John McCain’s Computer Skills and Sarah Palin’s Worldliness
If the debate actually takes place tonight I’ll be watching it closely and posting soon thereafter. For now, here’s a quick fix.
He Still Doesn’t Know How to Use a Computer?
When I saw this ad (below) last week I was happy to see that somebody in the Obama campaign was awake. It is not mean to point out McCain’s computer illiteracy like I have before. It’s a legitimate issue and a deal breaker for voters who want their president to be in touch with the way most people communicate and do business these days. Watch.
I was happy to see Obama finally take a swing. But why did it take so long? McCain’s attacks have been outright sleazy. Then Joe Biden went and called this ad “terrible,” earning him the “Dufus of the Week Award.” Opponents call this ad “mean”, I call it long overdue.
Palin on Foreign Policy
We now know why the McCain campaign is scared to death of letting Sarah “Barracuda” talk to the press. She recently sat down with Katie Couric and if it accomplished one thing it made it perfectly clear that Palin is a painfully mediocre candidate. See for yourself. This is Katie Couric asking her about her supposed foreign policy experience as Governor of Alaska.
Just like watching the question and answer segment of a beauty pageant, no? How can anyone truly take her seriously? This woman is way out of her league. There’s some required reading that we expect of our leaders and she doesn’t appear to have done any of it. She is, for lack of a better description, intellectually unprepared. That doesn’t make her a bad person – very few people can operate at that level. But it does mean that she won’t be able to hide her seemingly endless list of weaknesses once the chop-licking press corps finally get a chance at her – whenever that is. She’s was nominated 4 weeks ago and has yet to give a press conference. Now we know why but, amazingly, some people are still defending her and actually like the fact that she’s so “normal.”
I don’t. Sam Harris doesn’t either and explained why quite clearly in Newsweek:
Ask yourself: how has “elitism” become a bad word in American politics? There is simply no other walk of life in which extraordinary talent and rigorous training are denigrated. We want elite pilots to fly our planes, elite troops to undertake our most critical missions, elite athletes to represent us in competition and elite scientists to devote the most productive years of their lives to curing our diseases. And yet, when it comes time to vest people with even greater responsibilities, we consider it a virtue to shun any and all standards of excellence. When it comes to choosing the people whose thoughts and actions will decide the fates of millions, then we suddenly want someone just like us, someone fit to have a beer with, someone down-to-earth—in fact, almost anyone, provided that he or she doesn’t seem too intelligent or well educated.
Question- Does Palin know she’s out of her league or does she really think she’s qualified and this is “God’s plan?”
Remember to subscribe on the right hand side if you want to receive the “Friday Morning Fix” via email every week.
RHM
About the Author: Randall H. Miller is an American college educator/blogger. He is also a former U.S. Army officer (82nd Airborne) with a M.A. in Diplomacy (focusing on International Terrorism) and a B.A. in Criminal Justice. Use the form on the right to sign up and receive notifications of new content. The words and ideas expressed here are 100% his own and not those of his employers or affiliated organizations.
DJS | Sep 26, 2008 | Reply
I think she is figuring it out quickly, along with the McCain camp, that she is out of her league. Her quick domination of her local PTA(Which I always found funny that one her main qualifications for holding the office of VP of the US was her experience in the PTA. Not undermining PTA, but your resume to become CEO of GM should not have “sold cars before”), city council, Mayor then Governor(think this is the correct order) made her believe, “Hey, VP… No problem!”
There are some smart people running the GOP campaign and I am sure they have all had a come to Jesus meeting with Palin about her interviewing skill set. If she doesn’t improve soon with interviews or if they think she will get slaughtered by Biden in a debate, is it possible they will dump her? Hell, the Clintons are not exactly 100% behind Obama and are dying to get back in the white house. And the way McCain is throwing up Hail Mary’s I would not be surprised if we saw a McCain/Clinton ticket!(fyi-this last part was a joke if you couldn’t read between the lines)
dickmill | Sep 26, 2008 | Reply
Paraphrasing a pundit on the net (can’t remember who): Palin’s speaking ability makes Bush look like Cicero.
Assuming there are intelligent people on the McCain campaign, they must hate Obama and Democrats so much that they’ve gone into desperation mode with the Palin pick, ads full of lies, and total abandonment of the people (via the press.)
If this is what the campaign looks like, WHAT WOULD THE ADMINISTRATION LOOK LIKE???
Allen | Sep 26, 2008 | Reply
I thought McCain’s inability to use a PC had more to do with his physical injuries and limitations rather than his lack of interest. Does using a PC and knowing how to send an email necessarily make you Presidential material? I think not. If this is the sole basis for electing the next President then we are in trouble as a nation. I am still undecided as to who I will vote for in the upcoming election but mark my words that my vote will not be based on who can send an email or use Facebook.
RHM | Sep 26, 2008 | Reply
@Allen
I couldn’t agree with you more – it should not be the defining issue. However, it serves as an example of a greater problem (in my opinion) – McCain is completely out of touch with the way things work in 2008 and has not shown an interest in learning.
As for his disabilities, I don’t buy that as an excuse. There are people a lot worse off physically (and older) who don’t miss a beat. For me, it shows a lack of intellectual curiosity to not want to fully understand what’s going on around him. Just my 2 cents.
RHM
Political Disgust | Sep 26, 2008 | Reply
The debate is on and I am excited. Can’t miss TV. I just hope they don’t get stuck on the issue of the economy and forget everything else that is still important also.