I tried. Really, I did.

I gave Sarah Louise Palin every opportunity to prove that she is a good candidate to be the next VP, possibly the President, of the United States of America.

I’m sorry to report that having seen her interviewed she is indeed pretty, very pretty and a small part of me says that’s enough to be a heartbeat away from the Presidency. While she’s not quite as dumb as bag of rocks, she is, unfortunately, a couple of wheels short of a Lexus.

Ms. Palin’s body language speaks volumes indicating that she is under near constant and extreme duress. She is well composed but watch her hands, the tight body composure and her legs crossed away from the interviewer. Her voice is constricted to a high pitch. Her rambling nonsensical answers. All high stress indicators. Is this the hand we want over a nuclear launch button? “Will I? No. Well maybe. Damn, should I have?”

Her answers to Katie Couric’s interview last night were, I find it hard to find the right words - incredibly naive?

Sarah’s prissy retort in not being able to answer Katie’s relatively easy question about recalling McCain’s actions in congress was at best childlike. A nasty condescending demeanor showed through. Her rambling disjoined fretful answers…jeez. Cringe factor 10. McCain’s team must have curled up and died; writhing in their leatherette hotel chairs. No wonder they’ve kept her away from the microphones.

If the presidency was based on looks alone she’d have my vote tomorrow. And depending on what outfit she wears over the next few days she may still have my vote. But she won’t have it for sophistication, worldliness, maturity, or the ability to hold her own in an interview.

Unfortunately, my above mentioned sexist compliments to Ms. Palin add to the proof that McCain’s selecting Palin had nothing to do with promoting women or women’s issues. She was selected because she’s pretty not because she has the talent to make the grade. That’s a sad commentary on America and on our political process today where, call it what you may, women are still regarded as sexual objects first and intelligent beings second.

I am a believer that Hillary Clinton was – is - the perfect candidate. She has everything to make a world class leader and take on the incredibly difficult issues that will demand the best from the best to overcome.

There is a rumor that Obama may sling Biden overboard under the pretext of ‘health issues.’ Bummer for Biden, hurray for Hillary. Good for us.

On a final note consider this startling fact. Given all that is going on the in the world that the Republicans are blamed for – the economy, the 'war', the bankrupting of America, Wall Street’s malaise, Cheney’s arrogant secrecy, etc., – it is not amazing that the Republicans can still pull 45% of the voters? That should be a dire warning to Obama.

If their numbers are this good during the worst of times what could happen if there is some good news between now and November or an October surprise?

What indeed.

 

PS. In case you missed it you can see the interview at CBS here