Report: McCain Aides Complain That Palin Is "Clueless"

Radio talk show host Ed Schultz reports:

Capitol Hill sources are telling me that senior McCain people are more than concerned about Palin. The campaign has held a mock debate and a mock press conference; both are being described as "disastrous." One senior McCain aide was quoted as saying, "What are we going to do?" The McCain people want to move this first debate to some later, undetermined date, possibly never. People on the inside are saying the Alaska Governor is "clueless."

On Friday, conservative columnist Kathleen Parker said that after seeing Palin in interviews, she thinks the vice presidential nominee should drop out.

Comments

[amoment]

But wait folks! I smell a political strategy, here. Remember, politicians like to lower expectations and it is certainly necessary to lower expectations of Palin.

[JulianJons]

Yeah, make a hole in the floor and lower it a little bit more.

[sak]

Are they surprised? John McCain, in order to win this election, thought he could put a beauty queen in front of the public and they would swoon. We didn't. Now we are cringing as she makes a fool of herself. It was a cruel thing he did to Palin and an affront to working women everywhere. Most of us, if approached to be the VP of the United States by an old man with melanoma, would know that it was likely that we would have to step in and run the country. She didn't have the sense to say no. That says it all. The fact that McCain used her and it failed is his act of treason. What happened to "Country First?" I agree with Jack Cafferty, it scares me to death to think that she might be in charge!

[stevebest]

Did you miss the Palin craze we swoooned

[exPatPatti]

She's just the gift that keeps on giving.

[JavaCityGal]

I've been looking forward to the VP debate for weeks. But now, I almost want to turn my head the way you would when you see a freight train about to hit a compact car at full speed.

[lucite]

Let's skip the debate and she take Joe Biden Moose hunting.

[spyda]

All I can say is "I CAN'T WAIT"!!!!!!!!!! Lord have mercy!! LOLOLOLOL

[fetchezlavache]

I can't wait for the VP debate either. I'm going to pop some corn, settle back into my recliner and let the Extreme Games begin!

[jt307]

Simple solution to this debate disparity. Joe Biden has to wear a Ronald McDonald costume the entire debate, and the moderator must ask at least three questions about moose and the geographic location of Alaska, is it really between Canada and Russia....

[Middleclassvotingbloc]

it will be interesting to see what stunts McCain's campaign will use to get her out of the debate.

[sak]

I just read that the McCain people feel that Sara is "clueless.­" I sure don't want their job! I support Senator Obama, but as a woman it may be difficult to watch the VP debate. You can only spit out doubletalk for so long and people begin to realize that you have said nothing. McCain should be ashamed of himself for putting this woman, who obviously has no real self awareness, in the national spotlight. He had to know that she just is not equipped for the presidency.

Wait, I may be wrong, Kissinger said she was the ultimate aphrodesiac. Talk about sexist!

[Middleclassvotingbloc]

Palin's debate will put a nail into McCain campaign coffin.

[MissingAmerica]

Don't count her out yet. When they ask the question, she'll just answer, ":Let me check on that and I'll get back to ya!"

[Innisfail]

CNN panel on prez debate snickering about Palin next week - and Palin interview with Couric. And wondering if the world will ever again see a Palin interview.­...but, boy, THEY'd love to interview her, chuckle. It would be sad if she hadn't delivered that snotty acceptance speech and told (forgot-hi­s-name/fir­st interviewer) that she was READY, unblinkingly ready. Such ignorant arrogance (and danger to the world) needs to be quashed. Right now.

But not until after the VP debate.

[mnyobpres]

Sarah Palin should study her butt off before she debates Joe Biden, otherwise she will REALLY look like an IDIOT! A DEER AND HIGHLIGHTS LOOK.

[fetchezlavache]

Apparently she has already been studying her butt off with the McCain people and they have finally realized that she is incapable of learning what she should say.

[retspan11]

The real challenge to Biden during the debate will be this:

Can he keep himself from laughing out loud??

[LEFT-TURN-AHEAD]

But she clenched the Bathing Suit contest!

[Shiral]

I can imagine desperate McCain staffers coming up with the following idea to salvage something out of the Veep debate:

"I know! Sarah will come onstage in a bikini and then we insist Joe Biden has to wear one, too!"

I feel sort of sorry for Palin, but the prospect of her being president is so appalling, I just lie down until the pity instinct goes away.

[Sloane7]

Sarah Palin in a debate will be must see TV. But Biden has to practice his expressions. I thought Katie did a good job not reacting to those wandering meaningless answers and Biden has to look equally non-plussed while we watch at home.

[MizLiz]

Yikes, I don't know if he can manage that. Joe's an honest guy, and if he's amused, it's gonna show.

[amoment]

Joe Biden has a very difficult task in his debate with palin. I think he must hide all amusement as it relates to sarah palin, otherwise he will appear sexist and insensitive. He also needs to debate her as he would a man. But, then, if he debates her as he would a man, there will be those who say he was too tough on a "woman" that's new to national politics. The Biden/Palin debate will be the most interesting.

[Oldtimer]

Right on about Couric keeping her expression together. She's interviewed just about everybody at one time or another over the years but watching Palin - that took real self-control.
You are right about Biden. He needs to be coached to remain focused on answering the question
and not showing amuzement or contempt. He might say at the end "We live in serious times with
serious problem and we need serious people to address them. Do you vote for a candidate who
chose a serious VP or one who is not taken seriously?""