Okay, I want you to listen very carefully to this. It’s a long answer that I’m going to try to make very brief. In the first place, when you say “Why don’t Republicans like her?” there’s a whole bunch of different kinds of Republicans now. Like there’s you and me, and we’re conservative Republicans. But we also have to deal with liberal and moderate or Rockefeller Republicans in our party. So the party has lost its primary identity: strong national defense, tax cuts, smaller government. It’s lost its identity. It doesn’t believe smaller government is possible. The Republican Party has too many people who want the government to grow. Just spend the money on different groups of people in different ways in order to get votes. It’s called liberalism lite. They’re calling it redefine conservatism. Sarah Palin makes them nervous because of precisely what you cited. She inspired and revved up a Republican Party. But there are people in the Republican Party who don’t want it to stand for the things that she stands for. I think her effectiveness is making her a target.
The Drive-By Media and the Democrat Party are also not fond of her, and they’re doing everything they can to make her appear to be the face of the Republican Party, because they think most of the country despises her, too, based on exit polls. You know, Barbara Walters in the interview I did with her last week asked, “You like Palin?”
I said, “I absolutely do.” I said, “I think she was great.” I said, “Why don’t you like her?”
“She was uninformed,” Barbara Walters said, and a light went off in my head, because there is the template. The one interview she did with Katie Couric and they’ve all decided she’s an idiot and she’s uninformed. They do not know that there were people in the McCain campaign trying to sabotage her and that she was under tight controls, and she finally wanted to bust out and be who she is. Those of us that pay attention saw enough of who she is to realize that she is incredibly valuable to the conservative cause and the Republican Party going forward. But to those that don’t like her it’s simply because of that, Tim, she’s effective and she threatens the old boy network. It’s not a gender thing. She threatens the old boy network, but I’m telling you this is a fundamental thing to understand.
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Palin is a great American.
Firebird on November 27, 2008 at 11:53 AM
im sorry, but no amount of mccain camp sabotage (which is all here-say) could produce that “when putin rears his head…” line. Theres no getting around that with SOME (not all) of her answers to certain questions she made it seem as if she was either ignorant of or misunderstanding some key points. Thats not to say she cant figure that stuff out…but to ignore the fact that the “uninformed” meme came primarily from HER actions is to ignore reality and do a disservice to her and anyone looking for her to succeed.
one MUST admit failings if one is to learn and improve.
ernesto on November 27, 2008 at 11:58 AM
What was so bad about the “when Putin rears his head” line?
Jim62sch on November 27, 2008 at 12:01 PM
For someone supposedly so uninformed, she sure kicked Biden around in the debate.
aikidoka on November 27, 2008 at 12:03 PM
There, fixed it.
Onager on November 27, 2008 at 12:04 PM
It was the most happenstance, juvenile, simplistic answer i’ve heard to a relatively easy question. The way she approached it hinted at a lack of actual analysis…like she was just making stuff up as she went along.
Are you really saying that Palin never once gave a hint that she wasnt the most informed candidate running?
ernesto on November 27, 2008 at 12:05 PM
It was a freaking one hour interview and they only aired the negative parts. She’s been thrown into the national spotlight so quickly…… i’ll give her a pass and see what she does in the next couple of hours. She had no time to prepare like Mr Obama.
An Era of Hate on November 27, 2008 at 12:06 PM
Look who all the people who were yammering about Palin’s lack of knowledge/experience voted for!
And yes, the so-called McCain “sabotage” of Palin is total hearsay. Perfect meat for the MDS-sufferers who can’t admit that no one in the Republican Party could have beaten artificial (and artificially inflated) first-black-president Osama Obama.
MrScribbler on November 27, 2008 at 12:06 PM
In Alaska, for regular working people, their livestock is the “wildlife.” That’s how they stock their freezers. A lot of people in the Lower-48 can’t get that into their heads. Alaskans have some cattle and traditional livestock, but Hereford cattle don’t do well when it’s about 50-below, and transporting it from other places is very expensive.
RBMN on November 27, 2008 at 12:06 PM
hours lol…. years.. wtf am I smoking…
Ernesto, Watch her CSPAN interview.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Md9ufYe4ekc
She’s getting a bad shake!!!
An Era of Hate on November 27, 2008 at 12:09 PM
My opinion on why the media plus unnamed Rockafeller types, a/k/a “moderate” (now WTF is that?), Republicians try to hammer her:
because they’re scared shitless.
A woman who dares to live by her principles, how dare she.
Won’t extinguish a life because it isn’t perfectly formed, how dare she.
Believes in God, how dare she.
Is a successful female (in a man’s world) without bowing to the godhead NOW, how dare she.
Speaks directly to my wife and I through the way she lives, how dare she.
Onager on November 27, 2008 at 12:11 PM
I know Dan Quayle.
Dan Quayle was a friend of mine.
Sarah Palin is no Dan Quayle!
Joking aside, people dont just make these kind of storylines up…they happen for a reason, kind of like all stereotypes are grounded in some, however insignificant grain of truth. Her answer on Putin, or the newspapers she reads, those slip ups…mixed with the folksiness, the dosh garnits etc etc, really helped build that narrative…it wasnt some out of thin air sabotage…she did help push that narrative along.
Plus, she borderline insulted every republican and democrat who doesnt live in “real america”. like it or not New York is america, California is america…
ernesto on November 27, 2008 at 12:12 PM
Oh I see. You wanted…Nuance….Gravitas….Spin. I could understand what she was saying. It was short & to the point. “Putin rears his head” is fairly simple to understand. Listening to Obama speak about anything of importance gets dizzying. He talks in circles, carfully spinning his words between the Uhhs, umm. uh. uh. um. to reflect that he thinks himself into a ball of rhetoric.
Sarah Palin=Common sense conservatism
portlandon on November 27, 2008 at 12:12 PM
Yeah, the phrasing could have been better – but the fact is that Russia does test American air defenses by flying along Alaskan airspace.
As a “gaffe”, it’s nothing compared to Biden’s “President Roosevelt on TV in 1929″ statement.
Jim62sch on November 27, 2008 at 12:14 PM
Oh, I see. Well, I applauded her comments. I consider California to be a part of Mexico and New York (city, not state) to be a part of Europe.
Onager on November 27, 2008 at 12:15 PM
Oh I see, go f*ck yourself.
ernesto on November 27, 2008 at 12:17 PM
So we should believe the meme and not reality? When Obama calims to be the “informed” choide but claims there are 57 states?
When Doonesbury spends a week attacking Palin (this week) you know she’s a threat.
When high ranking liberal feminists claim she’s “uninformed” you know she’s a threat.
Just like Condoleeza Rice was proclaimed an “uncle tom” by those on the left as well.
If she can overcome her meme (which won’t be easy because the press is actively gunning for her, like Doonesbury and the press at her turkey conference) she’ll be unstoppable.
Skywise on November 27, 2008 at 12:19 PM
Palin is what the conservative movement is about. She is a threat to the establishment.
By her alone, she has revealed the RINOs and slime of the republican party that needs to be out.
She did a great service to our party. Hopefully the next chairman stands by conservative principles and eliminates any call to be bipartisan. I don’t want to hear another one of McCain’s “reach my hand across the aisle” garbage.
The democrats have not done anything right and have screwed this country over and over again (the mortgage and economic crisis, defense, Guantanamo closing, rights for terrorists, global warming, etc.).
jencab on November 27, 2008 at 12:19 PM
Common sense conservatism is not a dialect, its a set of policies. Look im not saying i buy into that Palin is a dunce stuff 100%, that CSPAN interview was alright and no one gets to be a governor without SOME chops. All im saying is to write of all of the real and perceived weaknesses of a candidate or their style/message/policies does a disservice to them and their cause. It gets to be all echo chamber in places like this when all people can say is “Palin is a great american” and wont accept the fact that she did, in fact, screw up on the trail and does, in fact, have lots of room for improvement. its just a childish way of doing things.
ernesto on November 27, 2008 at 12:21 PM
Oh, please. People in every region of the country think they’re more “American” than everyone else, and every politician panders to regional boosterism when they’re on the stump.
Jim62sch on November 27, 2008 at 12:21 PM
Ernesto, you know that the “Real America” narratives aren’t created by her.
An Era of Hate on November 27, 2008 at 12:22 PM
Oh I see, go f*ck yourself.
ernesto on November 27, 2008 at 12:17 PM
Truth hurts! huh ernesto
Alex Martinez on November 27, 2008 at 12:22 PM
Blaming the dems alone for the economy ignores reality. A minority party can’t steer government in one direction without the majority saying “ohh…alright…” Besides, the other 1/2 of the mortgage bubble coin is financial deregulation (thanks phil gramm!). Again, one need not place the blame solely on dems because they feel a need to defend conservatives or republicans…accepting some responsibility is the only way to improve and actually win. stop being little kids in an echo chamber and analyze!
ernesto on November 27, 2008 at 12:24 PM
Yea find me 1 east coast politician who’ll go out and say “I just love coming to the SMART parts of america (east coast)…where people actually READ and dont live in IGNORANCE” not gonna happen. But insinuating that whole swaths of this country arent REAL america…thats cool, right?
ernesto on November 27, 2008 at 12:27 PM
Charles Rangel-
Skywise on November 27, 2008 at 12:31 PM
One interview does not an idiot make my friend. As to the Real Americans part it’s nothing more then her being take out of context. She promptly explained exactly what she meant. You may take it or leave it as u please.
Dritanian on November 27, 2008 at 12:32 PM
Shit the guy from Florida went on about how people like palin didn’t care about jews and blacks…
Dritanian on November 27, 2008 at 12:32 PM
Yea i dont see him running for national office. You wanna represent all 50 states, respect them. Don’t talk down to 1/2 of them. And besides, if you’ve lived in manhattan all you’re life, you’d wonder why anyone would wanna live in mississippi anyway!!! LOL joke!
ernesto on November 27, 2008 at 12:34 PM
The democrats are to blame Ernesto. Christopher Dodd and Barney Frank with the mortgage crisis; no drilling because of Pelosi and socialist environmentalists; closing Guantanamo; Harry Reid and other democrats–”The war is lost”; Amnesty –RINOS and democrats; no free trade; auto industry collapse by the Union and democrats; high taxes because of democrats; etc.
The problem with the RINOs in our party is that they side with the wrong AKA democrats, hence, we always have to get partial blame. Our party is undisciplined.
jencab on November 27, 2008 at 12:34 PM
Of course her effectiveness puts her in the lefty cross hairs. The more they perceive her as threatening their power, the more they hate her.
The left would purge the GOP of its Reaganism, reducing it to a Dem-lite gelding. But, as they did with McCain, MSM will support these ‘moderates’ in the primary, only to rip them relentlessly during the campaign.
For the GOP to become the Dem-lite party is to play a loser’s game. What will energize this country is a choice, not an echo. A free market, limited government, individualist conservative, not a socialist, communitarian or state capitalist.
Sarah Palin is a great American.
petefrt on November 27, 2008 at 12:35 PM
Lets see ernesto, A guy who happened to be talking to a bunch, er, excuse me, a group of sophisticates in San Francisco did mention the bitter people clinging to their guns and religion. Of course, like you, he is sophisticated, like you, and went to Harvard so he can be excused when he uses “colorful” language to make a point.
Vince on November 27, 2008 at 12:37 PM
B*I*N*G*O
Red State State of Mind on November 27, 2008 at 12:38 PM
As I’ve stated before the left is scared shitl*&& of Gov.Palin. She is America, and the left will do anything to destroy her.
Alex Martinez on November 27, 2008 at 12:38 PM
By the way, turkeys can fly and at 35 miles per hour!
Vince on November 27, 2008 at 12:39 PM
My bottom line is that I do not want media gatekeepers with an agenda creating personas for politicians and selling me on them, or inflaming me against them.
When the media stops reporting and starts propagandizing, they have abused the trust that they claim uphold. They are dead to me, and I do not patronize them, and I go out of my way to avoid buying products they advertise.
I told my kids “The only way you will find truth in the newspaper, occasionally, is to read the stories starting at the end. That’s where they put the stuff they can’t figure out a way to leave out, but really don’t want you to know.”
drunyan8315 on November 27, 2008 at 12:39 PM
You missed my point. My point was, being the minority party for 6 of the last 8 years how could they actually ENACT the real policies that did us in on all those fronts. The democrats in congress couldnt prevent free trade during the bush years, they didnt have the power. they didnt have the power to raise federal taxes. they didnt have the power to pass amnesty. none of those things you mentioned actually happened. only the mortgage crisis, and again, how can policy that doomed the economy come from the MINORITY PARTY. republicans had to go along with it…and that doesnt excuse the easing of capital requirements and the decision not to regulate derivatives.
ernesto on November 27, 2008 at 12:39 PM
Ooooohhhh… now you’re making provisos! You only asked for an east coast politician!
Skywise on November 27, 2008 at 12:41 PM
And you guys ran with that quote for weeks. The real america thing though? perfectly understandable amirite???
Im not excusing obama saying that, he was wrong and it was a really really dumb thing to say. But you guys wont even admit Palin was wrong. Thats what im getting at. When you ignore real missteps and faults, you cant improve.
ernesto on November 27, 2008 at 12:42 PM
‘Arm Pit’ and ‘Ass Hole’ come to mind.
BigWyo on November 27, 2008 at 12:43 PM
‘Arm Pit’ and ‘Ass Hole’ come to mind.
BigWyo on November 27, 2008 at 12:43 PM
LOL, and my comment is awaiting moderation
Alex Martinez on November 27, 2008 at 12:45 PM
Almost ever freakin d’head at Freddie and Fannie were Democrats. Almost every one responsible for this mess is a democrat. The problem with republicans is that they don’t or can’t purge these yahoos when they get power and a lot of the republicans aren’t conservative anyway!
Vince on November 27, 2008 at 12:45 PM
Yea, phil gramm and greenspan are dems rite? The whole idea that we need not regulate the financial sector…ESPECIALLY derivatives (which is what turned the mortgage crisis into the credit tsunami)…that came from liberals right?? i mean OBVIOUSLY…since dems are the only ones to blame
ernesto on November 27, 2008 at 12:46 PM
Well..Obama insulted all Pennsylvanians for clinging to guns and religion..pretty much said we didnt “get it”. Then we had to deal with Murtha insulting us by saying we are racist rednecks.
I also think California is its own country…its own planet some time with the stupid stuff their citizens do….such as, not wanting their children to dress as pilgrims and native Americans. THAT is part of our history…they came together and helped each other.
becki51758 on November 27, 2008 at 12:50 PM
ernesto: Palin is a rookie on the big stage, Obama is not. I’m not talking about executive experience, I’m talking about awatreness of how the press thinks and puts forth your message. Palin appears to be one of the most inclusive politicians around today. Obama is not.
Obama is blatant in his ruthlessness and gets a pass. he may get his come uppance from the people he is appointing to positions in his administrations and he may not because of his and Axelrod’s ruthlessness.
I prefer Palin’s freshness as opposed to Obama’s same old same old.
Vince on November 27, 2008 at 12:52 PM
Well like i said before i wont apologize for obama running his mouth and i sure as hell wont apologize for california not wanting to dress their kids up or whatever. thats just silly.
ernesto on November 27, 2008 at 12:53 PM
How is Palin inclusive??? By telling everyone she likes “real america” like theres a fake america lurking sumwhere? by calling her opponents hyperbolic insults like socialist? im sorry, but reasonable people can disagree on specific taxes without labelling each other socialist and fascist. thats not inclusive, if im missing something let me knw
ernesto on November 27, 2008 at 12:55 PM
How is Palin inclusive??? By telling everyone she likes “real america” like theres a fake america lurking sumwhere? by calling her opponents hyperbolic insults like socialist? im sorry, but reasonable people can disagree on specific taxes without labelling each other socialist and fascist. thats not inclusive, if im missing something let me knw
ernesto on November 27, 2008 at 12:55 PM
As I’ve stated before the left is scared sh^@less of Gov.Palin. She is America, and the left will do anything to destroy her.
Alex Martinez on November 27, 2008 at 12:38 PM
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
Alex Martinez on November 27, 2008 at 12:56 PM
what the hey
Alex Martinez on November 27, 2008 at 12:57 PM
ernesto@12:46
That is why I said “almost” and did you notice that I mentioned that a lot of Republicans are not conservative? I do know that Republicans called for more regulation and were ignored by both sides.
Lacey Clay called them racist and Fwank and Waters said there were no problems and everything was wonderful.
Vince on November 27, 2008 at 12:57 PM
“She was uninformed,” Barbara Walters said……….”
Pot to kettle…”you’re black!”
Even on her WORST day, Sarah Palin has more on the ball than 10 of you would on your BEST day. STFU.
Scott on November 27, 2008 at 12:58 PM
ernesto: We have taken this thread off topic with the derivitive bs but I do see were you are coming from.
You are coming from way left of me and if the socialist tag bothers you, as you mentioned at 12:55, well all I can say is you gotta call a spade a spade. Why couch it in terms that please you? If you don’t like hyperbole, why do you like Obama?
Vince on November 27, 2008 at 1:04 PM
The “fake” America is not lurking somewhere, its out there for all to see. It lives in liberal colleges and universities, in newspapers and TV newsrooms, in New York and San Francisco dining rooms, in the cocktail circuit of DC, in classrooms all over America. It isn’t hiding, it isn’t afraid to be seen. But its a cancer none the less.
And they are Socialists and Marxists. They are operating on an old script written decades ago in Moscow and just because their old masters are gone doesn’t mean they aren’t true to the cause. Liberals think they have the right to rule and to tell the rest of us how to live.
A pox on them.
johnsteele on November 27, 2008 at 1:07 PM
Ernesto-
You are right. Palin screwed up parts of the Couric Interview. I’ll admit that. She jumped on to the national stage not expecting so much low ball gotcha crap. It took Obama 2 years on the trail to get to the point that he could make coherant statements. She has now gone national now for what, 3 months? She can get a pass from the conservatives every once in awhile. She’s earned it.
portlandon on November 27, 2008 at 1:24 PM
Everything I’ve seen post-election shows that it was independents who tipped the scales in Obama’s direction. Hence, I think, he is moving to the middle as the inauguration approaches with an eye toward keeping those independents in the fold. While I agree that Palin also drove some turnout for the Republican ticket, I still think it’s a danger to go too far right because of that independent bloc of voters (unless someone can show that the 30% of Americans who are eligible but don’t vote swing overwhelmingly conservative, but that seems unlikely). I saw the analysis that showed independents are often swayed one way or another by the passion of the left or right’s partisans, so I know independents aren’t completely rational in their choices. The conservative conundrum now is to balance creating passion for their 2012 candidate to drive increased turnout and sway independents and alienating independents with a candidate that’s too far right. And that “too far right”, unfortunately, needs to be understood in the context of the way independents get their information. I didn’t see Palin as “too far right” but that’s because I don’t consume information about political candidates through the same channels as independents.
Also, conservatives need to completely bypass the old media, since it does absolutely nothing to help elect conservative candidates, with Palin being a prime example, even with whatever shortcomings she had as a neophyte. The left will scream about the conservatives living in an ‘echo chamber’ but that’s OK because the ideas echoing in that chamber (low taxes, prduent regulations, individual liberty and strong defense) are historically and philosophically correct and don’t need validation from the left. They are so philosophically confused trying to reconcile anarchism and Marxism (see Ayers, Bill’s statement “I am an anarchist and a Marxist”) that at this point in history it is not even worth trying to have a rational debate with them, since both of the predominant strands of thought in their political “philosophy” are cut off from rationalism by their underlying premises, as both anarchism and Marxism are childish responses to a grown-up world. Old-school Democrats like Joe Lieberman (who, unfortunately seems to be a ‘party of one’ these days) are a different story, since they do have some grounding in reality.
venividivici on November 27, 2008 at 1:24 PM
Re: ernesto on November 27, 2008 at 12:12 PM
‘nesto, you ignorant slut!
joking aside(heh)you wrote:
Apparently, you’re either able to ignore all the instances of outright lies and fabrications that much of the MSM has had no problem spewing, or you are selectively blind. These have been thoroughly covered here @ HA and at many other sites.
There are large areas of those states which take great pride in trashing “flyover country” and the values found there and who are ashamed of the United States of America.
Come to think of it, they sound a lot like you do.
least1 on November 27, 2008 at 1:32 PM
I’d have to disagree with that in one respect…a lot of the gains that the Democrats have made in formerly Republican districts are with conservative and Blue Dog Democrats. Those folks are strong on defense and tend to be deficit hawks. Many are pro-gun and pro-life…they’re only Democrats because they’re for Big Labor/farm subsidies/trade protectionism/populism or something similar.
If you’re in a district represented by a Blue Dog, you need to engage them and make your opinions known. For the next two years, they have a better chance at blocking Obama’s agenda than the grab-asstic Republican Party.
Jim62sch on November 27, 2008 at 1:35 PM
‘nesto:
I’ve just read some more of your comments.
Lemme guess, you also deliberately use a lower case “g” when refering to God.
“It’s just a letter”
Suuure it is.
least1 on November 27, 2008 at 1:46 PM
There’s little difference between generalizing about an entire region and generalizing about an entire race. People make stupid assumptions about the South and whites as well. You’re no better.
California has many areas that rural and conservative. So does NY. We’ve got guns and religion too. But who cares, both places are giants of commerce and are help drive our nation’s economy.
You sound like an asshole imitating an idiot. I got your “real America” hanging right here.
***
My armpit is postcard perfect. I can see Catalina Island and hear sea lions barking. My polling place is never crowded and I have more open land across the street than I’ve ever had in such proximity in any place I’ve lived except for Central America.
Speaking of armpits, I’ve been to Wyoming. There were smelly backwoods hippies and few women with fewer teeth. I almost hit a moose in the middle of the road. It has great open sky. It must be nice for the birds. The local sport is dodging tobacco spit on the bar room floor.
The Race Card on November 27, 2008 at 2:11 PM
Baba Wawa is an ultra-liberal, God and Christian-hating Jew. Sarah Palin, on the other hand, is a conservative, God-fearing Christian woman with principles. No wonder she hates her, she is everything that self loathing scumbag wishes she was.
Scott on November 27, 2008 at 2:52 PM
God must be proud.
The Race Card on November 27, 2008 at 3:12 PM
Rush is an idiot who doesn’t realize that social conservatism and limited government are mutually exclusive at the federal level.
abobo on November 27, 2008 at 4:21 PM
Rush is wrong. We live in a world where a minority — and not even a plurality — of voters identify as “Republican.” So Republican candidates need non-Republicans. Palin wasn’t effective, because she didn’t win the moderates. There are a million reasons why. Some were scared off by a beautiful woman somehow having a successful career and a large family. Some were ready to believe any rumor Andrew Sullivan and Daily Kos threw out there. Some have come to believe that any woman who opposes abortion is a traitor to her gender and “scary.” (For all the talk of Bush being “scary,” his stance on abortion never seemed to be why.) Some didn’t like Palin as attack dog (whether because she was a woman or because of the lack of coverage and lack of zeal of Biden in that role).
And, yes, a lot of it was the roll-out, which wasn’t sabotaged, but which learned the wrong lesson from Bush’s failure to name the leaders of various countries and semi-autonomous regions. Bush couldn’t name them, but he never claimed to be a foreign policy expert. And he won anyway. McCain’s prep team treated this like a test for Palin to cram for, rather that something to approach honestly, e.g., “While Alaska is the only state to border two countries, my experience is limited to my role as the leader of that state, not as a national leader. I wasn’t chosen for my foreign policy experience; John McCain has that in spades. I was chosen because, unlike either candidate on the Democratic ticket, I have executive experience. I was chosen because, I, like McCain, have put nation above party; although both proud Republicans, in the end we will both try to do what is right for this nation, as I did in Alaska. So you shouldn’t ask how my role as governor prepares me for the role as Vice President in a time of foreign strife. You should ask what in roles on Obama’s résumé prepares him for any and all of the roles of Commander-in-Chief and head of state. I can tell you that months under the leadership of a President McCain will make me more ready to fill that role than years in the State Senate of Illinois and half a term in the U.S. Senate.” Now that would’ve been straight talk.
calbear on November 27, 2008 at 4:49 PM
I could be wrong but I think Palin apologized for the “real american” comments in the CNN interview.
V15J on November 27, 2008 at 9:01 PM
You discredit yourself with that right off the bat. Agree with him or not, the man is NO idiot.
I disagree with your take on this, because I always thought Palin was tasked to bandage the torn relationship between McCain and the conservative side of the GOP. Even the liberals admit, she did this in spectacular fashion considering how new to the scene she was, and is still.
Now if Sarah was to fire up the base AND win the moderates, just what the heck was McCain at the top of the ticket supposed to be doing? Wasn’t he the one who “crossed the aisle” all the time with his good buddy Lieberman?
I would say that the failure to draw the middle away from Obama is mostly McCain’s failure, combined with the financial meltdown and his inability to sell an alternate solution. You can’t say Sarah was supposed to get the base to turn out for McCain, be the attack dog, and get the moderates too. That leaves no responsibility for the Candidate for President himself.
As for the rest of your comment, you make several points that I largely agree with. I’m a big defender of Sarah Palin because she’s been unfairly characterized by so many people who don’t know who she really has been before she got thrown into this campaign.
However, she does bear some of the blame for handing her enemies ammo against her. I’ve always said that. What bothers me to no end are people who focus on one or two things she flubbed or someone else made it look worse than it was and declare her a moronic idiot MILF bimbo for all eternity.
That is just unfair, and really gets my hackles up. I’ll defend her all day against that sort of thing, because I really like this lady on a personal level. She’s very appealing in many ways to a large number of Americans.
I’m not one to be screaming PALIN 2012!!!! all the time though. I would love to see her come back and prove everyone wrong, and I think she can do just that. There are these things called primaries, and if she wants to be the real leader of the GOP, she’s going to have to step up and fight for it. If she can’t beat these others, then we need somebody else.
No one with any sense is advocating handing the nomination to her now with no contest. I think Sarah herself is least likely to want that. She does not want to get some special treatment, she wants to earn the right the old fashioned way. If Sarah Palin is the answer for the conservative movement, she knows she has to prove it, and she will have her chance. We will all be watching, and I will be rooting for her to succeed. If she can’t succeed, I will be the first to say another direction is necessary.
So, my brain is cautiously reserving judgement.
My heart is Sarah’s to lose already.
Brian1972 on November 27, 2008 at 9:17 PM
Yes, she did not back down from praising small town America, but she said if anyone took offense, that’s not how she meant it to come across. It was a pretty damn good answer. It was on CNN, the interview where the guy took Byron York out of context and hit her with what sounded like another conservative at National Review bashing her when it wasn’t. CNN had to apologize for that themselves.
Brian1972 on November 27, 2008 at 9:35 PM
I consider myself moderate, at least socially, and I don’t see too many problems with Palin. That being said, 2012 may as well be a century from now. Instead of trying to find our next candidate, let’s focus on winning seats in ‘10, and using the buyers’ remorse from Obama voters to our advantage.
I’m not going to invest emotionally in one candidate or another. Because 2012 is plenty of time for one or more of them to frak up by the numbers. Also, anybody we overly invest in becomes a target. Back in 2006, there was talk of George Allen in 2008—-so the Democrats funded Sexually Ambiguous Indian Dude to stalk Allen and provoke the “Macaca” incident in 2006.
So 2012 will come when it comes, and the list of candidates will be what it will be. Until then, there are bigger fish to fry.
Sekhmet on November 27, 2008 at 9:43 PM
You discredit yourself with your worshipfulness. David Brooks is my inspiring moron, I’ll leave you yours.
abobo on November 27, 2008 at 10:03 PM
Whatever booboo.
Brian1972 on November 27, 2008 at 11:01 PM
I wonder, would small town america be offended by a politician who’s speeches exhalted the virtues of large vibrant communities? Like praising big cities as centers of industry and entrepreneurship…focal points of cultural diversity and entertainment. High rates of higher education…etc etc
ernesto on November 27, 2008 at 11:13 PM
Small town America is constantly derided and belittled by the big media axis. All the time, every day. It never stops. When somebody stands up for what they have been raised to believe, I guess certain folks can’t handle it without getting all superior and defensive. You’ve been on this for weeks now. Did that really bother you this badly, ernesto? You must strongly disagree with any positive aspects of rural life in our country. You know best, I’m sure.
Brian1972 on November 27, 2008 at 11:27 PM
I live an hour out of Los Angeles and ernesto’s description of big cities sure doesn’t apply to that city. But maybe he isn’t thinking of L.A., maybe he is thinking of Chicago or one of the other large, vibrant communities.
Rose on November 27, 2008 at 11:58 PM