Tony Sachs on why it is smart to be dumb
September 11, 2008 | Filed Under Election 2008, Seriously/Real Stuff, Uh-oh | No Responses
Tony Sachs has a great post on Huffington Post
The issue is deeper than Sarah Palin’s lack of knowledge about the Bush Doctrine, which Sachs makes cleverly clear, but he starts there:
It’s one of the most cringe-worthy moments in recent American political history:
“Do you believe in the Bush Doctrine?”
The awkward pause, then the smug, patronizing comeback.
“In what respect, Charlie?”
Charlie Gibson, taken aback, perhaps realizing that this is The Moment for which he’ll be known for the rest of his career.
“The Bush — w-w-well, what do you interpret it to be?”
And then the painful, filibustering non-answer that I can hardly bear to watch without feeling embarrassed for Sarah Palin, John McCain, and this great nation of ours.
I’m not saying that every American besides Governor Palin knows what the Bush Doctrine is. Hell, I wasn’t sure I knew what it was until Charlie Gibson confirmed it for me. But then again, I’m not a Republican governor who’s running for national office.
Now, if Joe Biden had said this on national TV, the election would be over. Obama would either be calling Hillary Clinton and begging her to take over the #2 slot or he’d be busy getting to work on his concession speech. More>
There were many other gaffes, but Sachs is right. Being smart is a bad thing in America. Nonetheless, one of my favorites remains playing the Alaska card with respect to foreign policy:
GIBSON: What insight into Russian actions, particularly in the last couple of weeks, does the proximity of the state give you?
PALIN: They’re our next door neighbors and you can actually see Russia from land here in Alaska, from an island in Alaska.
GIBSON: What insight does that give you into what they’re doing in Georgia?
PALIN: Well, I’m giving you that perspective of how small our world is and how important it is that we work with our allies to keep good relation with all of these countries, especially Russia. We will not repeat a Cold War. We must have good relationship with our allies, pressuring, also, helping us to remind Russia that it’s in their benefit, also, a mutually beneficial relationship for us all to be getting along.
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