She’s very sharp and she does do her homework. Just as she hid her beauty behind her glasses so people would take her seriously, she hid her intellect behind her folksiness. It’s what worked for connecting with people in Alaska.
But she’s addressing the broader country now, and that more serious, executive demeanor suits her well in more formal interviews.
I believe the common touch and the executive seriousness are both aspects or facets of who she is. Looks like she’ll use them both well in campaigning and governing.
PS I know she’s had a foreign policy advisor for a couple of years now, and I expect she’s been schooling herself there as well. That befits a guv moving up to the presidency, and knowing her I imagine she’s really dug in on it.
There are two Palin TV performances that no one ever cites.Her governor’s debate in ‘06 and her interview with Maria Bartiromo on CNBC in March or April of ‘08. Both performances were subdued,knowledgeable and almost wonkish.She displayed ease with facts, sophistication while discussing issues and an articulate delivery that have not always been seen. On McCain’s advice she had fun in her debate with Biden and while she IMO won the debate, her style was folksy, and may have influenced her future speaking persona. If I had one suggesltion to give her, besides continuing to develop clear policy ideas, it would be to emulate Bibi Netanyahu. His performanes this past month in the US, both oratory and interview discussion, was the illustration in the dictionary for effective public speaking and discussion. Articulate, fact filled,from the heart,based in reality, and not above,in fact or perception, the heads of the audience.