Should Palin Step Down

dannyboy · #1 (**permalink**) 09-27-2008, 09:53 PM

Palin isn't bringing much to the Republican ticket. Yes, she had a buffo speach at the Republican National Convention. And she brought some needed attention to the ticket, and a certain amount of (for want of a better word) glamour.

But it has all been downhill since then, culminating in her really horrible interviews with Kathy Coric, where she couldn't even intelligently answer questions that she had to know were coming, like how her geographic proximity to Russia made her experienced in foreign affairs.

Anyway, as I am sure that you have read, a conservative columnist for the National Review (and does it get more conservative than that?), who originally supported her, is now saying that she should step down.

Palin Problem by Kathleen Parker on National Review Online

Parker says:

Quote:

Palin’s recent interviews with Charles Gibson, Sean Hannity, and now Katie Couric have all revealed an attractive, earnest, confident candidate. Who Is Clearly Out Of Her League.

No one hates saying that more than I do. Like so many women, I’ve been pulling for Palin, wishing her the best, hoping she will perform brilliantly. I’ve also noticed that I watch her interviews with the held breath of an anxious parent, my finger poised over the mute button in case it gets too painful. Unfortunately, it often does. My cringe reflex is exhausted.

Palin filibusters. She repeats words, filling space with deadwood. Cut the verbiage and there’s not much content there. Here’s but one example of many from her interview with Hannity: “Well, there is a danger in allowing some obsessive partisanship to get into the issue that we’re talking about today. And that’s something that John McCain, too, his track record, proving that he can work both sides of the aisle, he can surpass the partisanship that must be surpassed to deal with an issue like this.”

When Couric pointed to polls showing that the financial crisis had boosted Obama’s numbers, Palin blustered wordily: “I’m not looking at poll numbers. What I think Americans at the end of the day are going to be able to go back and look at track records and see who’s more apt to be talking about solutions and wishing for and hoping for solutions for some opportunity to change, and who’s actually done it?”

If BS were currency, Palin could bail out Wall Street herself.

If Palin were a man, we’d all be guffawing, just as we do every time Joe Biden tickles the back of his throat with his toes. But because she’s a woman — and the first ever on a Republican presidential ticket — we are reluctant to say what is painfully true.

What to do?

McCain can’t repudiate his choice for running mate. He not only risks the wrath of the GOP’s unforgiving base, but he invites others to second-guess his executive decision-making ability. Barack Obama faces the same problem with Biden.

Only Palin can save McCain, her party, and the country she loves. She can bow out for personal reasons, perhaps because she wants to spend more time with her newborn. No one would criticize a mother who puts her family first.

Do it for your country.

My first reactions:

First, it won't happen. Personally, I don't know whether it would be good for her party or McCain to withdraw now. McCain will never regain the opportunity that he had. He chose the rock star. IMHO, he should have chosen Tim Pawlenty, who is young, charismatic, very conservative, and still well liked in the liberal state of Minnesota.

But he chose Palin. And that reflects on him. I said it then and I'll say it now, it was a stupid move.

Second, how gutsy of Parker. Actually, my first thought was that it was ballsy, and in the best sense of the word, but I thought that others might misconstrue my words. So, let's go with gutsy.

If you google her article, you'll see that, while some admire her taking this position, she is also being really nailed.

Third, she is right and wrong. Where I think she is right is saying that Palin is out of her league. I think she is right that Palin is showing her ineptness in interviews. I actually felt sorry for her during her interview with Katie Coric. She was so out of her depth that I felt bad for her, even though I am supporting the opposing team, and should be rejoicing in her ineptitude. She was swimming in a too deep of a pool. I'm not alone my opinion that she really sucked wind. I don't know and haven't read anyone who thinks she did well.

Personally, I also think Parker is right to dismiss some of the early criticism of Palin as being kneejerk.

Where she is wrong is thinking that Palin can withdraw at this point. I don't this is an option. McCain chose her, and then after her really very well delivered RNC speech, road in the drift behind her car. I don't think the campaign has any option but sticking with her.

grumpy247 · #2 (**permalink**) 09-27-2008, 10:53 PM

Yes she should.

sharkiz1 · #3 (**permalink**) 09-27-2008, 11:50 PM

Here is a joke I found on another site that pretty much sums up my feelings about Sarah. I would like to say that I am not attacking her personally and have pretty much stayed out of the "can Sarah run her family AND the country(in case McCain dies in office) threads because I don't think that is relevant. She has a husband to run her family and I feel that is fine with me if it is fine with them.

So here is the joke and it is funny and poignant at the same time.

While suturing a cut on the hand of a 75-year-old rancher, whose hand was caught in the gate while working cattle, the doctor struck up a conversation with the old man. Eventually the topic got around to Palin and her bid.

The old rancher said, "Well, ya know, Palin is a 'Post Turtle.'"

Not being familiar with the term, the doctor asked him what a post turtle was.

The old rancher said, "When you're driving down a country road you come across a fence post with a turtle balanced on top, that's a 'post turtle.'"

The old rancher saw the puzzled look on the doctor's face so he continued to explain. "You know she didn't get up there by herself, she doesn't belong up there, and she doesn't know what to do while she's up there, and you just wonder what kind of dummy put her up there to begin with."

And to answer your question, No I don't think she should step down.

wildwood · #4 (**permalink**) 09-28-2008, 02:05 AM

I love the post turtle.

I think she is probably a very good governor of a state with a small population and with unique problems that she understands. I also think that anything more than that is probably way above her ability, at least at this point in time.

But should she step down? I think probably so. But I don't think it can happen this late in the game.

jujubee2 · #5 (**permalink**) 09-28-2008, 08:13 AM

No, it might help McCain if she did.

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