She is intelligent , but unspoiled by the Washington games , so far anyway.
I don't think anyone expected her to be a policy and diplomatic expert , her appeal as an outsider doesn't work that way.
After she has been in Washington a few years , what will she become ?
A seasoned professional ?
Plane, that's a good question. I've often wondered about people who enter politics, bursting with ideas and energy, possessing a true desire to serve their country, and who are itching to change the status quo...but who realize that the system is so entrenched that there's just no way to be heard after they've been elected. Or maybe they even think they can work from the inside, but then they fall into the ranks of all those professional politicians that we've come to know and loathe.
I almost thought Obama might be one of those who could break the mold. Unfortunately, the system dictates that anyone who has a promising political future is immediately surrounded by a group of handlers whose own stakes are bound to be first and foremost in their minds.
Barack Obama and Sarah Palin both came to the attention of the country in the same way - via a dynamic convention speech. Palin's path led her directly from her speech into the ring. But between Obama's speech and his run for office, he's been groomed and coached, guided by polls, surveys, and the advice of his handlers. Obama's past working relationships and his mentor choices are questionable, and makes me wonder what the extent of outside influences have been on his stated positions, and if we are seeing the same man that stirred so much excitement after his speech four years ago.
I like Sarah Palin, and I think she's got a genuine desire to serve our country. Given the circumstances of her nomination, she hasn't been processed through the politician factory system that turns normal people into polished party clones who nod in unison and mouth the same tired old partisan cliches. I find the way she expresses herself to be refreshing and sincere. She's intelligent and perfectly capable of making the transition from governor to Vice-President, just as she did when she became Alaska's governor.
