Amanda warns about developing an Obama-like “cult of personality”, which is good advice; we have an excellent candidate, not the Second Coming.

I’ve been giving this a whole lot of thought, because I was concerned that I was getting those same stars in my eyes. My response is thus, and I know it will be tough to back up: This is different.

First of all, we’re not rallying around a presidential candidate, we’re rallying around a vice presidential candidate. Come January, if we win, she will not be in charge of the free world. She will be one office away, but she will, for a few years, be serving far more as an icon. She will not have a mandate. John McCain will be the president, and those of us who love Sarah will hold just as much scrutiny on him as any. It would be different if Palin was running for president, and we may face that fact after another term.

Secondly, and this will be arguable, we’re not praising an image. I grant that many of Obama’s acolytes are looking to him because he is a die-hard liberal, even though he’s avoided playing that up in the media. He’s a liberal Reagan to them. They considered Hillary to be centrist, and threw fits when Obama dared to wander near the moderate line. However, a great deal of the Obama worshippers are basing their beatification on his speechmaking ability, even if there is no actual material. His slogan is “hope” and “change”, two completely vague concepts that none of his supporters can define past “not George Bush”. He has no history or actions to speak of. They are following a gold-plated calf, an empty suit, a man who perfected the art of politics but doesn’t know a thing about serving in office.

Meanwhile, Sarah Palin has been a mayor and a governor, a mother of five, and a leader rather than a politician. Instead of towing party lines, she rooted out corruption in her own party and fought very hostile enemies. She stayed consistent with her views and promises by getting rid of excess that was costing the voters money and returning it to them, as she did with the oil companies that were screwing around with the pipeline. We’ve seen flaws about her, and things like Troopergate are not being ignored. We’re waiting for the other shoe to drop, but the only one seems to be a daughter who doesn’t use contraceptives. This is in comparison to a candidate who associates with terrorists, black supremacists, and money launderers. If schlock is the best they have to throw at her, then bring it on.

Lastly, the difference lies in the ability of the Palin-adorers to be able to explain WHY they are voting for her. Take an average conservative, and ask them how they plan to vote, and for what reason. After last night, there are many clear stances she laid out that appeal to people, from energy policy to dealing with threatening foreign powers. Now ask an Obama supporter about one of his major policy stances that differs from John McCain. Ask them about his major pieces of legislation, or his executive experience. Ask them about the reforms he’s authored, or the way he’s cleaned up Chicago politics which, like Alaska, carries a great risk to one’s political career in order to combat. They’ll be stuttering as bad as The One does.

The difference is this:

When Barack Obama speaks, the crowd chants “OBAMA! OBAMA! OBAMA!”

When Sarah Palin speaks, the crowd chants “USA! USA! USA!”

So tell me who has the cult of personality.

MadisonConservative on September 4, 2008 at 2:34 PM