Unquotable madness from the lipsticked pitbull.

I can't bear to watch Sarah Palin's interview with Katie Couric again, but it's interesting to read the transcripts.  Because you need to read her words to really, properly get a grip on just how far she is out of her depth.  She's got to be wondering if this was such a good idea after all.  She's got to be wondering if there's a way out for her, a gracious way to excuse herself from the election.  If only there was some family drama that she needed to attend to.  If only she had a special-needs baby, or perhaps a pregnant teenage daughter?  Sorry, this is just not going to work, my family needs me right now.

On Alaska's proximity to Russia, and how that translates into Foreign Policy experience:

"It's very important when you consider even national-security issues with Russia as Putin rears his head and comes into the airspace of the United States of America. Where—where do they go? It's Alaska.  It's just right over the border. It is from Alaska that we send those out to make sure that an eye is being kept on this very powerful nation, Russia, because they are right there. They are right next to—to our state."

COURIC: Why isn't it better, Governor Palin, to spend $700 billion helping middle-class families who are struggling with health care, housing, gas and groceries; allow them to spend more and put more money into the economy instead of helping these big financial institutions that played a role in creating this mess?

"That's why I say I, like every American I'm speaking with, were ill about this position that we have been put in where it is the taxpayers looking to bail out. But ultimately, what the bailout does is help those who are concerned about the health-care reform that is needed to help shore up our economy, helping the—it's got to be all about job creation, too, shoring up our economy and putting it back on the right track. So health-care reform and reducing taxes and reining in spending has got to accompany tax reductions and tax relief for Americans. And trade, we've got to see trade as opportunity, not as a competitive, scary thing. But one in five jobs being created in the trade sector today, we've got to look at that as more opportunity. All those things under the umbrella of job creation. This bailout is a part of that."

Way out of her depth.  Or, as we like to say down here, she's up Shit Creek without a paddle.

(I take back that promise I made to keep my opinions to myself)

Comments

[Trish]

I don't think Joe Biden needs to do anything at the VP debate other than let Sarah Palin speak. Have a look at her eyes when she's talking to Katie Couric - she looks genuinely scared. She's trying desperately to remember all her talking points, but in her nervousness she's just vomiting them all up in one great, rushed torrent of bullshit. As long as Joe Biden doesn't point out the bleedin' obvious in a condescending way (ie he should resist the urge to look straight at his opponent and say "wow, you're even dumber in person") then he'll do just fine.

The discussion amongst all the talking heads since the first presidential debate has been all about how angry John McCain was and how Barack Obama stayed calm and poised despite McCain's personal attacks. The commentators are making fairly general observations about the tone of the debate rather than discussing what the candidates actually said. I think Joe Biden needs to just treat this debate as an opportunity to clearly articulate the Democrats' policy positions, show how his experience is relevant and essential to the role of VP, and then let Sarah Palin talk. Just let her talk. She will very quickly run out of talking points, or just lose track of the point she was supposed to be making, and she will look like an idiot. Joe Biden doesn't have to do a thing, as far as engaging with her (which, as you say, might make him look as though he's bullying her - which he isn't, but that's what people think). Afterwards, the talking heads will explain to everyone just how bad an idea this Republican ticket really is.

Just let her talk. Was it Napoleon who said that you should never interrupt your enemy while they're making a mistake?

[ej]

I don't think I can sit through the vp debate. Though because she is so out of her league, Biden might come across as a bully. I've been reading some of the right wing blogs. Some still think she's fantastic and one said that she would make a great president because all the leaders would be hot for her and not want to make war. How friggin' sexist is that?

She won't pull out. Who knows, if people vote the way they do in the Idol competitions she might win.