Gus, Akron, USA- I fully agree with you about the non-us media, and the people we need them here in the US maybe then we could vote out some of these in congress who or out for themself and not doing what they were voted in to do. By the way I get most of my news from BBC not ABC,NBC,CBS, CNN,PBS

Robert, Midwest City, Oklahoma, USA

"She is a female version of George W Bush: self-satisfied& arrogant. These qualities need not be a liability in our republic."

B Dnegan, Dobbs Ferry, NY USA

You said it almost all, B. Dnegan. But you forgot that both are equally incabable to speak the English language- or probably any other.

rose, Brussels, Belgium

Ms. Turner,

Governor Palin "authentically" made victims pay for their own rape-kits. For someone so offended by the misogyny of men's magazines it seems intellectually derelict of you to support someone who made women pay for their own forensic examinations.

John Faulkner, Ascension Island,

To Kelly, Stillwater, OK., USA:
You ask yourself why so many people are watching the debates although we 'hate' the US?

At least for me it is because I would really love to like the US again... but you guys made it so damn hard for the last 7 years. Give us a chance!

Ben, Frankfurt, Germany

Ms. Turner, I suspect Palin comes across as authentic American to you because you are not American. I mean this with no disrespect, but what I saw as an average, blue-collar American worker at the debate was a woman who tried way too hard to be "down home" and "folksy."

Beth, Portland, OR, USA

I love how the "She's just as qualified" crowd is trying for points overseas. No one's buying it at home. Repeating it in a different hemisphere still doesn't make it true.

Read the transcript: Biden answered your questions. Palin barely spoke English.

Douglas, Fargo, ND, USA

Too long we in the US have had a ruling body (Congress) that is a huge cancerous growth of folks who feed unto themselves. New members sent to Washington must become part of that glob or be ineffectual. Sara Palin could be the breath of fresh air to renew government to early American standards.

Bob Gilbert, Murrieta, USA

Most politicians seem endlessly reengineered. So far Palin has a luminescence that nature seems to bestow only on the few whom we not only tend to like, but tend to WANT to like. Imagine having such an advantage as a leader. Does this alone qualify her? Of course not. Is she qualified? possibly.

Tom Andres, Sonora, CA, USA

Please folks stop with the Gov. Palin is unprepared comments. She has as much experience as Sen. Obama the head of the other ticket. When you ask Obama supporters to name one major accomplishment, or one example of change, or one instance of working to bring both sides together most can't name one.

Rick, Holland,MI, USA

I find it amazing,all these comments about Gov. Palin not being qualified to be Vice President. Look at her record and then compare it to B.Obama's. Her's is loaded with accomplishment and all he has in his is community organizer, his screams that he is not qualified to be president. WAKE UP!!!

Robert Dean, Kinston, United States

I really enjoy reading the comments from non-USA writers; many of you in my book are more authentic patriots to liberty than Senator Obama. Move here we need more clear headed thinkers like you.

Gus, Akron, USA

Gov. Palin has been revealed as the poor VP choice many feared her to be from the start. Neither she, nor McSame, can reverse the damage.

Bethany Donovan, Chicago, USA

As an educated SAHM, I'm delighted with Sarah Palin.

Being a good president doesn't require one to be a rocket scientist or an experienced politician. It requires good judgment. And McCain and Palin both have good judgment and a record of integrity. Obama and Biden don't have either.

Cindy, California, USA

Sarah Palin=100% moose hockey

L Williams, Tallahassee, FL, USA

Authentic indeed! I'm reminded of the Samuel Goldwyn quip: "Sincerity is the most important thing. If you can fake that, you've got it made."

Paul Rosenbaum, Teaneck, NJ, USA

Janice, I'm stunned. For years I've read your columns, usually nodding in agreement, but every British woman I know thinks Palin is a joke. Authentic, certainly not; ambitious, definitely, and her pick is enormously damaging to gender equality. It's shocking that US politics has sunk this low.

Mike, London, UK

This is quite possibly the dumbest article I have ever read.
Yes! Let's make Sarah Palin president. She's authentic.
As if that were all that's necessary.
Katie Price happens to be quite authentic. So too is Joe Kinnear.

Tom Coburn, London,

"authentic" is a powerful adjective as it blurs the line between being "personally honest" (which ms palin clearly is) and "professionally capable". no matter how much authenticity she exuded, ms palin is woefully inexperienced and unlearned in national and international matters, so a real danger.

Max, Vancouver,

Maybe it's off the topic here, but I find it amazing that
so many people the world over are actually watching the the veep debate in the U.S.
I find that ironic as it's pretty common knowledge (here in the middle of the U.S.) that Americans are HATED by everyone. Why do you guys even bother?

Kelly, Stillwater, OK., USA

George W. Bush received an MBA degree from Harvard. Jimmy Carter was a peanut farmer from Georgia. Barack Obama represented his state for two years when he decided to run for president. Perhaps educational gravitas, "folksiness", and length of service are inappropriate predictors of success.

John Brendan, Minneapolis, United States

She is as authentic and genuine as any politician can be. Far more so than Obama or Biden. Katie's Restaurant where Biden says he hangs out closed 20 years ago. Obama wins public offices just to use them as stepping stones to the next job, while doing nothing at all with the job he has. Fake. Poseur

M Pav, New York, USA

We love Governor Palin. She is indeed authentic. She is also smart, dedicated to her children, in love with her husband, a devout Christian and a strong fiscal conservative. And, with all that, she drives the liberals crazy. We love her and we love John McCain for picking her.

Robert, Cary, North Carolina, United States of America

The USA needs a leader, not a "girl-next-door". She is clueless and doesn't even realise it. How embarrassing! In the debate she never answered the questions but simply spewed out well-learnt chunks of blurb - unrelated to the question. McCain has no judgement - and neither has she.

Geraldine, Johannesburg, South Africa

Well, the women in the office in Alaska where I work said "She reminds me of the prom queen who thought she could get an A by flirting with the teacher" and "She reminds me of the cheerleader who would, with a perky smile, say really nast y things about some poor girl."

pjamala, juneau, alaska, usa

I notice that all of Palin's defenders on here can't actually point to a specific answer that she gave, they simply seem to be dazzled by her overall appearance.

After 8 years of Bush & Co, don't you think it's time to ditch the 'folksy' thing and vote for someone genuinely smart?

Owen, London, UK

As the British say, "Bravo!" "Well said."
Personally, I think many Americans and those abroad were literally praying that she would survive meeting her Goliath. Yes, when she couldn't come up with "z" for an answer to "x" times "y," she danced with generalities. She will do just fine!

Val, Dillingham, USA

So authenticity trumps whacko views and a patent unfitness for office? Just when did democracy slide into reality tv levels of shallowness? I like Jeremy Clarkson's authenticity but wouldnt want him in charge of the free world

Richard, Manchester ,

Education is a wonderful thing. All of our young bankers are well educated..............................................

Carol, London, UK

Aside from being a bit of a twit, this woman is a fake. How an earth can you be the worried-about-school-fees mom when you own three houses? She is so bad I keep waiting to wake up from this crazy bad dream!

Christian, London, United Kingdom

Sarah Palin is an appalling advertisement for democracy. I suppose a democracy is only as good as its electorate though.
I guess that we can only hope that America's leaders will manage to drag its citizens up, instead of the citizens dragging the leaders down....

Adam, Dalian, China

All of that is why we need someone that is connected to reality. The Democrats are destroying the country. When Sarah Palin talked about having personal responsability, she meant that both people and their government must live within their means. Look at the bailout, a $200 billion in pork spent.

Bob D., Kansas, USA

My goodness dear, how do you define the word
authenticity? In my book the synonym might be
genuine.

Ms. Palin is a genuine politician....long and short
of it.

If she were anywhere close to authentic she would
have acknowledged the similarity of Joe Biden's
parenting experiences!!!!!

D. Phoebes, seattle, USA

Americans have got it tough here, and bringing in someone from the same party who doesnt have any real ideas other than lame expressions picked up from the Dukes of Hazzard, doesnt cut it.

brett, marina del rey, USA

You DO understand that this woman has little knowledge of international politics, foreign policy or a broad grasp of economics beyond her folksy talk, don't you? Authentic does not equal knowledgeable or competent

Liz Tansey, Toronto, Canada

Sarah was great! And so was your very witty article... Thanks

Isn't it wonderful to have a bright and attractive young woman running for high public office? Obviously, the British are more comfortable with powerful women than Americans. My two daughters are near her age. I know the potential!

Sally, Bellaire, TX, USA

She's against abortion, even in cases of rape or incest, and she opposes universal health care accessibility. She's supported initiatives to have creationism taught in public schools, alongside evolution. She's an anti-environmentalist. But that doesn't matter because she's a mom ?

Gail, Mississippi, USA

'authenticity' - "You keep using that word. I do not think it means, what you think it means." Inigo Montoya

tim Rowledge, qualicum Beach, canada

palin is 100%pvc. her constant references to hockey/soccer mums,main street and six-packs is cheesy fakery. at one stage i wouldn't have been surprised had she pulled out a banjo and started singing "jimmy cracked corn". blatant,cynical,facile polliticking.

nick, london, uk

Sarah Palin has the intellect of a mediocre elementary-school teacher. She is not stupid, just very limited in what she knows and, especially, in what she wants to know. She is a female version of Gerorge W Bush: self-satisfied& arrogant. These qualities need not be a liability in our republic.

B Dnegan, Dobbs Ferry, NY USA

Why does "uniformed" and "unprepared" translate to authentic for Palin's apologists? Why have some conservatives decided that being elite is a bad thing? Why not find the elite of conservative principles and thought to lead? Why champion mediocrity?

Mike Ogden, Denver, CO, USA

Gosh darn it, I wish I could agree with ya, but I just can't this time. Is it "compellingly real" when she doesn't even give her children a real kiss when they come onto the stage? She does that celebrity "side-kiss - kiss" thing instead. There's nothing real about Sarah Palin. It's all affectation!

Donna, Springfield, USA

Palin is real alright. She is the best of Alaska. The world may look at this candidate with some interest, but she has limited experience for these tough times. Sure she is a good person. However, this tactic of attracting the women vote has gone too far. We need a real leader.

James, chicago, USA

I didnt go to uni.

I have no debts, except for a good car I bought myself, I get paid a decent enough wage and have a budding career ahead of me.

I've said it before, and will say it again: degrees are overrated.

Get out there and get some experience.

Kieron Heath, St. Lawrence, Essex,

Is there anything real to Obama at all? Has Obama not had to LEARN foreign leaders' names, and memorise important facts and policies? Does he not rely on a team of speech-makers too? Is he not briefed and prepped by a chief-of-staff and researchers daily? Why doesn't the media cry foul there?

edwin heng, Singapore, Singapore

Authentic? Yes. Fit to be Vice-President of the USA? No.

Mark, Aberdeen,

Our current financial crisis was created and mis-managed by "experienced" (mostly Democrat) PC politicians who forced banks to loan to people who couldn't afford to pay their mortgages. Said politicians took donations from Fannie/Freddie and protected them from regulation. "Experience" didn't help.

Sandra, Ft. Lauderdale, USA

There's no shortage of authentic mothers, or "moms" if that sounds more cuddly.
There is, however. a severe shortage of persons qualified by knowledge and experience to lead the western world.

M Clement Hall, Guelph, Canada

Odd thing is, Biden made numerous outright mistakes, (if I was partisan i would say lies). What was that about driving Hezballah out of Lebanon, or France and the US putting in troops in their place, or the statement that Obama never promised to met certain dictators without conditions.

Andrew, Jensen Beach, USA

Members of the National Front are "authentic". The KLu Klux Klan was/is authentic. Osama Bin Laden is authentic. Saddam Hussein was authentic. Shall I go on?

Leela malur, Isle of wight, UK

"Sarah what do you think could help the economy?"

"Well darn tootin ya'll we go to a hockey game and ask a mom what she thinks and she's scared!!"

"...Thanks Sarah"

Obama 08.

Kazuki, Tokyo, Japan

What about Zeus almighty... 20 years in that wacky hell hole of a church. You holier-than-thou Europeans can have him--perhaps as burgermeister of Berlin. He´d fit in well with your blame America first lefty intelligentsia. You Brits have become a nation of wimps and crybabies, sorry to say.

terry, New Jersey, USA

It's always interesting to see the opinionated reaction of foreigners to American political candidates as if they could vote for them or influence the vote. Sarah Palin is authentic and a fine politician but she is playing a role and is not to be underestimated. I intend to vote for McCain/Palin.

Jim, Roscoe, USA

"what endears her to Middle America and fascinates every British woman I know, is her quality that cannot be bottled and sold: authenticity."

Um...have you been to middle America? In spite of the minority culture warriors, men and women of the right and left see right through this charade.

Jeff , Cincinnati, USA

I admire and respect Hillary Clinton but I dont like her. I think she would have done a good job. Palin I kinda like but fit for office - NO!

ObiKwan, Newcastle,

She passed her vulnerable infant off to her 6 year old daughter and then the entire family ignored the small pair as the 6 year old wandered up and down the STEPS of the stage. Where is Todd in all of this? Have not seen him hold the baby once.

Kari , Chicago,

Palin took on her own corrupt party in Alaska and won. She outed corruption in the oil & gas industry. She has an 80% job approval rating in her state. She and her oil rig worker husband run a commercial fishing business. These are real people, not pontificating lawyers sipping merlot. Go Sarah!

Dee Burley, New York City, USA

Yes, Palin is authentic alright: authentic in her ignorance and her extreme fundamentalist religious views. She denies that global warming is man-made, and supports the teaching of creationism in schools. She is an embarrassment to women and it is a disgrace she was nominated.

Joe , London, UK

Many Americans find Palin's downhome manner a put-on. I grew up in a small Wisconsin mill town where people had accents like Palin's. No one said "doggone," or "you betcha." And nobody winked. She's a big phony.

And it's Home Depot, not "Home's Depot" -- a large national hardware chain.

Ben, Chicago,

How could you not just adore the dazzling authenticity of Gov. Palin relishing her candy-covered view of the VP role saying "we have a lot of flexibility in there" and agreeing with Dick Cheney's claiming executive, legislative and legal powers that are not to be found in the Constitution?

Shanni O'Brien, New York, USA

From a distance--Janice--you're seeing the "Disney movie--hockey mom becomes President (2012 if not sooner).

But Google "Mean Girl David Talbot" to get the perspective of those who have seen her up close.

Lisa, Billings,

Gov. Palin IS a genuinely nice lady with a genuinely big family. How can you not like her? That said, she is painfully unprepared to hold high national office. She does great when she winks and stays on script. She is one heartbeat away from an office for which there is no script.

Gary, Syracuse, New York, US

Sarah Palin may well be authentic. But given that she's authentically creationist, authentically homophobic, authentically clueless about the world beyond the United States and authentically in favour of banning from public libraries books she doesn't agree with, is authenticity such a good thing?

Sophie, Birmingham,

Get a life! Authenticity! On what planet do you live?

LN23

H. Gendron, Montreal, Canada

Education may not beget wisdom but neither does ignorance. There are educated idiots. Sarah Palin is neither wise nor educated. She does have a salesman's knack of selling herself. She uses sex, slogans, and natural psychology to be a new Aimee Semple Mc Pherson.

John, San Diego, USA

"the real attraction of the Alaska Governor is her authenticity" - yes, nothing beats authentic ignorance of the world and the political system outside of the cove that is Alaska.

Farrukh, Woking,

Eliza Doolittle on a snowmobile--I love it.

There is a reason why our liberals and self-anointed elites hate Palin. She is everything they are not.

As for presumed competency--these same people have conclusively demonstrated that the emperor not only has no clothes, but has no brains either.

Thomas Casey, Buffalo WY, USA

Dear Ms. Turner,

You make some interesting points about a politician being a "regular" person. The problem is that we found out that while George Bush may be a great "guy" to enjoy a brew and talk about sports as a world leader he has been a disaster. Ms. Palin is in the same category as Bush.

Dave P, San Francisco, USA

Where we watching the same debate? She is an incoherent barbie doll, stuffed with talking points, and continuously refused to answer the question.

It's absolutely terrifying that she will be a heartbeat behind an old, frail and visibly ill John McCain.

Chris, San Diego, CA

It would have been nice if she answered the questions instead of showing up with a hand full of cue cards that she just read out. I want a politician, not a dolly bird, can this woman really run America if McCain dies? You must be joking, Biden could do it.
From a let down Republican.

jim, Huntington Beach, USA

You better get used to Sarah because she will be on the political scene for years to come.
Whether it is this election or the next, she will be in your face.
Just as Ronald Reagan did in the eighties, Palin has struck a nerve that cannot be suppressed.

brad, houston, U.S.

Sarah Palin is the only candidate on either ticket with any exectutive experience. She is also the smartest and best looking. Only she left no fingerprints on this economic disaster caused by affirmative- action lending practices and she is the only candidate anyone ever writes about. Nuff said.

Jerry Lundergaard, Cambridge, FKN-USA

If all you 'educated' wonks have read any American history, you'd know that many VPs came to their tickets with less experience than Palin. It's only been recently (the last few weeks in fact) that we suddenly require a triple PHD Ivy Leaguer. Where was the outrage with Kerry-Edwards 4 yrs ago?

History Prof, Boston, MA, USA

Authentic? No way! We're not fooled. Merely echoing cliches from talking points, unable to think coherently, now a contrived effort to sound folksy. SO PHONY! Nauseating! Ignores global warming question. McC likely to die of melanoma. Polls show Obama surging. McC is toast! Northern Overexposure.

Harvey Berman, M.D., WhitePlains, NY, USA

PHONY! IGNORANT! All I know is that Sarah Palin gave a check for $3,906.00 to every citizen of her state last year. Did any of you get that from your state government? Alaska also sits on a $40 Billion rainy day fund. What's your state got in the bank? Maybe she can lend $ to California.

Martin, Miami, USA

It should be noted, esp. for UK readers, that the US veep actually has only one substantive power: A vote in the senate if there is a tie.

Also, rumors of McCain's impending demise are greatly exaggerated.

As to experience being critical, why is Biden the veep nominee and Obama the pres. nom. ?

jbarntt, Portland, OR, USA

Tinky Winky? Dipsy? La-La?Poo?
Sarah????

Baah!

rose, Brussels, Belgium

Really? Passing the baby to her little girl was "something compellingly real in a cooked-up world". Hardly. With the cameras still rolling it was as contrived as the rest of her eye winking and nose twitching appearance.

Alex, London, UK

"The rest of the world has produced Golda Meir, Indira Ghandi, Bennie Bhutto, Margaret Thatcher..."

I agree with this sentiment. I just wanted to point out two things: first, Golda Meir was an American who went to Israel. Second, Bhutto was educated in the US. That's all.

Don Pedro, Mexico CIty, Mexico

I am a conservative male American and like Ms. Turner, also a Palin obsessive. I cannot recall laughing so hard at such an accurate--and authentic, even loving--parody. How hard to capture both foibles and essence in a continuous sweep. She will continue to surprise us and become a great leader.

Michael Rulle, Mendham, USA

It's clear that Martin of Miami, USA desperately needs some of the education possessed by the PhD's that he clearly despises, if he really believes that the financial crisis is caused by a surfeit of education.

James Danvers, London, UK

Palin is 1000 times better than that present dunderhead Cheney. But, I hv doubts about McCain. He looks dangerous! God knows what he wud do with the likes of Putin,Osama and Ahmedinezad. Obama looks better than McCain, and he has the wise counsel of Biden. Let the best man win!

Ramesh Parida, Delhi, India

The wink that kills. It even killed Janice Turner. Or at least the wink that bites.

rivenq, Montreal, Canada

Scary, this Women could be President of the USA within 6 months! We have seen what the puppeteers running Bush have done. If she ever finds out where Moscow is she might try and bomb it then we'll be intouble because she will probably miss, God help us all.

Gavrilo Prinzip, Bromley, uk

Quite agreed!

Sarah Palin is as inexperienced as Margaret Thatcher was when she became Tory leader and then PM.

She in equally inexperienced in sleaze, spin and corruption. The honest are always easy to pick on by their enemies, just as Thatcher was.

There should be more Sarah Palins.

Pinkie, London, united Kingdom

Why you think she is authentic is beyond the ken. I was born in, raised in, and schooled in small town America. Sarah Palin is that not-so-bright but good looking high school cheer leader always with the "in crowd." She was also elected to student body only because of appearance, not substance.

Sammy, San Diego, USA

You must be joking! Authentic? I don't think so. She is a "talking head" for the Republican corporations who have been runnung America into the ground for the past 8 yrs.
"If you're not with us you're against us", lot.

Helen, Olivebridge, US

"Sarah Palin is Obama's greatest asset."

They once said Margaret Thatcher was Jim Callaghan's greatest asset.

Pinkie, London, United Kingdom

I'm glad the British appreciate Sarah Palin. Her authenticity and intellect are missed by those American's, who are easily confused by facts or reality.
Much the same way Boy George and Sid Visious, showed us the new authentic Brit, let her represent the Idiocracy both Brits and Americans desire.

Hal Carpenter, Boston, USA

Palin is still enough of an amatuer politician not to be threatened by not knowing something.Biden, by contrast, made up events and invented statistics to suit his points as he went along.That is the essential "authenticity" differential here.

Normann, Montreal, Canada

Palin has enormous potential and more importantly, integrity, it seems. I grew up in a Joe Six-Pack neighborhood, and now live among this so-called "elite - you "elites" flatter yourselves too much, you are not nearly as clever as you think you are. Education does not beget wisdom.

Kelly, Washington, DC,

Well the crazies are out demeaning a sitting gov with a high approval rating again. She obviously won the debate.

Virginia WOmyn, Hampton Roads, USA

The rest of the world has produced Golda Meir, Indira Ghandi, Bennie Bhutto, Margaret Thatcher. What does america produce ---- wink wink, betcha, doggone, also, wink,

It is time to elevate our politics

John Adams, gainesville, florida

For you Brits who have a problem with Palin we Yanks aren't surprised. Our liberals loathe her as well. Why? Because she represents everything they detest. A Down-to-earth, no nonsense person who is one of us. Not a stuffed-shirt, lawyer-politician who
make street whores look "holy."

Matt, Northumberland, USA

are you english folks familar with the "bradley effect" ? google it

lets see whats happens nov. 4th

greg, wrightsville bch,nc, usa

You would dare compare this wind up doll to Princess Diana? Princess Diana was the epitome of authenticity. In fact, she was all too human in the end. To even mention this beauty pagent, cupie doll in the same breath disgusts me. Sarah Palin does not hold a candle to Diana.

Diane Watson, Scottsdale, USA

As a mother, I didn't find her authentic. If all someone has to do is talk about their kids and wink endlessly then that qualifies several thousand. When George Bush came around we though he was authentic and we've found it wasn't enough.

Janice, Palm Beach, Florida,

Hey Brits, Palin may look dumb to you because she can't rattle off answers to International Trivial Pursuit. Her appeal is in her very successful tenure as governor of our largest state and her knowledge of energy. As VP she has plenty of time to transition her skills from state to nat'l level.

Vicki, Arkansas, USA

It si amazing how all of you from UK repeat same arguments that left wing liberal media in USA has launched against Palin and it is proven that all those visious lies have been astroturfed by Obama campaign. No one asked how come that Katie Couric was intorogating, patronising and condensending.

kate, London, UK

Palin projects a practical optimism that the US sorely needs right now. We also appreciate those who are knocked down but never give up. Sarah personifies American grit and that is why I feel that this debate represents a turning point in the election.

Diane , St. Augustine, FL, USA

Sarah Palin is exactly what America needs NOW, an authentic person who reformed government in Alaska!
She speaks to the hearts of the masses of American people.
I think the elitist Obama and his scores of media/Hollywood/intelectual and European friends are going to get a bad surprise..........

Erica, Hartford, USA

Sarah Palin is DH Lawrence's "woman alive". That is why other women who are or want to be alive like her so much (as do all men) while women who are not "alive" in Lawrence's sense (such as Couric or Huffington) despise her.

Dr Subroto Roy, India,

In response to Ethel Bakers's comments:

Sarah Palin is charming and easy on the eye, but that does not mean she is intellectualy equipped to run for VP.
Image means so much to our American cousins, when actually content & substance & values matter far more.

Alannah Cripps, Haslemere Surrey, England

Of course, nobody wants a President and VP who will enact policies that will help America climb out of the debt crisis and better itself. No, what is really needed is someone who is woefully unqualified to be 'a heartbeat' from the presidency, but 'Authentically' so. What a load of rubbish.

Jamie, Bath, UK

I empathise with the voters who feel Palin is not qualified to be VP. I feel your pain, for that is how I see Obama for president. And authentic? That would be the last adjective I would choose for Obama.

Kate Sheahan, Waterford, USA

WHAT A PHONY !

All I heard was: "I'm such a Cutsy Folksy Blah Blah Maverick Hockey Mom...Doggone It...Golly....Wink Wink... ;) Vote for me BABY!!!!! ;)...Wink Wink....NooQLurr....Maverick....Blah Blah Blah...did I tell you I was a Maverick....'

she forgot YEE HAW !!

DRamsay, Minnesota, USA

I'm voting for Palin. Not ready? No Harvard PhD? No slick lines and sound bites from a thousand scripted rehearsals. Every American must ask themselves who got us into the mess we're in in the first place. All the clever boys in DC and New York with the Harvard MBAs and PhDs. Not Palin!

Martin, Miami, USA

The political history of the US is based on the simple beliefs and values of citizen governance. The Constitutional limits to be president are only age and natural born citizen. To imply that only certain Americans are qualified to be president is elitist and an anathema to US historical evolution.

Richard Hite, Galena, OH , USA

Go on and on, you badgers. Palin is Molly Brown.

Ace, Kansas City, USA

Australians would recognise this woman as being a copycat Pauline Hanson, the one that would print money for her cronies and expel Asians by the banana boat load, only potentially, far more dangerous to the world.

Steve, London, UK

Sarah Palin, if she were a true patriot, would step down from the republibot ticket. She is not folksy but ignorant, and most of the time looks like a moose caught in the headlights. She is completely out of her league. She needs to go back to Alaska and be a hockey mom.

Helen, rochester, ny, USA

Are you bonkers? Watching Palin debate was like watching a movie starring Jessica Simpson as a candidate for the pesidency. It all seems like a bad dream.

David Doubilet, Toronto, Canada

Palin is not stupid. She is, however, ignorant of much that goes on outside the small tent of Alaska.
The Vice-President to a 72 year-old with cancer should not be someone in need of on-the-job training.

Diogenes, Sinope,

Call it charm, if you must, but "authenticity"? Every bit of the woman's folksiness is fully rehearsed. There is plenty of evidence from those who know her in Alaska that the beaming smile and the "you betchas" vanish the minute the cameras go off. She is insincere and dangerous too.

Roger, Arlington, USA

Yes, yes, Janice, we understand that you like her. But would you want her to be the leader of the western world in these times? That's the point.

Bob, London,

Palin shamelessly refused to answer the questions, instead parroting in a perky way stuff she'd rehearsed. We know nothing more about her than before -- and what we knew was that her own grasp of issues is so poor that she can't answer questions based on her own understanding. Another fraud.

Grant, Halifax, Canada

None of this makes her suitable to be VP: particularly when you consider the age & health of the presidential candidate. On the world stage she would be a complete embarrassment for Americans. In the UK the Tories aren't as elite as you make out with Haig, Pickles, Davis, Ken Clarke & many others.

Donna Walker, Effingham, England

Is authenticity alone enough? This qualtity has to be backed up with substance and understanding which Sarah Palin has shown to lack in totality.

I think a great country like america deserves candidates who can demonstrate 'authenticity' and intelligence- they do not need to be mutually exclusive

Raymond, Glasgow, Scotland

She's about as authentic as a Chanel handbag on a market stall.

Helen, Harrogate,

Amen! (A religious term, blokes) She's real and the 3 others are "senators". 'Nuff said. Governing these days is not by president or PM it's by committee.

Bob Hall, New York, United States

The American way is for US Presidents' to learn on the job,
sort of like work experience or being an intern. George Bush new
not a thing about foreign affairs but played it by ear when he got in. Sarah Palin knows not at thing about foreign affairs but will hope to blag her way through.

tari, London,

She's good at memorizing lines after weeks of intensive coaching, but this does not make her a world leader. It just shows that if delivering them with adequate doses of down-home warmth or arrogant sarcasm,that she would make a god actress.

Clive, Dartford, Kent

Owen, you may want to take note of the polling dates of that Gallup poll. It is pre-debate. It does not measure the impact of the VP debate.
Palin's authenticity is not about knowing senate vote history trivia, but understanding values important to many Americans who see their country at risk.

Steve, Mesa, AZ, USA

"Sarah Palin is not authentic but uneducated."

In the US, that *is* to be authentic. When I heard Biden the other day come out with all the usual election platform stuff about the US education system being "the best in the world" I laughed out loud. When will they learn to stop saying that?

jon livesey, Sunnyvale, CA/USA

I like Sarah Palin too. Just last week Joe Biden mentioned FDR appearing on TV in 1929 - when he was not President and of course there was no TV. Yet that has not been plastered all over SNL or MSNBC - it doesn't fit the editorial.

Tom Moncrieff, London , uk

Well if Sarah Palin is uneducated and lacking experience what can you say about the politicians on both sides in Congress who are supposedly be both educated and experience in looking after the finances of their country. Anyone who can charge the oil companies windfall tax is alright by me.

Pauline Cooper, Sydney Australia,

The best line that I ever heard to explain American was by a British writer who said that America is easy to understand. All the neurotics live in the east and all the psychotics live in the west.
I adore Sarah. She gave a perfect example of a westerner. Just smile! Everything is going to be fine!

rich, yakima, wa, usa

Consider this. Two women-leaders, Golda Meir and Margaret Thatcher, have had two and one,respectively. Mrs.Palin has five, and still is governing a small, but a state. Does she have a potential!

Felix, Mountain View,

Ms. Palin is a breath of fresh air to many disenchanted Americans. It is obvious she is not liked by many in the
media establishment. However the blessing to that bias is my daughter's generation is beginning to smell it.

Mike Flanagan, Thomaston, Maine, USA

There is nothing authentic about Sarah Palin. She turns on the hocum and in the debates, she greatly over did it. I don't believe her for a second and from all of the polls regarding the debate, the vast majority of the people who watched didn't buy it either. She's as fake as George Bush!!!!

Terry Hamman, Houston, Tx, US

Genuine! She is pandering to a largely unpopular soccer mum stereotype. Uses silly play acting and winking at the camera when she's lost direction, talks a bunch of gibberish around a question she can't answer and attacks Obama. She could audition for the movie 'Politically Blonde'. might be fun!

Adrian Tysoe, Sacramento, CA, USA

I am actually worried about the people out there who think that Palin has any believability left after the 'Curic Chronicles'. This woman is clearly waaay over her head and "in the weeds" It's time for McCain to acknowledge his blunder and drop her if he wants to maintain any credibility.

James, Salt Lake City, US

It is quite obvious that Sarah Palin's next quote should be "You know the difference between a hockey mom and President Bush? Lipstick."

The same unwavering rigidity to glittering generalities, insincere platitudes, and outright lies... fed by the same view that ignorance is indeed bliss.

Neelesh, Seattle, U.S.

America has withstood eight years of embarrasment to say the least...we do not need another eight of "Joe six-pack America". "Heck" it gives me the creeps.

TMM, Seattle, USA

Isn't it sad that a journalist would consider a woman who keeps telling lies authentic.

hazh, Oxford,

I didn't loathe Palin before and I don't loathe her after the debate. Quite simply, I do not think she is qualified in any way, shape or form to be the VP and possibly the president of one of the most powerful countries in the world. McCain, get a new running mate!

sljh, portland,

Palin believes rape victims should carry their rapist's babies to term, making her candy-coating a bit poisonous. The veneer of authenticity does not automatically qualify her for the vp position. She is truly inexperienced and naive; she cannot answer a question unless McCain has trained her.

Tabitha, San Francisco, UCA

You people in UK and Europe don't get any of what goes on "across the pond" - that's why we were able to defeat you in the Revolution. Sarah Palin is the most refreshing person in the political areana and she is the newest version of Madam Thatcher. She is smart, articulate and has you all snowed.

Ethel Baker, Fairport, NY, USA

Sorry Owen,
Sarah answered the real question, & we love her for it - who is in touch. While Biden babbled about his realness, we have a lady who has administered businesses, a $16B budget, and a family with love and conviction. If she isn't qualified, then OBama is not even close to up to the job!

Jerry, Ft Myers, FL, USA

If that went down with middle America, then it reflects the demise of a once great nation. She failed to answer most of the questions she was asked, and insulted us with folksy platitudes. If that woman ever gets her finger on the nuclear button, the God help us !!

Andrew, Brisbane, Australia

So is Silvio Besrluscono 'authentic'. He knows the price of bread and is a father who has used his family, lke Palin, for election purposes.

But this simply shows that they are both opportunists. Not a good qualification for running a country.

roberta, sassari,

Who is the more patronising, Biden and the so called elite or Palin with her hockey mom drivel talking to the American public on 'their level', referring to them as 'Joe Six Pack'. Why does this sort of stuff play so well in America? Don't they find it insulting?

Paul Owen, Birmingham, UK

Your observations regarding Palin are very astute. It is her genuineness that many Americans find so attractive rather than the memorized rhetoric. Her experiences mirror the common man rather than the elite and it is comforting in many ways. Of course, there are those who fear her for the same.

Kevin, Atlanta, US

Sarah Palin is not authentic but uneducated.

veneda , Los Angeles,

It will depend on Rural US,and the grey vote. Much of Urban US, is very fluid, and less inclined to vote. Whether or not we like her is not relevant, it all depends on US voters! And the turnout.

David Vinter,, Louth, Lincs,, UK.

Palin was brilliant! Biden was, well........a politician. His lines were memorized as well, many repeated to make sure we hadn't fallen asleep. They're all coached and well rehearsed, by the way.
p.s. The comprehensive polls won't be out until Monday/Tuesday. McCain will be up.

Patricia, Oklahoma City, United States

Sarah Palin is Obama's greatest asset.
She has galvanized the Dem base to increase their mobilisation, appalled at the prospect of a Palin vice presidency or, god forbid, a presidency.
At the debate, one of her greatest gifts was her admiration for Dick Cheney's increase of the scope and influence!

molly, torongo, canada

wrong wrong wrong, please don't confuse authenticity with simplicity, ignorance, stupidity... ...

Chris, Preston, UK

Kay's Restaurant has been closed for 25-30 years. What was it you mentioned about dinosaurs??

Richard , Dubuque, Iowa , USA

Love that Sarah Palin.
Won the debate, hands down.

Robert Postuma, Montreal, Canada

Palin's 'authenticity'?? You have to be kidding me, this woman has no grasp of the issues, didn't even answer the questions and couldn't do much more than trot out the standard Republican line. She's an embarrassment

And it would seem the US public agree - Latest gallup poll, Obama 7 points ahead

Owen, London, UK