That One's Gonna Leave A Mark

The Anchorage Daily News endorsed Barack Obama yesterday.

Gov. Palin's nomination clearly alters the landscape for Alaskans as we survey this race for the presidency -- but it does not overwhelm all other judgment. The election, after all is said and done, is not about Sarah Palin, and our sober view is that her running mate, Sen. John McCain, is the wrong choice for president at this critical time for our nation.

Sen. Barack Obama, the Democratic nominee, brings far more promise to the office. In a time of grave economic crisis, he displays thoughtful analysis, enlists wise counsel and operates with a cool, steady hand. The same cannot be said of Sen. McCain [...]

Yet despite her formidable gifts, few who have worked closely with the governor would argue she is truly ready to assume command of the most important, powerful nation on earth. To step in and juggle the demands of an economic meltdown, two deadly wars and a deteriorating climate crisis would stretch the governor beyond her range. Like picking Sen. McCain for president, putting her one 72-year-old heartbeat from the leadership of the free world is just too risky at this time.

They oughta know, right?

Meanwhile, this story about the early days of Sarah Palin (neé Sarh Heath) is really strange. Apparently, those who knew her in high school and college are saying the same things that the neighbors of serial killers say about people - loner, kept to herself, shy, etc. They are positively shocked that she emerged from this obscurity to the heights of politics. This is just not something you hear about a Vice Presidential candidate.

Of the 43 fellow journalism, communication and telecommunication majors reached by The Times from the group of 60 in her 1987 graduating class, only five said they recalled much of anything about Ms. Palin. (Two, including Mr. Love, said they had a crush on her.) Most others said they had no memory of her at all, which some found puzzling given the communication school’s size.

University officials, including Ms. Palin’s academic adviser and two former professors who taught her, said they recalled little or nothing about her.

She did not work for the college newspaper, nor the university television station, a university official said. Her senior class yearbook reveals a single photo, no campus activities. Roy Atwood, the adviser, said, “I don’t think she was terribly connected.”

It's spooky. Someone doesn't develop that kind of personality overnight. I don't know what to make of it.