My friends, the transformation is almost complete. After sequestration with Joe Lieberman and the rest of the Republican political brain surgeons, the new and improved Sarah Palin, head now full of fun new facts about foreign policy, international relations, and the economy is nearly ready for her formal debut.
Rumor has it that she will be granting her very first interview since her selection as John McCain’s running mate on August 29th. The lucky winner? ABC news and Charles Gibson. When? Some time in midweek. Where? In Alaska, believe it or not. This interview, which falls nearly two full weeks after her selection, far exceeds the amount of time taken by any other candidate in history to speak off script. It still comes earlier than many expected.
McCain campaign manager Rick Davis said Sunday that Palin would be made available “when we think it’s time and when she feels comfortable doing it.”
So, apparently, no thanks to all of us, Palin has somehow reached the level of personal comfort necessary to speak to the American people without a script. Has she memorized enough 3×5 cards full of talking points to pull it off? Will Charles Gibson throw softballs, or will he ask actual questions about her record, her preparedness, and her policy? Will she crumble in front of our very eyes? Or will the newly dubbed ‘Caribou Barbie’ live to fight another day?
The news of the interview was leaked under condition of anonymity, so we’ll have to wait and see how the details materialize. But it does seem to indicate that her flight north will come in the next couple of days. It also indicates that Alaskans may be running into Charles Gibson at Jammin’ Java in downtown Anchorage, or having a cold one at the Moose’s Tooth Pizza Pub.
When will she actually have a press conference? According to Davis, not “until the point in time when she’ll be treated with respect and deference”. When the Republicans make THAT call is anyone’s guess.
Mudflats 
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