Palin didn't do well with Gibson...but she didn't crumble.

Palin and Hannity...well, no surprise there.

But with Couric, Palin totally collapsed.

Why?

Is it because Couric is such a hard-hitting journalist (lol) or is it something else? Perhaps because Couric, as a woman, doesn't fall for Palin's tendency "to become increasingly adorable" when faced with a difficult question? And perhaps it is because Palin realized that one of her key tactics, using sex appeal/cuteness to disarm the interviewer, was ineffective against Couric?

I think it's a bit of both.

The most recent interview was particularly interesting.

I noticed how steady Couric remained while Palin tried to get cute. Couric merely stood her ground (she would literally stop walking), look at Palin more intently and press her question even more forcefully. And Palin became completely flustered. Palin would break Couric's gaze and try to start walking (i.e. escape), but Couric didn't fall for it. In the end, Palin was left looking like a squirming fool.

This doesn't bode well for Palin in tomorrow's debate with Ifill moderating. And I think the Republicans realize this, hence the sudden desperate calls for Ifill to be replaced (it's not really about that book at all).