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In golf, a handicap creates a level playing field, so players of unequal ability can play at the same course on equal footing, making the match fairer. So the same methodology is being used by McCain, who is not sure that the VP debate will go in their favor. If you can’t debate on a level playing field handicap it in your favor.

At the insistence of the McCain campaign, the Oct. 2 debate between the Republican nominee for vice president, Gov. Sarah Palin, and her Democratic rival, Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr., will have shorter question-and-answer segments than those for the presidential nominees, the advisers said. There will also be much less opportunity for free-wheeling, direct exchanges between the running mates. McCain advisers said they had been concerned that a loose format could leave Ms. Palin, a relatively inexperienced debater, at a disadvantage and largely on the defensive.

The Commission on Presidential Debates, which is non-partisan, came to a decision Saturday.

A commission member said that the new agreement on the vice-presidential debate; calls for shorter blocks of candidate statements and open discussion than at the presidential debates. McCain advisers said they were only somewhat concerned about Ms. Palin’s debating skills compared with those of Mr. Biden, who has served six terms in the Senate, or about his chances of tripping her up. Instead, they say, they wanted Ms. Palin to have opportunities to present Mr. McCain’s positions, rather than spending time talking about her experience or playing defense.

I am so stunned over this one. With McCain demanding these restrictions–he is basically saying–Palin doesn’t have a chance under normal debating structure. Why should Biden have to compensate for Palin’s inadequacies on all the major issues? He won’t be given the opportunity to challenge her on McCain’s talking points. I’m amazed that the Obama campaign agreed to this one. But, they probably figure Biden will beat her so badly in this debate–it really doesn’t matter how many conditions they try to impose. It only makes the McCain/Palin ticket look even weaker than it did before…