News-Record.com

The News & Record's Voterspeak panel members have a few questions for the vice presidential candidates.

The question: Now you get to play Jim Lehrer. Or, more accurately, Gwen Ifill, moderator of the vice presidential debate Thursday at George Washington University in St. Louis .

In this debate, you have one question for each vice presidential candidate. What do you most want to know about Alaska Gov. Sarah Palinʼs policies, stances, personality or political goals? How about Delaware Senator Joe Biden?

And Voterspeak says:

Jeff Bartolet, 38, Republican: I would ask Palin to explain why she fired the public safety commissioner in Alaska and for Biden to cite the sources he used to defend his pro-abortion stance despite being Catholic.

Phyllis Davis, 64, Republican: For Senator Biden, I would ask if he thinks his health and his ability to "Put his foot in his mouth" might impede his ability to serve effectively as Vice President or President.

For Governor Sarah Palin, I would ask her to assure us that she will remain steadfast in her stand on abortion, the second amendment and to continue to impress upon the American People her ability to serve as Vice President or President both domestically and on matters of foreign affairs.

Trevor Hamm, 25, Democrat: Sarah Palin – What was the last book you read that significantly impacted your perspective on political office/public service. How did it influence you?

Joe Biden – After being in Congress for so many years, what past political mistakes or miscalculations have changed the way you go about your decision-making process today?

Mike Kelly, 60, Republican:
Biden: After being a major player in politics as usual for three decades there truly is no credible reason for you to be on the Democratic ticket. Why would anyone believe that you can contribute anything to Obama's grand plans for change ?

Palin: What in the hell were you thinking ? Certainly you could not have been prepared for the media feeding frenzy subsequent to McCain having chosen you as his running mate. Washington is not Juneau, you know. How has this changed the way in which you perceive politics in general and yourself in particular?

Marlene Costa Nielsen, 67, Democrat: What is your reaction to conservative columnist Kathleen Parker's asking you to resign from the Republican Ticket for the good of the country?

Kate Peeples, 27, unaffiliated: Like most people following these two candidates, I have a lot of personal questions for Sarah Palin. But, mainly because Joe Biden has given more than a hundred interviews to date as a vice presidential candidate to Palin's three, I don't have personal questions for him. So, in fairness, I'm sticking with a single policy-related question. Both Democrats and Republicans failed on Monday to ensure passage of the Wall Street bailout bill. For both Sen. Biden and Gov. Palin, what is your position on the Wall Street bailout efforts, and what needs to be done by your party colleagues in the House's next session on Thursday to ensure that Monday's failure doesn't happen a second time?

Deonna Kelli Sayed, 34, Democrat: If I had the opportunity to kick back with Palin or Biden, here's what I'd ask:

Sen. Biden, are you prepared to be second fiddle to a man with little experience compared to yours? Are you able to deal with Obama's potentially successful bid for Presidency while your own never succeeded? How will the dynamics work between what you bring to the ticket (experience) versus Obama's strengths (vision and personality)?

Gov. Palin, why do you feel you deserve to be Vice President? Why do you want this job? For love of country or for party ideology? What leadership can you provide that more seasoned politicians (Mitt Romney, for example) can't?

Mike Sigmon, 61, Republican: For Governor Palin---Explain how your experience as Chief Executive of the state of Alaska has prepared you to be Vice President.

For Senator Biden—How do you reconcile your 29 years as a U.S. Senator (with your party in the majority most of those years) with running on a platform of “Change?” (Please don’t tell me it’s because you take the train home to Delaware each night)

Ruth Mary Weston, 54, Democrat:
Palin:
I agree that lots needs to be changed in governement. A maverick attitude is encouraging because it implies new ways of thinking. On the other hand, our founders thought carefully and made government slow to react so that it couldn't be turned quickly against individuals or opponenets. Where do you see the balance between these two concerns?

Biden:
The Wall Street bailout has shown that Americans from all viewpoints do agree on some principles. You seem both practical and creative. How can citizens best influence politicians to reach the goals we do agree on?