[Clemenza]

Sarah Palin is an authentic voice of conservatism which needs to master a few forensic skills to be nationally attractive. But she will never be a successful national figure merely as a populist no matter how glib she becomes.

THANK YOU!!!

[jla]

But she will never be a successful national figure merely as a populist no matter how glib she becomes.

This is utter nonsense. I apologize, Bedford, but this unmerited critique of Palin grows very tiresome.
The woman is fine in a debate. If left to her own inclinations she would have delivered the coup de grâce in the debate with Biden.
Thomas Jefferson loathed speaking in public, yet he managed to get elected to two terms. One example out of many. How many other presidents where stellar public speakers?
You are judging Palin thru the McCain campaign prism. When she is at the top of the ticket I'll wager we'll see a more vibrant and aggressive candidate. It was she who asked for more opportunities to be interviewed, only to be denied by those 'savants' in the McCain camp. Now, you want to speak of a horrendous public speaker, let's talk of McCain, who nobody seems to notice over their zeal to malign Sarah Palin.
Sarah Palin has more in common with Reagan, and Jefferson for that matter, than any politician alive today. And I believe it can be said with confidence that those two gentlemen would have wholeheartedly supported, admired, and adored her.
For heavens sakes, the woman rose from being a PTA wife and mother to garnering the Veep nomination. Not a feat I'd say is too common.
The problem is not with Sarah Palin, it lies with those who for whatever unknown reason(s) wish to see her fail. A wish, I'm afraid, they'll not see come true.