(Jake Turcotte)

Can Sarah Palin survive in the age of YouTube?

By Jimmy Orr | 09.28.08

Back in 1994, a prominent Democratic attorney was running for Congress in the heart of gun country. Running as a Democrat in that landslide Republican year was perilous enough, but in Wyoming, it was nearly impossible.

The last Democrat to occupy the state’s sole seat in the House of Representative was 1978 when Teno Roncalio announced he was stepping aside — allowing a young swashbuckling 37-year old Republican to enter the race and eventually be elected to represent the Cowboy state. That Republican? Dick Cheney.

Needless to say, this was - and is - Republican country.

Back to 1994

When asked a question by a television reporter on the second amendment, the Democratic candidate had to be careful. He was without question pro-second amendment. A gun-owner himself, he had no qualms with gun ownership.

New to the game of politics and not entirely happy with his initial answer to a question, the candidate waved to the camera and asked to start again. The reporter did not oblige and the awkward moment was saved on tape.

The TV station decided to air the entire incident unedited and the candidate had to grin and bear it. Two times. At 5:30 and 10pm.

Those were innocent days.

YouTube

Enter YouTube. Like Google, YouTube has become a verb. Miss a great play in the football game? YouTube it. Want to see the video of that new song by perhaps the greatest band in rock ‘n roll? YouTube it. Want to see one of the most inspiring moments in television history? YouTube it.

Now in the era of YouTube, not only can you be inspired or enjoy a great laugh, you can be skewered as well. A gaffe is not only available to everyone but can be embedded in news stories, blogs, individual websites — wherever. Campaigns and their tentacled organizations gleefully email the video to their supporters and to the media in hopes of getting more airplay.

YouTube is the third most visited site on the Internet behind only Yahoo! and Google. Its rise to prominence has been meteoric. It wasn’t even around in the days of the last presidential election as it was launched in February 2005.

Reader comments

One only has to look at comments following a campaign news story to highlight the civility - or complete lack of civility - between those on opposing sides. Post a video, like Sarah Palin’s unfortunate conversation with CBS News anchor Katie Couric and the reactions are unseemly. Some would argue hurtful, mean-spirited and cruel.

Would these people spewing the harsher comments - on both sides of the aisle - say the same thing if they were being interviewed by CNN? Undoubtedly some would - boasting of their transparency and bravado.

But it could be argued that most would not - as the cloak of anonymity lets one reveal a side of themselves that perhaps they wouldn’t want their neighbors or their children to see.

If ya’ can’t stand the heat…

Regardless, many will defend the explosive comments saying we should expect more of our leaders. If they can’t speak clearly on the issues, then they shouldn’t be there.

Out of her league

At least one conservative columnist agrees. It’s time for the Alaska phenom to head back up north says Kathleen Parker, a writer who appears occasionally on the O’Reilly Factor. In a column written last week at the National Review, Parker says after watching the Gibson, Hannity and Couric interviews she comes to the conclusion that Palin is “clearly out of her league.”

“No one hates saying that more than I do,” Parker writes. “Like so many women, I’ve been pulling for Palin, wishing her the best, hoping she will perform brilliantly. I’ve also noticed that I watch her interviews with the held breath of an anxious parent, my finger poised over the mute button in case it gets too painful. Unfortunately, it often does. My cringe reflex is exhausted. Palin filibusters. She repeats words, filling space with deadwood. Cut the verbiage and there’s not much content there.”

High School

Parker hardly stands alone. She is just one of a seeming endless supply of critics. Slate’s Christopher Beam offered a number of public speaking tips in case McCain campaign managers Rick Davis and Steve Schmidt happen to log-on. He offers a lot of advice in his column and Beam clearly thinks Palin needs it.

“[In] her latest face-to-face, with Katie Couric of CBS, she looked like a high-schooler trying to B.S. her way through a book report,” Beam writes.

First interview

The Palin interview with ABC News anchor was highly anticipated. And in comparison to last week, looks pretty good. If there was a controversy it was when she blanked when ABC News anchor Charlie Gibson asked her position on the Bush Doctrine.

“In what respect?” she said, appearing to ask for a clue to what that doctrine is. Gibson didn’t budge and offered, “What do you interpret it to be?”

“His worldview?” she asked.

Seeing this was going nowhere but still determined not to give it away, Gibson stated, “The Bush Doctrine, enunciated in September 2002, before the Iraq War.”

Then a whole lot of nothing before Gibson offered his understanding of what the Bush doctrine was.

Many in the media forgave this exchange as Gibson didn’t seem to know exactly what it was either. The Washington Post’s Howard Kurtz, for example, gave her some props for her presence alone.

“Even Palin’s critics should admit that, in terms of demeanor, she handled herself well for someone who three years ago was worried about the books in the Wasilla library. She projected confidence and was not openly rattled,” Kurtz wrote.

Second interview

The second interview, to many, doesn’t count. Fox News commentator Sean Hannity might as well have been wearing a red, white and blue oversized cowboy hat with a “Drill, Baby Drill!” t-shirt. She was in pretty friendly confines.

Interview number three

This interview has undoubtedly created the biggest stir and led Parker to issue her plea for Palin to bow out. The two excerpts most often discussed are the clips in which Palin is asked to provide examples of John McCain being pro-regulation in context of the U.S. credit crisis and why her proximity to Russia emboldens her foreign policy credentials.

The answer to the first question, “I’ll get back to ya.”

As for the exchange on Russia, perhaps Palin should have used the same answer. It is a painful conversation:

COURIC: You’ve cited Alaska’s proximity to Russia as part of your foreign policy experience. What did you mean by that?

PALIN: That Alaska has a very narrow maritime border between a foreign country, Russia, and on our other side, the land– boundary that we have with– Canada. It– it’s funny that a comment like that was– kind of made to– cari– I don’t know, you know? Reporters–

COURIC: Mock?

PALIN: Yeah, mocked, I guess that’s the word, yeah.

COURIC: Explain to me why that enhances your foreign policy credentials.

PALIN: Well, it certainly does because our– our next door neighbors are foreign countries. They’re in the state that I am the executive of. And there in Russia–

COURIC: Have you ever been involved with any negotiations, for example, with the Russians?

PALIN: We have trade missions back and forth. We– we do– it’s very important when you consider even national security issues with Russia as Putin rears his head and comes into the air space of the United States of America, where– where do they go? It’s Alaska. It’s just right over the border. It is– from Alaska that we send those out to make sure that an eye is being kept on this very powerful nation, Russia, because they are right there. They are right next to– to our state.

Spin? Impossible…

Not even some conservative announcers on the conservative network could spin this conversation. FOX News commentator Bernard Goldberg, when interviewed on FOX, couldn’t even bash Couric.

“It was a legitimate interview,” Goldberg began. “She [Palin] doesn’t install confidence when she answers a question like that. She just doesn’t install confidence.”

Goldberg said part of the reason is that she’s a newbie on the national stage which is admittedly difficult. He said that although he believes the media has been too easy on gaffe-prone Joe Biden, he couldn’t give Palin a free pass.

“I just want to be clear,” he said. “I don’t think she is doing herself any favors with these interviews. She’s not doing all that well. ”

As for Parker’s “she’s out of her league” comment?

“I hate to say it, but she may be right,” Goldberg said.

The sun will come out tomorrow

Filling the role of “the glass half full” strategist, GOP operative Todd Harris isn’t as gloomy as others. He emails The Vote:

“I think expectations for Palin will be so low on Thursday that it will be difficult for her not to meet them,” Harris said. “And debate performances are not graded in a vacuum. It’s not just how she does, but also how Biden does and how he acts towards her, that makes for the ultimate grade. She could stumble through the entire evening, but if Biden talks down to her, the debate will be a draw.”

Biggest fear

One thing is for certain, Harris wasn’t spinning when he said expectations are low.

But, if the two biggest fears people have, in order, are death and public speaking, with the spread of YouTube, one wonders if public speaking hasn’t just graduated to number one.

<< Obama: Big winner in debate says new poll | Main

Comments

1. erik | 09.28.08

Wow, I must have missed that day in class where they taught you to perform so badly that no one will expect anything of substance from you. Then all you have to do is provide something that isn’t a failure and your on the road to success, simple as that….. Ahhhhhh the American dream truly has been formulated from the lowest common denominator. Palin is a gimmick, anybody whoever said different just got caught up in the hype. What is scary is she got elected as Gov. of Alaska… But that’s Alaska, hence the lowest common denominator comment…. sorry but the truth

2. krw | 09.28.08

Firstly, I detest the GOP and how they slice and dice the voting populace, using wedge politics that appeal to the worst instincts in all of us(while profiting all the way). I also detest the tactics of the Dems, presenting Obama as some sort of psuedo savior to black people(not African-Americans, sorry I grew up in the 1970’s black and I’m still black; enough with the hyphenated Americans)and the rest of the nation. It’s clear who Barack really represents…follow the money! It’s ludicrous to think that you can go from the State Senate to the White House in less than five years and be “qualified” Barack I know Jesus, he’s a friend of mine, and Senator, you’re no Jesus Christ! Now, Sarah Palin’s candidancy is beyond cynical, it’s the GOP ridiculing ALL women. To present her a viable candidate for VP is a disgusting display of the utter contempt McCain and the GOP have not only for women and the nation, but Sarah Palin as well…she does not deserve to be treated like this, no one does! The GOP knows she’s not ready. This from Mr. Country First! Pack it in John, take a nap and dream about your former glory days…it’s over! Barack Obama will bring socialism to the U.S., that’s all he knows. Why is this race so close anyway…RACISM!

3. krw | 09.28.08

(cont’d.) The nation is in two unpopular wars,the economy has been “looted” by de-regulation (thanks to McCain and his ilk),we are hated worldwide, graduating illiterates,cities crumbling,kids addicted to FDA approved behavioral modification drugs,eco-systems polluted,traumatized by 9-11 (thanks GOP for triggering that again)…this should be a “slam-dunk” for the Dems,so why is it so close? RACISM is so deeply ingrained in the American psyche most cannot see beyond skin color (blacks included). The only way Barack or anyone of color has a chance is for the opposition to be so inadequate that they almost leave the voters no choice. Stay tuned as we are witnessing a massive restructuring of society. Like it or not, America is getting darker and the contollers of this nation have got to get some color in the White House. This is not about “change”, or even about us..it’s about the same “OWNERS” of the country manipulating us once again…when will we wake up? Can you hear the laughter in the private clubs and palatial estates? BTW they’re about to give $700 billion of your children’s money away, without even asking you to vote on it? Your social security is next…enjoy the show while they continue to rape us without using a condom.

4. RP | 09.28.08

I don’t understand why people insist on labeling Barack Obama as a socialist. It is so ridiculous. Socialism will never exist in the US, everyone came here because of capitalism…so why would it change? I’m tired of the scare tactics and lack of a real discussion of the issues. Vote whichever way suits you, but don’t insult this great country and the genius of its founding fathers in dividing power.

5. df | 09.28.08

bear in mind that Obama’s relevant experience goes way back before he entered office - in law school he worked as a research assistant for Prof. Lawrence Tribe, a Constitutional Law scholar who’s argued more cases before the Supreme Court than any other lawyer in American history — Obama is a serious intellectual who actually thinks through the issues.

6. Bambi | 09.28.08

I can sympathize with Palin. I used to have a job where I had to xerox reams and reams of documents for exams and class handouts. If I put the pages in the wrong order or left a page out, my mistake would get duplicated fifty or a hundred times.

What helped me in this job, though, was that I knew how to count and read english, so I at least had an idea of how the documents were supposed to look. If I didn’t have this background knowledge, I’d just print the documents out any old way and hope for the best. That’s what Palin seems to be doing giving these interviews without having any clue about the subject matter she’s discussing.

7. lola winter | 09.28.08

Senator McCain’s selection of Sarah Palin has caused me to lose all the respect I had for him in the past. Obviously it was a tactic to energize the party base and appeal to women but I think he miscalculated the degree of female intelligence. While we certainly can admire all Sarah Palin has done in the past, we also realize that she is very much out of her depth in her position as a candidate for the VP of this great country and it causes me, along with countless others of my sex, great anxiety that she could be one heart beat away from the presidency of the US. I say shame on McCain. You would jeapordize the welfare of this country to try to get yourself elected.

8. Karl | 09.28.08

Most Americans have no clue what socialism is, they are fed myths from birth about greed, individulism, self-serving me-me.

Any mention about serving [All] Americans with… say health care is put down as Socialism… a word made bad by greedy corporate parasites who make money off the backs of the people.

Trillions$ is wasted in illegal wars etc, wars the US will Never win, no problem there eh! taxes pay for such waste.

Brainwashed and fed tripe all their lives, most Americans heads are full of ground beef! that’s [regular] ground beef ok?

No problem with Socialism or Communism when it suits the coporate/bank brainwashing machine? [Communist] China owns vast chunks of the USA vast money is lent to pay the US to keep it afloat till [Communist] China passes the US in few years, Economic power~equals Military power. The US has long sold the rope that is used to hang them with! for a few cheap trinkets and goodies made in brutal, no-rights no-vote Communist China… the US sucks the big one everyday as their industries dissappear, their roads swamped with ***, Korean vehicles, motorbikes TVs Cameras engines [you name it] its not made in the USA.

War, machines of death, junk food and pornography are the US real exports.

Anyone with Half-a-Brain knows the US is on its way down… only since 1990 ? what? less than.. 20 years on top? One [Billion]-300 million in Communist China alone! just like the UK but not all the way… Great Britan ruled for hundreds of years, created the Industrial revolution and created the USA.

USA? Your going down, your going down… and dont you ever forget it OK?

9. Paul Stewart | 09.28.08

I think the right wing is out of ammunition. And they are sitting on a toxic waste moose hunting time bomb. The fun is just beginning. Now, you will see more of the extreme generic idiocy of the right. Obama is pretending to be Jesus (right, in your dreams), Obama is a socialist or a Marxist (right, where did that come from - have you seen his books, heard his views?) Obama is a Muslim, a black, a religious freak related to Reverend Wright, naive, elitist, etc etc.. All that has been tried and it works for the remaining right wingers who will vote McCain regardless of how foolish that is. You know, the people with money, with power, who want to hang on to it. The *** types, etc.. I feel that now that people will be able to see Obama side by side with McCain and see how they look and how they present their points, they will see what I see, one one hand a mean mouthed, beady eyed, old white man, who can’t look a black man, or his perhaps even just his opponent, in the eye. A man who wants to condescend to his opponent, and lecture him on things he clearly already has a good grip and perhaps even a broader and better perspective on. A man that wants to believe the lies he has created on his “Lying with a Straight Face Express”. A man who will co-opt his opponents ideas and positions and who can’t see the forest for the trees, misunderstanding tactics and strategy. A man who is so wealthy that he can’t recall how many homes he has, who did not mention the middle class once, and seems to think the average American is a multinational company.

On the other hand, we see a man who is calm, smiling in the face of most of the criticism. A man who has great confidence in himself, and in his understanding of the issues and where he wants to strategically take America - back to the people. A man who can, in a widely viewed debate, confidently state he agrees with parts of what his opponent, who is treating him poorly and lying about him, is saying. He does this for example on the issue of torture, where McCain is obviously right. It takes a big man to do that and especially in the middle of a debate in an election. A man who has the experience and the ability to reach across the aisle, no make that across the divide in the political parties, across the racial divide (he has lived it), and across the cultural and physical borders (he has lived that too).

I think things are getting clearer. This going to be closer than it should be because of broken political morals. In the end, though, it will be a solid win for Obama. I think people should think hard about this, and make it a big win for Obama, to give him a mandate to implement a whole new set of morals in politics and to reinforce the United in the United States.

10. Justine | 09.28.08

I’m surprised that more people haven’t noticed that Palin needs a teleprompter in order to form coherent sentences. It’s shocking. Someone has even gone ahead and put together a Sarah Palin Quote Generator: http://moourl.com/u7pap

11. Robin Landseadel | 09.28.08

RP: “Socialism will never exist in the US, everyone came here because of capitalism…so why would it change?”

Ever hear of a little two-step called National Socialism? You probably are more familiar with the term ‘NAZI”, that’s how most people have heard of the concept. Socialism is what we have with the military-industrial complex and are about to go through with what used to be Wall Street. There’s been Socialism for the rich in the country for decades.

Prescott Bush, ‘W’s grandpa, was quite the Nazi enthusiast, by the way. Shoveled tons of other people’s money towards I.G. Farben the massive German corporation that brought us Auchwitz and Zyklon B. Quite the family legacy there.

12. Barrie O. Ward The Canadian Geezer | 09.28.08

Ms. Palin can no doubt survive but one must seriously consider what sort of sleazy right wing henchmen would be directing her and all American policy should OLD JOHN find out he has just a short time to complete his “Bucket List” ….. One involuntarily shudders to think of how a democracy can be put at the risk of being so totally subverted by men (predominantly) of no moral conscience.

In the past eight years we have observed how the likes of Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rove and the like have virtually led America into an Abyss of Dismal Disasters by pushing the second rate intellect of George Bush into schemes he was completely incompetent to cope with …. and now the same possible scenario rears it’s ugly medusa like head again …

Good luck America - You are going to need it if the Republican ticket od McCain/Palin takes the White House!

13. Barrie O. Ward The Canadian Geezer | 09.28.08

Good luck America - You are going to need it if the Republican ticket of McCain/Palin takes the White House!

14. l wallick | 09.28.08

No; I don’t think so. She can run but she cannot hide. Same goes for her patronizing and churlish sidekick.

Watching Mc Cain debate reminded me of Premier Kruschev about 50 years ago, banging his shoe on the table and screaming “We will bury you!”

John is out of his time and Palin is out of her league, PERIOD.

15. listening_skills | 09.29.08

I think we who pay attention to the campaign trail should send John McCain a bill for the time we spend vetting Sarah Palin for him. What a crock!

16. SoulShine | 09.29.08

Now, how on earth can we possibly demand a world leader who is intelligent, well-educated, and articulate? Obama has an impressive background, not only in his academic education (Punahou, Columbia, Harvard), but also in his exposure to other countries, ethnicities, and cultures (Indonesia, multicultural Hawaii, and so forth). He would no doubt select an outstanding Cabinet who will advise him as necessary. I may not agree to all of his policies, but he would surely have to work with Congress in order to get things done, so there are checks and balances in the system.

McCain? Well, I’m not going to bash him, because I fall somewhere in the middle of his policies and that of Obama. But it was clear in the latest debate that McCain came off as a harried grandfather trying to convince us that Obama didn’t understand this or that, when he would have fared better had he explained his own policies clearly. And he wasn’t nearly as good an orator. Slightly disappointing, but he didn’t come off as an idiot like Palin.

Biden? I’ll reserve comment after watching the VP debate.

Palin? Yikes is all I can say. A product of mediocre education and little understanding cannot cut it when we’re asking her to help lead the country — with its very complex financial and foreign policy schemes. I want someone to be of the Harvard-Stanford caliber. If Condoleeza Rice had been running for VP, that might have been something to watch. Palin? Is this a joke? What could McCain and the GOP be thinking?

17. john m | 09.29.08

On Oct 2 of this year Sarah Palin and Joe Biden will square off in their only debate, they are both working hard to be ready and will do their best to show the american people who is the best person for the job of Vice President, and that one of them just might have to step into the shoes of the President if needed. How they need to deal with all of the positions and problems that hit a president everyday that he is in office

People and the experts have been saying that if Joe Biden talks down to the Ms Palin or is too harsh or even mean spirited to her, that he will come off as sexist and could even insult her because she’s a woman and must be respected and given more respect than others have ever had during these wonderful times that the country goes through every 4 years. It doesn’t seem to matter to the McCain people that all of the persons that have run for elected office must go through this and much worse. They have over the past 200 odd years put up with the blows from the press, their opponents, special interest groups, 927 groups and swiftboaters and more.

But that being said, at the debate all Joe Biden needs to do is answer all the question that are put to him and do his best, and as to Ms Palin, just let her talk and give her all the time she needs so that the people can see how she above all others needs to be one 72 year old heartbeat away from the oval office. I wish her all the best of luck on Thursday. If her past interviews are any example of how she’ll do in the debates then the people of American should be afraid, very afraid. Again, good luck Ms Palin.

18. YJE DEMOCRATS | 09.29.08

ATTENTION REPUBLICANS:
RE: SARAH PALIN

Obviously there has been a HUGE mistake…..

Palin’s Dribble, Weasel Wording, Mush-Mush, Asssss-Backwards speak Clearly demonstrates who carries the Down Syndrome trait in her family, because of this we (the democrats) will allow you to send her back to Wacky-silla without prejudice and select another candidate.

For this consideration the Republicans agree to sell Alaska to Russia (with Palin) and never mention the State of Alaska or her again.

The Democrats

19. Raphael | 09.29.08

Palin is a bit like Viagra. Certainly energises the base and works well for a bit. But not a long term solution !!

20. Raphael | 09.29.08

“Well, there is a danger in allowing to make sure that an eye is being kept on good old boy network that has been the Washington elite.” :):):)

21. Andrew | 09.29.08

Clearly some still buy into the fear that has been propagated about the US becoming socialist, even a National Socialist state, as one put it. What, did you just crawl out of the cave you hid in during the missile crisis 46 years ago? Socialism is dead. Doesn’t work. Look at China. Are they really a socialist state? They are not, they are a capitalist state, with a socialist label.

Because of this socialist label, they are able to pass laws quickly, and subject their citizens to what often equates to tyrannical rule (one child policy, re-education for Christians and other religious people, banning of free speech and protests).

I know the US will never go for this.

Socialized Heath Care? Maybe one day. We do have socialized…wait, excuse me…public education. But taking our rights away? I don’t think so.

Unless they pass some sort of Patriot Act because people are afraid, I don’t see socialism for the US around the corner.

22. John Anonymous | 09.29.08

People vote for president/VP based on the person and their character. This is what counts and here are some reminders:

McCain: philanderer, low IQ (graduated close to last in his class), horrible temper (simple things **** off this old man; can’t imagine that he will make decisions as president based on anger rather than rational thought; this reminds me of another hothead - the Big “W”), walking dead (will probably croak with the stress of being president)

Obama: incredible academic credentials (graduated from top American institutions), classy (has maintained this throughout campaign), a family man who has not cheated on wife as has McCain, and a great orator (provides the caliber needed on world stage, especially when US cachet has dropped so far after our wacko dimwit “W”).

Palin: even lower IQ than McCain (as if this is possible), completely out of her league and this has been proven multiple times with her interviews, led as mayor of a town of 7,000 and lives next to Russia (somehow she assumes this can provide leadership to deal with 300 million Americans, and other countries in the world), unable to even BS well when interviewed (this is a basic skill that all half-way decent politicians can do and she is not even close), and definitely does not have the presence to be on world stage (she would be mocked [yes that is the word Mrs. Palin]). She would get more attention as a bikini model than for what she says out of her mouth.

Biden: educated lawyer, tons of foreign policy experience, and can talk. yes, he makes gaffes, but there is a major difference between him and Palin in relation to gaffes: Biden has experience and credentials for world stage (and makes occasional gaffes); Palin is completely incompetent and this is reflected in her lack of any sense when she talks. It is one thing to stick your foot in your mouth (ala Biden), but another thing to not even know that there is a foot in your mouth — ala Palin.

Great leaders have character and live by principles…… that is what counts. The US needs to be competitive and is losing ground quickly to other countries; need a leader who can represent this country and bring back our cachet.

23. Ian | 09.29.08

Funny how the liberal media, this rag included manages to miss a skit’s worth of professional foot insertions by Obama’s next in line guy.

When the stock market crashed, Franklin Roosevelt got on the television and didn’t just talk about the princes of greed,” Biden told Katie Couric.

Or last summer Biden’s attempted to endear himself to an Indian American supporter by telling him that in Delaware, “you cannot go to a 7-Eleven or a Dunkin’ Donuts unless you have a slight Indian accent.

Or at the campaign fund raiser when he asked the wheelchair bound candidate Chuck Graham to “stand up so everyone can see you!” (in case you’ve been in a cave you can trip over it on YouTube yourself)

So until SNL and you, admit a professional politician like Joe Biden is a walking comedic skit, your unbiased views are showing. Follow Joe around for a day and I guarantee you’ll wonder why this guy has been re-elected, why he’s a VP candidate but not why he’s repeatedly dropped out of the Presidential race for the past twenty years. Hint: It’s the opposite of smart.

24. Please Help | 09.29.08

Boy oh boy, we are in trouble……..America is in trouble….
I have trying to ignore this controv… about Sara Palin for past few weeks, and hoping that it would go away, but after much reading the comments, it makes me curious again. After watching a minute and a half of the Katie Vs. Sarah interview, SH*T, is this the best of what McCain can comes up with…
America is in deep SH*T, pardon my French, but it’s the fact… America is too valuable to gamble with, and from the past months, all I see from Sen. McCain is GAMBLING with his campaign. Do Americans want a GAMBLER in the White House? The image of an honorable man is started to fade away slowly…
Also, from the debate, I don’t think I’ve ever heard Sen. McCain mention any plan for education at all. EDUCATION is a foundation of a strong country, is it not?

I am neither a Rep. or a Dem.
May the BEST man win (no Sarah Palin please)

25. Sherri | 09.29.08

One commenter asked why the media isn’t going after Joe Biden. The answer is pretty simple, really… Sarah Palin! Even SNL would be skitting some of Joe Biden’s gaffes if Palin’s weren’t so frequent and ludicrous. No one possessing the power of speech is immune from saying the wrong thing at the wrong time, but even the person who questioned the media’s lack of response to Biden said, ‘Follow Joe around for a day and I guarantee you’ll wonder why this guy has been re-elected’. A day? Is that how long it would take? Gov. Palin has proven she has so little understanding of basic economics and of national and/or world politics, that as long as she speaks on those topics, 10 minutes is all the time she needs to stock SNL with an arsenal of skit material.

One doesn’t treat a papercut before a gaping head wound. Unfortunately, and I feel great pain for Sarah, she has been placed by McCain in the role of the head wound It is an insult that ANY (democrat or republican) Presidential Candidate would place such an unqualified individual in the second in line for the presidency. If Palin is the best qualified Republican that McCain could find to fill that responsibility, he would have done the US and the GOP a greater, more patriotic, service by letting the democrats have the election. I can think of no national democratic politician less qualified to sit in the oval office, whether I like their politics or not. At least they understand ‘it’. Shame on you, John McCain for stating Sen. Obama doesn’t ‘get it’. The mote in your own back yard should be your first concern.

26. Paul T. | 09.29.08

Momma and Papa Palin should be very proud that their daughter Sara is about to save America from the Republicans.

27. H. Stone | 09.29.08

Couldn’t she blame it on decades of alcohol and cocaine?

Worked for that other guy…

28. LFforMcCain | 09.29.08

How about skits & articles and comedy sketches for the rest of us. . . where’s the skit making fun of the fact that Biden didn’t know who the president of the U.S. was during the great depression or that he thought television was invented at that time. . . or how about the fact that Obama doesn’t know the differenct between veteran’s day & memorial day. Obama made a speech honoring Memorial Day. Obama claimed that there were many fallen soldiers in the audience. What are they teaching liberals in Harvard? Apparently they don’t teach them the meaning of our most solemn national holiday. Memorial day is for remembering our dead servicemen. Veterans day is for all veterans including the living, the injured and those currently in battle. Far worse then Sarah Palin getting tripped up by liberal feminist Couric.

29. Caroline L. | 09.30.08

If the presence and acceptance of mediocre women in politics signal the long-awaited end of sexism, then Sarah Palin’s VP nomination is proof that sexism is dead!!!

30. WillinVa | 09.30.08

I know this is off-topic, but, really, Jimmy - AC/DC a great rock and roll band? Obviously your knowledge of rock and roll does not compare with your political wit and wisdom.

31. Sherri | 09.30.08

Yes, Katie Couric is genius at tripping up the people she interviews. She’s sly, deceptively kind and a HOCKEY MOM… just like Palin. Is it really too much to ask that the leader of the free world (or the second in command), be able to deal with difficult questions or stressful moments? I’d hate to see how she’d respond under REAL duress.

32. Doug S. | 09.30.08

Something I don’t quite understand is this perpetual discussion about Governor Palin’s international experience or lack thereof. Hasn’t anyone bothered to go to the State of Alaska’s webpage (http://www.gov.state.ak.us) and noticed that they have three “Sister States” (one each in China, Russia, & Taiwan) and that there are fourteen foreign consulates in Anchorage?

Does anyone really believe that all of those diplomats are ignoring the Governor? Or that she is ignoring them?

Given that she’s responsible for the renegotiated oil leases with the various multinational oil companies, she must have some experience. I really like the idea that Alaskans have no state sales tax, no income tax, and get checks for their share of the oil profits.

33. BREAKING NEWS: | 10.02.08

Breaking news

Palin teams claims debate points handicap. Palin camp now claims 5+ Debate points for the mentally disabled under [11CFR110– Sec.110.13]

Warning signs of ADHD:

1) Failure to listen to instructions:

-Couric: I’m just going to ask you one more time - not to belabor the point. Specific examples in his 26 years of pushing for more regulation.
-Palin: I’ll try to find you some and I’ll bring them to you.

2) Inability to organize oneself (Incoherent responses)

-Couric: What other Supreme Court decisions do you disagree with?
-Palin: Well, let’s see…..(you know the rest)

3) Leaving projects unfinished (Bridge To Nowhere)

4) Trouble paying attention to and responding to details
- Couric what publications she had read to stay informed and to understand the world?
- Palin- “I’ve read most of them, again with a great appreciation for the press, for the media,” Palin replied. Asked for examples, she said, “Um, all of them, any of them that have been in front of me all these years.”

5) Talking too much (blabbering, blathering ) Insert any answer 1 thru 4 here_____________.

34. Whoosy | 10.04.08

Personally, when I’ve watched Sarah Palin with Charles Gibson and Katie Couric, I was expecting another devious and cruel attack on Sarah Palin’s daughter. Bet Sarah Palin was worried about that as well.
But really, how come the Democrats and liberal media are overlookiing all of the times Obama has lied? Like, his name in Indonesia was Barry Soetoro and he was registered as Islamic in his school. And, if you query youtube for Obama 57 states, it brings up a little Islamic slip about the 57 Islamic states that he has visited, he obviously was not referring to the 50 United States. So, why is he lying about his childhood? Maybe he should be required to produce the Indonesian passport he traveled on in his visits to Pakistan where he learn so much about Sharia and Sunni muslims?

35. Jonno | 10.05.08

I think Sarah Palin paling around with terrorist PUTIN who supports all separatists: Georgia, Ukraine, Kosovo, Moldova and ALASKA. Google ‘Alaska Independence Movement PRAVDA’ Google: ‘Secessionist Sarah: VP pick Sarah Palin and the Alaska Independence Party’ and “Alaska Would Be More at Home in Russia”.. is all the information in one package on Palin’s love for the Anti American AIP. A lot of work was put into this Article. There is nothing else that needs to be said.
http://www.youdecide2008.com/2008/10/02/palin-as-the-treasonous-trojan-horse-for-the-aip/

36. Listen up folks | 10.22.08

Palin was no clue about foreign and economic policies. She has a habit of trying to dodge the questions and as she does, she makes herself look like a complete “idiot”. Thanks for journalists like Mr. Gibson to ask her very important questions that we ought to know the answers. I really don’t know what McCain was thinking when he chose her but I bet he didn’t do his homework. She is obviously unqualify because she doesn’t have the credentials nor the experience to become a V.P. - not yet at least. Let’s face it, McCain is 72 years old with a history of medical problems. Let’s jusy say hypothetically, he wins but then passes after being in office…..would you really want to have Palin as your President ? My suggestion is, do your homework by reviewing her educational/work experience and watch her many failed interviews.

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