Considering the instability of the U.S. and global economic systems right now and what appears to be building aggressions by rivals abroad, more than ever the VP position is being held to a higher standard as voters try to get a handle on which candidate will do the best job once they are elected to office.

For Sarah Palin, convincing voters that she’s prepared will be as easy for some, as it will be difficult for others. With the “Palin bubble” wearing off since the Republican National Convention last month it was only a matter of time before critics and those uncertain of her qualifications began digging for more substance from her candidacy.

Considering how cloistered Palin has been since the RNC that hasn’t been easy to do. But many have alluded that the advantage to keeping Palin behind locked doors has probably hurt the campaign as much as it has helped, not to mention the diservice it does to voters who have a right to know where she stands on important issues. And many are lampooning what is being touted as “debate rigging” by the Republican ticket, making the debate more palitable to the inexperienced Palin.

For Joe Biden the upcoming debate likely appears a mine field just waiting for one wrong move. Known for putting his own foot in his mouth on numerous occassions, this debate will be especially significant. All he really needs to do is show he can get through the ordeal without any major gaffes, but it may not be easy. Palin is known to have shown some debate skills that, while not sound intellectually, are perfect for a campaign trying to avoid the real issues and just wanting to “look like” a good choice.

No matter how the debates go tomorrow, however, one thing still seems quite clear – though it is painfully obvious to intellectuals and pundits alike that Sarah Palin is not at all prepared, nor qualified to hold the 2nd most significant position in U.S. government, her lack of qualification will likely not have much bearing on the outcome of this election.

Repeatedly I see comments on political websites indicating huge opposition to the Palin candidacy; not just from Democrats and liberals but conservatives as well. One would think that such an outpouring would translate into less support for the Republican ticket, but the numbers that McCain has lost have only been marginal. McCain has recently lost significant numbers in stronghold states he held all summer, but those losses appear to be the result of the economic crisis, not the fact that Palin appears to be wildly unfit for the job.

So the question becomes, how in today’s political climate does a candidate debate against “cute and cuddly, but woefully unfit”? Added to the mix is Palin’s gender. Obviously it is an issue that isn’t suppose to be discussed, unless of course one wants to cry foul because someone discriminated. But the reality is, just how far can Biden go to push the painfully obvious fact that Palin has been asleep in terms of national and international affairs and only now shows lip service because of her pending promotion?

If he pushes her too much on intellectual matters he may risk voter rath for trying to talk “down” to her. If he isn’t strong enough, she will use her cute and cuddly ways to charm voters into believing she is really a viable candidate. In such a fickle environment, with crisis looming, the nation cannot afford to be soft on these issues, but not being so could risk the election.

A difficult dilemma has befallen Joe Biden, one I’m sure he’s not experienced yet in his lifetime. How this all plays out in the next week will likely be as entertaining as it is painful. One can only hope that in the end, the political system designed by smart, intelligent, forethinking men of the past, will keep our future safe; but I wonder if even that is enough in a world that has allowed a once-venerated war hero to so openly thumb his nose at voters and say “NaNa, what are you gonna do now?” What a sad day for American politics and the political system that once held the world in awe.

But here’s the bottom line – Palin has the uncanny ability of “political presence” not seen before in these elections. Sure Ronald Reagan had that, but he also had sound responses to significant issues. This will likely be the first time ever that a candidate has come to the national stage with nothing more than a “swim suit and a smile” and enthralled voters nationwide with her whitty nothingness. Yes, now I’m truly saddened. How about you?