While we have been running around with our rumps on fire, it might be helpful to consider the limited evidence we have regarding the affect of Palin’s speech on the foreigners known as Not Kossacks. I feared that the sheer fact that she talked with poise and conviction would sway those not paying close attention to the race. Would her speech be a game changer? Or, did it do little other than fire up the GOP base? This is not to say that fired up Republicans are anything to take for granted, but the real action is in the middle – amongst the undecideds and independents. For an early indication of the impact of her speech, follow me below...
Data from three separate focus groups have been reported. One focus group was conducted in Michigan (Detroit Free Press). It seems that 8 of the 11 participants were less than charmed:
"I was completely underwhelmed. She was a Republican novelty act with a sophomoric script. It was not even a speech I would expect for a someone running for the local PTA, much less for vice president."
-- George Lentz, 66, Southfield independent
Palin has repeated her lie about ‘saying no’ to the bridge from nowhere. Has she no shame?"
-- James Melton, 45, Detroit Democrat
After listening to her speech ... it appears that once she makes up her mind, that is the end of it. We live in a gray world, not every answer is black and white."
-- Diane Murphy, 42, Sterling Heights independent
Her delivery style reminded me of a high school valedictorian who also might have been a cheerleader. I thought she would appear more professional, more stateswomanly. She's no match for Joe Biden."
-- Joellen Gilchrist, 64, Beverly Hills independent
"Nothing worked for me. I found her barrage of snide remarksand distortions to be a major turn off. She is not a class act. The most important point she made is that she will be an effective attack dog."
-- Jan Wheelock, 58, Royal Oak independent
Next line of evidence, HuffPo’s Seth Colter Walls reported that Greenberg, Quinlan, Rosner Research conducted two focus groups, one consisting of married women and the other consisting of unmarried women. Some of these women were former Hillary Clinton supporters who were undecided or leaning Obama or McSame. Here too, there was little enthusiasm for the hostile but poised neophyte.
In the "married" group, when one attendee kicked off the discussion by saying "she's a good speaker, and a crowd pleaser," the rest of the room articulated their agreement. "I didn't expect to be as impressed as I was," said another respondent. But then another woman added: "Once she started mudslinging, I thought, it's the same old crap as other politicians. McCain used her to get the women's vote. And she's using McCain."
"Thank you," another woman responded. "That really upset me; there was no need for that. It was snippy."
The unmarried group also voiced similar objections to the harsh, partisan edge of Palin's remarks. "I'm not impressed with her at all as a person," one said, citing her "finger pointing" and general sarcasm after the group had generally agreed that she was a talented public speaker.
But in both groups, narrow majorities said they held a more negative view of Palin after her speech. "She comes off pretty cutthroat," said one.
Many of these women also expressed deep concern regarding Palin's stance on choice.
Team Obama appears to be playing this one just right: wait and see what the reaction of people other than pundits might be, jump on what resonates (Don’t mess with community organizers) and do not let Obama himself respond to Palin. For Obama to take her on brings him down to her level. Joe, the future Vice President, was dispatched to challenge the distortions with class. They we right not to pop her in chops as many of us desired last night. For David Axelrod's response check out The Page where Ax smacks Giulaini’s dig at community organizing, "It may not pay the millions of dollars that Rudy gets for shilling for pharma, but it’s significant work."
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