The New Yorker Can See Russia From Sarah Palin's House

What has been the takeaway from the abundance of Sarah Palin coverage over the past few weeks? This week's New Yorker boils it down. See below:

From Charlie Gibson's interview with Sarah Palin:

GIBSON: What insight into Russian actions, particularly in the last couple of weeks, does the proximity of the state give you?

PALIN: They're our next door neighbors and you can actually see Russia from land here in Alaska, from an island in Alaska.

From Katie Couric's interview with Sarah Palin:

COURIC: You've cited Alaska's proximity to Russia as part of your foreign policy experience. What did you mean by that?

PALIN: That Alaska has a very narrow maritime border between a foreign country, Russia, and on our other side, the land-- boundary that we have with-- Canada. It-- it's funny that a comment like that was-- kind of made to-- cari-- I don't know, you know? Reporters--

COURIC: Mock?

PALIN: Yeah, mocked, I guess that's the word, yeah.

COURIC: Explain to me why that enhances your foreign policy credentials.

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PALIN: Well, it certainly does because our-- our next door neighbors are foreign countries. They're in the state that I am the executive of. And there in Russia--

COURIC: Have you ever been involved with any negotiations, for example, with the Russians?

PALIN: We have trade missions back and forth. We-- we do-- it's very important when you consider even national security issues with Russia as Putin rears his head and comes into the air space of the United States of America, where-- where do they go? It's Alaska. It's just right over the border. It is-- from Alaska that we send those out to make sure that an eye is being kept on this very powerful nation, Russia, because they are right there. They are right next to-- to our state.

From "Saturday Night Live":

AMY POEHLER AS HILLARY CLINTON: I believe that diplomacy should be the cornerstone of any foreign policy.

TINA FEY AS PALIN: And I can see Russia from my house!

From Barry Blitt on the cover of this week's New Yorker, a distillation:

NB: This cover is done in homage to the famous Saul Steinberg view from New York.

Also NB: I'm sure this cover gave David Remnick an extra savage jolt of joy, because he actually really does know about Russia.

NB redux: Once again Barry Blitt taps into the zeitgeist. I'll just leave it at that.

Comments

[tobyjack]

I can see Uranus from my backyard at night. does that qualify me to be ambassador to outer space?

[sedum]

you just leave Uranus out of this.

[ractols]

No, that would qualify you as a proctologist.

[nastyvirus]

I don't get it. I guess I better take my thunb outta my

[Lipshtik-Pig]

That blank legal pad is an excellent metaphor for her one-dimensional mind.

(Why are there two web pages to this same story? http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/29/new-yorker-cover-mocks-pa_n_130423.html)

[zeitgeist79]

I thought this stuff was funny until I heard Republican's defend that Katie Couric interview. I don't know if they are cynics or fools or both (probably both), but the fact that those answers don't patently disqualify her from the office of vice president is shocking, appalling and done right terrifying. I used to be scared that Obama would lose and we would miss out on this amazing opportunity for our country. Now I'm scared that McCain will win and we have this woman in office a heartbeat away from the Oval. God save us from such a day. Seriously, please God save us!

[ashill]

I just heard that Sarah Palin has the solution to the current financial turmoil.
She is planning to go to Wall Street and shoot the bears!

[george venny]

LMAO!!!!

Maybe she can go to wall street, see it...... and then have the relevent policy experience needed to fix the financial crisis!

[lebec]

ROFL ! very clever

[Greenfeet]

I can see my neighbor's house from mine. That gives me unique insight into what they do in their house and who the are and what they will do next. Can I be Vice-President now?

[rigormrtis]

I used to take tae kwon do. I should be the ambasador to S. Korea!

[mouve]

No, VP is when you see Russia. In your case, I'd try to apply for Head of Homeland security.

[Roxanna]

Let's keep the faith that in spite of all her overwhelming prepping for pat answers when cornered, that the emptiness and lack of world knowledge comes across to the American people.

[katedog]

and unfortunately, Sarah Palin will probably hit the ball out of the park during this Thursday's debates. The VP debate provides the questions, and she's rehearsing the answers as we speak. I'm sure there's even a "lifeline" answer in her back pocket.

[MinnesotaAndrea]

Katedog: I would be very surprised if the questions are supplied ahead of time; Gwen Ifill is the moderator, and I looked at the pbs website and it didn't indicate that questions would be known ahead of time. It would be atrocious if this is true.

[nazcalito]

The cloddish Gwen Ifill will just make Palin look good.

[NoWMDs]

If only the Earth was round, she could also keep an eye out for dinosaurs.

[d00derman]

I am keying off 'Earth was round'. Has anyone asked Palin if the earth is round?

[freddog]

Please call and write networks and journalists to DEMAND access to Palin for NEWS CONFERENCES!! We deserve to see her in front of the national press corp to get to know more about her knowledge of the issues and to see if she can defend her record. Flood the networks with calls and emails protesting the vetting of someone who could be President of the United States.

[jcahill]

a joke that gets less funny every day

folks...le­t's make sure WE are ALL registered_and everyone you know is registered

every young person_we have a generational advantage here_ BUT WE MUST VOTE

we CAN push the bad guys, the stupid ones and the idiots OUT_but we MUST VOTE

Obama's time is NOW_but We must do it one vote at a time!

[nastyvirus]

Have you read ANY of the posts here? They're hilarious!

[jashu51]

Blitt should autograph and frame the original cartoon and send it to the Governor's Mansion in Juneau. It'll be waiting there when Sarah gets back November 5th to "govern".

[analisethis]

Soooomewhere,over the rainbow birds do fly.......­..........­...

OBAMA-BIDEN 08

[LeawoodKansas]

Sexist? In what respect Charleeee, er ... Janie?

[Krankil]

I think Cindy McCain is jealous of Palin for all the hugs and kisses she's been getting from McCain since she joined the ticket and decided to set her up. Because the first time this "you can actually see Russia from Alaska" was brought up, it was by Cindy McCain. So either Cindy is setting Palin up or Cindy is dumber than Palin. I find the latter hard to acheive

[NoWMDs]

Cindy better watch out....Joh­n dropped his first wife for a new model....w­hile he still was married...

[Krankil]

Exactly. She knows better. She knows all grandpa's tricks and that's why I think she's making a move :)

The media never mentioned that the first one who brought up this "Russia close to Alaska" thing was Cindy and Palin only had to repeat it as she's been repeating everything else she's told she had done or known

[skeptaholic]

That's part of the Cindy & John love story that was left out of her introduction at the RNC.

"While John was at a party in Hawaii neglecting to call his (soon-to-be ex-wife), he spotted a beautiful, young blonde girl across the room. She was wearing a dress made of $100 dollar bills. It was love at first sight. John slipped his wedding ring off his finger and..."

[evgolightly]

Nah, he needs Cindy's money. John McCain has soured on Palin because she's turned out to be more a liability than an asset, and all he cares about is getting elected.

[BannedFromCommenting]

Uh, highly unlikely, unless Palin wanted the better model of money McCain would get divorcing Cindy...Pa­lin's own hubby may not be the brightest but he will hold up in the wash better

[ronnierayjenkins]

She thinks she's an expert in foreign relations, cause she can see Russia from the window in her kitchen. Everybody sing along in the Official Ballad of Caribou Barbie:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7trIpspUILg

[muypolitico]

If you apply Palin's logic to other areas of life you must conclude that every person who is not a virgin can work as a sex therapist or counselor.