Is Palin Ready for Office?
Posted on 06 October 2008 by Lisa Pawlowski
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.
Popularity: 12% [?]
October 6th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Actually Biden may have appeared to have it more together, but after the fact, fact checkers said she had more things correct than Biden.
October 15th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
How can you seriously consider voting for Mccain? If you want an idea of the next 4 years if Mccain is President and Palin in VP, look at the last 8.
We’re all confused, scared and excited for November. Just make the right decision!
I feel sorry for Palin after all the media scrutiny she was faced. But, before Mccain picked her, I have NEVER heard of her.
McCain/Palin just aren’t fit to lead.
The Republicans need to get it together.
October 16th, 2008 at 10:31 am
I’m not a McCain supporter. Where McCain left me cold was when during the 2nd debate and he said he wanted government to buy up all the bad mortgages. After he said that, I thought well, I have to choose between two socialists to be president. Understand, I’m a fiscal conservative who believes wholeheartedly in the free-market, capitalist system. The bailout of all these companies really made me livid. The worst part was when voters spoke out and contacted their representatives and told them to vote against the bailout only to be figuratively patted on the head and told, “It’s too complicated for you to understand. Just trust me.” Right now, I don’t trust any politician.