No

by Eugene G.

Created on: October 23, 2008

Is Sarah Palin qualified to be vice president of the United States? This has been a subject of debate since Senator John McCain announced that the Governor of Alaska was going to be his running mate. Based on what I have seen and heard (or not heard) from the Vice Presidential candidate, I would have to vote a resounding no - she is not ready to be Vice President.

When Senator McCain selected Sarah Palin as his running mate, what were his intended motives? Did he select her to win the vote of women across the country upset that Senator Hillary Clinton did not receive the Presidential nomination? Was she selected because of her "down home" looks and charm? Did he really believe this woman could step into a crisis at a moments notice and lead the United States? The selection of Governor Palin has backfired dramatically for the McCain campaign.

Governor Palin has gained admiration and respect for what she has accomplished in her home state of Alaska. One can only assume that if Senator McCain did not feel she was ready, Sarah Palin would not have been selected. However, over the course of the Republican campaign, Sarah Palin has looked unprepared, erratic, and at times, clueless.

First, let's examine Sarah Palin's interviews with CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric and ABC World News Tonight anchor Charles Gibson. One would think that if you are going to run for Vice President, you had better be prepared to answer the tough questions from any and all comers. Katie Couric was not harsh in her line of questioning with Governor Palin. She asked fair questions and deserved reasonable answers. The Governor came across as looking inept. Her sentences made no sense and in typical Republican fashion, she never gave direct answers about how she would address issues. She danced around the questions and was not prepared. Even a simple question like what newspapers or magazines she read was "difficult" for Palin. In reference to Couric's question to Palin about providing examples of John McCain's "leading the charge for more oversight of Wall Street" Palin made the statement "I'll try to find you some and I'll bring them to you." The Governor automatically put herself in the media danger zone.

By the time she was interviewed by ABC World News Tonight anchor Charles Gibson, he was prepared to ask her even tougher questions. The Republican advisors for Governor Palin should have better prepared her for such questioning. However, it was more of the same. Governor Palin never gave any strong indication that the McCain camp had a plan for the economy, or any critical issues facing Americans today. The interview was edited so much, you could sense that a lot of the actual content was removed and the McCain-Palin camp allowed ABC to air only the portions that they wanted the American people to see. The editing couldn't save Sarah Palin's image and once again she didn't provide any clarity for her responses.

The Republican Party shields Sarah Palin from doing interviews anymore because they know the media will have a field day with her sometimes "foolish" responses. If she can't handle the tough questions from TV journalists, how in the world can she handle tougher questions facing the country today? If Governor Palin is not prepared for TV news, she is not prepared to handle a crisis. She is placed in situations where she is most comfortable. You will only see or hear Governor Palin at "small town America" rallies, but you will not see her on Meet The Press, or any other respectable news show because of her inability to answer tough questions. As a Vice Presidential candidate, you could be on the hot seat at a moments notice. If another country is going to attack the United States, you can't be shielded by the GOP.

Moreover, Sarah Palin has become a Vice-Presidential George Bush, saying something that causes you to laugh and say to yourself "did she just say that?" Her down home charm was supposed to win people over, but it's not doing the job. During the Vice Presidential debate, I wasn't sure if I was watching the debate or an episode of Gomer Pyle. Well golly - gee, darn tootin, darn right, Joe six pack, hockey moms?!?!? Don't forget a wink and a smile to go along with these comments. I don't know about you, but anyone that winks that often to the camera makes me quite nervous. Can you imagine her winking at other world leaders during a Summit, or when she is trying to convince the American people everything is going to be fine if there were a military crisis?

Sarah Palin has been transformed from a serious Vice Presidential candidate into media fodder. The media and the American people are still fascinated with Sarah Palin. Is it still the down home charm? Is it because some men across America think she's attractive? Is it the peep toe shoes and the $150,000 wardrobe? Whatever the reason, America is still fascinated with her because they still do not really know her. They want to hear her speak and defend her running mate's platform. For once, they want to see and hear Sarah Palin answer the tough questions.

We laugh when we see her "raise the roof" on Saturday Night Live, but we know Tina Fey better than we know Sarah Palin. The American people are disappointed because the honeymoon phase is over. As the song says: If you don't know me by now, you will never ever ever know me." If the American people don't really know her, how comfortable are they selecting her as Vice President? She is not taken seriously anymore and is hurting her own party's campaign.

The image of the President (or Vice President) of the United States must be one that would command respect from our allies and enemies alike. We must see and hear an individual who is representing each and every one of us. It's not just hockey moms, Joe six packs and Joe the Plumber. We envision a man or woman who must come across as a leader. One who is eloquent, articulate and straightforward. A problem-solving individual who does their best to answer the tough questions. A person who has a vision for the direction of this country. Both the President and Vice President need to be on the same page. When the Vice President speaks, his or her comments should reinforce everything that the President's plan and policy stand for in this country.

On too many occasions Sarah Palin will say something inappropriate at a rally only to have Senator McCain retract her statement and rephrase her comments. Rallies where Governor Palin has been campaigning have turned ugly because 1) she blames the media for portraying her in a negative way and 2) the constant attacks linking Barack Obama to terrorists. Some supporters at these rallies have yelled "kill him" when referring to Senator Obama. Also, some have verbally attacked media personnel - yelling obscenities and racial epithets. If a Vice Presidential candidate is sparking this kind of vicious reaction, this is not someone I would want elected to the White House. According to reports, Governor Palin did not try to calm the situation either (which a good leader would try to halt this nonsense). Does this sound like a campaign team on the same page?

As successful and smart as Governor Palin is, down home charm, an expensive wardrobe and a wink to the camera will not solve the crisis affecting the country today. She may be a fine Governor for Alaska, but she is definitely not ready to assume a leadership role as Vice President of the United States.

Learn more about this author, Eugene G..
Click here to send this author comments or questions.