Ms. Palin could have expressed Alaska's connection with Russia quite differently.

Since Russia owned Alaska and "Seward's Folly" acquired it in 1867 (the purchase verified with just a single vote in the Senate) her state and Russia have indeed something in common. Secretary of State Seward, against heavy objection, paid about 7.2 million dollars for an area of twice the size of Texas. An acre came to 2.5 cents. When gold deposits were discovered, Seward ws no longer looked at as the bad guy.

The Russians must have had enormous regrets about their own folly. This bit of history does not really have much to do with our current relationship with Russia, but if the lady had to talk about Russia's proximity to Alaska it would have made a little more sense than her meaningless replies to Couric's question.

Huh?

Couric: You’ve cited Alaska’s proximity to Russia as part of your foreign policy experience. What did you mean by that?

Sarah Palin: That Alaska has a very narrow maritime border between a foreign country, Russia, and, on our other side, the land-boundary that we have with Canada. It’s funny that a comment like that was kinda made to … I don’t know, you know … reporters.


Couric: Well, explain to me why that enhances your foreign-policy credentials.
Palin:Well, it certainly does, because our, our next-door neighbors are foreign countries, there in the state that I am the executive of. And there…


Couric: Have you ever been involved in any negotiations, for example, with the Russians?
Palin:We have trade missions back and forth, we do. It’s very important when you consider even national security issues with Russia. As Putin rears his head and comes into the air space of the United States of America, where do they go? It’s Alaska. It’s just right over the border. It is from Alaska that we send those out to make sure that an eye is being kept on this very powerful nation, Russia, because they are right there, they are right next to our state.

Palin would have scored bigger points on her Couric interview had she brought in some of Alaksa's history with Russia.

I see her point, though she could have made it better.

Russia is very close to Alaska. Alaska and Canada share a border. When your state is sandwiched between two countries, it would stand to geographic reason that you'd know a little something about them and their citizens. For that very reason though, Palin should have been able to do more than give us a grade school geography lesson.

Palin seems to cave in under pressure from the media. That is not good sign.

Just like in his run against Hillary, Obama really does not have to do much more than be himself. The opponent does a great self-destruct job.