Sunday Shows For Sept. 7

Fox News Sunday: Obama adviser Axelrod pushed back against Palin, stressing her novelty. Called her "basically an unknown" and said so far she's only "read a couple of speeches." Said much is to be learned about Troopergate, her stance toward the "bridge to nowhere" and her use of lobbyists. Suggested McCain folded to GOP leadership by not choosing Lieberman. Insisted McCain did not predict the full success of the surge, saying "there was some serendipity involved," and predicted Obama wins in Michigan and Pennsylvania.

McCain campaign manager Davis sparred with Chris Wallace over Palin's involvement with earmarks in Alaska. Brushed off concern about Palin agreeing to interviews, suggesting she hasn't been shown respect so far and saying "we run our campaign, not the news media. We'll do things on our timetable." Said his quote about the campaign not being about issues is being misinterpreted, and claimed Obama is having trouble in Colorado despite staging his convention there.

This Week: Obama refused to say if Palin is qualified for VP, saying he's not interested in "a résumé contest." Defended his community organizer years, calling attacks on the job "puzzling." Said he once considered joining the military in Hawaii, and said he would cross his party on charter schools and teacher merit pay, military spending, and health care tort reform. Conceded he was "probably" too flip with Rick Warren when he said defining the beginning of life was above his pay grade.

Face the Nation: McCain insisted Palin's popularity and record of reform qualify her for the VP post, said "the electricity has been incredible" since she joined the ticket. Said Obama's community organizing was "honorable," though claimed Obama hasn't fought his own party on any major issues. Explained that his comment about the economy being "fundamentally sound" was due to confidence in Americans. Said at least one Democrat would serve in his cabinet, and would ask his secretaries to work for one dollar a year. Said the slim racial diversity at the RNC disappointed but didn't surprise him. Was McCain's 65th appearance on "Face the Nation," more than anyone else.

Obama campaign response: "The idea that John McCain represents change in Washington is... laughable." Read full statement.

Meet the Press: Sen. Biden said debating Gov. Palin won't be anything new, as he has debated many "tough, smart women," and said it's "demeaning" to assume women would support her. Also said both parties got post-convention bounces, and the race is now the same place it was earlier. Said whether the surge worked is "almost irrelevant now." Insisted he is not beholden to Delaware's financial interests, saying he is 98th or 99th in wealth in the Senate, and called McCain's change message "malarkey."

Late Edition: Sens. Kyl, Boxer, Hutchison, Gov. Kaine, Obama adviser Gibbs