Parker says in an interview that Obama came across as “an extremely thoughtful, deliberate person,” but she is not about to change her views. “I don’t think any of us are likely to be seduced by an airplane ride and a book of Air Force One matches,” she says. “I also doubt the president had any such illusions when he invited us.”…

Parker expected the counterattack: “Conservatives are saying, ‘Aha, you sucked up, you bashed Palin so you could ride on Air Force One.’ I don’t care if I ride on Air Force One. Big deal.” What was useful, says Parker, is getting “a better sense of how he thinks and approaches issues.”