The Non-Answer Answers

I've been writing to the media about what I consider misguided attempts at "fair and balanced" coverage. For example, after the Obama campaign released an ad pointing to McCain's career-long votes against equal pay, the media repeated the campaign's allegation that women in McC's senate office make more than those in Obama's. To me, an accurate media portrayal would be: when asked about the ad, the McC campaign had no facts to rebut it.

Here's another example of a non-answer, answer from the McC/SP "town hall" yesterday (which, unlike former meetings only permitted pre-ticketed supporters to attend). As you read, please note these things.

1. Palin never responded to the questions about "specific skills".
2. Palin never answered the implied question about foreign policy experience.
3. McCain had to get her back to her scripted talking points about energy = foreign policy and a son heading to Iraq = foreign policy experience. (Boy am I glad he didn't repeat the "we can see Alaska" line.
4. AND, drum roll, please - don't we women rail agains the sexism of men having to remake our points for us. Oh, John, you just don't get women!
   

But one woman challenged Palin on her qualifications.

“Gov. Palin, there has been quite a bit of discussion about your perceived lack of foreign policy experience, and I want to give you your chance,” the questioner said. “If you could please respond to that criticism and give us specific skills that you think you have to bring to the White House to rebut that or mitigate that concern.”

Palin replied at first by saying that opponents look for things to criticize her about because she is a “Washington outsider.” As for her credentials, she did not offer anything specific but asserted she will be prepared for the job by the time she assumes it — suggesting, perhaps, that the four months between now and then will add to her knowledge.

“As for foreign policy, you know I think that I am prepared and I know that on Jan. 20, if we are so blessed as to be sworn into office as your president and vice president, certainly we’ll be ready. I’ll be ready. I have that confidence. I have that readiness.”

McCain jumped in after that to tout her experience with energy issues, saying that dependence on foreign oil is one of the greatest threats to U.S. national security. He also suggested she was prepared because her son is headed off to serve in Iraq." SOURCE: the conservative WSJ

I don't watch TV, so I don't know how the MSM is covering the dissembling, but the blogsphere is ripping into the repubs as are some noted conservatives.

Obama/Biden '08