Sarah Palin: An Eager Learner

Sarah Palin, the Republican nominee for Vice-President, has been ridiculed for not immediately understanding ABC newsman Charles Gibson when he asked her about the so-called Bush doctrine, a reference to President Bush’s belief that the United States has the right to invade another country in order to protect America from those who would do harm. Gibson had to rephrase the question several times before she answered, saying, in effect, that she agreed with the policy.

This has been held up as an example of the Alaskan governor’s inexperience and thus reason why she should not be one heart beat away from the presidency. Her inexperience, some argue, disqualifies her from seeking the second highest office in the nation.

However, that same argument could be made against Senator Barrack Obama, the Democratic presidential nominee, who has very limited experience in foreign matters. Certainly his choice of Senator Joe Biden, the older and more experienced in foreign affairs of the two, was designed to provide Obama with a vice-president, should the team be elected, who could fill in the gaps of President Obama’s knowledge.

On the Republican side, there is a team member who has vast experience and knowledge in foreign affairs. Senator John McCain has an extensive background and experience in dealing with foreign leaders and with adversarial governments. Of the four major candidates, McCain arguably is the best equipped to handle situations involving foreign governments.

It seems the Democrats have one experienced man and one inexperienced man, at least where foreign relations are concerned, and the Republicans have one experienced man and one inexperienced woman. The difference is the Republicans have their experienced person at the top of the ticket and the Democrats have him on the bottom.

Ms. Palin’s hesitancy to answer Gibson’s question would be a problem if she were seeking the presidency, but she is not. She was not chosen to run for the vice-presidency because McCain was lacking in this area, as could be argued for Obama’s choice of Biden. She was chosen precisely because she is an outsider to the Washington scene. She is one who is capable of learning, and seems eager to learn. Her handling of the situation with Gibson shows intelligence because she pursued more information so as to be able to answer honestly, which she did in the end.

On the job training would not be good for a president, but it is ideal for a vice-president. One who is willing to learn from the President can be groomed by the President to assume the presidency should that be required.

One thing is certain, however. If Ms. Palin was not familiar with the Bush doctrine when interviewed by Gibson, she is now. That is what we need in a vice-president, one who is willing and able to learn quickly.