I think she could have been great.
I think she’s well equipped for her role as a governor. I think she knows Alaska, knows what the state needs and does her best to address those needs (within a political framework that I do not entirely agree with, but that’s beside the point)
And I think that right now, she is in WAY OVER her head.
She wasn’t ready for a national office. She wasn’t ready to address the needs and concerns of an entire country. If she’d had more time, say five or ten years, to prepare for the national stage then she might have been the right woman for the job. But she was thrust into the spotlight too soon.
Her recent interviews have been nothing short of painful. When I watch her I can almost feel the panic, when she’s asked a question to which she clearly does not know the anser, I can understand that urge to say something – anything – and before you realize it your mouth is going and you’re not entirely sure what’s coming out of it. It’s bad, and with a debate right around the corner, I really hope it doesn’t get worse.
She’s not stupid. She is not an unintelligent woman. I disagree with her on many issues, but I won’t denigrate her intellect. It is becoming clear that, quite simply, she was wildly underprepared and she’s suffering for it. Someone pointed out that keeping her away from the media might have hurt, rather than helped, because she wasn’t kept on her game.
I don’t know if that’s the case. What I do know is that she needs to prepare herself, she needs to learn as much as she can about these issues, and she needs to be ready with quick and solid answers.Because she’s going to bolster the notion that she was chosen for her gender, not her wits. Because the media is going to start tearing her apart, and it won’t just be sexist B.S. Because if she doesn’t step up to the plate, she is going to drag the whole campaign down and McCain’s support won’t ever recover.
Don’t get me wrong – I don’t really want her within a heartbeat of the presidency. But I don’t like to see anyone so publically humiliated when they do not entirely deserve it. So where’s the Sarah Palin Recovery Plan?
IMHO, this nation needs to crown me emperor for life. I’ll fix everything. :-)
(but yes, I agree with your thoughts here)
I agree. I would only add that while she may be out of her depth, she’s intelligent enough to “prepare/study/etc.” and be in her depth within a relatively short time (say 6 months to a year). In all honesty, that probably wouldn’t impede her ability to perform her duties for her first 6 months in office. But unfortunately for her, she won’t have that grace period with the media or the voters.