# Palin says she has "Fire In the Belly." Is it just gas? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [May 20, 2011, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-says-she-has-fire-in-the-belly-is-it-just-gas/582614 "2011-05-20T20:07:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2011, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-says-she-has-fire-in-the-belly-is-it-just-gas/582614/101 "2011-05-28T17:56:50Z")
Concerning Sarah Palin’s debating skills: > [@appleciders](#): > > While I grant you that there’s room for improvement… AAAAAaannnnd the _“Award for the Best Use of Understatement”_ goes to: **appleciders**! _applause, applause_ ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2011, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-says-she-has-fire-in-the-belly-is-it-just-gas/582614/102 "2011-05-28T20:54:59Z")
I wouldn’t underestimate her debating skills. When she was a candidate, she came on to the scene with knowledge of little else beyond Alaska (I’m generalizing here, bear with me). She was wholly unprepared. Now, she’s had a couple years of commenting on every issue someone would listen to her about. Whereas she was purposefully ignorant before, she is much better informed now. Is a debate going to cover esoteric questions of issues past, or is she going to be asked about current events? Not that what she says will be intelligent, but a few winks and commentary will go a long way. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2011, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-says-she-has-fire-in-the-belly-is-it-just-gas/582614/103 "2011-05-28T21:03:06Z")
Better informed? She has been a birther . How does that show anything but an opportunist? She is saying whatever appeals to the lowest rung of the Republicans. Why you guys don’t hide in shame when she speaks, I can not guess. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2011, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-says-she-has-fire-in-the-belly-is-it-just-gas/582614/104 "2011-05-28T22:39:26Z")
Um, yeah, better informed. A few years ago, she’d have been stumped by the simplest question. is Pakistan a country or a type of luggage? If it were multiple choice, she’d have a shot. Now, has she shut her yap about anything? Sure, there are relatively obscure things in the papers that don’t show up on Fox’s radar, but by and large she’s been (made) aware of current events like she never has been in her life. Again, this doesn’t mean her inner-processing monkey is improved. But a wink, a bit of red meat sloganeering, a lack of a blank, stammering stare, and repetition of a past-used Fox talking point and her current capacity for debate dwarfs her previous ability. ETA: ‘Better informed’ doesn’t imply any truthiness or integrity. I don’t think she honestly believes there were any birther issues or question of citizenship. Not a chance. But she was not only aware of the issue, she was aware of how to get her mug in the papers about it and aware of how to play to her base. ---
**Author:** ![Crane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crane/32/3495_2.png) [@Crane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crane)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2011, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-says-she-has-fire-in-the-belly-is-it-just-gas/582614/105 "2011-05-28T23:02:40Z")
She may refuse to debate - that will reinforce her image with the base. Crane ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2011, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-says-she-has-fire-in-the-belly-is-it-just-gas/582614/106 "2011-05-28T23:17:53Z")
I don’t think Palin has any really intellectual curiosity. She’s an opportunist. In a real debate, she’d lose badly against anyone halfway competent. But presidential debates are far, far more about image and how the candidate appears to the public personality-wise than whether he or she has any command of actual issues, which I doubt Palin does or ever will. ---
**Author:** ![Crane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crane/32/3495_2.png) [@Crane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crane)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2011, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-says-she-has-fire-in-the-belly-is-it-just-gas/582614/107 "2011-05-29T12:38:18Z")
Exactly, so she will simply refuse to debate. Crane ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2011, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-says-she-has-fire-in-the-belly-is-it-just-gas/582614/108 "2011-05-29T14:43:08Z")
If she got the nomination I think Obama should preemptively announce he will not debate her. That would put her in the position of having to DEMAND debates. Then he could accept. I think the primary debates for the nomination would be the hardest for her. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2011, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-says-she-has-fire-in-the-belly-is-it-just-gas/582614/109 "2011-05-29T14:52:50Z")
> [@River\_Hippie](#): > > If she got the nomination I think Obama should preemptively announce he will not debate her. > That would put her in the position of having to DEMAND debates. > > Then he could accept. > > I think the primary debates for the nomination would be the hardest for her. Huh? If Obama was stupid enough to make such a announcement, Palin would jump on it with both feet. She wouldn’t respond by demanding a debate - she’d go around telling everyone that this proved that Obama was afraid to debate her. She’d get all the credit of winning the debate without having to appear in one. ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2011, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-says-she-has-fire-in-the-belly-is-it-just-gas/582614/110 "2011-05-29T15:51:03Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Huh? If Obama was stupid enough to make such a announcement, Palin would jump on it with both feet. She wouldn’t respond by demanding a debate - she’d go around telling everyone that this proved that Obama was afraid to debate her. She’d get all the credit of winning the debate without having to appear in one. Once she said that Obama was afraid to debate her, he could then agree and she would be locked in to a debate. If she never commented at all and no debate took place, then Obama would have shot himself in the foot. I understand what you’re saying. She’d love to avoid the debates and probing interviews . ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2011, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-says-she-has-fire-in-the-belly-is-it-just-gas/582614/111 "2011-05-29T15:57:56Z")
Debate shmebate. Debates at that level are all about style, appearance, winking skills, the ability to sneak in one-liner jabs, and eek out talking points. They are so far from actual debate as to need a new term. In that context she’d not only hold her own against Obama, she’d come out far ahead with her base (energizing, prompting more donations, etc.) and possibly sway a few down-home folksy types who watch Good Morning America and think they’re watching a daily news show. I wish you people would stop looking into her eyes. That’s how she lulls you into complacency. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2011, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-says-she-has-fire-in-the-belly-is-it-just-gas/582614/112 "2011-05-29T18:29:35Z")
Quoth **River Hippie** : > [@](#): > > Once she said that Obama was afraid to debate her, he could then agree and she would be locked in to a debate. Nuh-UH! He already said he wasn’t going to debate-- That counts! I already won, so now I don’t need to debate him! Neener neener neener! Quoth **Rhythmdvl** : > [@](#): > > …and eek out talking points. A very apt misspelling, given Palin’s rhetorical style. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2011, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-says-she-has-fire-in-the-belly-is-it-just-gas/582614/113 "2011-05-29T21:28:18Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > Debate shmebate. Debates at that level are all about style, appearance, winking skills, the ability to sneak in one-liner jabs, and eek out talking points. They are so far from actual debate as to need a new term. Synchronized sound-bite delivery? But even at that level, Palin’s not good at it. She lacks the ability to ad-lib a good line of bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![Crane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crane/32/3495_2.png) [@Crane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crane)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2011, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-says-she-has-fire-in-the-belly-is-it-just-gas/582614/114 "2011-05-29T22:51:23Z")
Yes, and that is why she is staying out of the media. The media is talking about Palin not to her. Much of her competition has self destructed while on camera. No matter how you figure it, Palin is one of the top three contenders for the Republican nomination. She must be doing something right. Crane ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2011, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-says-she-has-fire-in-the-belly-is-it-just-gas/582614/115 "2011-05-29T23:05:57Z")
> [@Crane](#): > > No matter how you figure it, Palin is one of the top three contenders for the Republican nomination. She must be doing something right. Well, sure, but I don’t think getting Barack Obama re-elected is her intent. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-says-she-has-fire-in-the-belly-is-it-just-gas/582614/116 "2011-05-30T00:48:47Z")
> [@Crane](#): > > No matter how you figure it, Palin is one of the top three contenders for the Republican nomination. She must be doing something right. Or the others, and their party, are doing something even worse. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-says-she-has-fire-in-the-belly-is-it-just-gas/582614/117 "2011-05-30T01:29:41Z")
She has been pushing her face in front of every news story since McCain picked her. She has some kind of recognition. Mostly for quitting as governor and saying many dumb things. She tweets like a spoiled teenager and pretty much acts like one. She looked good in leather at the bike rally though. ---
**Author:** ![Crane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crane/32/3495_2.png) [@Crane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crane)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-says-she-has-fire-in-the-belly-is-it-just-gas/582614/118 "2011-05-30T03:10:02Z")
Yes - she addresses only her base. She doesn’t need you. Crane ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-says-she-has-fire-in-the-belly-is-it-just-gas/582614/119 "2011-05-30T03:19:00Z")
> [@Crane](#): > > Yes - she addresses only her base. She doesn’t need you. > > Crane In a presidential election she would have to broaden her appeal. But she has been so much a FOx talking pointer, that it would be very difficult to do. Besides, she quit. How does she make that go away? ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-says-she-has-fire-in-the-belly-is-it-just-gas/582614/120 "2011-05-30T06:20:03Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > Shit, she’ll do some kind of “tundra to desert” reality show. I can think of lots of funny scenes, like being completely mystified when her moose hunt comes up dry. No! She can’t leave AK, it’d make my prediction of her being eaten by a bear while taping a reality show not come true ☹ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-says-she-has-fire-in-the-belly-is-it-just-gas/582614.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-says-she-has-fire-in-the-belly-is-it-just-gas/582614.md?page=7)