Bob McCarty Writes

Before Americans pass post-debate judgment on Sarah Palin tomorrow night, I suggest they vaccinate themselves from “The Stockdale Syndrome,” a disease first introduced into the political arena by liberal members of the news media in 1992.  That vaccination is available in the form of an opinion piece, Debates Don’t Always Reveal Character, published in The Wall Street Journal yesterday.

In the article, Taylor B. Stockdale sets the record straight about his late father, Admiral James B. Stockdale, as Americans prepare to watch the vice presidential debate at Washington University in St. Louis.

A true American hero and John McCain’s senior officer while serving in Vietnam, Admiral Stockdale had his reputation sullied by the mainstream news media after he appeared in a vice presidential debate as the running mate of Texas businessman Ross Perot. Sixteen years later, the admiral’s son described him in a manner more befitting his stature:

As everyone saw that evening, he was not a politician. He was a fighter-pilot ace, a Medal of Honor recipient, and a wonderful dad and human being. During his eight years as a POW, he slit his scalp and beat his face with a stool to prevent his captors from parading him in the streets for propaganda purposes. He gave starving men his food rations when he himself was starving. And at home, after his release in 1973, he was a respected leader, scholar and writer. He considered himself a philosopher.

Regardless of how she performs against career politician Joe Biden Thursday night, I guarantee she will continue to be regarded by those who love and respect her as a wonderful mom and human being.  Only the country will lose if the plague of liberalism is introduced into the political atmosphere.