palin persists

Music: The People's Court

I'm about to head up to school to participate in the marvelous "Political Emotions" conference, just as soon as I get myself packed and letters of recommendation finished. [Actually, I just finished.] I head out tomorrow morning to visit my friend Tom Frentz at the University of Arkansas. This week has been overwhelming to say the least; I'm actually looking forward to riding on planes just for some "me time."

Last night a number folks gathered at a favorite Beer Garden downtown with the Austin democratic party to watch Biden and Palin debate. It was neat to be surrounded by hundreds of Biden supporters cheering and jeering, and I got to eat some bratwurst. Ummm: bratwurst. Clearly Biden appeared the most presidential, and other than a few gaffes, he behaved himself. He has a lovely nervous smile. One day I hope to afford such a smile myself.

That said, I must admit I thought Palin was marvelous. I recognize the "bar was low," as many pundits have noted, owing to the disastrous interviews with Katie Couric last week. Throughout the interview you can hear Palin's voice quivering with nervousness, she appears nervous, and this communicates a degree of untrustworthiness. During the debate last night, however, Palin's voice was steady, it didn't quiver. It was also very clear she had been coached on her accent, which normally sounds like an upper-Wisconsin jiffy mart worker huffing Scotch Guard. Last night her voice was less nasily, more calm, and boldly confident.

Such a positive assessment, I know, is not popular among readers of RoseChron. I do not think Palin is qualified to be the potential leader of the free world. Nevertheless, given Biden's decades of experience and Palin's relatively short political background; given the tremendous pressure of such a nationally prominent exchange; given the overwhelming complexity of balancing real policy issues against what is possible to say on television, Palin did an impressive, I daresay laudable job. If someone can do that well under that much pressure, I don't care how much she has been coached, there is a backbone of competence there.

And this is why the thought of Palin becoming president is absolutely terrifying.