A little of real Palin revealed

BBC UK ^

[Chet 99]

-snip-

She staked out a hawkish line on Russia. If Georgia were a member of Nato, she made clear, then America and its allies would have to defend its independence.

It may have sounded gung-ho, but who could disagree with a central tenet of Nato membership?

In the end this interview is unlikely to dramatically alter already strongly held perceptions

Perhaps a more experienced politician would have avoided hypotheticals. But then isn't such straight talk part of her appeal? An antidote to the more academic thought processes of say a Barak Obama.

Governor Palin did seem rather hazy when asked whether she agreed with the Bush doctrine.

"In what respect?" she asked, without seeming to know that it was a reference to pre-emptive war.

But after some prompting she was able to define a familiar Republican theme of the threat posed by Islamic extremism.

More than that, she was able to make reference to the fact that her eldest son Track was about to deploy to Iraq. For millions of Americans, this is about actions not words.

Many questions were really left unanswered. Her religious beliefs were only briefly touched on. She clarified her earlier comments that suggested the Iraq war was ordained by God himself, talking instead about a plan for good and a reference to God-given rights. Enough not to alienate an agnostic, or to offend the evangelical vote.

In the end, this interview is unlikely to dramatically alter already strongly held perceptions.

For Republicans it will have only reinforced Sarah Palin's appeal as a tough-talking, no-nonsense breath of fresh air.

For Democrats it is likely to have highlighted her weakness - a lack of experience.

As for the all-important undecided voter, they will probably want to hear more before they finally make up their minds.

[redgirlinabluestate]

Great photos CoD! I agree about the seating during the interview. Everything was a set-up: the seating, the lighting, the editing. All intentionally bad. Nonetheless, Sarah was able to hold her own.

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

I suspect the intent was to intimidate the interviewee.

That is what it felt like to me as a viewer. It made me uncomfortable.

[cricket]

No doubt; and show some leg and knees; just in case we needed reminding she was 'a woman'. Altogether, a very uncomfortable looking set-up. Save for Charlie; who looked and acted 'way too pleased' with himself.

Expected more of him; though at least he might be the 'best of the worst'.

Instead, he was a bad, as ANY of the Liberal Media. Save that is, for Keith Olbermann; who shall forever, remain in a class by himself.