'Sexist' Boobytrap Awaits Biden Tonight

Ex-beauty queen Michigan gov putting Biden through paces in practice debates
By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 2, 2008 7:03 AM CDT
'Sexist' Boobytrap Awaits Biden Tonight
Joe Biden leaves the Capitol after voting for legislation intended to stave off economic crisis Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008 on Capitol Hill in Washington.    (AP Photo/Lauren Victoria Burke)

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.

Granholm, like Palin, is a one-time beauty queen and sports mom. "I want to beat him up a little, so he does well," Granholm told reporters. Biden has shrugged off warnings about appearing sexist. "The only people who think debating a woman is going to be fundamentally different are people who don't hang around with smart women," he said.
(More Joe Biden stories.)

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