Palin’s Achilles

What’s Wrong With This Picture?

Lots of bloggers are trying to make their case for who won the vice presidential debate.

I’ll leave it to them to turn red or blue in the face arguing that point.

It struck me that Alaska Governor and Republican candidate Sarah Palin didn’t answer the questions. It was most obvious when the moderator, Public Broadcasting Systems’ Gwen Ifill asked each participant what is your Achilles heel?

Palin did not answer the question. It wasn’t the only time last night. Democratic candidate Delaware Senator Joe Biden thanked Ifill for limiting his endangered heel to just one reference.

So what’s wrong with this picture?

I noticed it at the time, when Palin arrived in Albuquerque Sept. 6, and was greeted by a welcoming committee; it appeared she had three heels. Click on picture to enlarge.

She covers her deficiencies in not knowing an answer with making up her own question and answering it instead. It’s a technique that can prove helpful, especially with the press when a public figure wants to make a statement and the press wants to talk about something else. As I’ve taught in media relations classes when the microphone is pointed at you, it’s your's; say what you need to say.

It works well with sound bites, just not so well in televised debates. Palin showed her Achilles weakness which can be one of honesty, forthrightness and knowledge.

My take

She falls like the Greek mythological hero of Troy in The Iliad of Homer.

To some bloggers, they may hope the arrow hit the third foot; which wouldn’t be good for Darren White’s Campaign Manager Sara Lister, whose foot creates the optical illusion.

Of course, we still don't know who the Republican gentleman greeter was who got the long hug and chat from Palin, thanks to Lister and McCain '08 Southwest Regional Communications Director Ivette Barajas for not haveing identified the greeting party.