Should President Obama debate Sarah Palin?
After Team Obama attacks the Alaskan political star in a fundraising video, she challenges him to square off with her "anytime, anywhere"

Sarah Palin, via her Facebook page, has challenged President Obama to a debate — "anytime, anywhere." That offer comes after the Obama campaign posted a fundraising video online accusing the former Republican vice presidential candidate of race-baiting by criticizing Obama's relationship with Harvard's first black law professor, Derrick Bell. (Watch the video below.) An Obama campaign official, asked about the video, said that highlighting "extreme statements from prominent Republicans" is a good way to motivate Obama's supporters. Palin said it just shows Obama wants to avoid discussing real issues, such as the economy and gas prices. Should Obama really get involved in a back-and-forth with Palin?
If Obama's going to attack Palin, he should debate her: The president is using his PR machine to "demonize" a private citizen, says John Hayward at Human Events. The least he can do now is accept "her gracious extension of an offer to repeat this garbage to her face." If he thinks he'd "mop the floor with her," he's got nothing to lose — after all, debating Palin would "diminish" Obama's real opponents, right? But of course, Obama won't do it. Too bad, because Palin would make him answer for the way his deficit spending is killing the economy.
"Why not challenge Palin to a debate, Mr. Obama?"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Palin is playing right into Obama's hands: Palin is giving Obama an election year gift, says Charles Johnson at Little Green Footballs. First, she helped him showcase GOP extremism with her "ugly race-baiting comments that Obama wants to 'bring us back to the days before the Civil War.'" And with her Facebook challenge, she has "doubled down on her ridiculous attacks." The "Critical Race Theory" the late Prof. Bell espoused says the white establishment responds to "African American achievement with racist attacks against the achievers." Palin is proving Bell was right.
"Sarah Palin doubles down on race-baiting"
Obama has already won the debate: Obama is not going to debate Palin, says Taylor Marsh at her blog. He doesn't have to. His ad and Palin's response have already exposed the attempts by Palin, her pal Sean Hannity at Fox News, and other "right wing smear merchants" to malign President Obama. This despicable crew is using racist dog-whistles to motivate the "gullible, uninformed, and bigoted," and Palin's "squealing" only "proves Obama re-elect hit the mark."
"Obama campaign calls out Sarah Palin & Right for race baiting in web ad"
Take a look at the campaign video that provoked Palin's challenge:
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Is Israel annexing Gaza?
Today's Big Question Israeli army prepares a major ground offensive and is said to have plans to 'fully occupy the territory'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Twitter: Breaking the Bird – a 'riveting' documentary
The Week Recommends BBC2's 'fascinating' film charts the social media platform's fall from grace
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
Detentions and hostile treatment: is it safe to visit the US?
The Explainer Spate of interrogations and deportations at US border sparking decline in overseas visitors
By The Week UK Published
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?
In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
By The Week Staff Published
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?
Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?
Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Democrats vs. Republicans: who are the billionaires backing?
The Explainer Younger tech titans join 'boys' club throwing money and support' behind President Trump, while older plutocrats quietly rebuke new administration
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
By The Week UK Published
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published