The “Achilles heel” response really stuck out at me too at first. I was listening to it on the radio in the car, so I didn’t have any visual cues to help me figure out if she had been whooshed, or if she really did just launch herself into a list of her strengths without even acknowledging that the moderator had asked for a self-assessment of her biggest weakness, or what.
Biden pretty much listed a list of strengths too, but at least acknowledged the actual question. I was kinda hoping he’d really nail that opportunity to give a thoughtful and complete answer in counterpoint to Palin, but emphasizing weaknesses in oneself is not what many politicians want to spend much time on, I suppose.
Listening on the radio, I had no idea about the winking and such until I got home, and learning about it certainly decreased her points in my book.
Actually it was a reference to how low a bar I had set for Miss Wasilla’s debut.
I guess she isn’t the only one in need of a low bar setting. By the way, what’s a* Govenor*?
I think she knows what an Achille’s heel is, but she struck me as someone who won’t admit to any faults. That’s what cost John Silber the MA gubanatorial election in 1990. But unlike Silber, Palin didn’t respond like a petulant child.
The hair bothered me too. Though I don’t like her much, I think that she’s a very attractive woman. But dayum, she needs to stop seeing Donald Trump’s hairdresser.
Similarly, when asked what might have to be cut back in their platforms due to recent developements, didn’t she basically say that everything would continue forward pretty much the same? No matter which party affiliation (or independently) I’m beholden to, I’d prefer my choice in leadership to be able to reconsider positions and admit fault. I realize that in general their probably not very big on that, but in light of the past 8 years with Bush, I feel this is critical.
Over all though, I think she did well enough. The folksiness in general didn’t bother me (and I thought the shout out was kind of cute, if out of place), but I can certainly see why it would be considered inappropriate for the station she’s aspiring to and how other head’s of state would perceive such. I wish there’d have been less focus on soundbites and more content, but I’m assuming if one has to cram so much knowledge in within a short amount of time, that’s the best you can hope for. She did come across as assertive and confident, as well as able to hold the viewer’s attention. At least in my humble opinion.
I thought Biden came across as well-versed and personable, although not being completely familiar with him, I was concerned that his emotional choke-up would be indeed seen as a ploy. Overall, I don’t think either made a mess or handed up any gaffes so to speak, but if we’re going on sticking closer to actual content and specifically answering the questions (as much as politicians are able), then I’d give the edge to Biden because truly, expectations were so low for Palin that any decent performance translates well, and I’d hope that the public would put a bit of a higher premium on end result rather than personality.
I do want my leaders to be more intelligent than I am. Also, I’d like for them to have a competent, commanding presence that will be taken seriously within the context of the job they’ll perform. I don’t mind some (or even a lot) of down-home qualities being in attendance, as long as the others take precedence.
I can’t cite any reference for the following but I heard somewhere on tv a throwaway to the effect that you can tell she has no gay friends by her hair
No Shit. About the only saving grace if ‘maverick’ McCain pulls out a Victory and dies in office (Thank You God for the Miracle…! :rolleyes:) is that instead of this 4-inch heeled ditze taking office, Rove may just replace him with James Garner…
Eh. I didn’t read the whole post but I can find a dozen things I don’t like about her politics, winking at her father and shouting-out to a third grade class seem pretty fookin low on the bar, besides, people love that shit.
My two least favorite barfworthy moments from Governor Palin were “Say it ain’t so, Joe!” and the bit about how Biden’s wife will get “a reward in heaven” for being a teacher.
I think i’ve seen smarter things growing grey fuzz in my refrigerator.
I have to agree with this. If she hadn’t done something showing her soft, motherly side, there’d be bitching that she’s a unfeeling bitch like someone else we know. The hair did bug the shit out of me though - she’s not that busy that she can’t get 1/4 inch trimmed off the 80s do.* All in all, I think she did better than I thought she would, though I guess all that shows is she is good at rote memorization.
*which, for the record, I’m fine with. I can do an 80s do! If they come back in style, I’m all over dragging out the feathered hair and hotrollers.
Sarah Palin is Tina Fey’s best friend ever. She just got a SIX MILLION dollar advance on a humor book. I bet it would have been six figures two months ago. Still really respectable, but holy cow.