Palin steps onto world stage
Republican vice-presidential hopeful Sarah Palin may have asked world leaders the right questions at the UN General Assembly, but she will still have to provide the answers when she faces "Mr foreign policy" Joe Biden next week.
Palin steps onto world stage
By Armen Georgian
A Sarah Palin lookalike working the streets of Manhattan has enjoyed a New York-style reception. Welcome - now get lost. One passer-by in this bastion of East Coast liberalism told her: "You're hot but I hope you lose".
The real Sarah Palin seems to be having better luck with her international debut at the United Nations.
The Republican vice-presidential hopeful has the thumbs-up from President Karzai of Afghanistan. He says he finds her "quite a capable woman" who asks "the right questions". It sounds like a good omen for today's high-level meetings. Together with Senator McCain, Palin hobnobs with the leaders of Ukraine, Georgia and India. Other heavyweights on her list include the presidents of Iraq and Pakistan.
Her aides stress this is all about listening and forming a personal bond with influential figures, not about making policy pronouncements. She certainly hasn't been very forthcoming with reporters here, managing just a short "it was great" after a 90-minute meeting with foreign policy guru Henry Kissinger.
But she won't be able to keep her cards close to her chest for long. Next week Palin, who only got her passport last year, goes head-to-head with Joe Biden, 'Mr foreign policy" in the US Senate, for a keenly awaited vice-presidential TV debate. The McCain camp is trying to make sure the rules limit their direct exchanges to a short time limit. That clues you into the Republican unease. Palin may have asked Karzai the right questions, but she will still have to provide the answers.
24/09/2008 21:44:07 Alert a moderator
Palin steps onto world stage
By Campbell - Englewood, CO
Sorry that you deleted my post if something upset you. Is this standard fare in France? Was it Palin's rally in Florida that did it or was my post just too direct? Is it because I did not say anything negative about Palin?
24/09/2008 21:30:04 Alert a moderator
Palin steps onto world stage
By Campbell - Englewood, CO
'Mr. foreign policy', interesting but an opinion nonetheless. Palin has received high marks for her visit unknown to the liberal factions who have spent most of their time trying to gut Palin in New York out of frustration. She is doing well. In fact ABC has become frustrated after blowing their first interview with her and are now shut out because of it. The media does pick and choose its stories. While blacking out a 60,000+ rally in Florida on Sunday the media felt it was more important to make the "SNL" incest skit a national headliner instead. Priorities I guess, but I believe the media will reap what the sow in the end.