We know a bit more than we did on Friday about Governor Sarah Palin, the presumptive VP nominee for the Republican party. What we are finding out isn't pretty and I have to wonder what kind of Rovian joke this is.
The rumors and rants are flying and who knows what will turn out to be fact or fiction? The corporate media is going to do what they do best by covering the lurid stories that may or may not amount to anything, but what about the facts? What matters about the person who could be one heartbeat away from the presidency? What matters to me is good judgement, common sense, intelligence, compassion, character and where they stand on the issues. What doesn't matter to me is how "hot" the candidate is or isn't, how many houses they have- unless they don't know the answer to that question, how much they pay for their shoes, if they are a maverick- or not, whether a VP's candidate's spouse got a DUI 20 years ago, what their parenting skills; all subjects that have come up in the past day or so.
* We know that Palin was not vetted properly by the McCain campaign. Don't we want to know what skeletons are hiding in what closets before make makes their national debut as a major political player? It's not that there are skeletons that may be worrisome, it's what kind of skeletons. With access to the internet, no one should be surprised at the casual vetting taking place by bloggers, pundits and reporters. If the party hasn't done an adequate job, it becomes our responsibility.
*We know that Palin was speaking in Texas when she was 34 weeks pregnant in April 08. KTUU reports:
The governor's water broke during the energy conference but she stayed and gave a 30-minute speech before boarding an Alaska Airlines plane home to deliver the baby.
Airlines rules vary; Alaska Airlines has no restrictions for pregnant travelers, although many other airlines require a medical certificate stating the woman is fit to travel. Once Palin's water broke, flying put the flight crew in a potentially difficult situation, a risk that doesn't show much common sense or good judgement to me. Additionally, the 8 hour flight plus trip to the hospital would seem to put the baby at risk, as well.
*We know that Palin, appeared on a radio talk show in Alaska back in January of this year that a writer to the Alaska Daily News described The governor's appearance on KWHL's "The Bob and Mark Show" last week is plain and simple one of the most unprofessional, childish and inexcusable performances I've ever seen from a politician. The DJ unleashed a vicious, mean-spirited, poisonous attack on Senate President Lyda Green all the while Palin laughed and joined in the fun as the *b* word was thrown around. As a state executive, we expect better. Do we need a Mean Girl to be our Vice President?
More will come out about Palin; the good and the bad. I hope that many people who thought Palin was a valuable addition to the Republican ticket, and the answer to the disaffected Hillary supporters, will consider the facts as they become available. Sarah Palin is not ready to be the Vice President; her nomination is an insult to those of either gender who are much more qualified. I can only hope that potential supporter's who might have voted for McCain, will not in good faith, do so with Palin's name on the ticket.
Politics is not for the faint of heart. Palin has been thrown into the big leagues with little league experience. It remains to be seen how she will do on the campaign trail. Will she hold her own when the questions start getting tough? Does she have what it takes to go toe-to-toe with Joe Biden in the October VP debate? How will she handle meetings with heads of state?
We know one thing for sure, this VP candidate is not in Wasilla anymore although she may wish she was.
8 comments:
Hi, and thanks for your comments re Palin. Her poor teenage daughter must feel terrible in the center of this storm of publicity. Should Palin have accepted the VP nomination knowing that she'd be exposing her young daughter to all of this? Her daughter will need her mom's support more than ever in the coming months, will Sarah Palin be too busy to provide it? SueL
Only Sarah knows if accepting the nomination was the right thing for her and her family. I hope she did. I feel bad for Bristol, too, being thrown into the media glare- imagine going from the safety of small town Alaska to a world stage. Under any circumstances it would be difficult. I wish for a happy healthy baby in a happy healthy marriage.
The thing that bothers me the most about Palin is her militant, Christian fundamentalism.
Who's to say the story about the water breaking is even accurate? Has anyone heard Palin herself confirm it? Who else would know for sure?
Whole thing sounds fishy to me!
Yup, that's right, She's a HEATHER!
You know, those snarky teen queens who made your life miserable in junior high, the ones who left some poor kid cringing in the lunchroom after uttering the sarcastic backhand compliment, "What a cuuute dress - I didn'y know you shopped Salvation Army!" (actually overheard from a SMU sorority girl)
Here's hoping that Biden knows how to debate THAT style!
Lib- Fundamental anything is wrong. Palin's brand of Fundamental Christianity is scary.
Anonymous- Perhaps you have a point. This story has been told repeatedly, but the first source I saw was from a CBS affiliate in AK. and *not* the National Enquirer (although their record hasn't been to bad lately)
Why has the Palin family or campaign *not* refuted it? or even addressed it?
Lori-
A Heather she is, indeed. We all knew someone like that growing up. Sadly, alot of them never grow up and are mean women in corporate or PTA settings. It's not nice and it's not pretty, and I would go so far as to suggest that for them it is sport.
Palin herself drew the line in the sand for the debates and the campaign. I am hoping that Biden leaves the gloves at home and tests her on some of the many issues she is lacking. The worst way to address it is to not address it at all. They need to be called on all their lies, even if it is a lie of omission.
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