Sunday, November 09, 2008

Palin and Africa

Since the presidential campaign has come to a halt it has become apparent that the two most difficult things for Democratic voters to do are to take off their Obama pins and quit talking about Sarah Palin. More fuel was added to the Palin fire last week when rumors emerged that Palin was so ignorant about foreign affairs that she didn't know the countries that comprised NAFTA or that Africa was a continent.

I found this extremely hard to believe, particularly regarding Africa. It just doesn't seem plausible. So last night I saw a friend of mine that works for Palin and asked him about the rumors. I was particularly keen to get his take because he regards her as being pretty smart. He said that the allegations were taken out of context. But how do you take not knowing Africa out of context? He said that these comments occurred during debate prep when they would be talking about various African countries and she would say, for example, Africa instead of Uganda. At no point did she actually something like, "Oh wow, Africa isn't a country? I had no idea."

I filed it away in the back of my mind, but this explanation would now seem to be at least partially confirmed by this.

You know, I can understand not liking Palin, but the teeth gnashing and glee with which her opponents attack her is truly appalling, and says far more about them than it does about her.

Update: Hoax.

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