Debbie Schlussel: On Sarah Palin's ABC Interview
As I'm sure you all did, I watched the Sarah Palin interview with Charles Gibson. Tonight, there will be an hour-long, extended interview on ABC at 10:00 p.m. Eastern. I'll have to tape it and comment later on Sunday or Monday.
Overall, I think she did a good job. Charles Gibson's smug, arrogant, almost angry demeanor was a huge turn-off and worked for her, contrasting starkly with her nice, homey demeanor. As some of you may know, I think there are a lot of drawbacks to Sarah Palin, but most of them were not evident in last night's interview.
First, I'm not bothered in the least that she invoked the name of G-d regarding the war in Iraq--the video that has already been played over and over and over again, and was replayed in last night's ABC/Gibson interview. As you know, I think we made a giant mistake handing Iraq to Iranian-backed Shi'ites. But that's a different topic altogether. I don't find any offense in Sarah Palin invoking G-d, and I'm glad she has such strong religious faith. That's one of her strong points, which will provide a strong foundation in the areas in which she is weak and ignorant.
Many readers have sent me quotes from Palin and/or from her church. As readers know, I have a tremendous respect for evangelical Christians, and I'm not bothered at all by those things she and/or her minister has said. I am, though, bothered by the Jews for Jesus visitor that spoke once at her Church saying Israel deserved terrorist attacks. But he was a one-time visitor, and I don't think he represents her views at all.
Back to the interview. I was glad she repeated that it's not for us or anyone else to second-guess Israel in the steps it takes for its defense. However, when she repeated it, she also wouldn't answer when he asked would you support Israel if they strike Iran. A simple, proud "yes"--which she declined to do--would have been good and more reassuring, but her answer was fine.
That she couldn't enumerate the so-called "Bush doctrine" doesn't bother me, since I think Bush frankly can't either, not that Bush should be the base benchmark. I also noted that, like Bush, she, too, thinks it's "New-Kyuh-ler." It's "nuclear." Pronouncing it correctly does a lot for the image.
But as for the Bush doctrine, it doesn't bother me that she couldn't describe a doctrine. If she has the right sentiments--and it sounds like, after the McCain tutoring session she does--that's what counts.
Doesn't really matter whether or not she's rarely traveled around the world or hasn't met a foreign head of state. She seems to have the handshake and riding on an airplane stuff down.
During the portion of the interview at a portion of the Alaska pipeline, during which she talked about drilling in ANWR, I think she was spot on. That was her best portion of the interview.
Overall, I'd give her a B on the interview.
What do you think? How did she perform in your mind?
Posted by Debbie on September 12, 2008 02:17 PM to Debbie Schlussel