“While the Palin camp is surely marshaling the torches and pitchforks and baying for blood by now, my hope is that somehow — against the odds — Palin is able to draw some sort of lesson out of all of this that helps her find a way to exist peacefully in the public space. It can’t be easy to spend every day under this kind of withering fire and I know that it is brutal on her family, who are generally good people that never asked for this,” the political operative wrote.
“You’d think that at some point, even Palin’s formidable armor of self-deception would so loudly clang against reality that she’d be forced to change. I doubt that though. Introspection doesn’t seem to be her strong-suit. But people can change. I hope she can too…for her sake and for our party’s.”
When I spoke by phone this morning with the same official, he said the VF article was not “contrived” and that it did in fact give an accurate portrayal of Palin.
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daesleeper on July 1, 2009 at 1:03 PM
What a gutless accusation…these people are laughably pathetic.
daesleeper on July 1, 2009 at 1:04 PM
ZZZZ
moonbatkiller on July 1, 2009 at 1:04 PM
I don’t know about Palin, but how many politicians and political operatives engage in actual introspection?
myrenovations on July 1, 2009 at 1:05 PM
These guys are Soooooooo smart.
Firebird on July 1, 2009 at 1:05 PM
Get out, McCainiancs… you had your chance.
The GOP must move markedly to your Right… either get on the train or start your own loser Centrist Party.
mankai on July 1, 2009 at 1:05 PM
CUDA ATTACK PART DEUX! GOOD THING WE DIDN’T LET SARAH PALIN GET NEAR THE WHITE HOUSE…WITH ALL THOSE “SMART” HARVARD GRADS RUNNING THINGS WE ARE GOING INTO DEBT FASTER THAN ANY OTHER COUNTRY HAS MANAGED IN HISTORY! Weeeeeeeee!
PierreLegrand on July 1, 2009 at 1:05 PM
Haven’t they figure out that the more they talk, the more ridiculous they become. What’s the endgame for these unnamed sources
sherry on July 1, 2009 at 1:06 PM
Boy, the alternative to Palin – Joe Biden (D)- is such an articulate, brilliant, masterful, competent individual. He’s well known for his brilliant running and captaincy of…er, Bush is a criminal and…and…uh…what was the question again?
/O-bot off.
Good Lt on July 1, 2009 at 1:06 PM
“McCainiacs”, that is… as though there is such an animal still living.
mankai on July 1, 2009 at 1:06 PM
5-will get you -10 this is all coming from McCain’s desk and direction.
He is not stable.
jake-the-goose on July 1, 2009 at 1:06 PM
Has McCain denounced all this BS or is he waging a proxy PR war against Palin for no apparent reason?
TheUnrepentantGeek on July 1, 2009 at 1:08 PM
Why do you think they’re unnamed?
Because when the names get out, the McCainiacs are toast in the GOP forever. They’ll defect to the Democrats to save their own worthless asses.
And we lose nothing.
Good Lt on July 1, 2009 at 1:08 PM
McCain is also in trouble here in AZ, he knows he won’t get reelected.
Firebird on July 1, 2009 at 1:08 PM
Message to Palin: Get lost and we’ll stop targeting your kids.
All from the cover of anonymity. These people are the definition of cowards and thugs.
Missy on July 1, 2009 at 1:08 PM
See- thgis is what’s so scary about the GOP trying to “overcome” Palin’s supposed negatives; There is no way to fight a press that is determined to beat her down- We can’t afford to spend whatever credibility we can muster up to keep countering their hatred. The masses still get their news from the MSM and rags like Vanity Fair, I don’t see Sarah Palin overcoming it.
anniekc on July 1, 2009 at 1:09 PM
We need a slight rewrite of the Reagan’s 11th comandment…
Thou shalt not speak ill of a fellow Conservative UNLESS you are willing to have your NAME on the quote.
These unnamed source attacks are way out of hand.
Romeo13 on July 1, 2009 at 1:10 PM
It’s time to start outing these pussies. If you’re going to hit a girl in front of us, at least tell your name candy-ass.
Or are you afraid the rest of us will show you that chivalry is not dead by knocking your teeth down your f**king throat?
CurtZHP on July 1, 2009 at 1:10 PM
So, why aren’t people ripping this jerk, Jon Ward, a new one? If people won’t go on the record to say their nasty crap that on it’s face is demonstratively untrue, then why the hell is this guy publishing it? Oh, yeah, he’s a partisan hack. The question is if he is a donk partisan hack or a rino partisan hack?
Blake on July 1, 2009 at 1:10 PM
They’re almost like most Internet commentors.
(someone had to say it)
Good Lt on July 1, 2009 at 1:10 PM
Don’t know, introspection is for many a personal thing, unless you are Governor Sanford.
LevStrauss on July 1, 2009 at 1:11 PM
Yea!! Maybe he can retire from active politics and help run Meghans career- you know, like advising her on wishy washy, squishy, conservative values.
anniekc on July 1, 2009 at 1:11 PM
They weren’t even subtle about it. That is why I want names and I want this hack, Jon Ward,exposed for what he is.
Blake on July 1, 2009 at 1:11 PM
It wasn’t McCain positions that killed us
Obama and McCain were seen as opposites
it’s idiots like this than ran McCain campaign that killed us.
blatantblue on July 1, 2009 at 1:12 PM
Or they just want to keep their jobs and have future ones. Do you really know how the world works?
LevStrauss on July 1, 2009 at 1:12 PM
These guys are acting like anonymous trolls in the comments section of a blog. Are we supposed to take them seriously when they won’t attach their names to what they’re saying? It works for us because nobody cares what we think. These guys presumably carry some weight and are actively trying to influence the 2012 election with their anonymous sniping.
aero on July 1, 2009 at 1:13 PM
I think it’s quite the opposite. The perpetual MSM attacks are helping ensure her eventual victory.
Daggett on July 1, 2009 at 1:13 PM
What shoes she should wear.
Who should interview her boobs next.
How to yank AP’s chain.
Blake on July 1, 2009 at 1:13 PM
“anniekc on July 1, 2009 at 1:09 PM”
so surrendering to it is the best option?!
/eyeroll
//sooo, how many “unnamed sources” have spit at Saracuda now? 12? 15? i didn’t know there were that many “senior” people in the campaign! prolly a BIT o’ recycling/parroting going on at this point …
Buckaroo on July 1, 2009 at 1:14 PM
If what they’re saying would threaten their current and future jobs, perhaps they shouldn’t be saying it! I know my first rule of thumb is to keep my big mouth shut about stuff that might render me unemployed and homeless.
aero on July 1, 2009 at 1:15 PM
The Palin brand is ruined, part of it is her fault, part of is the media’s unfair attacks. And I don’t see how she can possibly be fixed.
She cannot possibly gain enough appeal to win a national election. Sure she could win the primaries and pack some rallies, but I’d rather see a viable candidate with a little more intellect debating Obama in 2012.
brandozilla on July 1, 2009 at 1:15 PM
Er, Mr. Ward? If you read the VF article you linked, you would know his name is Steve Schmidt.
Yes, that’s picky. But, if you’re “in the circle” and talking to senior advisors, you probably know their names.
Just a thought.
cs89 on July 1, 2009 at 1:15 PM
EFFIN cowards and harlots…..the bunch of them
the more this crap plays out the more i am CONVINCED Sarah needs to run for POTUS
Mcain should commit ritual seppaku…disgrace to his uniform that he has become….good lord….makes me vomit to know i served in the navy with this traitor..
sorry..i can’t stand un-named cowards….disgusting…vipers…swine….
JJKRN on July 1, 2009 at 1:15 PM
The anonymous sources are trying to bait Palin into answering all of the attacks, which would turn her into the person that they are saying that she is.
Palin is doing fine right now, going about her business as governor and firing the shots that she chooses.
myrenovations on July 1, 2009 at 1:16 PM
What is the purpose of this smear attack? The rehabilitation of John McCain? An attempt to pi his loss on her? To eliminate her as a viable candidate for 2012? What!
DerKrieger on July 1, 2009 at 1:18 PM
JJKRN on July 1, 2009 at 1:15 PM
I doubt McCain is telling people to say these things
blatantblue on July 1, 2009 at 1:18 PM
B.S. McCain is more attuned to Obama than he is to Reagan. That’s the problem. His campaign staff just gave him the juice to demonstrate it every day.
McCain. The gift that keeps on giving. Like syphilis.
Fletch54 on July 1, 2009 at 1:18 PM
I don’t give any credit at all to a hit piece that has only anonymous sources. Remember, this is the sort of fare that was served up last year by the NYT to smear McCain with the odor of adultery.
It’s not too much to force these cats to adhere to journalistic principles and give some names – at least somewhere. These pieces only have legitimacy when we accept this poor work – but I choose not too.
Until the author provides some sources I’ll discount the piece as fantasy – composed by a guy so infected with PDS that he’d make up these “interviews” of whole cloth.
HondaV65 on July 1, 2009 at 1:18 PM
Translation:
The Republican party should just fold it’s tent and go back to pretending to being Democrats.
Since we can’t fight the lies of the MSM. And the MSM will tell lies about anyone who threatens the Democrats, our only hope is to be as meek and non-threatening as possible.
MarkTheGreat on July 1, 2009 at 1:19 PM
There can be NO DOUBT any longer that all quarters are looking to diminish her and tarnish her. Absolute proof that they are scared to death of her.
If she’s so so so horrible and stupid and divisive, and whatever the hell else you want to throw out there, then go ahead, put your freakin’ money where your pie hole is and put her on top of a national ticket ASAP.
Be warned, assholes, the more you hit at her, the more galvanized many of us out here become. And the more idiotic and petty YOU look in the process.
JamesLee on July 1, 2009 at 1:20 PM
“brandozilla on July 1, 2009 at 1:15 PM”
hey look — it’s k. parker right here on h.a.!
/sigh
Buckaroo on July 1, 2009 at 1:21 PM
McCain helped quite a bit in his own destruction.
Like telling the press that Obama would make a good president, and that we had nothing to fear from him.
MarkTheGreat on July 1, 2009 at 1:21 PM
This quote says a lot…
He admits the battle within the Republican party, um I think I know who her “demons” are now.
4shoes on July 1, 2009 at 1:21 PM
Sorry but I don’t put much stock in comments made by an “unnamed senior campaign staffer”. For all we know this so called senior campaign staffer could be an Axlerod sock puppet.
Personally im with the guys over at Red State on this one. Basically all McCain campaign staffers are now black listed and are to be shunned until they can prove that they are not the ones stabbing Palin in the back.
Dreadnought223 on July 1, 2009 at 1:21 PM
“DerKrieger on July 1, 2009 at 1:18 PM”
is all of the above a valid choice?
Buckaroo on July 1, 2009 at 1:22 PM
MarkTheGreat on July 1, 2009 at 1:21 PM
He was being gracious. Silly but it didn’t cause our loss
plus that doesn’t mean he’s instructing people to say these things
Fletch54 on July 1, 2009 at 1:18 PM
more attuned to Obama? That isn’t true
blatantblue on July 1, 2009 at 1:23 PM
So now the Wash Times is joining the Anon. Smearing? Good reason to never buy or link to that rag…good riddance.
I’m not going to click the link. Someone who has, please name the author. We shall add this idiot to the Brooks-Parker-Frum “cancer” list.
james23 on July 1, 2009 at 1:23 PM
I think it’s an attempt to blame McCain’s loss on Palin (and thereby take the blame OFF of his inept campaign team and his own weak candidacy). I think it’s just a bonus to them that they’re harming her viability for 2012.
I really like Sarah, and I hope she can rise above this crap. I really don’t know if she can withstand this relentless daily bombardment for 3 more years, though. It must be incredibly tiring. The other Republican nominee-wannabes must be loving it, though. They get to rest up, get a tan, and start fresh when the time comes, without the myriad scrapes and bruises she’ll have. I hope the effect will be fire-hardened steel instead of dented and rusty scrap metal when it’s all over.
aero on July 1, 2009 at 1:24 PM
To repay Huckabee for helping McCain.
LibTired on July 1, 2009 at 1:24 PM
How on earth did this batch of screw-ups even win in Texas? What a bunch of losers.
connertown on July 1, 2009 at 1:24 PM
When 2012, we’ll be able to elect anyone we choose. If I’m wrong – don’t vote for her.
But I see you’ve bought into the “Palin has no intellect” matra the State Controlled Media has fed you. Believe me – if Mitt runs – he’ll be made an idiot also by the MSM. The problem is – the charges will STICK because they’ll be “new” – Mitt hasn’t been through the full wringer of the MSM like Palin.
The media is losing steam on Palin – their charges now have diminishing credibility. The woman is bullet-proof now because they went nuclear on her very early.
She’s the best hope for the GOP in 2012. If you want one of the Ayatollah’s elected – you forget my vote. Whoever gets my vote won’t be anything but a true Conservative and someone who is NOT a part of the elite crowd.
HondaV65 on July 1, 2009 at 1:25 PM
If the article in VF is true, why the anonymity?
SouthernGent on July 1, 2009 at 1:25 PM
ditto for the Rags that publish this crap. Washington Times = history.
james23 on July 1, 2009 at 1:25 PM
McCain helped quite a bit in his own destruction.
Like telling the press that Obama would make a good president, and that we had nothing to fear from him.
MarkTheGreat on July 1, 2009 at 1:21 PM
When is that dried-up old bastard going to die, already?
TexasJew on July 1, 2009 at 1:25 PM
Yes, I know how the world works and I just described the “real world” behavior of cowards and thugs. Apparently you’re happy to defend this behavior as long as your opponent’s ox is gored to your satisfaction.
Missy on July 1, 2009 at 1:25 PM
TexasJew on July 1, 2009 at 1:25 PM
That’s not right
blatantblue on July 1, 2009 at 1:26 PM
Do any of these people WORK at all? Or do they just “hang out” and circle jerk each other while crying about how Palin is not who they want her to be? poor wittle putrid libtard f**ks…..
Ris4victory on July 1, 2009 at 1:26 PM
I always shrugged off those who would glibly say, “wow, they are so afraid of the ‘Cuda!” But…it’s starting to look that way.
We see how Obama takes out those who are his biggest threat. But, to see more infighting at a time like this? It makes me look at Sarah Palin more than if they just left her alone, actually.
What IS IT about her that they cannot leave alone? She is (when it actually counts) a populist candidate…at a time when everyone will run as a populist but all will revert to form when they get in office…except her.
She is different. Obviously so. They are starting early. Actually, they never stopped.
Mommypundit on July 1, 2009 at 1:26 PM
Did that one statement, all by itself, cause the loss? No.
That, and hundreds like it did.
It was McCain who instructed people that Wright and his comments were out of bounds.
It was McCain who refused to attack Obama on the many far left programs that Obama had proposed.
It was McCain who refused to defend himself against the many scurilous attacks coming from the Obama camp.
Yes, he was being gracious, that is precisely why he lost.
MarkTheGreat on July 1, 2009 at 1:26 PM
and predictable in their Palin bashing. My wife was completely convinced that McCain was running to insure BO won and picked what he thought was a surefire loser in Palin. Palin didn’t turn out that way and she continues to be popular so the campaign to discredit her continues. The republicans don’t want a winner because it would show that they are not bipartisan and the
pressBO worshipers would be mean to them.jmarcure on July 1, 2009 at 1:27 PM
This looks pretty coordinated. Anybody hear from JournoList lately, or is this a conspiracy theory?
cs89 on July 1, 2009 at 1:27 PM
“Unnamed sources report that the Washington Times staff gets most of their news from the bottom of a bottle and a line of coke sniffed off the bottoms of unshorn goats.”
Hey check it out I can be a reporter too.
LincolntheHun on July 1, 2009 at 1:27 PM
They used to throw that one at Bush a lot, too. What, exactly, do they mean? That she’s not a navel-gazer? Good! That she doesn’t think about her role in events? Demonstrably untrue. That she doesn’t learn and adapt? Again, demonstrably untrue. That she isn’t wrapped up entirely in herself and her own way of thinking? Good! What does this “lack of introspection” criticism mean, exactly?
aero on July 1, 2009 at 1:28 PM
The only time McCain has ever had “fire in the belly”, was when he was firing on Republicans and conservatives.
MarkTheGreat on July 1, 2009 at 1:29 PM
He’s just being bipartisan and helping BO get a second and maybe a third term.
jmarcure on July 1, 2009 at 1:29 PM
Funny how none of this is on tape. We have Obama and Biden proving themselves to be uninformed, maladjusted morons in any number of video and audio recordings, but all this crap about Palin isn’t on video, it’s not on tape, there’s no transcript of what was said and the sources are incompetent McCain staff members with axes to grind who wish to remain anonymous.
But who are all the hitpieces in print and on TV about? Palin. This country couldn’t be more backward.
Crusty on July 1, 2009 at 1:30 PM
Exactly. The MSM is going to give the Palin treatment to the GOP nominee in 2012 NO MATTER WHO IT IS. They are only gunning for her now to take her out of the running. If they succeed, they will simply turn their guns on the next guy when the time comes.
Right now the other GOP contenders are cooperating in their own interests, and that’s what we’re seeing here. The MSM is happy for the moment to cooperate with anyone who will help take down Palin.
Missy on July 1, 2009 at 1:30 PM
Whether the criticisms of Palin are “true” or not, the anonymity serves the purpose of allowing those courageous heroes, the Anonymous Campaign Officials, to make a scapegoat of the woman whose popularity singlehandedly saved John McCain from losing by a double-digit margin.
Whoever coined the phrase “no good deed goes unpunished” must have had extensive experience with Republican campaign hacks — what vicious swine!
The Other McCain on July 1, 2009 at 1:32 PM
I have two friends that work for the Washington Times. Just got off the phone with one of them. He confirms that Jon Ward is, in fact, a homosexual. He walked into the bathroom one evening, about a year ago, and saw Jon Ward pleasuring another man.
BTW, I have known my contact for 15 years. His integrity and honesty are impeccable.
BPD on July 1, 2009 at 1:32 PM
Who’s behind this? McCain or Obama? Or is it coordinated?
Knucklehead on July 1, 2009 at 1:33 PM
If Palin is so washed up, why are these “insiders” remaining anonymous? At least come up with a nickname, guys. (Deep Inuit?)
Jim Treacher on July 1, 2009 at 1:34 PM
Jim Treacher on July 1, 2009 at 1:34 PM
Deep Thinker?
cs89 on July 1, 2009 at 1:35 PM
This is nothing more than the beltway insiders circling the wagons to protect their ivy-league brethren.
ICBM on July 1, 2009 at 1:36 PM
Why would they lose their jobs? Palin’s finished, right? Pretty please, tell us how the world works.
Jim Treacher on July 1, 2009 at 1:36 PM
Please !!!!!!!!!!!
jake-the-goose on July 1, 2009 at 1:36 PM
If I were a former McCain campaign staffer with honesty and integrity (assuming there are any), I’d be outing these anonymous jerks as fast as I could. Otherwise, every person who worked in the McCain campaign is going to be smeared with the same broad brush of cowardly anonymous sniping and back-stabbing. Whether what they say is true or not, it makes them look very bad to be willing to talk smack about the candidate they were paid to handle and promote. Who in their right mind would hire them at this point? Any of them? The silent ones seem plenty willing to let the loud ones make the entire McCain campaign look petty and untrustworthy.
aero on July 1, 2009 at 1:37 PM
Intresting thing is whoever spewed that dose of verbiage to Jon Ward is sounding like the crooks in Alaska she took head on. The whiny tone, the diva-like drama, the self-martyrdom, the high-falutin hatchet job, the pseudo-philosophical mumbo jumbo, all are exactly sound like the enemies she field dressed in Alaska. That can only mean that the national GOP is increasingly becoming like Alaska GOP, ripe for the moose hunter!
promachus on July 1, 2009 at 1:38 PM
This is all very simple. They are trying to blame McCain’s loss on Palin. The blame lies squarely with them.
faraway on July 1, 2009 at 1:38 PM
BPD is a troll.
faraway on July 1, 2009 at 1:39 PM
jake-the-goose on July 1, 2009 at 1:36 PM
I don’t see the proof for the accusation
blatantblue on July 1, 2009 at 1:39 PM
On the theme of Palin is the only one “they” fear:
Consider that this 10,000-word hit piece on Palin calling her a narcissist with a God complex, etc., followed up by another saying she has demons, etc., which comes a week after another 2012 prospect
a) openly admits having an affair
b) goes on to say he’s crossed the line with several others
c) leaves his state unattended for a week
d) uses state funds to travel to his mistress
e) etc.
all PROVEN FACTS and yet no 10,000-word hit pieces on him!
In fact, some libs are actually praising him for falling in love with his mistress.
So why the different coverage concerning two politicians re: anonymous allegations versus known facts?
hrh40 on July 1, 2009 at 1:39 PM
What’s the lesson she’s supposed to learn? Don’t get angry over anonymous, backbiting attacks that could be made against any politician?
Bill Ramey on July 1, 2009 at 1:40 PM
“You’d think that at some point, even Palin’s formidable armor of self-deception would so loudly clang against reality that she’d be forced to change. I doubt that though. Introspection doesn’t seem to be her strong-suit. But people can change. I hope she can too…for her sake and for our party’s.”
All these anonymous sources so concerned with our party should do the changing. I’ll take Sarah Palin exactly as she is.
fourdeucer on July 1, 2009 at 1:40 PM
It’s the new litmus test because the One is greatly introspective before he decides anything.
jmarcure on July 1, 2009 at 1:41 PM
I’m not a huge Palin fan, but these “operatives” are disgusting gutless weasels that I wouldn’t piss on if they were on fire.
God I’m so sick of these slimy douches and their self importance
Sugarbuzz on July 1, 2009 at 1:44 PM
McCain is part of the problem because he shut his mouth and said nothing. He is as despicable as the anonymous sources.
jencab on July 1, 2009 at 1:45 PM
The fact is it’s beyond Mccain campaign staffers. There’s a bunch of GOP “political consultants” who are all acting in a similarly bizarre fashion when it comes to Palin.
Nicole Wallace
Steve Schmidt
John Feehery
Kevin Maddens
Mark Mckinnon
Rob Gray
It is this small group of political consultants which is waging an incessant warfare of subterfuge against the governor. It isn’t just the Mccain failure and it isn’t just being beholden to Romney camp, though both are factors. Some of them are even employed by NRCC.
We know there’s a conservative/moderate, grassroots/establishment Reagan/Ford clash going on and this maybe part of it but this small clique of GOP operatives are behind all the drama.
promachus on July 1, 2009 at 1:45 PM
This is standard among most Beltway hacks. It’s just before the Fourth of July, and they’re already mentally checking out and “pre-functioning” for the customary August hiatus. It’s mere boilerplate rehash.
Christien on July 1, 2009 at 1:45 PM
Deep Drinker?
MarkTheGreat on July 1, 2009 at 1:46 PM
Crusty on July 1, 2009 at 1:30 PM
Good point. What I find unbelievable about all this is that we have a president who is doing everything he can to destroy this country, and the only thing these anonymous McCain staffers care about is covering their backsides from their own ineptitude from LAST YEAR’S campaign. It’s over! Stop talking. You have Mark Sanford disease. Shut up already. Nothing you say rings true anyway.
NebCon on July 1, 2009 at 1:46 PM
Considering how badly the McCain campaign was ran, I’m not sure any of them are still employable anyway.
MarkTheGreat on July 1, 2009 at 1:47 PM
Well, he does seem to be quite “introspective” when it comes to deciding whether or not to condemn the Iranian thugocracy for beating and killing unarmed protesters. He wasn’t so “introspective” about supporting an anti-constitutional dictator-wannabe in Honduras, though — he was very quick to respond in that case. He also seems to be opposed to Congressional “introspection” in the form of being given enough time to actually read the multi-trillion-dollar bills he’s rushing through every week.
But I get what you’re saying — it’s the perception of “introspection,” not actual presence of deep thought, that counts. And Palin’s opponents are trying to paint her as a dummy by throwing this meaningless psychobabble around.
aero on July 1, 2009 at 1:47 PM
He’s certainly not telling them to stop.
SouthernGent on July 1, 2009 at 1:49 PM
The lesson is she is supposed to stay away from 2012 and let Mitten or whoever the second-in-line is have at it.
Note also how they equate the grassroots anger with the “Palin camp”. Curiously enough that’s how her enemies in Alaska bite back at C4P when they go after their dishonesty. Equate her grassroots supporters with her advisors and staff.
promachus on July 1, 2009 at 1:49 PM
It would appear that the only demons involved are the unnamed sources.
Rose on July 1, 2009 at 1:51 PM
“she has this total lack of introspection”
I guess “introspection” is the new “intellectual curiosity.”
When you have no concrete complaints, drag out a sufficiently nebulous but important-sounding faux-psychological diagnosis.
notropis on July 1, 2009 at 1:54 PM
Translation: We’ll trash you and your family until you give up and start dancing to our tunes.
promachus on July 1, 2009 at 1:55 PM
Huckabee is just devious enough to have a hand in this also.
fourdeucer on July 1, 2009 at 1:58 PM
Huh? I was just taking my journalistic credentials out for a spin…. sorry that buzzed right over your head.
BPD on July 1, 2009 at 1:59 PM
This infighting has less to do with Palin and more to do with the combatants. Palin is just an excuse for them to use the MSM as a battlefield.
jacrews on July 1, 2009 at 2:00 PM
That’s what I keep asking: Why? Don’t they realize this will all backfire and that they all look like mean-spirited, self-centered, holier-than-thou, gutless, cry babies?
Aside from these low-life, has-been, failed McCain hacks, has one current Palin staffer come forward as an “unnamed source” to support any of these hit pieces? Has anyone asked any of them what they have to say about all this? Are they afraid to ask? Or have they polled the current staff and didn’t get the answers they were looking for to support their hit pieces?
I’d really like to hear what her current staff has to say about all this crap.
Maybe I’ll just call them up and ask.
Rod on July 1, 2009 at 2:00 PM
Also, I know the reason the MSM and the Left hates Palin; She doesn’t care about their opinion of her.
jacrews on July 1, 2009 at 2:00 PM
John McCain could stop this if he wanted to…
d1carter on July 1, 2009 at 2:01 PM
d1carter on July 1, 2009 at 2:01 PM
It’s been said before, but if “anonymous McCain campaign officials” gave out interviews calling Obama narcissistic, struggling with “demons” etc. he would charge to the microphones to denounce them within hours.
cs89 on July 1, 2009 at 2:05 PM
But people can change. I hope she can too…for her honest American values and actions are killing us liberal lovin, moderate beltway GOP insiders, and she scares us!!!”
FIFY.
DannoJyd on July 1, 2009 at 2:07 PM
You fascinate me. Tell me more.
Terrie on July 1, 2009 at 2:07 PM
Palin scares the hell out of both parties. The Democrats in general, and the GOP insider establishment in particular.
Remember, even now, she has more actual executive experience than The Kenyan. But she’s allegedly stupid, and he’s allegedly brilliant.
You Palin haters and/or doubters, ask yourselves this: If you could magically exchange Obama for Palin right now, would you?
I’d like to think most of you would. If not, though . . . well, enjoy your time under the rule of The Kenyan. And best of luck with whoever your 2012 version of McCain turns out to be.
tsj017 on July 1, 2009 at 2:08 PM
This strikes me as someone who is pissed because Palin wouldn’t take one of his/her suggestions, and is consequently airing dirty laundry. Still, the fact that large numbers of McCain’s own people are so transparently throwing Palin under the bus–and were doing so DURING THE CAMPAIGN–just showcases what a horrible nominee McCain actually was.
McCain was the worst general election candidate since Mike Dukakis. While most of that was McCain’s own fault (and the fault of primary voters for nominating him), his handlers and campaign staff were just plain atrocious. The total lack of professionalism and competence expressed by most of these McCain campaign aides should exclude them from working in Republican politics again.
Outlander on July 1, 2009 at 2:12 PM
BTW, if these ‘facts’ are true then why aren’t the people telling these tails admitting who they are?
Unnamed sources = cowards, liars, and liberal theives. Perhaps they are drug pushing child molesters, and before you claim I’m spouting off nonsense please be prepared to prove that by giving us the names of those sources.
DannoJyd on July 1, 2009 at 2:13 PM
Would someone kindly point out whick politicians don’t have egos? Which politicians sit around and muse about their navels?
Is the undercurrent in this quote that as long as she “knows her place” and is content with firing up the conservative base and raises funds for her “betters” the boys will let her place on their lot?
katiejane on July 1, 2009 at 2:17 PM
I think McCain really expected that the MSM would keep liking him after he got the nomination, and that he’d be able to be all mavericky and would capture the middle. His camp realized, right around Obama’s convention, that the MSM had turned on him (duh!!!), independents weren’t rallying to his banner, and he had zero enthusiasm among the economic and social conservatives who make up most of the GOP’s base. I think someone came to McCain and said “you have to move right or you won’t stand a chance,” leading to Palin’s nomination. I think McCain and many of his inner circle of advisers were extremely embittered by the fact their grand master plan failed and reacted by lashing out at Palin and her supporters.
Again… What the hell was the primary voting pool thinking of by nominating this tool?
Outlander on July 1, 2009 at 2:19 PM
Yep. Which is further proof that he’s a lousy politician and probably not smart enough to be president.
tsj017 on July 1, 2009 at 2:23 PM
GET LOST OR WE WILL GO AFTER THE FAMILY PALIN
AHhahahahahahahhaha
Anonymous Senior McCain Aide.
TimeTraveler on July 1, 2009 at 2:24 PM
Who is pushing this crap, and positioning themselves to take the mantle of front runner?
Romneybots. They are behind all of this. They are the washington elite. Willard might not be calling the shots here, but his crowd of country club repubs are making a great push to persuade Palin to step aside.
If she was no threat to them, she would have been abandoned along time ago.
If Reagan had run today in this environment, with blogs, 24/7 media, and Allahpundit’s sitemeter to ratings extravaganza!! he never would have been elected.
portlandon on July 1, 2009 at 2:27 PM
I don’t know how you could be more wrong.
Governor Palin was responsible for energizing the GOP base here in lower Michigan. People held their noses and voted for Palin along with other conservative candidates in my district.
McCain’s biggest mistake was in keeping Sarah off of the stump as he busily told America how right OBAMA was.
You can thank the beltway GOP insiders for McAmnesty. They had him locked in 2 years before the election, and stupid republicans went along with their rule.
Republicans looking for true conservative leadership had better support Sarah, or they will get another milk toast moderate who will again lose to the socialist democrats. PERIOD!
DannoJyd on July 1, 2009 at 2:29 PM
This recent Palin coverage has been so interesting. I have never been a huge fan of Palin- but now I think I am going to donate to her PAC. If the ENTIRE establishment hates her so keenly, it tells me everything I need to know and I support her without question.
I don’t think that they know what they are doing; it’s already back-firing.
shannonkelly on July 1, 2009 at 2:31 PM
So the cowardly VF slanders didn’t work, and now Palin has ‘demons’?
FOUL DEMONS OF MCCAIN STAFF INCOMPETENCE, BE GONE!!!
NARCISSTIC PERSONALITY DISORDER, JEALOUSY AND SELF-DECEIVING LOSERS – - COME OUT AND DEPART FOREVER.
———-
Sorry for shouting, but an exorcism of McCain staffers seems to be required.
Right_of_Attila on July 1, 2009 at 2:34 PM
So, it is Romney’s people who are at least partly behind it. Well, he lost my vote.
Blake on July 1, 2009 at 2:36 PM
There ya go! You won’t regret your decision.
DannoJyd on July 1, 2009 at 2:37 PM
She has truly come to represent the Reagan wing even more so than the former Reagan wing like Bruce Bartlett et al.
In order to save the nation we need to get back to Reaganism
Introduce Vouchers
Get Rid of the Rothschild owned Federal Reserve
Print our own currency
Stop our support of racist Israel
Implement AA for press ownership
True_King on July 1, 2009 at 2:37 PM
This has been going on for some time. Remember the NRCC dinner, the beltway clique which is trashing her now, reacted with outright paranoia, when it was announced that she’d be speaking to the GOP there. It was almost like the feminists who reacted with horror and anxiety when her nomination was first announced and who felt relieved that an economic crash happened because that would take away the Sarah Palin effect. Well, the same thing happened during the dinner too; only when they managed to have her invitation rescinded did these scumbags feel good and then they immediately went to press with anonymous whispers about how she was unreliable for the stunt they pulled on her.
During the campaign, Bill Kristol made some critical remarks which in my opinion were well-deserved and these people panicked like it was end of the world. Schmidt went on a witch hunt and found Randy Schuenmman was talking to Kristol and therefore got him fired from the campaign. They hired him back to save face. The ridiculous accusation was that Randy was close to Palin, he was helping her going rogue and he was being disloyal to Mccain! All because Randy had the temerity to suggest that the “palling with terrorists” line was vetted by the campaign, unlike the anonymous sources who complained to Politico that it was all Palin’s doing and they had nothing to do with it. For denying that, Randy was accused of treason.
Kristol even did a show with Fox n Friends where they wondered about the deep set paranoia of these people. I think that paranoia about Sarah hasn’t gone away with the campaign, it’s spreading within the entire GOP beltway establishment, within the ranks of its political consultants and its a deeply irrational and troubling emotion.
The same paranoia was evident when Sarah started her PAC. The Beltway clique was especially worried about the role John Coale, former Clinton supporter played in it. They all wanted information. What is he doing there? Why is he on board? Why is she talking with Democrats? Then somebody within the PAC leaked emails to Politico which did a breathless story on how Coale suggested Sarah do a fundraiser for Hillary. Sarah had to fire Becky Donatelli, PAC manager, another Mccain holdover and the leaks stopped. Curious, this isn’t mentioned in Vanity Fair.
They are worried about her every move and they attack her every time they perceive she’s doing something to spread her wings and then complain that she isn’t doing enough !
promachus on July 1, 2009 at 2:40 PM
Like Ann Coulter and countless others, I voted for Palin, not McCain. With all his faults, I would take him over Obama any day, but I have no illusions about him. One of McCain’s most aggravating faults is his consuming need to appear nobler-than-thou in the political realm, which is contradicted by his approving silence as his former staffers and allies try to destroy the running mate he personally selected. His ego is probably still stinging after being eclipsed by Palin.
I don’t trust Mitt or Huck, either, and cannot forget how the McCain, Romney and/or Huckabee campaigns were behind those false rumors intended to damage Thompson’s presidential bid back in January 2008. I would like to hear from Teh Fred and Jeri, who have been a terrific tag team for Palin and undoubtedly know these anonymous
cowardsweaselssources.Terrie on July 1, 2009 at 2:42 PM
Either you are being sarcastic, an Axleturfer, or you really believe all those things. Either way, I’m starting to get worried.
JamesLee on July 1, 2009 at 2:42 PM
Fixed
Right_of_Attila on July 1, 2009 at 2:49 PM
What is there to worry about? He is half right.
DannoJyd on July 1, 2009 at 2:50 PM
well i wish these people would stop writing this crap… another $100 to sarahpac…and 450 to her defense fund….if these people continue to write this crap its going to cost me alot of money since i give every time a hit piece from rommey goons (and Allah birm) goes viral
unseen on July 1, 2009 at 2:51 PM
promachus on July 1, 2009 at 2:40 PM
good post…much better than anything allah and the rommey goons (BIRM) have posted…
unseen on July 1, 2009 at 2:54 PM
Mike Allen is going to be interviewed on the John Zieglar radio show like soon.
Blake on July 1, 2009 at 2:55 PM
As Zieglar said, the VF piece is 16 pages without any substantiation or anyone on the record and would be unheard of but for the fact it is nasty and against Palin.
Blake on July 1, 2009 at 2:58 PM
Beltway is getting worried. They figured that Palin would go away after the election, they figured that Mitt would be the GOP head, they figured that Palin’s popularity was a flash in the pan. Like the last 9 years the beltway GOP figured wrong. Gov Palin is more popular now then before, she has weathered the attacks, her negatives will not go any further, the bletway GOp/Dems have made Palin into the teflon canidate. she could probably kill someone and most people would not believe it anymore because of all the false attacks on her. She is becoming more powful than anything the beltway GOp can do to stop her….
I love Palin and will do everything i can to get her elected should she wish to run…Mitt is a has been and the beltway GOp are clueless.
Screw Mitt his people
unseen on July 1, 2009 at 3:00 PM
Thanks for elaborating, promachus. I consider myself quite the infomaniac, but you seem extremely knowledgeable about Palin mythology — bad pun intended.
John Coale and his more famous half, Greta van Susteren, have been exceptional defenders of Palin, as were many anti-Obama, pro-Clinton bloggers. They certainly know Palin as well as anyone in the media. I always assumed the Clintonista/Palin strange bedfellows alliance was of the temporary the-enemy-of-my-enemy-is-my-friend variety. Does it have real legs?
Terrie on July 1, 2009 at 3:01 PM
The RINOS appear to be in cahoots with the left in attempting to bring Palin down. Nothing new about that, only the level of their unbridled hatred of her, and by transference, us.
They may succeed in doing so, but they will never take control and and everyone of them will be hunted down and made to rue the day they struck their bargain with the devil.
Blake on July 1, 2009 at 3:07 PM
Sigh.
Who owns the media?
True_King on July 1, 2009 at 3:09 PM
Betcha a lot of people know exactly who this McCain official is. I have my guesses. The fact that he finds Purdum’s tedious, trivial one-sided and simplistic re-hash of anti-Palin propaganda “fascinating” and “riveting” (i.e., “Two thumbs up!”) tells you all you need to know, though it doesn’t absolutely resolve the proportions of self-interest myopia and self-interested conniving behind the quoted comments. He’s certainly a pretentious and condescending son-of-a-gun – you get the feeling the type of guy who’d get along with the Palins like fish get along with bicycles.
CK MacLeod on July 1, 2009 at 3:09 PM
Go to hell, nazi boy.
Blake on July 1, 2009 at 3:12 PM
What color is the sky in your world?
MarkTheGreat on July 1, 2009 at 3:13 PM
Tarp.
the_nile on July 1, 2009 at 3:14 PM
I do.
Unless that guy in the trench coat was lying.
MarkTheGreat on July 1, 2009 at 3:17 PM
John Coale wanted Sarah to host a fundraiser for Hillary or something and she refused. If anything, this was some sort of screwy idea of Coale himself. Didn’t go anywhere.
But among some pro-Clinton and anti-Obama people, there’s definitely more than a spark of interest for Sarah Palin.
promachus on July 1, 2009 at 3:17 PM
Well, it’s a well known fact, Sonny Jim, that there’s a secret society of the five wealthiest people in the world, known as The Pentavirate, who run everything in the world, including the newspapers, and meet tri-annually at a secret country mansion in Colorado, known as The Meadows.
So who’s in this Pentavirate?
The Queen, The Vatican, The Gettys, The Rothschilds, *and* Colonel Sanders before he went t!ts up. Oh, I hated the Colonel with is wee *beady* eyes, and that smug look on his face. “Oh, you’re gonna buy my chicken! Ohhhhh!”
Why do I hate “The Colonel”?
Because he puts an addictive chemical in his chicken that makes ya crave it fortnightly!!
portlandon on July 1, 2009 at 3:17 PM
I also happen to own the Brooklyn Bridge.
MarkTheGreat on July 1, 2009 at 3:18 PM
His article was so filled with b.s. and lies that only the dumb, the democrats, and the rinos would believe it.
I’m listening to Zieglar holding Mike Allen’s feet to the fire. He keeps asking why he is making unsubstantiated allegations and isn’t that the antithesis of ethical reporting. Allen won’t answer and just keeps repeating some people think…
Zieglar asked why he praised Putzham’s article, Allen denies it. Zieglar played the clip where he did praise it and where he never criticized the piss poor journalism of Putzham. Zieglar asks him to comment on it now. Allen won’t answer.
This clip should be posted on HA.
Blake on July 1, 2009 at 3:18 PM
Sarah Palin has the power right now.
These Beltway types seem to be trying to force her to play their tune, and then step aside for their candidate, after they use her popularity for their own ends.
Sorry boys, no deal.
Sarah should just go around the Beltway types, and force the DC establishment to come to her when they need Republican voters, of which they have none.
She can be the focus of a grassroots revolt against the DC establishment, and they know it.
I want to take the fortress, and overthrow the Lords.
They have had their time, and they have failed.
Screw them. It’s our damn party, not theirs.
We have the votes, and that is what they must have.
They have to come to us when it counts, and we demand that our priorities be respected!
Brian1972 on July 1, 2009 at 3:22 PM
Geeze! I used to be lukewarm about John McCain. After the behavior of his campaign towards Palin, I despise him. His failure to tell his people to STFU means that he condones their attacks.
I’m as yet agnostic on Palin, we don’t know enough about the true woman. The fear she instills in all the right people makes her more attractive, though.
obladioblada on July 1, 2009 at 3:22 PM
Boy, Zieglar is a better interviewer than all these msm hacks.
Blake on July 1, 2009 at 3:23 PM
Exit question, if I may presume to ask one: Who do you hate more, the unnamed sources sissies or the reporters who write these gossip columns using anonymous, and I am guessing made-up quotes?
Jaibones on July 1, 2009 at 3:24 PM
If Palin decides not to run for re-election in ‘10, she should stump for anyone running against McCain in the primary.
Payback is a Biatch
veni vidi vici on July 1, 2009 at 3:27 PM
I don’t see the proof for the accusation
blatantblue on July 1, 2009 at 1:39 PM
The Proof = John McCain.
Loser
jake-the-goose on July 1, 2009 at 3:34 PM
The reason these sources stay unnamed has less to do with their current relationships than with their future prospects in case things don’t go their way.
CK MacLeod on July 1, 2009 at 3:35 PM
Here’s your answer (note especially my bold emphasized parts), – note also, my addition at bottom:
Outlander, you should be paid for being so right on!
My .02 cents worth is that, Palin is the ONLY person these operatives can possibly vilify!!
They can’t possibly go after McCain – he’s their hero you know, wonderful maverick, conservative-republican-bashing, democrat-loving-hero!
This back and forth, donkey and piggy circus show, is trying to prove to others that they are not the world’s worst donkey.
“I am better than you!” “You are dog poop!” “No you are!”
With McCain being the triangulating political dimwit he is, he attracted people like Bill Kristol (more conservative) than for example his main campaign operatives, because McCain you know, wouldn’t hire true conservatives to manage his campaign.
What we are witnessing, is a slow moving train wreck, (played out in slow motion) with the head locomotive (McCain) already crashed. The train cars in tow (campaign operatives)are still very sloooowly crashing, one-by-one.
I, for one, was hoping this train would crash faster, but apparently no such luck, as I really wanted to see the end of it – the last car – but at this rate, when the caboose (Meghan) crashes, I will have lost interest.
Mad Dog on July 1, 2009 at 3:36 PM
Zieglar just plugged Hotair “I saw it on HA, a website I go to all the time.”
Blake on July 1, 2009 at 3:42 PM
I like Zig a lot. His last name is spelled Ziegler.
The Race Card on July 1, 2009 at 4:14 PM
Were I a necromancer I would unleash demons on John McCain and his aides.
Kensington on July 1, 2009 at 4:19 PM
Corner has a new post about this flap. They are zeroing on Schmidt.
promachus on July 1, 2009 at 4:20 PM
Danno, I think you and I were basically saying the same thing–I’m sorry my post did not convey that. What I was saying is that the McCain people were bitter that their strategy (i.e. bash the GOP and pretend to be Democrats) didn’t work, and they were forced to bring Palin in (i.e. a real Republican) to try and win it…. But instead of letting her do it, they instead threw her to the wolves and knifed her in the back! It was truly unbelievable.
Outlander on July 1, 2009 at 4:23 PM
Great tactic by the Dem-friendly media: let’s keep the focus on Palin so that people don’t notice what’s going on in the White House, Senate, Congress, etc…
jediwebdude on July 1, 2009 at 4:24 PM
Hey McShame how about naming some names and makin them famous.
I hope to lose AZ you jerkweed.
Unnamed sources are candy azz cowards who completely farked up a campaign.
Geochelone on July 1, 2009 at 4:32 PM
Get Ziggy with it. The man rocks.
Geochelone on July 1, 2009 at 4:33 PM
This isn’t even about Palin anymore. These McCain staffers weren’t running a presidential campaign, they were running a middle school student body campaign.
Palin should have refused the nomination. For her to be involved in such a 3rd rate Kangaroo camp is pathetic.
Just gives more credibility that Palin was the candidate, and McCain was just along for the ride.
portlandon on July 1, 2009 at 4:39 PM
I spoke with an unnamed source today who said Nichole Wallace was a pole dancer with mob connections in Jersey. She also cheated on her taxes and sold children in slavery. The unnamed source will tell me more later about Steve Schidt’s association with NAMBLA.
Geochelone on July 1, 2009 at 4:49 PM
Who cares about all this stuff? I mean really. These people are just trying to shift blame for their own inadequacies and in the process they are making themselves look ridiculous.
McCain picked Palin for a running mate. That means his staffers should just stfu.
I do think that most people don’t pay any attention to this stuff. It is just too silly.
Terrye on July 1, 2009 at 4:53 PM
Absolutely true. Every one of these cheap attacks is making her bulletproof. The only hope they have is if she disappears from public life completely, which, let’s face it, is their goal.
ddrintn on July 1, 2009 at 5:06 PM
2012 is going to be like 1980. The “grassroots” folks are going to have to mutiny completely.
ddrintn on July 1, 2009 at 5:07 PM
It’s way past time for these muckrakers to name names. Until we start seeing names attached to this crud, I’m blaming McCain for it — he’s had plenty of time to call them all out, but hasn’t. I can only conclude he’s going along with it. Meanwhile, Palin only grows stronger and Obama’s approval index is down to -2!
littleguy on July 1, 2009 at 5:28 PM
I am waiting for the Frumster man to pile on Palin as well.
.
Stuff like this makes me want take these people out back and give them a serious thumpen. Some people need to learn the hard way.
Americannodash on July 1, 2009 at 8:20 PM