Joe Biden must walk a fine line facing Sarah Palin

By Thomas Ferraro - Analysis

VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia (Reuters) - Joe Biden has a woman problem. Her name is Sarah Palin.

Whether on the campaign trail or in their October 2 debate, the Democrats' candidate for vice president must walk a fine line between attacking Palin, his Republican rival, and chasing away women voters.

"Joe Biden has to be careful, and he knows it," an aide said.

It's a special challenge for Biden, a seasoned debater and a respected voice on foreign policy who has built a reputation in the rough-and-tumble of U.S. politics for displaying both charm and aggression.

As Democrat Barack Obama's running mate, Biden has drawn cheers and laughter at campaign stops ripping into John McCain, the Republican Arizona senator running for president with Palin, Alaska's governor.

For 35 years a Delaware senator, Biden, 65, has prefaced his cutting remarks with "my good friend, John."

He speaks softly of Palin, 44, knowing there could be a backlash from women if he doesn't temper his bark and bite in dealing with the first-term governor who is also the first woman on a national Republican ticket.

Fielding questions from a campaign crowd of several hundred people in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on Thursday, Biden was asked by a woman if he would debate Palin as if she were a man.

"I don't engage in personal attacks," Biden said. "I will take issue with her ideas."

ATTACK DOG

Academics say that's a wise approach.

Paul Light of New York University's Center for the Study of Congress said: "He can't attack her. He should attack McCain -- and make Palin defend McCain."

"Biden must show he's more prepared to be vice president without appearing to belittle her age or gender," said Shirley Anne Warshaw, a presidential scholar at Gettysburg College. "You don't want him saying, 'Now honey.'"

In a speech to the Republican National Convention on Wednesday, the former high school basketball star, beauty queen, TV sportscaster, small-town mayor and self-described "hockey mom," came out swinging against Biden and his running mate, Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, as well as the news media.

"I've learned quickly, these past few days, that if you're not a member in good standing of the Washington elite, then some in the media consider a candidate unqualified," Palin told cheering Republicans.