Sarah Palin's Recent Interviews Lead to "Buyer's Remorse"

According to the New York Times, GOP Vice President nominee Sarah Palin's recent interview with Katie Couric on CBS had only a modest effect on the ratings. Unfortunately, that is the good news for Palin and her supporters. The fewer who watched it, the better. The New York times notes: "Still, the “CBS Evening News” gained only about 10 percent in audience from the previous week — and it was actually down from the same week the year before. The newscast averaged just under 6 million viewers for the week, up from 5.44 million the previous week. A year ago Ms. Couric’s program drew about 6.2 million viewers. (CBS was also a distant third last week behind ABC, which won with 8.07 million viewers, and NBC, with 7.98 million.)"

I have not seen the interview in its entirety, but what I have seen has not been pretty. Palin cannot specifically point out examples of McCain as a reformer? She does not know what the "Bush Doctrine" is? She can't name specific magazines that she likes to read? Not a single one? Early on the criticism towards Palin was darn right unfair and ugly. But when it comes to policy and how she prepares for governing, anything is fair game in my opinion. The questions Couric asked are fair game.

I have been one of the most enthusiastic supporters of Sarah Palin out there and still believe she brings the values and convictions that many Americans are looking for in a leader. She is charismatic and as a woman, excites voters in a way the GOP greatly needs. But Palin is going to be a heart beat away from the Presidency and will be serving under a man who is the oldest to be elected to that position in his first term. I believe many Americans, not just the critics in journalism, need to see Palin take it up a notch when it comes to her performance in interviews. She is an excellent speech maker, but has been less than impressive "on her feet."

In many respects, she is like Sen. Barack Obama. She is less experienced than any of us would prefer, she has a difficult time in impromptu situations, and she lacks significant foreign policy knowledge. Since Obama is running for the number one job and Palin the VP post, that makes the Alaska governor a safer bet since she will have time to grow. Obama's inexperience running for President makes him a complete disaster, in my opinion. But I, too, am beginning to be a little concerned about this historic choice for VP.

Kevin Price articles frequently appear at ChicagoSunTimes.com, Reuters.com, USAToday.com, and other national media.

Kevin Price is Host of the Price of Business (M-F at 11 AM on CNN 650) and Publisher of the Houston Business Review. Hear the show live and online at HoustonBusinessShow.com. Visit the archive of past shows here.