Earlier this month I posted that John McCain may have made a mistake in selecting Sarah Palin. Now it turns out that the National Review agrees with me.
Katherine Parker argues that while Palin has a pleasant personality, she is "out of her league." Parker believes that her interviews with Katie Couric, Charlie Gibson, and Sean Hannity reveal a candidate who probably could not handle the job of president if she were required to take it.
Or as Parker wrote, "it is increasingly clear that Palin is a problem. Quick study or not, she doesn't know enough about economics and foreign policy to make Americans comfortable with a President Palin should conditions warrant her promotion."
Peter Cohan is President of Peter S. Cohan & Associates. He also teaches management at Babson College and edits The Cohan Letter











Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
9-27-2008 @ 9:50AM
DaveF said...
If it was disturbing for Nancy Reagan to consult an astrologer to determine the president's schedule. I find Palin's preoccupation with the radical right wing of religious thinking frightening, praying for protection from witch's comes out of the dark ages. Are we to expect seances and blood sacrifices using chicken entrails during a Palin administration. Could you trust anyone with such barbaric views in control of a nuclear arsenal, talk about national security threats.
9-27-2008 @ 9:56AM
Bosco said...
Dave's not here. Sorry Dave your intense radically left preoccupation and hatred with normal is your problem not hers. Perhaps therapy can help you get over the bitterness.
9-27-2008 @ 10:00AM
sonnype said...
I doubt the American voters are smart enough to see that P3081c133alin is not up to the job.Woman will vote for her because she is a woman and men will vote for her because she`s attractive without considering the fact that she may well have to step into the role of President.Never underestimate the stupidity of the American people.Jhon McCain did this country a great disservice by selecting her as his running mate and shows a lack of good judgement.
9-27-2008 @ 10:14AM
Shereece said...
It is very sad that a candidate would choose someone just to boost excitement from the crowd -rather than making your choice for someone that is truly knowledgeable and sustainable in these times of turmoil we are dealing with right now and I sure more turbulent times to come.
I find it offensive that McCain finds the situation America is going through so inconsequential that Palin is his choice to assist with running this country.
Shame on McCain for not taking the economy and everyday Americans more seriously.
In a sport, when you're the coach, you go after players that know and understand the game.
9-27-2008 @ 10:43AM
lamalanga said...
SHE'S HOT.SHE LIKES TO BOUNCE.SHE RUNS IN THE WOODS.THE OLD AVIATOR WANTED EYE CANDY HANGING ON HIM LIKE A CHEAP SUIT.WEALTHY WIVES (CINDY) CAN'T BE BOTHERED WITH SEX.AT LEAST NOT WITH THEIR HUSBANDS.FLYBOY WAS HOPING TO GET LUCKY.
9-27-2008 @ 10:44AM
Jose Benowitz said...
What are you freaking Crazy? You have a person who loves this country and is a true conservative and you want to dump her? You need to stop watching the DNC news channel and start thinking for yourself. She is going to help us win this election. Because of her we could hold the White House for 16 more years! She will also help root out much of the corruption in the democratically held congress that has a stellar rating of 18 %.
9-27-2008 @ 10:45AM
J.B. said...
Every negative excerpt on Palin only affirms how much she intimidates the far-leaning left media and populace. She has more economic experience than Obama(managing a state budget with surpluses!) and the fact that she is ethically superior to Biden
(convicted of plagiarism in his '88 presidential bid) must drive you lefties crazy! People like DaveF. should be hoping we have someone willing to pray as the radical muslim terrorists pray daily for the destruction of our nation and won't stop until defeated. And by defeat, I don't mean meeting with terrorists with no preconditions. No wonder all the countries who oppose us want Obama in office! We'd better wake up, stay strong and elect McCain/Palin! J.B.
9-27-2008 @ 10:50AM
dr.sausage said...
she's sensual.she brings out the pig in men.i was oinking the last time she was on and my wife slapped me upside the head.maccain thought he might get lukcy.rich (cindy) women don't give it up.
9-27-2008 @ 11:17AM
Ed said...
Why are Democrats so afraid of Sarah?
Is it that she represents the majority of the middle class.
Actually she would probably be a better President than most of the clowns in Washington. At least she would not be a puppet to the party. Obama is an outsider that would depend on his party.
9-27-2008 @ 11:37AM
Rich said...
Seems both presidential candidates chose gaffe-prone Veep Candidates.
Do a Google on Biden and Palin Gaffes.
Last time checked, Sarah ahead with 1.5 M gaffe hits to Biden's 1 M.
Say goodnight Gracie.
Meanwhile, the gambler's patronizing pugnaciousness at the first debate, his dilatory erratic flip flops from "economy fundamentally strong to Depression," "suspending" his campaign to break up the bailout, to threatening to blow off the debate, to not remembering how many houses he has, to offering tax credits to people with no income or jobs, raise serious questions about his ability to perform in office as chief executive.
Do we really want trailer trash towing a baby and more government scandals in the White House a heartbeat from the presidency?
9-27-2008 @ 11:50AM
RickRussellTX said...
I just can't believe how catastrophically unprepared she is -- and not because of her own background, but because the McCain campaign has utterly failed to prepare. When asked a question like, "You don't have any foreign policy credentials, how do you respond?", the correct answer is, "Senator McCain did not select me for foreign policy experience. I'm a state governor. He selected me for my profound understanding of the challenges facing American families. Mr. McCain and I have discussed foreign policy, and he has assured me that he will give me every opportunity to gain experience in foreign policy matters."
Where are McCain's campaign people? The answer to this question should have been developed through SWOT analysis *LONG BEFORE SHE WAS CHOSEN*.
9-27-2008 @ 12:08PM
Sulla said...
I can well understand that a supercilious elitist like Cohan is deeply disturbed and offended by the choice of a normal, intelligent worman as the Vice Presidential nominees. Arrogant fools like Cohan have consistently underestimated Sarah Palin, and have watched with horror as she really DID change things, defied the criminals in the press and the "old boys" in her own party, and grew into her new role as Governor. Yes, she needs experience, and I can't think of a better teacher than President John McCain. When the time comes, she will be ready for the challenge, just as Harry Truman was.
9-27-2008 @ 12:44PM
Lou said...
It is realy disturbing to have this article without a follow up on Joe Biden. If you examine all his remarks lately and in the past, it is clear that he has worst judgement than Palin and not only is he not qualified for VP but also to be a US Senator. He's claim to fame is that we should split Iraq in three different countries. Now that's leadership for the blind. So, when can we expect youre article on Biden?
9-27-2008 @ 1:10PM
Kent said...
I find it amusing to see a rash of blogs about their second thoughts about Sarah Palin. Peter is obviously a Democrat. I haven't made up my mind yet on whom to vote for yet as I have not been ideologue and have voted both Democrat and Republic for quite a long time. Let's wait for the debate she has against Joe; I want to see how she handles it.
9-27-2008 @ 1:53PM
skip said...
I KNEW ONCE MCSAME PICKED PALIN, HE WASN'TSERIOUS ABOUT WINNING THE WHITE HOUSE. I AM 100% FOR OBAMA NOW
9-27-2008 @ 1:59PM
jb said...
In reference to some people expressing the opinion Sarah Palin doesn't know enough about economics and foreign policy, it got me thinking about how we ultimately choose most of our elected representatives. In the end, it's 95% personality and telling us what we want to hear, and 5% qualifications and experience. That's what politics is all about; image over substance. Do you really think our Congressional representives actually understand the the financial workings of this country? They can't even manage the simple basics of a balanced budget.
9-27-2008 @ 2:00PM
POLLYWANNAKRAKER said...
ED---GET A LIFE---ARE YOU THAT IGNORANT, OR ARE YOU JUST ONE OF MANY PAID POSTERS BY THE ROVE LEAD RNC. PALIN HAS NOTHING GOING FOR THE RNC OTHER THAN SHE ADDS A BIT OF LIFE TO MR. FLATLINER MCSAME. SHE IS A POLITICAL NEOPHYTE AND KNOWS NOTHING OF NEGOTIATING WITH FOREIGN LEADERS....... PALIN IS GOING TO HAND OBAMA THE WHITE HOUSE.
9-27-2008 @ 2:02PM
Jack said...
Funny thing though, the academic and political elite are the ones who got us into this financial mess we are in now by lending money to people who had neither the ability nor the intention of payiing off their loans.
What might Sarah have said. Maybe something really simplistic like: "We should really only lend money to those who have the ability to pay and intend to pay".
9-27-2008 @ 2:21PM
Fran said...
Got Fear, Dem's? Last night's debate contrasted in vivid black and white the vastly superior and AUTHENTIC presidential candidate up to the task to lead our country at this critical juncture when our country is crying out for reform for all our excesses. Will the junior senator from Illinois please sit down and take notes? Governor Palin is a proven reformer and will be a breath of fresh air in Washington. Obama needs more time to grow into himself, Palin is ready to be a change agent along side McCain NOW.
9-27-2008 @ 2:41PM
Jimmy said...
This country is overflowing with slack-jawed mouthbreathing hicks whose only reason for voting is the redneck religion that frightens them into lock step with the mullahs who lead them. They've been trained to ignore logic, believing that Noah managed to cram every species on the planet, including kangaroos and llamas, onto a wooden boat. So they'll believe that Palin is qualified to steer our ship of state, even though she's clueless about how it works. Anyone with an ounce of sense can see that she's 100% unqualified, has been much to busy spitting out babies to pay attention to much of anything else. McCain is counting on the hick vote, and he's getting it.