2. Sarah Palin

So I just got done watching Gov. Palin get interviewed by Charlie Gibson, and all I can say is wow. Without getting too much into the hypocrisy that has been illuminated about Republicans with this pick, (I.E. all of the sudden becoming the party of tolerance, putting aside criticisms of babies being conceived out of wedlock.) and without getting too much into the irony of her position of abstinence only education, nor making too much of an issue of her denial of the existence of dinosaurs, it is clear that she is not ready nor qualified to be one step away from leading the United States.

Setting aside these types of character issues, and focusing on her lack of understanding of the relevant issues of our day is sufficient enough to point out why she was a terrible choice for John McCain. And when I say terrible, I certainly do not mean it was a terrible political decision; so far it has proven to be a great POLITICAL decision for him. We'll see if that keeps up, if she does too many more of these interviews compounded with her debate against Joe Biden, that might very well change.

The reason she has proven to be a good political decision is because the McCain campaign and Republicans alike have done an outstanding job of making her into a victim. It seems as though the Republicans want to market Gov. Palin as an "average" American just like everyone else, and the "snobby," "elite," "Ivy League," liberals are beating her up for it. They've figured out that it is not about the substance of one's policies or arguments. Instead it is about whether Americans can identify with one's personality and struggles.

A couple of things, first she is not an average American. She is a Governor of 1 of the 50 states in America. Let's do some math. 300 Million people in America and of those 50 are Governors. Reducing that, for every 6 Million people in America there is 1 person like Sarah Palin. So if we can be reasonable and understand that people who think she is "average" are falling for a marketing campaign, lets consider this. When George Bush ran for President he ran on the same logic. He was just like everyone else, an average American that spoke like one and was in touch with middle America. Well I hope EVERYONE can agree, that is, was and will always be absolute horseshit. (Except for the speaking part.)

But I would rather her not be average because I have never understood why electing an average person to the 2nd highest office in our land is a good thing. Especially after the last 8 years, I think its time for someone in there that know's what the hell they are talking about; not someone who you can relate to. And the reason is this, most people don't know things like what the Bush Doctrine is, and that's fine because most people aren't trying to be the next VP; they shouldn't be looked down upon for not knowing. However, if you intend to run for national office you better know what it is because it's your job to know. Would you hire someone to be a divorce attorney who was unfamiliar with the term "prenup?" Of course not because that would be mindless and stupid. I don't understand why in virtually every other field we look for the best and the brightest to carry-out various jobs, but when it comes to politics we want someone that is just like us. "Seriously, you're getting divorced? Well just have Bob from next door figure it out for you. He seems authentic." Complete nonsensical malarkey.

Gov. Palin not knowing what the Bush Doctrine is, even though her son is going to fight in a war that was started on its premise, is very average of her. That does not, however, change the fact that she still is not average, and here's why. You may not know what the Bush Doctrine is, but the good thing is, you don't have the power to make executive decisions; she does. Not average. When asked about what insights into Russia she has, she answered "They're our neighbor, and you can actually see Russia from land here in Alaska." Terribly unintelligent and very average. So I guess whenever Putin needs to talk to Bush he just yells over to Gov. Palin to go get him. How could seeing Russia from Alaska have anything to do with something like whether or not it's justified for Russia to invade Georgia? It was like an answer an unprepared high school student would give in class if he/she were asked that same question by Mr. Gibson.

She came out earlier this month and implied that Fannie Mae and Freddi Mac were funded by tax payers, and did not operate as private companies. This is simply not true, they are being bailed out by tax payers which is not at all the same. Now if you're like me at all you might not have known this; I am just now starting to gain a mild understanding of what is happening to these institutions. But again, you and I are not running for Vice President in the wake of a potential major economic crises. SHE IS SUPPOSED TO KNOW THIS STUFF!!

She also came out and asked on CNBC's Kudlow and Co. What a VP does? Well Governor, the official job of the Vice-President is to serve as the President of the Senate. Hopefully, if elected, you won't utilize your President pro tempore (a position whose responsibilities she is also probably unfamiliar with) and will show up to do the official job of the VP as much as possible. Because, when I think of Sarah Palin sitting in on cabinet meetings I just don't feel like she has enough to contribute to justify being there.

I don't want someone like you, and I don't want someone like me. I want someone smarter than both of us, someone who deserves to be there. And unfortunately, Gov. Palin just falls short.