That's the contention of an LA Times blogger, who notes that the left's unfettered attacks on her both put her in the position of being a sympathetic underdog going into Thursday's debate, and dramatically lowered the bar for her success.
I'm not so sure. Without question the left's initial vicious freak-out over Palin's selection dramatically boosted public sympathy for her. But that was three weeks ago. Since then, Palin has given several interviews in which she has at best failed to cover herself in glory, and at worst humiliated herself. That noted left-wing lunatic Rich Lowry, editor of National Review, pronounced Palin's CBS performance "dreadful." Palin's inadequacies are not fictions created by the media. Palin entered this national race with a huge groundswell of public support and interest, and an opposition that had no idea how to deal with her except screech and wail and throw mud and sewage at her. But it was Sarah Palin who has kept herself largely sequestered from media scrutiny, and who has blown those opportunities she's had to tell the nation she seeks to help govern what she would bring to the job.
So: have the Dems set her up to "win" on Thursday? I doubt it. If the debate had been held two weeks ago, yes, of course they would have. But Palin has gotten herself into a situation in which any gaffe will be magnified and read as yet more evidence that she is a national joke. Having said that, you should never underestimate the ability of the Democrats to blow an opportunity, especially with a politician as undisciplined as Joe Biden.
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I think the LA Times has a point and I'm fairly disappointed in her. The bar really has dropped low on her, which is traditionally not what you want when you're the other side. Even if she does poorly she'll likely just stay at the level she is now.
Basically even if she does not win I think it could be difficult for her to lose. I mean unless she basically does say "I don't know" a dozen times or starts screaming in horror.
"She makes her luck because she is a winner and a leader. I know leadership qualities when I see them."
You're kidding, right?
I don't think there is anything MORE lacking in Ms. Palin than "leadership qualities". She has shown us that she has exactly none.
I would say that the most important leadership quality would be a commanding presence, an ability to inspire confidence, an ability to lead the country in the right direction.
Even in simple interviews, under pretty mild questioning, Palin is nervous, halting, confused, uninspiring, incoherent.
Can anyone, anyone, imagine Palin trying to calm the country in times of crisis?
Clearly the McCain campaign has concluded that Palin must be kept away from the press. Even after the first debate, Palin was NOWHERE to be seen. She cannot even meet the press! How will she ever deal with our adversaries? The idea that Palin is a pit bull is a lie. She is a wimp.
And now, she cannot even answer questions from Katie Couric without McCain at her side.
Not only is Plain clearly not a leader of any kind. She is a national joke.
Patrick: "She was nervous....nervous!!!!???? You don't get time to be nervous if you are asked to be the VP. You don't get time to be holed up cramming about our country, the world, history, politics, the economy. You don't get to go to 'debate camp'."
Patrick I'm sympathetic to this point. I guess I'd say that people would probably give her more slack on this angle if she'd have exhibited more Harry Truman-like humility upon her selection. If she'd said things like "You know, I need to study that more, but I'll get back to you" or "I'm learning from the best minds in the world about that right now" and "Well, I wasn't sure I was ready when John asked me, but I told him that I'd help however I can, and I promise to learn everything I need to learn to be effective." Instead, whenever a journalist asks about her preparedness, her answers have been a variation on "I didn't blink" or "Yes, I'm absolutely qualified and ready right now".
AMEN, Pacific Moderate!
Humility is so important in a leader! She is far too much like "W."
The US has a proclivity, of late, for choosing from among "vainly dumb" leaders, so it seems. It's those with tunnel vision stubbornness, the old-fashioned, unworldly, gun-totin,' "Joe Six-Pack" types who appear to generate considerable interest within the masses. OK, welcome Palin aboard, let rape victims, carry their offspring to term, even though victims of incest. Let her declare war against Russia, in a moment of paranoia, merely attributable to its geographical location. Being an outsider, looking in, the country appears increasingly doomed, under McCain/Palin. She'll be Grandpa McCain's lap dog, until, Heaven forbid, he should succumb to age and lose his marbles, as did Reagan. It seems, btw, he has begun to show signs, already. A third world country solidly in the offing, much to the jubilation of its enemies. What a profound shame!
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