What do you think of Sarah Palin?

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

Agreed....she was taken out of the oven waaaaaay too early as a "hey y'all look at me!" kind of vote.

I said it before, if McCain and the RNC really wanted a woman VP pick...there were too many other better qualified women for the role.

While I agree with the substance of this post, I think the angle of "qualified" is overblown - the only "qualification" to be VP, on a pragmatic level, is whether or not Americans will elect your ticket.

It's kind of being results-oriented to say "clearly she fails by this measure" since Obama was steam-rolling regardless, but there was a bump for the Republicans after her introduction (and, presumably, until she opened her mouth on national TV).

It's safe to say she didn't really do a great job as VP candidate, however we want to define that role.

[deepimpact2]

Originally Posted by KSig RC

While I agree with the substance of this post, I think the angle of "qualified" is overblown - the only "qualification" to be VP, on a pragmatic level, is whether or not Americans will elect your ticket.

It's kind of being results-oriented to say "clearly she fails by this measure" since Obama was steam-rolling regardless, but there was a bump for the Republicans after her introduction (and, presumably, until she opened her mouth on national TV).

It's safe to say she didn't really do a great job as VP candidate, however we want to define that role.

I don't know about the person who posted that response about other qualified Republican women, but when I think of "qualified" in that respect I think of someone who is at least aware of what is going on in the world. Someone who can at least name a periodical that they read. Someone who doesn't have to be coached on all major issues that are taking place in the world. Perhaps a better word instead of "qualified" would have been "intelligent."

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by deepimpact2

I don't know about the person who posted that response about other qualified Republican women, but when I think of "qualified" in that respect I think of someone who is at least aware of what is going on in the world. Someone who can at least name a periodical that they read. Someone who doesn't have to be coached on all major issues that are taking place in the world. Perhaps a better word instead of "qualified" would have been "intelligent."

I know that's what you think of - but that's not really the functional definition here.

Let's put it this way: does the Republican party think that "intelligence" or "public service" or "seniority" are the most important factors for a VP? Clearly not, or they would simply put that into an equation like some sort of UAW promotion calendar. So yeah - Palin was a failure, not because she wasn't smart enough (how many Americans can give a rational answer to what to do about Georgia?), but because she was not capable of turning enough people on to her to get elected.

Also - every politician is coached on major issues. Every single one. It's why Senators have a staff, it's why the President has a cabinet, et cetera. I know it's an aside, but just saying.

[deepimpact2]

Originally Posted by KSig RC

I know that's what you think of - but that's not really the functional definition here.

Let's put it this way: does the Republican party think that "intelligence" or "public service" or "seniority" are the most important factors for a VP? Clearly not, or they would simply put that into an equation like some sort of UAW promotion calendar. So yeah - Palin was a failure, not because she wasn't smart enough (how many Americans can give a rational answer to what to do about Georgia?), but because she was not capable of turning enough people on to her to get elected.

Also - every politician is coached on major issues. Every single one. It's why Senators have a staff, it's why the President has a cabinet, et cetera. I know it's an aside, but just saying.

There is a difference between being coached on issues and being ADVISED on how certain issues should be handled. It isn't about being able to necessarily give a rational answer about what to do about Georgia on the fly, but more about at least knowing that there is an issue with Georgia in the first place. Not to mention the fact that when she said that she had foreign policy experience because she could SEE Russia, that showed just how clueless she really is about what foreign policy experience entails. I think many people who were able to take a step back and view Palin with an objective eye realized that she really wasn't smart enough for the job. Longstanding ected Republicans switched sides because of her presence on the ticket. That says quite a bit.

[DGTess]

Not to mention the fact that when she said that she had foreign policy experience because she could SEE Russia, that showed just how clueless she really is about what foreign policy experience entails.

Um, that was Tina Fey.

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by DGTess

Um, that was Tina Fey.

Ummm...no...Palin did actually say it and Tina Fey made a parody of it...which the public blew out of proportion.



GIBSON: What insight into Russian actions, particularly in the last couple of weeks, does the proximity of the state give you?

PALIN: They're our next door neighbors and you can actually see Russia from land here in Alaska, from an island in Alaska.



http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2...5782924&page=2

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

Ummm...no...Palin did actually say it and Tina Fey made a parody of it...which the public blew out of proportion.



GIBSON: What insight into Russian actions, particularly in the last couple of weeks, does the proximity of the state give you?

PALIN: They're our next door neighbors and you can actually see Russia from land here in Alaska, from an island in Alaska.



http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2...5782924&page=2

This is a LOT different than "I can see Russia."

Don't get me wrong - Palin was ripe for parody, but the SNL skit was a face-smashing for Palin and really helped shape public perception.

[deepimpact2]

Originally Posted by DGTess

Um, that was Tina Fey.

Actually Palin said that.