Sarah Palin Is An Eliza Program

An Eliza program is a computer program that provides responses to questions by rephasing the question. The answers are nonresponsive, but just enough to make it seem like there may be artificial intelligence there. If you ever took  a Lisp programming course in college, you probably have written an Eliza program. Usually the programmer will give the Eliza program a personality. For example, you could write an Eliza program to be an annoying room mate, or you could write an Eliza program to behave like an unprepared vice presidential candidate.

Sarah Palin was interviewed tonight by Katie Couric. She didn’t help herself or John McCain. Earlier today, she had an awkward moment while trying to hobnob with foreign leaders.

Here is a partial transcript of the disaster (interview) with Katie Couric:

Couric: You’ve said, quote, "John McCain will reform the way Wall Street does business." Other than supporting stricter regulations of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac two years ago, can you give us any more example of his leading the charge for more oversight?

Palin: I think that the example that you just cited, with his warnings two years ago about Fannie and Freddie – that, that’s paramount. That’s more than a heck of a lot of other senators and representatives did for us.

Couric: But he’s been in Congress for 26 years. He’s been chairman of the powerful Commerce Committee. And he has almost always sided with less regulation, not more.

Palin: He’s also known as the maverick though, taking shots from his own party, and certainly taking shots from the other party. Trying to get people to understand what he’s been talking about – the need to reform government.

Couric: But can you give me any other concrete examples? Because I know you’ve said Barack Obama is a lot of talk and no action. Can you give me any other examples in his 26 years of John McCain truly taking a stand on this?

Palin: I can give you examples of things that John McCain has done, that has shown his foresight, his pragmatism, and his leadership abilities. And that is what America needs today.

Couric: I’m just going to ask you one more time – not to belabor the point. Specific examples in his 26 years of pushing for more regulation.

Palin: I’ll try to find you some and I’ll bring them to you.

Now, there is news that John McCain is taking his marbles and going home because he wants to cancel the vice presidential debate. Do you think they are afraid to let her debate? Do you think that is why John McCain pulled his latest stunt? If you are like me, you probably are embarrassed to see a major party presidential campaign descend into such farce. This is embarrassing for our country and embarrassing for democracy.