I tried to watch, but the "content is unavailable".

Yeah, but Heather: She's so ... so .... *folksy*!

Here's a good summation:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-seitzman/sarah-palin-naked_b_12586...

Yeah. Not going to cut it!

Wow. I think that's the first time really watching her speak. That was slightly painful...

It won't play!

I expect a lot more out of a vice presidential candidate than that, uterus or no uterus.

I have been a Republican my entire adult life. I feel the VP selection was done for political reasons.

Thanks, Heather. I've been hoping you'd float one of these clips for discussion. I think we're at the point now where Palin's incompetence speaks for itself--you don't even have to say anything that might incur your mom's ever-so-elegant middle finger.

And just think, there's like a 3 out of 4 chance that McCain will die during his term, and then she would be the PREZ! OMFG.

But she's just like you and me!!

Did she actually have anything to say? Am I mistaken in believing that someone other than the governor of Alaska negotiates trade agreements with and air patrols of Russia? Help me understand how that has anything to do with foreign policy. Please.

WTF is she rambling about?

I went to the CBS site to see it... by these standards, my 3-year-old son in speech therapy is an eloquent genius.

Just Wow.

I would also like to encourage Palin supporters to come forward and voice their opinion. A couple of times now I've searched the internet for voices of support out of pure curiosity, and have struggled to come up with little more than "I like her glasses" and "What a pretty Pit Bull". Anyone who can shed some light would be appreciated.

And to Lisa, #11, I absolutely agree.

That’s Tina Fey, right? There’s no way the real candidate for VP could be that vapid, is there? Is there?

As a follow up to my previous comment, I thought I'd post the link, just in case anybody has not already watched it 800 times, as I have.

http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/video/clips/palin-hillary-open/65...

You're welcome.

Best thing ever.

I think she was picked because she's a woman. I don't necessarily agree with EITHER of the candidates however I really think McCain picked her because she's a woman and to counter the fact that Obama is African American (That might sound bad I don't mean it to at all!) Eeks!

I am beyond appalled that she was allowed to speak at the UN. People in other countries may actually begin to believe that she is representative of our citizenry.

I wonder if there's enough room for all of us in Canada, should McCain win. Eh?

Agreed. However, maybe there was more to her interview than just that? Though I can't say I like either candidate, I do think that this video may have been a little biased.

Oh jeez. I babble like that. I am a Dork with a capital D in interviews. I stammer. I don't make sense.

I'm also not in a position that requires that I sound intelligent and prepared and poised in public interviews. I will not be president of a large nation if the older man that I work with dies.

I don't think you're going to get a lot of women/men writing in to explain why they support Palin. I heard something on NPR the other day--some poll they took and the reasons those interviewed were giving included:

1. She seems just like you and me!
2. She's down-to-earth (in my mind, that's a nice way of saying that she's not very educated or experienced)
3. She...uh, she's...I like her glasses.
4. She loves Jesus.
5. She's McCaine's running mate.

It's a joke. And a really really really bad one if McCaine wins.

I'm Canadian -- I can only get my US citizenship middle of next year -- so I can't vote yet. That's a shame, really, because not only was that video uncomfortable to watch, I fear she might be retarded. And I'm not throwing that word around gratuitously -- she really sounds like she doesn't know her elbows from her knees.

I hate to quote the movie Billy Madison, but the following quote immediately came to mind:

.."Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."

Since I live in Florida, please feel free to consult me on any crisis regarding Cuba or the Caribbean. Sign me up for south of the border, too - a lot of residents here are Mexican, so I'll be sure to keep an eye out to make sure they don't cross into my yard-space and threaten our security as red-blooded Americans.

I find her logic (?!?) extremely flawed and will be voting the Democratic ticket.

Palin in full-on scary. She's a total hypocrite (opting to have testing done before her down syndrome baby was born - a right she would deny her fellow women if she had her way) and completely inexperience. Anyone that goes after an innocent librarian that didn't like the idea of banning books needs to actually spend some time in said library and read about the values this country was built on.

*Vote Obama 08*

Not that I am pro Palin by any means, but with some fancy editing, and time to prepare your questions, you can put anyone on the spot and portray them any way you see that will fit your goal.

My issue is that most of us choose our vote by stereotypes of our two parties. We vote for who our friends vote for, or whom our parents don't vote for. It is all based on perception, and who gets the right kind of PR. We can't really know our candidates by watching the press. You need to get online, and research what your candidates have voted for and pushed for.

Ignore # 29 and please continue with the political commentary on this website. It is nice to know that not everyone in Utah bows to the throne of the Republican party. If more disented, maybe a presidential canidate would take the time to look at some of the Utah issues. I've actually been to Canada; and Mexico, I guess that I am more qualified to be V.P. I also have going for me the fact that I know what the Bush Doctrine is. Thanks Heather.

everyone that i've talked to who likes palin always says she approachable. but i don't want a soccer mom to be put in charge of the well-being of our country. i would like someone who is more informed, more intelligent, more logical, etc. basically someone who's going to do a better job than i would which is why i'm appointing them that power.

also, a big concern is firearms. if firearms become banned, or "regulated" (which is the democratic stance), that's a problem (ex: there is more violent crime in states where firearms are regulated or banned {like NY or Chicago} than in non-regulated states).

Oh Great Goodness. I am so embarrassed for this country right now. I'm reminded of those BS beauty queen surprise impromptu questions, where their answers always suck and they're so nervous and ill-informed that you have to change the channel to avoid the awkwardness. She also reminds me of Peggy Hill, but where Peggy's faults and egomania are weirdly lovable, Sarah Palin's are set to destroy any remaining shred of hope the rest of the world had for us.

Can we please have those Ben Bernanke/"Spencer" kids for co-VPs instead? At least they're comfortable in front of the camera, and have a sense of irony.

#39 Burbank Fox-I was thinking the same exact thing! I was looking forward to Palin "fan" comments.....well? Where are they?

L

Tory, those were my exact thoughts. Im not American, I dont live in America......AND SHE SCARES ME!

I'd rather wake up on fire than have that woman in office.

Geesh, I almost felt sorry for her the way she was tripping over herself constantly. So, let me get this straight Russia and Alaska are by each other? Does she think we didn't get it the first 3 times she mentioned it? See she already thinks less of the American people! and you know what this whole, "She's just like us" and "she's so pretty and a mom and I think I would totally be best friends with her" Yeah,well, my best friend is pretty and a mom but there is no way in hell I want or think she should be president. Does anyone vote by experience these day's? Or by the way I choose my dogs when I'm betting on them at the races..."Um, I like that one because he/she has really neat markings and it's groomed so nicely." WAKE UP AMERICA OUR DOOM IS NEAR IF MCCAIN IS NOMINATED! Thanks, Heather I needed that.

What's not to like. She has the liberals in complete hysteria (see nearly all comments above). :-)

The woman is dumb and now she is working for a man slightly dumber. A joke that explains it all:

While suturing a cut on the hand of a 75-year old Texas rancher whose hand was caught in a gate while working cattle, the doctor struck up a conversation with the old man. Eventually the topic got around to Sarah Palin and her bid to be a heartbeat away from being President. The old rancher said, 'Well, ya know, Palin is a post turtle.'

Not being familiar with the term, the doctor asked him what a post turtle was.

The old rancher said, 'When you're driving down a country road and you come across a fence post with a turtle balanced on top, that's a post turtle.'

The old rancher saw a puzzled look on the doctor's face, so he continued to explain. 'You know she didn't get up there by herself, she doesn't belong up there, she doesn't know what to do while she is up there, and you just wonder what kind of dumb ass put her up there to begin with.'

I think the gal in THIS video would have been MUCH better suited than Palin as McCain's VP pick!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj3iNxZ8Dww
Seriously, I think Palin's popularity stems from the fact that she comes across as being less of a slime-ball than most career politicians. I am a registered Republican but still can't say who I will vote for, they all scare me...I've been around long enough to know that campaign promises and rhetoric are a bunch of hot air and our political system is such that not any one person has the ability to dramatically change anything without a bunch of the typical partisan resistance...so most campaigns are a bunch of hooey when it comes to what people promise to do if elected...you really just need to go by the candidate's track record to get an idea of their integrity and ability. How they act "when no one is looking", so to speak. Then vote accordingly.

"Like a bad Disney movie..."

http://rickyvanveen.com/post/51748798/after-hearing-matt-damons-brillian...

I am a registered republican, but I suppose I should be an independent because I never vote with my party, I always vote with the issues however I usually lean right. This time around I have no clue what I am going to do. I am looking hard right now at a few independents, Bob Barr, Ron Paul, because I don't know where my vote is going. I can tell you one thing that I do know. I am tired of snarky politicians wrapped in red tape, and I am tired of all the mud slinging. I appreciate that you are asking for Palin supporters to voice their opinions, that is awesome. It sucks to go to a blog and read "Obama/McCain sucks....vote for this person because I said so"....That kind of ignorant bullshit is getting a bit exhausting. Its refreshing for someone to ask for discussion instead of whine about why they hate the candidate they aren't voting for. I love my country and we are facing some tough times.I have a lot of thinking to do before election day.

I think it's ok to like Sarah Palin, she's one heck of an interesting story. I think that if your political views are so centered on being pro-life or other religious issues, I can totally see why you would vote for her. And if there wasn't the oldest candidate for President in history running with her, I would just go ahead and say that this is a move by McCain to pander to the religious right and laugh it off and probably not care too much one way or the other.

The problem is that McCain isn't particularly healthy, has outlived the entire male lineage of his family already, has cancer, and (lest we forget) suffered 5 years of torture. And he wants to have the most stressful job in the world. This is a woman who isn't just a "heartbeat away from the presidency", but she will LIKELY need to assume executive power at some point during his term. And for some Americans, that would be a literal Godsend, because a Palin presidency is a Christian conservative presidency with the same agenda and outlook.

Anyway, that was all a long-winded way of saying, "yeah, I get why some people like her, but holy shit wtf?"

I echo 57's sentiments.

I think it's ok to like Sarah Palin, she's one heck of an interesting story. I think that if your political views are so centered on being pro-life or other religious issues, I can totally see why you would vote for her. And if there wasn't the oldest candidate for President in history running with her, I would just go ahead and say that this is a move by McCain to pander to the religious right and laugh it off and probably not care too much one way or the other.

The problem is that McCain isn't particularly healthy, has outlived the entire male lineage of his family already, has cancer, and (lest we forget) suffered 5 years of torture. And he wants to have the most stressful job in the world. This is a woman who isn't just a "heartbeat away from the presidency", but she will LIKELY need to assume executive power at some point during his term. And for some Americans, that would be a literal Godsend, because a Palin presidency is a Christian conservative presidency with the same agenda and outlook.

Anyway, that was all a long-winded way of saying, "yeah, I get why some people like her, but holy shit wtf?"

Honestly, McCain wasn't much more articulate than this in his Couric interview but I think the difference is that he was struggling to articulate what he thinks everyone wants to hear without backing himself into a corner, while Palin's struggling simply because she's clueless and hasn't learned how to respond to questions she doesn't know the answers to or ones she has no answers for as artfully as more practiced politicians do.

Please tell me there's no way they're going to win this thing. Please?

I'm equally as terrified.

If you live next to a hospital does that mean you can practice medicine? That's basically what she's saying.

Seems to me she would have looked less short bus if she just fessed up and said "I don't have a lot of foreign policy experience but I'm fast learner" I would respect her more. Now she just looks like a moron. I can just imagine the Russian Government giggling like school girls that she is a vice president candidate. Nothing worse than a know it all who knows nothing.

there's a poll http://www.pbs.org/now/polls/poll-435.html
what i don't understand is why.

sometimes during presidential elections i think we should have the option to secede.

I'm going to have to take a guess as to why she's popular because I'm not a Republican or even an American.

I think some voters will find her likable (the folksiness, the hockey-mom factor, her naughty schoolteacher looks etc.) and actually appreciate her rough-around-the-edges interviews because they separate her from "slick" or "cagey" career politicians.

I think many people will vote for her because they are Republican and she is on the Republican ticket. And that is enough.

If there are any actual Palin fans in the house, maybe you could take it from here.

It scares me that people would vote for them because Governor Palin is" just like you and me". First of all, I am not qualified to run this country. Let there be no mistake, although I have significantly more education, was a soccer mom for longer, ran the PTA for longer, was involved in local politics for longer, and have never had any ethics investigations against me - I am not qualified to run this country! This woman repeatedly misstates her accomplishments - she went to five institutions before getting a bachelor's degree! She has active ethics investigations going on...
Where are the Republican women politicians?! Although, I am a dyed-in- the- wool liberal, I believe that there are plenty of well-spoken, well-educated and highly experienced Republican women potentially qualified for this position. Why are they not speaking up? Where is Christine Todd Whitman? If we, as women, want to be represented, then put forth a brilliant candidate.
Professional values? Does it only take a low-grade bachelor's degree and a couple of years experience to run a country? Complexities of economics, science, cultural history demand more - don't they?
Moral values? Wouldn't you expect to have no ethics conflicts if you wanted to be in charge of a prominent nation? Wouldn't you expect to have spiritual beliefs that are distinctly personal, not professional? We don't all agree with each other's spiritual beliefs in this country. Isn't that the reason this country was founded?
I hope that this candidate is not a gender representation. What a mistake to have such an under-qualified and illiterate person represent the women of this country.
Nope, this is representation of the desperate nature of the Republican Party.
She is not "just like us".

I agree completely! Here's something great Glenn Greenwald wrote today:

"Sarah Palin's performance in the tiny vignettes of unscripted dialogue in which we've been allowed to see her has been nothing short of frightening ... One of two things is absolutely clear at this point: she is either (a) completely ignorant about the most basic political issues -- a vacant, ill-informed, incurious know-nothing, or (b) aggressively concealing her actual beliefs about these matters because she's petrified of deviating from the simple-minded campaign talking points she's been fed and/or because her actual beliefs are so politically unpalatable, even when taking into account the right-wing extremism that is permitted, even rewarded, in our mainstream. I'm not really sure which is worse, but it doesn't really matter, because with 40 days left before the election, both options are heinous."

She's like that person, when you're working the suck shift at the Gap, who asks you in the most condescending voice ever, 8 different times, for stuff that can be found right behind her. Every time.

so just to throw it out there...who else feels like we're in the movie "idiocracy"? it is SAD to hear people here in memphis going on and on about how tough, well-spoken (HA), and firm she is, and hot dang i like her glasses, i'm gonna get me some. can we please go back to what it actually takes to be a real leader in the world? i am so terrified.

on the plus side, her candidacy is SO scary and SO awful, it's doing something i didn't think possible: forcing my boyfriend to actually vote this year, for obama.

As a Palin/McCain non fan, here's my theory.

Republicans are feeling battered. GWB didn't turn out the way they thought he would. Despite the chest thumping, there are still boys getting killed every day in Iraq and Afghanistan. America has zero goodwill abroad today - this in spite of the fact that after 9/11, the entire world loved America. That goodwill was squandered by this administration. Add to that the financial crises and the fact that the government is going against every right-wing grain in bailing out private business, and you have a pretty down in the dumps bunch in the GOP.

So McCain, the maverick, comes along and he is the only candidate who can say with any veneer of legitimacy that he's different than Bush. He is indeed, a maverick. But he's still a Republican, and the left will not forget that. And he doesn't appeal to the broad GOP base.

Enter Sarah Palin, someone from the middle of nowhere, someone who's not afraid to stand up and utter crowd-pleasing phrases like "lipstick on a pitbull", and the GOP thinks, hallelujiah. She's just like us. She's Christian and Conservative, which is what I want, but she's also not from the DC old guard. She hasn't been corrupted by years of the Beltway. She's a fresh hope, she's new, and she's saying all the right things when she's allowed to speak.

After this week, though? After yet another interview where Palin scrambles for answers because she feels she has to say *something*, rather than the right answer which would be "I don't know but I will find out", after McCain's hijinks around the bailout and the debate, after all of this reactionary stuff? I suspect even the GOP is starting to wonder. And they will simply just not vote, and go make preparations to hide under the blankets for the next four years.

I'm from The Netherlands, so I'm not exactly eligible to vote, but I must say that both candidates - Obama AND McCain - are heaps of leaps forward compared to Bush. I mean, like, OMGPWNIES!!! ahead. I favour the Democrats, but at least McCain isn't a total brainless moron, so I could live with him being president.

That being said - Palin scares the living daylights out of me. I believe in a strong separation between church and state, and Palin represents everything that I do NOT believe in in that regard. America was instructed by God to invade Iraq? God promoting war? If I were religious, I'd find that offensive.

And yes, what if McCain dies? Palin in office? She doesn't appear to have much of a brain, and having such a religious lunatic with access to The Red Button (nuclear weapons) seems like a ticket to an annoying case of LOTS OF DEAD PEOPLE.

But I do reiterate - she is physically attractive. Which, coincidentally, might explain people defending her.

Hence the new comment around our house every time she and/or McCain or one of their campaign lackeys speaks:
"That is CRAZY! It's BEYOND THE PALIN."

this election is the lesser of two very lame choices.
By the way Obama has fumbled his way through many an interview.

You are right though her in-experience is frightening.
What you need to realize though is that to many of us, so is Obama's.

His in-experience combined with his socialist leanings makes him the weaker canidite in my vote.

Some like, love, crave socialism and it's ideals.

Call me old school but I happen to hold dearly what has set us apart from other countries...our freedom. We thrive as a nation because of it.

Yes, we are FAR from perfect but we have something unique and wonderful that no other country has achieved. As we lose sight of that we inch closer and closer to becoming a socialist country.

Once that happens I may have to move to Europe where at least the art is better.

Until then VIVA THE CONSTITUTION! Call me crazy but I'm writing in Ron Paul!

ps

I love how each side feels so strongly that the country is doomed if one or the other is elected!
Our media has succeeded at creating this pointless artificial warfare where we bash one another over the head and fail to actually cover any ground with one another.

It's very profitable for them to have us all hating on one another.

Also I like the Dooce better when it spares us the thinly veiled endorsements via photos of dog with husband in obama shirt.

I can't wait for the election to be over already so I can get a break from my favorite blogs trying to take on politics.

~melissa

I tried to watch it, but I felt really lightheaded and needed to stop looking at her face in order to feel better. Her presence on television makes me physically ill.

I can't believe this has happened.

99: I thought Heather was referencing herself, not Palin. Correct me if I'm wrong though.

I'm horrified as well, and very pained every time I hear this woman open her mouth.

Although, as a former Alaskan myself, I *do* have to point out that it's very dangerous there. One must constantly be on the watch for Canadian poachers in the woods, Russian smugglers at sea, and for Mexicans who want to steal your weed crop. Sometimes the French were even a threat with their food! Very dangerous.

Does anyone else feel the MIND CONTROL the media is spinning? Thank you people like Katie Couric and Barbara Walters, and other skeptical mainstreamers.

when it comes time to vote it will mean voting for the lesser of two evils, just like it always does.

frankly, i don't trust any politicians. they all eventually screw up one way or another. never fails. as my grandpa liked to say "dems get in trouble over women and republicans get in trouble over money."

in this case though, even if i wasn't a dem she'd scare the living crap out of me. the country has come too far to risk the chance that mc cain will die and she'd be in charge.

betsy - to defend dooce, she insults everybody, she's pretty even handed and if you read her stuff you gotta be willing to take a little flack.

#113
is a perfect example of what I mean...when someone does not agree with you they are thought to be an idiot!?!

Oh Heather. Don't you know by now your funny little website is a humorous retreat for most of your fans!!!

Keep the politics out of your site...please.

I think of you as an intelligent and funny woman. Not so much when you post your political view. Do you really think Palin supporters will honestly put their own take/view so that you can just re-hash it again?

Please go back to talking about hitting snooze and how fucking wonderfully irritating your family is...if I need political insight, I'll just turn to the eighty channels that broadcast their own bias opinions.

While I do think it is "good" to see a woman succeeding in politics and it is nice to see more women involved in this election, I find it offensive as a woman that this is the best that the Republican party could do.

I am mostly a liberal with a few things falling into the more moderate range and the occasional right-wing leaning, but there is just too much at stake to gamble with this election.

I am more concerned about the potential changes to the Supreme Court and that is why I am voting Barack Obama.

While I mostly agreed with your previous post, I think that it is very commendable of you to open things up in a civil manner for debate. The only way an intelligent conversation can ever be had is if both sides are calm and agree to keep things calm. So kudos to opening things back up in a way that fosters intelligent debate, particularly after the myriad comments that cannot have been easy to read. I'll say that I was most offended by people that supposedly support this country and want "what's best for this country" while simultaneously telling you to write about your dog and your kid and nothing else. As if this isn't your website to do what you wish with... it's your site, you pay for it, they don't have to visit it and if you want to say something, well, then... you can damn well say it.

So thank you for saying what you mean, meaning what you say, but also having the courage to say "Well, what do you have to say?" to the other side of the debate.

Watching that made me feel the same level of awkwardness as when I watch Michael Scott from The Office try to have a staff meeting. The only difference is: Thats! Not! Real!

My only wish is that Tim Russert would have gotten his way with her. That episode of MTP would have been one for the ages. I miss him.

So she isn't the brilliant generalist like Obama, how refreshing. Obama is the same way except he just makes it sound better - there is no content, just words. That's what scares me about him - and all democratic presidents in the recent past. They over promise with triumphant speeches and underdeliver.

The last thing we need right now is more government and that is why Obama CANNOT be president.

Men like her because she's hot and conservative women like her because she's "pro-life". And moms like her because she's a mom. I was unfortunate enough to attend a Republican party party (long story how I ended up there, God forbid), and it was in Arizona, and most of the women there were voting for the McCain ticket not because of McCain, but because of "Sarah". She's "such a breath of fresh air" and represents "our values".
Personally, I think most conservatives are not really conservative in their everyday life but carry around a bunch of guilt and think by voting conservative they somehow become conservative. It's a crazy ideal.
OBAMA/BIDEN 2008!!!!

I love the way people tell you what to post on your blog. "I just come here for the purdy puppy pictures. Not politics!" God forbid you express your own opinion on your *gasp* OWN BLOG.

Sarah Palin has boobs. This is why people like her, I think. Goooo boobs!

This really isn't complicated, so let's just tell the truth, shall we? Palin's support only exists because she:
1. Wants to make abortion illegal.
2. Wants to prevent gay people from getting married.
3. Thinks we should teach religious dogma (creationism) in taxpayer-funded schools.

The people who support her have a worldview that goes exactly as far as those three issues and no further. Every other justification you hear for supporting Palin is a cover for one of those three things.

I think it is sad that everyone is on here bashing her. Dooce asked for supporters to tell her why. Is there no one that reads this blog that can articulate their reasons for support. So far, no supporters. We all understand, very clearly, why we should not vote for her, but, why do others see her as a future world leader. Why do some people see her as one that inspires them to go to the polls and tell the world that this is the person that we want to represent our nation the the global community?

Why, why, why?

One of two things is absolutely clear at this point: she is either (a) completely ignorant about the most basic political issues -- a vacant, ill-informed, incurious know-nothing, or (b) aggressively concealing her actual beliefs about these matters because she's petrified of deviating from the simple-minded campaign talking points she's been fed and/or because her actual beliefs are so politically unpalatable, even when taking into account the right-wing extremism that is permitted, even rewarded, in our mainstream. I'm not really sure which is worse, but it doesn't really matter, because with 40 days left before the election, both options are heinous.

Well... I agree with you, so cannot tell you why I support her. But, I can tell you why many of the religion right and even religious middle people support her... because she goes to church... this is the only litmus test she had to pass.

Heather, I have no words. After seeing this I'm back to my original impression that she was chosen strictly for shock value and to try to procure the female vote.

This election scares me.....beyond words!

The New York Times reported that Palin had to get a passport (her first ever) in July 2007 in order to visit troops in Kuwait. And though it's right next door, as she repeatedly reminds us, she's never actually been to Russia. My fourteen-year-old has more foreign policy experience than she does. It would be funny if it weren't so horrifying.

I can't get out of my head the nastiness displayed in the RNC speeches, particularly when Giuliani snarled in reference to Obama's perceived lack of experience, "this is no time time for on the job training!" He stood there gloating with that Satan's bagboy smile of his as the audience went wild with approval. Hello...

Here's a little video that illustrates beautifully:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmbaDu7cPT0

Oh man. That. Was. Bad. Neither women did us any favors if you ask me. I can't believe after all of this build up to the election that I am this disgusted, fed up, and just plain over it. I don't want to vote for either of them but I don't want to vote for McCain more than Obama so I guess Obama gets my vote. Nice.

Bless her heart, she is such a moron.

I read through all the comments to see why folks support her and have only seen a few. It's a bit disappointing because I am curious too!

My only insight is that I have a very good friend who does like her and I've ask her why. Essentially she said that she likes her convictions and was impressed with her RNC speech. Later she added that she is appreciates that Palin is the only candidate who had children going to public school. Since the interviews and gaffs, I haven't asked my friend if she feels the same way and wonder if she supports her as strongly.

And @ #64 who Beatrice said: I'd rather wake up on fire than have that woman in office.

I totally snorted when I read that. I tend to agree!

Dooce,
I don't think you have any republicans who read this blog!!

At least not any McCain/Palin supporters...

I totally agree with you on all things Palin.
This video just confirms what a poor choice was made.

I thank the sweet baby Jesus for like-minded people such as Jon and yourself. I live in LA (and no I don't deal meth in exchange for sunny warm weather) and I love waking up in the morning and checking my Twitters to read what you an Jon have to say related to the election and the candidates!

I think that one thing that draws me to Palin is she is like myself. A working mom with young kids. Do I think that I could be Vice President? I could IF and I mean IF I had great mentors and asistants. Granted, she doesn't have any foreign relations experience BUT with proper guidance adn a lot of help she will be fine. Everyone had to learn to deal with international policies sometime, why not now? I believe she wants and means well, but can she hack it? I think she can. Maybe somebody who is a political "virgin" would be good, maybe not.

Here is another thought IF McCain wins and dies in office, let's face it he is old, can Palin run our country? That part scares me more than her actually working as VP. She will be fine as VP, but can she fill in for President if we need her?

Heather,

I agree 100%. Matt Damon summed it up well in this video about it all sounding like a bad Disney movie:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anxkrm9uEJk

She is almost condescending in many of her interviews.

I love how she calls him "Charlie". I've never heard anyone call Charles Gibson "Charlie". She has no idea wtf the Bush Doctrine is, just tries to guess at the question, then he tells her wtf it is. She is a MORON. She does not answer his question, she skirts the issue (no pun intended here really). Charles Gibson says "I'm sorry, I got lost in a blizzard of words there..."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z75QSExE0jU

This one is good too, has the other Gibson interviews, which she not only received the questions beforehand but was coached on the answers and you can tell.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNPGnZurs1k

It frightens me that she could be President. I cannot wait for the Palin/Biden debates and the Obama/McCain debates.

I can't wait to see her speak in a debate. Good luck with that! Listening to her is painful.

I never comment on these sorts of things because honestly, there really aren't any places to go and speak your mind right now without any sort of political bias already pre-established.

That being said, I'll be one of the republicans that speaks out here about this video. Do I think it makes Palin look great? No. I say this not only as a republican, but as someone who was raised in Alaska (and who's parents are still Alaska residents and have been for almost 20 years) as well. She definitely looks like a deer in the headlights and the clip doesn't portray her to sound like she knows what she's talking about.

But for people to sit here and pass judgement against her based on that video clip and not the full interview seems unfair. Of course Democrats are going to pick apart everything she does and says as a way to point out all of the reasons she's a bad choice for our country. But I haven't seen anyone on this topic yet point out the flubs Obama has made while speaking for millions to see, either. And there are plenty.

How can you say that Sarah Palin trying to use Alaska's proximity to Russia as a foreign policy credential is ridiculous, yet Obama's "Inflate Your Tires" energy plan is well thought out? They're both stupid! I guarantee that for every stupid quote snippet or video clip that anyone could produce making Palin or McCain look like an idiot, I could match you with one of Obama or Biden looking just as idiotic. We will never be a country free of political bias in our media. All we can do is try to educate ourselves in the most extensive ways possible and make decisions that will hopefully have the most positive impact on our lives as individuals. Our diversity as a country will never leave us in a position to all want the same thing for the same reasons.

Ok. I'm hugely pregnant and 4 days overdue to give birth, so please excuse my ranting. No personal offense is intended of course. You should hear what my family has to put up with!

Oh, quick(?) P.S. - Anyone who is surprised that Obama interviews better than Palin needs to realize that it's comparing apples to oranges. I should certainly hope that an attorney would be better at talking in circles around someone who's trying to point out that he or his campaign (or clients, as an attorney's case may be) have done or said something stupid. Please try to take his previous training in that particular area into consideration. He wouldn't have been much as a lawyer or as a law student if he hadn't perfected that art a long while back.

She scares the absolute shit out of me. She's not bright, that's for sure and maybe she should hae just laughed the comment she made off and moved on. The fact that she actually BELIEVES it is CRAZY.

This is a smartly written blog, which I assume attracts a fairly highly intelligent reader. Do you all honestly believe Sarah Palin is that stupid? Everyone who voted for her to run Alaska is that stupid? Everyone who discussed, consulted and agreed to appoint her as VP on the ticket, is that stupid?

I don't want to "blame" the media, but I do want you all to recognize that all networks have a political lean right or left and propoganda is a billion dollar business. That clip showed 90 seconds of her being that dumb hot cheerleader some of us loved in HS. I'm sure we can dig up another 90 seconds that makes her sound smarter than 90% of the people posting on this board. Take it all with a grain of salt.

Wow. I was very uncomfortable for her, squirming in my seat. You'd think she would have brushed up a teeny bit. She is clearly in over her head. Sigh.

For me, character and values make the difference. I have paid attention. When I don't know someone personally, the only thing I can go on to judge their character is their associations. Looking at BO's associations is enough to make one very suspicious of his character and motives. Watching the media ignore his associations while they critize Sarah Palin's hair style and glasses is just insane.

I watched your clip. True, it's not her finest moment, but have you checked out a few of her counterpart's gaffes? He has a gaffe a day that isn't even reported by the media because their in the tank for BO. It is laughable watching Biden get it wrong daily. (One of the latest - FDR was president in 1929? And he got on the TV to talk to the nation? COME ON! But the media says nothing.)

The following quote sums it up:

"Americans who support Palin are not fools, peasants or theocrats. They have reasons, which elites may not agree with, but cannot dismiss. Many are attracted to her because she embodies the values of the American West, which they find superior to the values of coastal elites. This was part of the appeal of Goldwater and Reagan—a log-splitting, range-riding conservatism that emphasizes freedom. (Palin adds moose hunting to the list.) It’s not irrational or simplistic for voters to prefer candidates who reflect their deepest values…
Elitists can be badly wrong. Populists can be resoundingly right. It is values that often make the difference.”

isn't that what a lot of bush supporters said about him, they liked him because he was just like them? scaaary!

There is a part of me that still wants to cheer for her because she is a woman, but that part is quickly diminishing. At this point I feel that she is just making women in politics less credible and women in general look bad.

For me, politics is just so frustrating because I don't trust any of these "leaders." It's almost tempting to throw someone in from outside the political system to see what things would change, but she won't cut it.

I'm with Steve-O on this one. We need Ron Paul.

Of course Biden is so much better - Quote from Biden "Part of what a leader does is to instill confidence, to demonstrate that he or she knows what they're talking about and communicates to people. If you listen to me and follow what I'm suggesting, we can fix this. Stock market crash, Franklin Roosevelt got on television and didn't just talk about the, you know, the princes of greed, he said, "Look, here's what happened."

Too bad Biden doesn't know that Hoover was the president during the stock market crash and televisions weren't invented in 1929. What an ass - and you think he's a better vp candidate. OMG

Sara Palin stands up for what she believes in. I could put many video clips of Obama and Biden that would make one cringe. Geez....

So I am a Republican who is most likely NOT voting Republican because of this woman - how the hell can we in good conscience elect the oldest president ever with her as the vice president and person in charge if he kicks the bucket?

I would LOVE to have a woman as Vice President - especially a Republican woman - but Sarah Palin makes Republican women look like idiotic ninnies!!

I am so disappointed - extremely disappointed and the worst part? My sister LOVES her and calls me an anti-feminist for feeling something is off with SP...

If John McCain were really smart he would have talked Hillary into being his VP or Romney EVEN Romney would have been better than SP!!

@68. Kaitlyn
Palin does indeed piss off liberals. Our economy is melting down before our eyes and Congress is about to commit $2,000 per person for every single American to fix it. Afghanistan is getting worse and we're still spending $10 billion a month in Iraq. Terrorism is still a threat. People are going bankrupt because they don't have health care. These are serious issues. This is a serious time.

*Pissing off liberals is not a strategy for governing the country.*

Katie Couric has more poise, more knowledge of foreign policy, and better vernacular than Palin. Thank goodness she has the ability to interview Palin and not want to throw up a little; it gave us the chance to see Palin for what she is - unqualified. Then again, maybe Couric did throw up a little. Who could blame her?

Even in Texas, we don't get it: http://www.texasmonthly.com/blogs/polldancing/?p=2557

My mother (a self-proclaimed dyed-in-the-wool Republican) was very excited about this pick for two reasons:

One, Palin is a woman and isn't it **so exciting** to have a woman on a national ticket (this from the woman who adamantly refused to support Hillary Clinton because she wasn't qualified and should have left Bill for cheating on her); and

Two, Palin has more experience than Obama. Apparently, according to my mother, being Governor for 18 months qualifies as more experience than being a State Senator and a U.S. Senator. According to my mother, Senators don't have to *do* anything whereas mayors and governors actually do stuff. I proceeded to point out to her that based on that logic McCain hasn’t had any experience but she said that being a POW and being the most patriotic makes him more qualified.

That was all I could get out of her before she called me a crazy paranoid liberal and ended the conversation.

She also blames the liberal media for distorting this whole election, even though she only watches Fox News.

WOW... Makes you wonder if she even believes what comes out of her mouth.

To the person who said they would move to Canada if McCain/Palin were elected, I say think twice.

We have Stephen Harper up here, a dead-eyed ultra conservative who will likely be re-elected as Prime Minister next month.

Maybe Tahiti would be a better choice. It would be like leaving our collective Hells and going somewhere with a more bearable climate (political and otherwise).

My sister just told me she likes her and feels sorry for her. She thinks Palin was thrown in this "too fast." My response, we fine you can like her as person, but not as VP. AND, if she was "thrown in too fast" she should have declined the offer to run.

The political commentary on this site and on Jon's as well have made me want to stop reading. If I want to read about politics (and I do), I will go to a political blog.

Palin is inexperienced and has stumbled in a few interviews. Obama hasn't? He thinks we have 57 states! I am not affiliated with any political party, but I will tell you that listening to Joe Biden contradict Obama's stated policies at every turn makes me wonder what the hell kind of choice HE is. At least Palin is on the same page as her presidential candidate. They disagree about drilling in ANWR and she not only acknowledges it, but she says she will "work on him." Biden just spouts off all kinds of crazy shit that is totally contrary to his running mate's positions and they all go on like, "What? What did we say?"

Do I support Palin? Absolutely. Why? Because while socialist countries are running toward capitalism, ours is doing the opposite and that is not what America is supposed to be. I'll pay for my own health insurance, thank you very little.

I'm going to vote for McCain/Palin. And I know that she did not come across well during this interview at all. I also know that I could post news clips and links and such and make Obama or Biden look just as idiotic.

Now you want to know my reasons behind my choice for this election. It's simple. I have more issues with judges appointed by democratic presidents than I do with judges appointed by republican presidents. And, while presidencies are limited, appointments to the bench are forever. (not literally, people. Get a grip.)

The purse strings for the United States are controlled mainly by Congress. The best we can hope for in a President is the leadership to sell whatever's best for the country to the Congress and the leadership to sell whatever to the country at large. So the economy, while being blamed on whoever's in the White House, really should be blamed on whoever's in Congress.

So, to sum it up, I vote for the person who will put conservative judges on the bench. And that person generally is the republican candidate.

My offer to help out with any death threats still stands. Have a great day!

All I can say is thank god that Katie Couric did this interview. Because she is so, you know, sexist.

If you go to the CBS site and see the first part of the whole interview, near the end Katie keeps gently prodding Palin for specific examples of McCain's record of reform or positions on regulation (which even I know). Finally, Palin comments that "Weellll, I'll try to find you some and I'll bring em to 'ya."

Holy F'in Cow.

Also, I will now be turning permanently to the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric.

I think what we are seeing here from these strong reactions to Sarah Palin is a class divide. Some of you don't like her because she's not upper middle class and doesn't go travelling to exotic locations for vacations.

Give the woman a chance! Every politician has embarrassing moments - consider that you may just be looking for anything to rationalize your already made up mind.

But hey, if you want to read a truly interesting viewpoint that might do that always refreshing thing of making you look at something in a new light, read this take on Obama: http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2008/09/24/...

Thank you #93-- while I may not agree with you, I appreciate you answering the question and giving some perspective on viewpoints I do not share or understand.

That's right up there with her great experience overseeing the military--her state has a national guard! And they....do stuff! Though I think the campaign person spewing that crap was even unable to come up with an example of how she's actually involved..

Why is having someone "just like us" such a big draw, in the first place? Thank you, but no, I'd like a leader who is more, I don't know, EXTRAORDINARY. You'd think a group who is constantly waxing on about patriotism would want something more than ordinary, too.

Let me preface this by saying I am still unconvinced of whom to vote for, lest I be bombarded with hate mail.

This video certainly is not her shining moment, for sure. However,that being said, I don't hate her with the conviction so many people seem to have.

I personally feel that her uterus should not be mentioned. It makes me seem ignorant to me when they bring up that she is a woman. If you think she sucks as a candidate, then fine, but leave her gender out of it, please. The same people complaining she was chosen because she is female are the same ones who keep bringing so much attention to the fact.

I wanted hIllary, personally. I am an Indepedent who leans towards the side of Conservative. I always choose a candidate based upon who I think is the lesser eveil because at this point, neither candidate speaks to my core values. I am entirely underwhelmed by both choices, despite this being history in the making.

I think if people are going to make an issue of her gender, then they shoul dbe rejoicing that for the first time in history, women know they have come so far and are capable of entering the Good 'Ol Boys club with the possibility of comandeering it!

I don't hate Sarah Palin because she is beautiful and I refuse to judge her as a mother having never walked a mile in her shoes. People seem to loathe her for not staying home with special needs newborn, but she even breastfeeds. Now, I don't have kids but I am under the impression that breastfeeding is quite the chore, pumping included. How disconnected could she really be? As for her teen daughter, she is a prime example that teen pregnancy affects all families of all classes and creeds.

As I have said countless times in the past, if people truly knew how the government in this coutry worked, they put more stock into who they elected to Congress, than they do a Presidential Talking Head, for it is Congress who dictates our daily lives. Last I checked, Democrats were in charge of Congress so do they face no culpability for the current situations?

I am not Pro-McCain so much as I am Anti-Slamming-Palin. Most of the arguments people pose are based upon her gender and mothering ability, which is ignorant at best. I definitely appreciate you posting a video based upon her knowledge of issues as opposed to the aforementioned "issues."

I guess what I'm saying is, I think it is a little dramatic to equate Sarah Palin with being "scared shitless." She is not the end of the world.

Wow. I feel sorry for her. It was a question that she would obviously get asked and she was incoherent. Instead, she rambled on, like she was in high school and the biology teacher asked her a question when she wasn't really paying attention and didn't know the answer. And then had to back up the ridiculous answer. How awkward. I can't imagine that watching this would make any Republicans feel better about the VP pick.

You know, comments from Palin supporters were being solicited here. But, before one person could chime in, tons of people jumped in and went on and on about what an idiot Palin is, how much they despise her, etc, etc. So, who in their right mind would want to jump in on an issue like this, knowing so many people are going to jump down his/her throat once they do?

There is a reason Republicans are known as the silent majority.

First of all, I don't understand why the media and now a lot of democrats are focusing so much on Palin's foreign policy experience. She is not running for president. Furthermore, how many presidents and/or vice presidents have had foreign policy experience? How many presidents and/or vice presidents were elected out of gubernatorial office? Finally, how much foreign policy experience does Obama have outside of his not-quite-two years in the Senate...most of which he has spent campaigning to be president. I just don't understand this question. Please ask Obama and McCain about their foreign policy experience. If this is really the hot button issue, then I think McCain wins.

Secondly, #50, Palin is not against in utero testing to see if the baby is healthy or not. She is against abortion. Big difference. Also, she did not ban books in Alaska. Check the facts. http://www.factcheck.org/

Aagghh! #63, McCain was captured in Vietnam after his plane crashed. It had nothing to do with how good a soldier he was. Rude.

Lastly, #78 McCain's mother is 96 and he has already outlived his father. Perhaps he inherited his mother's longevity gene.

Obviously, I do not support the Obama/Biden ticket. But, I am also not a McCain/Palin "fan". In the end, I have to decide which ticket best supports my ideology which involoves more than watching the media make sport of good Americans, and that includes all candidates. Check the facts, people! Compare voting records. Don't believe everything you see and hear.

Every time I see something like this, I half-turn around, expecting to see the aliens getting out of their space ship, saying, "Ok, we tried this little experiment, it's just not working."

Oy vey. I wonder - I live next door to an astrophysician; does that make me smart? I also live next door to a cinematographer; does that make me a movie star? Claiming to have foreign policy experience by dint of being "close to" another country is beyond ridiculous. Proving this fact is the stuttering, slang-filled (I had hoped it would be a few more years before I'd see the phrase "y'know" become so ubiquitous that it is accepted for our political leaders to start using it), just-plain-embarrassing mess that we all watched up there (and yes, it was viscerally painful to watch for me, too).

Oh, and I absolutely LOVE how Palin cluelessly insulted Katie Couric to her face ("y'know...the media!"). A sign of what's to come in her dealings with leaders of other countries, should she become VP?

OMG I am so ready for this political shit to be over. For so many reasons.

I saw the same show and I was thinking the same thing. She's better to look at than to listen to. She's not even close to being qualified to deal with issues of national security. She's needs to study more. I can't imagine how McCain didn't realize this before choosing her as a VP running mate.

Hello Dooce, I love your photography and have read your blog since this summer when I read about the Blogher Conference.

I'm 53 - old to most of your readers, conservative, and Richard Nixon was my hero. No shit.

My answer to the question is that I would rather have an inexperienced co-pilot.....I can't wait to be called an ignorant slut. I admire your moxy for asking the questions.

P.S. Simply put, I think it is obvious that Palin has far more experience with leadership than Obama. He has no experience to speak of. I'll take little experience over no experince ANY DAY!

I'm comment #211 and have no clue why it is labeling me as Anoynmous, as I have nothing to hide!

I really, really hate political parties. I mean, really. Belonging to a political party seems to imply that we no longer need to think for ourselves - but follow the herd. (The previous statement is non-applicable for the seemingly few and informed) And I'm so sick of Republican-bashing. I'm voting Democrat this year because I'm tired of Democrats bitching about the Republicans****.

**** ...She said, tongue firmly in cheek.

Really, though, if people would do a little research on their own, in a non-biased manner, instead of buying into the partisan hysteria, our country might just move forward.

That video absolutely showed an inarticulate, less-than-well-informed vice presidential candidate.

I'm a Christian who believes in separating Church and State.
I demand the right to bear arms.
I demand freedom of speech.
I demand the right to choose.
I will be voting for Obama/Bidden in the coming election.

NO NO NO, I TAKE IT BACK -> I'm totally writing in DOOCE FOR PRESIDENT! <3
~A.

One major reason I won't vote for Obama himself is because of his stance on live-birth abortions. His fanatical support of abortion to the point of infanticide is terrifying. It's amazing to me that he touts God in his speeches to the point of sounding like he has Jesus-Tourettes, but has argued that the only opposition to abortion is based on religous reasons, asking people who object to live-birth abortions to "explain why abortion violates some principle that is accessible to people of all faiths, including those with no faith at all."

According to published reports, in February 2004, U.S. Senate candidate Barack Obama's wife, Michelle, sent a fund-raising letter with the "alarming news" that "right-wing politicians" had passed a law stopping doctors from stabbing half-born babies in the neck with scissors, suctioning out their brains and crushing their skulls.

Michelle Obama called partial-birth abortion "a legitimate medical procedure," and wouldn't supporters please pay $150 to attend a luncheon for her husband, who would fight against "cynical ploy[s]" to stop it?

You want scary? THAT is scary. Put THAT in the White House and see where your country goes.

the only reason she has been selected as a VP candidate is:
1. she is a woman.
2. she is young.

this way McCain is banking on getting the women vote and since everybody has been talking about his old age, he has got a younger person to counter that. selecting her was just because of these reasons, anybody can see that.
I mean,come on...republicans do some really good politicians with so much good experience that could have fit in the VP slot.
seriously what was McCain thinking!!!
I just hope that this time America realises this and goes for obama.

Anonymous #93 made the points that I think most Palin supporters would make. My husband is a Republican and thinks mostly on the same lines as 93 - minus the born-again Christian part. There are people (most of my family) whose religious beliefs drive their votes, and in that way it makes sense for them to support someone who agrees with them about abortion and gay marriage. I try to be respectful of their choices.

Betsy #99 made good points.

I won't vote for McCain and Palin, but I can see the appeal (since I live with someone who likes them). I don't enjoy the hate and rage and bitter condescending tones surrounding this campaign.

That said, I agree with your political sentiments almost completely, and it's absolutely your right to post whatever you want on your blog without readers ripping you apart for it. I admire you.

Heather,

I normally don't even bother commenting on your political posts because a) I generally agree with you 100%, and 2) I don't have anything new/different to add.

However, in this case, I'm making an exception, in hopes that my "vote" will cancel out at least one of the others (e.g. Diana, #123)...

Please continue to post whatever you want! Post about your family, your dogs, tv shows you like, food you eat, politics, jewelrey, ANYTHING, and I will never complain about it. No one is forcing anyone else to read this blog, and if there ever comes a day I can't handle someone expressing his/her own opinion on his/her own webspace, that's the day I quit the internet altogether.

Dear god, they actually found someone LESS articulate than Dubya! The transcript is even more brain-melting:

COURIC: You’ve cited Alaska’s proximity to Russia as part of your foreign policy experience. What did you mean by that?

PALIN: That Alaska has a very narrow maritime border between a foreign country, Russia, and on our other side, the land-- boundary that we have with-- Canada. It-- it’s funny that a comment like that was-- kind of made to-- cari-- I don’t know, you know? Reporters--

COURIC: Mock?

PALIN: Yeah, mocked, I guess that’s the word, yeah.

COURIC: Explain to me why that enhances your foreign policy credentials.

PALIN: Well, it certainly does because our-- our next door neighbors are foreign countries. They’re in the state that I am the executive of. And there in Russia--

COURIC: Have you ever been involved with any negotiations, for example, with the Russians?

PALIN: We have trade missions back and forth. We-- we do-- it’s very important when you consider even national security issues with Russia as Putin rears his head and comes into the air space of the United States of America, where-- where do they go? It’s Alaska. It’s just right over the border. It is-- from Alaska that we send those out to make sure that an eye is being kept on this very powerful nation, Russia, because they are right there. They are right next to-- to our state.

While our economy is melting down, do you really want THIS to be our President? Really? REALLY?

It is very scary that a person with Palin's opinions and values can reach a position as vice president of the worlds most powerful nation. Palin herself is handling the media just as good as her more experienced colleagues. In fact I think she does great. Which makes it even more terrifying.

It is her OPINIONS that scares the shit out of me.

I agree with most of what #93 said. Also, this is the VICE Presidential candidate. I am far more interested in what the Presidential candidate has to offer, and I think John McCain is a far superior statesman than Barack Obama. I'm registered independent, and I really wanted to like Obama. But after I reviewed his voting record... in which during his meager 2 terms he consistently voted the party line when he bothered to vote at all... I just don't think he has the experience or fortitude for the job. While I don't agree with every policy decision McCain has ever put on the board, I do think he has the necessary experience and proven record of considered opinions on national matters. I think he chose Palin not only for shock value, but precisely because she is a true Washington outsider with executive experience and a track record of not consistently "going with the flow" - not unlike himself.

My question for hard left-wing Democrats would be this: Why aren't you focusing more on McCain v. Obama? There is plenty of material there and it seems as though you are attacking the weakest link. Also, what about Biden's plaigiarism record? He has a very shaky past with a proven track record of 'bending' the rules in his favor. Is this who we want as second-in-command?

Third point: George HW Bush once said about relative insignificance of the vice presidential job: They die; I fly. Unless something catastrophic happens, the office of Vice President is largely ceremonial, and not a significant policy-making position. (unless you're Puppetmaster Cheney, of course.)

Being a former Alaskan, I can testify Alaska is an accountability-free zone.

That is, you do things until you get caught.

And it's painfully obvious Sarah's been caught pretending to be a Vice-Presidential candidate.

Perhaps the funniest thing about this interview is from a blog I usually don't quote, John Cole's Balloon Juice:

"I’m still in shock over how terrible the Palin/Couric interview was. “Train wreck” is being charitable – it was more like a train derailing on a bridge, tumbling a thousand feet into a canyon and landing on a pile of old dynamite and gas drums. And then a jumbo jet crashed into the flaming wreckage. Followed by an earthquake that caused the whole mess to slide off a cliff into the sea, where the few miraculous survivors were eaten by sharks."

EPIC FAIL.

Heather,

I just want to say that I think it is great you are taking on this issue on your blog. It's your blog and you can talk about whatever you want.

Palin's simply atrocious. And I think she will ultimately hurt McCain more than she helps him. Apparently many independents are appalled by her.

God I hope so. McCain is unstable, irrational man and that's not exactly who we need in the White House right now. So thanks for taking this discussion out to a broader audience.

To #93
Her responses were beyond even the best editors in CBS, why do you feel the need to make an excuse for her clear lack of communication skills on this point? The Vice President and President should have more than ample education and poise to meet with media, foreign heads of state, etc. and represent all of the American public in a dignified and eloquent manner.

BTW: In the interest of full-disclosure, you might want to take my comments in #243 with a grain of salt: I voted for Ross Perot.

When I was just out of college, with few skills and little job experience, my cousin got me an interview at her big shot investment firm. I remember the interview as one of the most uncomfortable times of my life. But I still sounded less out-of-place than Sarah Palin does talking about these issues. I have to say, my overall reaction was more anger at the McCain campaign for subjecting a young politician, talented (if misguided) in her own way to something she is so clearly not prepared for. If you're able to stomach more, this is almost as bad:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vbg6hF0nShQ&eurl=http://washingtonmonthly...

I'm moderate. I'm neither Republican nor Democrat and see issues/problems with both parties. I do know, however, that you can edit a video to make a person seem less articulate than what they really may be. I also know that both parties and all of the candidates have strengths and weaknesses.

If we're talking specifically about foreign policy experience here, I will admit that Sarah Palin doesn't have much (if any). But if we're going to be fair, we need to admit that Obama doesn't have much foreign policy experience, either. What's fair is fair.

Personally I think that people need to see past the mudslinging, the sweeping speeches, and the constant 24-7 coverage and look at voting histories of all of the candidates. If McCain and Obama both want to "change America" they're going to have to surround themselves with people that will help them evoke change. How much change can happen in 4 years, though, is debatable.

People need to stop, think, and then vote accordingly. Don't vote for someone because they're the "cool candidate." Don't vote for someone because they're a sports mom, just like you. Vote for someone because you believe that they're the best fit for the country and the best person for the job.

Jacqueline, the problem is that not one bit of what you just said is true. Not one. The McCain campaign is almost entirely based on lies and innuendo and you fell for it.

http://www.rhrealitycheck.org/blog/2008/03/25/when-obama-voted-no

Look very carefully at any of these claims made by the pro-McCain forces, because almost without exception they are untrue.

Also, Jayna, if the word "Muslim" terrifies you, you are an ignorant asshat.

Extremists come in all shapes and sizes and many are Christian, namely Palin.

She's as evil as the men who flew those planes on 9/11, the right has just brainwashed you into thinking Christian evil is okay.

Islam is the largest faith in the world, if you think that majority of people in the world are evil simply because they practice Islam, go hit yourself in the head with a rock.

I'm done being nice to stupid people.

You know, it's funny how people personalize things like their choice of President/VP in all the wrong ways. They say they'll vote for a candidate because they think he or she is the sort of person they might be friends with...but...you're not voting on a friend? This isn't the Paris Hilton "Be my new BFF" show. I happen to really like Obama as a person, but that isn't why I'm voting for him.

During the last election, a gay friend of mine ended up in the middle of a pretty nasty debate with an acquaintance of his who supported Bush. This particular supporter felt that national security was the most important issue facing America, and believed that Bush was the right man for the job of protecting America.

In response, my friend said that he understood everyone has their own priorities. He understood that we all have to make tough choices, and decide what's most important. But he could not vote for someone who publicly and forcefully stood against his civil rights as a gay man, who helped create the kind of atmosphere that makes him afraid to hold hands with his boyfriend in public, and who supported laws that say he isn't allowed to have a husband. He explained to the Bush supporter that by voting for Bush, she was saying that Bush's aggressive stance on terrorism was more important to her than my friend's civil rights. That was a choice she was making, and she had to accept that that choice impacted other people.

And that's how I feel about this election. The issues I'm most concerned about are deeply personal and affect all of us: civil rights, health care, education, a woman's ability to make her own reproductive choices. That's the kind of "personal" I wish people would think more about. Unless you happen to be involved in high-level DC politics, the President and VP are never going to be your friend. But they will have the power to profoundly affect your life and the lives of the people you care about.

I think what McCain saw in her is that she was a breath of fresh air (like others have mentioned here); that she was a 'maverick' but true to the real ideals of the Republican party; that her 'fresh perspective' might be valuable in that it would be uncorrupted by D.C.

Wasn't Jimmy Stewart a staunch Republican? Sort of like Ms. Smith goes to Washington. I think McCain counted on the idea that he has experience, but could use someone's fresh new 'energy' (the way, perhaps, Obama has looked to someone with more experience for a veep to counter his new perspective and sense of urgency).

Matt Damon says in some interview somewhere that it's like a bad Disney movie. The hockey mom using the skills she 'learned at the hockey rink' and applying them to foreign policy problems, etc.

I suppose one argument could be made that it's better to have someone who 'knows they don't know' than someone who does't know they don't know. If Palin can demonstrate a certain level of humility and a certain awareness of her limitations, for instance, a keen ability to use advisors wisely -- a talent I've noticed that business women sometimes have more readily (i.e., the ability to listen) -- then that's something.

If, after all the confusion and nervousness and spotlight are gotten used to, she demonstrates that, then okay, that's something maybe.

On the other hand, I've yet to see any indication of this. I look at most things strategically -- or so I like to think. So I'd further say that in the veep debates, if Palin can demonstrate a naive ability to find the more honest solution, then Biden and Obama should be very worried. The fact is -- most of America would jump at anything resembling a Disney story. If Biden, through sore underestimation of any possible answer from Palin, strikes the audience as completely arrogant, then the democrats could have a problem. Otherwise, I kinda doubt it.

She's less articulate than Bush...I wasn't aware that was possible.

Palin is a the Governor of Alaska! She has more experience running a government than Obama. She is in charge of the Alaskan National Guard. She has passed bills and laws that are along the lines of the Republican Party. She comes off as true to who she is and not a phony.

As to her foreign relations experience, what makes her proximity to Canada and Russia any different than a state bordering Mexico? She doesn't have any "true" experience but neither does Obama besides the fact he lived in a different country for a year or so when he was 10. McCain had to live in another country for over 5 years when he was in the navy. If we take out the experience in the Senate, McCain still has more experience than Obama, and we are voting for President and not VP (regardless of the baseless arguments of McCain dying within a couple years. Anyone can die in office.)

I used to work for the senator preceding Obama. He left because he wanted to spend time with his family and felt like he was spinning his wheels in Washington. The race for his spot was unique because Obama's competition dropped out. I didn't meet any Republican that liked the drop out guy anyway or like the replacement. So Obama was basically given the position. Ever since he was elected, it was talked about him running for President. So Obama has only had a couple years of experience as a Senator before beginning his current 19 months of running for president (his own admission.) He has basically done nothing for his home state since being elected.

Back to Palin. She has had more leading experience than Obama, a Junior Senator, and she is generally more likable. People want to pick someone they like rather than picking someone they will tolerate.

Here's a little game:

Who Am I?

I am under 45 years old
I love the outdoors
I hunt
I am a Republican reformer
I have taken on the Republican Party establishment
I have many children
I have a spot on the national ticket as vice president with less than two years in the governor's office
Have you ever heard of me before now?

The answer is:

Teddy Roosevelt.

Comparatively speaking, both Obama and Palin don't have much. However, the reason people are drawn to Palin is that she has shown to be genuine and to stick to her beliefs. She does not have as much scandal (or perceived scandal, depending on your beliefs) as Obama. I would much rather have the VP choice have the lesser amount of experience than the choice for President.

A couple fun notes...My husband knew a guy that took T. Roosevelt on exotic safari trips. This guy had all kinds of odd animals stuffed and on the wall. He ended up committing suicide because he was so old and all of his friends had died. Also, my husband works at Wash U and can't get into the athletic center a couple days before the VP debates. He already has to wear a wristband to be able to get into the building. If I wanted to go see him, I couldn't because I'm not on "the list." Before anyone asks, no he can't get tickets. They only give tickets, if the school gets any, to current Wash U students through a lottery system. John Danforth is on the Board of Directors for the Commission on Presidential Debates and that may explain some things. (The main campus is called the Danforth Campus and the new student center is called the Danforth Center.) Also, my hairdresser's nephew lived in Wasilla, and Palin was his babysitter.

P.S. I didn't vote for McCain in the primaries. I wanted Romney or Thompson.

She's nothing but a tool of the religious right. McCain isn't socially conservative enough to appeal to all those fringe groups of crazies who hate gay people and somehow think that pro-choice means MANDATORY ABORTIONS FOR ALL. They stuck her on the ticket to win back the bigoted, repressed hearts of rural America, and it's working. I wish moderate Republicans and economic conservatives would stand up and reclaim their party. Very few Republicans I know agree with Palin's views, and it's time for them to send a message.

After reading your last post about the political stuff, it made me pretty frustrated. I mean, really Heather, would you REALLY give your paycheck to someone that needed it? Because if so, then why don't you do it now. Why do you have to wait to have a democrat in office... If you say like you did that you would be GLAD to give someone your entire paycheck, then start doing it. Why aren't you walking down the street and handing out what you make. You aren't because it's retarded. You work hard for your money and you have to live too. Just as those people should be working hard for their money and NOT just expect others to bail them out or help them live.

Why is it that we have to help others who might not have the same opportunities as other people?! That is called life. Some people are born into good families and some aren't, but the greatness of freedom in America is that you can make your life whatever you want to be. It's called freedom and opportunity, two things America gives us. I do NOT think it's fair to have to pay for everyone to have the same life. Esepcially since those who are paying for it or working as hard as they can, just as hard as those that aren't as fortunate. Maybe even 14 hours a day to make that 250+k living.

I also don't understand how people can say that Palin doesn't have experience to be VP. Have you looked at Obama's record???! Why are the democrats overlooking that? I don't understand. He's been in office for less than 200 days. And what has he done? Seriously! You just like him because his writers have made a good campaign of "change".

No matter what people will say, people who have their mind set on Obama are going to trash people who are going to vote for McCain and Palin, and opposite.

McCain is NOT Bush. America is not going to sink in the ocean whether McCain or Obama is elected. So stop freaking out. And stop threatening to move to Canada. If life is SO horrible here, and living in your nice house having a nice family and getting good food is so horrible right now, then move. Move out of America. Life must be so difficult.

If you are going to hold a 1 minute clip that has been cut and pasted, as a way to choose who you want to vote for, then you shouldn't vote. You shouldn't vote if you don't know facts on both sides. And if you want to put crap on Palin for looking like a fool, i would LOVE to see you get in front of a camera in front of millions of people and see how you will handle a question. And yes, i know you are going to say, well if that is your job then you should be used to that...well, just try for a second to see it from the OTHER side.

And last point, for the ones voting for Obama (which is about 99.85% of the readers here), have you spoken with your parents about what is going to happen to their retirement funds? Or the taxes that are going to be imposed on those that work hard for their incomes? Why not find out about that and see their retirements taken away and THEN see if you want to vote democratic.

I don't understand why anyone would vote for Obama/Biden (who by the way has LESS experience than Palin...but none of you will talk about that). Just like none of the democrat readers will understand why people are voting for McCain. As mentioned before, it's life and the way we live here in America. Those things will never change, so accept it or move out!

Ok, that was a lot of ranting.

Perhaps some of your conservative detractors might enjoy a gander at this wee article my grandmother emailed to me today. "A Conservative for Obama..."

http://www.dmagazine.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?nm=Core+Pages&type=gen&mod=Core+...

Heather,

Golly, I don't know what you're talking about. I saw nothing wrong with that 15 second commercial.

I am a staunch conservative, and have heard Palin say some really ridiculous things, as I've heard McCain, Obama and Biden say equally stupid things. However, I think they all have positive aspects (yes, I'm a conservative who doesn't think Obama is the devil!), so I can't get all bunged up about soundbites. Gotcha journalism just doesn't serve anyone and should not be the basis upon which you decide who you're voting for.

Yes, feel free to hate Palin because you disagree with her politics, but judging candidates from these small clips seems so superficial. We could string together reels of dumb comments or meandering statements from each of the candidates and their running mates but where does that leave us? We've got to go deeper than this to be informed voters.

So to #72 Suzanne: Here, freakin' here. The best way to decide this is to examine issues that matter most, and see how the candidates have voted in the past.

I don't support the McCain/Palin ticket simply because I don't think he's conservative ENOUGH, and her conservative bent doesn't make up for that. How's that for angering all your readers AND my fellow Republicans? Guess I'll go court the Libertarians now.

I live in Britain, so obviously have no vote at stake.

I think she's absolutely terrifying. That was hardly the most taxing interview, but she couldn't deal with it, and kept trying to switch to being the girl-next-door. Anyone who thinks they know about foreign policy 'because their country has borders with other countries' - wow.

What particularly terrifies me is her naive, gun-totin', ultra-evangelical, anti-Russian sentiment. I have no confidence in the foreign policy of someone like that. If she ends up in power, we are all screwed, quite frankly.

I love your blog! It's my little escape from the daily dullness and doom and gloom of the media. Please don't ruin it with political commentary.

" I don't understand why the media and now a lot of democrats are focusing so much on Palin's foreign policy experience."

The issue isn't her lack of experience. The issue is that she believes she has experience because Russia is right next to Alaska. Her answer to the question was incoherent - twice. There was a lot of talking, but saying and meaning nothing. Something all politicians are good at!

I think she's the equivalent of Dan Quayle as a VP. Neither of whom I would want to be the President. I can see Biden as Pres, and, actually, I would prefer to see him to Obama.

I vote we all move to Mexico if McPain gets elected, the US would see a huge brain drain and we would do a huge lot to help the Mexican economy. Plus, it's warmer there than Canada.

Oh come on, that isn't real, that's Tina Fey "mocking" Palin! Right? Please tell me that's all that was...

#93 Anon. -- Thank you!

#116 First Time Voter, you're sort of freaking me out. Let's remember that we're primarily voting for President in this case, and that NEITHER candidate boils down to just rhetoric (and make no mistake, John McCain's style is just as rhetorical as Obama's -- think Ethos, Pathos, and Logos). They are both people of substance and experience, not just empty suits -- any more than you're an empty suit (or jeans and a t-shirt, or whatever). No matter which one wins, that person will govern from the inside out.

Given the choices, I would rather have the person who made his money himself, has seen the inside of a single-parent household, was at the top of his class instead of the bottom, is conversant in the subtleties of race and class in our country, has been to more than three of our states, and embodies the American dream -- to rise from nothing to one's greatest possible level of accomplishment, by dint of effort, ability, and merit.

Like a really scary movie, I had to watch that by peeking through the openings between my fingers as I held my hands up in front of my face.

Generally I'm a hardcore conservative and therefore considered a republican. I won't be voting for Obama or McCain this November. They both clearly have no idea what they're talking about and I don't want to choose between a spread-the-wealth guy and what I see as a war-hungry guy. I like Sarah Palin, as a person i think she's personable and probably friendly. I don't think anyone knows enough about her to say whether she's VP material really, any more than we we really know actual facts about the Prez candidates. She's so nice is not a reason to vote for someone, neither is 'he's a great speaker' which is how I'd first describe Obama. This financial crisis isn't helping them either, what a horrible idea bailing out the businesses that made poor business decisions...and the homeowners that took out mortgages they knew they couldn't afford. There's really too many issues and things involved to discuss it in a blog comment. :) At this moment, I'm looking at Bob Barr...

I can see why that would scare the FUCKING shit out of you.

I'M SCARED.... and I'm not even AMERICAN!!!

As long as the Republicans keep putting clueless morons on presidential ballots (Quayle, Reagan, Bush, McCain, Palin), the Democrats will keep getting totally distracted about it.

This is their plan. Please don't fall for it.

Anonymous #93,

Thank you for actually answering the question. However, by your #4, you switched from reasons you like her to just defensive talking points.

So, basically, you like her because she's a right-wing Christian like yourself, and "relatable". That pretty much sums it up? Not bashing you, just clarifying.

Oh, and she's "exciting" and "new". You mean, like Obama? They both are.

Ok so here goes, I swear I've had this same conversation time and time again and I know I am not the only McCain/Palin supporter out there or else the polls are really off!!

For starters the first and foremost reason I am voting for the McCain/Palin ticket is because I honestly belive in their moral values, both of them seem like they answer to the same God that I strive to serve. I agree fully with their stance on things such as Abortion, the economy, and health care as well.

Sarah Palin is an outstanding pick for the VP spot, all family issues aside (which to me proves that she is just as grounded as the rest of us, how many people do all of you know that have been in EXACTLY the same position with their teenage children, I think we all know no matter what our convictions are you CANNOT control your children all you can do is raise them the best way you know how, but eventually they are going to start to think and act for themselves. So lets all agree to leave the fam. out of this election)

She has done some remarkable things since going from PTA mom to top dog (all joking aside) of Alaska. I think you will find the following to be an accurate record of several of the things that she has done before and after becoming Alaska's first femal Gov (the following was taken for a GREAT site www.johnmccain.com)
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Under her leadership, the state invested $5 billion in savings, overhauled education funding, and implemented the Senior Benefits Program to provide support for low-income older Alaskans. She created Alaska’s Petroleum Systems Integrity Office to oversee and maintain oil and gas equipment, facilities and infrastructure, and the Climate Change Subcabinet to prepare a climate change strategy for Alaska.

During her first legislative session, Governor Palin’s administration passed major pieces of legislation. She came to office promising landmark ethics reform to end the culture of self-dealing, and today, that ethics reform is the law.

Governor Palin took on the oil companies and began a competitive process to construct a gas pipeline. Because of her leadership, work has begun on a $40 billion natural gas pipeline – the largest private-sector infrastructure project in North American history – to help lead our country to energy independence.

When oil and gas prices went up dramatically and the state revenues rose, Governor Palin sent a large share of that revenue directly back to the people of Alaska. She also suspended the state's fuel tax.

In office, Governor Palin championed reform to end the abuses of earmark spending. She has used her veto pen to eliminate nearly a half a billion dollars in wasteful spending. She told the Congress "thanks, but no thanks," for the "Bridge to Nowhere." Upon taking office, Governor Palin took common-sense steps to trim the size and cost of her office. She sold the state's luxury jet, eliminated the personal chef and got rid of the personal driver.

As Governor, Palin is chair of the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, a multi-state government agency that promotes the conservation and efficient recovery of domestic oil and natural gas resources while protecting health, safety and the environment. She also serves as chair of the National Governors Association (NGA) Natural Resources Committee, which is charged with pursuing legislation to ensure state needs are considered as federal policy is formulated in the areas of agriculture, energy, environmental protection and natural resource management.

Prior to her election as governor, Palin served two terms on the Wasilla City Council and two terms as the Mayor of Wasilla. During her tenure, she reduced property tax levels while increasing services and made Wasilla a business friendly environment, drawing in new industry. She stopped wasteful spending and put the people first.
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As far as I am concerned she is more qualified than either Obama or Biden, she has obviously had more leadership experience than either one of the two of them and though she may not be as "gifted" a speaker as Obama she obviously has a lot more to say that I want to hear than that over-inflated, egotistical, "change is coming" Obama everyone else seems to think is the 2nd coming himself!!

Sorry this has been such a long comment post but I tend to get very passionate about this election, seeing as how this is the country where my child will gorw up for the next 4 to 8 years, that is unless Obama/Biden get elected and then who knows... we may be packing up and heading out!!

Thank you for your time I have always enjoyed reading your blog, though we might not always agree on every topic of conversation!