OPINION
Wilbon and Kornheiser are great, but CNN should stop imitating them

Atlanta Journal-Constitution Nov 20, 08 3:11 PM CST
(Newser)
-
ESPN’s Pardon the Interruption , a show in which two sports writers “make fun of each other’s male pattern baldness and argue about sports,” often at high volume, is on many fans’ watch list, including political scientist Christopher A. Cooper. Unfortunately, PTI “has ruined American politics,” Cooper writes in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution , as cable news shows have applied the formula far too broadly.
More »

NBC Oct 15, 08 8:41 PM CDT
(Newser)
-
John McCain and Barack Obama met tonight in the final presidential debate, their testiest meeting so far on a range of issues from the economy to negative campaigning, NBC reports. McCain pushed back against Obama's attempts to link him to the Bush administration. “Senator Obama, I’m not President Bush. If you want to run against President Bush, you should have run four years ago.” Obama kept it up, though, saying America doesn't need the "same failed policies."
More »
Dem grabs clear debate victory in CBS, CNN polls

CBS Oct 8, 08 2:08 AM CDT
(Newser)
-
Barack Obama was the clear winner of last night's debate against John McCain, two separate polls conducted for television networks found. Minutes after the debate ended, 40% of uncommitted voters identified Obama as the winner to 26% who said McCain came out on top, CBS News reports. Viewers found Obama more likeable by a 2-to-1 margin, and 68% said they believed the Democratic candidate will make the right decisions on the economy.
More »
OPINION
Ready to lead with 'unnerving mix of cutesy platitudes'

Washington Post Oct 3, 08 2:40 AM CDT
(Newser)
-
Sarah Palin worked her perky just-plain-folks act to the nauseating end in yesterday's debate, Dana Milbank grumbles in the Washington Post. It promised to be "long night" when Palin, "wearing a glittery flag pin, blew a kiss to the audience." But Palin "had no problem meeting exceptionally low expectations" at her "public IQ test," notes Milbank.
More »
Late-night host lays into GOP nominee

San Francisco Chronicle Oct 2, 08 8:40 AM CDT
(Newser)
-
David Letterman was not kind to the Republican vice presidential candidate last night—his Top 10 list focused on "Things Overheard at Sarah Palin Debate Camp." Among the highlights: "Any way we can just get Tina Fey to do it?" "Maybe we'll get lucky and there won't be any questions about Iraq, taxes or health care." "Let's practice your bewildered silence." Watch the full list or click the link below.
More »
Ex-beauty queen Michigan gov putting Biden through paces in practice debates

Wall Street Journal Oct 2, 08 7:03 AM CDT
(Newser)
-
The biggest challenge that awaits Joe Biden tonight is not to appear sexist and condescending when he faces off against the far less experienced Sarah Palin, reports the Wall Street Journal . Biden plans to avoid the pitfall by emphasizing issues rather than attacking his opponent, said aides. He's preparing for the showdown by debating Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm in practice sessions.
More »
opinion

Christian Science Monitor Oct 1, 08 8:40 PM CDT
(Newser)
-
Joe Biden will trump Sarah Palin tomorrow night with facts, analysis, and a senatorial track record that leaves her looking green. In other words, he doesn't stand a chance. Take it from Andrew Halcro, a former Alaska state rep who debated Palin dozens of times. "She's a master, not of facts, figures, or insightful policy recommendations, but at the fine art of the nonanswer, the glittering generality," he writes in the Christian Science Monitor .
More »
ANALYSIS
Exuberant speaking style, experience could turn into liabilities at debate

New York Times Oct 1, 08 11:34 AM CDT
(Newser)
-
Joe Biden is a skilled and captivating speaker but his inability to stop speaking at the right time could turn debate victory into defeat, Katherine Q. Seelye warns in the New York Times. Biden's "gusto and exuberance" could make him seem to be bullying Sarah Palin if he's not careful, and his bluntness could spawn a headline-making gaffe, Seelye writes.
More »
ANALYSIS
GOP running mate seeks relaunch after disastrous interview

New York Times Sep 30, 08 7:33 AM CDT
(Newser)
-
Things don't look good for Sarah Palin: her popularity is slipping, conservative columnists are turning on her, and in two days she faces Joe Biden in a debate she is widely expected to lose. After her roundly derided interview with Katie Couric, Palin has been awake into the wee hours cramming for the debate, reports the New York Times , and yesterday she arrived at John McCain's ranch in Sedona for intensive preparation.
More »
Wisc. woman asked him to keep mum, but calls criticism 'garbage'

Associated Press Sep 29, 08 11:27 AM CDT
(Newser)
-
Tracy Jopek says she was “ecstatic” when Barack Obama mentioned her late son in Friday’s debate, even though she’d once asked him not to. But she’s enraged at online critics who accused Obama of exploiting the bracelet she gave him. “I don’t understand how people can take that and turn it into some garbage on the Internet,” Sgt. Ryan Jopek's mom told the AP.
More »
Foreign experience? She tells Russians who stray into Alaska to 'shoo'
Comedy Centric Sep 28, 08 9:12 AM CDT
(Newser)
-
Comedian Tina Fey skewered Sarah Palin in a command reprise performance on Saturday Night Live last night. This time, Fey parodied the candidate's foibles during her interview with Katie Couric, reports Comedy Centric. In the opening sketch, Fey, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Palin, is stumped by a question from Amy Poehler’s Couric and asks “to use one of my lifelines—I’d like to phone a friend,” she says.
More »
'Showdown' could
switch to town hall
meet if only Obama turns up today

Wall Street Journal Sep 26, 08 2:01 AM CDT
(Newser)
-
What if they held a presidential debate and only one candidate came? The scenario is looking like a real possibility as the federal bailout deal stalls, the Wall Street Journal reports. John McCain has said he will fly to Mississippi for the debate only if an agreement is reached in Washington this morning, while Barack Obama has made it plain he will show up regardless of the status of the rescue package.
More »
OPINION
Looking executive can benefit candidate far more than lip-flapping debate: Kristol

Weekly Standard Sep 25, 08 2:56 PM CDT
(Newser)
-
Senators and presidents have very different jobs—one debates and compromises, the other decides and acts. By suspending his campaign and heading to Washington, John McCain proves he’s a man of action, William Kristol writes in the Weekly Standard . The bold move might win over voters looking for the more “presidential” and less “senatorial” candidate—and it’s certainly more important than an overrated debate.
More »