“She has become a “natural” in the public eye.”
You are absolutely right. She has tremendous natural political gifts. She is great at delivering a speech. She can connect with a substantial segment of the Republican base. But she can’t give a substantive answer to a substantive question. Compare her to, say, Liz Cheney, in a policy discussion.
That is what Mona Charen is pointing out. Sarah’s popularity peaked when she gave that incredible speech and the Republican convention, then began to decline when, in interview after interview, she answered questions with non sequitur platitudes showing that she didn’t have a clue. And, instead of doing things that would dispel the perception that she lacks substance, she has been content to play to her base, and cultivate a more populist image.
Maybe that will work. I would love to be wrong, and admit that I tend to view things differently than a lot of Americans. But I doubt it will work.
I agree with what you have written here. Sarah has good instincts and good values. I believe that as President she would make decisions I agree with almost all of the time. But her appeal as a candidate is limited by her poor ability to discuss public policy clearly and substantively in the face of hostile and dishonest questioning.
Some will compare her intellect and experience favorably to those of Obama, Kerry, or Gore. It is true that Sarah is at least the equal to any of these men. But these men are all cynical, evil liars who have the media and the leftist establishment propping them up. Sarah is honest and forthright and will continue to have the leftists at her throat. We need a candidate who can win over independents in the face of this leftist onslaught.
The “substantive” Republicans have, along with the Democrats, bankrupted this nation.
We can’t afford any more “substantive” leadership.
Excellent post. Your view is my view.
In the upper middle class red area where I live, there were few McCain yard signs or bumper stickers prior to the Republican convention. After McCain nominated Palin and she gave her speech, McCain/Palin yard signs and bumper stickers suddenly appeared all over the place. However, as Palin gave her interviews and campaigned, those signs and stickers disappeared. Those signs and stickers rose and fell due to Palin.
I was excited when McCain selected her because I feared he would pick Graham or Lieberman. However, her populist mantra does not appeal to me as more than Huck’s populism does.
BTW, I have listened to Liz Cheney speak in person. Her knowledge of foreign policy is exceptional. She fielded random questions from the audience on a wide range of topics, and every answer was clear, concise, coherent and conservative. No teleprompter, note cards or writing on her hands.