Video: Matalin thinks Palin is “brilliant” for resigning
posted at 6:30 pm on July 4, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
And now, just to be fair, the other side of the argument. Posted without editorial comment; you already know my opinion as someone who had never written a post critical of Palin before yesterday, and if you don’t, feel free to click on the links in the Top Picks column. Mary Matalin offers this analysis, transcript via Crooks & Liars:
MATALIN: Well, I think it’s really brilliant, with two caveats, one being that there’s nothing else, ala the Sanford fiasco. There’s nothing else that we don’t know. If all that’s there is what we see right now, it’s brilliant.
And, secondly, that she has a plan and people have a plan to put up with the conventional wisdom, chatterati and the political class saying how stupid it is, because it’s brilliant.
On the substance, there’s the key economic issue — I know everyone says — thinks it’s health care, but it’s really energy. And she’s the queen of energy.
And the second big issue for 2012 will be the role of government. And she has a record of reform and ethics reform and making government smaller and reigning in spending — all those issues that are getting increasingly important as Barack Obama expands on his agenda.
So — and her delivery was incredible — a charis — a less charismatic person probably couldn’t pull it off. But as — as already referenced, she will be freed up and liberated in the way Mitt Romney is here to run around and raise money and get political chips by spending it and get political capital. And she is still raising the kinds of crowds and money that she always did.
Follow the link to C&L if you want to hear a rebuttal from David Gergen and Ed Rollins, the latter of whom has been around Republican campaigns for a very long time.
Update: My caveat in the opening paragraph wasn’t about getting “beat up”; I’m a big boy, and I can take honest criticism. It’s correcting the falsehood in the comment strings that I’ve been a Palin-hater. If people actually read what I’ve written about Palin over the past year, nothing could be further from the truth. I’m going to give people my honest opinion, no matter what.
As for using the clip from C&L, er, so what? This segment is from CNN. I couldn’t find it on YouTube or on CNN’s site when I had a few minutes to post. Someone asked me if I would be fair and post Matalin’s defense after our criticism of Palin, and I posted what I could find of it.
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The only thing that is off is you and ed’s reading comprehension. Nowhere does she give “increasing her chance on the public stage” as a motivation for leaving, nor is there any reason to believe this is her real reason.
Even if she had, in what world does holding onto your office while not doing your job because you’re pursuing a higher one (mccain, obama) becomes better than resigning so someone who can devote his entire time to it can take over?
Darth Executor on July 4, 2009 at 7:39 PM
Oh my, read the speech, darling!
disa on July 4, 2009 at 7:39 PM
the Palins will not allow them to propagate defamatory material without answering to this in a court of law.
darwin on July 4, 2009 at 7:36 PM
Interesting. The chances of Palin’s success in any lawsuit of the sort are incredibly slim as she would have to show “actual malice” on behalf on anyone making the publications. As such, she seems to be turning the tables with respect to the ruinous suits she was subjected to. However, unlike the trolls in AK who were able to file suits without financial consequence, Palin would be on the hook for the attorney fees associated with the litigation of these claims.
Dead Hand Control on July 4, 2009 at 7:40 PM
Thanks for being “fair,” Ed.
In a post dedicated to presumably balancing the ledger of current debate, you post Matalin’s spin only to rebut that by referencing Crooks & Liars with Gergen and Rollins.
Yeah, thanks for the balance. Thanks also for using Gergen and Rollins, Beltway establishment insiders/hacks if there ever were any, to reinforce your previous critique by proxy.
Fair my ass. But you are creating the illusion of it; so, well done.
AnonymousDrivel on July 4, 2009 at 7:40 PM
“Thunderstorm129 on July 4, 2009 at 7:37 PM”
er, those who are bobby fans are already pretty much ‘cuda fans — very little overlap. would need to go a diff. direction for veep
/jmo
//and charles will NEVER work for her
Buckaroo on July 4, 2009 at 7:41 PM
I agree, the only way they’ll leave her alone is if she stays in Wasilla and never publicly speaks again. I’ve said it before, I think she’d be more influential as a grassroots leader, which is what I think is needed, than as a candidate. I hope she sticks her finger in the eye of the Washington/GOP establishment.
John_R on July 4, 2009 at 7:41 PM
Can I offer some baseless speculation? Yes? Great, thanks, here goes. Taking a look at everything that Palin said in her speech yesterday, she focused a lot on Alaskan security and prosperity, energy security for Alaska and the Lower 48, the primacy of the citizens of Alaska over her own ambition, her view that her “lame duck” status makes her ineffective, and the fact that she was not “giving up”. There was nothing there about “pressure” or “family” or anything like that. So here’s my thought. Her crown, as pointed out by Matalin, is energy (oil, natural gas, etc.), and the Crown Jewel in that crown is the new/fresh pipeline plan that she was able to secure, where other Governors failed. With such a project (the largest in U.S. history), I’m sure that it is by no means “finalized”, in the sense that nothing could scuttle it. It is my opinion that the efforts of those who would bring up lawsuit after lawsuit, has so hampered her governance by keeping her and her whole staff focused solely on fighting them, that she can’t proceed on the project. By stepping down, it allows her team that she’s put in place (Lt. Governor, etc.) to move forward on seeing to it the pipeline is complete, setting up the U.S. to actually advance in the area of energy due in large part to her effort. This theory explains a lot of things: First it makes sense of the “lame duck” problem that Ed rightly pointed out the other day. This plan of energy security could actually be killed if her lame duck status is heightened and lengthened by the lawsuits. Second it makes sense of a criticism AP had in relation to the claim that she wanted to “get out of the spotlight” only then to all but say she was going to stay in it and “fight”, thereby keeping her in the spotlight. This is actually a good strategy, because as the press and mudslinging follows her, it gives her “team” back in Alaska some breathing room to ensure the pipeline’s success without a lot of “negative” press, because Palin would take it with her. If this theory is true, then what she has done is the most brilliant strategy I’ve ever seen, because at some point, America is going to desperately need that pipeline (everything ALWAYS comes down to energy) and she will be positioned to say that the US has a steady supply of oil and natural gas because of her leadership, and that the completing of that pipeline was due to her selflessly leaving that position of leadership, thus putting Alaskans and Americans first. This is of course simply my attempt to rationalize this. I am taking everything she said at face value, and what I heard last night was not a retreat. Well, that’s what I’ve tossed around, thoughts?
Weight of Glory on July 4, 2009 at 7:42 PM
Ed Morrisey (along with Jonah Goldberg) officially joined the Frum/Noonan/Parker/Brooks wing of the party yesterday.
Enough said.
kevinkristy on July 4, 2009 at 7:21 PM
That wing, of course, being the Don’t-Get-Blinded-By-The-Charisma-of-a-Messianic-Figure Wing.
hicsuget on July 4, 2009 at 7:25 PM
No, I’m pretty sure that Frum/Noonan/Parker/Brooks swallowed that whole Obama thing hook, line, sinker. Not Ed though… he’s just having a bad day.
Drunken Angry Clown on July 4, 2009 at 7:42 PM
If she quit for family reasons then more power to her. As Ed argued though it hurts her national ambitions heavily. Stating this is not anti Palin but anti-”resigning in the middle of your term if you wish to seek higher office.”
I agree that politicians seeking higher office should at the very least have the option of being temporarily relieved of their duties. But why can’t she just finish out her term if this is her rationale? We have over a year before any semblance of 2012 prep starts.
sluhser589 on July 4, 2009 at 7:44 PM
I agree 100%
disa on July 4, 2009 at 7:45 PM
I can’t speak for Ed, but your side is not my side.
Buy Danish on July 4, 2009 at 7:45 PM
Don’t forget the sniveling quotation marks around “brilliant”.
Darth Executor on July 4, 2009 at 7:45 PM
What about the material posted from Crooks and Liars isn’t fair? Being a progressive outlet doesn’t mean you’re incapable of posting reasonable material. What’s that about a blind squirrel?
sluhser589 on July 4, 2009 at 7:45 PM
I get it, too.
Sarah is a leader who can point out the folly of the Obama stimulus and Obamacare. She can provide rational alternatives.
If the Republican elite and RINOsd don’t follow her lead, they might as well go to the elephant graveyard.
slp on July 4, 2009 at 7:46 PM
I know right? I wish some of these people would take a deep breath, look in the mirror and realize that their thought process–how they formulate their entire belief system–is no different than the hyper-liberal partisan hacks who they feel so superior to.
It’s really made all the more annoying because they’ll never realize it.
Interweb Troll on July 4, 2009 at 7:46 PM
I’m don’t know. All she’d have to prove is these organizations knew the allegations were false and aired or printed them anyway them anyway.
It would be worth it to put them on notice that she will return their favor of smut journalism with a lawsuit. The intent will be to make them think twice before printing or airing lies.
darwin on July 4, 2009 at 7:46 PM
I think you have something. Sarah has integrity and she’s serious about doing her work with a servant’s heart. Your conclusions make sense to me.
INC on July 4, 2009 at 7:47 PM
I completely agree. I’ll have no alliances with traitors and their supporters.
Darth Executor on July 4, 2009 at 7:47 PM
Ditto.
INC on July 4, 2009 at 7:48 PM
AnonymousDrivel on July 4, 2009 at 7:40 PM
Seriously, toughen up. You can’t handle a post that presents opinions on either side of a debate? Even the authors at Conservatives4Palin expressed some concern and confusion with Palin’s decision, although after careful consideration, deciding continue to support her. You didn’t notice that things were quiet there for a long time after the announcement?
Dead Hand Control on July 4, 2009 at 7:48 PM
I’m not seeing the brilliance as a political move here. A governor who is often been labeled as inexperienced resigns from the only office that would give her experience. I am not seeing the brilliance.
terryannonline on July 4, 2009 at 7:48 PM
Interesting take on it. Certainly plausible.
Thunderstorm129 on July 4, 2009 at 7:48 PM
Quotation marks snivel? How else would you suggest one quote someone if not with quotation marks?
Buy Danish on July 4, 2009 at 7:49 PM
I really want to call you a f*ckwad but I’ll resist the temptation. People like you swung the election to Obama. Thanks loads, dude! Hope you love the feel of your “clean” hands.
disa on July 4, 2009 at 7:49 PM
Don’t forget the sniveling quotation marks around “brilliant”.
Darth Executor on July 4, 2009 at 7:45 PM
Uh, it is a quote, right?
Dead Hand Control on July 4, 2009 at 7:49 PM
“terryannonline on July 4, 2009 at 7:48 PM”
well, that’s why she’s mary matalin and yer not …
:-)
:-)
Buckaroo on July 4, 2009 at 7:49 PM
Better eat this other shoe, Ed. It’s not dropping.
Enoxo on July 4, 2009 at 7:50 PM
Why not? They voted for Obama, and he’s never held a real job.
disa on July 4, 2009 at 7:51 PM
Good rationale. I think that’s a part of it. I believe as more time passes people are seeing this for what it is, and it’s not Palin “giving in to pressure” or “giving up”.
She appears to be taking the offensive. Something the democrats will not have expected.
darwin on July 4, 2009 at 7:51 PM
Nice spin but Ed did a lot more than that. Not only did he declare her national career over before he even started with the article proper, but he completely ignored what she actually said just to make points that make her look bad to anyone who hasn’t actually read and understood her resignation speech.
Because it’s not her only rationale. We don’t even know if it’s one of her rationales. But if she’s running for the presidency, she can either spend the next year and a half fighting frivolous lawsuits and achieve nothing or she can spend it preparing for the election and making connections by helping out other republicans in local races.
Darth Executor on July 4, 2009 at 7:52 PM
I think you covered it all. She head fakes those bastards.
the_nile on July 4, 2009 at 7:52 PM
darwin on July 4, 2009 at 7:46 PM
“All she’d have to prove is these organizations knew the allegations were false”
Right, that’s wicked hard to do. See the NYT vs. McCain’s alleged paramour.
“It would be worth it to put them on notice that she will return their favor of smut journalism with a lawsuit. ”
Isn’t a major reason for her leaving the Gov. office the legal expenses she’s incurring. Why would she start filing unwinnable suits?
Please excuse the lack of block quotes. I’ve lost my function buttons for some reason, possibly no-script.
Dead Hand Control on July 4, 2009 at 7:53 PM
Since these small-government-loving youngsters cut their noses off to spite their faces, you can withdraw the claim that they are intelligent.
disa on July 4, 2009 at 7:54 PM
He doesn’t need to use quotation marks, it’s obvious from the context that it’s Matalin who thinks Palin is brilliant. Even the libtard website he quotes doesn’t feel the need to do it.
Darth Executor on July 4, 2009 at 7:54 PM
Yep I’m not married to James Carvile (thank God) so I obviously don’t know what I’m talking about :)
terryannonline on July 4, 2009 at 7:54 PM
Affirmative Action.
HornetSting on July 4, 2009 at 7:54 PM
Hope you don’t mind that I put that in quotation marks. The loony bin might be interested in what you have to say.
Buy Danish on July 4, 2009 at 7:55 PM
exono. It is HUGE that her team put out that statement right away shooting that TOTAL rumor. Good to get that done quickly. Makes it seem like they arent trying to avoid something and she hasnt done anything wrong.
ousoonerfan15 on July 4, 2009 at 7:55 PM
Hey, I’ll buy that its brilliant, assuming a scandal isn’t lurking out there, until she has to explain how future voters can know for sure she won’t quit on them like she did before. Regardless of her selfless reasons, its an excellent question with no easy answer.
changer1701 on July 4, 2009 at 7:56 PM
My brother and I were discussing her status as an elected official vs. a private citizen, and what that means to the rules of engaging her. Don’t they have to reign in once she’s no longer an official? Does anyone know?
disa on July 4, 2009 at 7:57 PM
Enoxo on July 4, 2009 at 7:50 PM
Tell it to Matalin – she’s the one who made the statement of brilliance with the caveat that there’s no scandal coming. Just to be clear, I don’t believe there is an imminent scandal, but you’re attributing to Ed what should be credited to Matalin.
Dead Hand Control on July 4, 2009 at 7:57 PM
There may also be a favorable ripple effect from this. Potential GOP candidates know that she is about to bring some righteous wrath down on Obama et al, and don’t want to appear to be left standing at that train station when it pulls out. Perhaps they will now be able to overcome their timidity and attack with a bit more vigor, if only for the sake of appearence.
a capella on July 4, 2009 at 7:58 PM
Thanks for the link. Great to see that.
That ought to be an update to AP’s link yesterday that insinuated scandal.
INC on July 4, 2009 at 7:59 PM
Yes. So? Helen Thomas’s use of “so-called terrorists” is also literally true in that the terrorists are indeed called terrorists by some, but implies the author doesn’t think it’s true. Considering the quotes are not present in the C&L title which ed quotes almost verbatim, and considering it’s obvious (and unnecessary to quote) that it’s Matalin who thinks palin is brilliant, the only reasonable conclusion is that he went out of the way to add them and for a reason that makes sense given his history on the subject: derision.
Darth Executor on July 4, 2009 at 7:59 PM
There are many advantages to this move but to the hardcore political scientist and operative the big advantage is that Sarah can go on to ATTACK MODE on a 24/7 basis against Obama and his radical socialist agenda and as a civilian does not have to worry about DEFENDING anything.
In addition as a MOVING TARGET she will be harder to hit with a direct shot.
technopeasant on July 4, 2009 at 7:59 PM
I went to Dartmouth, damnit, and I demand your respect!
disa on July 4, 2009 at 8:00 PM
“disa on July 4, 2009 at 7:57 PM”
1. you presume they have any sense of shame or rules when it comes to her
2. she will continue to meet the standard of a “public figure” regardless of her status of holding office or not
sooo, no, it’s not gonna matter to them at all …
:-(
Buckaroo on July 4, 2009 at 8:00 PM
If it were me..I’d say I wanted to continue to work hard for the citizens of Alaska but the liberal media and it’s political attack machine made it difficult to properly serve the fine people of that state. Rather than make the people of Alaska suffer because of the liberal attack machine, she stepped aside so that the people’s work could get done.
How’s that?
Thunderstorm129 on July 4, 2009 at 8:00 PM
Both Ed and AP have been talking about “the other shoe” since the announcement, due to the liberal blogosphere going batty (what’s usual?) over this rumor.
Enoxo on July 4, 2009 at 8:01 PM
“Thunderstorm129 on July 4, 2009 at 8:00 PM”
satisfying to her fans, unacceptable to her detractors, and prolly not persuasive enough for those in the middle — so, no net gain …
:-(
Buckaroo on July 4, 2009 at 8:03 PM
Hey INC good to see you. Where have you been?
katy on July 4, 2009 at 8:03 PM
Maybe it’s time to step away from the computer and have a beer, light some fireworks maybe, if you think that it is not a reasonable conclusion that the author uses quotes because he is quoting verbatim.
Dead Hand Control on July 4, 2009 at 8:04 PM
I believe that as a private citizen, this belipsticked pitbull has teeth ;-)
disa on July 4, 2009 at 8:05 PM
He’s quoting Mary Matalin for the headline to this thread, not the website who posted the video. smart boy.
Buy Danish on July 4, 2009 at 8:05 PM
Hey Ed, didn’t you get my last message? If you think Palin’s move was a disaster politically, it’s okay to let us know. Be brave! The Palin fanatics here are irrational for bashing you.
MedSchoolCatholic on July 4, 2009 at 8:06 PM
My, my, my. The MSM drivel has been served notice. Thx for the link.
conservative pilgrim on July 4, 2009 at 8:06 PM
Another lame discussion disguised as “humor” from an intellectual midget with nothing important to say. Go back to kissing Ed’s ass, maybe he’ll give you a pat on your head and call you a good boy.
Darth Executor on July 4, 2009 at 8:06 PM
Thanks, I admit I don’t know how long the pipeline will actually take to finish, so I must include that caveat, as it will either make my theory more or less plausible. But that pipeline is a huge and ambitious plan. Not only is it expensive, not only is it a logistics nightmare, but it also has to have a huge amount of diplomacy, for the pipeline will have to go under Canada. She really believes (as I do) that this pipeline is necessary for America’s survival (yes I mean survival). I think that is why she said this part:
I think that the more “toxic” she became in the Press, and her closeness to the pipeline project, could have made some of the partners in the project in Canada or private industry balk, not wanting to be a part of a contrived scandal.
Weight of Glory on July 4, 2009 at 8:08 PM
Unfortunately she’ll always have to deal with the liberal media and will no doubt continue to face attacks, so I’m not sure that would fly. Plus, even though I think the media is basically DNC TV at this point, I think we run the risk of using that argument too much to the point where people tune it out. Most people know it slants left, but they still don’t seem to take that into account when forming their opinions on the issues and politicians.
changer1701 on July 4, 2009 at 8:08 PM
I agree with the many comments that Matalin is spot on in her analysis. Last nights QOTD got me thinking in a Star Wars framework and I think others have picked up that also.
We all know what we’re being served by the Obama sucks. This crap sandwich he’s selling while blaming Bush for it. So even if Palin lacked what the beltway pundits say, anything would taste better than what we have now.
Kini on July 4, 2009 at 8:08 PM
For anyone who thinks that there is a bombshell or skeleton in the closet read this:
http:www.conservatives4palin.com
Statement of Governor Palin’s legal counsel on Defamatory Allegations
technopeasant on July 4, 2009 at 8:08 PM
Furthermore, scroll down on the landing page to the Ferraro post, in which her statement “big mistake” is also in quotes. Is the author deriding her as well, in spite of the fact that the statement supports the opinion of both Ed and AP?
Dead Hand Control on July 4, 2009 at 8:08 PM
Ed,
Please, don’t canonize Rollins. He is not a nice man and his ethics are in the toilet.
eaglesdontflock on July 4, 2009 at 8:08 PM
Hey, katy, thanks for missing me! We’ve had a tough time lately–my father died and we have some other difficult family things going on. It’s all I could do to cope with that w/o the nonsense of Obama, Dems and Republicans Lite.
Palin and the 4th brought me back for a few comments.
INC on July 4, 2009 at 8:08 PM
I see a lot of talk about Palin’s resignation and why she did it. Of course, the LLDs (Liberal/Left/Democrat – people who fit one or more of those labels) assume the worse. You know, that there is a scandal about to hit. If there isn’t one, they’ll still find some excuse to claim something is a scandal even if it isn’t – like the 15 ethics claims that didn’t hold up.
Main thing from the Gop or conservative side is that you just can’t quit a job and run for another later, which makes at least some sense with the information we actually have.
But since people are making conjectures, let me bring up some possibilities.
First, a lot of the talk is based on the idea that Palin is planning on running for President. Never seems to occur to anyone that she has no such plans. From what I heard her say, she seems to be focusing on helping people, regardless of party, who share her conservative views. Might be hard to find Democrats for her to help (who are truly conservative in that party?), but if she does, would this not also hurt her with the GOP nomination?
She even talked about influence outside of political office. Seems to be a pattern here. Imagine a very public person helping people based on their views rather than party. Who knows how that could develop?
Besides possibly being rather influential as a result, that influence won’t be viewed as political partisanship – which will make it more effective, in my opinion.
If you are out to improve the country, this may be the better approach rather than pushing for your own power by being President.
None of which means she may not run for President and it could help there as well. Quitting will always be somewhat of a negative, but it is only one element out of many.
Personally, I don’t think she could do it in 2012. But she could still run in 2016, 2020, and even 2024 (when she’ll be about 60). If she has been shown to be non-partisan, helping those who help the country, every four years that quitting matter will be less important.
It will especially lose influence if she runs after almost all her kids are adults. Right now the children are 20, 18, 14, 8, and 1. In eight years – being the earliest she could run in my opinion and minimize the issue of quitting – they would be 27, 25, 21, 15, and 8. A good argument could be made that she quit to protect her young family, but then they are mostly adults. Four more years just leaves a 12-year-old Trig. As pathetically nasty as the media has been to her family, few would target, over and over, a 12-year-old with Downs Syndrome. Thus the quitting to protect her family becomes even stronger and thus acceptable.
Consider also that if she is working for candidates from different parties, it makes it harder to attack her without also hurting the democrat candidates she supports. Oh sure, they’ll still do it, but they’ll have to limit it more.
Add all this support on principle as opposed to partisanship to the fact that she actually took on corruption in the GOP in Alaska before becoming Governor and you have a pretty impressive – and consistent – record.
It could all come to fruition at a time when the American people are really tired of the partisanship and are no longer being fooled by the major media. They’ll be looking for someone different, who they can actually trust.
In summary, if a scandal comes up as the real reason she resigned, that’s probably it. If she tries to run in 2012, then quitting will probably hurt a lot, even if it is because she was protecting her family. But from 2016 on, that won’t matter as much. Or she may be choosing to avoid elective office altogether to influence in different ways.
For these reasons, I submit we don’t know if what she did was a “mistake”. At least not yet.
dabbigkahuna on July 4, 2009 at 8:09 PM
Weight of Glory on July 4, 2009 at 7:42 PM
well put! This kind of thing can be in comments but would be riskier to say out loud in a resignation speech. No need to tip your enemies off too much in advance.
disa on July 4, 2009 at 8:10 PM
Does this mean AP better watch it before he links to The Brad Blog which repeated Shannyn Moore??
INC on July 4, 2009 at 8:10 PM
Eh…to her supporters, she could almost say anything, your right. To her detractors, it matters not what she says. To the middle – all she has to say is it’s the truth. How can they not accept that? I am in the middle and if she said it was the truth and was believable, I say – ok. Good enough for me.
But I do get your point. I just think you nip it in the bud early, say it was what was best for the people, you made the decision and as President, you won’t be forced into the same decision by liberal hacks.
Thunderstorm129 on July 4, 2009 at 8:10 PM
Btw to clarify–Ed is not “drivel” (that’s for you Darth. I get what you’re saying), but the MSM in the link. I’m not bashing Ed.
conservative pilgrim on July 4, 2009 at 8:10 PM
One mistake Palin will not make that George Bush made was to fight back!
Watching her speech yesterday I was happy to see an explaination to why she was leaving including the issue of the constant lawsuits and attacks.
Some say it is whining. I say it sheds light on her detracters thus letting the people know just what kind of dirty poilics the left plays.
Like she did with Lettermen, she will not take grief and will challenge those who give it to her.
Finally a Conservative who is not intimidated by the left!!!!
katy on July 4, 2009 at 8:12 PM
Your annoyance causes me deep regret. Perhaps I can show you to another thread…?
disa on July 4, 2009 at 8:12 PM
So you claim but most of his title remains copied verbatim from the C&L post which he obviously read. Even if it’s complete coincidence, it doesn’t change the fact that his use of quotation marks is bizarre in the context unless it’s a snide remark. You, of course, do not bother to answer any of the other argument, most likely because your prosimian intellect finds my posts too syllable intensive. I could attempt to translate my posts into sighs and grunts or whatever other communication your intellectually, culturally and technologically inferior kind use as a substitute for actual speech.
Darth Executor on July 4, 2009 at 8:13 PM
How about you stop trying to order people around like an unelected storm trooper?
For the record, I have disagreed with Ed many times but there’s really nothing to disagree or agree with from him here. You know, because Ed said: Posted without editorial comment.
Any disagreements have to be with Mary Matalin’s analysis, not with Ed, and kvetching that he dared to use “quotation marks” is humorous, albeit unintentionally so on your part – the way it can be amusing to see a clown in action.
Buy Danish on July 4, 2009 at 8:13 PM
Sarah, take this time to also become fluent in Spanish. When your time comes, give some speeches in Spanish.
Just an idea.
stenwin77 on July 4, 2009 at 8:13 PM
The fact that AP consciously linked to Brad Blog to begin with is questionable.
Enoxo on July 4, 2009 at 8:14 PM
sluhser589 on July 4, 2009 at 7:45 PM:
I didn’t follow the link because I don’t need to be spun. I have my own. C&L may or may not be correct in this instance, but previous material I’ve read from them has been, IMO, wrong or disingenuous. But that is neither here nor there and I surely concede the occasional nut of truth from even outfits I dismiss. That’s not the crux of my argument here.
Morrissey posted this post under the guise of “fairness” with the premise being that of the previous topics where he was critical of Palin’s resignation, it would be proper and professionally responsible to present another presumably respected view highly supportive of Palin. That’s really where the post should have ended if real balance was in play.
However, the appended rebuttal from whomever (in this case C&L) reinforced Morrissey’s position that Palin made a mistake – which is to say that this editorial piece was less made in a sense of balance than in a sense that, and I’ll paraphrase, “Hey, look at this. Even Matalin’s defense of Palin is inadequate and I have sources that back me again and not Palin. So I’m still right and you and Palin’s supporters on this matter are wrong.”
So, this post under the guise of balance was not. I find it disingenuous whether Morrissey meant it that way or not. Given the tone of his original critique, I’m going with my gut that this was subterfuge.
Dead Hand Control on July 4, 2009 at 7:48 PM:
No. I have absolutely zero problems with oppositional opinions. I do have a problem with this particular post in that I perceive it to be essentially snark at its core. We know Ed hates Palin’s explanation. Coupled with the title, as Darth Executor noted, and the rebuttal to the rebuttal from a noted partisan site (which I rarely see referenced from Morrissey), I find it doesn’t fit the billing of balance at all. I perceive it as more piling on by Morrissey because he is looking for backers to his position after so many readers took him to task. This is his way to coax us to the, again paraphrased, “Palin has betrayed the voter and is being foolish” but doing so under the headline of Look How Fair I’m Being To Palin.
AnonymousDrivel on July 4, 2009 at 8:15 PM
Some of the best analysis I’ve seen of Palin’s resignation was in the Green Room by C K MacLeod:
What Else Was She Supposed To Do?
along with this piece he linked to:
Mad Resignation.
For about the 6th or 7th time, here’s the transcript of Palin’s speech:
Palin Announces No Second Term
Lots of good quotes in there. Here’s the basketball analogy referenced in Mad Resignation:
INC on July 4, 2009 at 8:15 PM
Oh, I agree.
INC on July 4, 2009 at 8:15 PM
I’m so sorry about your dad…. Was he ill for while or was it unexpected?
Glad you could stop in. It’s been nutty so it’s nice to see a calmer influence.
katy on July 4, 2009 at 8:15 PM
More and more people saying this is brilliant now.
I am not sure whether we can call it brilliant just yet, mainly because this is very risky. But I won’t be surprised if a few months from now we are saying it is “brilliant”
Stay tuned….
doug1981 on July 4, 2009 at 8:15 PM
Blah blah blah. Perhaps Ed is to be faulted because he didn’t use the word “really”.
MATALIN: Well, I think it’s really brilliant
Buy Danish on July 4, 2009 at 8:16 PM
Even someone who has attracted the positive attention of Rush Limbaugh can screw up sometimes…
disa on July 4, 2009 at 8:16 PM
Fixed that for you.
clearbluesky on July 4, 2009 at 8:16 PM
katy, thanks. He’d been ill for quite a while. It will be interesting to see when (hopefully, not if) my liberal-Dem voting sister realizes what the implication of Obama health care would have been for him.
INC on July 4, 2009 at 8:18 PM
No. He’s also not quoting someone else verbatim and adding quotation marks.
OTOH, Ed does have a few annoying habits (like asking a question and answering it himself) and this could be one of them so I apologize to him for making a big deal out of it. His original hit piece is atrocious enough without me having to get this petty.
Darth Executor on July 4, 2009 at 8:19 PM
Oh, lets not be too hard on Ed and Allah, they’re just men and men are stupid. Necessary, but stupid.
anniekc on July 4, 2009 at 8:20 PM
On Palin’s basketball analogy–don’t forget she played point.
Wiki’s entry on Point Guards is illuminating :-)!!!
INC on July 4, 2009 at 8:21 PM
Crap INC, that sucks. I’m very sorry to hear that.
Weight of Glory on July 4, 2009 at 8:21 PM
Anyone else wonder how much the post count here would diminish if Gov Palin actually went away quietly? Far fewer trolls and far fewer mega threads.
katiejane on July 4, 2009 at 8:21 PM
Yeah, Weight of Glory, it does. Thanks.
INC on July 4, 2009 at 8:22 PM
Hopefully none of us will have to endure that.
How does your sister justify what Obama is doing so far? Or is it something you can’t take about?
Some are coming around and some are digging in. Always curious to know.
katy on July 4, 2009 at 8:22 PM
Oooops! I meant that it’s crappy to learn about your father, not that the 4th and Palin brought you back. Sorry. It’s always good to have you in the comments.
Weight of Glory on July 4, 2009 at 8:22 PM
Nice statement from the lawyer. Palin hate might not be so profitable for some in the near future. Shove it right back down their throats. Probably tempting for Palin to say the hell with 2012, and just go scorched earth on her enemies. Rino’s and libs. Just put them all squarely in her sights. I can dream can’t I?
chief on July 4, 2009 at 8:24 PM
We know what you meant Weight…
katy on July 4, 2009 at 8:25 PM
I have more respect for the one who comes up short while attempting great things, than the one who aims low and hits the target. Dunno yet whether this is a “brilliant” move, but props to Palin for even trying.
“Whatever you can do, or dream you can do – begin it. For boldness has genius, power and magic in it.” –Goethe
innominatus on July 4, 2009 at 8:26 PM
I didn’t order anyone around. I merely made a suggestion to you for a possible career action that your simplistic, unevolved intellect can handle.
You don’t need to build up your “I’m not an ass kisser I swear” credit with me. I couldn’t care less. I’m making fun of you because I hate it when people I don’t know interject in conversations I’m having with other people and go out of their way to say they don’t like me. If you’re gonna go out of your way to make me an enemy, at least show some conviction and balls and don’t try to placate me with this tripe.
You’re right, he just outsources his editorial comments to left wing hacks. I feel so much better.
Weren’t you whining that I was ordering people around earlier? Now you’re tell me what the disagreements have to be? I’ll disagree with whatever the hell I want. Your whining doesn’t even make sense. Ed links approvingly to opposing opinions. That means criticizing him for yet another hit job (that it’s by proxy is immaterial to me) is fair game.
Darth Executor on July 4, 2009 at 8:28 PM
We haven’t been talking politics. It had too much explosive potential and would have been too much. It’s going to have to be an opportune time when she realizes reality or the time is right for me to say something she’d listen to.
INC on July 4, 2009 at 8:29 PM
Not to worry–I knew exactly what you meant.
INC on July 4, 2009 at 8:29 PM
1. Darth’s point about the quote is critically flawed. From my post above
2.
You deride C&L, but that is the source of the Matilin quote. Atre we to disregard that as well. Also, the post doesn’t do into any detail, only stating that there are strategists who think otherwise. No quotes – the reader is forced to click though. Lighten up, Francis.
Dead Hand Control on July 4, 2009 at 8:29 PM
I agree that is a brilliant move!
Palin was a virtual prisoner in Alaska, unable to leave the State for a even a weekend without being accused of ethics violations, or sued over answering a question in the wrong venue.
The Left hoped to keep silienced until her replacement was sworn in in JANUARY 2011. In January 2011 the race for the Presidency will have been in full gear for 6 months!!!
Justrand on July 4, 2009 at 8:29 PM
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