Sarah Palin’s First Gaffe - Introducing the Gaffe-O-Meter
September 8, 2008 by IrishSpacemonk
Sarah Palin’s first gaffe was going to happen. Hey, gaffing is part of being a candidate right? (I was going to a have the YouTube video, but it just so happens it’s no longer available - go figure.) You can check the story out here: Palin Makes Her First Gaffe (HuffingtonPost, September 8, 2008)
To help rate Palin’s first gaffe (and other gaffe’s that happen), I’ve developed the Gaffe-O-Meter.
The Gaffe-O-Meter’s scientific rating matrix is based on thoroughly subjective review, and considers three criteria for its final basis. The three aspects considered are:
1. Is there a high likelihood that an average person would perceive a gaffe? (High +100 points, Medium +75, Low +50)
2. Was the gaffe immediately caught and corrected? (-25 points)
3. Did people clap, nod, otherwise support the gaffe? (+25 points)
Using this method I’ll give Sarah low rating for the first benchmark. Most Americans probably think Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are government agencies. Hey they have “federal” in their name, right? And in fact, there was a time, prior to 1968, that they were government ran.
On the second point, Palin said this pretty straight faced and with conviction and no one caught her. Unfortunately, she didn’t have Lieberman at her shoulder, and the old white haired dude she did have - John McCain doesn’t understand economics that well. Point being, she’ doesn’t get a catch reduction.
Point three, did people clap? Yep, even Mr. John McCain himself. However, here again is the guy that uses a geography-bee as his national security litmus test (ie which state is closest to the USSR? and which Iraq province borders Pakistan?). So because people clapped and supported her gaffe, she gets another 25 points. So yes, this is a serious gaffe, but not the kind that would cost her old boy McCain the election.
Just another sign the Red and Purple people of this Country are easily fooled.
(4 votes, average: 3 out of 5)
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Tons of lies, and there will be many gaffes, but the whole identity politics thing is in place and I don’t think people care anymore.
Sadly the Dem suck at framing their opponents, the Republicans are more successful and if thsi is the beginning of their peek we are in trouble because half of this nation is just plain stupid.
I agree, it’s going to be as usual, with a 50/50 split in the electorate, but I do think we Dems have a good shot at winning this year. I guess I’m a bit overly optimistic, but I believe turnout will favor the Democrats come election day. It’s all about turnout in States that will be close.
We all say the wrong thing on occasional - this doesn’t mean anything to me. I’m voting for the party that wants to permanently lower taxes, wants Americans to control their lives instead of the government, and it’s willing to let our enemies achieve victory - the party I’m speaking of is the Republican Party.
I couldn’t be more excited about Sarah. In my eyes, we haven’t had someone as exciting and with such great potential to shake up Washington in who knows how many years. With Sarah, it doesn’t appear that it’s about her career… but about the American people and making changes based on common sense and what’s right for our country. I love that she’s confident enough to stand up for what she believes in, regardless of how she’ll be cast. I love that she’s only been governor for 2 years but has “accomplished” so much in that small time…. even bringing down corruption that had been going on in her own party for “years!”
I don’t see much accomplishment from the left. Though I like Obama, I wouldn’t completely be comfortable with him as our President, especially since he seems at times to be more concerned with not offending our enemies than he does with keeping our country safe… at least this has been my perspective? He voted against the surge, even though it was necessary and worked, which he admits to. I know he wants diplomacy, but you just can’t hope to so quickly be friends with your recent enemies. I’m not crazy about his views on taxes either. I would like to see them go down not up.
Sarah Palin looks to be incredibly bright and a quick study. I think she’s going to blow everyone away during the VP debates, and I can’t wait to tune in.
Sarah, here’s my problem with Sarah Palin, and the Republican ticket in addressing your main concerns, lower taxes, government control, and national safety. First, Obama’s tax plan has repeatedly been shown to give a larger tax break to the middle class then John McCains. There is also the hidden tax of inflation, energy costs, health care costs and other costs that are passed onto the middle class through poor economic policy. So on economics, McCain is another 4 years of Bush. (Sarah Palin’s economic policy is a joke because Alaska is awash in money due to a socialist structure of distributing the wealth from taxes and natural resources).
Second, on government control - the number one issue that a McCain/Palin admin would do is give the government control over the choice a woman has concerning their medical health. But it’s not limited to that, the government under Republicans want to control what you say, how you say it, they want to wire tap, and evesdrop. It sounds like they want more government intrusion then less.
And finally, on the National Security front. Was the Iraq War right? The answer is no and by fighting a war that should never have been fought we are a weaker nation. Obama has actually worked to secure loose nuclear weapons, secure our ports, and give benefits to our returning war vets. These are positions McCain has fought against.
So no, I can’t agree with you that Sarah Palin and McCain are a breath of fresh air. She’s lacks knowledge, any policy background, and has shown too much irresponsibility in the way she’s raised her family, run Wasilla, and pursued power.
IrishSpacemonk,
First off, thank you for responding your opposing views so respectfully. My thoughts usually get slammed and degraded when I post in liberal websites, so “you” are a breath of fresh air.
I do agree with you that Obama looks to have a great tax plan - really great, but my fear with that, is that I guess I don’t trust it to go through being that Democrats have been known for raising taxes. During the mid 90s, under Clinton, we had incredibly high tax rates, so it’s no wonder Bush inherited such a troubled economy. Today, under Bush, our taxes are much lower, and our economy, despite what many think, is actually improving. You can pull up and easily see the tax rate percentages of the mid 90s vs. today’s, here: http://www.taxfoundation.org/publications/show/151.html McCain is proposing to “permanently” lower taxes… I really like the sound of that, as our previous taxes were quite scary, and I would never want to see them return.
I see the liberals as more controlling of us than the Republicans. It is their party that wants to limit our speech - especially of religious views. It’s scary to think our freedom of speech might be taken from us. As for wire tapping, I believe we should use all of our resources in order to keep our country safe. The Democrats are so often too lax about this - in the 90s, Clinton had warning about Osama and had the chance to do something about it, but he didn’t. Back to big government though - that’s what I see the Democrats supporting. It reminds me of socialism.
The surge in Iraq was right, necessary and very successful. Obama voted against it, but now he admits that it “succeeded beyond our wildest dreams.” http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2008/09/obama_iraq_surge_beyond_dreams.html
Palin and McCain look to me to be people who will shake up Washington and make some needed and lasting changes - and who will not allow our enemies victory over us by pulling out of Iraq too early.
Sarah - thanks for the compliment. I’ve had many discussions with my parents (both Republicans) so I know where you’re coming from. Obviously, at this point we’re going to disagree on who’s best for this country, but I hope McCain is willing to work with an Obama administration to implement policy that meets both our goals.
IrishSpaceMonk,
I hope as well that both parties can work together for compromise that will be best for our country. Best of luck with the issues that are most important to you, and thanks again for your kindness!
This could be interesting. It would be good if it gets good exposure. Could be good as a widget. It might be good on these sites:
palinspin.com - exposing the dirt on Sarah Palin!
obamamate.com - crowd powered news for the Barack Obama Nation