Anchorage Daily News editorial: Hey, you know who’s been a pretty darned effective governor?
posted at 7:15 pm on September 7, 2008 by Allahpundit
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One of the more effusive back-handed compliments I’ve ever read, from a paper that’s well aware of her political faults. They’re not calling her a lightweight exactly, but it’s clear they think her interest in the nuts and bolts of policy is, let us say, insufficiently nuanced.
Which makes their conclusion that she’d be a dynamite VP all the more surprising.
Gov. Palin is not the kind of leader who gets bogged down in minutia and works 100-hours a week. Instead, she uses her charisma and a simple, clear vision to mobilize mass support for her agenda, then leaves the details and heavy lifting to others…
As governor, she has focused almost exclusively on a handful of high-priority issues — ethics, oil tax reform and state incentives for building a natural gas pipeline. And she has had dramatic success. With Gov. Palin leading the way, the Legislature passed strong legislation on all three fronts. On two of those issues, she had to take on Alaska’s previously all-powerful oil industry. Twice she easily defeated them…
One big surprise about Palin’s term as governor: She has been thoroughly bipartisan. Her most reliable supporters on her big three accomplishments have been Democrats. The partisan side that Palin showed in her acceptance speech Thursday is something Alaskans haven’t seen in her time as governor.
Earlier this year, Palin told a cable news interviewer that somebody is going to have to tell her “what it is exactly that the VP does.” In some ways, the vice president’s job is a perfect fit for her. She wouldn’t have to run the country. She could focus on a handful of high-profile issues, inspire people with her passion and star power, and try to accomplish a few great things.
It’s a perfect fit, that is, so long as she doesn’t actually have to step in for McCain. The left will seize on this and the detail about her “fearless sense of righteousness” to compare her to Bush, but read it yourself and see if it doesn’t call to mind a different “lightweight” Republican president. If she wins — and no matter what Gallup says, given the electoral vote projections, that’s still a mighty shaky if — then Palinmania could be a huge asset in galvanizing popular support for McCain’s energy policy. Maverick’s mama didn’t raise no dummy.
Exit question: Who’ll be feeling more pressure during the ABC interview later this week, Palin or Charlie Gibson? If you thought the left was hard on him and Stephanopoulos for having the stones to ask Obama about William Ayers, wait and see what he gets if she comes through with flying colors.
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Because one Carter administration was more than enough.
Bartrams_Garden on September 7, 2008 at 8:31 PM
I am watching the Fox special with Greta on Sarah Palin..
She is a keeper..
reshas1 on September 7, 2008 at 8:32 PM
Oh hell to the no!~
What I do not get is why does anyone care??
SO WHAT if she did not give birth,(which I believe she did)!
Have they not lost enough readers yet? They want to go further into the gutter for what any empty headed dork called Obama? Oh for shame I am so disgusted!~
PiggieSez on September 7, 2008 at 8:33 PM
But of course if we win the popular vote and lose the electorial, Obama will gladly give the Presidency to McCain because the democrats have always been such firm believers in the popular vote.
Glenn Jericho on September 7, 2008 at 8:36 PM
Jimmy Carter, who continues to bring shame to those of us from Georgia, was notorious for micro-managing everything as Governor and as President. So maybe delegating tasks to capable people is not such a bad idea…
Mini14 on September 7, 2008 at 8:40 PM
Why do you assume it’s a negative story? It could be a positive tail of how the Palin’s decided to keep the child instead of aborting it.
Then again, its the NYT.
lorien1973 on September 7, 2008 at 8:43 PM
Mercy4Me: “What TV program was Mccain on today, anybody?”
That was Face the Nation, on CBS.
He was good — and the interviewer was a professional. One of the older generation of journalists who can remember when their profession was something other than crude gossip-mongering. Bob Schieffer.
McCain seemed to be saying that Governor Palin would likely be doing an interview with him in the next couple of weeks.
ClintACK on September 7, 2008 at 8:44 PM
Palin becoming the next VP isn’t the huge if that AP suggests. At this point, it’s McCain’s race to lose. That’s still possible but it’s McCain that holds his destiny in his hands, not Obama. I’ve been saying that on my blog basically since McCain attached himself to the House GOP oil rebellion.
As yourself this: If the EV models are accurate, why is Team Barry panicking?
LFRGary on September 7, 2008 at 8:46 PM
Mini14 on September 7, 2008 at 8:40 PM
It is how the military runs on a daily basis. It’s working “smarter not harder”. You delegate to people you know will take care of the mission/task. You have to know your people to make it work right, though…
Static21 on September 7, 2008 at 8:47 PM
As yourself this: If the EV models are accurate, why is Team Barry panicking? – LFRGary on September 7, 2008 at 8:46 PM
He’s panicking because they are no longer accurate. Toto pulled the curtain away and the Wizard of Oz….isn’t really a wizard.
ManlyRash on September 7, 2008 at 8:50 PM
Thanks ClintACK
Mercy4Me on September 7, 2008 at 8:51 PM
I am sure Alaskans are Vastly Relieved that Jamie Lee Curtis is not their Governor then.
Sir Napsalot on September 7, 2008 at 8:52 PM
Gee, she doens’t want to work 100 hrs a week and delve into Minutae.
Hmm, that sounds like LEADERSHIP to me, doesn’t it?
Dr. Gecko on September 7, 2008 at 8:52 PM
No problem at all… It’s the place to be.
Right_of_Attila on September 7, 2008 at 8:53 PM
Ace says Sullivan is suddenly praising Sarah Palin for raising a special-needs child. And… Ace speculates Team Barry may have recognized the backlash and told their boyz to back off – so it’s possible the NYT story could be positive.
Maybe.
fiatboomer on September 7, 2008 at 8:54 PM
I commented as such on Ace’s site as well. Media needs to rescue itself a little here. I wouldn’t be surprised if this is a very pro palin (pro trig, pro family, whatever) piece.
But when I see it, I’ll believe it.
lorien1973 on September 7, 2008 at 8:56 PM
That – or Rove is leading them into a trap that will pretty much destroy them. Time will tell.
ManlyRash on September 7, 2008 at 8:57 PM
It’s called leadership.
that is where you delegate authority but you assume the resposibilty.
That is a complete oposite from a lib.
TheSitRep on September 7, 2008 at 8:58 PM
As yourself this: If the EV models are accurate, why is Team Barry panicking?
LFRGary on September 7, 2008 at 8:46 PM
Most public state polls are take realative far apart. It is not like Gallup or Zogby which give day to day results. So I would doubt if any state polls have been done since the rep convention.
unseen on September 7, 2008 at 8:58 PM
Clear, simple vision, a natural ability to communicate and persuade, using humor to make her points, optimistic, at home in the outdoors, righteousness such that she doesn’t care what others think of her, inspires everyone else to follow her and work on behalf of her princples. Hmmm. Thinking, thinking … who could it be, who could it be …
Paul-Cincy on September 7, 2008 at 9:02 PM
Based on this article, Palin sounds like a mirror-image of George Bush. You don’t need someone in the White House you actually knows the details. You only need a head cheerleader.
Our great Presidents were men of uncommon intelligence who held broad knowledge. All this talk about the wonders of Palin is pure fantasy.
bayam on September 7, 2008 at 9:02 PM
Unbelievable! On FoxNews tonight, Chris Wallace hammered Mark Rich on why Sarah Palin hasn’t spoken to the media yet. Mark said essentially that the media had done such a horrible job in the past week, that why should the campaign throw her into that until the media shows it will treat her with some respect?
Chris kept at it – as if it’s the media’s God-given right to command interviews when they want them. Reminds me of the NYT reporter (can’t recall) who said “It’s news when we say it is.”
Finally, Brit Hume said correctly that most Americans don’t give a fig if the media ever interview her. Ain’t that the truth!!
MochaLite on September 7, 2008 at 9:03 PM
Can anyone give me one example of any Democrat, anywhere, being “bipartisan” and compromising their “agenda” to reach across the isle to Republicans on any issue……?
……………… just one?
Seven Percent Solution on September 7, 2008 at 9:08 PM
From the broadcast transcript
News2Use on September 7, 2008 at 9:08 PM
Right, a real mental heavyweight.
First, just because people on the far right think she has star power doesn’t mean that the entire country was blown away by her ‘hockey mom’ talk. Many of her views on topics from evolution to stem cell research are out touch with the mainstream. Until she comes out of hiding, to start accepting interviews and exposure to tough questions from the press, it’s hard to speak about her with great certainty.
Second, at McCain’s age you can’t assume that her only role will be that of VP.
bayam on September 7, 2008 at 9:10 PM
Gosh, I love that man does he ever get it wrong?
PiggieSez on September 7, 2008 at 9:11 PM
Sounds like you’ve been drinking the Kos Kidz Kool Aid stand.
ManlyRash on September 7, 2008 at 9:15 PM
Our great presidents were men who knew how to delegate responsibility – all great leaders do. But then, I suspect you know nothing about leadership.
ManlyRash on September 7, 2008 at 9:17 PM
If you get the context of the entire passage, she was saying she did not want to be stuck on the shelf “just in case” she was needed. She wanted an active role as VP or she would stay where she could accomplish things – as Governor. Makes sense to me.
Mini14 on September 7, 2008 at 9:18 PM
Save the keystrokes. Lost cause.
ManlyRash on September 7, 2008 at 9:19 PM
Palin was being derisively ironic about the role of the Veep.
As it often deserves.
Biden included.
profitsbeard on September 7, 2008 at 9:27 PM
I’m cautiously optimistic.
So far, all the people who have attacked her have been shown to be clueless tools from the left. And their claims hold less water than their skull, it would seem.
And all of what I have heard from her with my own eyes and seen the reporting on her by people I trust (i.e. Fox Special with Greta) help to reinforce the reasons why I have optimism. Win or lose, I hope and expect that Palin will have more work to do that just from her state of residence. And I hope her new job begins this november.
wise_man on September 7, 2008 at 9:36 PM
Reagon’s view on leadership is one minute in
lwssdd on September 7, 2008 at 9:38 PM
Evidence of simplistic thinking includes arguments that shout little more than “McSame” and “W in a Dress.”
Evidence of irrational thinking includes arguments that a woman is simultaneously conniving and nothing more than an air-head.
Evidence of a lack of critical thinking is to criticize a political opponent for not focusing on details, while praising political heroes for their broad knowledge and focus.
Evidence of fantastic thinking is to post slogans and talking points as if they are news, when they have already been repeated hundreds or thousands of times on partisan blogs.
Evidence of a lack of respect for the sanctity of human life is to promote for political gain the idea that someone is going to die.
Loxodonta on September 7, 2008 at 9:44 PM
That editorial was obviously written by someone who’s never been in charge of anything larger than a Pee Wee baseball team. When I was a Staff Non-commissioned Officer in the Marines, I had Commanding Officers and Generals who set goals or mandated requirements. Not once was I told “how” to get it done, I was just told to get it done and how I did it was my business. It’s the same in Government at all levels. That’s why large cities have Police Commissioner, Police Chief, a bunch of Captians, Lt’s, and Sergeants. If the Mayor is out doing drug busts and writing speeding tickets, what would the Mayor need a police force for?
I remember when Guliani was getting criticized for the time he spent in his office during the aftermath of 9-11 attacks. What was Guliani doing? My guess was coordinating City, State, Federal assitance to deal with the emergency. But no, according to some in the press, Guliani’s time would have been better served manning a fire hose or directing traffic.
Both are idiotic criticisms by someone who doesn’t have a clue as to how big things are accomplished.
Hog Wild on September 7, 2008 at 9:53 PM
Greta’s “Gov. Sarah Palin: An American Woman” clearly shows what makes it possible for the Governor to work while caring for her family, the support network of mom and dad and several aunts and uncles. Usually when we see politicians in front of a TV camera it is treated as a photo op and everything appears to be staged. The Governor came across as a proud mother showing off her son’s picture in Army uniform to the patting of her pregnant tummy. I liked how the Governor gave the TV crew access to the family home kitchen, first dude Todd even offered to make burgers for the TV crew.
eigafan on September 7, 2008 at 10:03 PM
You know………………….
Some people might want to check their facts about the experience and executive knowledge that Gov. Sarah Palin brings to the nominated office of the Vice President of the United States.
Among other “things”, as Governor, Sarah Palin, works with the Federal Government, and has working knowledge of the many Military bases in her state.
Not to mention Eielson Air Force Base, ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska, Fort Richardson, Alaska, and Fort Wainwright, Alaska, but also a little know post call Fort Greely.
These “day to day” responsibilities as Governor is something that she still deals with, even on the campaign trail.
These “day to day” responsibilities deal with our very real National Security on a very “day to day” basis, since Governor Palin also has to deal with her state being flanked by two foreign nations, Russia and Canada.
Add that to her ability to deal with oil companies, internal corruption, building a pipeline to take us one step closer to energy independence, raising a family, dealing with the media, and being the “spot on” choice for a Vice Presidential candidate……………… I think Mr. Obama looks quite a bit smaller.
Now, watch the Media, Goverenment Class, and Democrats squirm with fear.
………….. you can almost smell it
Seven Percent Solution on September 7, 2008 at 10:09 PM
William I have to say I like Huffpo’s thinking. After all they set it up by stating:
100 + years of McCain/Palin sounds better than the Dems winning an election between now and then.
Dawnsblood on September 7, 2008 at 10:12 PM
Or maybe they think they have found something big that will stick and are backing off until October.
Kevin71 on September 7, 2008 at 10:25 PM
What Palin will do is what Reagan did, which is to do an end-run around the media. That quote, “the people of Alaska deserve better” is a perfect example of this. She did the same thing in her speech at the RNC. “I’m not interested in your [the media's] good opinion, I’m interested in the serving the people of this great nation,” (words to that effect). She knows how to do this; it is in her very bones. When you do that, when you can pull public opinion behind you, the knees of incredibly intrenched politicians buckle. (Remember what a strong showing of public opinion did to Amnesty?)
Guys, Palin is the political equivalent of LeBron James. Looking at a guy coming out of high school, even with all the accolades, you still have to wonder, “Can he really take the beating of 250+ lb guys, the height they have etc,?” For almost anyone else you have to wonder, how CAN a guy come out of freakin’ high school and play in the NBA? Because intuitively, it just doesn’t make sense. Well guess what–just like LeBron James kicked a$$ his rookie year, putting all those questions aside–so too will Sarah Palin. She got game. Relax. Stock up on popcorn. This is going to be one hell of a season.
smellthecoffee on September 7, 2008 at 10:48 PM
I caught Van Susteren’s special and it was very open & enlightening. The taping was done in April of this year. The Gov is pregnant, but it’s obvious that she is not one of those women who grow to the size of a house while pregnant (I have a cousin like this). When asked if she knew the sex of the baby she said it was a boy. Piper was there in the kitchen and they had a mini discussion about what Piper wanted for a new sibling. Remember folks, this was well before Palin had any idea she would be the GOP VP candidate.
If the media continues to pursue the circumstances of Trig’s birth they are going to appear dumber than they usually do. WHY would the Gov and her husband “pretend” they were Trig’s parents….supposedly to protect daughter Bristol, when now Bristol is obviously pregnant and they’ve made no attempt to hide that fact? Over the years I’ve had contact with several families who had Down Syndrome children; not one of those mothers was 16 years old at the time of the DS child’s birth!!
poodlemom on September 7, 2008 at 11:05 PM
What to the attack media have to gain by trying to prove that Down’s syndrome Trig is not her baby? If Palin was pregnant last year, and Trig is not hers, where is Sarah Palin’s baby? If she had given birth to a “normal” baby, would she trade him/her for Trig? Why? If Trig is not hers, and the Palins adopted him, wouldn’t that make the Palins look even more generous? Like, for example, Cindy McCain, who adopted Bridget from Mother Teresa’s orphanage?
Besides, the idea of Palin’s daughter being pregnant is out in the open–Bristol Palin was obviously pregnant at the convention, but Trig is already born. Is somebody trying to insinuate that Bristol Palin already had one baby and is pregnant with another, at age 17?
Steve Z on September 8, 2008 at 12:26 AM
that’s practically the definition of leadership
urbancenturion on September 8, 2008 at 2:30 AM
o/t:
if McCain shuffles off the mortal coil, who will Palin appoint as her veep? hmmmmmm?
urbancenturion on September 8, 2008 at 2:30 AM
This and the competent selection of the ones to do the heavy lifting is the very definition of an excellent executive.
Buford on September 8, 2008 at 3:34 AM
Out of that whole Huffpo piece linked to above, one point of humor: Sean Hannity as Education secretary. To me, that’s funny!
Tommygun on September 8, 2008 at 5:54 AM
I’m willing to bet her ideas on those topics are not as out of touch with the mainstream as Barry’s support for infanticide.
And as Brit Hume said, the American people don’t give a fig if she talks to reporters, they just want to see her. In fact, people would probably prefer to see her in Town Hall type settings where THEY can ask the questions.
Try again, Obamabot.
Queen0fCups on September 8, 2008 at 7:37 AM
Isn’t that what a leader is supposed to do.
Set the vision, let the experts work out the details.
MarkTheGreat on September 8, 2008 at 7:46 AM
Yep, Joe Lieberman and his support for the Iraq War effort. Just look at where it got him.
Hawthorne on September 8, 2008 at 8:05 AM
Why Allahpundit? Because she is a woman or because she is inexperience?
I feel that was totally uncalled for.
Monas on September 8, 2008 at 8:42 AM
This is an attempt to play nice, while still sticking the knife in. MSM will take this approach, because they know they’ve been too overt with their smear. They’ll be more sly about it now.
marklmail on September 8, 2008 at 9:47 AM
JEM on September 8, 2008 at 10:42 AM
Nope, don’t fly. He had to leave his party to adhere to his convictions.
It wasn’t until after being abandoned by his own party he switched to independent and was the choice of the people to represent him despite all the money thrown around by the DNC. He was a contender for the VP slot on the Republican ticket and holds the most valuable vote in the senate.
Looks to me he took a step up and forward.
dkeppner on September 8, 2008 at 5:01 PM
I hate the photo of Palin on this post, she looks like the incarnation of Peggy Hill. Peggy Hill!
trailboss on September 8, 2008 at 5:48 PM
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