Palin fails the Bono test after phonecall replaces meeting
A crucial meeting with the U2 frontman was scheduled for this week
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THE woman the world has come to know as the hockey mom from Alaska yesterday failed to receive the coveted celebrity endorsement she was chasing.
Bono, it would seem, has not yet been convinced of her suitability for the job of second most powerful political leader in the world, following a brief phone conversation.
Sarah Palin, who is rapidly trying to boost her foreign policy credentials, has been meeting with international leaders upon her marathon of talks -- and a crucial meeting with the U2 frontman was scheduled for this week.
However, in the end, she had to settle for a phone call because of what was described as "gridlock in the markets".
Suitability
Yesterday, Bono ducked and dodged questions about Ms Palin's suitability and was at pains to stress that he had a habit of meeting all presidential and vice-presidential candidates.
Asked if he was impressed, he pointedly replied: "I'm just getting to know her."
Asked if she seemed knowledgeable on Third World issues; if she was clued in; if she was a suitable choice for vice president, he again replied: "I don't know. I actually haven't a clue.
"I was very curious about Palin, Governor Palin, so when John McCain asked that she come to meeting, I was very pleased. Now, because of gridlock in the markets and in the city here, we ended up with a phone conversation."
On the upside for Ms Palin, however, he said it was important the Republicans were now showing such an interest in Third World affairs.
- Aine Kerr
