Must See V.P.

Going into tonight's debate, here's what we know.

-- Biden can't win. It's a referendum on Palin. Period. That said, is there any way for her to turn her image around? Sure, she's had a bad couple weeks. But today's WaPo/ABC News poll shows that while most voters say she's not prepared, her overall fav/unfav hasn't changed much since 9/4. Voters may be withholding judgment 'til they see her in action this p.m. with no media, uh, "censor."

-- Using "historical norms" to rate the debate's impact could be dangerous. Sure, past VP debates have had zero impact on the Nov. vote. But we've also never had a 72-year old WH nom pick a one-term gov as his running mate and then focus much of his campaign around her.

-- Also, it's the economy, folks. GOPers up and down the ticket have seen a steady drop in their numbers this week (just check out the latest polls in IN GOV). While a bailout (sorry, a "rescue") package won't erase the bad economic news, at least it would take Pres. Bush and Congress off the front page. This makes tonight even more important. If McCain wants to get back to his "maverick" message, he needs his VP to be seen as a credible messenger.