I first met Sarah Palin just after she'd been elected mayor of the little town of Wasilla, Alaska, in October 1996. My first impression was that she didn't seem up to the job.
I had written a Frommer's travel guidebook about Alaska (I live in Anchorage and was on the Municipal Assembly here at the time). In the book, I frankly described Wasilla as a place to skip, "the worst kind of suburban sprawl of highway-fronting shopping malls and gravel lots."
Wasilla boosters were furious and a local media debate erupted. A good many people came in on my side: Wasilla, with a complete lack of community planning, is truly Alaska's least attractive town. I went to speak to a luncheon at the area's visitor's bureau, and that's where I met Palin.
She came across, to be charitable about it, poorly--incapable of more than a big smile and a limp handshake. Maybe she was nervous, or her mind was elsewhere--but on that day, she couldn't even hold up her end in a light conversation.
I eventually came to see her appeal when she ran unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor in 2002. She projected an authenticity and freshness that was very appealing in a state saddled with a corrupt oligarchy of pro-oil Republicans. For Alaskans of Palin's generation (she's 44), the last few years have been a political coming of age. Younger candidates have smashed the state's company-town politics. Palin was among the first to take a stand. Having been in the right place at the right time, with that amazing smile, she shot upward in a way no one has ever done before.
The idea of her being a potential president, however, is laughable. That is to say, at our house this morning, we literally were belly-laughing when we heard the news that John McCain had chosen her. I wouldn't be surprised if the audience she spoke to at McCain's announcement was the largest she ever addressed. Alaska politicians don't use teleprompters. There rarely is an opportunity to orate to more than a hundred people.
Running for governor two years ago, Palin didn't have firm stands on issues, and in debates, she displayed discomfiting shallowness. A moderator had to ask her three times to clarify her position on the critical (for us) issue of indigenous hunting rights. Her victory was simply a vote for change.
In Juneau, while she's known for being uninterested in day-to-day governing, she's chosen a good team to run the state. She's also taken good care of her popularity, which has remained high thanks in part to the comparison with her fellow Alaskan politicians--some of whom have been carted off to jail in the FBI investigation of oil industry corruption in Alaska politics.
Now she's facing her own scandal: Troopergate. In July, Palin fired the beloved commissioner of Public Safety, Walt Monegan, without meaningful explanation. Monegan said he had resisted administration pressure to fire a State Trooper who was in a bitter child custody battle with Palin's sister. Palin first denied the pressure, then released evidence, including a recorded phone call, that backed up Monegan's story. The legislature, which isn't exactly Palin-friendly, hired an ex-prosecutor to investigate.
Senator Ted Stevens's son Ben once referred to people from Palin's Anchorage suburb as "valley trash," and the trooper scandal recalled that image. It was Clampett-style politics.
By most objective measures, she isn't ready to be a single heartbeat away from the presidency. The image of McCain and Palin on stage this morning looked a bit like a graduation picture, of father and daughter. It reminded me as well of the elder George Bush and Dan Quayle.
On the other hand, Palin did well in her speech. She always comes across as likeable on camera. Maybe that's all it takes.
--Charles Wohlforth
Posted: Friday, August 29, 2008
LOL
08-30-2008 02:50 AM
dotcom Heliman Location: USA
more made up drivel, loo/tinbin?
There is no such Charles Wohlforth in Anchorage.
08-30-2008 02:54 AM
LouInSD Veteran Location: San Diego CA USA
You must be a McCain supporter, you don't know how to use "the google" LOL
I just think it's hilarious that this guy is putting a failed Miss Alaska contestant one heartbeat away from the presidency when his father died of heart disease at age 68, and his uncle died of heart disease at the same age.
Sure, that's a GREAT idea! LOL
This is the best present the Dems could have ever asked for.
Christmas in August! LOL
08-30-2008 03:05 AM
dotcom Heliman Location: USA
Only people like you would believe that there is such a person.
08-30-2008 03:08 AM
Dennis Senior Heliman Location: Orygon
Once again another video from Lou where the voice on the video is not in sync with the speaker.
That is another case of Lou's brain is not in sync with his fingers on the keyboard.
Nice going Lou.
08-30-2008 03:15 AM
dotcom Heliman Location: USA
loo,tinbin should have posted the fake video on looisaboob.com
08-30-2008 03:17 AM
Dennis Senior Heliman Location: Orygon
Quote
By most objective measures, she isn't ready to be a single heartbeat away from the presidency.
Sure thing Lou.
And Obama, with no experience at all in much of anything, other than community something or other, has his heartbeat on the presidency now.
Great going Lou. Will not wash out there.
08-30-2008 03:18 AM
mjy1288 Heliman Location: Mt Airy, MD USA
Pure unadulterated desperation from a panic stricken liberal who knows his Messiah has no clothes
Now for the ENTIRE youtube clip. The particular clip above is at 2:50. Interesting how you can just clip a video to make it say whatever you want to convey.
Evo 50 Hyper, 9CHPS, 9252, gy-401\9254,CSM RL-10
08-30-2008 03:30 AM
Hivoltage Senior Heliman Location: Ohio
Is anything Lou says true....he just plain sucks!!!!
I Dont Have No Stink'in Signature
08-30-2008 03:38 AM
Dennis Senior Heliman Location: Orygon
Quote
Now for the ENTIRE youtube clip. The particular clip above is at 2:50. Interesting how you can just clip a video to make it say whatever you want to convey.
Now, thats more like it.
Yo there Lou................................
You libs have Hillary.
Us cons have Sarah.
Eat your heart out pal.
08-30-2008 03:39 AM
mjy1288 Heliman Location: Mt Airy, MD USA
freakyreef
This is how Liberals work. You need to remember this about Liberals
If it wasn't for double standards, Liberals wouldn't have any
