David Corn: McCain's Palin Problem Keeps Getting Worse

[babylonsister]

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/davidcorn/2008/10/mccains-palin-problem-keeps-ge.html

McCain's Palin Problem Keeps Getting Worse

By David Corn | October 22, 2008 11:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (11)


You know that old joke: there are two types of people in the world--those who divide the world into two types of people, and those who don't. Well, in previous weeks, I've been dividing Republicans and conservatives I know between two types: those willing to acknowledge (even if only privately) that Sarah Palin was not--shall we say--the best pick John McCain could have made, and those who claim she is indeed qualified and will be a fine veep and a capable (should it come to that) president. My rough survey of the Rs and conservatives I have encountered on the street, at political events, and in green rooms at TV studios is that about one half to two-thirds will admit they believe is that Palin is either a misguided error on McCain's part that can be overcome or an act of blatant misjudgment that has led to a freakin' disaster.

When McCain announced her selection it did seem possible the choice would help his campaign. And his campaign did not appear to mind all the attention she drew. But in my recollection, I cannot recall a veep candidate who has so dominated the post-convention story of the election. Not even Dan Quayle. And in Palin's case, the news keeps getting worse. A new NBC/Wall Street Journal poll finds that 55 percent of registered voters believe she's not qualified to serve as president. That's up 5 percent from its last poll--suggesting that the more people see of Palin the less they are impressed. And her negative approval rating for the first time exceeds her positive approval rating, 47 percent versus 38 percent. Moreover, voters told these pollsters that McCain's selection of Palin was their top concern about McCain's candidacy.

So recalling Palin's grand speech at the GOP convention, it sure is safe to say that all that glitters is not gold. Even if it's gussied up. Politico reports that the Republican National Committee has spent more than $150,000 for clothes and accessories for Palin. Bills from Saks Fifth Avenue totaled $49,425.74. There was a $75,062.63 spending spree at Neiman Marcus. And this only covers September. Palin--this daring conservative populist maverick--might have racked up bigger bills on the RNC's credit card this month. Cue Jay Leno....and David Letterman and Tina Fey and everyone else. Hey, at some point, shouldn't a vice presidential candidate stop being known mostly as a punchline?

And another thing: anyone remember Dick Nixon's famous Checkers speech?

I should say this, that Pat doesn't have a mink coat. But she does have a respectable Republican cloth coat, and I always tell her she'd look good in anything.

Apparently, a respectable Republican cloth coat is not sufficient for glam-gov Sarah Palin. The RNC has done a lot more than put lipstick on a pig. It's been dressing up an albatross. :spray:

Should McCain lose on November 4, I wonder if he will ever acknowledge that Palin was a major part of his downfall. Will he be temperamentally--and psychologically--able to engage in such straight talk, even with himself?

[zonkers]

1. Good read. Thanks.

[Lugnut]

2. K&R n/t

[BrklynLiberal]

3. K & R