Sarah Palin: Gifted communicator or eternal gaffer? – Part 2

Sarah Palin hit the country as hard and fast as an unexpected snowstorm in Alaska.

When John McCain chose her as his running mate for V.P. for 2008, did he or anyone else know the woman had the ability to resurrect the Republican base?

In her acceptance speech, Palin gave an oration worthy of the most eloquent speakers of our time. The potential was there!

But could the new American idol perform as well as she could read a prepared speech? That seemed to cause problems.

In an interview with Katie Couric, Katie asked Palin what magazines and newspapers she read. Palin’s moose-in-the-headlights-look equaled her answer: What? To paraphrase: In general, she reads what every other person in America reads; in fact, she reads all of them that cross her desk. Alaska is a microcosm of America; they aren’t foreigners up there.

Couric asked Palin, besides Roe v. Wade, what other Supreme Court decisions didn’t she agree with? Palin couldn’t think of anything, but she hoped to be in a position to change things in the future.

Throughout her campaign speeches, Palin insisted the media were sexist in covering her. The media faulted her for accepting $150,000 in Republican-paid-for-clothing for herself and her family, although some of that went for her hair and make-up. No male candidate had to explain himself; it was unfair, she pouted. But Edwards was criticized for his $400 haircuts, and Hillary got frequent comments about her pantsuits.

The U.S. is in a recession; set an example. How nave is she?

Saturday Night Live! created a satirical skit with Tina Fey using Palin’s exact words. It was hilarious. Even Palin thought so, although she said she had the sound turned off when she watched it.

How can you comment on a Palin impersonation without sound?

To show she was a good sport, Palin went on SNL! and played herself. She sat at a desk and moved her arms back and forth with the rest of the cast while they acted out someone shooting a moose. They danced in the background and Sarah smiled along. It was satire. It was funny! Plain may have found her calling after all.

Sarah, the maverick, even spoke about things that went against John McCain’s platform. Was Palin trying to upstage John? Surely, she is the better looking maverick!

In other interviews after Couric’s, Palin didn’t know Africa was a continent, not a country; she thought people lived alongside dinosaurs 6,000 years ago, although dinosaurs were extinct about 65 million years ago; Palin talked to a reporter on national TV while the nation watched turkeys being slaughtered in the background. With all the commotion behind her, Palin seemed oblivious to it.

If the U.S decides it needs a comedian rather than a serious V.P., Palin could fill the job.

But, Sarah, a wife and mother of five, Sarah, the moose hunter, and Sarah the governor of a low-population state that has been enamored of her, should probably stay home and watch TV, and avoid being on it.