Not Taking Yourself Too Seriously

When every step you take, every word you say, is scrutinized under the white-hot glare of the media spotlight, it has to be tough to be one of the four key players in the presidential election. No one, I mean no one, has it tougher than Sarah Palin. The Alaska governor is simultaneously being second-guessed and skewered for anything she says or does.

Don't take this as a defense of Gov. Palin. Trust me, it's not. Any ridicule she's received, she's earned. That aside, I must admit I was impressed and entertained by her appearance on "Saturday Night Live." She showed a sense of humor, decent timing and moose-like thick skin during her two spots on the show.

Think about it for a second. She went on SNL, a program that's been merciless (and very funny) in its treatment of her. Not only did she stand there and watch her doppleganger, Tina Fey (and how great a word is doppleganger?), poke more fun at the Hockey Mom's patented Palinisms, she also stood next to Alec Baldwin!

Baldwin, who is at least No. 2 or 3 on the Republican Party's Arch-Enemies List, stood there and ripped Palin right in front of her (although he was pretending it was Fey)...and Palin took it like a champ.

I know considering the state of the McCain campaign that his running mate pretty much had to do this (just as McCain had to go with his tail between his legs to Letterman and beg forgiveness this week), but still...it took Stones for Palin. While I certainly don't plan on changing who I vote for based on a candidate being a good sport, Palin did impress me by being able to have a sense of humor about everything.

I could have done with out the 'raise the roof' antics during her appearance on Weekend Update, but she did show a little rhythm, boppin' side-to-side with Seth Myers during Amy Poehler's hilarious Palin rap.

While it may be too little, too late to help the Republicans stay in the White House, at least Palin's proven that McCain's VP mate has a better sense of humor than Dubya's ever did.