Monday, May 30, 2011
A Sarah Palin moment
Love her or hate her, Sarah Palin has a way of reinforcing whatever attitude you might have toward her. To wit:
Sarah Palin brought some chaos and political buzz to the 24th annual Rolling Thunder motorcycle ride Sunday, riding into the Pentagon parking lot around noon on the back of a Harley and quickly drawing a crowd of reporters, fans and gawkers.
While I am not likely to support Governor Palin for president, she is a fascinating political talent with oodles more influence than any other living alumnus of a losing national ticket. I am not sure many people understand Palin's power to move crowds, but those who do probably have a good handle on the current mood of the country.
16 Comments:
By 
Rabel, at
Mon May 30, 09:16:00 AM:
Amazing article. Every quote is negative. The MSM hate her. They really, really hate her.
By 
, at
Mon May 30, 10:38:00 AM:
TH this is a really tough call for me with respect to Gov. Palin. I love her story and despite people questioning her experience you have to admire how she arrived at this point. I think it is fair to say that 10+ years ago when she first ran for a councilman's position in Wasila that she ever thought it would go further than that role. I dont think the same could be said about any other aspiring Politician. Barack Obama in Law School probably dreamed of one day becoming the first black President. Governor Palin was merely trying to make her little town more livable for her and her four kids (the fifth would come much later). In every role from that point forward she stepped in to voids or took on some of the deep corruption that exists in Alaska and did an admirable job each time. Quite possibly the worst thing that could have happened to her was being asked to be McCain's running mate. Let's not forget that she had 80+% approval ratings in Alaska at the time - who gets 80+% approval ratings? Had she not been picked, she could have continued doing the right things in Alaska and then quite possibly be introduced to our country in a different light - her own light and her own experiences. Would she be considered an automatic front-runner maybe not, but then again that lady sure can draw the light in an almost undeniable way.
As for my own trepidations about Gov. Palin, I think of the eight long years where I had to defend G.W.'s intelligence and ability to lead. Unfortunately that colors and probably affects my inability to be full-throated in my support for Gov. Palin. Often times I have to stop those who call her dumb (I usually point to Joe Biden and the dumb-ass who is making the point is stopped in his tracks), but then I quietly ask them to review her history and I ask them how is this not admirable? A concerned citizen raising their hand to be part of the solution?
I usually then get the "then she should just stay in Alaska" retort. I then once again have to quietly remind them their current President was admired as a community organizer and as a part-time state legislature prior to his 2 years in the Senate...
My last point is this, what bothers Democrats most about her is that she should, by all accounts, be one of them. Democrats cannot reconcile how a self-formed woman can ever think of not being a Democrat; how she is a "sell-out" to the establishment. And of course it always ends by the Lefty resorting to the most base, emotive and intellectually empty argument by calling her "stupid."
The question I deal with as a voter is that if her negatives are this high, do I want to go through this type of rationalizing and debate for the next four years? To that end, even if someone like Mitt Romney who has an impeccable background and even some liberal street cred (e.g. Romneycare) will have to be defended almost as much because the average Lefty has to make it personal. They cannot disagree with a guy they have to hate the guy even though he is on their side (for the Lefties out there your side should still be the American side...)
By mdgiles, at
Mon May 30, 10:55:00 AM:
Romney? Yep just what the country needs, another Obama. What is it about non Democrats that allows them to be convinced that the "best" choice is always someone the Democrats love? You should be wary of taking advice from your enemies. The reason Dims go bugsh*t over Palin is not that she is "unelectable", it's because she is electable. Besides, what more could they bring up in a general election. They've spent the years since she was nominated steadily badmouthing her, they've pretty much run out of ammunition.
By Rick, at
Mon May 30, 11:05:00 AM:
Ya, I would never go for Palin. Romney, he's our man! His positions are so different than Obama's. Oh, wait, what are his positions? He backs ethanol subsidies, foisted Obama care on his state ... Ya, establishment Republicans are so different than the Democrats. I just forget how. Actually Bush started our problems domestically. I never favored him because of his domestic policy.
By , at
Mon May 30, 11:17:00 AM:
Not my first or second choice either, but if it comes down to Sarah vs. Barak, an easy choice it will be.
Seeing the photos from Rolling Thunder, of Sarah in a Harley style helmet, I couldn't help remembering Dukakis in an army helmet. It seems the norm that when a politician puts on someone else's hat they look desperate. Sarah did not look desperate.
The oft repeated word to the wise about Palin is probably good to keep near:
Do not underestimate that woman.
M.E.
By , at
Mon May 30, 12:18:00 PM:
Thanks for the interest.
Tell you the truth, I still don’t know that I'm going to run but I probably will. I want to wait as long as I can before formally announcing. It's a long way to November 2012. Recent developments forced me to move earlier than I wanted. Hence this little tour into the "belly of the beast." If nothing else, I just boxed out Michelle Bachmann. After my little tour ends, I want to be in the top three in all these BS polls and then hang back if I can.
I want to run to be positively impactful. I'm also going to do it my way. I learned a lot in the 2008 campaign, especially what not to do. Name another Republican wannabee that's been in a national campaign. Who else got put on the spot twice (convention, VP debate) and knocked the cover off the ball. QuakerCat is right: part of my secret is that I fell into this. Hand of Fate?
I'm not as dumb as some of you think. If you were to hang with me for even a day, you'd see that. I've been taking positions "ahead of the curve" for over a year now that most of you haven't even heard. You just read The New York Times and swear by every word.
Much of America is being left out of our political process. This has only gotten worse over the last two years. I want to bring these folks in. If the Republican party doesn't want them it'll go into the dustbin of history.
We have some serious problems to deal with folks. I'll surprise you all when I start speaking to them with common sense as we get into 2012. I'll make Romney look like Obama in whiteface.
I know I have high negatives, but they're mostly localized to states Obama is sure to win. If I do better in suburbs, I can "kill" everywhere else. I need to show that I can win in Florida. Are Jews still going to support Obama? Marco Rubio will soon be my BFF! I can win Ohio, PA, and even Wisconsin. I may never win New Jersey but so be it. I'll still get 300 electoral votes ... and a mandate for real Hope and Change!
If I had to bet today, I'd say it'll go "She's too hot, Romney's too cold, T-Paw is just right, my soon to be BFF Herman Cain will win Miss Congeniality."
But it's gonna be fun! TTYL !
By , at
Mon May 30, 06:47:00 PM:
I read that Palin was invited to Rolling Thunder.
By Ron Snyder, at
Tue May 31, 08:23:00 AM:
She was invited. I have never been "formally invited" to any of the Rolling Thunder or Patriot Guard rides that I've been in, but was always welcomed. Cannot imagine that Sarah would not have also been welcomed.
http://bit.ly/kRJfyi
By Progressively Defensive, at
Tue May 31, 01:33:00 PM:
No.
She still looks like a deer caught in headlights so very often. And then sputters something both ignorant and tonedeaf. She reminds me of many; they have the "talking points" but lack the education to understand the massive substance from which those points are derived.
Giuliani is the opposite; he has it under the hood and he'll do for the USA what he did for NYC. He is our Ronald Reagan ... we still enjoy and struggle to advance the Giuliani Revolution. A brilliant legal mind and a brilliant manager of people. Rare. He only lost to the more popular moderate Republican last time; now he is that and him alone.
By PrincetonAl, at
Tue May 31, 01:47:00 PM:
"The question I deal with as a voter is that if her negatives are this high, do I want to go through this type of rationalizing and debate for the next four years?"
It doesn't matter who we nominate. The MSM will make it this difficult for any selection. They may appear more moderate on other candidates now, but once nominated they will work to destroy them as well.
The only answer is to get up and fight for them all. Pawlenty, Palin, Cain - I may have issues with each one, but I love everyone of them compared to Obama. And I am proud to defend every single one against the MSM hack attacks.
The only Republican the MSM likes are weak, soggy cucumbers that blow with the wind and that no one wants to vote for - and that is why the MSM likes them.
You better get a stomach for the fight, because it is going to be vicious in 2012.
By Assistant Village Idiot, at
Tue May 31, 10:43:00 PM:
Princeton Al, spot on.
We are going to round four of a twelve-round fight.
By Gary Rosen, at
Wed Jun 01, 12:44:00 AM:
I was a big Giuliani supporter in 2008 and was very disappointed at the way his campaign fizzled. I tend to think that his health problems were a bigger issue than he let on. I still admire and respect him, but his time as a Presidential candidate has come and gone.
By , at
Wed Jun 01, 01:38:00 AM:
I have to disagree with talent and mythic political instincts. The Media Hype always plays the hype beyond reality. For example, the "greatest politician" of our time, was impeached by the House. This doesn't happen for the greatest political mind, no matter what they do. And then this greatest was surpassed by Obama as the next greatest.
Palin has all the signs of the hype being desperately played by much of the Conservative Punditry. She simply doesn't match the overt fan fare. O'Donnell, Miller, etc., were truly misguided, a sign of poor political judgment. Miller in her own state, shows a total lack genuine political influence in real terms.
We are speaking about Celebrity. Americans are ga ga over Celebrity, and conservatives have very few celebrities of their own. This is a persona exploited to sell a sense of belonging to a fashionable concept of 'conservatism' for and by many. It is all identity and image - contrary to her very moderate record on par with McCain, creating Climate Panel's in Alaska and the populist tax increases on Oil Companies.
Besides, Rolling Thunder always, always, creates great attention. The attention added with a Celebrity, right when many are curious about her joining the Presidential race is to be expected. It actually is quite surprising now, how small the crowds and devotion is to Mrs. Palin as compared to a mere year ago. Prior to her leaving the Governorship, or the Alaskan Reality TV Show, she had far more influence. That is the Palin Franchise problem, the more exposure, the less impressed folks become.
Also, the repeated self references, implying being a "rebel", not a typical politician, are really obvious cheap populist political ploys. Hardly convincing for a former GOP VP Candidate who eagerly embraced the Maverick Platform. Now she is above "political machines"? Please...
This is ambition and loads of self interest, lacking serious substance. Not certain how it will play out, but the fan fare remains overt, counter productive, and we cannot afford any more enabling of the disastrous Democratic Party with cheap stereotypes.
By , at
Wed Jun 01, 10:03:00 PM:
Despite being a long time Palin fan, despite noting that if she is the Republican choice I will vote for her, she is not our best choice.
Many more people every day are coming to the same conclusion.
The latest: Paul Rahe.
http://www.ricochet.com/main-feed/Paul-Ryan-A-Duty-to-Serve
M.E.
By , at
Thu Jun 02, 07:14:00 AM:
I'm a big fan of Eagle Scout Paul Ryan but we're not ready for him yet. That could change quickly, but I wouldn't count on it happening between now and November 2012.
Our politics -- and public perception thereof -- is operating as if we just have to (partly) close a big budget gap ... business as usual. Pass the Weiner jokes.
But its not business as usual. We have huge structural issues to deal with. It'll take a crisis for the process to even begin to start.
Right now, Ryan has a cult following. He's a long way from being an effective Presidential candidate. That's our fault, not his. Until we have a crisis, it's too easy for the likes of Obama to marginalize and dismiss Ryan. That doesn't mean that Ryan isn't currently effective, just unappreciated.
That said, I'd be surprised if Ryan doesn't run sometime in the next 20 years -- he's only 41. That slacker!
By , at
Sat Jun 04, 10:07:00 PM:
From today's The Hill"
"Howard Dean warns Dems Sarah Palin could beat Obama in 2012"
"Dean warns the sluggish economy could have more of a political impact than many Washington strategists and pundits assume."
You don't say
