Posted on 09/27/2008 11:09:26 AM PDT by eartotheground
A growing number of Republicans are expressing concern about Sarah Palin’s uneven — and sometimes downright awkward — performances in her limited media appearances.
Conservative columnist Kathleen Parker, a former Palin supporter, says the vice presidential nominee should step aside. Kathryn Jean Lopez, writing for the conservative National Review, says “that’s not a crazy suggestion” and that “something’s gotta change.”
Tony Fabrizio, a GOP strategist, says Palin’s recent CBS appearance isn’t disqualifying but is certainly alarming. “You can’t continue to have interviews like that and not take on water.”
“I have not been blown away by the interviews from her, but at the same time, I haven’t come away from them thinking she doesn’t know s—t,” said Chris Lacivita, a GOP strategist. “But she ain’t Dick Cheney, nor Joe Biden and definitely not Hillary Clinton.”
There is no doubt that Palin retains a tremendous amount of support among rank-and-file Republicans. She draws huge crowds, continues to raise a lot of money for the McCain campaign, and state parties report she has sparked an uptick in the number of volunteers.
Asked about Palin's performance in the CBS interview, a McCain official briefing reporters on condition of anonymity said: "She did fine. She's a tremendous asset and a fantastic candidate."
But there is also no doubt many Republican insiders are worried she could blow next week’s debate, based on her unexpectedly weak and unsteady media appearances, and hurt the Republican ticket if she does.
What follows is a viewer’s guide to some of Palin’s toughest moments on camera so far.
Speaking this week with CBS’s Katie Couric, Palin seemed caught off-guard by a very predictable question about the status of McCain adviser Rick Davis’ relationship with mortgage lender Freddie Mac. Davis was accused by several news outlets of retaining ties — and profiting from — the companies despite his denials.
Where a more experienced politician might have been able to brush off Couric’s follow-up question, Palin seemed genuinely stumped, repeating the same answer twice and resorting to boilerplate language about the “undue influence of lobbyists.”
A growing number!
Up to 2 now!
Since when has Kathleen Parker ever been a conservative? I don’t know how many times I’ve written Townhall telling them to get rid of her.
An interesting spectacle, but no more. Just the same, good luck to Sarah Palin. Kick Biden’s butt.
Too funny.
To hell with the East-Coast elites. We are the Republican Party (and the conservative movement). Without us, these nitwits would have to beg for more scraps from the liberals.
If she becomes the party's standard-bearer, the country-clubbers will lose ground, and that can't happen.
This is BS. Every Republican I know of and read about UNTIL TODAY seems to adore Palin. Now - JUST TODAY - I have seen already two articles saying Palin should be dumped.
These “Republicans” should be kicked out of the party!
We have always had propensity towards eating our own.
Biden??? who’s that??? you mean the VP candidate that’s been rumoured to be stepping down for two weeks now???
never see any stories on that from the lame stream media....
Wants to sit at the Mean Girls' lunch table.
Just because there are five people calling for Palin to step down being published in every magazine know to man is not a trend.
Its the same damn story over and over and over..........
As I said on the early thread, can we please term limit so called conservative commentators who live in DC and NYC before they embarrass themselves like this.
Bet he got really pi55ed when he found out she was baptised as a baby but grew up in a different church.
Wouldn't trust him as far as I can see him.
Why do we NEVER see garbage like this written about Obama and Biden? Oops! Sorry. I forgot, these pixie don’t want any late night visits from Obama’s Gestapo.
That is the fundamental point. the east Coast elite do not understand our fondness for Palin. It is just not in their realm of understanding.
Kathyrn, you got some esplainin to do.
I’ve never even heard of her and now she’s showing up in ever news story.
What makes them think she’d “blow” the debate? She did fine in her run for governor.
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