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As a man, it is hard to admit that I sat through an entire hour of Oprah’s television show. Worse yet, I had to DVR it! The sole reason for me to watch yesterday’s particular airing was because the former Governor of Alaska, and GOP running mate to John McCain was on. She was interviewed on everything from Katie Couric, to her family, and her time running as the vice president under the McCain ticket to the 2008 election. To say the least, the interview was intriguing.

For starters, Sarah Palin was her usual self.  Palin was mainly on the defensive of every issue. Some of Oprah’s questions could have been more clearly answered too. The only section where I felt Palin did a great job on defending herself was in regards to the campaign, which she blamed mainly on the McCain staff and bias “fringe” media. I think she failed in her explanation of why she stepped down as Governor of Alaska, and why she could not answer simple questions which Couric posed to her. Palin was also quick to attack others, sometimes rightfully so. Overall, she seemed like her old self though, but to a different degree. She came off as  enthusiastic, confusing, and long winded. One could easily forget the question which Oprah posed because of the way Palin answered some questions. For example, Oprah asked Palin about Couric’s questioning of the items that Palin reads, where Palin embarrassingly seemed to stumble for a proper explanation and never did say what newspapers or magazines she reads. I do not doubt her word that she probably does read a lot. Palin could have answered some of the questions better. That seems to always be her case with interviews. She did make it feel that she was speaking the truth in some regards, and although she was long winded, she did answer most of the questions. I will give her the doubt for Oprah’s questioning about the possible 2012 presidential campaign.

Oprah is not without due criticism either. Her body language gave away a lot during the hour long interview. She never seemed comfortable in the interview, until the end. She almost consistently had this odd look on her face, that was close to disgust. If Oprah did not want to do the interview, she should not have had Palin on her show. Oprah did ask good questions though, and she had to push the issue a couple times. I don’t know if Oprah did that out of spite, because Palin had mentioned that is what annoyed her about Couric’s line of questioning, or if Oprah really wanted the answer. I think both parties on the show could have done a better job. Simply, I was expecting more.

Sarah Palin, like many other political, historical, and modern figures are quite interesting characters. I truly believe that Sarah Palin loves the United States, cares about where the country is going, and she wants to be an active member in making it a better place. Her problem is that, despite her impressive and assertive persona, she can seem elusive. This leads many to feel like there is something missing to Palin’s answers, and that when she tries to answer a question it often sounds like she is trying to side step it to a degree. Although I was hoping for a heightened context from Palin, and Oprah, I will be getting more of Palin in the days to come, as Palin is releasing her book today Going Rogue: An American Life.

I will be getting Palin’s book, and I will read it. My semester ends in mid-December so I may not have time until then, but I will read and comment on this blog. At this current time for the GOP, it could be a influential book as members of the party try to compete for the leading role among the party; that mostly means there are a lot of bad contenders trying to become the face of the Republican Party but that is another post for another day.

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