Friday, April 09, 2010

Reality 1, Putz 0.

Obama said something about the former half-term governor that is true:


“The last I checked, Sarah Palin is not much of an expert on nuclear issues,” Obama said in an interview with ABC News.

Also, Obama said, he would take guidance on said issues from the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Putz's response?


GETTING HIS GOAT: Obama lashes out at Sarah Palin.

If only he hated America’s enemies half as much . . . .


Setting aside Putz's second, unfinished thought for a moment. By any reasonable metric, Obama didn't lash out; he simply gave a measured reply to George Stephanopoulos's insidiously stupid question. If this is what passes for "getting his goat," Obama is perhaps even more levelheaded than he appears.

That Putz 'n' pals insist on framing the exchange this way is revealing -- and, in a weird way, a good thing. It suggests that despite protestations to the contrary, conservatives -- even the 37-percenters -- think Palin has a glass jaw. On a basic level, they seem to understand that Palin not only hasn't the intellect and confidence to withstand a single interview from someone who isn't on Fox's payroll, but is also -- apparently -- ill-equipped to deal with the mildest bit of criticism.

Which is why, when Obama stated the obvious about Sarah Palin's credentials, conservatives reflexively manned the barricades. They have no confidence in her ability to take a punch, and are aware that Palin's viability as a Presidential prospect can continue only so long as she stays out of the ring.

As for Putz's contention that Obama doesn't hate enough? The Bush years ought to have been proof enough that foreign policy borne of emotion, and not reason, is disastrous. "Hatred," said George Bernard Shaw, "is the coward's revenge for being intimidated."

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