Comments on: We Guard The Maritime Border, We Guard The American Dream

By: DaveA

DaveA — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 01:26:51 +0000

Regarding your third update, Daniel, I have some irony for you, courtesy of Josh Marshall at TPM:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008174647_palinrussia12m0.html

Yes, it seems that the whole “proximity to Russia” has indeed afforded Alaska gov’s the opportunity to be at least a bit player on the world stage…but unlike her predecessors, Palin demonstrated no real interest in that role…

By: mbtogut

mbtogut — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 23:45:17 +0000

Agreed. They’re both to blame. I’m not a fan of either; I agree with Sullivan as to her capacities. She was a reckless choice on McCain’s part, chosen with very little vetting to determine whether she was ready for the position. I’ve gone through far more strenuous job interviews for far lesser positions. It says nothing for McCain’s judgment that he chose this know-nothing, intellectually incurious neophyte as his running mate. But it shows neither good judgment nor self-knowledge on her part to have accepted a position so clearly beyond her capabilities. McCain provided her with ample opportunity to show how out of her depth she is and she jumped at the opportunity.

By: BaxterJ

BaxterJ — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 23:09:40 +0000

What is she even talking about? Do you think she knows? Or is she trying to repeat what she was told to say, and failing miserably?

http://www.entertonement.com/collections/4236/Palin-On-Issues-9-25-2008

By: Daniel Larison

Daniel Larison — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 22:57:01 +0000

There’s no question that she’s responsible for her decision to accept the position, and if she really is as self-confident in her ability to fill that role as she claims to be that is a frightening lack of self-awareness. The point remains–McCain was the one who provided her with the opportunity to make this blunder, and anyone who was just enthusing about how amazing and great she was three weeks ago ought to be very angry with McCain for this decision. You don’t have to blame McCain, but at the very least I would expect the devotees to turn on him.

By: mbtogut

mbtogut — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 22:52:28 +0000

Palin is a free agent. McCain didn’t foist her into the position she now finds herself in. She jumped at that chance, even though she was hopelessly unready from Day One. Were it not for her hubris and utter lack of self-knowledge, she would have realized that she was not fit for the job and declined it. It’s clear from her interviews, however, that she thinks she’s qualified to be a heartbeat away from the potential presidency of an old man with a history of serious cancer and other health issues. That kind of supreme over-confidence and overweening ambition makes it impossible for me to feel sorry for her now that she’s showing herself to be completely over her head. She bears a good deal of the responsibility for the spot she finds herself in; she accepted a job she should have known herself to be unqualified to assume.