HuffPost political reporter Sam Stein was a guest tonight on Hardball, with Chris Matthews, to discuss the lengthy interview that Sarah Palin gave to Glenn Beck. Matthews focused on Palin's initial reluctance to name her favorite Founding Father, after being asked by Beck, before finally settling on George Washington.
Stein argued that the exchange was illustrative of Palin's extreme caution and hesitance to say anything that might offend a part of the Republican party. Ultimately, Stein said, it was redemption for Katie Couric:
It's a very cautious answer. It's not trying to get in trouble, is my opinion. But does it remind you of the newspaper answer? She didn't want to say a newspaper that could possibly get in her in trouble with Republicans... I think this is redemption for Katie Couric, who got nailed by Sarah Palin for sking a 'gotcha' question.
The subject then turned to Harold Ford's shaky testing of the waters for a run against Senator Kirsten Gillibrand in New York. Stein called Ford's initial forays "disastrous":
Harold Ford's rollout has been totally disastrous. He's asking [Gilibrand] to oppose health care reform, which is not going to endear him to anyone in the party.
WATCH:
Clearly in her response to Beck she (again!) had no idea what to say in response to a question. Matthews was right--it's like someone trying to fake a passing grade on a test where they haven't studied at all for it.
She knows nothing about our country or our history. It was completelly obvious that she stalls (as in the Couric interview) until she can think of something--anything--that can be a passable answer.
And, yeah, if you think back to the Revolutionary War, the most famous name is Washington (as in "D.C"...$1.00 bill, .. Monument...etc.).But does she know any of the Founding Fathers who actually came up with the documents and ideas that FOUNDED our nation?
When you're a conservative stumped, on FOX, by a question from Glen Beck, you know you're dumb as a brick.
Let's stop making excuses for her, Mr. Stein..
http://bravenewfilms.org/ford/?utm_source=harold
Lucky guess!!
I believe before the interview Sara was advised to do her homework on George Washington so she'd have an answer on hand if the need arose....so when she told her son to google the Statue of Liberty that morning before the show, she also had him Google George Washington, just in case the occasion would arise....
and even then she almost blew it!
She was CLUELESS - until someone cued her the name George Washington.
Observe good faith and justice towards all Nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all. - George Washington, Farewell Address, September 19, 1796
The blessed Religion revealed in the word of God will remain an eternal and awful monument to prove that the best Institution may be abused by human depravity; and that they may even, in some instances be made subservient to the vilest purposes. - George Washington, fragments of the Draft First Inaugural Address, April 1789
If they are good workmen, they may be of Asia, Africa, or Europe. They may be Mohometans, Jews or Christians of any Sect, or they may be Atheists. - George Washington, letter to Tench Tilghman asking him to secure a carpenter and a bricklayer for his Mount Vernon estate, March 24, 1784
I had always hoped that this land might become a safe and agreeable Asylum to the virtuous and persecuted part of mankind, to whatever nation they might belong. - George Washington, letter to Francis Adrian Van der Kemp, a Mennonite minister, May 28, 1788
"The founders of our nation were nearly all Infidels, and that of the presidents who had thus far been elected [Washington; Adams; Jefferson; Madison; Monroe; Adams; Jackson] not a one had professed a belief in Christianity.... "Among all our presidents from Washington downward, not one was a professor of religion, at least not of more than Unitarianism."
-- The Reverend Doctor Bird Wilson, an Episcopal minister in Albany, New York, in a sermon preached in October, 1831
"Washington's religious belief was that of the enlightenment: deism. He practically never used the word 'God,' preferring the more impersonal word 'Providence.' How little he visualized Providence in personal form is shown by the fact that he interchangeably applied to that force all three possible pronouns: he, she, and it."
Like the death panel remarks is a well thought out idea that she knew would bide well with Republicans ?
But she's afraid to say the name Franklin, Adams, Jefferson, Hamilton etc - becasue she may upset the Republicans?
Come on - she can't have it both ways with this - either she is out there speaking her mind because she is the know it all spokesperson for everyone true American - or she is the little victim trying to not offend a Repbulican somewhere -
She has made more comments about the problems with the Republican Party than the liberal Dems have !
She doesn't know any off the qualities that individualized any of the Founding Fathers - none of the "diversity" - but I am sure she will now get her daughters history book out and read that page - and have snappy answeres for Beck Boy next week.
Beck also then whined on about untrustworthy politicians who say anything just to get elected.
Of coarse, Palin chose TO BE John McCain's running mate, completely agreeing with McCain on all the issues during her campaign. "McCain" the politician who Beck does not agree with because he is not a "true conservative"
What? Was Palin just agreeing with "progressive untrustworthy non-conservative "McCain" and saying anything to get elected then...too, also?... and Beck voted for McCain/Palin anyway? Because WHY exactly.... if he is so mistrusting of candidates who are untrustworthy because they "say anything just to get elected"?
Did Sara already "sell her soul" and her true "Conservative Values" just to get elected, by copping out and agreeing to run with "Progressive John McCain"... in Glenn Beck's eyes?