Last night, Governor Jan Brewer of Arizona got a little tongue-tied during her opening statement in a debate against her opponent, Democrat Terry Goddard. If that's not bad enough, Brewer also stumbled when asked about statements she had previously made regarding beheadings in the Arizona desert. When I first read about this, I expected to hear reporters giving detailed information about how bad a blunder this was or how its not a big deal, depending on the angle the news channel wanted to provide. But to my surprise, CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC seem to all agree that this could have happened to anyone. Journalists have also been sympathizing with Brewer because they have all lost their train of thought at some point or another. And you have to admit, regardless of whether you agree with Brewer's policies or not, it is painful to watch.
So will this hurt Brewer's chances in the election? Most news outlets are saying it won't because it is still early and she plenty of time before November to recover. And so far, the media thinks she is doing this the right way. She is laughing it off and moving forward.
But my question is this: How does a politician let this happen? The opening statement of a debate should be the easiest part to get through and would be something that is practiced over and over again. There wasn't any pressure for her to give a quick answer and she probably had talking points in front of her, so while I feel bad for her and believe it could have happened to anyone, I can't help but think that she is not just "anyone". She is a politician whose job involves a great deal of public speaking and if I were a Republican citizen of Arizona, I would not have a great deal of confidence in my candidate.
Meghan,
ReplyDeleteI agree, this could happen to nearly any of us. And admittedly, it has happened to me. However, it has happened to me when talking with friends. Not my opening statement during a debate! You're right, this should be practiced, practiced, and when she thinks she has it down, practiced some more.
As I think I made clear in class, I am very far left, so it should be of no surprise that I despise this woman. She barely made it through community college for crying out loud! Also, she is NOT an elected official. When now Secretary of Homeland Security Napolitano left for her new position in the Obama Administration, Brewer was lucky enough to be Secretary of State, and was thus next in succession.
People tend to forget that she swore to "keep taxes low on Arizona Residents" but then two months later increased taxes on her citizens. This lady has no business even being in politics.
I am not so sure that she has handled it the correct way either, she has now decided it is best for her not to appear in any further debates. She said "I don't believe that things come out in proper context in an adversarial atmosphere." She is, however, available for interviews. How convenient. I will attach links to a video allowing you, and your followers to witness her appalling misuse of the English language, and her inability to hold public office.
I have did? This lady is joke.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFT8I2x8K2g