Is Palin Ready for Office?

As a political conservative, I’ve written previously about how thrilled I was that John McCain picked Governor Sarah Palin as his vice president. (See Culture Feast article I Finally Have a Horse in the Race.) I wasn’t the only one who was excited by his choice. McCain’s poll numbers enjoyed a bounce after the announcement. Donors infused money into his campaign.

Then the handlers kept Palin away from the press, fueling speculation that they were trying to protect her. Finally, the McCainiacs parsed her out to Charlie Gibson and Katie Couric for interviews—and it wasn’t good. She didn’t sound articulate, confident and like she had a firm grasp of what she was supposed to say. I found myself wincing as some of her answers to Couric’s questions. Sure, I thought the question about McCain’s voting record unfair. But Palin’s answer about foreign policy experience gave me pause. Then the poll numbers drifted down.

I watched the debates and I held my breath before Palin and Biden came on. I wanted so badly for her to do well. The question everyone viewing at home asked themselves was, “Which Palin will show up tonight? Will it be the charismatic one who made an appearance at the Republican convention? Or will it be the inarticulate one the media has been interviewing?

Both vice-presidential candidates did well, and I was relieved that Palin didn’t crash and burn. But Biden obviously had a better grasp of the issues.

So here is where I’m at. I’m more confused than ever about whom I’m going to vote for. I know where I stand on things, but I don’t see anyone representing me, and, it pains me to say this, but I have serious reservations as to whether the one person who I think could represent me is ready to be a heartbeat away from the presidency.