Yes, we can.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by Tom

I've never looked at her and thought she's just as smart as me. I'm surprised you did.

Here's the thing.

1) It was the politest way to say it.
2) I am well aware that our perception of her is highly distorted. She was thrown into a world that was WAY out of her league and she floundered. She came out looking far dumber than she actually is. I can't imagine being sat down in front of Katie Couric with as little preparation time as they gave her and coming off looking particularly intelligent. It's like taking a college baseball player who was a walk on on his team, making him face Nolan Ryan in his prime, and pointing and laughing at him when he strikes out and nearly falls down swinging at a 100mph fastball.

I do not think she's a blathering moron. I think she possesses the attitude that is courted by the Republican party that values brashness and "gumption" over knowledge. That attitude earned her the governorship, so I don't blame her for holding on to it. But playing it by ear doesn't cut it in the majors. She got a very ugly, painful lesson in the difference between ability and skill, and the reality that just because you got a knack for something doesn't mean you don't also have to sit down and gather some knowledge to rise to the highest level.

[LSPoorEeyorick]

This is all true, but I highly doubt you'd answer a question like "what periodicals do you read" with "all of them." Surely, anyone thrown into that situation is under unusual pressure. But she's said some things that are simply baffling. I think Tina Fey was simply being polite.

[JWBear]

She (Palin, not Fey) doesn't do well under pressure, I think. Her brain just shuts down. That would not bode well for a Palin Presidency.

[Tom]

I gave her the benefit of the doubt. I was not here (or anywhere) posting in the immediate aftermath of her being selected, already harping on her. I thought I'd watch her for a while before passing judgement. I have watched her for several weeks, and even allowing for the crash course she has been subjected to, and allowing that even an intelligent person can often formulate sentences that make no sense, and make every other allowance I can for her, I just can't find much there there.

[flippyshark]

The McCain thread long ago became almost entirely focused on Palin, but, why must it happen to this thread also?!

[Tom]

Eventually all threads will be about Palin...

[tracilicious]

I am so carving an Obama pumpkin!!!!

[scaeagles]

Obama....Haloween...scary...yeah, I get it.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

We have a neighbor with a rather elaborate haunted yard...with a McCain sign in the middle. I don't know if they are trying to promote the elder statesman by putting zombies and ghosts around it...

[3894]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

Obama....Haloween...scary...yeah, I get it.

Then you've heard the radio spot they're playing up here a lot? The one where we learn that Obama will take away your hunting ammo, blah, blah, blah. All the usual twisted scare tactics.