COMM 386: Palin to 'win' debate? You read it here first (well, not quite first).

I've been wondering about this since late last week when I noticed Barack Obama's campaign staff called GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin a a "teriffic debater" in spite of the negative publicity she's been getting lately.

It's standard practice to lower expectations ahead of a debate, I thought, but maybe there's something to it this time.

Now comes the The Los Angeles Times' political blog saying the Democrats are setting Palin up to win Thursday's debate with Democrat Joe Biden. Fair enough, although I think it's more the media who are lowering the expectations.

Best take on Palin's expectation game is by Susan Demas, a political analyst for Michigan Information & Research Service.

Demas' column has two money grafs. First:

Not that the McCain folks wanted Palin to sound as unprepared and ridiculous as she has in interviews and the one time in a month she's taken a couple questions from reporters. But in politics, you take what you've got and turn it into a positive. At this point, if Palin doesn't drool on stage, they'll claim victory.

And this:

The Obama campaign's attempts to paint her as a skilled debater have been greeted with chuckles. But Palin has been underestimated in debates in Alaska and won.

Why? Lowered expectations. No one expects her to know as much as Biden. But traditional debates favor talking points, which Palin can memorize, and attacks, which she lands with glee. America might just love the comely mom of five telling off the blowhard senator. Stick it to the man, Sarah!

Stranger things have happened in politics.