I've Heard This Somewhere Before

As I watched the flaming bus wreck of Katie Couric's interview with Gov. Sarah Palin, I kept thinking: why does this sound so familiar?

And then it hit me. She sounds a lot like Lauren Caitlin, the Miss Teen America contestant who became a YouTube sensation with her answer to why one fifth of Americans can't identify the U.S. on a world map.

Said Lauren: "I personally believe that U.S. Americans are unable to do so because some people out there in our nation don't have maps. I believe that our education, like such as in South Africa and the Iraq, everywhere, like, such as... And I believe that they should. Our education over here in the U.S. should help the U.S. Or, should help South Africa and should help the Iraq and the Asian countries. So we will be able to build up our future for our children."

Ok, let's give a break to a teenager who fumbled in her first time under the hot lights of a national television appearance.

Let's add close to 30 years of maturity, two terms as a town mayor and 20 months as a state governor. Throw in a phalanx of speechwriters, preppers and polishers - and we get this from the woman who would be vice president and, possibly, even leader of the free world in response to a question about her international qualifications:

"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--

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

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."

Let's give Lauren Caitlin the same preparation as Sarah Palin, and see who does better. My money is on Lauren.

It's Monday. The vice presidential debates are Thursday. Somewhere Joe Biden is smiling.

Comments

[tablesedge]

Yes, she came in second to Miss Alaska, doesn't that tell you something? Palin is McCain's 3rd beauty queen, 1st wife Carol, 2nd wife Cindy, and now Sarah! And such as...

[somefool]

Yeah she's a tool, but obviously that doesn't mean the American public isn't capable of electing her. The problem now is that expectations are so low that if she shows up and can speak English, it's at least a draw.

[chromin]

dang peggy it's like I wrote your article. Seen my blog lately? Cursesdangit.blogspot.com. I wrote the same thing the 25th of september. Who knew I was already so popular? Not me, but now I persunulie buhleeve I am!

[BarackMarley]

I agree with you 100%
This clip reiterate everything you said
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dCrweHw7tA

Top 5 Palin Scandals
http://www.newsone.com/elections/article/top-5-palin-scandals

[LookingToHelp]

It's not her we should be analyzing/criticizing, it's McCain and his decision making process. Face it, this is his first executive decision and he blew it.

[ssb752]

'round here that's knows as "All hat, no cattle." We also know BS when we step in it.

[Hillrick]

Trade missions AND she fought against the Rebel Alliance too!

[LeftRight]

Darth Palin?

[DZDDMB]

I should not be commenting on Palin's personality and such, however, I see her as an opportunistic psychopath. These type of people will do and say anything to reach their goal. They are by nature incapable of feeling sympathy (killing people and/or animals is incosequential) most often use religion and patriotism as a club and family and flag a cloak to fend off any criticism. End justifies the mean mindset and anything goes with these types of people. Sadly these psychopaths have been ruling the world for quite sometimes. Pharaohs being the earlier ones and GWB and cabal being the latest.
Remember, " no men can lead you down a path unless you cede them your rein" so she knows what she is doing, albeit she is being used.

She will defeat joe biden in the debate because she will use weapons of religion, patriotism, family value, and gender.

[MrKINOKO]

She reminds me of the female Sherrif in "Fargo"...only without the common sense, and a much bigger gun.

[Unrepentant]

There is no question that Palin has been kept sequestered by the Bush handlers and that has created a vacuum for the media to fill.

During the upcoming debate, my impression is that Palin will be coached to keep to her specific talking points no matter what the question. She will spend her time attacking Obama rather than answering the questions. This will throw red meat to the base and frustrate those who expect a real debate. We will end up knowing no more about Palin than we do now, but she will illustrate how easy it is for her to attack in mean spirited, petty, punch lines. None of that is a qualification for VP.

[LeftRight]

I remember listening to Air America the day that she was selected...... I heard her speak about how she was simply following in the footsteps of those great trailblazers, Hillary Clinton and Geraldine Ferraro. I laughed for a good two hours that day. I even had to pull off the road for a while.

It hasn't gotten any better since then. I don't think that I've ever heard her say ANYTHING which was coherent, unless it was scripted, and then displayed for her on the TelePromTer!

[bish66]

I would not underestimate Palin in a dabate, so if Joe Biden is smiling, he might be in for a surprise...

[Squigibo]

I have some Bayer Sterns Stock you may be interested in purchasing too.

[soledadvf]

WHY DID MCCAIN CHOOSE PALIN IN THE FIRST PLACE? TO ATTRACT UNTHINKING AMERICANS WHO WOULD BE SWAYED BY HER BEAUTY AND GLIB ALONE? DOES MCCAIN LOOK AT THE GENERAL AMERICAN PUBLIC AS STUPID AND IGNORANT, UNEDUCATED AND ILLITERATES? HE SHOULD BE SUED FOR TREASON.... PUTTING AMERICA IN GREAT RISK ...THINKING ONLY OF HIS INTERESTS AND NOT OF THE NATION. LET'S PUT MCCAIN AND PALIN WHERE THEY BELONG.... NOT IN THE WHITE HOUSE!!!

[mouve]

Caps Lock's switched on... in case you haven't noticed.

Seriously: Vote against McCain/Palin. Convince your friends and relatives why the Democrats are a better choice. And tell them to convince all of their friends and relatives who, in turn should convince theirs. And so on.
Build a democratic voter's network in which everyone is registered as a voter if that's not the case yet. Sometimes, you'll have to work hard to show people why the Republican team is not suited for the presidency, sometimes you'll encounter rejection, even open hostility. Discuss with people and don't give up unless you realise there's no way to convince people. Don't threaten anyone ('course you won't, just in case) but work hard for your cause and start today. Start Now! There are 37 days left.

[twiggy2]

the candidate for vp is also the candidate for president in the event the president is unable to carry on his duties in the white house. palin's choice by mccain shows his lack of concern and even disdain for the american citizens who would have to endure her evident lack of foreign policy experience and knowledge; in the event that knowledge would be required to deal with an impending foreign relations crisis, a hug from a foreign leader is not going to cut it; neither will being next to russia in proximity to alaska.

biden was chosen by obama for his merit, and his ablity to lead the country if needed.
mccain's reckless choice is a disappointment to people who value life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

[bish66]

THINKING ONLY OF HIS INTERESTS AND NOT OF THE NATION.

Would you mind explaining that statement? What candidate for VP is in the "interest of the nation"?

[jimimosey]

Beauty? Not so much. Under vacant eyes, however, lies the soul of a right wing conservative determined to force a theocratic ideology on the rest of us. Make no mistake, the Rovian thug squad has swooped in to complete the job. This is a woman capable of riding popular opinion to the top spot in Alaskan politics. This is no dummy, folks. I would not be surprised that the national interviews she has given so far went exactly as planned. To make her appear dense and not particularly bright, only to dominate a debate because the opponent underestimates her. This would not be the first time the Atwater tactics have made an apparent rube appeal to the masses with folksy language, dropping "g"s and spouting homilies that make the candidate "one of us." These handlers are adept at political manipulation and nothing is left to chance.

[soledadvf]

SARAH PALIN MUST BE BOOTED OUT OF THE RACE! SEN. MCCAIN IS DOING A TREACHEROUS ACT AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA BY TAKING THIS BEAUTIFUL LADY INTO THE POLITICAL FRAY AND SHE DOES NOT EVEN QUALIFY A BIT TO HANDLE THE GREATEST NATION IN THE WORLD. SHOULD MCCAIN MAKE IT, SHE'LL BE JUST A BREATH AWAY FROM THE PRESIDENCY IF HE SUDDENLY LEAVES THE SCENE! GOD FORBIDS! PLEASE SEND HER BACK TO HER FAR-FLUNG ALASKA. SHE MIGHT SUFFER FROM CULTURE SHOCK BEING WITH THE WASHINGTON STALWARTS AND ELITE!

BUT I BELIEVE IT'S PRIDE AND ARROGANCE THAT MADE HER ACCEPT MCCAIN'S INVITATION INSPITE OF HER LACK OF EVERYTHING IN BEING VICE-PRESIDENT. MORE SO WITH BEING PRESIDENT. THIS IS ONE AMBITIOUS, GUTSY AND COURAGEOUS WOMAN! AMERICANS SHOULD BE SCARED OF HER!

IF SHE MAKES A FOOL OF HERSELF IN THE DEBATE WITH BIDEN, BLAME HERSELF!!! LET THE PEOPLE LISTEN TO THIS WOULD-BE VP AND STOP HER AMBITIONS AT THE POLLS!!!

GOD SAVE AMERICA FROM MCCAIN-PALIN! GOD BLESS AMERICA WITH OBAMA-BIDEN!

[bish66]

First of all, you don't have to SHOUT....

I am truely amazed by the number of well-minding democrats who call on McCain to remove Palin and replace her bay a better suited male running mate. P.Diddy did it before you.

Basically, you are saying, "Come on, John, get rid of her, or you will lose the election."
Take Romney and we will vote for you? Naaa.... you just don't like the fact that he picked a younger woman rather than an old male.
Obama promised to change the Washington System and nominated the ultimate Washington creature (save for Sen. Byrd who would utterly shatter the age issue), while McCain nominated the ultimate Washington outsider. Obama is 'more of the same', while McCain is change you wouldn't have believed 2 months ago.

Yes, she is not that experienced on a national stage, but she is learning quickly. If you are so sure that she is a bad choice, why not rejoice, why the hate?

[wmg57]

The "change" that John McCain is strewing around with such scatter gun abandon is fraudulent. His voting record and Palin's espoused views are deeply entrenched in the same right wing foolishness which has plagued the US for the last seven plus years. Merely shouting louder than the rest and throwing in an outsider does not constitute the actual changes that need to be made to right the ship of state. Unfettered greed begets wholesale corruption. McCain's credibility has been undermined by his inability to recognize that the system he has supported and still supports is morally bankrupt.

[Gidster]

It is fear i believe.
Fear of her ideology, fear of a repeat of the tactics she has used to attain her position, her dismissal of knowledge and the need to understand things.....

[twiggy2]

being a younger woman who is considered an outsider is qualifications to become vp and president? since when? and how come ? are you that naive ? do you know what is at risk? or you willing to even consider the facts: 1 being she has lied on many occasions. 2 . she is being investigated for misuse of power. 3. she does not know anything about foreign policy. 4. mccain has sheilded her from public scrutiny, she has not been allowed to take or answer unscripted questions on any issue.she has given 2 interviews, why the secrecy? 5. she is breaking the law by not ignoring court ordered subpoena's. 6.mccain is obstructing justice by interferring in the investigation. 6.the answers she has given are rambling and "all under one umbrella" - nonsense. i would not vote for sarah palin and it does not matter what party she belonged to. mccain has done this country,, as great as it has been a even greater disservice!

[lindyf]

It drives me crazy when I ask my friends and relatives why they like her. The answer "She is so common and down to earth. Finally, someone just like me, who has the same problems I have in Washington." When I ask if they think they could run the country? The answer is always NO. Why don't they get it? They like her because she is the underdog and they want to stuff it to those intellectuals who have looked down on them they claim. The sad part, all of these people are college educated. Please help me understand this.

[Zenfull]

They like Palin because she comes off "scrappy" and combative to power, they identify with her "David takes on Goliath" populist approach, and they distrust politicians. They probably are watching a lot of "reality" TV shows like "Survivor" and "Kitchen Nighmares" and Fox News because they are very tired of seeing the reality of what is actually happening in the world. It doesn't fit their understanding of how things are supposed to be; it's a complicated, mean, and scary world. They are afraid and love politicians who convey confidence and tell you simple answers with great certainty. That's why they voted for George W. ("Mission Accompplished") Bush in 2004. They would rather have Rudy Giuliani or Fred Thompson as their candidate, but Sarah Palin is fine, too.

[mouve]

You're right, I couldn't have stated that any better myself. Exactly this underdog image seems to appeal to certain people. So, carefully analysing Palin's speech about Alaska and the "thin maritime border" to Russia wouldn't be their kind of thing, I'm afraid. They get the facts (e. g., the Bering strait), the implied fear ("As Putin rears his head...") and the We Are Vigilant attitude ("It is" from Alaska that we send those out to make sure that an eye is being kept on [Russia]") from the speech but don't try to put these facts into a geopolitical context.

Great pic, btw.:
http://www.boingboing.net/2008/09/25/failin-palin.html

[mouve]

I don't think you can really understand this kind of an opinion, it's kind of twisted. But ask them what's more important: to "stuff it to the intellectuals" or to have a government you can rely on, that provides stability and has more competent persons. Besides, ask why the intellectuals would need the stuffing.
Btw, what do they mean with "intellectuals"? Who would that be? Face it: college education automatically makes you an intellectual. Maybe you or they don't think so, but those who haven't attended college do. Now the question is, who is the majority? College educated people or the others? In the latter case, "stuffing it to the intellectuals" means stuffing it to themselves. Now this is quite a political perspective.
What do they answer if you ask why someone not being ready to run a country should be elected president all the same? Don't let them fool you by being drawn into a discussion about Obama/Biden, keep asking solely about Palin. You can ask what they would do if it was Biden/Obama for president. Maybe you can nail them down on a completely irrelevant point, like, they don't want a black person in office. I'm not saying your friends see this as the issue (and I certainly don't hope so), but their point of view seems not to be backed by good reasons but by something like "I don't like theo other guy 'cause... I don't know... you know... I don't like him."

CU

[bish66]

I guess it is fairly easy to understand. People like the underdog. That's why Bush was elected not just once, but twice.
Palin is a conservative, otherwise, she would not be a member of the Republican party. She is pro-Life and is an NRA member. Her vita is as far away from Washington as can possibly be found.

She is down to earth, common, has a large family and a number of problems people can relate to. She was thrown into the limelight and has to cope with the huge attention and scrutiny that accompanies the nomination.

She is not a talking head such as Biden or Romney or Lieberman, she still has to find her groove. That freshness is what appeals to many people.

Yes, she mis-steps in interviews and statements, but she will become better every day.

[DebB]

Become better every day at..................what?

Mis-steps in interviews and statements no doubt and why??? These are questions she needs to be able to answer for the job she has been thrust into the limelight for by people who think the majority of the American people are non-thinking (Yes, unfortunately there are people like that out there - I know some).

How about being ready to lead - right now!?

[DebB]

I don't get all this "I can relate to her" bullcrap either. I like to ask: "So you think that you can relate to her - Do you REALLY think that she relates to YOU?" because as a mother of 5 daughters I don't feel EITHER way at all and that is what I'm looking for in voting for President - Vice President.

OBAMA/BIDEN '08!!!!!!!!!!!