411 Politics Feedback: How Do You Feel About Sarah Palin and Why Do You Feel That Way?
Posted by Mark Radulich on 07.11.2009
How about we just get this out of our system once and for all...
Sarah Palin looks to become this generations Richard Nixon in terms of generating such raw emotion from people. There's an entire world happening all around us that needs reporting on but for some reason, the writers here at 411 feel the need to keep talking about Palin and the rest of the world be damned. I can't even exclude myself from that as dear Sarah has graced nearly all of the Fact or Fiction's I've presided over. And why shouldn't we keep writing about her? Judging by the amount of comments about this woman here on 411, one would assume that despite the very real need to talk about something else, people are DRIVEN to keep going on about Sarah. So I say let's just do this, let's get it out our of systems once and for all. For the people that love Sarah, share your love of her with the world. For those that hate the woman and think she's a blithering idiot, come on and shout it out loud. Dr. Radulich is listening no matter what side you are on. : )
How do you feel about Sarah Palin and why do you feel that way?
As for my own opinion, I will make this brief. Palin may not be as polished a speaker as we would all like but that doesn't mean she's an idiot. Politicians as well as many other public speakers mess up and occasionally sound stupid. Obama has done this. Pelosi has done this. Both sides of the political divide often gaffe. Hell, Biden is known as gaffe machine. However, I do not believe she would have successfully run for both Mayor as well as Governor if she were as dumb as many of you think she is. I'll give you that she's no expert in foreign affairs but many of us, when questioned about a subject matter that is not our specialty, will sound silly when we try to answer questions about about said subject. One can debate whether she was ready to be picked as McCain's VP and that's fine but I don't think her performance at that time should condemn her as a blithering idiot, to me that's a bit unfair. When Howard Dean ran for president there were times when he sounded like an insane person, unless you got him talking about healthcare, in which case he sounded like a genius. I believe the same follows for Palin as well as others, including President Obama.
I could go on but now I want to hear what you think 411 readers...
What convinces me that Sarah Palin must be a woman of substance is that I never seem to hear or read really negative comments from people who have actually spent time with her. They say things like "She is very smart" or "She is a very effective leader." Her detractors only seem to think they know her - through sound bites or opinions formed from what the have read. Why doesn't Peggy Noonan, for example go and send some time with Sarah Palin - then she would have some credibility behind her comments. I am a New Zealander, neither democrat or republican, so have no political reasons for liking Sarah Palin. She just seems to me to be an exceptional woman.
Posted By: Clifford Wicks (Guest) on July 11, 2009 at 01:01 AM
I'm curious as to where exactly Palin sounds like a genius. She's defined herself thus far as intellectually dishonest at best, completely void at worst, erratic, unstable, and self-serving to scary levels. I see nothing about her that I find favorable, from her wingnut fundie viewpoints, to her inability to project a coherent viewpoint, to her rabid attacks towards anyone who crosses her, or anyone that she no longer needs. Essentially, she's George Bush with a vagina, and that's not a good thing from any perspective.
Fortunately, I don't think she'll have much impact in the 2012 race, as people still remember just how bad things were a couple years ago, and won't be ready to put another whackjob in position to lead. I think the loonies like Palin and Jindal will cancel each other out (likely taking Huckabee down with them), while Mitt Romney coasts towards the nomination. And hey, while Romney is even more obviously fake than most politicians, at least he is economically sound.
I do fear that people may have short memories and forget about the disaster that we had under Bush, which would bode ill for the country as Palin persists in 2016 and beyond. Still, I believe that I have to keep some kind of faith in humanity, and hope to whatever deities will listen that we don't get another lunatic fringe president for a long time.
Posted By: Raptor (Guest) on July 11, 2009 at 01:43 AM
Here's what Peggy Noonan, a Conservative pundit, had to say about Sarah Palin:
In television interviews she was out of her depth in a shallow pool. She was limited in her ability to explain and defend her positions, and sometimes in knowing them. She couldn't say what she read because she didn't read anything. She was utterly unconcerned by all this and seemed in fact rather proud of it: It was evidence of her authenticity.
She experienced criticism as both partisan and cruel because she could see no truth in any of it. She wasn't thoughtful enough to know she wasn't thoughtful enough. Her presentation up to the end has been scattered, illogical, manipulative and self-referential to the point of self-reverence. "I'm not wired that way," "I'm not a quitter," "I'm standing up for our values." I'm, I'm, I'm.
Again, that's Peggy Noonan, conservative pundit/columnist, former speechwriter to Republicans' god, Ronald Reagan.
Posted By: Crow21 (Guest) on July 11, 2009 at 02:09 AM
It is idiotic to take success as a measure of intelligence. People always say, " _____would not be in that position if they were not smart."
This is a lie. Cronyism, corruption, and an ill-informed electorate contribute to who gets in office.
The worst thing about Palin is she is anti-intellectual and leads a Conservative attack on intelligence. Instead of saying she is really smart, but hides it...
Give me one, ONE example of an actual intelligent articulation by this woman. It cannot be done.
I am not attacking her because she is a Republican. I have supported McCain in the past.
She is not an exceptional woman. What is exceptional is that she rose to a national level of politics. What does that say about us?
Posted By: Guest#6410 (Guest) on July 11, 2009 at 04:10 AM
Comparing her to Nixon is an insult to Nixon. Not saying she is a criminal, just that he is waaayy smarter.
Posted By: Guest#0529 (Guest) on July 11, 2009 at 04:11 AM
"I'll give you that she's no expert in foreign affairs but many of us, when questioned about a subject matter that is not our specialty, will sound silly when we try to answer questions about about said subject"
True, but it is horrible to run for national political office if you know nothing about foreign policy. Believe it or not, I actually believe my leaders should be some of the smartest guys/ladies in the room. She was not running for "Greatest Lady" award. As VP, she would have been instrumental in a foreign sphere she did not understand, and ruin our rep for her own political agenda and/or religious zealotry.
Why do people think intellect is not important for political office? Because Repubs have routinely attacked intellectualism and devalued it.
Posted By: Guest#9166 (Guest) on July 11, 2009 at 04:15 AM
I like her as a person and think she is very charismatic. But I have no current intention on supporting her for president whatsoever. I agree, lack of knowledge, skill, whatever isn't the real problem, it's the image she puts forward that she has no concern to learn at all - that's what puts me off.
Posted By: The Weesel (Guest) on July 11, 2009 at 04:25 AM
From Clifford Wicks:
"What convinces me that Sarah Palin must be a woman of substance is that I never seem to hear or read really negative comments from people who have actually spent time with her."
Ok.
Here is what Palin's mother-in-law had to say about Sarah's VP pick back in 2008:
"Faye Palin said the entire family was shocked by the news on Friday.
"I'm not sure what she brings to the ticket other than she's a woman and a conservative.""
That about sums it up.
Oh. And so much for the "everyone that knows her and has spent time with her blah blah blah" theory.
Posted By: RazorLight (Registered) on July 11, 2009 at 09:38 AM
regardless of party i respect anyone who runs for office. to put yourself and your family through intense scrutiny takes guts.
HOWEVER,
she represents everything the GOP is trying to get away from-small town, narrow minded, uneducated, and ultra-white.
she called out obama for being "different?" and to educated to be president. that message backfired and made her look even worse.
Posted By: rey (Guest) on July 11, 2009 at 10:33 AM
She was a poorly thought out plan. A transparent cynical stupid idea from the McCain people to try and grab some votes after Hillary was defeated. Brought into the race solely for her anatomy.
In some ways I feel sorry for her as she is very much a lost lamb in a forest of wolves and she never stood a chance, she was devoured and her bones scattered.
But she is incredibly stupid, she's like a dumb chick that was invited to a "pig party" and after finding out she's the pig, she sticks around because she is so hard up for people to like her.
That's how I feel about her.
Posted By: Slickster (Guest) on July 11, 2009 at 11:19 AM
Palin is not as smart as I am.She did not know that the last election came down "a three letter word j.....o....b....s.....jobs."Now have the crippled guy in the wheelchair stand up.
You know we miscalculated the economy.Don't focus on my "clean" friend Barrack and I.Focus on a retired governor.
Posted By: Joe Biden (Guest) on July 11, 2009 at 12:43 PM
For me, she, like Obama, is all sizzle and no substance. I've said before, I really admire this woman. I admire Obama too. Doesn't mean I would vote for her. I would never vote for Obama. But Palin I would have to see her as an actual candidate going through a tough set of GOP primary debates against what looks to be a pretty solid field. That is when she would have to really prove herself to have any substance at all. Part of that is her fault, but mostly it's the medias fault. They decided not to do their jobs (shocker) last fall and worry more about whether her youngest boy was her baby or her daughters, or whether or not she was banning books at a library in alaska. I admire her because she took all of that crap with class and grace, and the liberals CANNOT STAND IT. Need proof? They still talk about her. They call her a media whore. I call her a media magnet. You see, instead of talking about the 2 wars going on, the economy the president himself calls the worst since in the great depression, north korea launching test missiles at a record rate, the MSNBC, CNN, ABC, and NBC's of the world want to cover Palin. It pisses these morons off to no end that she loves her husband, didn't commit murder to her unborn baby even though she knew he was going to have problems, and most of all, that she just simply isn't an elitest snob like them.
Posted By: gwpbrian (Guest) on July 11, 2009 at 12:54 PM
Please let this be the final post on Palin here at 411. she is a joke and shows how pathetic the GOP really is, I mean she is the only republican that is in office that the right looks up to as a voice for them. The only other big ones are Bill O'Reilly, who can't have a show without outright lying to his audience(which gets set straight with facts on many blogs the same night) and Rush who has been not so subtlety calling for a Honduras style coup in our country. Intelligent people in the U.S. need to stop giving these hate mongers a voice in the media before we have more domestic terrorist killing innocent civilians. Maybe now Palin can join her husband in the secessionist movement.
Posted By: L I A M (Guest) on July 11, 2009 at 01:29 PM
What impresses ME about Sarah Palin is that all you morons keep fucking talking about her as though she's a serious person. She is PLAYING YOU. Does nobody know the difference between a work and a shoot in politics?
Sarah Palin is the Vince Russo of U.S. politics.
Posted By: EPIC CAT (Guest) on July 11, 2009 at 02:41 PM
As a gay black Republican I am a HUGE fan of Sarah Palin. I voted for McCain due to Sarah Palin. She is a breath of fresh air to the American political system. She is similar to former President Andrew Jackson, who came from a small rural upbringing, not part of the elite political establishment, connection with the common folks, and rose to become a great general and president. Sarah Palin has a great connection with parts of the "fly over" population that will not go away anytime soon. She may not become a general but she has tremendous respect and love for the military.
I understood and respect her reasons for resigning as governor. She is not "quitting". She is saving tax papers' and state money from continuous lawsuits. The Lt. Governor will be able to govern Alaska without the national media hovering overhead once he assume the position of governor.
Take a break and enjoy your time with you family Sarah. When the time comes and you are ready for a more national prominent role, I will be here waiting to support you.
Sarah Palin is strong woman, wife, and mother. May she contiune to be a role model, leader, and inspiration to other American citizens. If she decides to run for president of the U.S., she has my vote.
Palin 2012
Posted By: gayblkrepublican (Guest) on July 11, 2009 at 02:50 PM
While I do not agree with everything in gwpbrian's comment, it is the only sensible one I see. I too am a Palin admirer, but not a Palin voter. Anyone who has looked at her record as governor knows there are some impressive things about her. And she connects with alot of people aside from the so-called "base." That characterization is just a veiled smear on her and an insult to the "base." Believe or not, the "base" is comprised of real people, deserving of respect even though you do not agree with them. I'm interested in seeing whether Palin can develop her raw talent. In any event, she is about to become a very rich woman, and the more the Palin-hater's scream, the more she'll make. Good for her!
Posted By: Steve851 (Guest) on July 11, 2009 at 02:59 PM
gwpbrian:
>>You see, instead of talking about the 2 wars going on, the economy the president himself calls the worst since in the great depression, north korea launching test missiles at a record rate, the MSNBC, CNN, ABC, and NBC's of the world want to cover Palin.
They do cover these issues. In the past week or so, they have not covered them as much due to MJ's death and Palin's sudden resignation. Now, they went overboard with MJ's death, but no more so than FOX news in the throes of setbacks in Iraq going 24/7 on Natalie Holloway. Perhaps you'd like to offer a critique of that for "balance and fairness."
I fully concur that the MJ coverage was blown out of proportion, but the focus on Palin is not "side dish news." She was the most recent VP selection; she is the current governor of Alaska; she is also touted heavily by the conservative base as the GOP's next big star, their chance to win back the White House.
When she suddenly, and incoherently, resigns, it's news. If Obama suddenly resigned, would it not be news? If Hillary suddenly resigned, would it not be news?
See, conservatives can't have it both ways. They can't ride the "Sarah Palin Political Celebrity Express" AND claim she's not newsworthy at the same time.
>>It pisses these morons off to no end that she loves her husband, didn't commit murder to her unborn baby even though she knew he was going to have problems, and most of all, that she just simply isn't an elitest snob like them.
Um...right. Because that is exactly why liberals/media dislike her. She has no flaws otherwise besides the fact that liberals/media dislike her marriage and the fact that she can't name a single newspaper in the country. That is seriously oversimplifying it, isn't it? Maybe that's why she does resonate well with a certain segment of the population. Those who like things oversimplified like a simpleton, and a simpleton appeals greatly to those who want things oversimplified.
Seriously, I've read some of your posts here. You're smarter than this. You're better than this.
Posted By: Crow21 (Guest) on July 11, 2009 at 04:20 PM
Steve851:
>>In any event, she is about to become a very rich woman, and the more the Palin-hater's scream, the more she'll make. Good for her!
So that's it? Ability to make money is all it takes to offset the fact that she left her state in a lurch, that she quit little more than half way through one term?
I wonder if would apply this kind of forgiving rubric to everyone. If Obama decides to up and resign in December because he's got book deals galore waiting for him, how would your tune sound?
Posted By: Crow21 (Guest) on July 11, 2009 at 04:22 PM
gwpbrian you are quickly becoming the funniest poster on here. You actually think that Fox News is the only network covering those topics you stated and not covering Palin, I bet you think they didn't cover MJ the last 2 weeks also.
You are a joke dude bring up a credible fact to back up those claims. Oh I'm sorry your proof is that she is in the media, guess what smart boy, she held a rambling press conference in her backyard and then went to every media outlet to explain her nonsense and QUIT HER JOB which is why she is in the news.
Good thing you said she is not a media whore before she is shooting animals from a helicopter on her Faux News variety show. If anyone of the corporate owned media franchises wanted substance they would have Chomsky or Nader or someone with credentials talking, but they prefer silly muppets like Palin, when you grow up you will find this out. Good luck.
Posted By: L I A M (Guest) on July 11, 2009 at 04:26 PM
I think she is hot and I would love to smell her feet after a hard days work. As far as running this country... NEXT!
Posted By: AG Awesome (Guest) on July 11, 2009 at 05:49 PM
I truly hope that this is the end of her. The only politician that may more devoid of intelligence than Sarah Palin is Michael Steele. And I used to like Steele, being from Maryland, where he was Robert Erlich's Liutenent Governor. Sarah Palin was a knee jerk pick by a very desperate McCain camp to try to win over women after Obama picked Biden as his VP instead of Hillary Clinton. They did not vet her properly, and once she showed her complete lack of knowledge on national issues, she was dead. Both major interviews she did bombed. And Biden destroyed her in the VP debate.
I'm not a fan of hers at all. She came off as Bush-lite, which was the worst thing anyone could be following Bush's run in the White House.
She's hopefully getting herself and her family out of politics for good. It would be best for her, her kids, and most importantly America itself. We do not need her in 2012.
Sadly, given what's happened to Ensign, Sanford, Jindal, etc, she might be all they have.....
Posted By: CMatt666 (Guest) on July 11, 2009 at 06:03 PM
Hey, ummmm, gayblkrepublican...lay off off the Kool-Aid, man.
Secondly, Jackson wasn't that great of a President. He was deemed a war hero for winning a battle that took place 2 weeks after the actual war had ended. Fair enough. He was infamous for his handing out of jobs to his supporters and friends (Not to say, politicians before or after haven't done so but "Kitchen Cabinet" is attributed to him). His destroying of the National Bank in exchange for state run "Pet Banks" did an enormous number on the economy back then, leading to a mini-depression. And he managed to piss off people who supported him so much they went and formed the Whig Party. And not to mention the big middle finger he gave to the Supreme Court when the Cherokee nation successfully challenged the Indian Removal Act. And according to Forbes, Jackson was the third richest president we've had.
Now in reference to Sarah Palin. I'm sorry wearing a yellow ribbon and repeating the mantra "I support our troops" is NOWHERE near in the same ballpark as actually being a battlefield general. No politician in his right mind would ever "not support the troops" or the sacrifice they and their families make.
Posted By: Guest#9508 (Guest) on July 11, 2009 at 07:04 PM
I think its funny that Conservatives always think the boogeyman liberal media is unfairly picking on Palin. The media could care less about Palin, they just love a story. Her saying stupid things is a story, just like they do with every other politician. Remember Obama saying poor people clung to guns and religion? Or lipstick on pigs? Or pretty much every syllable Biden's every uttered? Republican or Democrat, if you say something stupid they'll try to make you look like an idiot.
The only difference is that she can't handle criticism. Every time she says something stupid and the media jumps on it, she bitches and moans about unfairness and gotcha media. By God if Obama couldn't name a newspaper or any Supreme Court cases then people would think he's a fucking idiot too. Besides, she had more gaffes in her two months in the race than Obama and McCain did in a year and a half combined.
Not that I think she's stupid. I never thought she was particularly smart, but she isn't stupid either. She is just the female Bush. He wasn't stupid but liberals liked to think he was because he couldn't speak intelligently to save his life. Think about it though. A folksy governor that was immensely polarizing but only appealed to their base, who spoke from the hip but didn't need to be book smart because that was for the hippie New England elites, but instead spoke to the "common folk" not about issues, but about how much they love America and want to bring small town (read: Christian) values to Washington.
I'm a moderate, before anybody reads too much into this, and I don't hate her or anything, but she was woefully unprepared for anything close to the Presidency. It would have been an unmitigated disaster. Maybe if she gets some foreign policy experience and can actually know what she's talking about, that can change.
Also, its funny that the right denounced Obama as inexperienced and praised Palin as perfect, while the left spent the summer saying Obama was experienced and made fun of Palin. Both parties are idiots, swept up more in defending their people as perfection while calling the other side every name they can think of to destroy them, instead of ever doing anything for the people that elect them and pay their ridiculous salaries. All that happens is people hate and distrust both of them. Funny, huh.
Posted By: General Sandoval (Guest) on July 11, 2009 at 07:38 PM
If she runs for President, Obama will have four more years.
Posted By: Guest#6064 (Guest) on July 11, 2009 at 11:53 PM
Wow...there's that word "elite/elitist" again. The conservatives love to throw that around.
When did well educated and articulate become "elite" in this country?
Posted By: Crow21 (Guest) on July 12, 2009 at 12:03 AM
Wow...there's that word "elite/elitist" again. The conservatives love to throw that around.
When did well educated and articulate become "elite" in this country?
Posted By: Crow21 (Guest) on July 12, 2009 at 12:03 AM
Yeah don't forget "Hollywood elite" even though we didn't vote in the terminator and a cowboy!!!
Posted By: Guest#5067 (Guest) on July 12, 2009 at 12:51 AM
Since republicans are mostly controlled by rich stockholders and business men, they need something to anger the lower class of the party.
So instead of going after the finances, they say we are 'elitist'. The liberal elite is really a fantasy.
Hollywood isn't really elite either. Most of them have little time outside of their work schedules to get involved in politics and the ones that do are mostly republican.
Though... my opinion of Sarah Palin.
She is probably a fine lady, I am guessing nice in person and a pleasure to be around.
However, she proved during the election she has no place on the national stage dealing with national problems.
Posted By: JF (Guest) on July 12, 2009 at 12:59 AM
Politically, I can't stand her. Too narrow-minded, not worldly enough.
Personally, I want to give her a sixth kid.
Posted By: jay (Guest) on July 12, 2009 at 08:03 AM
I h8 Sarah Palin cuz teh MSNBC told me so.
Seriously, I agree with everything General Sandoval said except for the part about how the media couldn't care less about her. Sure Palin is in the news for saying something stupid or getting in a feud but at times she is in the news for nothing. The media is blatantly trying to stretch her resignation story for as long as possible. Funny thing is nothing has almost learned since July 3 and just about everything put out there by the media is hearsay and speculation.
Posted By: Government Mule (Guest) on July 12, 2009 at 08:50 AM
She quit her job. When the going got tough, she quit. That's the way it is and if anybody disputes that, tough. She's not that smart and I don't think she's that tough, no matter what people may think. When she quit her job, it opened up the argument that if she quit her job as governor, how can we be sure that she won't quit the Oval Office 1 or 2 years in?
If the GOP is stupid enough to nominate her, Obama will get reelected even if his approval rating is in the toilet. And if they nominate someone like Romney his win will be even bigger because I don't think there's any way in hell the deep south would help elect a Morman.
Posted By: Geoff (Guest) on July 12, 2009 at 02:56 PM
I feel that she's a bigot and she wants a theocracy. Both of these are evident in her public comments. For those two reasons, she's not a capable leader in this country. Do I think she's dumb? No. Do I think she's horribly underqualified and ignorant about key issues? Yes.
But mostly, I think some of her beliefs make her a legitimately bad human being. She might be "nice" to you if you're straight and Christian and from Alaska, but that doesn't make her a good person.
Posted By: JD (Guest) on July 12, 2009 at 03:51 PM
Here is what Palin's mother-in-law had to say about Sarah's VP pick back in 2008:
"Faye Palin said the entire family was shocked by the news on Friday.
"I'm not sure what she brings to the ticket other than she's a woman and a conservative.""
That about sums it up.
Oh. And so much for the "everyone that knows her and has spent time with her blah blah blah" theory.
Posted By: RazorLight (Registered) on July 11, 2009 at 09:38 AM
If thats what her mother in law had to say, then there is obviously a relationship problem there one way or another between the 2 of them. Seeing as its an inlaw I can understand it. I would hope my mother in law would say something a little better than that to the media if I were in that position. damn lol
Posted By: Guest#0495 (Guest) on July 12, 2009 at 06:03 PM
I'd rather deal with the Hollywood/Media type of elitism that the Wall Street/K Street elitism that has left us with a massive recession and growing economic disparity.
As for Palin, I've said it before and I'll say it again. I was willing to give her a chance until I found out that she couldn't name a Supreme Court case other than Roe v. Wade, couldn't identify a paper she read, and couldn't even seem to understand that the VP is not actually in charge of the Senate. Blatant ignorance such as that should not deserve to be at the top of a college, let alone at the top of the executive branch.
Posted By: Michael L (Guest) on July 12, 2009 at 09:33 PM
Michael L,
You forgot "the White House Department of Law."
Yeah, that's someone who's a viable presidential candidate!
Posted By: Crow21 (Guest) on July 13, 2009 at 12:21 AM
I'd rather deal with the Hollywood/Media type of elitism that the Wall Street/K Street elitism that has left us with a massive recession and growing economic disparity.
As for Palin, I've said it before and I'll say it again. I was willing to give her a chance until I found out that she couldn't name a Supreme Court case other than Roe v. Wade, couldn't identify a paper she read, and couldn't even seem to understand that the VP is not actually in charge of the Senate. Blatant ignorance such as that should not deserve to be at the top of a college, let alone at the top of the executive branch.
Posted By: Michael L (Guest) on July 12, 2009 at 09:33 PM
I am a High School Social Studies teacher, and my students have to know more than that to pass the graduation exam and get out of school...or get a GED.
Posted By: Guest#3568 (Guest) on July 13, 2009 at 02:09 AM
There are two things about Sarah Palin that evoke strong feelings of anger in me, and neither have to do with ideology.
The first is her glaring lack of intellect. Unless she is parroting rehearsed comments, she is incapable of forming a coherent thought. What's worse, when glaring weaknesses in her expertise were shown, she not only made no effort to get up to speed on crucial subjects of national and international importance, she wore her ignorance as a badge of honor. The only thing worse than a stupid person is a stupid person who thinks stupidity is an asset. Wouldn't any reasonable person have taken time to read a damn book or newspaper to actually diffuse the Couric interview fallout? Not Sarah Palin. She don't need no fancy book learnin'.
The second thing about Palin that infuriates me is her apologists. I can disagree with people without getting high and mighty and insisting their point of view is "wrong". But when someone reveals themself as an idiot beyond all doubt, and some still defend them due solely to party affiliation and mindless agreement, that irritates me to no end. I don't want people to pick sides, even if it's the one I happen to be on. I want them to think for themselves and make honest assessments about all politicians, one by one.
Palin's interviews with Couric and Gibson were disasters because she had to think on her feet, but can't. McCain then sat almost in her lap the next time, which looked even worse. At the VP debate she ignored the questions and gave a stump speech to disguise her complete lack of preparedness. You CAN be mayor of Podunk USA or even governor of a sparsely populated state without debate skills. But to have such a person threaten to occupy the White House? That vacant look in Dubya's eyes on 9/11 is something I never want to see again. Katrina further demonstrated the danger of a President lacking the mental faculties to react quickly to the unexpected.
I don't care that Palin's pretty and folksy because those are not credentials to be a leader.
Rule of thumb: If you wouldn't trust someone to prepare your tax returns, don't vote for them.
Posted By: Shockmaster (Guest) on July 13, 2009 at 11:09 AM
Mark- I would say that Bush is closer to this generation's version of Nixon.
Posted By: Madcap (Guest) on July 13, 2009 at 02:06 PM
There are two things about Sarah Palin that evoke strong feelings of anger in me, and neither have to do with ideology.
The first is her glaring lack of intellect. Unless she is parroting rehearsed comments, she is incapable of forming a coherent thought. What's worse, when glaring weaknesses in her expertise were shown, she not only made no effort to get up to speed on crucial subjects of national and international importance, she wore her ignorance as a badge of honor. The only thing worse than a stupid person is a stupid person who thinks stupidity is an asset. Wouldn't any reasonable person have taken time to read a damn book or newspaper to actually diffuse the Couric interview fallout? Not Sarah Palin. She don't need no fancy book learnin'.
The second thing about Palin that infuriates me is her apologists. I can disagree with people without getting high and mighty and insisting their point of view is "wrong". But when someone reveals themself as an idiot beyond all doubt, and some still defend them due solely to party affiliation and mindless agreement, that irritates me to no end. I don't want people to pick sides, even if it's the one I happen to be on. I want them to think for themselves and make honest assessments about all politicians, one by one.
Palin's interviews with Couric and Gibson were disasters because she had to think on her feet, but can't. McCain then sat almost in her lap the next time, which looked even worse. At the VP debate she ignored the questions and gave a stump speech to disguise her complete lack of preparedness. You CAN be mayor of Podunk USA or even governor of a sparsely populated state without debate skills. But to have such a person threaten to occupy the White House? That vacant look in Dubya's eyes on 9/11 is something I never want to see again. Katrina further demonstrated the danger of a President lacking the mental faculties to react quickly to the unexpected.
I don't care that Palin's pretty and folksy because those are not credentials to be a leader.
Rule of thumb: If you wouldn't trust someone to prepare your tax returns, don't vote for them.
Posted By: Shockmaster (Guest) on July 13, 2009 at 11:09 AM
This sums up the view of any educated person that acually pays attention and does not believe intellect is evil.
Posted By: Guest#7622 (Guest) on July 13, 2009 at 05:34 PM
Sorry, but Palin is ignorant. She knew enough to get somewhere in the backwater state of Alaska, but when thrust into the national spotlight it was revealed just how ignorant she was. Even worse, she seemed to fight hard to remain ignorant.
1. She did not know what her role would be as Vice President. I don't know about you, but as an employer I feel that unless I'm hiring someone at entry level training, I want someone that has knowledge of the job they are asking for.
2. The Katie Couric interview. Disastrous. This was no "gotcha" interview. Palin was given softball questions and could not answer them.
3. The debate. Politicians duck, dodge and evade. We know this. Palin took it to a new level, though, and tried to cover her ignorance by answering the question in her head rather than the one put to her, and would give her "aren't I cute" winks which apparently distracted many low-intelligence life-forms from realizing how bad she was looking.
Palin did not get offered the VP nomination because she was smart. She got it because the Republican party put on a disgusting display of sexism. They thought they could take a somewhat attractive woman and it would (a) somehow make disappointed Clinton supporters say "I'll show the Democrats! I'll vote for Palin despite the fact that I'll be voting against everything I believe in" and (b) give them an "all-american mom" image fighting against the scary Muslim negro.
If the Republicans wanted a smart woman, they could have gone with Olympia Snowe, but she's not photogenic enough for them.
Posted By: Scott B (Guest) on July 14, 2009 at 03:24 PM
In 2012 she will be a PILF!!
Posted By: Guest#7953 (Guest) on July 14, 2009 at 06:24 PM
Scott B.
Olympia Snowe, while a republican, tends to be a RHINO. I do not think that she would have much traction if it came to a national office. She is sort of our Joe Lieberman.
Thats not to say she would not have cross over appeal, I don't know if it would be enough though.
Good take reguardless. Late.
Posted By: John (Guest) on July 14, 2009 at 11:21 PM
John -
I think Snowe would have been a great choice for VP from a strategic standpoint. The country had already said that they wanted to move away from the policies of the last 8 years, and Snowe would have provided the image that things could change, all the while being in a position where she was not going to dictate policy. It would have been a win/win situation for the Republican party - she would say things that appealed to the moderates, but wouldn't be the one setting policy.
Not only were we promised more of the last 8 years with Palin, we were promised even more intensity in areas that we were already uncomfortable with, namely the role of religion in our national politics and the further regression of sex education with her belief in a failed abstinence-only policy.
Granted, MCain didn't do himself any favors when he started trumpeting how he would continue many of the policies he once claimed to be against, and bragged that he voted in accordance with Bush's policies 90% of the time.
The 08 Presidential campaign was interesting in that we seemed to have campaigns racing to show who could implode with the most spectacular result. First we had Giuliani's campaign go down in what was the worst-run ever (although many, myself included, believe he intentionally sabotaged it), only to find himself outdone in disastrous campaign strategy by Hillary Clinton who became the equivalent of that psycho ex-girlfriend that keeps showing up at your house no matter how many times you tell her to go away. Then, when you thought Clinton had set a new standard for poor campaigning, John McCain brings in Rovian strategists and runs a very dirty campaign (something he swore never to do), and tops off killing his chances by bringing in Palin.
It was a very interesting year for failure.
Posted By: Scott B (Guest) on July 15, 2009 at 09:24 AM
I thought Kay Baily Hutchenson from Texas would have made a good Republican VP choice.
Posted By: Scavenger (Guest) on July 16, 2009 at 07:47 PM
STAY CURRENT