Obama and Palin to share a stage...I don't think Palin willbe a force in 2012

http://http//www.politico.com/news/stories/0109/18161.html


"In what could be a preview of the 2012 presidential race, Sarah Palin and Barack Obama will share a stage together this Saturday night in Washington, Politico has learned.

The Alaska governor and former GOP vice presidential nominee, making her first trip to the nation’s capital since the election, will join the president at the Alfalfa Dinner, a venerable gathering of the city’s political elite.

The president is scheduled to address the black tie crowd at the Capital Hilton. Palin spokesman Bill McAllister said in an email that Palin would be speaking at the dinner. "

Last night I was talking with a lefty blogger and centrist political cartoonist about Palin. They both thought she would be a force in the 2012 race.

I tend to doubt it.

Here's why: A high level Republican political operative (speaking not for attribution) at a dinner I attended had recently had a private lunch with the Governor. He said that although she was charming, and thoughtful she was not well read. He said "Most of you here are far more well read than she is."

Now Palin drew huge crowds and great support from GOP right wingers. I was thoroughly impressed with her presence and style of campaigning.

Watching her in an interview recently she said over and over that she wanted to "progress" the country. Just poor grammar. Can this be fixed...of course. But I'm not convinced that in a battle against a man with the rhetorical style of President Obama, she would come off well, and major GOP donors, consultants and others who make early decisions (if she does not improve dramatically) will line up behind her.

UPDATE:

Here's an interesting round-up of opinions on Palin.

http://www.redstate.com/josh_painter/2009/01/28/sarah-palin-in-the-eye-of-the-beholder/