McCain campaign: Palin did not know Africa was a continent, did not know which countries were in NAFTA

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Transcript from Daily Kos:

Smith: Now that the election is over, Carl, tell us more about those reports of infighting between Palin and McCain staffers.

Cameron: I wish I could have told you more at the time but all of it was put off the record until after the election. There was great concern in the McCain campaign that Sarah Palin lack the degree of knowledgeability necessary to be a running mate, a vice president, and a heartbeat away from the presidency. We’re told by folks that she didn’t know what countries that were in NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement, that being the Canada, the US, and Mexico. We’re told she didn’t understand that Africa was a continent rather than a country just in itself ... a whole host of questions that caused serious problems about her knowledgeability. She got very angry at staff, thought that she was mishandled.....was particularly angry about the way the Katie Couric interview went. She didn’t accept preparation for that interview when the aides say that that was part of the problem. And that there were times that she was hard to control emotionally there's talk of temper tantrums at bad news clippings......

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

If true - it just goes to show how poor of a choice she was for that role...

That being the case its a wonder that she didn't have the ethical courage to turn down the nomination...

[Amby 490]

I caught this on Fox earlier

Palin would have some nice debates with Miss South Carolina on issues such as South Africa and the Iraq

[rocks 494]

lots of people don't understand that africa is made up of 50 countries. i'm willing to bet she doesn't know what the united kingdom is and the four countries involved there either.

[Peikko 1,575]

She's being scape goated, that's for sure. How much of it is real? Who knows? What I will say is that to be honest, I believe she is only fully responsible for one bad decision, and that was not taking a moment to 'blink' and accepting the nomination. She had to know she was unsuitable, and if she didn't? Well, she was less suitable than is imaginable. The right thing to do would have been to have given the 'Bridge to Nowhere', "Thanks, but no thanks" line. However, she may have simply thought that was her one and only shot at it - and that could be true too.

Regardless, it is going to be on of these 'footnotes' in history stories all too soon.

[dalegg 143]

Maybe the party just through this election. Was John McCain working with Don King?

[Amby 490]

lots of people don't understand that africa is made up of 50 countries. i'm willing to bet she doesn't know what the united kingdom is and the four countries involved there either.

I had numerous people ask me if I had to learn French when I moved to England. The whole thing where I said "England...English...England...English" never really helped them. The level of stupidity that some people possess really terrifies me.

[Welshcookie 17]

This reminds of when my daughter announced she wanted to go do "good deeds" in Africa when she was about 14..

" what part of Africa"

"Africa, mother, Africa"

"you do know Africa is a continent right?"

"wut?"

<extra homework>

[Amby 490]

This reminds of when my daughter announced she wanted to go do "good deeds" in Africa when she was about 14..

" what part of Africa"

"Africa, mother, Africa"

"you do know Africa is a continent right?"

"wut?"

<extra homework>

My stepsister had that same idea but wasn't even sure where Africa was. Thank god she decided to go to beauty school.

[Peikko 1,575]

I wonder how many people in the US know that Algeria is an African country? Not to mention Tunisia Or that it's only an hour boat ride from Spain to Morocco?

[Cassie 8]

Transcript from Daily Kos:

Smith: Now that the election is over, Carl, tell us more about those reports of infighting between Palin and McCain staffers.

Cameron: I wish I could have told you more at the time but all of it was put off the record until after the election. There was great concern in the McCain campaign that Sarah Palin lack the degree of knowledgeability necessary to be a running mate, a vice president, and a heartbeat away from the presidency.

So then why pick her? Why the concerns now??? Sheesh!

Truth be told, my decision (such as it was since I cannot officially vote) was solidified when I learned more and heard more from Sarah Palin once she was picked to be the potential VP. I seriously questioned McCain's judgement for picking her,

[Amby 490]

I wonder how many people in the US know that Algeria is an African country? Not to mention Tunisia Or that it's only an hour boat ride from Spain to Morocco?

I think VJ people aren't your "typical" American since a lot of us are probably quite well travelled.

I am very surprised by some of the questions people ask me about living in another country. People are always so amazed when I know something about another part of the world and normally it's usually something that I thought was common knowledge. I tell everyone to get out of their box and explore the world or else they'll never know what else is out there.

eta: To answer your question...not many people that I've encountered know that stuff

Edited November 6, 2008 by Amby

[Ban Hammer 13,347]

it's a moot point now, isn't it?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

She's being scape goated, that's for sure. How much of it is real? Who knows? What I will say is that to be honest, I believe she is only fully responsible for one bad decision, and that was not taking a moment to 'blink' and accepting the nomination. She had to know she was unsuitable, and if she didn't? Well, she was less suitable than is imaginable. The right thing to do would have been to have given the 'Bridge to Nowhere', "Thanks, but no thanks" line. However, she may have simply thought that was her one and only shot at it - and that could be true too.

Regardless, it is going to be on of these 'footnotes' in history stories all too soon.

Clearly her ambition trumped her sense of ethics.

[Peikko 1,575]

I wonder how many people in the US know that Algeria is an African country? Not to mention Tunisia Or that it's only an hour boat ride from Spain to Morocco?

I think VJ people aren't your "typical" American since a lot of us are probably quite well travelled.

I am very surprised by some of the questions people ask me about living in another country. People are always so amazed when I know something about another part of the world and normally it's usually something that I thought was common knowledge. I tell everyone to get out of their box and explore the world or else they'll never know what else is out there.

eta: To answer your question...not many people that I've encountered know that stuff

I think that's excellent advice. So much to see in the world, why tie oneself to one small corner?