The American Idol Candidate by Roger Ebert

[NYCGirl]

I miss Roger. But at least he's still writing brilliantly.

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080910/PEOPLE/809109995

I think I might be able to explain some of Sara Palin's appeal. She's the "American Idol" candidate. Consider. What defines an "American Idol" finalist? They're good-looking, work well on television, have a sunny personality, are fierce competitors, and so talented, why, they're darned near the real thing. There's a reason "American Idol" gets such high ratings. People identify with the contestants. They think, Hey, that could almost be me up there on that show!

My feeling is, I don't want to be up there. I want a vice president who is better than me, wiser, well-traveled, has met world leaders, who three months ago had an opinion on Iraq. Someone who doesn't repeat bald-faced lies about earmarks and the Bridge to Nowhere. Someone who doesn't appoint Alaskan politicians to "study" global warming, because, hello! It has been studied. The returns are convincing enough that John McCain and Barack Obama are darned near in agreement.

I would also want someone who didn't make a teeny little sneer when referring to "people who go to the Ivy League." When I was a teen I dreamed of going to Harvard, but my dad, an electrician, told me, "Boy, we don't have the money. Thank your lucky stars you were born in Urbana and can go to the University of Illinois right here in town."
So I did, very happily. Although Palin gets laughs when she mentions the "elite" Ivy League, she sure did attend the heck out of college. Five schools in six years. What was that about?

-snipped-

Palin is a shallow, chirpy person with those vaguely alarming eyeglasses. Now her fans all want a pair. Remember back when women wore glasses that departed their ears in plastic swoops and swirls? My theory is, anyone who wears glasses that look weird is telling me something I don't want to know.

I trust the American people will see through Palin's facade, and save the Republic in November. The most damning indictment against her is that she considered herself a good choice to be a heartbeat away. That shows bad judgment.

[Roland99]

1. Two Thumbs Up!

[Stuart G]

2. Ebert is an outstanding writer.

I recall he was the editor of the Daily Illini (the name of the newspaper at the U of I then, mid 60sJ) and he took a trip to the Union of South Africa and wrote a column about it. You could feel the indignation and sensitivity of that effort. And that was over 40 years ago, another time and place. He is right on here too.

[RollWithIt]

3. If I had three thumbs, they'd all be facing up....

In a heart beat.

[Celebration]

4. heh, David Cook would be a much better President than Palin

He just doesn't have the ego that she does. He's certainly intelligent. Well, I am a big, big David Cook fan. I prefer Obama for President, though. But Cook would do a much better job than either of the people on the R ticket.

There is a mentally ill elderly person that calls us all the time because my father in law was her psychiatrist. She is generally not too coherent and definitely on tons of medication. My standard joke in the family is that this person would be a better President than George Bush. And, I am pretty much serious.

[question everything]

5. Thank you. This will be emailed to many (nt)

[Voice for Peace]

6. Agree strongly on that last line. That (1) she thinks she's ready, and (2) that

ready or not, she's running with McCain, to me shows seriously bad judgement.

[young_at_heart]

7. Great comment------"Palin is a shallow, chirpy person with those vaguely alarming eyeglasses."

Roger, you are a class act and I miss your show. Keep up the great writing!

[JBoy]

8. Great article! Palin is the Sanjaya of the election.

[TheKentuckian]

9. "vaguely alarming eyeglasses" is a great line

Well played, sir. Well played.

[SeattleGirl]

10. Another two thumbs up!

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[fortyfeetunder]

11. (sniff) I don't have enough thumbs to put up

Two aren't enough!!!

:applause: Roger

[AtomicKitten]

12. She'll be Karl Rove's handpuppet.

[Pachamama]

13. Excellent! I'm glad to see what kept me up late last night is a similar thought as what had hit me:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=6996890&mesg_id=7010848

[RepublicanElephant]

14. i miss roger, too!

he's always been my favorite movie critic, almost always spot-on (i had to disagree with his criticism of "the phantom menace" ;) )

[Cybergata]

15. You tell them Roger!

I've been following Roger's reviews for years, and he hasn't lead me astray once. His review is right on.

[noel711]

16. Brilliant!

[mucifer]

17. Great article but your link doesn't work. Here's one that does:

http://www.suntimes.com/news/otherviews/1156080,091008ebertpalin.article