Sarah the Surrogate Posted by Patrick Barry

Juliet Eilperin and Robert Barnes inadvertently make an interesting structural observation about Sarah Palin's preparations for tonight's big speech:

"Since Sunday night, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has been holed up in her suite in the Hilton Minneapolis while a parade of Sen. John McCain's top advisers have briefed her on the nuances of his policy positions,.."

"Sitting around a dining room table, the McCain team has talked to her about Iraq, energy and the economy, but has focused on what she should say in her speech, struggling almost as hard as she has to prepare for what will be, along with a debate in October, her main opportunity to shape the way she is viewed by voters."

I'll refrain from wondering too loudly about why Palin is stuck getting lectured by McCain's advisers, and not learning from the master himself, but this whole story does raise an important question about how the hasty way manner by which John McCain selected Sarah Palin may impact her ability to serve as an effective surrogate for the candidate.   

I'm sure that the impression that McCain's advisers meant to give off is of a nominee, diligently toiling in preparation for the biggest political speech of her life, but what it actually amounts to is an admission that Sarah Palin just isn't very familiar with McCain's policies.  She's basically been cramming 24/7 for a test in McCain 101.

There is a clear knowledge gap that exists here, both personal and political, which will be difficult to bridge in time for the election.  Palin only met McCain once before accepting his invitation to serve as VP, and apparently she only did her first interview with him last Wednesday.  On policy, this knowledge gap is most apparent when it comes to foreign policy, where on Iraq she said that her focus on state government has meant that she hasn't "really focused much on the war," but it extends to other policy areas as well, like energy and the economy.  How can she expect to credibly advocate for McCain's positions on Iraq for the next two months if she's still learning those positions?

Compare this to Joe Biden, who not only spent months presumably getting comfortable with Barack Obama as he was being vetted for the VP position, but also spent countless hours studying Obama's policies when he was running against him!  Joe Biden knows Barack Obama and can be his advocate.  It's far from clear whether Sarah Palin can do the same. 

Comments

[Danp]

Is she being nominated for Vice President or trainee? Pretty high price grade for a trainee.

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