Slime job?

The media fell in love with her, but they then realised they had a responsibility to get over the love and start to vet the unknown candidate. She's been undone by her own lack of experience and unpreparedness.
Barack already went through the ordeal via Hilary Clinton. He owes her!

Cam, Waterloo,

"The latest piece of nonsense to hit the media's fan this week is a fine example: the news that the Republicans paid $150,000 to kit out her and her family for the election campaign. "

Granted that a candidate needs to dress smartly. But $150,000/- worth!

Bonita Jones, Denver, CO, USA

The biggest bunch of nonsense about this article is the supposition that all people in America's heartland or coasts are alike. I, like Mr. Obama, am not only from one of the most liberal states in the union - but from America's "heartland."

Calli, Chicago, USA

Mr. Baker, is it a fair question to ask whether or not Sarah Palin could write in her own defense, as eloquently as you have done here? Or, for somebody so clearly aspiring to the job of the planets most powerful person, none of this thinking stuff should matter all that much? Is that your point?

bob unitt, burlington, canada

Who exactly are these inhabitants of the American heartland Mr. Baker has conjured up, these good folks with a steady consistent voice and values to match? In real life, they're voting for Senator Obama, as are all Americans who value diversity, tolerance, fairness, and the life of the mind.

Harold Tobman, Brooklyn, NY, USA

... she cannot answer questions properly, and had to be babysat by McCain for some interveiws. Asked what newspapers she read she could not answer! I think she has created the slime job-she was impersonated on SNL by someone repeating her interveiw answers word for word in the same mannerism!

ann, uk,

Chris, chesterfield, uk: 18-24 year olds backing McCain 3-1? The funniest lie I've heard in years. Quite the opposite numbers, in reality. As for Palin in 2012? Pure fantasy. The GOP is split because her right now. What can she do in 4 years to change that? The hockey mom is now history.

Juan, San Diego, USA

It's more about how power affects US politicians than anything else. Bush was a compassionate conservative before 9/11 and the war. Look at him now. Palin made headway in Alaska, but after a month she has dragged herself, McCain and the GOP down to contemptible levels. Meanwhile, Obama is the same.

Chris, Boston,

Of course Palin needed a wardrobe for the campaign, but she could have shopped at a mid-range department store for a tiny fraction of what the RNC paid to Neimans and Saks, and no one would have noticed. A real "hockey mom" would be appalled at the prices paid for her outfits. She is a fraud.

JMG_DC, Washington, DC, USA

Saying Sarah Palin is a victim of a "slime job" sure does require substantial willful ignorance.

She (and her handlers) set the tone with everything from "No thank you on that bridge to nowhere" to "pals around with terrorists."

Senator McCain and his handlers fell in love with a cartoon.

Don, Longwood, USA

Sorry, but I don't know of any treaties negotiated and signed by farmers, nor any pieces of legislation that protect the rights of any minority group that were written by "unlearned" social conservatives. INTELLIGENCE MATTERS. The wisdom of the heartland may be important, but it is not the same.

Michael, Hainesport, USA

So, we should be more sympathetic to Palin because she has to fullfill her duties as a caring mother, who carts her VERY YOUNG family around on the campaign trail. That's an absurd presumption. World leaders aren't concerned about personal needs.

jack theman, amherst, ny, U.S.A.

I have read many UK/USA blogs/articles/comments.
It is obvious that McC/SP wings are defensive and confrontational, while BO/JB advocates are relaxed and coherent.
You - Baker - represent the former.
BO 08/12

lyn, santa barbara, calif, usa

Sir--

With all due respect, you've missed the point. Sarah Palin's acceptance of $150,000 in clothing from her RNC handlers is an offense to the "real" Americans she claims to speak on behalf of, 99.8% of whom won't make half of that in two years, let alone spend it in an hour at Saks 5th Ave.

Matt , Eau Claire, WI, USA

It was inevitable that you would eventually start apologizing for Ms ' Lipstick on a Pig' Palin, as you have a history of apologizing for republicans in general.

Thanx for not disappointing!

take care, blessings

shiloh, Kent, Ohio,

The biggest loser in this election is the media and thus, the American people.If Obama wins, has a poor presidency (I believe), the biggest story in 4 yrs. will me the media's shameless role, including the hatchet job they did on Palin.

Mary Catherine, Elmhurst, USA

Palin's negative, hyperbolic rhetoric, including implying some areas of the U.S. are less "pro-American" than others, over-the-top assertions about Obama's "palling around with terrorists" and labeling Obama policies as "socialism," insults our intelligence. We need thoughtful, informed leadership.

John Smith, Trenton, NJ, USA

The worst threat to John McCain's campaign is Sarah Palin's next interview... Unfotunately, there won't be any. The Republicans are so afraid of her and have so little confidence in her, they won't let her into the spotlight. I say let her out. The more interviews she does, the better for us.

Jeff, Sacramento, California, USA

The Republican divide is easy to characterize: those who drank the Palin poison, and those who didn't.

Kirk Cunningham, San Diego, CA,

Ms. Palin has under-cut her own candidacy as she did NOT even KNOW the duties of the Vice-President of the United States (when asked by a 3rd grade student).

The Republicans have self-destructed in the U.S.

Glen, Oregon, USA

There might not be a conservative backlash, as this author so thinks...obviously, he is not an American and so doesn't understand Sarah Palin...granted, McCain is not perfect Republican...but, he has ushered in the future, in the person of Governor Palin..the future looks bright....

JW, Tumwater, USA

The reason a $150K wardrobe (for 2 months campaigning, not 3, and she wears some if this stuff more than once in a week) is a big deal is because it rams home how much Palin is just a sales job. Her Hollywood makeup artist got $23K for 2 weeks--to make up for her being away from her home tanning bed

Ken, los angeles, USA

Take a look at the commentary in the Alaska newspapers and you'll see this woman will soon be removed from office in Alaska because she broke the law many times in her brief stint in the governor's office. She, and the radical right, are finished.

Youngster, Helena MT, America

Palin, the alleged pro-America conservative, raised taxes on oil companies, left Wasilla with a huge debt, and fought to export gas to Asia instead of to the rest of the U.S. She has a history of vendettas and back-stabbing, and can't create a clear sentence. You applaud this record??

Margo, Nebraska, USA

"There's still a better story to be told about her record as politician in Alaska, where she has achieved more of substance than Barack Obama has in Washington."

Where's your evidence to back this up?

Mandy Hui, Dublin,

How can you possibly say that Palin was a victim of a slime-job? The Couric questions were NOT difficult. Her answer to how being a governor gives her international experience says it all.
How can a question like that be a "gotcha" question?
It is clear that she hadn't really thought about it

Pau, Chicago, IL

Having lived in the midwest my whole life, I can tell you we are not the "Guardians" of american values that the media or the authors of such articles would imply. The only common thread in rural america is a refusal to read or watch anything that disagrees with their beliefs.

shawn, norfolk, nebraska

Day in and day out, for eight years, the Right Wing Media said anything it felt like saying about Bill and Hillary Clinton. And in the last twenty years, the Liberal Bashing Industry has repeatedly called for the extermination of liberals.
And conservatives think they have cause to complain?

John Strong, Oxford,

Criticism of the RNC's $150,000 clothing for Sarah Palin is valid given her claim to be a "hockey mom" and to speak for "Joe Sixpack." New clothes aren't the issue; spending so much at Needless Markup and other upscale retailers is. It's a disconnect, like so many others in the McCain campaign.

Ron Burley, Eugene, United States

I really don't believe that middle America has values superior to that of coastal America. The coastal populations just tend to be better educated and more progressive. To which values does the author refer - religious fundamentalism? anti-gay attitudes? anti-intellectualism? xenophobia? What?

Joe, Napa, USA

Democrats think the election is won. It isn't. I live in Buffalo NY where people in union areas like Tonawanda & Cheektowaga are not supporting Obama. There's hardly an Obama sign to be seen where Kerry signs once proliferated. It may not matter here, but it will be decisive in states like PA an MO.

Frank S., Buffalo, NY

She represents the triumph of narrative over truth. A very astute politician, but her politics lead to no more than a personality cult. ‘Real’ v. ‘fake’ America? What policies arise from such a starting point? Her political life has been a negative, creating strife and then exploiting it.

robert murphy, Chicago, USA

Sarah Palin is a victim of a hyper-partisan media? Sorry, Mr. Baker. I think her victimhood has been self-inflicted. With so little substance, so little integrity, and so little genuine leadership (unless you think her ability to divide counts), what do you expect?

Chris, Madison, USA

The Republicans and McCain are going nowhere in this election and never were. Their situation is akin to the Tories in the UK in 1997 who, if they are lucky will get another shot at Government in 2010 - 13 years after their massive defeat. The Canadian Conservatives suffered the same fate in 1993.

William, Guildford, UK

Palin makes Alaskan rape victims pay for part of the police investigation, believes rape victims should be forced to carry on resulting pregnancies, thinks the vice president is in charge of the senate, claims she will be good at foreign policy because alaska borders a foreign country...

ann, uk,

In re "There's an unshakeable view...Manhattan and Hollywood cocktail set." I havent seen anything more offensive in a while. What we want is to have a leader that has at least a passable education and maybe just maybe might actually KNOW SOMETHING. Unlike Palin: 5 schools, 6 years one BA.

Gregory, New York, USA

Slime job? Come off your high horse Gerard. Hypocrisy by the princess of the Joe the plumber/Joe Sixpack movement isn't fair game? You betcha it is.

Jerry, Fairbamks Alaska, USA

Palin is an outsider, which is enough to condemn her in the eyes iof many on both sides.

Today, in Springfield Missouri, she held a rally. They expected 4000 to come but over 20,000 showed up, some driving many miles to attend. This is common wherever she goes.

It's not over yet.

Stan ex-London, USA, USA

Mr. Baker, we conservatives are only skirmishing right now. The only big fights you see are over the apostates heading to Obama.

After Nov. 4th, yes, we conservatives here across the pond will begin fighting for the mantle in earnest. I believe we'll get it together, with message, quite fast.

Michael Devereaux, Dallas, USA

It is irrelevant, anyone with a decent education and a bit of common sense and judgement could do the job. The rest is just packaging and we don't need too much of that

sam, Shanghai,

My dismay at Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin grew more out of watching and listening to them than from what I hear or read in the media. Bottom line for me is Sen. Obama has the intellect, temperament, and vision for the future necessary to lead all of us in these parlous times. His opponents do not.

Michael, Atlanta, USA

Paxus, Obama stated that the US had 57 states. Is he then not ready because he did not know how many states the US has?

And Paxus, what training does Obama have?? A few years in the Senate does not qualify you for the Presidency.

The point is that experience is an issue for both.

ryan, ann arbor,

Sarah Palin the victim?

I think not.

Dean, Atlanta, GA, USA

Mr. Baker, you're obviously getting your information from the "Pantywaist Republicans", ie those who can dish it out but cannot take it. With Obama winning, the most necessary winnowing of the GOP and its media cohorts who have perpetuated this Palinology loopiness is in order. About time.

Keble, Bellevue,

Let me ask you this, would anyone in Britain or Europe vote for the views of Sarah Palin? Conservatives are the cast in the same mold world wide, they are not of the people but rather keep the serfs in their place. This is of course supported to the main extent by the handicap of religion.

Derek, Mebane, USA

The post-mortems of John McCain's failed presidential bid should center around Sarah Palin. She represents the campaign's fundamental mistakes: pandering to the right wing of the Republican Party; running a campaign based on personality, not issues; and an embarrassingly incompetent campaign.

Mike Morgan, Roswell, GA, USA

And, I much rather have a voice in Washington that represents me and not those prone to RHETORICAL FLOURISHES from the President and VP. Palin resonates with me because she 'gets it'....she walks the walk, while the rest take pot shots at her and her values... she represents me..Cathy the Fire Capt

Cathy, Huntington Beach, USA

A shallow article. Just try reading in transcript what Palin actually says - she is not up to the job, and her views are dated and myopic. If America votes for Obama, it'll be welcome to the 21st century, America.

charles, London,

Anchorage has a Nordstroms. I am sure she could have outfitted the family for 30.000.

Michelle Obama got her "designer" dress off a rack for under $200.

Middle class votes appreciate the walk and not the talk.

Richard Sampson , Anchorage, Alaska , United States

Once again we hear about the "coastal elites" as if liberal ideals are only found in those two areas. Has anyone bothered to look at the election map? There is a large area in the middle of America that is blue and has been blue through the entire George Bush presidency!

Sue, Milwaukee, USA

McCain made a grave mistake when he selected a running mate as unqualified and intellectually incompetent as Gov. Palin. This was an insult to the Republican party, the American electorate, and Global Citizens who are now facing some of the most grave and complex problems ever encountered.

TheNest, VA, Ashburn, USA

McCain's "inevitable failure" is nothing of the sort. I wish it were that clear-cut, but never ever underestimate the American right. I believe that this will be closer than most imagine, and it may even go in McCain's favour. That would be a shame for the World, but no shock at all.

PB, London, UK

From Anchorage to Alabama, all remember poor Palin for her slime, slush, rifles, ricochets, lipsticks and lapis lazuli's, alas, if she loses, she will break the heart of many machos. Lest see her again in 2012, in a new hue and color of a winning streak.

M. R . Rambler, Karachi, Pakistan

"But there's real wisdom among those derided Americans who have never even ventured to the coasts"--I keep hearing this, and related assertions, but I never hear what "wisdom" may be thus acquired, and I keep waiting for any recent innovation or life-or world bettering idea coming from non-urbans.

smw, ypsilanti, us

A hatchet job, for sure, but good ol' Sarah wielded the hatchet herself.

Frank Gasior, La Grange, USA

The $150,000 furore about her shoppng binge becomes germane when Palin starts awshucking about her propensity for hard hats and steel toecap boots.
She says one thing, but does another; maybe it's her hypocrisy that smells rank.

Collins, warkworth, canada

The media has been rough on Sarah Palin. But dont you think it is problematic that when first asked she did not know what the Bush Doctrine was ? This is worrying, because she had had the best prep tutors money could buy for the weeks leading up to the interview. VPs should not need training.

Paxus Calta, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Neither McCain or Palin are ready to be president. They change their words and platforms on the advice of others, don't have the character or integrity to remain themselves. McCain goes negative because Rove et al tells him to, against McCain's own inclinations. Palin buys new clothes. Neither win.

lee, alexandria, va, usa

This is all very tiresome. It doesn't amount to anything. The only statement with which I could heartily agree is Howard from London's asking us to take a look at Governor Palin's underlying stance. Hear, hear Howard from London, an appealing prospect indeed!

Steven, Eatontown,

Gerard,

Well done. It is almost impossible for someone in your position to express reservation about Palin without total condemnation, because then both sides will take aim at you.

The flash point surrounding Palin is worrisome. This could be a harbinger of cultural conflict/violence in the US

Phil Grimm, Rogue River, USA

You were on track until the tired rant about the "slime job" by supposedly partisan media. As a Republican, I sat down to listen to what Sarah Palin herself had to say, and found myself hiding my face in embarrassment. It was her own words that did it, not someone's distortion of them.

Charles Hsu, San Francisco,

I live in the "heartland" of America and there are plenty of smart people who are not the "coastal elite" who can speak intelligently about the issues. Sarah Palin simply does not know what she is talking about.

Samuel deHuszar Allen, Chicago,IL, USA

she has been the victim of one of the nastiest, most sustained and comprehensive slime-jobs ever performed by a hyper-partisan national and global media.
Rubbish and you know it. You have never heard of Lee Atwater or Karl Rove? And if can't take on Katie Couric how would you handle Putin?

William Coffey, Atlanta, USA

Some of us American women feel that she is our hero. First she goes from being the average working mom of middle class America to politics. As governor of A\aska she did away with the corruption of the politicans there which is exactly what we need in Washington.

carla, oklahoma city, united states

As an Alaskan the vast majority of my life, since Territorial Days, I find most of Mrs. Palin's antics as a Vice Presidential candidate outrageous and out of character with the person that I voted for to be our State's governor. She had many good ideas then, but doesn't show it now.

Kelly, Mat Valley, Alaska, USA

The problem with Palin and her ilk is that they paint the world as black and white, good and evil, blue and red, etc. when the world is a billion shades of in-between. The neocon far-right movement of the US is in its last throes. It's a dangerous movement that needs to be marginalized.

Alex Khan, Los Angeles, CA, USA

I disagree with your conclusion. Palin represents the retrenchment of the far right in the worst way - the same way as Bush 43. Many moderates, including me, don't think wisdom comes from the Ivy League or Hollywood crowd but from experience & respectful dialogue - but Palin will have none of it.

Justin, Alexandria (Fake VA), USA

Mr. Baker is as tone deaf as Ms. Palin's handlers. Noone begrudges her a decent wardrobe but to spend $150,000 at some of America's most expensive outlets at a time when the very people she is trying to identify with--joe the plumber--are losing their jobs and pensions is ridiculous.

ray wilkinson, tokyo, japan

R Lewis, Memphis

I have to say that Sarah Palin is a unknown, I can't believe that she was far behind to really go for the things that were written for her. It seems to me that John McCain wanted to run a campaign one way and his advisory team another. They divided his campaign.

Roscoe Lewis, Memphis, usa

Part of the problem here is what Mr. Baker says the "Coastal Elite" describe as real wisdom. It is important for someone who is groomed for presidency to know what's going on in the world. And if Palin actually represents American "values", why the interest in AIP? She is hardcore conservative.

Adrian Pountney, Lombard IL,

As a city-dweller on the East Coast, I take umbrage at the "HeartLand" claiming to be "Real America". Those areas are subsidized by my taxes. My community loses wealth so we can share it with those in the interior. They hate beliefs but don't mind taking my money?

Sean, Torrington, USA

Feminists in the '70s found that we can go as far as the halls of power: State department, Congress, White House. We had access but it was not enough to be a woman. One has to be able to join the discourse of national topics. Many went back to school for re-tooling. Palin needs more education

Greggie, Houston, USA

By 2012 no one will remember Palin other than as a caricature of a politician. Demonizing the "other guys" with a fist pump is effective at a high school pep-rally, but cliches, no matter how many times they are repeated, will always be cliches. Not all smart people are intellectuals. She is neither

patrick obryan, omaha, usa

How can you come to Palin's defense about being 'slimed' by accusations she bought expensive clothes, yet totally overlook that a future President is now being called not just a friend of terrorists, but actually a terrorist. That's sliming. Palin represents ALL that is bad about America.

Steve Mullins, Vancouver, Canada

"The latest piece of nonsense the Republicans paid $150,000 to kit out her..."

I think it is a valid thing for the press to write about, just because she came out as a "identity-over-issues" person – portraying yourself as a "hockey mom" makes you a shooting target when you buy haute couture.

Erik, Gothenburg, Sweden

A good piece, and I don't mean to harp, but with whom are we contrasting these heartlanders "truly responsible" for America's success? It has taken ALL of America to accomplish what it has. The nation's complex unity still seems beyond Palin's grasp, and her divisiveness is caustic.

Alexandra, Manhattan, USA

It was understandable that the press jumped on Palin's qualifications when the RNC introduced her as having foreign policy experience because Alaska is near Russia and military experience because she has the Alaska National Guard under her. How could the press not point out how ridiculous this was?

J Hille, Woodinville WA, U.S.A.

Palin is no more qualified to be a potential President than any college grad who has been trained to be in front of a camera and on a stage ( TV reporter and beauty pageant contestant) and given 6 weeks of intensive prepping by Bush administration staff members.

Dave Saalfield, Columbia SC, USA

Palin understands common man. I don't know if she is the best sales person out there, but I feel she will understand my interest and represent me. I could not have said that about anyone in this race. She did a good job in AK and will do the same in Washington.

Muin Chowdhury, St. Paul, USA

In saying Palin has achieved more than Obama, Mr. Baker shows that he has no concept of what a small town mayor or governor of Alaska actually do. I was a city attorney for more than 30 years, and I assure you Palin has never dealt with any of the financial or defense issues Obama has. Be honest.

Stephanie Scher, Los Angeles,

I don't want an ordinary president or vice president. I want someone extraordinary. My vote is for two extraordinary people: Barack Obama and Joe Biden.

(Oh, yes, towns don't come much smaller than Acton.)

June, Acton, California USA

Demogogues like Palin give "small-town" values a bad name. In her pandering to the worst element of the American masses (religiosity, mindless patriotism, and the cult of the average man) she recalls Ahmadinejad and George W. Bush. Plastic & superficial: she will go a long way in US politics.

brendan donegan, dobbs ferry , usa

I must disagree with Mr. Baker that Sarah Palin is the victim of a "slime job." Nobody made accept the candidacy for Vice-President. It is her own zealous ambition that will be her undoing. That being said, chances are Palin will end up taking the fall for John McCain's crushing defeat.

Jeff, Nebraska, USA

"Obama has shone with statesmanlike quality and intelligent rhetoric," says Barry. True, but the trouble is his character and judgement have been shown to be deeply flawed in everything he has done before running for President. Americans seem too blinded by 'Obamania' to see this. Disaster awaits!

Bill Rees, Exeter,

"suggests that, in economic terms at least, a ... traditional conservative distrust of government might not have been a bad thing" The government was incompetent in the way it managed regulation. In this case more but better government was needed

Neil Murphy, Cromer,

Sarah Palin is a fundamentalist extremist and represents the past, not the future of where Republican thought should be going. Republicans, as well as Democrats, need at least someone who sounds thoughtful and intelligent as their future leader, especially following a successful Obama presidency.

Paula, Toronto, Canada

Another insightful article from Mr Baker. Thank you. Gov. Palin is clearly a powerful woman of whom liberals are afraid. I am much more afraid of Senator Biden. It is frightening to think that he could be a hearbeat from the presidency. He makes Obama look experienced competent (he is neither)

Carolina, Mooresville, USA

This is the first fair assessment of Palin I've read anywhere...and the only one that correctly states the hatchet job that was orchestrated on her. When all the dust has settled this might be more universally agreed upon, because after all it is the truth. McCain could however still win !!!!

Andy, Sacramento, California

The most disturbing aspect of this election is how little consideration is given to facts, and performance. As a result, candidates are selected purely on the basis of what the voter THINKS their candidate will do, with no examples that they will actually follow the perceived path. Frightening!

Frank D. Banta, Newnan, GA,

The moment Palin got on stage for the first time, the republicans had made a daring, but ultimately flawed bid for success.

She appeals to millions of Americans who will not ever question what she says.. and yet they really should! see for yourself at http://www.spinwhip.com/palin

Nick, brighton, UK

I was reading an insightful article until the analysis turned to Sarah Palin. Sarah Palin has not been the victim of a "slime job" she has been the victim of herself. It is very obvious that she does not have the intellect or communication skills to perform at the national level. She is a mistake.

Mike, Tampa, USA

Shhh... Shhh... You need to do more than just say a few nice things about Palin. You have to declare over and over how much you respect her and think she's a paragon of dignity and gravitas. And hopefully she'll run for President in 2012, which would be the final nail in the Republican's coffin.

Danny, Los Angeles, USA

Yes...forward thinking!!! Do a some research on Palin's position on gay rights and same-sex marriages and you will find she is far more progressive in their support than Obama and Biden's established record of NON-Support.

jeri, Atlanta, USA

funny things can still happen, especially when the votes are being cast and tabulated using electronic boxes that are frighteningly insecure...

paul cooke, gloucester,

I was with you until you started to defend Palin. She is the barbie doll version of the fantasy life that American fundamentalist hypocrites in the "heartland" want to believe exists (in particular in their homes). That is her appeal, to be the embodiment of a self-serving, non-existent ideal.

Rob Crawford, Balmette, France

To Mark in Wales.
That is where you should stay.
There is no longer such a thing as the most powerful. Vietnam; Korea; Iraq;, and if you like, Japan and Germany, which nations far surpass the USA in terms of economic growth. Maybe, Sarah Palin should become the CinC of Aberdare!

garry crush, hadano, japan

Please look at her underlying stance on rights, civil liberties and economic policy. What we need from a VP or a President is a forward thinking approach, a leader to take us to the future. The 1800s have already passed let's not re-live them.

Howard, London,

The shame of the populist move by the Repulicans is to assume that Americans would be naieve enough to believe that Sarah Palin would be a good VP. Events have completely overtaken them and the Amercian public now want/need something more than an aged President and a wholly inexperienced VP.

David N, Winchester,

There's a difference between "anti-intellectualism" and inexcusable ignorance. Lacking an in depth knowledge knowledge of arts and culture in no way diminishes competence for office. Ignorance about crucial scientific issues, however, is dangerous and renders a candidate unfit for office.

Dr Richard Milne, Edinburgh, Scotland

This year's campaign -- which the Republicans will lose -- is setting up Sarah Palin for a run for the nomination in 2012. On November 5, she'll be the front runner for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012. Remember, she'll be 48 in 2012. She'll have a lot of elections ahead of her.

Doug Page, Glen Ellyn, IL, USA

The proper term for those who do not support an imperialist foreign policy of regime change and nation-building is "Non-Interventionism," not Isolationism.

Michael, Woodside, CA, USA

Are you not most unwise to surmise an "inevitable defeat" for the Republican ticket? The American people may well choose to elect John McCain. However, were he to die in office, Sarah Palin would then become President and Commander-in-Chief of the most powerful country in the world ...

Mark, Wales,

The Republicans might not deserve to win, but America does not deserve to lose. That's why this is such a close race.

r. burns, St Pete, USA

McCain could still steal it. Latest IBD poll shows him only 1 % behind. Even more surprisingly it shows 18-24 year olds backing the 72 year old by over 3 to 1 !

A few more polls like that and the Republicans can claim their unlikely victory is down to the Bradley effect and not poll-rigging.

Chris, chesterfield, uk

I think she can only be compared with bush. especially when sometimes when she smiles and look pointless at nowhere while saying something senseless.

august, madrid, spain

We need world peace...She is against abortion, even if the woman has been raped by a family member.
This thinking is from a warped mentality. We've had enough ofwarped mental world leaders....

moon, fife, scotland

Substance is what matters, and when substance and intellectual weight are deemed as "unimportant," the barbarians are truly at the gate and civilisation is in deep trouble. Palin has shown herself to be extremely incoherent whereas Obama has shone with statesmanlike quality and intelligent rhetoric.

Barry, Shevington, UK

To lump middle-America (geographically speaking) into one homogenous group of united values is simplistic and frankly insulting. I find it worrying that this brand of broad generalisation and cliche (`elites`, `ivy-encrusted`, `cocktail set`) is starting to infect British journalism.

David Chester, Durham, Co.Durham, UK

She just doesn't know anything...and the speeches are just hollow. I'm the first to say that it is the quality of the Team that matters in American Politics but this women is dangerous. 4 years is a long time in Politics and Palin will be relegated to the'where r they now?' section.

Billy, Bangkok, Thailand

How can the Times grace Baker with the title of "US Editor" when he so obviously favours one stream of one party? To him there is only a righteous Right and an evil Left supported by an evil media. Surely this job demands more than the shallow partisanship Baker displays (remember Iraq?)..

Hal Jones, Carvoeiro, Portugal

A very interesting, very thoughtful disputation for the virtue of thoughtlessness. I suggest Mr. Baker's next column be an explication showing creationism, its voice and its values, have been truly responsible for America's scientific prowess.

Don, San Francisco, CA

"But in the absence of much hard experience of national politics.... How now? Isn't her experience as a Small Town Mayor as good as that of a Community Organizer? How the tables have turned! The Community Organizer is seemingly on his way to the White House.

Mukefor Dennis Tambe, Crawley, United Kingdom

Thanks, Gerald, for a hugely refreshing piece in the midst of all the Palin bashing and media elitism and "only if you are like us" hypocritical liberalism.

And gd point about Powell. Loyal to the end, what do they call that in the army? Treachery maybe?

dc, Singapore,

Excellent as ever

John Swaine, Malta, Malta

As a middle-class American, raised in a small town (smaller than Wasilla!) and one who neither resides on a coast nor lives as an elite, I wear my intellectualism as a badge of pride. You negate the substance of your argument when you buy into the neo-con's artifice about "real vs. fake America."

Tyler, Gilbert AZ, USA