Published October 5, 2008 in the Broad Street Review

I was over the moon when Katie Couric, brought in as a cover for a depleted CBS news operation, scored a coup both for journalism and herself in her Sarah Palin interviews. Couric's questions and their calm follow up revealed Sarah Palin’s dangerous limitations in a way that all of the charm and prepping in the world could not mask. These revelations reminded me of the moment in the 1988 presidential debate when CNN's Bernard Shaw asked Michael Dukakis if his opposition of the death penalty would be shaken if his wife, Kitty, were raped and murdered. Dukakis's failure to respond with any semblance of human passion marked the beginning of the end of his candidacy.

But Sarah Palin is no Mike Dukakis. Her impassioned killer instinct, masked brilliantly by her Miss Congeniality flair, guarantees that she could never become an “Ice Woman” who would condense under debate pressure. Her journalism degree (earned, to be sure, at several schools) rendered her camera-confident in displaying a folksy, well-honed charm that fascinates and captivates but for many also nauseates. With a heavily scrutinized debate moderator in Gwen Ifill, who had to bend over backwards and upside down to be perceived as fair, as well as a format offering no follow-up to masterfully evaded questions, who could doubt that Palin would put one hell of an icing on a rancid cake?

And so she did, from her first moment of hand shaking little-girl-gotcha-charm when she oh-so-sweetly asked Biden if she could call him by his first name (declaring, in effect, “Even though little ol’ me is no East or West Coast big shot, I’m every bit as big as you, so there!”)— to her assurance to all who disagreed with her that she would be as fair to us as she was to those in her family and circle of friends who disagree with her views. Her deal clincher was of course “the wink,” first to us, and then to her dad.

Who noticed her Adam's apple?

Senator Joe Biden conducted himself, I thought, in the highest possible sphere of accomplishment, decorum and restraint. Yet again and again, Palin confirmed that she can cram and spit out with the best of them; and she never strayed from her warm, gee-whiz persona as she manipulated and ducked with sly expertise. (Her only visible sign of anxiety was the movement of her Adam’s apple as she gulped following many of her responses.)

Palin's dressers, hair stylists and makeup artists were state-of-the-art enhancers of this spin. They highlighted a mom with a beautiful smile who has birthed multiple times but remains (to many) sensual yet unthreatening. Who could harbor jealousy toward one who so effectively markets herself with tangible proof of adoration of country and mothering? This strategy seemed clear when Palin was shown on camera practicing in baseball cap at a luxurious McCain retreat and later stepped off of the plane in St. Louis holding her special needs child— his little head often bobbing (won’t someone please tell her to support the little guy’s neck?)— surrounded by family, her hair blowing in the wind.

Perfect position, perfect hair, perfect lighting

At the debate, Palin discarded her severely lacquered hair style. This time her hair was down, pulled back expertly, especially so in silhouette, highlights (or maybe lowlights– I get them confused) glistening. I have no idea how or why Palin got the right side of the stage, but the position and lighting served her message to perfection, revealing not only her perfectly coiffed and painted profile, but also the fit and cusp of her black skirt, knees covered, with seductive heels. And then there was the flag pin, as well as the one above it, noting she was a mom whose son was risking his life to serve his country.

It was unsettling to witness the effectiveness of Sarah Palin’s “American Idol” meets “Dancing with the Stars” appeal during a vice presidential debate. Couric’s interview, on the other hand, offered a startling beginning toward exposing Palin’s lack of preparedness and expertise. It took five weeks, but that particular truth genie is finally out of the bottle.

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