History is Happening Now

I’ve been reading through the transcript of Sarah Palin’s interview with Katie Couric.  When I read this part of the exchange, I felt an irrepressible urge to whip up a blog post:

Couric: You’ve said, quote, “John McCain will reform the way Wall Street does business.” Other than supporting stricter regulations of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac two years ago, can you give us any more example of his leading the charge for more oversight?

Palin: I think that the example that you just cited, with his warnings two years ago about Fannie and Freddie – that, that’s paramount. That’s more than a heck of a lot of other senators and representatives did for us.

Couric: But he’s been in Congress for 26 years. He’s been chairman of the powerful Commerce Committee. And he has almost always sided with less regulation, not more.

Palin: He’s also known as the maverick though, taking shots from his own party, and certainly taking shots from the other party. Trying to get people to understand what he’s been talking about – the need to reform government.

Couric: But can you give me any other concrete examples? Because I know you’ve said Barack Obama is a lot of talk and no action. Can you give me any other examples in his 26 years of John McCain truly taking a stand on this?

Palin: I can give you examples of things that John McCain has done, that has shown his foresight, his pragmatism, and his leadership abilities. And that is what America needs today.

Couric: I’m just going to ask you one more time – not to belabor the point. Specific examples in his 26 years of pushing for more regulation.

Palin: I’ll try to find you some and I’ll bring them to you.

At first, my mind was racing excitedly with all sorts of sarcastic comments about Palin’s clear inability to answer Couric’s question, or even to artfully lie, her clear failure to meet the standard we should all except of someone who might soon be a heartbeat away from the oval office.  All sorts of partisan zingers were bouncing around in my head.  I was ready to attack. 

But the more I reflect on this exchange, the sadder it seems.  I am sad for the state of our democracy.  Sad that the news media has to act as if Sarah Palin is a serious candidate.  Sad that there are some people — serious people — who might read this exchange and genuinely not see anything wrong with Palin’s responses.  Sad that one of our two major political parties, whatever the content of their policies, would think to nominate (by fiat, mind you, not via election) someone so clearly unable to answer a question coherently.

I mean, I understand that our democracy is largely bought and paid for in a million overt and subtle ways, but can’t the major parties at least nominate competent bought-and-sold candidates?  Is that asking too much?