WHEN John McCain picked Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his vice-presidential running mate in the 2008 US elections, the effect on the American public was one of curiosity and enthusiasm. After all, an aging presidential candidate picking a young (and good-looking) nominee who had made some waves as a state governor, suggested a fresh and forward-looking outlook in terms of governance.
Palin’s baggage, however, was her lack of experience. But Palin’s supporters dismissed this as irrelevant. Kari Sleight of the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman, wrote: “There is an argument to be made that leadership, and the qualities that define a good leader, are inherently more important than experience.”
But the moment Palin began to be asked about substantive issues, the novelty began to wear off. In an interview with Charles Gibson on ABC News (her first major TV appearance after being nominated), Palin was asked about US relations with Russia.
Her answer: “They’re our next-door neighbors, and you can actually see Russia from land here in Alaska, from an island in Alaska.”
That non-sequitur response was quickly spoofed on Saturday Night Live by a Palin impersonator, Tinay Fey: “I can see Russia from my house.”
Palin was eventually adjudged by the voters as unprepared for the vice-presidency. She lost, along with McCain.
If this situation looks familiar, it’s because there is a similar case in the enthusiasm over the possible presidential candidacy of Grace Poe. As a neophyte senator, doubts have been raised about her experience and competence (aside from her eligibility, based on the Constitution). She obviously disagrees.
Poe’s speech in a recent sortie in Koronadal with Chiz Escudero (bannered by the press as an indication that the two were planning to run for president and vice-president, respectively), reminded me of Sarah Palin’s off-tangent response. Poe asserted that she did not lack experience and competence, having learned them from her adoptive parents, Fernando Poe, Jr. and Susan Roces, from childhood.
Here is how one newspaper reported it (with the English translation of her quote):
“Senator Grace Poe on Saturday, July 18, took a fresh swipe at those questioning her capability to lead the country given her supposed ‘inexperience.’ She said she had been honing important leadership qualities from her parents since childhood…
“She said her father taught her that ‘one has to be brave’ and to ‘fight’ without being arrogant. He likewise taught her about honesty and integrity.
“I didn’t learn these things in just a week or a day or a year. I learned these since I was a child
“Poe added: ‘They say a leader has to have enough experience and competence. I believe that. But it’s also important for a leader to have a heart and sincerity when it comes to the people. All your brilliance would be tantamount to nothing if your intention is not to improve the welfare of the people.’”
Admittedly, the statement makes excellent copy. What advertising men refer to as “may kurot sa puso” (touches the heart). But it is absolutely bereft of substance.
If she were to be honest with herself, Poe will have to agree that her response was as irrelevant as Palin’s comment on Russian-American relations. Being raised as a nice, parent-respecting, God-fearing daughter is hardly enough preparation for the highest leadership and managerial position in the land.
Concerning Poe’s insistence on the importance of having “a heart and sincerity when it comes to the people,” we shouldn’t forget that this was how Noynoy Aquino was sold to us. Recall how the country felt that Aquino’s “honesty and integrity” were beyond question, having been raised by iconic parents.
Well, we ended up with a president whose judgement, depth of thinking, leadership qualities and managerial ability have been exposed as sorely lacking.
In fact, even the “honesty and integrity” part is under a cloud in view of such questionable instances as bribing senators to impeach a sitting Chief Justice, lacking the strength of character to acknowledge accountability for actions that led to the carnage of 44 Special Action Force police troopers, and violating Constitutional provisions on the disposition of the national budget.
Which brings us to Poe’s own strength of character, sincerity and her integrity. Does she really have all of these virtues, unblemished and pristine?
If that were so, then she should frontally address questions about her eligibility to run for president or vice-president and get the issue over with. It does not speak well of her supposed virtues when she chooses to ignore the issue and, instead, continues to encourage speculation on her possible candidacy.
It’s pretty much like dealing with a used car salesman. You ask the salesman if a second hand car’s engine is in good running condition and he ignores the question but continues to sell you on the vehicle’s attractive features.
Is Poe hoping that if she closes her eyes, the Constitutional bogeyman will go away? Or is she counting on the ability of her prospective patron, e.g., Noynoy Aquino, to ignore the Constitution the way he has gone around the high court ruling on the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) and the pork barrel?
In such a case, Poe is obviously being naïve, the way she displayed naivete when she stated that she did not need to do anything else (like taking the oath of allegiance to the Philippines) because she “automatically reacquired” her Philippine citizenship upon renouncing her US citizenship.
That naivete is obviously being exploited by her adviser and close confidante, Chiz Escudero. Escudero wants to become vice-president. In surveys, he ranks second to Poe among “vice-presidentiables.”
If Poe were to run as the VP running mate of Mar Roxas, Escudero’s chances would go up in smoke. This makes it imperative for Poe to run for the other position – namely, the presidency – even if it means running as an independent.
Think of it this way. Roxas will surely throw his hat in the presidential ring as sure as his mother’s name is Judy Araneta Roxas. Whatever Speaker Sonny Belmonte says about Poe being “unstoppable,” it is unlikely that Roxas will allow his ambitions to be foiled a second time. He will do everything possible to either have Poe disqualified or defeated in the polls.
On the other hand, going by the victory of Jojo Binay over Mar Roxas in 2010, Escudero probably feels confident that he will win the vice-presidency, whether Poe wins or loses as an independent presidential candidate.
In fact, if a Noy-Bi happened in 2010 (with Escudero being in on the plot), would a Mar-Chiz caper be an impossibility?
Indeed, Grace Poe will have to learn that in high stakes politics, experience in backroom dealing is as important as honesty and integrity. ([email protected])
