Well, she freely gave the interview AND posed for People magazine, so now she has to accept the criticism that comes her way. And here is some right now: abstinence is realistic, if you bother to practice it. The moment you have sex is the moment you give up on abstinence, and it won’t work if you give up on it.

Male, I mean no insult, but you are providing ample evidence that the MSM propaganda has been effective. You swallowed it hook, line, and sinker. Goebbels would certainly be green with envy if he weren’t a blackened crisp in hell.

OlympicLeprechaun, much of the Palin material I have is garnered from transcripts of her speeches, although I have caught most of her notable TV and radio appearances. Of what I have seen on TV and heard on the radio, I am not impressed. How is it MSM propaganda that Palin would spend 5 minutes on the phone with a BAD Sarkozy imitator who is saying borderline crazy stuff about going hunting from a helicopter (but not with Cheney there!), and she never catches on? I listened to the tape and that level of niavete is embarrassing. Am I to believe that she is a genius, yet is manipulated by Katie Couric in the interviews for CBS? The so-called “gotcha” questions the media was asking her were pretty routine, and Palin’s non-answers and her explanations for her non-answers were nonsensical. So please, don’t tell me I’m a victim of propaganda. I know what I saw firsthand.

Yeah I got a crush. So sue me.

Tech, I hope the lovely Gov browses these blogs. She’d probably hire you. Had you been running McCain’s campaign she’d be the VP right now.

she comes across as not very smart

Male, I mean no insult, but you are providing ample evidence that the MSM propaganda has been effective. You swallowed it hook, line, and sinker. Goebbels would certainly be green with envy if he weren’t a blackened crisp in hell.

How anyone with even rudimentary objective powers of reasoning can parrot this condemnation of Governor Palin’s intelligence when juxtaposed with Joe Biden’s idiocy is beyond my comprehension. The man we elected President said that asthmatic children need to be treated with breathalyzers for crying out loud.

“If being a “big tent” party means losing our values, then I’ll just stay here, losing elections. I refuse to give an inch on basic Conservative morals, values and principals.”

It’s sad that you don’t see how futile this approach is. “My way or the highway” only really works when you have the power to send the other guy packing instead of vice-versa.

On the Sarah Palin topic, I just disagree that she can lead the GOP out of the woods it finds itself in. Despite the handwringing about the “media filter”, Palin had plenty of opportunities to articulate her message and did not do so effectively. Frankly, she comes across as not very smart and I challenge anyone to listen to the prank call she took from a Canadian Radio station and tell me otherwise. The “Russia is Close to Alaska” statement and subsequent sticking by it doesn’t help. I know this isn’t a popular opinion here, but Sarah Palin will never win a presidential race, period. The longer the GOP pins its hopes and dreams on her, the worst off it will be.

For those counselling Sarah to wait to 2016 or 2020 why don’t you recommend that Tiger Woods wait another year before returning to action so that his knee really heels.

Sarah is a superstar. Deny that as much as you want, it will still be the truth by any objective measure of what qualities a superstar exudes, commands, or performs.

For any understanding of Sarah Palin this is where you must begin. If she decides to run in 2012 she will be automatically a front runner. Hide your head in the sand and deny it but nevertheless it will be true. She may not gain the nomination but would anyone with half a brain bet against her. Perhaps dumb-downed Obamatrons would, but not conservatives or even rational moderates.

One must strike when the iron is hot. For Sarah the political climate is boiling over; all she needs to do is respond and catch the fever herself.

Anna on February 18, 2009 at 11:31 AM

Excellent. I am with you on the kids, mom is the best job I have ever had.

The interview was for the money. Bristol could have demured with a no comment regarding teenage sex questions. The rationale for the interview and for answering what should have been muted is to excuse herself. Self ingratiation via ingratitude for supporters is a most unbecoming McCain sabotage character flaw. Conservatives eschew prostitution in all its guises. So whatever friends Sarah and Bristol meant to win were just lost. Their antagonists will NEVER let up; and the Palins’ champions are doing what the Palins should do right now. Stop to think.

Self control is a virtue, and in politics differentiates between a good leader and a fop. As it is, Ms. Bristol Palin is humiliating many who stood by her side during her darkest humiliation. Very bad form; and considering the girl’s lack of formal education, very bad form on the part of Gov. Palin to host this expose all in her home as matriarch. This poor show leads to the intrusion of a criticism; like daughter like mother? If the Palins believe in contraceptives as well as abstinence, then the double bonus baby syndrome denotes lack of preparation, conviction and SELF CONTROL.

Time to seriously be quiet and focus on studying and learning from the wise.

As per 2012, Jindal is a thinker who solves the most serious and difficult problems with the best means. Note well, he is defying the Obama pig$ trough.

Speaking of prostitution, this Obama tax swindle heaps huge taxation upon US, the tax dollars going directly to foreign bankers who LEND us back OUR tax money AT INTEREST.

Cindy Munford on February 18, 2009 at 11:10 AM

I heart Erma Bombeck! My aunt introduced me to her years ago, and personally, I think she’s pretty timeless. I mean, times change, but the fun/frustration of parenting doesn’t. I also have read Steve Doocy’s books, I find him quite funny too.

I never wanted kids, until I had them. Wouldn’t have it any other way.

Mark Garnett on February 18, 2009 at 11:22 AM

In the hills of North Carolina, there will be a resistance movement. I’m going up there this weekend to bury all my weapons.

Bizarro No. 1 on February 18, 2009 at 3:25 AM

Geez, how did I miss that snarky little bit of flirting. I’m not your type, I like women.
No, actually princess, I rather enjoyed taking the mere couple minutes to demonstrate what a hypocrite ass you were. My pleasure.
No, no! No tip required! Think of it as your part of the stimulus bill. Free. Gratis, Na…da.

BTW, is Bizarro a nickname you got from your friends or family?

2012 is too soon.

Tacitus_SGL on February 18, 2009 at 11:16 AM

Either her or Sanford… 2018 America will NOT be here in any recognizable form…

We must make gains in 2010, 2012 and 2014 or it’s over as a Republic, the far left radicals will have way too much power.

And finally if you feel that Sarah’s reputation has been permanently damaged by the MSM, SNL, or late-night comedians, look at athletes (Kobe Bryant or former politicians (Bill Clinton) that have been previously vilified for wrongdoing and subsequently after years have passed have been resurrected in the public eye.

This is true – the American public has a short term memory, which is unfortunately why people like Barney Frank and Chris Dodd won’t be punished for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. However, this also gives Sarah a chance to perform some more careful reputation management during her next go-round in the national spotlight. Personally I hope she waits until 2018 before she makes any foray into national politics again – 2012 is too soon.

Anna on February 18, 2009 at 9:33 AM

If you aren’t fimilar with them may I respectfully introduce you to Erma Bombeck’s early books. She would not be a contemporary (she has passed away) but she taught me that you can laugh through the frustration. I even enjoyed the teenage years and I give her a lot of credit.

I love my kids, love ‘em to death and back again, and I hope they turn out alright. Tim and I try our hardest to bring them up as good children and citizens… and underneath the stubborn, the lessons do appear to be taking hold. However, if one of them makes a mistake, we will still love them, with the realization that no one is perfect.

This is unbelievable. That the girl is the daughter of a losing VP candidate is more astonishing because if you take the last 6 losing VP candidates besides Sarah Palin (John Edwards, Al Gore, Jack Kemp, Dan Quayle, Lloyd Bentsen, and Geraldine Ferraro)you could do exhaustive research and probably find no more than 12 paragraphs in total devoted to the children of the losing VP candidate so soon after a defeat.

Losing VP candidates are supposed to be forgotten, crawl back into the woodwork,or the press and media is supposed to move on and focus their attention of covering the day to day exploits of the Presidential winner and his administration.

I will admit that the MSM has tried to make that happen but in crude terms ‘Sarah Palin will not go away however much they try to make her yesterday’s news’.

What is even more astonishing is that Sarah Palin is from Alaska, a remote state and the state with the 47th lowest popualtion. Yes, she is a governor but seriously folks a major player in the game of national politics, get real, that is not possible.

Since November 4th Sarah has performed only one political act: to help Saxby Chambliss in his runoff in which he won by 15 points. She has purposely I think stayed away from Washington, only attending the Alfalfa dinner, in which she did not speak. Having been invited to speak at the Congressional retreat, Sarah politely declined. And to top if off she begged off her appearance at CPAC. And she has done very few media interviews with the national media. It’s not like the woman is clamoring for national attention.

From any objective point of view this should have doomed Sarah and relegated her to the wilderness of national politics. Instead there is a feeling out there is Sarah is getting herself prepared and ready to do battle; her supporters (I am one) do not have to be sold on her popularity, authenticity, charisma, or her superstar presence and abilities. She closed the deal with most of us during the campaign and especially after her debate with Joe Biden where she went toe-to-toe with a man with 35 years experience in foreign affairs and prevailed or at least held her own. We know Sarah needs to bone up, become more conversant with the details of national issues, and carve out her own path away from the McCain campaign. From what we have seen so far we see no reason why Sarah after 2-3 years will not be able to do this.

We are convinced. We do not need to be sold that Sarah has the ‘right stuff’. But there are millions out there who are sitting on the fence-good fiscal conservatives, foreign affairs specialists or those who believe in the values of traditional America (life, libety, and the pursuit of happiness), who may think that Sarah is a flash in the pan, is all style and no substance (a moron) or that she has been so damaged by the MSM that there is no hope in hell that Sarah will ever be a credible, winning candidate.

As to the first contention by the end of this year I predict nobody will be calling Sarah Palin a flash in the pan (unless of course she declares she is not running for President in 2012). As much as the MSM would still like to bury her, they will find that they will not be able to.

As for establishing policy positions it has been recommended by many, including myself, that Sarah surround herself with able and experienced advisors who can help her formulate her conservative principles into a coherent package and develop ideas and policies that she wants to run on. Unlike the 2008 campaign where she was thrown into battle without going through a training camp Sarah will have now have the time and will to absorb all the goings-on in Washington and the world from a perspective of offering up viable alternatives.

And finally if you feel that Sarah’s reputation has been permanently damaged by the MSM, SNL, or late-night comedians, look at athletes (Kobe Bryant or former politicians (Bill Clinton) that have been previously vilified for wrongdoing and subsequently after years have passed have been resurrected in the public eye. I have every confidence in the world, despite the efforts of Obama, the MSM, elitists, pundits on both sides of the aisle, and people with axes to grind to marginalize or ridicule Sarah that ultimately Sarah will emerge a credible candidate. If you who are sitting on the fence regarding Sarah do not believe this and are in fact doubting Thomases I guess you’ll have to see it to believe it. Our goal as supporters of Sarah are to ensure that is what happens and that you jump on board as well.

Tennman on February 18, 2009 at 10:15 AM

Probably from Campbell. I’m almost done with them though. My commander is letting me retire and I’ll probably take my last flight in the next month or so.

Later all.