@Ticomaya,
I think Palin did a perfectly decent job last night. She is poised and actually seemed relatively relaxed, particularly considering the importance of the speech and how many eyes and ears were fixed on her. She is obviously able to deliver a speech well. She got through it without mistakes or gaffs. And she, and her family, present an attractive visual package.
Was I impressed by the content of her speech? Not at all.
She mentioned she would advocate for special needs children, but did not mention the large numbers of Americans who have no health insurance or medical coverage, or how she, or her party, will address problems in the health care system.
I did not hear her address any educational problems at all. Her own daughter, Bristol, attends a high school which has been labelled a "drop-out factory" (only 60% of entering freshmen wind up graduating), and, as the mother of 5, the subject of education should be of some interest to her. Surely she is aware that problems in our educational system exist, and that many school systems are currently struggling due to budget cuts. Hasn't she thought about these things?
She mentioned that her son will be going to Iraq, but made no comments about the war--how much longer we should remain in Iraq, the treatment of our returning veterans, the problems of recruitment for the military etc,--nor did she comment about any aspect of our foreign policy, or what we must do to repair our image in the world to regain a position of true respect.
She bragged about being able to balance her state budget, and having a budget surplus, but never mentioned that is due to revenue from oil and federal funding (Alaska has no state income tax, and, I think, no sales tax either), and she completely ignored the problems of about 37 other governors currently struggling with budget deficits, and the failing state of our national economy. She feels good because Alaska is in good economic shape, but what about the problems of other average Americans who are struggling with inflation, rising food prices, job losses, costs of health care, and the frightening prospect of losing their homes? People say they can identify with this woman, but can she identify with them? She seems not just like a Washington outsider, but an outsider to the problems of the people in all the lower states.
She took swipes at Obama, as a good VP attack dog usually does in an election, and her obvious toughness means Biden (and everyone else) can go at her in a no-holds-barred manner in a debate without fear they will create a sympathetic image of a damsel in distress. But her attacks on Obama seemed shallow and petty. They were pretty much just sarcastic digs. She did not tell us exactly why his ideas, or proposals, or programs were flawed, or would not solve our national problems, and seemed to ignore the fact that most people actually vote on the issues rather than trying to calibrate whether her experience matches Obama's. Obviously, a lot of folks have confidence in Obama, and will vote for him, despite his relative lack of experience, and she did nothing to really change their minds.
So, the lady delivered on style, but not on substance last night.
Most importantly, she said absolutely nothing that would convince me she is anywhere near ready to possibly become the president of the U.S. And, when McCain stands next to her, he appears even older--just by contrast--reminding me she would be a 72 year old heartbeat away from the presidency if they are elected.
Unfortunately for McCain, Palin's appearance was the real excitement, partly because she is such an unknown quantity, and partly because of the swirl of gossip and family drama surrounding her. She benefitted from the curiosity factor. I can't imagine that that many people will be particularly excited about listening to what he has to say tonight. If she continues to overshadow him, he will look more and more like an over-the-hill has-been.
