Well, I am a little bit tipsy and limping as I anxiously await for the debate. I look at it as a young maverick student pitting against an old experienced teacher. But who knows what could happen.
I personally have experienced, when I still was teaching graduate students in the Philippines, that I cannot just underestimate my students. Some are so resourceful and smart that they oftentimes have fresh and new ways at looking at issues. I also personally experienced challenging my economic teacher, during my baccalaureate years, on macro-economic issues. Highly experienced individuals are still human beings, who have limited brain capacity; therefore still have the tendency to forget things.
Anyways, let me give an unsolicited advice to Ms. Palin, because she is definitely the underdog in tomorrow's debate.
Don't Plagiarize! Always give credit where it is due. Everybody knows that you are the "real outsider" of Washington DC. Definitely, you would be quoting somebody else's work, program, or words. Remember that plagiarism was one of the reasons why your rival, Sen. Joe Biden, was forced out in the 1988 Presidential race. He failed to acknowledge that some of the words he used in his speeches were taken from those of Neil Kinnock and Robert Kennedy, well-known British Labour Party leaders.
Abstain from pageantry comments. Consider yourself as a stateswoman, representing the entire USA. Talk briefly on your experience in the grassroot's level and elevate your talk, as early as possible, to the national or international issues. Remember, you only have 2 minutes to respond to Sen. Biden's comment.
Be Yourself! A regular "hockey mom" and a maverick leader of the Last Frontier, the 49th state of USA, less knowledgeable on international issues, but highly knowledgeable on how the issue has been affecting the lives of ordinary Americans.
Identifying yourself with the masses, not only with women, would help you win the sympathy (and the vote). Well, like Sen. John McCain, you would be aligned with the current administration. Always remember that it's because you are the flag-bearer of the Republicans. Nevertheless, every Republicans have his/her own way of thinking as a citizen of the country. You don't have to embrace fully (and take the blame, because you are a Republican) of unsuccessful programs. Therefore, it's alright for you to share your differing thoughts on the present undesirable government programs.
Enjoy! Put your best foot forward! Put the audience at ease. We need a rose at the White House, who is fresh, pretty, and yet thorny.
