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Palin's Fatal 2012 Flaw
Giulio Marcocchi / Sipa Press
Sure, she was good on Oprah, and her book will sell. But she's still not boning up on global issues. Conor Friedersdorf on the hole in the Alaskan's resume that will come back to haunt her.
I don't typically watch Oprah. But I wouldn't miss Monday's interview with Sarah Palin. In advance of its airing, The Persecution of Sarah Palin author Matthew Continetti said that "nothing less than her future in American politics—and a possible run for the White House in 2012—hangs in the balance." So I tuned in before compliance personnel removed the rogue clips from YouTube.
Ms. Palin has two problems: the first is that her most prolific defender in the conservative movement says her prospects for higher office are so tenuous that they hinge on how she fares during daytime TV spots with an avowed Barack Obama acolyte. The second is that even were she to repeat her likable Oprah performance on The Daily Show, The View, and the History Channel Retrospective on William Jennings Bryan, she'd still suffer from a flaw that America's national security requires us to acknowledge: an unprecedented lack of foreign policy qualifications.
The conservative base has instead seized upon a quixotic candidate from Alaska, invested itself in her dubious incorruptibility, and persuaded itself that if only someone as pure were elected, everything would be different.
Isn't that a curious omission from all the analysis of Ms. Palin's prospects in 2012? It is one thing for her stable of friendly boosters to hold their noses while mucking around in horse race analysis. Ideological journalism is rife with practitioners unashamedly eager to map out winning electoral strategies for presently unqualified candidates. That unseemly practice doesn't damage the republic as much as one might imagine--whether self-appointed advisers care about qualifications or merely electoral chances, the admonition is usually for the candidate to address his or her actual weaknesses.
But in appearing on Oprah, pointing out instances when the media mistreated her, showing herself off as a protective mother, and reaffirming her genuine commitment to certain causes, Ms. Palin merely redressed prior interviews where she articulated her several strengths less well.
"She needs to adopt a market-friendly populist agenda to strengthen her policy credentials and make her seem less partisan to independent voters," Mr. Continetti writes in The Wall Street Journal, advising Ms. Palin to address how she is perceived. Several days prior, writing in The Weekly Standard, he recommends that she embrace Andrew Jackson's legacy of "rule by the people, of competitive commercial markets, of entrepreneurial individuals lighting out to the territories." On CNN.com, he marvels at Ms. Palin's use of social media, musing, "It would be ironic if Sarah Palin defeated Barack Obama in 2012 using the same tools that Obama used to defeat John McCain in 2008."
• Vanessa Friedman: What Palin’s Clothes Reveal
• Lloyd Grove: The All-New Sarah Palin Were I reviewing the tools Barack Obama used to secure victory, I'd note that long before he ran for president, he gave serious foreign policy speeches articulating specific critiques. And despite demonstrating knowledge of the world commensurate with Senator Clinton, an older hand, he still found himself justifiably criticized on the right for a lack of foreign affairs bona fides. As a talented writer at The Weekly Standard once put it, reflecting on The Surge in Iraq, and the 2008 choice between Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain, "Contrary to conventional wisdom, experience cannot be separated from judgment. Experience matters," Mr. Continetti wrote. "It was a lifetime of service and involvement in national security issues that gave McCain the perspective and insight to urge a change in strategy as early as 2003."
• Watch the 7 Best Moments of Palin’s Oprah Interview
• More Daily Beast contributors on Palin’s book tour. Like candidate Obama, Ms. Palin could conceivably find her popularity rising, despite her thin resume: the American citizenry is increasingly fed up with its governing elites. A healthy response might be to advocate systemic reforms so that elected officials are less often incentivized to sell out regular citizens. But the conservative base has instead seized upon a quixotic candidate from Alaska, invested itself in her dubious incorruptibility, and persuaded itself that if only someone as pure were elected, everything would be different. It's a bandwagon I'll never join, having concluded long ago that investing in any politician being different is the toxic asset of our democracy.
Cynical as that sounds, even I lack the ability to imagine a presidential election that Ms. Palin could win. Americans demand that viable candidates speak knowledgeably about foreign policy.
Perhaps Ms. Palin understands all this, and isn't even pondering a run in 2012. If so, her Oprah appearance should be viewed as a minor corrective to her image, and an overall success. Regardless, it is strange that the advice being offered Ms. Palin, should she decide to launch a presidential bid, basically ignores the most important aspect of actually being president of the United States.
Conor Friedersdorf, a Daily Beast columnist, also writes for The American Scene and The Atlantic Online's ideas blog.
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RedJeep
So, Conor, how long will it take Mrs. Palin to "bone up" on global issues? An hour or two of reading? What?
crypto
Oh, I don't know. Seems to me that "issues" have been a downfall for predecessors. Govenor Palin may surprise a lot of people. One thing I feel sure she will do if she decides to run, is pull enough votes to make the rest, including Obama, sweat.
StLBoy
Thanks for the laugh, crypto.
Sarah Palin pulling enough votes to make Obama sweat -- oh, that's just too funny!
Find a new hobby, professor.
AlanD2
I agree with StLBoy, crypto.
Running Palin means an easy Obama victory.
roxsteady
You mean the way they were sweating last year when they clobbered her and the geezer? I think that victory has been called Historic! If this ignornat bimbo and mother of the year candidate was at the top of the ticket they'd simply get crushed by larger numbers. Remember, we Dems out number the stupid Republicans. That's how we got here and they got pummeled!
PigFarmer
You're right when you say, "I don't know". Obama would be a stone cold lock against Palin. Her presidential run will be about as intimidating as the presidential run of Dan Quayle. She has absolutely no credibility. There really is no cure for stupid and she has a hopeless case.
spotted
She's not learning, she's reloading - that's all the foreign policy she needs and all her voters want from her.
AlanD2
Wasn't that Cheney's line after the hunt, spotted?
diamondgirl
Hey Conor, how the hell do you know what she knows? Have you spoken to her? I think thats wishfull thinking on your part you left leaning blog hog!
bgeasyas123
well she did list alaska's proximity to russia as her foreign policy credentials (and she did so in a televised interview), so tell us diamondgirl, how do you know she knows anything?
She's already proven herself to know nothing on the subject, but yet you seem sold on her credentials, why?
pjuliano
I'm sorry diamondgirl, but Sarah Palin is as dumb as a bag of hammers and gives a worse interview. Seriously, president? I wouldn't trust her with to run a bake sale.
diamondgirl
bg& pj both losers from the left wing of the Socialist party who is afraid of Palin and very well should be.
bgeasyas123
so everyone who isn't onboard with Palin is a socialist.....your grandma must have had to go in front of death panel and came out on the wrong side of the road.
gak001
Nice deflection, Diamondgirl - when asked a direct question you respond with name-calling and a reference to a political party that actually exists, though hasn't fielded a viable candidate in... well... ever.
Sarah Palin isn't our worst nightmare, she's our greatest hope for an opposition candidate. Even if she isn't a pushover, she will single-handedly destroy whatever credibility is left of the Republican party. Four years of a Palin presidency, and we can say hello to a Democratic majority for the next 60 years.
roxsteady
Didn't you hear her response to Walter's question about Israel continueing to build in Palistinian territories? She said Israel has the right to build in Palistinian territories. Yes, she's that stupid! Bring it on grandma! Your other daughter will get knocked up this time. And stop comparing your kids to Obama's. Sasha and Malia have nothing in common with this trash.
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camfield
Right. Picture Sarah Palin in charge of this country's foreign relations. We just thought this country took a giant step backwards with Bush. But Palin as commander in chief could really screw things up much more thoroughly than George did.
It's frightening how much of the American public has become totally oblivious to reality, is so easily led by rabble-rousing, lives for the moment and has no foresight whatsoever.
diamondgirl
Look at this cant make up his mind inexperienced Left wing Socialist. Palin has an opinion and convictions that make more sense than Obama's on everything from economic to energy and of course Health Care. Obama's only desire is to Create chaos, and bring keep the unemployment high so people will need him and they will vote to keep those hand outs..
"Rules for Radicals" by Saul Alinski, Obama's Mentor and Bible
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bootspur
If George DUBYA Bush, who had never even been to Alsaka prior to becoming the Republican Nominee can pull it off, then so can Dubya's fraternal twin...
If, you will recall Dubya's foreign policy cred was ZERo, that was when Will Ferrell did the bit where he ripped through a string of African Leader's names, as PROOF that he was nobody's dummy on foreign policy..
Never underestimate how low the (R)ight will stoop to find themselves the candidate who is most like they are. Whatever happened to finding the most exceptionally gifted person available to run for office instead of someone who is the most exceptionally ordinary?
newswoman
Sarah Palin is an attractive woman, always smiling, good sense of humor, but she still doesn't speak well off the cuff. She rambles when answering a question and, I don't think she realizes how she is perceived, in that context. She just doesn't have the 'smarts' to be president of the U.S. She may be a spokesman for others, tho'.
sippewissett
Both Friedesdorf and you overlook a glaring omission of Palin's -- apart from all the missing content about her governance that makes her look bad. Quite simply, Palin is shallow. So what if she is a protective mom? Where's the content that makes her a viable political candidate? It isn't just her woeful lack of geography, history, economics and foreign affairs. The missing elements are intellect, insight and curiosity that are intrinsic in a great leader. In contrast, Palin is a vapid narcissist, playing the victim to old tunes that have already been archived as irrelevant now.
speekup
I agree with all you say, Sippe, and I dearly hope those old tunes have been archived as irrelevant. But, to the extent I've been listening, it's always the same old tune coming out of that choir because Palin's followers are, of course, as shallow and incurious as their idol. The only hope lies in the fact they're an aging group soon to die off. (But then the next generation thinks tabloid celebrities are real people...) Nonetheless, statistics and history give more hope than the noise from the Palin gang suggests.
diamondgirl
your full of crap, left wing nut
AlanD2
Too bad you don't have more cogent arguments, diamondgirl.
Unless conservatives can find somebody smarter than you and Palin, Obama's reelection is a shoo-in.
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candyman101
so what you are saying is she is exactly like Obama, no experience and a rambling fool once she goes off the cuff (or off the teleprompter respectively)? Don't get me wrong though, I think the world would be a better place if Mrs. Palin would step out of the limelight.
winston1
Why obama does? Ever hear obama speak without a teleprompter UM UM he makes Gibb's sound fluent.
camfield
You're a dolt, Winston. Obama is one of the most articulate individuals who's every come down the pike. This "teleprompter"-dependence bit is just one more manufactured bit of deningration puffed up by Obama-haters. Teleprompters actually are a fairly common thing, in any case, merely taking the place of written notes that speakers used to have to continually look down at.
When Obama hesitates a bit now and then when he speaks off the cuff, it's because--for crying out loud--he THINKS before he speaks. And what a refreshing change that is in this day and age.
crypto
winston1 is right. The few times the telepromptor went down and he was caught without his prepared speech he bumbled around just like all the rest.
hichief
So basically, because he thinks before he talks he's suddenly an idiot? You completely disregard what he has to say because his thought process is a second faster than his ability to process it into actual speech?
That's actually incredibly shallow of you to say that, nevermind idiotic.
gak001
Um... have you ever heard him speak at a town hall? He's still fantastic. This teleprompter criticism you guys keep harping on is pretty week. So he prefers a teleprompter to reading a piece of paper off the podium - hurray for technology!
PigFarmer
It's funny because W did the UM UM thing WITH the teleprompter. You can dislike Obama all you want, but there is no denying that the guy is a superb speaker. It's obvious that when he speaks and pauses that he is pondering his words. The man has a brilliant mind. You can see that because he does think before he speaks.
ImNoPUNK
Putting all else aside, there's only one Friedersdorf line that means a hill of beans in the whole story line and its in the last paragraph, " her Oprah appearance should be viewed as a minor corrective to her image, and an overall success."
Does anyone for one moment believe the majority of Oprah's devoted viewers are Beltway pundits and Manhattan after 5 mavens. We need to get real here, today the queen of daytime TV is interviewing porn divas. Oprah's viewers tuned in yesterday to hear about the salacious and the wardrobe and Oprah was not about to disappoint cause that's what sells her show.... She knows when Ma Kettle is ironing shirts the last thing she's wanting to watch on the TV is a discussion on the price of tea in China.
The only agenda here is that of the MSM, like always its the press who's eager to move the political ball down the field for a sneak peek at 2012. What ever the woman decides to do 4 years from now is not gonna dictate how well any of us sleep right now.
Palin's book is gonna sell and sell BIG....what's funny is, half the buyers will be closeted readers.
rodtanner
The Secret and Harry Potter sold big, too. Does that make their authors good presidential candidates? I would truly love to crawl inside a Palin supporter's brain to see what goes on in there; I'm sure there's plenty of room for me to fit.
ImNoPUNK
Hey rodtanner....... sure there'd be plenty of room for you to meld with My thought's..... especially since "you" have absolutely "nothing" worth while to bring to the table...... Now go scratch your head and figure out what next to say.
By the way... I don't suggest you sell J.K.Rowling short... cause any one able to turn scribbling on a paper napkin in to the beginnings of a multi billion dollar enterprise can probably figure out a way to better even the life of some one like you.
Ann-Tagonist
No need to be such a punk, ImNoPUNK....surely there's some room in your sage brain for intelligent dialogue and a consideration of someone else's opinion.
Erock1
Palin's supporters don't care about here inexperience or what she doesn't know. If they did, no one would still be talking bout her. Which is ironically, why we are so "afraid". It's not Palin that's threating, what's scary is that anyone takes her seriously.
But if you don't think it couldn't happen in this Oprahverse, I said the same thing about Schwarzenegger.
Carole65
I see it as a two-way street. The people who interview her have not asked the tough questions - economy, health care, energy, foreign issues, etc. Why are the same kind of questions asked by Oprah, Barbara, etc not the same as they would have asked male political figures? I know that these shows are of a lighter nature and not meant to be political, so, I guess, we expect too much.
If Palin submits to interviews on the Sunday news shows, or other news shows during the week, then she becomes a viable political figure. If she's not invited speaks to how media manages the news. If she is invited and refuses speaks to her shallowness and non-importance as a viable political figure.
spotted
Carole - She has been asked the "tough question".
During the Katie Couric interview, she could not name one newspaper she "read". Even a candidate for dogcatcher could come up with the NY Times, WSJ or at least USA Today. She stepped over thousands of them every day as she left hotel rooms on the campaign trail.
diamondgirl
spotted, that was then this is now, she will get a second chance whether you like it or not. Hey look at Biden he screws up every time he talks and he's the VP...LOL
Carole65
The "tough questions" would include enviornment, energy, health care, foreign policy. What newspapers you read doesn't qualify or disqualify for office. Were the rest of the candidates asked that question? I suppose that if she had answered Couric by saying "the same ones you read", the topic would have disappeared into oblivion.
bgeasyas123
Exactly Carol, she could have just gave an answer and move on, but she got stuck on the simplest of questions.
sippewissett
Bingo. You said it. Palin is a getting a "pass" on serious issues. The press who will be allowed to interview her will focus on what she says in her re-writing of history instead of on her distortions and her omissions. There is negligable coverage of her governance, which was horrific to Alaskans. Don't take my word for it. Check out their reactions to Palin's book and tour on www.adn.com Alsakans don't want her back, no matter how much she contends that she is fighting for Alaska, whatever that means.
P.S. The new AK governor has yet to have an ethics violation filed against him.
diamondgirl
Look at this cant make up his mind inexperienced Left wing Socialist. Palin has an opinion and convictions that make more sense than Obama's on everything from economic to energy and of course Health Care. Obama's only desire is to Create chaos, and keep the unemployment high so people will need him and they will vote to keep those hand outs..
"Rules for Radicals" by Saul Alinski, Obama's Mentor and Bible
bootspur
Diamond Girl, George Dubya puts Palin to shame with the education he received, plus being able to have a little of the Old man's experience rub off on him, then of course the circles George Dubya socialized in were generally well educated people of a complex nature. What about Palin's piece meal education in Radio Tv that makes her the right stuff? And, what about her work history makes her qualified to be President, and do you think that quitting the most important job she ever had makes any difference? Also, do you think that the fact that her children are not interested in higher education reflects upon she and her husband either positively, Or negatively?
diamondgirl
carol, I think Bill O'reilly is going to ask some tough questions, he has already interviewed Katie. It should be interesting and I agree at some point they will ask and she will answer and we will see what she knows.
rodtanner
Bill O'Reilly ask tough questions of the darling of the conservative right? Right.
diamondgirl
Rush Limbaugh asked her only policy questions today, she had no problem answering them.
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NotFooledTX
You're absolutely right, She is surely not held to the same standards and expectation as her counterparts and other politicians of either gender. What I find amazing is that considering that it stuns me that there is a base that considers her as a viable contender. Yeah, we know she gets hot flashes seeing Todd shirtless, but where does she stand on nuclear disarmament. Or what would she have done to resolve the economic crisis.
If I was asked to describe Sarah Palin in one word it would be shallow. Unfortunately for her, the role of President involves a lot more than directing snarky comments to her detractors. I would like to see a tough interview - not a Katie Couric interview, which in reality was really soft. Charlie Gibson came a bit closer, and Palin folded like a cheap lawn chair. The standards should be the same, regardless of "celebrity" status.
crypto
I'm missing the point everywhere I turn, which is not too difficult for me. But what I continue to read on here is that you democrats have Palin running for the 2012 presidential race.. And you're the only ones that keep pushing this. The republican party ain't gonna let her run if they can help it. She certainly hasn't made any committment. But keep it up if you want. I'll take all bets that if she does decide to run, although I wouldn't believe she could win, she will take enough votes to make the whole political system sweat big drops. And as far as the son in law, the scuttlebutt in Juneau is that he knocked up two other young girls before he even met the Palin girl. Real man there. Most likely will become a big porn star.
bootspur
Yes. The same base that brought us DUBYA, sir.
Embrace-Reality
I would like to think her fatal flaw is a lack of education, belief in creationism, witches, etc. I'm afraid photo shots with guns and troops will pass for national security bona fides.
opedanderson
7 articles on SP on TDB today!
Wow......she must be REALLY stupid......
rodtanner
The fact the media is stupid doesn't mean she's NOT!
diamondgirl
Its the other way around the MSM Is stupid and Palin is not...
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spittingoutteeth
Sarah Palin has the looks and the charm to make a fantastic network TV news anchor. Maybe she should put her degree to use.
I wouldn't want a mechanic performing open heart surgery on me. I wouldn't want a surgeon repairing my engine. Why would I want someone like Palin running my country?
ImNoPUNK
Hey spittingoutteeth.... and your reason for hiring the "community organizer" we have now is ???????
misha1000
You betcha.
Morlock
We voted for him because he demonstrated an actual knowledge of the world and how to deal with people. Palin never did that - she was all flash and no substance. Obama may not have had the wealth of experience that McCain did, but you can't deny that he is a thoughtful and careful leader. one that won't make rash choices...which i for one am incredibly thankful for. I've had enoughof leaders that make choices with their "gut."
nailbunny
What an incredibly low bar that Palin couldn't even pass: name a newspaper. I think we can both agree, ImNoPUNK, that Obama could name a newspaper and he was elected to the U.S. Senate. To do that, he had to win a lot more votes than the votes Palin had to win in the state of Alaska - population less than that of San Francisco. Come up with a good argument and don't waste our time.
nailbunny
...Oh yeah and then there's that whole Harvard Law School thing, which, if you know anything about law schools, not only proves intelligence but also proves an ability to think logically, learn very quickly and apply that knowledge, as well as the will power to endure round-the-clock study. All traits required of a good president.
diamondgirl
Look what this Community Organizer is doing to the county, he is taxing and spending like a fool. Spreading the wealth, when wealth is shrinking daily for a lot of people, especially those without jobs, and what the hell is he doing about that? Nothing! Stimulus was a Failure and so is he...
Carole65
Morlock: Do you base your opinion on the your attendance at her rallies or your watching the debate between her and Biden?
Bemuzed
ImNoPUNK,
You are comparing a President Obama, a Harvard Law graduate and professor, to a woman who it took 6 colleges to finish a four year degree. Are you really serious?
One of Palin's fatal flaws is her intelligence and that is something she can change. And he lack of curiosity of the world around her also gives me pause.
nailbunny
Diamondgirl (below) spouting out a little tantrum adds nothing to the discourse. Come up with some supporting facts and then maybe someone will take note of your comments. Just screaching just wastes out time. By 'we' I mean those of us who plan on reading a few newspapers today
bgeasyas123
what is the United States, if not one big community?
rodtanner
Um, top of his class at Harvard Law School. Ya' know, instead of attending six different colleges in order to finally graduate from the vaunted University of Idaho.
ImNoPUNK
Hats off to nailbunny...
Finally someone on the left has the cajones to admit what we on the right have always known about the nucleus of your party; a smug elitist clique of contemners.
For the record: if one is a follower of Illinois politics he knows it doesn't take much for a Dem to win in Illinois if the party bosses ( eg. the likes of Stroger) prop the candidate up.,,,,, but then again, how could one believe you to know the goings on of "The Machine" ...when it's obvious you make a habit of talking out your arse despite all the facts.
candyman101
rodtanner, where do you get top of his class at harvard? I haven't been able to find anything about his grades, law school, law review experence and related articles, or his bar exam results.
diamondgirl
Rod you want supporting facts, Obama has passed a Porkulus bill with no improvement in the JOBS market, bailed out/took over bank,wall street, ins, car,health care,tax & trade, the deficit has tripled in 10 months. Let's not forget the Mao loving Communist Czars he has in the WH taking this country towards Socialism, etc.... How dumb are you hand out loving shlubs that you actually don't see what a loser he is! It's amazing
MrGEAH
"We voted for him because he demonstrated an actual knowledge of the world and how to deal with people."
Morlock, the poor confused sap can even figure out how to properly greet other world leaders. What made you think he had an actual knowledge of the world? Would it be all the vapid talk of Hope and Change?
bootspur
The President was indeed a community organizer for a while, but he was also a straight A student with an undergrad degree in Political Science from Colombia, where he went on to get a post graduate degree at Harvard Law School where he again had straight A's graduating Magna Cum Laude, and served as President of the Harvard Law Review. He was NO LONGER a community organizer, he was now a Lawyer and Professor of Law. The community organizer bit was a stepping stone in his educational career.
So when you say 'Community Organizer' in the context of Sara Palin, I can undertand why you would attempt to diminish him, after all The President did not use a Ghost Writer for his books, he wrote them himself...
Konchster
When she was one not so fantastic
sippewissett
Terrific. You nailed it. If Fox wants to give Palin a talk show, let them waste their money. The problem with even that employment is that Palin is a grabled thinker who then garbles her articulation of her mishmash thinking. She was oaky on Oprah because she stuck to what she wanted to say about her book.
However, try to imagine Palin engaging guests on larger issues of the economy, job-creation, energy, wars and foreign relations -- without lying or depending on friends for "facts" (like the coin conspiracy!). It just doesn't compute that if left on her own, without the guidance of a friendly interviewer, Palin could make it.
rodtanner
But, that just proves she'd fit right in at Fox.
diamondgirl
She at least knows how to make a decision, unlike Obama, who cant make up his mind about toop levels, as our young men and women are left helpless. Either pull them out or send in more... Wake up you One Term President before its over already...
OldJoe
US politics seems to be ever blurring the line between the "entertainment industry" "advertising demographics" and "politics"; the line that sometimes seems to be clearly cut is that between "politics" and "statesmanship", but then I guess the difference usually only shows up in retrospect. Would love to hear what the likes of Samuel Clemens and Will Rogers might have to say. As for Ms. Palin, I haven't got a clue and have no idea if she does either.
sippewissett
Thank you for articulating a serious confusion in the American public right now: the difference between whom to vote for to run the country vs. whom to watch on "Entertainment Tonight" has blurred because of the dumbing down of America.
A lot of folks posting here have compared Palin to Paris Hilton for good reason. Neither has anything to claim beyond being 'famous' for showing up. How scary that Palin has ANY following as a politician. She is a failed, one-time governor of a state of 700K residents. We ought to WANT more and EXPECT more of the people who run the country -- and supposedly represent us instead of their self-interest, but instead we have wingnuts in Congress who are truly embarassing. We need to remove from office the truly scary ones, regardless of party, and elect smart, ETHICAL people instead. Both of those criteria eliminate Palin.
pennsykid2000
"Contrary to conventional wisdom, experience cannot be separated from judgment. Experience matters," Mr. Continetti wrote.
This is true, but the emphasis should be the other way around. Judgment is what matters most, and experience only matters to the extent that it improves judgment. In other words, judgment is the conduit through which experience affects our actions.
But, having lots of experience does not mean one has better judgment. There is the right kind of experience and the wrong kind of experience. Working effectively with others to find common ground in developing solutions to problems can promote good judgment. On the other hand, searing tests of physical hardship at the hands of an enemy can distort one's perception about how to react to subsequent enemies, leading to bad judgment.
Moreover, there are other influences on judgment, such as personality and intelligence. This is why the president with the least experience in government, Abe Lincoln, is often considered our best, and the president with the most experience in government, his predecessor James Buchanan, is often considered the worst.
sippewissett
Thanks for a thoughtful posting. These are the kind of ideas that need to bubble up before the 2010 elections so the truly witless bizarros in Congress right now know they will be replaced. We need the smartest, most ethical people possible representing us in the complex world of the 21st century.
rustywheeler
Agreed. Just look at Bill Kristol.
Bemuzed
Pennsykid200,
You are my BFF for today! :D
whipmawhopma
pennsykid2000 - "Abe Lincoln, is often considered our best, and the president with the most experience in government, his predecessor James Buchanan, is often considered the worst."
So if Obama is channeling the spirit of Lincoln, then Bush II was channeling the spirit of Buchanan? Is that what you're saying?
Cleanerman
I just don't care for the woman. I am prejudiced, I suppose, as I am a Democratic-leaning Independent. It can't be denied, she is a curiosity, even to me. For me, she is mainly a sideline entertainment. But many in America are quite serious about her. She would still be an unknown if it weren't for McCain choosing her as his VP. Now, she is "out there" for whatever motives. The primary one, without doubt, is to make money. She may not be the brightest star in the sky, but I have no doubt she can count money. For her, she is in the big leagues now. And who knows, being this is such an odd country among the Western countries, she may be winking at us behind the Presidential podium come 2012.
sippewissett
Don't even entertain the idea of Palin as a 2012 candidate because it will mean that you have given up hope of an intelligent, ethical GOP candidate. I grant you right now that's a long shot, but allowing Palin to creep into your thoughts means that you are not holding the Repugs to high standards required of a national party.
P.S. I think you meant "sideshow" not "sideline" entertainment.
tumbleweed
What little that I saw before the evening news came on (I didn't bother watching any of it she just irritates the hell out of me). It was the same old tired apologist Palin. She was blaming Katie Couric for her disastrous interview. She couldn't believe someone asked her what books she read? So she flubbed it. Give me a break!!! She is put off guard by such a simple straight forward question?????? As far as I could see, the interview with Katie was soft pedaled to the point of being ridiculous. The Media was terrified of asking her any hard questions like they did the Democrats. I would think a person running for VP of the US should have to answer a few tough questions. I wouldn't vote for her for dog catcher.
ImNoPUNK
Hey tumbleweed...... name one time Obama was asked something really "tough" on the campaign trail.... Hell, to this day the dude doesn't answer "tough" questions...... He either reprimands reporters at home that attempt to dig deeper or he totally ignores a question, much like he did the other day in Japan when asked about Hiroshima.
NotFooledTX
You're kidding, right? You're noeinsteineither.
diamondgirl
tumble, Obama never gets asked tough questions, he doesnt know what the hell he is doing, he cant make a decision about anything without making sure the Progressive approve. He is the most far left individual we have had in the WH in many years. He is a One Term President..
rustywheeler
That Hiroshima dig is unfair, as was the question. Kind of like the Preejan SSM question.
nailbunny
At least Obama knows WHAT Hiroshima and Nagasaki ARE. And by knowing what they are, knows that the debate over whether it was the right thing to do still rages to this day. If someone asks me if it was the right thing to do, I can give the argument for and against and I suspect Obama can, too, unlike Palin and, given your rabid defense of her intelligence in the face of absolutely no proof of its existence, you, ImNoPUNK.
Bemuzed
ImNoPUNK,
Most questions asked of politicians aren't touch -- this isn't rocket science. I can answer most any questions asked because I'm widely read and site where I've read the information so one can check my source. At the least I can name the top three papers that I read without blinking an eye.
Boy does she have you fooled.
rodtanner
So, you consider "What periodicals do you read?" to be a tough question? I suppose any Palin supporter would have a tough time with that question; any question is tough if you don't know the answer.
ImNoPUNK
First to you "roadtanner"... you're outta line, you need to follow the dialogue here,,,,,, I was responding to the last question in "tumbleweeds" thread.... From now on pay attention, cause I'm not gonna continue to school you .... Get it ,,,Got it .. Good......
Now I can continue on my way to lay out that harpy "nailbunny".......
I'm gonna assume you're a female. That being said, I've taken classes where persons of your ilk where discussed as part of the lesson plan .... The shrink teaching the class said hopeless dead end romantics such as yourself are usually housed in looney bins or amongst the daughters of Sapho residing in state detention centers.
So tell me... how long have you been out on your own this time ???
devilsadvocate
"Sure, she was good on Oprah"?? What? I thought she wasn't so great on Oprah.
Martyz42
Erock1 is right on base.... Sarah herself is laughable & could go on TV & make a good comedian just being herself since she is so really stupid..... The real problem is the Americans who think she is anything other than stupid. Sarah is truly 100% proof of the dumbing down of this Country & as Bill Maher says, "Americans are just plain stupid"... (Sarah supporters & Confederate republicans)
Sarah should in fact have her picture in Websters dictionary next to the page where they describe "white trash"... Look at her family, look at her friends, look at her life in general & tell me she is anything other than white trash with a smile & a body.... This person would still be in Alaska if not for a really selfish senile man called John McCain who could care less for America, who has cursed this Nation with the likes of Sarah Palin... McCain himself should be retired to pasture for what he did by selecting her. McCain has in fact gotten a free pass from the press for his most self serving act, picking Sarah for anything other than the poster child for ignorance gone wild in Alaska...
attilathehunny
wow we are not too critical are we? I think it is important to stop these awful and mean attacks on people. White trash is an incredibly demeaning term usually stated to depict someone as uneducated and ignorant. Who are you to say such things? I am sure your educational background, family etc are beyond reproach.
rustywheeler
She's willfully in the public eye; comes with the territory. I think it's important to develop thicker skins if we're going to play in the public arena.
nailbunny
Wow, defending a woman who smiled when someone yelled out 'Kill him!' on the campaign trail. Palin is beyond reproach in terms of kindness? If she dishes it out, she can take it. If she can't, and goes on Oprah whining about Katie Couric, she certainly couldn't take it from any of the world's leaders. We can say such things because they're politicians and this is a democracy.
White trash is a term with a meaning. If the meaning fits, it can be applied. It fits in this case, just like the word imbecile and you.
MrGEAH
Sarah should in fact have her picture in Websters dictionary next to the page where they describe "white trash"
Martyz42, "white trash" is a racist term. I'm not surprised to see those who don't like Gov. Palin showing their true racist natures.
MrGEAH
"White trash is a term with a meaning."
Yes, it does. It has a racist meaning. It means "white people who are lower than black people."
I know you know that, as you're an educated person. That's why you're comfortable using the term.
Konchster
Sarah carries that fatal republican flaw of good at winning elections but not good at governing one step further she was good at winning elections in Alaska but didn't bother govening
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