Katie Couric, cutthroat journalist

[Flubber]

Palin actually comes across as articulate in that Exxon v Baker interview. She actually knew what the topic was and was quite coherent.

But Wiglaf, in all those Couric interview clips, Palin comes across as a person who is uncertain of the facts that underly most of the questions and is trying hard to BS her way through-- Its like she thinks if she talks enough, people won't notice that she actually didn't even understand the question.

Also lets be honest -- she was a parent and a governor. Just having enough time to do her governor job well while also having a very small child would be super-busy. The reality is that she probably did not pay that much attention to the mid-east politics and probably was not regularly folowing events in Washington. Does ANYONE think that she would really spend the couple of hours a day she would need to stay fully on top of these things BEFORE she was a candidate for VP?

There is part of me that wishes that she could admit that -- Something like

"You know Katie-- When I take on a job I do it to the best of my ability. As a mom and governor of Alaska I focused all my energies into doing the best possible job in those roles. So at that time I was not immersing myself in foreign policy matters to the same degree as I am now . . . ."


Isn't this what everyone would know anyway??

[Zkribbler]

Originally posted by Flubber
...

"You know Katie-- When I take on a job I do it to the best of my ability. As a mom and governor of Alaska I focused all my energies into doing the best possible job in those roles. So at that time I was not immersing myself in foreign policy matters to the same degree as I am now . . . ."

...

Flubber for VP*

________________________
* That sounded good when I first thought of it, but I just realized what a McCain-Flubber campaign sign would look like.

[Boris Godunov]

Originally posted by Flubber
But Wiglaf, in all those Couric interview clips, Palin comes across as a person who is uncertain of the facts that underly most of the questions and is trying hard to BS her way through-- Its like she thinks if she talks enough, people won't notice that she actually didn't even understand the question.

This is the actual GOPAC strategy for debating that Newt Gingrich devised for up-and-coming Republicans. Rephrase the question to make it sound like a response, and then spew forth generalities that in no way answer the question, but play to your perceived strengths (which in Palin's case is her small town, aw-shucks style).

Modern debates are actually condusive to this style of non-answer moreso than a one-on-one interview, so I think Palin will be seen has "holding her own" tonight, even though she won't say anything of substance the entire time.

[Kidlicious]

All I know is SNL is going to be the best in a long time this Saturday.

[Boris Godunov]

Originally posted by Kidicious
All I know is SNL is going to be the best in a long time this Saturday.

Sadly, that's a low bar.

Despite his being a McCain supporter, I bet that Lorne Michaels is delighted with Sarah Palin's advent onto the political scene. It's given SNL the best moments they've had in years.

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Zkribbler


Flubber for VP*

________________________
* That sounded good when I first thought of it, but I just realized what a McCain-Flubber campaign sign would look like.

and apart form that-- I am a conservative here in Canada so on the US scale that would probably make me a radical leftist

I might know how to answer a question better than Palin but I don't necessarily think that US voters (particularly the Republicans) would like my answers

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Boris Godunov


This is the actual GOPAC strategy for debating that Newt Gingrich devised for up-and-coming Republicans. Rephrase the question to make it sound like a response, and then spew forth generalities that in no way answer the question, but play to your perceived strengths (which in Palin's case is her small town, aw-shucks style).

Modern debates are actually condusive to this style of non-answer moreso than a one-on-one interview, so I think Palin will be seen has "holding her own" tonight, even though she won't say anything of substance the entire time.

THats why in a true debate the other person would actually get to say " Governor Palin-- "saying you will support democracy is just a general platitude which you frequently use -- How do you reconcile this with the election of Hamas?

The thing is that after the Couric debacle, Palin should have a canned response on that one.

[DirtyMartini]

the worst thing Biden could do would be to call Palin on her evasions and empty platitudes -- then people would start to feel sorry for her because he was being mean to her. Public opinion turned against Gore because he sighed and rolled his eyes too much while destroying W in their debates.

sighed*

[Thue]

Originally posted by DirtyMartini
the worst thing Biden could do would be to call Palin on her evasions and empty platitudes -- then people would start to feel sorry for her because he was being mean to her. Public opinion turned against Gore because he signed and rolled his eyes too much while destroying W in their debates.

What can you say? The US got what it deserved. The flying spaghetti monster forbid you actually have minimum standards for politicians, below which is is allowed to sigh and roll your eyes.

[DirtyMartini]

Originally posted by Thue


What can you say? The US got what it deserved...

and the rest of the world paid the price right along with us -- funny how that works.

[Flubber]

Originally posted by DirtyMartini
the worst thing Biden could do would be to call Palin on her evasions and empty platitudes -- then people would start to feel sorry for her because he was being mean to her. Public opinion turned against Gore because he sighed and rolled his eyes too much while destroying W in their debates.

sighed*

reminds me of a "WEST WING" show-- Super smart sitting president facing an "aw shucks simple farm boy"-- arrogantly zings him repeatedly -- they said their polling and focus stuff said he came across as professorial and arrogant anyway so they decided to go with it using lines like "I think Americans would like it if their presidnet is one of the smarter people in the room when a crises hits "

They also nailed the aw shucks guy on his platitudes-- " when he gave an 8 word response indicating he would cut taxes the dem replied.

" My staff warned about an 8 word answer. Succint, simple . . and it resonates. I know I would like lower taxes . .. everyone does. But sir what are the next 8 words? How do you defend our country and blabala (list of govenment actions) "


It was a demolition in only the way a tv script can see someone demolished but in would dearly love to see a real debate where it could happen

[Boris Godunov]

Originally posted by DirtyMartini
the worst thing Biden could do would be to call Palin on her evasions and empty platitudes -- then people would start to feel sorry for her because he was being mean to her. Public opinion turned against Gore because he sighed and rolled his eyes too much while destroying W in their debates.

sighed*

Agree 100%. Biden really needs to just stand there and exude competence. If he can keep his answers succinct and go after McCain in his attacks (NOT Palin), that will be enough for him.

It's 4th quarter, his team is ahead and all they need to do is run down the clock.