Palin Meets Heads of State, Becomes Foreign Policy Expert

Make no mistake: Sarah Palin is up to speed on the world beyond Alaska's shores. What takes most of us years to learn--from travel, from meeting folks with funny-sounding accents, from reading, you know, books--she gleaned in a few sit-downs with heads of state and Henry Kissinger. She now can talk foreign policy as well as she can, well, hunt moose.

OK, but why are the leaders of the world wasting their time acting as her crash-course tutors on International Relations 101? Can't she just find some goateed TA up at Columbia University to give her a quick tutorial? No wonder the McCain camp wants to keep the press as far away as possible from Palin. I would too if I were running that campaign. The only sound bite was some dippy comment about Hamid Karzai's son's name (Lord, spare us the transcript of her meeting with Bono later today). Still, what I--and probably every journalist this side of Alaska--wouldn't give to be a fly on the wall in some of these meetings ("Um, Prime Minister Karzai, what's 'soft power' again?").

Like anyone stuck in midtown traffic yesterday, I watched with slight bemusement, slight befuddlement. On one hand, she is making a complete mockery of the United Nations and whole foreign policy establishment (which, let's face it, deserves to be mocked), not to mention pissing off every reporter in the process for restricting their access (Joseph Biden should demand the same time and attention among world leaders as his Republican counterpart--then let every reporter and blogger under the sun in to witness his exchanges with these heads of state).

On the other hand, she is bound to have her "Gerald Ford" moment (remember in 1976 when the poor guy forgot that Poland was in the Soviet orbit?). If you put truth serum in any of these leaders' tea, they will freely admit these tutorials are a complete waste of time and sorry excuse for a campaign photo-op (Why not just give the Alaskan governor a free day pass to the Council on Foreign Relations?). Most are probably staring at Randy Scheunemann--who is operating as Palin's Suge Knight and probably wearing wrap-around shades and whispering advice into her left ear--harboring thoughts like, "This war-mongering goon is the last man I want to be sharing a room with."

Sorry to say, but a few sit-downs with foreign leaders does not a second-to-the-commander-in-chief make. The Republicans should know better and stop this farce. Doesn't Bono have better things to do with his time?

Comments

[palinsnohillary]

Here's what bothers me...on foreign policy she is a blank slate into which is being poured the neo-con ideology. Most people who make it to a VP candidate level have experience and have thought through issues themselves. We can't afford McSham/Flailin'

[tel8034]

Palin learnt about as much about Foreign Policy at the UN as she would have learnt by just visiting Disney's Epcot Center.

What a waste of time .................... At least at Epcot the Palin kids would have had a blast and they could have had another family photo-op.

[MarineGrunt]

This is like those "Holiday Inn Express" commercials..............except it is true!

[peacegurl48]

The world needs fixin' and Sarah's our gal!
I am astounded that there us not BIPARTISAN outrage over this travesty.
McCain may not "intend" to give her a real role but with his age and health that may not be his call.

I do leadership training on my job and one of the traits that I look for is humility...this vapid woman has none.

[bmddlocke]

You folks leaning to the left conveniently forget that "Governor" Clinton didn't know anything about foriegn policy but surrounded himself with the necessary good people to get that job done. "Governor" Bush did the same thing. "Governor" Reagan did the same thing. Inexperienced "Senator for 173 days" Obama will do the same thing. Governor/ possible Vice-President Sarah Palin also will do the same thing. Because that is what smart people/managers do. When faced with managing any group, organization, objective, or relationship you hire the appropriate people with the necessary credentials and/or experience to advise you and help you make the corrent decisions (See Henry Kissinger). It's completely counterproductive for any CEO to be mired in minute details that can be printed out of a computer by some subordinate like you. It is however the CEO's responsibility to gather the necessary information to make informed tactical and strategic decisions. You don't have to know all of the information, you just need to know where to get it. If any of you were the CEO of a corporation like I am you would know about this and understand that you (and Huffington's) complaining has no basis for any argument other than you are both ignorant, and have no clue what time it is. .People like you will always end up working for people like me (and Sarah Palin), because you'd rather complain on a left wing blog like this one instead of getting something done.

[MM216]

And in the next paragraph, I suppose you'll knock Obama for his lack of experience even if HE would surround himself with the good people to get the job done.

I said it before....this isn't a high school civics class. It's the Vice-presidency.

[papapj]

bmddlocke

Most humans possess the faculty to gather and process information. In this instance the fear is that though provided with all of the tools and information incumbent upon a Vice-President, Palin possess neither the ability, nor has she demonstrated the potential, to act in a manner pursuant to the interests of the majority of Americans.

Any pretence that she does is an insult to intelligence, as expressed by many on both sides of the political spectrum, a fallacy perpetuated by those who stand to benefit from the iniquitous status quo.

Not suprisingly the constituency that supports this mental-midget (Palin) happen to be the fat-cats who stand to benefit from the present economic and financial malaise,(CEOs ) and the recidivist Blue collar lemmings who forever vote against their own interests.

People like these can never see beyond their own narrow self-interest, and are the destabilising force in harmonious society...

[YankeeCanuck]

But America is not a corporation (yet).
Yeh, a good CEO, heh heh. They're few and far between in this country. And if you're so intent about getting things done, why are you "commenting on a left wing blog like this one"?

[lobo1939]

The thing about Bill Clinton is that he had prepared himself before he ran for office, had been a Rhodes Scholar and as I recall in the press confrences which he held early and often and in the debates he could off the top of his head talk policy issues and name the NAMES of heads of state correctly.

[RadCenter]

Palin's day at the U.N. looked a lot like the foreign-policy equivalent of speed-dating to me.

[Rog49Thomas]

Wait just a minute.

If she could develop a profound understanding about Russia by looking at it from a distance, just imagine how much more she would learn sitting three feet away from foreigners.

And after the meeting with Henry K. I'll bet she's speaking heavily Germanic-accented English now.

And that explains why she's not talking to the press - because they wouldn't understand her.

[rkimball]

a two day crash course at un is no substitute for years of experience.

this is where obama shines.

[daveincolorado]

I saw this on the National Security Network website under their Democracy Arsenal section. It was posted by Adam Blickstein:

A major speech in front of the international community. A freewheeling press conference lasting more than an hour. An hour-long, prime time appearance with CNN's venerable Larry King. All in all, a busy busy press day. So, who allowed themselves to be exposed to the scrupulous press at such an unfettered level? Sarah Palin, a GOP candidate running to hold the second highest office in the United States of America? No, try Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Yes, in total, one of the most vile leaders in the world today yesterday arguably faced more direct media scrutiny with domestic and international press then a person who could theoretically become the most powerful person in America and the world. It's not only a slap to the face of the American people, but also an indictment of the McCain campaign's controlling insecurities that they have allowed the press perhaps less access to Palin over an entire month than the direct media scrutiny the detestable President of Iran received in one day.

Interesting

[katharinenor]

I petted a couple of moose today. Now I can hunt as well as Sarah Palin!

[chevymo]

Does anyone really think McCain has any intention of giving Ms. Palin a role to play or even a voice once this campaign is over ... where is all this 'maverick bravado' that supposedly justifies her being there ... from what they tell us the McCain camp should be having problems reigning her in ... instead we continue to hear the same old tired lines ... but nothing indicative of the bold sweeping reform she plans to bring and certainly nothing indicative of the rebel she claims to be ... is she going to do ... insult foreign leaders into submission or maybe deflate them with her gravely good ole boy chit chat ... I can't imagine she'll get by on looks alone ... in many cultures the woman remain covered and she might even be considered brazen ... why isn't Ms Palin herself showing some outrage and resentment to the way she's being stifled herself. Her claim to fame is standing up to 'the old boys network and refusing to sit dow', come on then, stand up and speak for yourself ! Dig beneath the lipstick and the pitbull doesn't even whimper. One last thought - why doesn't freedom of choice, by definition, include a right to life? Doesn't the right to choice imply the right to chose life. This woman wants to keep government out of your wallet but will have her way with your body? The sham is offensive no matter what political theory you prescribe to.

[kmich718]

He doesn't believe woman have the right to equal pay, that they don't have the right to do with their bodies as they wish, he publically humiliates his wife (2nd wife), he committed adultery on his first wife....yeah.. this guy has a great record with women!

[lobo1939]

Hey, this charade works for the flat earthers, the repugs base. My glory hole neighbors all have their McPalin signs in their yards.

[DesertMommy]

Are people (Republicans and Democrats) really buying this 'Foreign Policy 15 minute Tour' ??! Come on now! She talked with one leader about his new son. Sweet but this is who you want to be our VP. She does not have the dialogue nor (let's say it) EXPEREINCE to be our #2. Palin who just in recent years got her passport (yes she never traveld outside of the US for business or even pleasure)...and in recent weeks just learned about the Bush Doctrine... Can these photos-ops with world leaders fool Americans? Can this quick trip of Foregin Policy 101 fool Americans? It's like when you go to Disneyland and take you photo with Mickey, Goofy and Pluto...but she did it with World leaders!

When I think about the possibility of Palin getting anywhere near the White House (even for a touristic tour), I become livid and flush with the fear of the enormous price the entire world will pay(ecologically and diplomatically) if the Republicans win this year. I loose total control and my choice of words is not always stellar!

I am speechless at the total political ignorance of those who cherish an intolerant, righteous person such as Sarah Palin.

Seriosuly now...VP? Possible Preisdent? This is our country...our kids futures...this is our livelihoods.

[Pilotshark]

Smiles Disney land thats where shes going next to ride its a small world and get some more experience.

[MM216]

"I can see Russia from my backyard! I shook Karzei's hand! I'm a foreign policy expert and I'm sooooooooo ready to lead!"

Lord help us.

[JenIA]

Sarah will probably say "So nice to meet you Bono" -- pronounced like Sonny Bono...

"And what band are you in?" "Hmm, never heard of it but I'm sure you're great!"

"And what the heck is the mission of that 'One' campaign you're so involved in, is it to keep promoting that the United States is Number One in the whole universe??? We're Number One, We're Number One, is that the motto?"