Palin's Winning Strategy: Ignore the Question

She succeeded by discussing whichever topic suited her
By Gabriel Winant,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 3, 2008 10:27 AM CDT
Palin's Winning Strategy: Ignore the Question
Republican vice presidential candidate Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin speaks during a vice presidential debate at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo., Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)   (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)

Sarah Palin made last night's debate work for her by answering whichever questions she wanted, not the questions she was asked, writes Christopher Beam in Slate. The Republican seemed to barely notice her opponent and the moderator, at one point telling Joe Biden, "I may not answer the questions that either the moderator or you want to hear, but I'm going to talk straight to the American people."

Her strategy seemed to work. Palin got to keep the conversation "on her turf," putting her talking points to good use. In her closing statement, Palin said she liked the debate because it lacked a media "filter." "If by 'filter' she means Couric-style follow-ups," writes Beam, then she's right. Palin's strongest when she pretends she's alone in the room.
(More Sarah Palin stories.)

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