Four question are all she allowed, but Vice Presidential hopeful Sarah Palin spoke to the press corps yesterday after 29 days as McCain’s Vice President:

Speaking to a small pool of reporters following a visit to Ground Zero in lower Manhattan, Palin made a statement and then answered four questions, addressing the war on terror, the re-election bids of Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens and Rep. Don Young, and the bailout legislation currently in front of Congress.

1.

CNN reporter: On the topic of never letting this happen again [9/11], do you agree with the way the Bush administration has handled the war on terrorism, is there anything you would do differently?

Palin: I agree with the Bush administration that we take the fight to them. We never again let them come onto our soil and try to destroy not only our democracy, but communities like the community of New York. Never again. So yes, I do agree with taking the fight to the terrorists and stopping them over there.

2.

Politico reporter: Do you think our presence in Iraq and afghan and our continued presence there is inflaming islamic extremists?

Palin: I think our presence in Iraq and Afghanistan will lead to further security of our nation, again, because the mission is to take the fight over there. do not let them come over here and attempt again what they accomplished here, and that was some destruction. terrible destruction on that day. but since September 11, Americans uniting and rebuilding and committing to never letting that happen again.

3.

Politico Reporter: Do you support the reelection bids of embattled Alaska Republicans, Rep. Don Young and Sen. Ted Stevens?

Palin: Ted Stevens trial started a couple days ago. We’ll see where that goes.

4.

Jersey Journal reporter: What do you think of bailout package before congress?

Palin: I don’t support that until the provisions that Sen. McCain has offered are implemented in Paulson’s proposals.

Honestly, she didn’t do half bad.  Precise in her responses.  Decisive.  And she couldn’t have done it at a better time with the first Presidential Debate looming (whether it continues as scheduled or is moved to a different date).  Nor could she have chosen a better location next to the World Trade Towers.

Don’t you feel better now, Sarah?  I know I do.

Watch the video here courtesy of CNN.

UPDATE:

Let’s get ready to rumble! McCain FINALLY confirms that he will attend tonight’s first Presidential debate.

Popularity: 2% [?]

I get a sense that most voters and pundits are crawling out of their skins with anticipation for Sarah Palin to come out of whatever bunker the G.O.P. is hiding her in.

It’s not just the Democrats and media who want to start their feeding frenzy on the ex-beauty queen Vice Presidential candidate.  The hard-core supporters are starting to bite their nails too.

It’s concerning to me because it sends the message that the McCain campaign has little faith in her ability to carry herself when faced with a media onslaught.  To be an American President requires thick skin.  Just ask Bush.

Palin is literally a heart-beat away from becoming President. That’s never been more true for a VP more than with McCain. (Let’s be realistic here.  The man is 72 years old.)

There are two months left before the general election and two weeks before major debates begin.  Come out, come out wherever you are, Missy.

While we’re waiting for her to come out and play, please enjoy this.

UPDATE:

Palin will sit down with ABC’s Charles Gibson this week for an interview.  My only concern is this:

The interview is a coup for Gibson, who also had the only sit-down with McCain during the Republican National Convention. During that interview, he did not question McCain about Palin’s family, a decision that he fretted about for hours, Gibson said in a Web log posted last week.

Me thinks the McCain campaign has the situation on a VERY short leash.

Popularity: 5% [?]

Recycled rhetoric to the rescue!

Doesn’t it feel like Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin is being groomed to be a politician a little too late? I mean, she’s only an election and a heart-beat away from being the leader of the free world.  Shouldn’t she have this shit down already, or, at least grant a proper interview.

What’s with these lame-ass pre-formulated spoon fed one-liners?

U.S. Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin told the pro-Israel lobby AIPAC on Tuesday that she would “work to expand and deepen the strategic partnership between U.S. and Israel,” the group’s spokesman told the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Palin spent Tuesday in her hotel suite with campaign aides working on her speech at the Republican Convention scheduled for Wednesday. Sources familiar with her schedule said that she also had a private session with Jewish Senator Joe Lieberman.

I’m ready to hear a real speech from Mrs. Alaska outside parties comfort zone (or People magazine). Bring it, lady. We’re all waiting.

Popularity: 3% [?]