Stumped speech

I don't know why people think Palin is dodging questions. Let's look at the video and transcript.

Couric: You've said, quote: "John McCain will reform the way Wall Street does business." Other than supporting stricter regulations of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac two years ago can you give us any more examples of his leading the charge for more oversight?

Palin: I think that the example that you just cited with his warnings two years ago about Fannie and Freddie -- that … that's paramount. That's more than a heck of a lot of other senators and representatives did for us.

Translation:
Q: What else has he done?
A: He's done enough.

That's a fair response. Not a comforting one. But a fair one.

The CBS page provides this important exchange that didn't make it onto the video.

Couric: But can you give me any other concrete examples? Because I know you've said Barack Obama is a lot of talk and no action. Can you give me any other examples in his 26 years of John McCain truly taking a stand on this?

Palin: I can give you examples of things that John McCain has done, that has shown his foresight, his pragmatism, and his leadership abilities. And that is what America needs today.

I went to college with a kid who made a habit of treating the homeless with disrespect. When a homeless person would ask 'Do you have any spare change you could give me?' and my friend would say 'I've got plenty of spare change' and he'd keep walking. We called him an ass.

The difference here is that if the homeless person had demanded to see the change, my friend could have produced it. When Couric demands more evidence of McCain having supported more regulation:

Couric: I'm just going to ask you one more time -- not to belabor the point: Specific examples in his 26 years of pushing for more regulation.

Palin: I'll try to find you some and I'll bring 'em to ya.

Is this unfair to Palin?

In Grand Rapids Michigan (17 Sept 2008) a member of the town-hall gathering gave her a big ol' opening. No major parameters. No trick question. Nothing specific. On the issue of Palin's limited foreign policy experience the questioner handed her the baton:

Audience member:I want to give you your chance. 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 responds to the criticism first by explaining why some people have focused on the issue. And as for the specifics:

Palin: But as for foreign policy: you know I think that I am prepared and I know that on January twentieth 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. And if you want specifics with specific policy or countries, go ahead and … and you can ask me. You can even play stump the candidate if you want to. But we are ready to serve.

What? She answered. She gave us the specific skills. She is prepared and ready. She has confidence which isn't a skill but it's important. She also has readiness. She needs that specifically doesn't she? She can even answer questions about specific policy or countries. We can even ask her.

Lay off, people.