A Pilgrim’s Digression

I think the most telling moment of the VP debate last night came early on when, called out for not answering the question asked, Palin cheerily admitted, “I may not answer the questions that either the moderator or you want to hear, but I’m going to talk straight to the American people and let them know my track record.”  She mentioned that again in the closing statement, when she remarked that she was happy to speak directly to the American people, without the media “filter.”  The latter comment was a direct slam at Katie Couric, but it was also a condescending jab at the public.

Governor, we heard exactly what you said in your interviews.  There was no filter.

Ever the typical Republican, all her blunders are the fault of the reporters who are biased against her.  I don’t know about everyone else, but I am so tired of that whiny excuse.

I also think it does her no credit that she didn’t “implode” last night, to use Mark Shields’ words, spoken during the PBS commentary following the debate.  Her answers were trite and filled with generalities.  She made rookie mistakes that could be attributed to not memorizing her facts well enough–calling General McKiernan General McClellan, twice.  She was so obviously delivering prepared remarks, particularly when asked a question she couldn’t, or didn’t want to, answer.  She just spoke the talking points she was given, and the question be damned.

The folksiness was contrived and annoying.  Her intelligence is still a matter of doubt.  And in final analysis, I really don’t think she holds up well under scrutiny.  Fortunately for her, Gwen Ifill and Joe Biden really didn’t scrutinize her.  Why, we wouldn’t want to make conservatives angry, now would we?  They might call Ifill biased!

Honestly, it’s ridiculous what a freak show the McCain-Palin campaign has become.  In times like these, we’re supposed to accept someone who portrays herself as an everyday, middle-class mother as our second in command of the nation? Do you feel patronized yet?

I certainly do.  Damn it, I’m pissed.  Pissed that McCain thinks we’re all boobs who have to be snookered by “someone like us.”  Pissed that this slogan-spouting beauty contestant has been elevated to stand on the national stage as one of the best and brightest political minds this country can produce.  Pissed at my fellow countrymen who find this acceptable.

This is not acceptable.  The Presidency is not American Idol or Dancing with the Stars.  We’re not choosing the winner in a “Miss Likeable Pageant.”  You wouldn’t know it, though, listening to the conservative media.  All that matters is her “normalcy,” her “likeablity,” her “every day qualities.”

I can honestly say I have never felt more loathing for a political candidate than I felt for that woman last night with her hockey mom routine.  I’m mad as hell, this morning.  I know others can’t be expected to feel as passionately, but I hope there are just a few undecided voters out there who saw through the wool being pulled over their eyes.  Maybe they looked at the man standing beside her and thought to themselves, “You know, we live in dangerous times, economically.  I think I’d rather have his and Barak Obama’s hands on the wheel rather than this woman who looks like my next door neighbor.”

I’m just glad there will be no more VP debates.  I couldn’t bear another 90 minutes of her.  Her voice, her slang, her expressions are all like nails on a chalkboard to me.  I’ll be a happy man when she finally slinks back into the obscurity of the Alaska frontier.