Will the Real Sarah Palin Please Stand Up?

There were two Sarah Palins on the TV this weekend. The first incarnation was from an interview conducted by Charlie Gibson, and filmed in Alaska (where you can totally see the Russias!). This was the first interview Sarah Palin has given since being announced as McCain's running mate. ABC accurately pointed out that she's basically been rehashing her acceptance speech from the Republican Convention on stumps all over the country ever since. Here, Charlie Gibson was able to get to the meat and potatoes of who Sarah Palin really is. Here, he was able to ask her difficult and pertinent, albeit previously agreed upon, questions.



But then on Saturday night, Tina Fey returned to SNL, in the role she was born to play: Sarah Palin. Many have noted how much Tina Fey resembles Sarah Palin ever since McCain announced her as his VP. Tina Fey nailed about 90% of the impression just appearing on camera with her hair up. But with a solid (Alaskan?) accent, she absolutely crushed her impersonation of the governor.



So to recap:

Sarah Palin did ok. But, at times, she dodged Gibson's questions. She showed her willingness to endorse President Bush's failed diplomacy, even when she doesn't know what it is, or how it's defined. She also attempted to cite foreign policy experience by 'being so close to Russia you can see it.'

Tina Fey, on the other hand, performed exceptionally! She took time away from her other hilarious show (30 Rock), and returned to her old stomping ground with flying colors. She did an amazing job portraying arguably the most talked about politician of the last 30 days. And there is literally no one else on the planet who could have pulled it off any better.

Advantage: Tina Fey.