Jackson Free Press

I'd read the transcript of her answer to Katie Couric's Hamas question, but I hadn't seen the video. This is really disturbing. Watch for yourself.

Previous Commentsshow

A Seattle daily newspaper columnist noticed, too: Obviously, Palin has been overmatched and overcoached. She gave an almost unintelligible answer about Russia and muddled through the Middle East. Delivering bromides about democracy, Palin was obviously unaware that the militant Hamas won the Palestinian election. His advice: Biden needs to be respectful, knowledgeable and brief. Palin? She can't show fear of moderator Gwen Ifill and must convince Americans she's ready for a G-8 summit. She can't be asked to memorize so many political clichés that the result (a la Couric) is free association.

DonnaLadd

Oct 1 2008

From Sarah Palin's Foreign Policy Follies in Time: Couric's question was beyond difficult — it has been the most vexing question facing U.S. policymakers over the past seven years. What do you do when democracy produces results you don't like? There's no good answer, but there are many ways to grasp at one. Palin could have said that elections are only one component of democracy; that bringing extremist groups into the political process helps to moderate their behavior; that extremists tend to lose support once in power, because they don't know how to govern. She could even have said, "Those are the breaks — we don't get to choose." Instead, she changed the subject to the threat Iran poses to Israel. Why did she do this? Was it because she didn't want to acknowledge that democracy sometimes produces undesirable results? Did she calculate that, since Gaza shares a border with Israel, she could use it as an opportunity to turn the discussion to Iran, a subject that John McCain and Barack Obama disagree on? Or did she just not know what Couric was talking about? If she didn't, that's understandable. Most Americans are not particularly interested in the nuances of politics in Pakistan or the Middle East. But we should expect our leaders to be fluent in at least the basics of foreign policy. So far, Palin is still struggling for words.

DonnaLadd

Oct 1 2008

Jeffrey Goldberg in The Atlantic: The issue here is not that Palin didn't know the answer. There are many possible answers to this question, some of which are right and some of which are wrong. The issue here is that she didn't know the question. Because she was apparently ignorant of the subject, she endorsed Hamas' victory, and, in essence, called for the U.S. to "protect" Islamists who seek to use democratic elections to lever themselves into power. And, of course, Ahmadinejad came to power in a more-or-less democratic election. Palin's answer was truly remarkable. A person who could be President of the United States has shown herself to be completely ignorant of one of the most vexing and important foreign policy questions of the day. Freshman congressmen know how to answer this question. If it isn't obvious by now, Sarah Palin as president could destroy this country—or finish off what Bush started. You simply cannot have someone this ignorant about world affairs with the nuclear codes, regardless of how much she talks about energy and being a maverick. Oh, and on the energy front, I love that Couric stated outright that drilling would not yield oil for the country for a decade, regardless of the "drill, baby, drill" rhetoric that is essentially lying to America about the possible impact of drilling. Her answer was pitiful on it, and I hope and expect this to be a sticking point for her Thursday if handled right. The best thing about the debates is that you can get an immediate response to lies.

DonnaLadd

Oct 1 2008

I love hamas, especially on pita bread with olives. :-P

WMartin

Oct 1 2008

You'd think Americans could see by now the pitfalls of having a "Joe six pack" president. To put the bias of the MSM in perspective --- wouldn't they have hounded Obama out of the race by now if he had ever been so gaffe prone? She is coming up with more gaffes than even --- George Bush or John McCain (on a per day in the spotlight basis). It seems the wingnuts are against affirmative action unless --- it is for A FELLOW WINGNUT.

FreeClif

Oct 1 2008

That's because anti-intellectualism has swept over a large swath of Middle America and flyover country. It's the only reason I can see for the initial buzz and excitement over Palin. I recognize McCain's strategy but he could have done better.

Jeff Lucas

Oct 2 2008

Biden hasn't been doing so well in keeping his gaffes in check either. Tonight should be great fun. I heard a rumor that if Palin didn't do well tonight she would resign Friday. Has anyone else heard that?

WMartin

Oct 2 2008

Whitley, maybe I am misunderstanding but are you referring to Bush as Joe Six Pack?

WMartin

Oct 2 2008

Yes, I know he says he quit the brew, but I bet he could still knock down a few cold ones after clearing bushes on the ranch. This economic stuff is stressful enough to drive a dude to drankin'.

FreeClif

Oct 2 2008

I think he's referring to Palin telling Couric that she is like Joe Six-Pack and appeals to Joe Six-Pack voters. Her words. The truth is, the polls bear her out. Her strength seems to be with Viagra-age white men.

DonnaLadd

Oct 2 2008