Just saw Palin talking about domestic issues on ABC World News Tonight. Depressing. Programmed, just like last night. Charlie Gibson asked her twice what she and McCain would do about the economy different from Bush. Answer: not much. Here's the Palin economic plan:
Get government out of the way of the private sector. Cut taxes. Control spending. And when Gibson pressed her, she added "reform agency oversight. "
Entitlement spending reform? Pass. They're going to cut spending by rooting out -- wait for it -- waste, fraud and abuse. (This year's GOP buzz word for that hoary phrase: "finding efficiencies.")
To quote the latest McCain commercial about Obama: "That's not change. That's more of the same."
She was good on abortion and guns, though, and noticeably more comfortable tonight than she was last night. And she was perfectly natural and winning in talking about her family and her job responsibilities. More here after tonight's full interview on "20/20." Damn, I love her, but this is a big downer.
UPDATE: I'm watching her now on 20/20, and the cumulative impression from her manner is much better than the edited clips -- I mean, she come across as much more natural and confident. I still like her very much as a person, I love her attitude, and I want her to do better than she's doing. But I am disappointed by how little she seems to know about some pretty basic stuff.
But I do think that if the 20/20 interview is all you've seen of her this week, she's coming off much better than she did on World News yesterday evening, and this evening. For what it's worth, I spoke to my folks this evening, and they were mad at Charlie Gibson, saying he'd treated her unfairly. I told them I didn't think so, but they were hot about it.
I also think that if she makes it to Washington, she's going to be a very, very effective politician. Very effective. I think when she decides what she believes in and wants to achieve, she's not going to stop till she gets it. Put another way, I think she makes Hillary Clinton look like a softie.
UPDATE.2 The interviews are over now, and I have to say she was much more enjoyable and appealing as she went on. Dee Dee Myers, the Democratic strategist, says that voters tend to care more if a candidate shares their values and views, not whether the candidate is deep on the issues. If that's how you decide your vote, boy, she really did well during the last 30 minutes of her time with Charlie Gibson. If you care more about issues, you're not persuaded.
Torie Clarke, the Republican strategist, is pointing out that these scripted answers she's been giving works against her greatest strength -- her authenticity. She made what Matthew Dowd et al. called a "gut values connection" with millions of Americans at the convention. She did it again tonight, I think, in the final sections of her interview, when they got out of the more formal setting and walked around Wasilla, and sat in her home.
So, overall, I don't think she really hurt herself politically, and may have helped herself a bit. But your blog host is significantly more conflicted about his enthusiasm for Sarah Palin. I completely dig her, and wish she were my governor. But my vice president? Hmm.
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The bottom line is this, how can we trust McCain's judgement as President when an example of his judgement is choosing Sarah Palin? His callous disregard to who's hands he may be placing the country in immediately disqualifies him for the highest post in the country, and this Republican clap-trap about her having more "executive" experience than Barack Obama is ludicrous. The proof is in the pudding, for almost 2 years Barack Obama has managed and organized one of the most well-run campaigns in history, this is why he beat Hillary. McCain's camp has been inconsistent with message, has had drastic changes in internal staff and has a chronic problem with telling the truth or giving any clear description of how a McCain administration would differ from the last eight years.
It's come to a point that I can barely listen to any more platitudes or empty rhetoric from John McCain or his cronies, and I'm tired of being spoken to like an idiot. This isn't about party loyalty and it can't be about minor philosophical differences, and yes abortion, gay marriage and gun control are minor issues in the big picture and they have no business being the lynch-pin by which any thoughtful person bases such a decision. If the prospect of a Sarah Palin presidency doesn't scare the heck out of you, then you must have been asleep for the last eight years.
Talk about patronizing. Since when is the criteria for judging a candidate for office whether she is "enjoyable" and "appealing"? It's great that you "want her to do better," kind of like a nice girl trying out for the soccer team. But come on. Why are you "enthusiastic" about a candidate you know nothing about? Just because she's on your team?
The bizarre and slavish reaction to Palin from the far right shows what happens when you inject the faith that should be reserved for matters of -- well, faith -- into the political arena. That nagging feeling you are sensing is your judgment. Use it before it is too late.
The hypocrisy and cynicism of Palin supporters is shocking, and, to my mind sadly anti- American. It is obvious to anyone with a modicum of intelligence that she is woefully unprepared for any public office, especially that of vice president. By stubbornly clinging to the idea that her "spunky" personality is enough to possibly lead this nation, you reveal the inherent desperation behind the Republican machine. All the pundits defending her should be ashamed, and they absolutely know better, but the fact is, the wealthy elite of the party have always used the middle of the country to get them elected, then to send their children to fight their oil wars for them. They shamelessly trade on the patriotism of these people, and continue to lower the ethical bar. Watching the Republican convention was like watching a rally in Berlin in the 1930's, and one wonders what might have been said if no cameras were watching. Mocking community organizing? Barely veiled racism, and homophobia under the banner of God and Country? Wake up America! Make this a country to raise children in again. You cannot be an agent of change when the same machine that got Bush elected is running your campaign, at least be honest about your fascism! Have a little
honor. Keep God in Church and Truth in Politics! God Bless America!
hmmm, the cult of personality as election tool. "I like her, so I wish she was my leader." I guess that's the "low information" voting bloc speaking. infantile.
and BTW, anyone who still believes in the Mr. Smith Goes To Washington myth, that sarah palin will charge into washington and change things from the ground up, is a fool. her vast experience, executive or otherwise, does not support this delusion. she has made friends with the thousands of alaskans who receive
annual payouts, $33oo.oo this year!, enemies of almost everyone else.
I feel that besides a gaping hole in knowledge about everything Non-Alaska, she is hugely lacking in the integrity department (which McCain at least had some in his past life) and that is a huge factor for me, especially after the past 7 or so years. "Hold me accountable" - next thing you know, lawyers and lawsuits - if you've nothing to hide, why refuse the cooperation that you promised to give to your BIPARTISAN legislative council (8 Republicans, 4 Democrats). And for God's sake, quit repeating debunked lies over and over and over again! It really is embarrassing. And if I have to hear one more time that you can see Russia from Alaska as proof of foreign policy experience.. honestly, amusing at first to hear from Cindy but then downright frightening to hear it repeated by political pundits (as in, 'you were serious about that?') and most definitely, very insulting to anyone with half a brain.
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