Ms. Larimore need not be so surprised by the Palin fall from the convention to "the Couric". Note to self: her convention speech was written for her and all she had to do was memorize it. Extemporaneous, responsive speech is more challenging and clearly a more appropriate representation of insight, intellectual agility and mental curiosity.

I think conservatives should be of one voice in condemning her selection so no presidential candidate will try this again. By parsing all critiques of her, Palin supporters reject the requirement of intellectual and sociopolitical exceptionalism in the presidency. We all deserve "better than Palin."

Exactly. It's like watching an interview with an actor. I once saw Jude Law interviewed on some talk show. He's a terrific actor, and easy on the eye -- but in an interview he was completely inarticulate.

There's little connection between the skill of reading a script and the skill of critical thinking. Some people happen to have both. Palin doesn't appear to be one of them -- or let's say if she is a high level thinker, she hasn't yet let us in on her thoughts.