Palin's Ignorance Revealed During Campaign '08

[SgtMarine]

Palin actually wasn't the trainwreck that most (including the McCain campaign) thought she'd be. I watched it live and thought she did OK. But when I went back and watched it after reading some critiques, it became clear that she'd rehearsed some canned responses and didn't really answer the questions being asked. At one point, she even said she wasn't going to answer the questions the way people might want/expect her to.

From what I can recall, her only major fuckup was that she didn't know the duties of the Vice President. She seemed to believe (apparently based on something she got from Cheney) that as VP, she'd be some sort of Super Senator. She'd go down to the Senate and do some of this and some of that, and get them all straightened out.

From the 60 Minutes interview the other night, that included Steve Schmidt, Sarah's lack of basic knowledge on civics, foreign policy and history (WWI, WWII, the Korean War - didn't understand why there was a North Korea and a South Korea, etc.) was rather shocking. The interview is probably on Youtube by now. But to paraphrase what was said, the number of things that she didn't know, that she should have known, was rather incredible. They didn't expect that any governor would know everything. But they figured that anyone who had been in government for any period of time should know the basics... and she didn't.

I do give Schmidt some credit for manning up and admitting that he was the one who pushed her on McCain. Though he did back off on his role in influencing McCain to actually select her, while they knew nothing at all about her. Other than a basic background check, Sarah was a completely unknown quantity, according to Schmidt. A pig in a poke, as it were. Or better yet, a poodle (calling itself a pitbull) in a poke. :1orglaugh

Thanks, I was deployed to Okinawa in July 2008, so I got to see very little of any of the debates.

 

[Rey C.]

Thanks, I was deployed to Okinawa in July 2008, so I got to see very little of any of the debates.

A friend of mine, who knew that I was a big Perot supporter back in the early 90's... and who was trying to get under my skin, compared Palin to Admiral Stockdale. I thought the Admiral was a fine and distinguished man. And while I'd agree that he wasn't really prepared to step into the role of POTUS, he wasn't some sort of fanatic who didn't know anything about basic civics or foreign policy. He wasn't a good public speaker and he didn't have very much charisma. But I maintain that he was a good, decent man... just not one suited for the job that Perot chose for him. Choosing him hurt Perot (IMO). Even worse, Perot allowed himself to be manipulated by someone close to him and that really sunk his chances. But my point is, even when I agree with someone's positions or policies, and while I might like them personally, I try not to let that cloud my assessment of whether or not they're suited for the highest two offices in this land. I may not agree with Obama on certain issues. But his intelligence isn't something I would call into question. His philosophy? Maybe. Intelligence and degrees don't make a person right. But ignorance and an established inability to learn basic things suggests to me that that person shouldn't have any job that doesn't involve a mop and a bucket. So maybe we could get Sarah into one of those little French maid outfits.

If you ever get a chance, just for shits & giggles, check out some clips of that debate. Neither Palin nor Biden is a rocket scientist. But after you take a look at Palin's performance, you may come to the same conclusion that I did: she comes off more like a trained seal than anything else. But at least she remembered her lines. I have to give her credit for that.

And I congratulate her on her new position with Fox News - she and Gretchen Carlson will make nice (airhead) bookends. I figured that's what was in her future when she resigned as governor of Alaska. She can make good money. And she can give her opinions without being challenged or really held accountable. I think that's what she wants. I think that's what she needs. I actually expect her to do pretty well on Fox. Sarah would be a colossal failure on a data driven network like Bloomberg. But on Fox, I think she'll find a good, safe home. :2 cents:

 

[SgtMarine]

A friend of mine, who knew that I was a big Perot supporter back in the early 90's... and who was trying to get under my skin, compared Palin to Admiral Stockdale. I thought the Admiral was a fine and distinguished man. And while I'd agree that he wasn't really prepared to step into the role of POTUS, he wasn't some sort of fanatic who didn't know anything about basic civics or foreign policy. He wasn't a good public speaker and he didn't have very much charisma. But I maintain that he was a good, decent man... just not one suited for the job that Perot chose for him. Choosing him hurt Perot (IMO). Even worse, Perot allowed himself to be manipulated by someone close to him and that really sunk his chances. But my point is, even when I agree with someone's positions or policies, and while I might like them personally, I try not to let that cloud my assessment of whether or not they're suited for the highest two offices in this land. I may not agree with Obama on certain issues. But his intelligence isn't something I would call into question. His philosophy? Maybe. Intelligence and degrees don't make a person right. But ignorance and an established inability to learn basic things suggests to me that that person shouldn't have any job that doesn't involve a mop and a bucket. So maybe we could get Sarah into one of those little French maid outfits.

If you ever get a chance, just for shits & giggles, check out some clips of that debate. Neither Palin nor Biden is a rocket scientist. But after you take a look at Palin's performance, you may come to the same conclusion that I did: she comes off more like a trained seal than anything else. But at least she remembered her lines. I have to give her credit for that.

And I congratulate her on her new position with Fox News - she and Gretchen Carlson will make nice (airhead) bookends. I figured that's what was in her future when she resigned as governor of Alaska. She can make good money. And she can give her opinions without being challenged or really held accountable. I think that's what she wants. I think that's what she needs. I actually expect her to do pretty well on Fox. Sarah would be a colossal failure on a data driven network like Bloomberg. But on Fox, I think she'll find a good, safe home. :2 cents:

They are all trained seals IMO.

 

[Rey C.]

^Good point. :hatsoff:

 

[Mrs Jolly]

Cain doesn't want to talk about it. I don't blame him.

http://politics.theatlantic.com/2010/01/mccain_i_wouldnt_know_about_palin_vetting_process.php

 

[HELLRAISER]

Palin actually wasn't the trainwreck that most (including the McCain campaign) thought she'd be. I watched it live and thought she did OK. But when I went back and watched it after reading some critiques, it became clear that she'd rehearsed some canned responses and didn't really answer the questions being asked. At one point, she even said she wasn't going to answer the questions the way people might want/expect her to.

From what I can recall, her only major fuckup was that she didn't know the duties of the Vice President. She seemed to believe (apparently based on something she got from Cheney) that as VP, she'd be some sort of Super Senator. She'd go down to the Senate and do some of this and some of that, and get them all straightened out.

After seeing her flapping her wings on that debate before slamming the ground, I felt embarassed not only for genuine Republicans or myself, but I also felt sorry for decent, freedom loving Americans with integrity becoz she made our country look stupid in that debate :rolleeyes: