A Real Media Critic Analyzes Gibson's Interview

RMAN: I've always had a great professional respect for Howard Kurtz both of cable TV's "Reliable Sources" and the Washington Post. He doesn't wear his politics on his sleeve, and in fact I don't know what his politics are. I can't tell by his professional work. His column this weekend is worthy of your objective read--no matter WHO you support!

The ABCs of Sarah Palin

By Howard KurtzWashington Post Staff Writer
Friday, September 12, 2008; 9:31 AM

Anyone who said that Charlie Gibson might go easy on Sarah Palin might want to quickly delete those comments.

What the ABC newsman conducted yesterday was a serious, professional interview that went right at the heart of what we want and need to know about the governor: Could she be president? Does she understand the nuances of international affairs? Does she have a world view?

He was all business, respectful but persistent.

When Palin said she was ready to be president, Gibson said: "Doesn't that take some hubris?"

Had she traveled anywhere beyond a single trip to Iraq and Kuwait? Had she met any world leaders? Should Georgia and Ukraine be admitted to NATO? Did she believe the Iraq war is a task from God? When Palin demurred, Gibson said those were her "exact words." No fancy footwork, no long-winded setups, no gotchas. Just a solid, straight-ahead interview.

Even Palin's critics should admit that, in terms of demeanor, she handled herself well for someone who three years ago was worried about the books in the Wasilla library. She projected confidence and was not openly rattled.

The details of his 5 page story from Washington Post is well worth the read...


And when you get done reading that one, check out Kurtz' WashPost cellmate in Opinion, David Ignatius... who isn't hysterically ga-ga about the Palin choice... in his Sunday Post article

Stopping at Nothing to Win.

The chatterbox dittoheads won't read it. Like George W's mom, they don't want to hear anything "unpleasant" (like reason) that would challenge their emotional comfort. One can't help but wonder how people's perspectives see things so differently. Reminds me if this joke sent to me the other day is actually true:



(JK-chatlingo for 'just kidding'.) I don't mean to give Grandma Barbara a hard time... she was an elegant First Lady for Bush 41 but she does strike me as having a tough side ya wouldn't want to see. I bet she'd love to chew her son's ass for ruining a good Texas family name by his lifelong utter lack of seriousness. But can a mom chew her son when he's the POTUS? And GWB surely IS a "potus!"

Palin's got a decent head though she does show signs of parrying the truth to get elected, like so many politicians. My only concern is that she's not yet ready to come out of the oven to lead the country.

Palin could have used some more experience-- like a stint in the Senate as our own Senator Claire McCaskill is getting... another politician I've never been that fond of. But after seeing McCaskill shill for Obama under the evil eye of people like Tim Russert, well McCaskill's done her homework. I don't think Palin really even had a desire for national office. So far, with other people giving her all her buzz-phrases, we really have no idea if she's ready. As somebody said, we're still getting the greatest hits phrases from her St Paul speech...a speech someone else wrote.

Just a month or two ago, she didn't know what a VEEP does. Well she'd be the President of the Senate. Maybe if McCain doesn't kick the bucket too soon, she'll have 4 years of Senate experience by 2012 to run against Hillary. I think that's the GOP's plan, don't you?