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furnishing the Palin Drome…
As the celebrity Veepette Sarah Palin prepares for her first unscripted interview with the press some Op-Edettes are wondering how well she will do. Maureen Dowd for instance. In her column today in the New York Times Dowd suggests that Charles Gibson of ABC News should pose the following questions to Sarah:
“What kind of budget-cutter makes a show of getting rid of the state plane, then turns around and bills taxpayers for the travel of her husband and kids between Juneau and Wasilla and sticks the state with a per-diem tab to stay in her own home?
Why was Sarah for the Bridge to Nowhere before she was against the Bridge to Nowhere, and why was she for earmarks before she was against them? And doesn’t all this make her just as big a flip-flopper as John Kerry?
What kind of fiscal conservative raises taxes and increases budgets in both her jobs — as mayor and as governor?
When the phone rings at 3 a.m., will she call the Wasilla Assembly of God congregation and ask them to pray on a response, as she asked them to pray for a natural gas pipeline?
Does she really think Adam, Eve, Satan and the dinosaurs mingled on the earth 5,000 years ago?
Why put out a press release about her teenage daughter’s pregnancy and then spend the next few days attacking the press for covering that press release?
As Troopergate unfolds here — an inquiry into whether Palin inappropriately fired the commissioner of public safety for refusing to fire her ex-brother-in-law — it raises this question: Who else is on her enemies list and what might she do with the F.B.I.?
Does she want a federal ban on trans fat in restaurants and a ban on abortion and Harry Potter? And which books exactly would have landed on the literature bonfire if she had had her way with that Wasilla librarian?
Just how is it that Fannie and Freddie have cost taxpayers money (since they haven’t yet)?
Does she talk in tongues or just eat caribou tongues?
What does she have against polar bears?”
If you could ask Sarah Palin one question what would it be? We will never get to ask her anything but we can still imagine the opportunity to choose the decor for this first interview - I call it furnishing the Palin Drome.
Two more months of this….how will we ever endure it? Fortunately, we have wags like Garrison Keillor to furnish a few chuckles along the way…
Vick Mickunas
Permalink | Comments (19) | Post your comment | Categories: politicked
Comments
By vick
September 25, 2008 10:07 PM | Link to this
OK. I saw Katie Couric’s interview with Sarah Palin. Have you seen it? Do you still think that Palin has what it takes to lead this country? Was it not a truly ghastly performance by Palin??By Tina
September 13, 2008 2:30 AM | Link to this
I think this was a funny article and if she is going to VP then we need to know where she stands. All my life I have voted Republican but this will be the first time I won’t: 1) Education: what made this country great was its innovative spirit and critical thinkers. During this administration monies were severely cut. I have a sister who is a research scientist(for Parkinson’s and cancer) and her colleagues are leaving the field or moving(even from NIH opening labs in China). We have fallen behind. 2) The economy: The US has only grown less than one percent this year and last year 2.2 percent while Latin AMerican countries grown 4-8 percent and China since 2003 over 10 percent. 3) The war in Iraq: has left us with so much debt China bought over 1 trillion of our debt. And if we get into another war will not be good. Ms Palin is a pretty lady and I respect her for being a working mom and having dreams and ambitions but I just cannot see 4 more years of the same policies. I am a born again Christian and am pro life but someone did ask me, “If a woman wants to have an abortion and you outlaw it will you and the rest of the CHristians then take care of that child and children?” The bible says to not just be hearers but doers of the word. It is easy to say someone will adopt them. I do not like the path this country has taken, we can do better. Have we become happy and complacent to just be a servicing country to India and China? Brazil learned its lessons in the 70s during the oil shortages and became innovative. Their cars run with fuel made out of sugar cane. ANd if something happens in the world their economy will keep going and ours will stop cause its based on oil.By victor mickunas
September 12, 2008 8:15 PM | Link to this
Sarah Palin to ABC’s Charlie Gibson: “I would never presume to speak God’s words!” Now that’s a relief to us all….I’m sure.By TRS
September 12, 2008 1:01 PM | Link to this
Perhaps its a bad comparison, but I’m a bit of a political junkie and without context I’m not sure I could have pulled that one out of the air. It seemed to be in that “gotcha” context. Once clarified I thought she answered his question. Lets face it - all national candidates stumble now and again.By victor mickunas
September 12, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this
From the NY Times: “Ms. Palin most visibly stumbled when she was asked by Mr. Gibson if she agreed with the Bush doctrine. Ms. Palin did not seem to know what he was talking about. Mr. Gibson, sounding like an impatient teacher, informed her that it meant the right of “anticipatory self-defense.”By TRS
September 12, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this
It was neither as good as I would have like nor as bad as some will portray it. To Gibson’s credit, his questions were tough but fair. I note the AP making a big issue about her comments on climate. I see no incongruity there. Some time back, Gore stated that the argument was over; but, the facts reflect the contrary as many scientists disagree and recent information continues to add fuel to their skepticism. We can take prudent steps which would be wise regardless, ie developing alternative fuels; but, the doomsday approach Al Gore and some of the more extreme environmentalists are recommending seem unsubstantiated and overboard; thus, being aware of the potential for humans to do what they can; yet, proceeding with reason seems like a good approach to me.By victor mickunas
September 11, 2008 10:04 PM | Link to this
Did you see the Sarah Palin interview tonight on ABC? Oh my. Oh my. My oh my. What did you think?By lmj
September 11, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this
Mary, Why the name calling? (“Nobama”” and I don’t understand your referring to Mr. Obama as thinking he is the higher power. I felt that his comment to Pastor Rick Warren about when life begins meant that he did believe in a high power (above his pay grade). He has been a member of a Christian church for more than 20 years. I don’t think someone could attend faithfully for that length of time unless he or she had a sense of commitment and dedication. There are many others who feel there are better ways to spend a Sabbath Day (golfing, sleeping in, etc.). Then Alan, I do not like being referred to as “no one” since I have occasionally commented on the blog when it has had to do with books - even the non-political ones.By victor mickunas
September 11, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this
Gee Whiz, Alan…you need to read this blog more often? I comment on politics a lot! Every day there are loads of books about politics. What you call an “odd topic” I call doing my job. Based on the number of comments that those “odd topic” posts are getting I would say that many people appreciate it. Thanks, for your kind words Alan. You made my day!By Mark from St Paul
September 11, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this
Alan, you mean like Martin Gottlieb’s blog?By Alan
September 11, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this
How sad it must be to have a blog that no one comments on unless you stray odd topic and comment on politics. Why does the fact that Maureen Dowd once wrote a book give you reason to comment on a newspaper article. I am sure that the DDN has enough political blogs that it doesnt need the book blogger to help them out. What’s that? You dont ever get comments when you blog strictly about books? Oh….By Mary
September 11, 2008 9:46 AM | Link to this
As far as her religion goes, thankfully she believes in a Higher Power. Unlike Nobama who thinks he’s the higher power. You’re all going to live with the ugly ugly ruin of our country if he gets in. You all deserve him and his arrogance!By victor mickunas
September 10, 2008 10:21 PM | Link to this
The National Enquirer claims that: “The National Enquirer’s reporters are having a field day up in the Alaskan wilderness. Their latest scoop: young Track Palin, foisted upon the American public as a war hero during the RNC, is actually an Oxycontin-snorting, womanizing, kleptomaniac!” Oh my-who would ever believe such a thing? Of course, they were right about Democrat John Edwards and his tawdry affair? Who knows?By TRS
September 10, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this
Ah - there is no amendment seperating church and state. Perhaps it would help if we read the words of our 1st President and see how he reconciled his faith - I would think Gov Palin’s thoughts would be similiar.By Blowfly
September 10, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this
I would ask her how - when she takes the oath of office and her hand is on the Bible and she pledges to God to uphold the Constitution (including, the 1st amendment separation of church/state)- how will she reconcile that obligation with the obligation of her religion to seek God’s counsel on all matters including matters of state. It’s not a trick question, and if she’s honest about her faith I would really like to hear the answer.By Riverdale Ghost
September 10, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this
Questions for Mrs. Palin? May we have copies of the last three laws she authored? (Preferably with reason for them.) How much effort does she think we should exert to obtain Canadian oil? Does she have a favorite foreign country (apart from Canada)? (Speak the language; why; been there often?) Can she name the 50 states and their capitals in five minutes? (Run test.) How many secretaries has she had in the last ten years? (Why did they quit?) Does she do needlepoint/knitting/make her own clothes?By victor mickunas
September 10, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this
Well Mark, regardless of whether one likes or loathes Maureen Dowd, she has a following. Her column today is the #1 most e-mailed item in the NY Times.By lmj
September 10, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this
First, Vick, I applaud your word play. It certainly got my attention. I’m curious about a campaign of two candidates that had seemed to stay above the fray until her addition to the ticket. Despite the public’s expressions admonishing dirt-slinging campaigns, why has she chosen to belittle and denigrate the competition. Is this the behavior we will expect from her if she and McCain are elected?By Mark from St Paul
September 10, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this
I think liberals and conservatives alike can agree that Maureen Dowd is the last person whose opinion needs to be consulted. Is there anyone she doesn’t hate? Herself included? I hate seeing valid talking points coming from someone with so little credibility. The woman who judged Bill Clinton is no more fit to judge Sarah Palin than Larry Craig is.