both candidates to name an issue where they differ from the presidential candidate on their respective tickets, and why.
I think that could demonstrate some independent thought, while also demanding that they understand and explain the campaign's official position on the issue in question.
I think this is an excellent question.
Ooh, I've got it. I don't have a specific wording of a question, but I want to know what both of them think we should do with those who have been imprisoned at Guantanamo Bay and have subsequently been determined to not be enemy combatants.
I'd also like some sort of questions about Africa in there. Not sure what, but something.
I think this is a great question.
I'd also ask them how they plan to deal with Iran. What steps would they take?
I'm going to cheat and give 2 questions for each - one on their "strength" issues and one where they're weak.
Palin: How do you reconcile your small gov't conservative ideology with the "dividend" you gave to AK residents through taxing oil companies? Is that a part of your national solution to the national energy crisis?
Biden: How do you reconcile the important role you played in making the Iraq War possible as chairman of the SFR committee, interviewing people about Iraq's WMDs and siding with their existence, the strong statements you made about Iraq and Saddam being a national security threat, and your unpopular plan to segregate Iraq, with the implication that your foreign policy credentials and instinct gained from experience are an asset?
Palin: Describe the proper role of the UN and multi-nationalism and how that relates to the US consitution and the beliefs of our founding fathers.
Biden: You claim to want to balance the budget simply by ending the war, but the war only cost approx 1% of GDP at its peak. How will you finance your proposed increased spending and what effect will that have on foreign and domestic capital investment and productivity?
caden-
Biden supports partitioning Iraq?
We need mxolosi for this one.
I think we are all asking brilliant questions. We should send this link to Gwen Ifil.
I'm not caden (obviously), but Biden expressed support for that in the past, and I think through the primary season. Here's the first article I googled on it. It dates to an op ed piece in 2006. Love or hate the idea, I don't think it was completely lacking in merit.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12572371/
I'm fluff, so I guess I'd ask them both the following 2-part (4-part?) question:
What #1 strength to you bring to a McCain/Obama administration, and how will you utilize that strength as Vice President?
Likewise, what is your greatest weakness and how will you account for that should you become president?
ETA: *shrug* I tried, ESF, but I don't think I'm smart enough for this poll.
Biden: I would ask what changed his opinion of Obama from the primary debates when he said Obama wasn't ready to be President. How much experience does he think he's gained in the last 6 months to now be qualified?
Palin: Since you are such a big advocate of drilling, are you also on board with finding alternative resources (nuclear, etc)?
Both of these may have been already answered though.
This is a great thread ESF.
I would like for Palin to elaborate on what she meant by privacy being a fundamental part of our constitution and how she reconciles this with her disagreement of Roe.
I would like for Biden to explain his vote on the 2005 bankruptcy bill.
That was his solution to the post-war violence. Here's a transcript of a lengthy interview he had with Tim Russert in April, 2007
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18381961/
No, I'm glad! I want lots of perspectives. And I wanted to make sure the conservatives knew this was a friendly, non-Palin pile on thread!
I love the weakness question. I am really wondering how both would answer it.
LMW - good call on the bankruptcy question. I think Biden's relationship with the credit card companies is another forgotten gold mine.
Sorry if I am repeating this question since I just skimmed the responses so far. I would ask both candidates this question:
What do you think the role of VP entails and how do you plan to change it, if at all, from your predecessor?
Another one, for both:
Do you agree with the way *** Cheney approached the office of the VP, why or why not?
:in the vein of Survivor:
Without turning it into a backhanded compliment -- tell us why your opponent would make a good VP.
Adam & Shoshie 10-21-07: "My family is big and loud and everybody's in each other's lives and business. ... but wherever I go, they will always be there." * My Blog: Tales of a Hopeful Jewish Mom to Be *
No worries, I know your style. I really don't know all of these specific votes and stances people are bringing up, so it's definitely interesting.
I'm mostly curious, though, if they can allay our fears about their role in the admin.
The Unity Horse neighed his approval for this question
I don't think they could do it.
Definitely a cringeworthy question. Biden would call her good looking, and Palin would compliment him on his legendary senate speeches.
And *thats* why these elections are run poorly. Both sides are so used to sniping at each other, that they can't manage to say ANYTHING nice about the other side.
Adam & Shoshie 10-21-07: "My family is big and loud and everybody's in each other's lives and business. ... but wherever I go, they will always be there." * My Blog: Tales of a Hopeful Jewish Mom to Be *
Obama being nice/civil/non-divisive or whatever you want to call it in the first debate, was turned into talking points immediately. Neither candidate can really afford to be nice or it will be used against him.