How to win friends and influence people.
So I watched the Couric interview of Palin clips late on a Friday afternoon and blogged that I thought she sounded like a fool. Didn’t say she is a fool, or stupid, just that she didn’t sound like she knew what she was talking about and that if she were on “the other side,” I would mock her with verbatim transcripts and most of my readers would laugh and mock along with me.
IT’S TRUE AND YOU KNOW IT.
But that post really didn’t go over well at all, and I was accused of being “brainwashed” for expecting politicians to sound a certain way; I was told what I’d done was just like the Democrats mocking Dubya for saying “nucular”; and so on.
Jesus, people. Just Jesus! This isn’t the Washington Post you know. I’m not Charles Freakin’ Krauthammer. But most of all, I refuse to be a hypocrite and it kinda pisses me off, not a lot but kinda, that so few others on “my side” don’t see how hypocritical it is to say that you wouldn’t tear her up all over the place if she were a Democrat, wouldn’t say that she sounded like a complete and total moron in those interviews if she were a liberal. She did sound like that, editing or not. You do realize that half the time I or any other blogger or right-leaning writer mocks the intelligence of Democrats, we’re doing that selectively, too?
And, you do realize I’m not the only one saying what I said? People far smarter and more informed than I have weighed in on this in almost precisely the same way. Just at The Corner alone, this weekend…
…for the record: I thought Palin was dreadful. …She had better be better prepared for next week or she risks damaging her political brand forevermore.
Palin was atrocious not just with Katie Couric but with friendlies like Sean Hannity. She needs to devise answers for questions about foreign policy that do NOT rely on recent cramming. That will look and sound false. She may make stupid errors. And it plays to her weakness. She should never again refer to her Alaska experience as preparation for the role of commander in chief.
Certainly, a significant number of Republicans were discouraged by Palin’s performance in the Couric interviews that have already aired.
I’m just saying.
BUT. Don’t get all itchy with your typing fingers, ready to lay another salvo of ground fire on my ass for not putting Sarah Palin’s intelligence and performance in context. I am nothing if not responsive to criticism, and I followed every single link and quote left in the comment thread. Keeping in mind that I never said she IS stupid, just SOUNDED stupid, I’ll admit that many of you are right. The Couric interview was edited very deliberately, and Katie Couric is notorious for doing that shit.
Because Couric’s an asshole.
And if you watch other interview clips, ones in which she hasn’t been painfully obviously coached by the campaign people on the talking points, she comes off about 100 times smarter and cleverer. Here, with Charlie Rose, and here, with Maria Bartiromo, to name a few. And the Byron York piece I linked above talks in detail about the way the McCain people are handling Palin and how they might improve on that.
ANYWAY. Enough about all that; the VP debate this week will provide truckloads of new fodder for us all to debate Palin’s brainpower.
The other thing I need to clear up is something about asshole commenters.
Apparently I’ll have to add it to my list of official rules because some people think I’m even stupider than I look, but here’s a newsflash for a few folks: I will not allow a comment to be published on my site that is an obvious work of tricky bullshit, or that is very clearly meant to test my limits of tolerance for slams on the left.
Most particularly, if you’re leaving comments meant to sound like they’re from a “fan” who is “conservative” but that are crafted to make it look like I have no problem with actual racists, sexists, and hatefulness as long as it’s against the left, you need to just fuck off. It’s not going to happen. Your comment will never show up and if it does because it somehow escapes my filters, it’ll be deleted.
You know who you are. You leave comments like this:
[A liberal] would probably propose a league of democracies (think a league of extraordinary gentlemen) to impose significant meaningful, painful sanctions on the Iranians that could have a beneficial effect. What a kumbaya statement that is. The answer is bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb bomb Iran. What I wouldn’t give for JM to say that during the debate.
Or like this:
Obama is a dumbass. most neeeegroes are! what do you expect!?!?!? I love your blog by the way.
Just. Fuck. Off.
I refuse to deal with the psychological issues of people out there who have more time to troll my comment threads than I have to manage an entire blog. You are boring. You don’t make me angry, you don’t get a rise, you don’t intrigue me or anyone else in any fashion. You’re just boring, and you need to get out of the house more, or at least start your own blog where you can say whatever you want all day long just like I do. You just don’t get to say it here. Tough shit.
And remember, IP addresses. They show up on every comment. The handful of folks that are doing this happen to have static IP addresses so I know it’s the same people, and I’ve put those IP addresses on the spam black list so you’re wasting your time and only embarrassing yourself. Might want to think about growing up some time soon; just an idea.
One last thing about comments, though this is actually funny. A commenter who’s been commenting here for over a year referred to the Palin thing I wrote as “a minimally informed post by an obscure Texas housewife.”
The minimally informed thing, whatever. I don’t really have a problem with that because it’s true. But yikes, I’m not sure how my awesome boyfriend “Rupert” is going to take the news that I’m a housewife. I’ve had him fooled for so long, thinking that I didn’t have a husband and that I spend my days working and going to school. Oops! I’ve been busted.
Seriously though dude. A “housewife”? How can you read this blog for over a year and have the word “housewife” come into your brain at the same time as thinking about me? Talk about minimally informed. And the thing is, you know what? That’s pretty sexist. Would you ever in a million years refer to an employed, second-degree-seeking, unmarried man as a “househusband”? Come on now.
Hang in there. If you are being bitched at you must be doing something right.
September 29th, 2008 at 10:16 amESTthis is a standard tactic of obama supporters. ace has more:
http://ace.mu.nu/archives/273538.php
September 29th, 2008 at 10:20 amESTan obscure Texas housewife…
Sounds like they want to paint you with the W paintbrush, too.
Seriously, what difference does the state make? Is it any different than saying ‘an obscure Massachusetts housewife’? Gotta get in a dig at that heathen red state, I suppose.
Morons.
Congrats Rachel, you seem to officially be a burr under the saddle of liberalism.
September 29th, 2008 at 10:25 amESTI think its because using snarky humor and saying “Obscure Texas woman living in sin” just doesn’t have the same effect.
September 29th, 2008 at 10:26 amESTI actually laughed out loud when I saw the minimally informed “obscure Texas housewife” comment. But I had no idea the commenter was a year-long regular. How could you read this blog for a year and not know that you’re neither obscure, nor a housewife?
In retrospect, my rejoinder that the commenter was minimally informed himself was far too kind. But sometimes I can’t help being so damn sweet. It’s a flaw.
September 29th, 2008 at 10:30 amESTI just sort of cocked my head like my dogs do when they’re confused when I read that “housewife” thing. Huh? Who’s a housewife? I assumed it to be a troll comment.
Anyhoo…I do not think Palin is dumb but I also didn’t watch the Couric interview because I knew she looked dumb - via editing and Katie’s evilness.
I luv ya for sticking to your guns and not being a hypocrite. That’s why I come here. Tell it like it is! I don’t care if someone is a Dem or a Rep…if they screw up it should be noted.
Not that I think she “screwed up” … more she was “screwed.”
=)
Oh and the idea of the VP debate makes me kind of ill. I’m nervous. I can’t imagine how nervous Palin could be … but maybe she’s itching to be let loose. We’ll see I guess.
September 29th, 2008 at 10:33 amESTYou know you’re over the target when you start taking flak.
September 29th, 2008 at 10:33 amESTWhile I am on my morning soapbox I would like to add: If you are a a home owner in danger of default, sorry the Government can’t help you. They might delay the day of reckoning but your house is still going to be worth less than half the value of your mortgage.
September 29th, 2008 at 10:39 amESTIf you feel the Government ie. taxpayer should help, you ask youself: Do I have beer in the fridge? Do I have a balance on a home equity line of credit? Do you have an Suv or a luxury automobile? Do you dine out more than once a month?
The only one that can save you is yourself.
A tax on the rich will only burden you further because like all taxes they are ultimately paid by Walmart and Target shoppers.
I didn’t say she didn’t sound like that, I said I wouldn’t tear her up for it. We know the media is already heavily biased against her. We know they’re not above deliberately editing her words and lying about what she says and believes. We know they go into every interview with her thinking like an interrogation squad rather than objective journalists (if such a thing could be said to exist).
It is not the least bit fair to tear her up for that AND YOU KNOW IT.
September 29th, 2008 at 10:39 amESTTotally OT: Whittle on the current economic crisis . . . PAIN!
Also, who knew Whittle has been the editor of the awesome History Channel show “Shootout” for the last 5 years? I love that show (because I’m a gun-clingin’ Bible humper).
September 29th, 2008 at 10:48 amESTI agree Gov Palin looked dumb, which of course doesn’t mean that she IS dumb. Hard to tell at this point but the debate should be interesting. You’re 100% right on the money though — if she was a Democrat the right would be all over it. I also think that if she were a Democrat they’d be all over her for “family values” stuff for not staying home and for having a teenage pregnant daughter. Not fair, but it’s politics. I thought it was pretty funny watching the left hit her for that while the right defended her - I think there’s now a rift in the space-time continuum.
Man that thread got ugly yesterday!
I read you because you’re funny and sincere — thanks for telling the truth about your opinion even if it’s unpopular.
September 29th, 2008 at 10:48 amESTI am glad that is clear. So, since I am a real, genuine misanthrope, I guess I do get to continue my postings full of un-PC isms(racism, sexism).
September 29th, 2008 at 10:48 amESTIn my opinion, Palin and McCain both need to stop letting the so-called “experts” coach them on anything they need to say. It’s painfully obvious when they’re struggling to deliver somebody else’s talking points and running set plays. Both of them do much better when they are off the leash and interacting with the crowd.
September 29th, 2008 at 10:49 amESTSarah is no longer a “free agent” at the top of the food chain of politics. She has hooked her political star to TITANIC Juan Amnesty McVain and has to carefully tow his line. Those who want purity are in for much heartbreak ahead as the Kennedy/Leiberman /Comrade Feingold ally, and Soros-owned “Maverick” bi-partisanship sinks her future presidency.
September 29th, 2008 at 10:51 amESTI hope you meant “thumper” because I don’t even want to think about what the other meaning would entail. And I’m sure that God would be offended. Somehow.
September 29th, 2008 at 10:52 amESTFrankJ calls these particular trolls “concern trolls”. Is that the real name for them?
September 29th, 2008 at 10:54 amESTI didn’t think you needed to explain yourself. Your loyal readers love you because of who you are and how you write, NOT because we agree with every single thing you say. (except that we all agree that cats are assholes).
September 29th, 2008 at 10:54 amESTSilly Rachel, you’re not a housewife, you’re a HAUSFRAU! It sounds more multi-cultural that way. Now take off your shoes, go to the kitchen and get pregnant.
/bitch
September 29th, 2008 at 10:55 amESTRachel, Rachel, Rachel - You, my Dear, have such an eloquent way with words. I am writing a post about a field trip I took, here, in Saudi, and have been thinking of YOU since yesterday knowing that NO ONE could possibly write it like YOU would be able. [If I could only get you to leave the stupid chemistry books for like an hour or so - it would already be done!]
Your blog Rach. You make the rules. You govern the rules - or do what you have to do. Don’t let anyone give YOU any grief. Send ‘em this way if they don’t heed your first and final warning. They will be beheaded! [Or slobbered upon by a Lizard Chaser and a Lynda Carter Look-a-like...]
September 29th, 2008 at 11:04 amESThm beat me to it but I also hope you meant Bible Thumper … because otherwise … *shakes imagery from head* Scary!
September 29th, 2008 at 11:05 amESTI thought you were a highly trained, professional dog embarasser.
September 29th, 2008 at 11:05 amESTIf only I were a househusband. I can do the barefoot thing. Lemme have enough cornbread and I’ll at least look pregnant.
I didn’t see the clips, but a lot of people I respect have, and I take their word that she came off bad. But a bad interview or two will happen, everyone has off days, and it gets worse when people are looking for that kind of thing to exploit. But she does need to tighten up; all those things are just reasons & not excuses.
Some folks really need to just get a grip and accept she’s human; if you go off the deep end trying to defend an obviously bad interview, you sound desperate. Kinda like Obambi supporters. Own your bad days, and it really takes the wind out of it for your enemies.
By the same token, freaking out over individual events and acting like the whole thing has come off the rails just makes the Obamalites feel better. Knock it off and act like adults, folks!
September 29th, 2008 at 11:07 amEST“Concern trolls” — I love that. That’s just perfect.
September 29th, 2008 at 11:07 amESTRachel: Don’t let these fuckers get you down. After all, we have dogs. And they rule.
I was worried about this back in February when I first started vetting Palin (and Jindal) myself. I argued against Palin and Jindal as VP candidates over at HotAir because I liked them both so much and was worried about them being tainted with the disaster of a McCain candidacy. Because as you all know, I’ve long considered McCain a disaster, and sure-fire loser in November.
So I was completely surprised by my own visceral reaction to hearing that McCain chose Palin. I actually had a glimmer of hope that he gave two shits about conservatives and I saw the Palin pick as his one and only attempt to earn the conservative vote. I got fully on board, knowing that Palin would bring McCain within shootin’ distance of Obama. From there, he would actually have a slim shot at winning, something he didn’t have a prayer of doing on his own.
I’ve since been frustrated at his campaign’s handling of her - they’ve been leaching from her the very traits that earned her an 80% approval rating. That’s ham-handed and something the Bush team would do, and I’ve been physically ill that they have somehow managed to drag Palin down to that level.
Now it seems that McCain and I are seeing this the same way - he’s disappointed at his own staff’s handling of Palin.
(I put this comment in the other thread, which now appears to be dead, so I will repost it here.)
A NYTimes editorial contains advice from William Kristol, who is ALMOST as smart as the commenters right here at RachelLucas.com:
Sounds oh-so-familiar. I swear, it looks like Kristol cribbed straight from the comments in that very thread.
We don’t want Palin to be a mouth-piece, we want her to be a fighter. She’s proven in the past that she can scrap - so let her!
September 29th, 2008 at 11:08 amESTObscure Texas housewife, huh? Man. Some people need to get a frickin’ life. I just come here to read the comments and laugh at the doggie pics. And yes, cats are assholes.
September 29th, 2008 at 11:10 amEST“ANYWAY. Enough about all that; the VP debate this week will provide truckloads of new fodder for us all to debate Palin’s brainpower. ”
Idiot Joe’s gaffes in the debate will be providing fodder for the internet for awhile
September 29th, 2008 at 11:11 amESThM/Casto:
Was being sarcastic. “THEY” call us Bible “humpers” as well as “thumpers.”
Lawyerly disclaimer: I have not presently, nor have I ever, either “humped” or even “thumped” a Bible. Despite what my political opponents might say in any future radio or television ad.
Sadly, disclaimer aside, it is clear to me that on the strength of a single blog comment, I can never run for office (at least not as a Republican. A moment of silence, please, for the death of my fledgling career in politics).
September 29th, 2008 at 11:13 amESTLissa, I’d swear you’ve been talking with my wife. That is, if I allowed her to have friends.
maya, I don’t think these are concern trolls. Those pretend to be the voice of reason while flaming. A better term for Rachel’s noted commenters might be “fringe trolls.”
The other Palin post and comments got me fired up for Thursday’s debate. I will be devastated if she falls flat again.
September 29th, 2008 at 11:18 amESTI may need a bumper sticker to this effect:
“Rachel pwns trolls”
Needs refining, though. If any wit wants to run with it, you’re welcome to it.
I too am a little mystified at the amazement people are having over the fact that Palin is a mere mortal. To one side, she was Wonder Woman, Queen of the (Northern) Amazons and the paragon of feminine strength; to the other, she was some female arch-demon who managed to be omnipotent and clueless at the same time. So she had a bad interview with a venomous interviewer. Over this we should be startled?
Look, I like Palin and see right through all the panic surrounding her, partly because my brain hasn’t been scrubbed of reason by conspiracy leftists. I also think McCain will handily survive a term in office and will be betting real money against anyone foolish enough to think otherwise. Still, he’s not exactly my ideal guy, though he’s a damn sight more coherent than Present Barry on most issues.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again:
September 29th, 2008 at 11:43 amESTSharkman…Really? I’ve NEVER heard the ‘humper’ comment…only the thumper one. Interesting.
I’d still vote for you.
September 29th, 2008 at 11:47 amESTYeah, no shit. I’m a housewife and I have worth dammit. I rarely bathe. I have dishes overflowing. The floor is covered with trash. In fact, the man just threw the cereal box on the floor because WTF ever. You don’t get to be an expert housewife without serious determination and skill.
Sexist pig.
Smooches to Rachel. Paw-kis-tahn.
September 29th, 2008 at 11:55 amESTYou are absolutely correct and got right ( in the paragraph following “Couric’s an asshole”) to the most important aspect of Palin’s role in this election. Campaign Handlers! These people have spent most of their adult lives in the beltway and think like herding beasts - lead bison stampedes left, herd stampedes left. I honestly think if she spent more of her prep time (for whatever event) with her family instead of these Washington “smart” people, she would bury that stileto heel of her’s right between the eyes of her opponent every time! If Sarah Palin is allowed to be Sarah Palin, she’ll do just fine.
September 29th, 2008 at 12:03 pmESTPeregrine John +1
September 29th, 2008 at 12:04 pmESTHmmm - trolls getting active! they’re coming into their breeding season, apparently. Ah yes! we are nearing the first Tuesday in November.
I guess you can expect a lot of activity till then, as they try to make your blog look like it was populated by illiterate, crazed, trigger-happy racist posters.
Ask Rupert to buy you a giant economy sized Trollhammer. (Just a suggesttion).
September 29th, 2008 at 12:05 pmESTCasto: Interesting google search results for “bible humpers“.
September 29th, 2008 at 12:06 pmESTI’ve made it a point to not watch. I wonder how much jealousy is involved. Gov. Palin has actually made something useful out of her journalism degree and Katie is seven years older.
No. Concern is a codeword. Real name cannot be quoted in such fucking polite company as this.
Veering o/t Assholeated Press, nothing if not consistent, runs off about Palin admin’s appointments process. To AP color-blind = racist, citing Diversity-Whore/card-carrying DukeU G88 member Paula McClain as “authority.” Any definition of “racism” that’s not color-blind is racist.
September 29th, 2008 at 12:14 pmESTI have a fantasy about Sarah Palin (and no, it doesn’t involve me on all fours in the snow with her behind me cracking a whip and yelling “MUSH!”) I have this fantasy that she is playing along. That McCain is telling her to respond a certain way to get Biden and Obama and their big pal The Media to drop their guard. When they do, they unleash the pitbull.
Please, please, please let this be so. I haven’t cringed so much since my last dental visit.
Fingers crossed, toes crossed, hell, at this point even “Los Muchachos” are crossed.
September 29th, 2008 at 12:15 pmESTpete in Midland Says:
“I didn’t think you needed to explain yourself. Your loyal readers love you because of who you are and how you write, NOT because we agree with every single thing you say. (except that we all agree that cats are assholes).”
I second what he said…not that you care.
September 29th, 2008 at 12:18 pmESTRE: Couric
I’m thinking the only time the American public ever got the absolute unvarnished truth from Katie Couric was when she was sedated and had that camera rammed up her fundament for that on-air colonoscopy. It’s a shame when you can expect greater accuracy from the non-speaking orifice of a newscaster…
September 29th, 2008 at 12:18 pmESTEl Capitan, I have no words.
You are a genius.
September 29th, 2008 at 12:29 pmESTsharkman…I’m AFRAID to look. Plus I’m at work.
September 29th, 2008 at 12:29 pmESTI didn’t watch the Katie Couric interview. If you watch a Leni Refenstahl film you’ll love the Nazis. If you watch the big 3 networks, you’ll hate Republicans. It’s propaganda, not anything remotely resembling truth. Getting nervous about her “poor appearance” is like wondering if Leo got all icy on the Titanic.
I’ll watch the debate, because it will be live. I’m confident Sarah is going to gut Joe Biden like a dead moose. I’ve seen her speak live, and so have you, without the propaganda splicing and dicing of the enemedia.
She’ll do great.
September 29th, 2008 at 12:32 pmESTYou are hardly obscure. You are the most fascinating female blogger on the net today. I only read three or four blogs on a daily basis, and I don’t ever miss reading yours. Your comments on my Governor’s interview with Couric bothered me, but it did so because I respect your opinion and if you had that response it must of been horrid. (I quit watching Couric a long time ago.)
September 29th, 2008 at 1:00 pmESTIn my opinion, Palin really only has the VP debate to surge back for this campaign. After that, the top of the ticket will dominate.
So it is going to be another high-stakes event for her (and everyone else). This matches the importance of the convention speech following the endless sick MSM attacks. Of course her opponents say that convention speech was canned and thus the debate will bring out the real Palin for all to see.
So in my mind everyone (left and right) have doubled-down the bet on Palin.
The left is hoping for a meltdown and the right is hoping for greatness.
At least at the debate her fate is in her hands. That has to make her happy.
I am a Palin supporter but she has got to show her touch with the American people at the debate. Otherwise the predictable anti-Palin spin will win out post-debate.
September 29th, 2008 at 1:05 pmESTCouric is a cat.
Housewife? Would you prefer housewench?
September 29th, 2008 at 1:05 pmESTLOL
I’m a female so I wouldn’t know, but that sounds painful, no?
My enthusiastic vote for the UHG award. Seriously, I guffawed - loudly.
September 29th, 2008 at 1:06 pmEST“obscure Texas housewife”? Dayum! I really must start getting out more. Maybe move to Texas. I dunno.
I do believe that a good part of Sarah sounding a “bit off” in the couric interview was due to creative editing. But a big part of the blame goes to her “handlers” or “prep team” - whatever. They are too tuned to life inside the beltway and what the denizens thereof want to hear. They’d be a lot better off (campaign-wise) if they’d just let Sarah be Sarah. She can get help from anyone she wants (i.e.:Kissinger) to do what prep she needs. She knows where she needs help or instruction - and how to ask for it. But just let her be the person she is. She didn’t get to be Governor by being stupid; and the McCain team should realize that. And she didn’t take on the “good ol’ boys” on BOTH sides of the aisle by being dumb or blathering platitudes. I think the woman has a lot to say to America and can - if given the chance - say it well.
(Of course, she could be dumb as dirt, and we just refuse to see that through our infatuation. But I doubt it.)
Fuck oprah! — with letterman!!
September 29th, 2008 at 1:07 pmESTDamn! first time in moderation. Can I sit with the kool-kids now?
September 29th, 2008 at 1:08 pmESTI thought Palin was great! What did i miss?
September 29th, 2008 at 1:10 pmESTKatie the Chipmunk loses her job at CBS after the inauguration (I hope they replace her with “Wheel of Fortune”), so she’s no doubt auditioning for CNN and MSNBC. Give the poor thing a break.
September 29th, 2008 at 1:11 pmESTI sympathize with Palin and the non-stop coaching she’s probably receiving. While familiarity with the topics is critical, she has to return to her own style, building on existing strengths.
September 29th, 2008 at 1:11 pmESTCouric is a cow. On the other hand, I’ve read Koskid posts where they consider her a tool of the RNC.
For what it’s worth, I agree with you Rachel.
September 29th, 2008 at 1:11 pmESTPalin’s performance left much to be desired. I hope
“they” will learn from these mistakes and proceed
accordingly.
Furthur, if someone has to resort to personal attacks (ala obscure Texas housewife) to attempt to
give their arguments substance…well they automatically lose in my book.
Keep up the great work.
Plunger Girl - If I didn’t work, you would be my role model. Actually, you’re my role model now, but I have work as an excuse.
Pete and Bumper or whoever the heck it was - No, the Couric interview was a hatchet job by way of editing. Plus, we don’t all agree about the ongoing cat defamation conspiracy. My cats are not axxholes. They are bxstards. I expect other cats are as well.
September 29th, 2008 at 1:20 pmESTI’d like to nominate El Capitan for the Hidden Gusset Award, even though I need brain bleach after reading it.
My husband will be home soon, so I need to get my bitch ass back in the kitchen and make him some pie.
September 29th, 2008 at 1:22 pmESTWait, wait… are you saying my cat is the same as Couric? No way! The only relationship between my cat and Couric is what he leaves in the litterbox.
September 29th, 2008 at 1:26 pmESTLet me see, someone doesn’t do well in an interview: might not be smart.
Someone does well in an interview but is a member of Congress which helped give you that Trillion dollar raping: brilliant.
Got it.
September 29th, 2008 at 1:28 pmESTI’m not bothering with television interviews that can be (and are) extensively edited. I’m waiting for the debate. Unless the news idiots manage to edit that - it will tell us far more about Ms Palin than any question dear Katie or even Sean Hannity can think up.
Not to mention, it’s about impossible to give a coherent answer to any question on television - 3 seconds is not enough time to get out anything other than “I agree” or “I disagree” or just “Ummmm”. Heh.
September 29th, 2008 at 1:32 pmESTiowavette-I’ll teach you everything you need to know. The man is continuously surprised by my stunning housekeeping skills. Truthfully, he’s keeping me around for the sex.
September 29th, 2008 at 1:35 pmESTHere’s my take on the whole Gov. Palin question. McCain did an outstanding job on getting himself out there in a good light the 2 weeks going into the convention. Remember before that we were all worrying about why he didn’t get out there and strike back. He hit at just the right time with the ads, and then we all looovvveed Palin, and started thinking maybe McCain is on top of things. Time passes, debate happens, McCain does pretty good, but doesn’t blow Barry out of the water. We all start worrying all over again about McCain/Palin.
Wait for it people, he timed the convention right, he’s waiting for the right moment. And then, and only then will he unleash the pit bull. The VP debate has my vote as McCains choice for a sweet smackdown.
And if I’m wrong God help us all…
September 29th, 2008 at 1:41 pmESTPlunger Girl + 1
Minimally informed, pregnant, Washington housewife checking in!
September 29th, 2008 at 1:45 pmESTAce calls them “Concerned Christian Conservatives”. They pop up on blogs that are so much as slightly right leaning with comments like this.
Apparently this is some lame brained attempt to sway votes to Obama by making it seem that “Real Conservatives” are going over to the other side, “so won’t you just come along with us?”.
What they can’t seem to realize is their pathetic imitation of a stereotypical conservative isn’t fooling anyone.
Now it seems they are trying the “Real Hardcore Rightwing Extremist” act to make it seem all conservatives condone this behavior.
I’m waiting for the “Bitter Clinging Hillbilly” show to start. I imagine it will be some thing like this.
September 29th, 2008 at 2:34 pmESTBible Humper.
That’s funny stuff right there. I’ve never humped a book before, much less the Good Book. But I may have gone full-on American Pie on a magazine once or twice. Maybe the occasional JC Penney catalog in my youth, too…
Wait, did I just say that outloud?
September 29th, 2008 at 2:44 pmESTI want to be a an obscure Texas housewife!
September 29th, 2008 at 2:45 pmESTHm. My comment wasn’t aimed so much at you as at some of your commenters, who ran with the “she sounded stupid therefore she is stupid” idea like it was their favorite bone. (Commenters like the person who calls himself “Para” come to mind.) I can see that some people might be discouraged that Palin didn’t survive an interview with a catty, low-aiming backstabber like Katie Couric (who looks hideous as a blond, by the way — I can “meow!” with the best of them) entirely intact. On the other hand, people keep talking about Palin having some sort of “accent,” and I can’t hear anything different from the way anyone else on tv speaks myself. Maybe it’s because she has that generic “West Coast” speak and sounds like everyone in California; in other words, like most of the people on tv.
Still, I remain amazed that Katie Couric, who in a normal world would have long ago become Kathie Lee’s permanent replacement across from the Reege, has become some sort of big-deal news head, who gets to interview all the important people. I guess the casting couch isn’t just for actors…
September 29th, 2008 at 3:02 pmESTThey should have had Palin doing 2-3 interviews a day everyday since her announcement. They’ve turned her into Dan Quayle fercrineoutloud.
Let her make a few mistakes and flubs. The overarching story would still HAVE to be positive, because SHE is. The flubs could even have had led to some “those crazy veep candidates make flubs, let’s compare SP with JB” coverage. Thus exposing JB’s antics.
The answer she gave Gibson about Russia-Alaska is fine: it’s a small world and we all need to get along.
September 29th, 2008 at 3:12 pmESTBonnie_says said:
Um… Gee, I’ve seen Leni Riefenstahl’s stuff, and I never did get to love the Nazis. And the transparent “Rethuglikkkans are eeevillle!” screeching on the news and whatnot just makes me giggle. I guess my propaganda button is broken.
September 29th, 2008 at 3:23 pmESTWhoa, whoa!
Rachel,
You are NOT Charles “Hamma” Krauthammer? Then who is always on Brit Hume?
I am SOOOOO confused right now.
September 29th, 2008 at 3:43 pmESTYou? Housewife?
(blink)
(blink)
(chase fly out of mouth, close mouth)
Yeah, right, a “housewife”.
September 29th, 2008 at 3:51 pmESTI have just got to find me one of you.
September 29th, 2008 at 4:17 pmESTGoogle “obscure Texas housewife”
Click “I’m feeling lucky”
Yup. You guessed it.
Congratulations on being Google’s #1 “obscure Texas housewife.”
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
September 29th, 2008 at 4:42 pmESTI’ll take bad news, or even an unpopular view, from someone like you, Rachel, who calls ‘em like she sees ‘em, rather than the multi-processed, market-valued crap from the MSM, or even the canned Spam mystery meat that some conservatives dish out just because they know it’ll get eaten up by their followers.
You are soooo the babe.
September 29th, 2008 at 5:19 pmESTDear Miz Wachel Lukis.
My dog told me to tell you that you’s got the awsomest blog ever. Because at least my dog is not the most humiliated in the intertubes.
p.s. Last week my dog seen where someone put Palin, naked, and cake in the same sentence and my dog wants to know if there still any cake left? Thank you.
September 29th, 2008 at 5:42 pmESTsigned
Kelly at the house
Shamelessly stolen from Grouchy Old Cripple.
September 29th, 2008 at 6:01 pmESTOMG! 14k you is sooooooooooo funny! XD
Rchl is not an obscure Texas housewife. That title belongs to ME!
September 29th, 2008 at 7:21 pmESTI did forget one more thing, but I don’t see anyone else mention it: worrying about whether the Democrats would “tear Palin apart” because of her performance on the Katie Couric Cat-Claw Show is like worrying whether it will snow in January in Alaska. We are talking about people who already hate Sarah Palin for her mere existence. They hate her for what she is. Let’s face it: nothing we are ever going to do is going to make the Democrats like us. We need to stop worrying about trying to impress this self-proclaimed “cool” crowd. We need to stop being played by these people and their high school mentality. As I’ve said in an earlier, related post on rightwing hairsplitting re Sarah Palin, we’re supposed to be the ones wearing the grown-up pants. I don’t sit around worrying about what the teenagers at the mall think of my 45-year-old Walmart clad behind; I’m certainly not going to hide in the corner and cry because some adolescent-brained Obama fan LOL’d at Palin.
September 29th, 2008 at 8:24 pmESTWHEW!!!
Just got back from a long day of…….oops, sratch that, I forgot, I’m a butthole if I mention what my job is, so I’ll refrain from that.
So anyway, let’s get down to brass tacks. This thread is about the uproar over the idea that Palin is stupid. I prefer dummy, but still.
As time goes by, it looks as if more and more people are starting to realize that Palin is ill-equipped to answer questions on the fly, that she can be “tricked” by freaking Charlies Gibson or Katie Couric(????), that that even when the full context of her conversations are printed, she still can’t answer a question.
Here’s that thing, if WE notice it, you can be sure the Lefties notice it, and will use it as a vehicle to get Obama elected. THAT’S why I’m bringing it up. Someone’s got to say it. She’s a dummy, McCain shoudl have picked Bobby Jindal.
Example, here’s a transcript of the next stupid sentence out of Palin’s mouth after her so-called “plea for clarification”.
What do YOU, RL.com reader, interpret the Bush Doctrine to be? His FREAKING WORLD VIEW??? Reeeeeealy????
C,mon. Palin is a dummy, and Rachel, you shouldn’t have to backtrack by saying she only sounded stupid. You meant that she was stupid, and if a Democrat were to give answers , we’d all rip her a new one.
You were right,Rachel, don’t apologize for being right.
September 29th, 2008 at 8:30 pmESTI keep hoping the interview with Couric was a Rove-designed plot for the Dem’s benefit — to lull them into thinking she’s a ditz. Then, at the debate with “Mr. History,” the real Sarah shows up and beats him into such a large puddle of goo he has to leave the stage in a Sham-Wow.
September 29th, 2008 at 9:51 pmESTI was actually pretty impressed that you wrote what you did about Palin upon seeing the interview clips. Based on what how it seemed you loved her so much in your previous posts, I figured that maybe you’d go really easy on her, or you’d try to neutralize her interview skills by saying that ALL politicians sound bad on TV or just give sound bites and talking points that aren’t germane to the question. HOWEVER, you didn’t. You were flabbergasted that she interviewed really poorly and came across as an idiot. Because you know what? She did!! And you’re right, it’s really sad and hypocritical to say she didn’t come across horribly just because you (the royal you) are conservative or republican. You now get MORE credibility points because it’s clear that you are realistic and can be objective.
September 29th, 2008 at 10:03 pmESTRachel,
I might sound like an asshole at times… okay, I am one at time. But I don’t think that I cause any real problems here.
With regards to Palin:
Let me reiterate my disdain for McCain, something I think that I’ve made abundantly clear on this blog. He made some smart campaign decisions (commercials mocking Barry, choosing Palin) and I almost forgot why I detested him outside of the egregious McCain-Feingold. Then he showed his ass with the way he and his handlers managed Gov. Palin. She’s a smart, sassy woman. Unfortunately, she’s a lot more conservative than McCain, so she’s had to learn to parrot Maverick’s talking points, which robs her of her authenticity and humor, things which, I think, make he such an asset. The Gibson editing hatchet job (and bullshit; exact words my ass) should have shown the McCain people that they needed to let Sarah be Sarah and deal with the consequences. Instead, they tried to have Sarah be McCain which, I might add, is fucking stupid, since she’s the only reason- the ONLY reason- that some conservatives like me might even consider voting for McDick.
The veep debate is beyond important. If they can’t untrain Sarah to just be McCain’s surrogate by Thursday, I might as well stock up on the booze before election night. Add in the fact that Jonah was right about how the MSM will treat Biden. I’ll paraphrase:
September 29th, 2008 at 11:00 pmESTPara, give it a rest. You’re really getting tiresome.
September 29th, 2008 at 11:31 pmESTrickl:
Agreed … para, your point is taken; if you smack that bloated horse corpse any more it’s just gonna explode all over you in a shower of maggoty goo.
September 29th, 2008 at 11:53 pmESTYa’ll can feel free to skip my comments!
But yeah, I’m tired of this argument also. I blame Mighty Samauri for pushing my buttons as only he (she??)can. Well done MS, with special recognition to Serenity and Dr. Feelgood for their special assistance in raising my blood pressure!
I reluctantly release ya’ll from my persistance on this subject.
You are welcome.
Hey! You wanna know the difference between a Pit Bull and a Paratrooper?
Nothing, obviously.
September 30th, 2008 at 12:14 amESTI am shocked!
signed,
bible thumping, gun clinging, obscure housewife
September 30th, 2008 at 7:54 amESTOh braVO Para! Carefully editing the transcript of the interview to make it look like Sarah Palin doesn’t know what she’s talking about!
Charlie Gibson would be so proud.
That’s funny, because a few days ago you yourself said the Bush Doctrine is “a statement of what he beilieves [sic] and how he intends to act upon those beliefs.”
Sounds like “his world view” to me.
I love the smell of hypocrisy in the morning.
September 30th, 2008 at 8:08 amESTMeh, as stupid as Palin sounded in the interview, she still sounds smarter than Biden.
September 30th, 2008 at 8:28 amESTReally MS
You wanna keep this going? I could sit here and prove you wrong over and over again, and every time I do, and angel gets their wings, or something.
Anyway, you wanna move on to some other Palin comments, or have you put all your defnesive thoughts into this one.
Or, you could, as my friends requested, let it drop.
I did.
September 30th, 2008 at 7:16 pmEST