SNL Context

To understand this skit you need to be aware of current events. Clinton and Palin are the first women who have a real shot at being in the white house, and the skit plays on their credentials for it and their wanting to be there. The funny parts play on Palin's lack of experience and inteligence, and Tina Fey does a good job of making her ditzy. And Poehler's imitation of the desperately power hungry and bitter Clinton works as well. No one will understand these jokes, though, if they don't know about Palin being inexperienced and not even knowing what the Bush doctrine is, and Clinton losing after fighting such a desperate battle.