For starters, every time I see you on TV, you’re whining about unfair press coverage. Don’t get me wrong: Much of it is unfair, and some of it deserves a response. But it’s not presidential. It’s not even gubernatorial. You are constantly taking the bait, taking up the fights your biggest fans want you to take up.
But here’s the thing: Don’t listen to your biggest fans. Don’t alienate them either, but don’t think that because the Palin4Pres crowd cheers, you’re making progress. Politics is ultimately about persuasion, and you seem entirely uninterested in that, preferring instead to play the victim. Well, victims don’t get elected president. Ronald Reagan was a laughingstock for liberals and despised by the press. But he didn’t whine or take the bait.
Second, peddling a few platitudes and truisms about free markets and limited government is no substitute for really knowing what you’re talking about. Yes, you can talk well about the stuff you know — oil drilling, energy, etc. — but beyond your comfort zone, you fall back on bumper-sticker language that sounds fine to the people who already agree with you but is useless in winning over skeptics.
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A Letter to Jonah
KittyLowrey on July 3, 2009 at 10:47 AM
Dear Gov. Palin: Ignore the advice of condescending a-holes who have not accomplished a tenth of what you have and only have gotten where they are today because of their mommy.
Blake on July 3, 2009 at 10:49 AM
That’s a good letter and I agree with it.
RarestRX on July 3, 2009 at 10:52 AM
Jonah must have watched Krauthammers take and decided to jump on the Bash Palin bandwagon.
This is why Republicans lose. Rather than stand behind a candidate who shows a lot of promise, who is a true conservative, who isn’t afraid to take on the biased MSM, people like Goldberg have to poke her in the eye with their finger.
Democrats don’t play this game. That’s why we have one in the White House and 60 of them in the senate.
STFU Jonah.
fogw on July 3, 2009 at 10:52 AM
This wasn’t bad. Goldberg is a pretty reasonable guy and wants the best for SP.
Probably will be QOTD to generate overnight traffic, though.
fiatboomer on July 3, 2009 at 10:54 AM
Serious question: How did it end up being Sarah Palin week in the (political) press? All because of the Purdum piece? Poor Tim Pawlenty can’t catch a break. /s
Pasalubong on July 3, 2009 at 10:54 AM
There are some characterizations that Jonah uses that I do not agree with, but overall it was fine.
I don’t get this though:
So far she has traveled for a couple of speeches and for her job as governor. She has been doing her job. The only question is if she’s been doing her homework, but how is that to be measured?
myrenovations on July 3, 2009 at 10:54 AM
Another Letter to Jonah Goldberg
KittyLowrey on July 3, 2009 at 10:55 AM
You didn’t read it, did you?
fiatboomer on July 3, 2009 at 10:55 AM
Tough love. Look, I want Sarah Palin to win as much as anyone here. She’ll have very little room for error when she runs again thanks to the hack media. All she needs to do is really focus for a few months and she can probably handle anything thrown at her.
TimTebowSavesAmerica on July 3, 2009 at 10:55 AM
Fair
tdavisjr on July 3, 2009 at 10:55 AM
The linked to by Kitty above, is 10x better than what Goldberg wrote. The writer actually backs up his assertions as opposed to Goldberg. Maybe, Goldberg should try to get a job with Conservative4Palin and they can teach him how to write effectively – or at least honestly.
And AP please don’t whine that Goldberg is being picked on. What he wrote was junk.
Blake on July 3, 2009 at 10:55 AM
Jonah should address the letter to the media. All they are interested in is the gossip and downgrading the only republican that can kick Obama’s ass out of the White House.
Why not be a good journalist like Bill Kristol and actually go out and meet the governor and engage in conversation with her before judging her?
jencab on July 3, 2009 at 10:56 AM
When Palin won the battle against Letterman and had several good interviews on a variety of subjects, it seemed like a good time to rip her apart again.
myrenovations on July 3, 2009 at 10:56 AM
Jonah makes a good point. However, he seems to miss that Palin does talk about these things. But the talking heads would rather talk about Letterman or her in-laws getting busted for dope.
Yes, the media is unfair. But don’t take the time in the media to complain about the unfair media. We know. Instead, use the time pitch conservative ideas. I’ve seen Palin do it, and she’s effective.
Nethicus on July 3, 2009 at 10:58 AM
That was a very complimentary article with a few pieces of constructive criticism.
2012 will be areferendum on Obama. Sarah just needs to be an acceptable alternative. It’s setting up a lot like 1980.
Ted Torgerson on July 3, 2009 at 10:58 AM
It’s very obvious what these columnists and pundits are doing. While these D.C. types just naturally gravitate to the likes of Romney and Jindal based solely on their pedigree and credentials, I also think that they all want to be on record “giving advice” to Gov. Palin.
So that when she does throw her heels into the ring, and when she does “impress” them with her knowledge, they can crow in their columns that she took their advice.
yogi41 on July 3, 2009 at 10:58 AM
Wow. I love Jonah and I tend to carry contempt for the WND, “you’re a great American” sycophants types but that was an innacurate and condescending Goldberg piece.
First of all, she isn’t doing much media. Why she gave Ziegler the access she did MONTHS AGO I’m not sure but she is keeping a low profile.
Second. He uses the left’s “she’s a moron” narrative to give her advice? She needs to go and learn things? I’ll remind Jonah that she BEAT Mr. Foreign Policy, Joe Biden in her debate with him. Jonah doesn’t have a clue what she does or doesn’t know.
AYNBLAND on July 3, 2009 at 10:59 AM
I don’t think Jonah is trashing Sarah here folks. I am a huge Palin fan but I have to say he’s right.
I love Sarah but when I do see her, as as rarely as that is, I want her to step out and start making the news by boldly challenging the political elite.
I want her to make the news story… not clean it up.
I’m not going to blindly follow her without clearly challenging her. That my friends is what cultism is all about.
Jonah is challenging Sarah, not degrading her. Good for him.
She has to come out swinging on offense and stop the defense.
Sarah can start a whole NEW converasation. She has the spotlight. Will She? I hope so.
katy on July 3, 2009 at 10:59 AM
Isn’t JG one of those bobble heads who keeps bobbling around
Fox News? Looks like he won’t be employed by SarahPac anytime soon.
I luv this stuff. All Sarah Palin has to do is wake up in the morning, breath some fresh Alaska air, and the DC/NYC crowd goes nuts.
When NRO starts openly trashing a Republican is says they are scared silly of that Republican.
When Sarah Palin drops out of the news cycle, and she will, what is Allahpundit going to do to gen up traffic ?
LankyLou on July 3, 2009 at 10:59 AM
Ouch.
(Word has it that Goldberg is VERY sensitive about references to his mother’s role in making him a pundit. Just sayin’.)
Siobhan on July 3, 2009 at 10:59 AM
Oh, and AP should just move this Palin thread to The Blog and get the 500+ comments over and done with.
yogi41 on July 3, 2009 at 10:59 AM
Uh oh, she’s been targeted by the those that choose your candidates. Only Reagan was able to overcome them.
True_King on July 3, 2009 at 10:59 AM
Yup. Me, too.
KittyLowrey on July 3, 2009 at 11:01 AM
I sure a hell did. What’s your problem?
fogw on July 3, 2009 at 11:01 AM
I read Goldberg’s letter. It was condescending and patronizing. For some reason, male conservatives have this creepy sexist way of giving advice to women conservatives and then they act surprised when their target tells them to get lost. I’ve seen it done to Hammer and to Powers.
The letter in response by Videmus Omnia was much better and showed where Goldberg was wrong. Read it — if facts matter to you.
Blake on July 3, 2009 at 11:01 AM
Harsh, but more or less right. Jonah’s not denying that the media’s unfair, that Palin’s got huge potential, or that she’s been victimized. But he’s trying to help, and I don’t think anyone can seriously question his sincerity.
Calvin Freiburger on July 3, 2009 at 11:01 AM
Jonah is making good points. Team Palin should heed them. While I don’t things have gone as far as Jonah is saying, there is some small truths to this.
The problem is Palin DOES talk about other stuff, but the media is stuck on talking about BS her message is not getting through. She needs to take control on the interviews, much like she did with her last Today show interview with Matt Lauer. Her energy message was great, and she controlled the message when Matt tried to throw her off message.
portlandon on July 3, 2009 at 11:02 AM
Clarification: I know Powers is not a conservative, but conservative men have the habit of giving her advice.
Blake on July 3, 2009 at 11:02 AM
And I’m sick of Obama going on TV twice a day whining about how he inherited some big mess. At this point in the game, wouldn’t that be a more important subject to write about. We actually do have a president that should be analyzed, not potential candidates.
sherry on July 3, 2009 at 11:03 AM
No,
He’s holding it to a higher standard in order the beat back the
BIGGEST
MOST WELL FUNDED
UNETHICAL
DEVIANT
CUNNING
MACHINE, in our history and if Palin doesn’t get on her game and be the cuda we all want her to be, SHE.. and WE will blow up the conservative party!
katy on July 3, 2009 at 11:04 AM
I do.
Blake on July 3, 2009 at 11:04 AM
Then it is up to Goldberg and others, including us, to point to those specifics and stop blaming her for the media. Same thing happened with GWB. If people had stuck up for him more and truly been “constructive” rather than jump on the “I’m fairer than thou and don’t just exist in an echo chamber so here’s my criticism” bandwagon that really was baseless bashing to try and curry brownie points with people that will never give them, it would have benefited us all.
KittyLowrey on July 3, 2009 at 11:05 AM
…unacceptable when you’re an attractive woman candidate. When you’re an Establishment male candidate, it’s “wise and probing analysis”.
ddrintn on July 3, 2009 at 11:05 AM
Hey Jonah, here’s some advice for you—do your homework as well. Again, you speak in generalities with nothing to back up your assertions. And obviously you know very little about Governor Palin and how she has run her state. Do a little research before writing such drivel. Oh yeah and I’m sure the Governor is going to take advice from someone who thought McCain should have picked a democrat as his running mate. Yeah, that was FANTASTIC advice. You should give more and give it often. Maybe your next Open Letter will be to Todd Palin: “You are blowing your chances at the next Iron Dog”. Whatever.
Redneck Woman on July 3, 2009 at 11:05 AM
This is a lazy “holiday” article for Mr. Goldberg and when people complain, they will be at fault.
Cindy Munford on July 3, 2009 at 11:06 AM
Very well said. I would add that the “Palin4Pres” types and many HA posters do her and the conservative movement no good by refusing to consider her legitimate weaknesses and exaggerating her strengths.
IU_Conservative on July 3, 2009 at 11:06 AM
Dear Jonah,
You are blowing it.
I am a regular reader of the Corner and I like you as a commentator. You are no Mark Steyn,but your nerdy attempts at humor and pop culture have a charm of their own. You usually comes across as a stoic intellectual with a good command of facts, so when you spew out a petulant outburst in the name of giving advice to the Governor of Alaska, which consists of nothing but the most banal bromides about her in circulation, I have to look at you in askance and question your integrity. Where, for instance, is the advice for Mitt Romney about increasing his charisma? His current tanning sessions don’t seem to do the trick.
The timing of your column is itself suspect. You have maintained silence throughout the Letterman episode when Gov.Palin did strike back against the MSM but now that she has remained silent through the Vanity Fair hit piece and the subsequent fallout, it’s odd for you to complain that the good Gov. is “whining about the media attacks” and “playing the victim.” By the way, her favorables with the democrats and Independents increased when she fought for her children against scurrilous depictions of them in the media, so maybe she knows what she’s doing.
Then, you say that there is a hunger for articulate policy wonks like Jindal, Daniels and Romney. Really? The policy wonk called Jindal managed to put the nation to sleep in his SOTU rebuttal, the policy wonk called Daniels never managed to interest anybody about his existence and the policy wonk called Romney never manages to impress anyone of the sincerity of his convictions and the depth of his intellect, even after repeated attempts. I don’t find these policy
wonks are managing to articulate our philosophy well, much less converting the sceptics. Don’t you find it interesting that these policy wonks are never in news except when being used as a foil to the governor by people who don’t like her? I do. There’s no hunger in the country for “policy wonks” outside of the beltway but then there’s no hunger for patrician blood or country club membership either, outside the beltway; there’s a hunger for clear convictions and leadership and this, the governor has in spades.
If you were bit more courageous, you’d admit that the GOP establishment reeks of elitism and that the bluebloods and country clubbers don’t want someone who hasn’t gone to the right universities or doesn’t speak in the right accent to be the leader of the party. If you knew your history well, you’d know that there’s an ongoing schism between the progressive and conservative factions within the party; “policy wonk” “policy detail” are labels used by the progressive faction to vet conservatives and keep them from power; you’d also know that this infighting happened even during the Reagan-Ford era and that what’s happening now seems to be a repeat of it. If you were a bit more curious, you’d investigate why a clique of political consultants is bent on undermining the governor now just as they were on the campaign trail; you’d understand that this is also a philosophical battle for the soul for the soul of the party between heartland conservatives and coastal progressive elites and the governor has become merely a symbol in this fight and you’d try to examine what this means. If you were a bit more sincere, you’d confess that your magazine has been in the tank for Romney and you are looking at the governor through the rose-colored glasses you’ve put on for Romney; you’d also admit that Romney and his camp are using this subterfuge against the governor instead of waging an honorable, straight up battle; two months ago, she wasn’t a viable presidential contender because of her “family dramas”, then because of “lack of gravitas” and “intellectual curiosity” and now because she is no policy wonk; there’s a clear pattern to these
attacks from within the party, don’t you think?
When and if the good governor decides to run for president, she’ll offer policy discussions, detailed interviews about international diplomacy and whatever it is that your heart craves for. She’ll stand and fall on her own and you will get a chance to judge her accordingly; until then, she’s rather busy governing her state with a firm hand, steering it out of recession and signing multi-billion dollar pipeline contracts are no mean feats.
Here’s the deal: you can examine the canker within the GOP or you can thrash sarah Palin for exposing it; you can address the machinations and parnaoia of the progressive wing of the party or you can lash at Sarah Palin for
giving conservatives hope. If you can undertake this urgent job, you will retain the label of a premiere conservative intellectual. But if you can remain simply content with repeating adlib nosturms of a second rate political advisor, you’ll lose it. More important, you don’t deserve it.
promachus on July 3, 2009 at 11:07 AM
+1
katy on July 3, 2009 at 11:07 AM
No, he’s not ackowledging—or worse, not aware—what she’s actually doing and that it is nothing to warrant a piece that begins with the ludicrous charge “You’re blowing it”.
KittyLowrey on July 3, 2009 at 11:07 AM
Sorry, I couldn’t get past, “For starters, every time I see you on TV, you’re whining about unfair press coverage.” His TV viewing patterns are not her problem, nor is his inability to discern pushback from whining.
Jim Treacher on July 3, 2009 at 11:07 AM
why is Sarah Palin to only Republican who has to prove things to the beltway crowd?
joey24007 on July 3, 2009 at 11:08 AM
Because they said so.
myrenovations on July 3, 2009 at 11:09 AM
That was a fair and accurate assesment of what Sarah Palin needs to address. The posters here that are SO over the top offened by the article have to understand what a minority you are in your fierce loyalty to the “current” Sarah Palin.
I think many of us would love to see her succeed and become a dominant force in GOP politics, but she’s got a lot of negatives and she has to overcome them. From what I’ve seen, she’s done nothing but reinforce the apathy of exactly the voters we need- women are not going to rally behind another woman who plays victim.
anniekc on July 3, 2009 at 11:10 AM
It’s because Mitt Romney can memorize, and that’s good enough for them. His deception is then irrelevant.
Although I disagree with much of what Chuck and Jonah have said, hopefully it will push the governor to be all the better.
In addition, platitudes (Hope/Change) and b*tching about Fox and Imus worked well for The One.
V15J on July 3, 2009 at 11:11 AM
I just hammered Jonah (see above) but it’s inane to portray him as anything other than a serious thinker. One read of “Liberal Fascism” proves his bona fides.
AYNBLAND on July 3, 2009 at 11:11 AM
The rebuttal letters (linked above) nuke Jonah’s criticisms.
I generally like to read Jonah, but he’s off target here.
aquaviva on July 3, 2009 at 11:12 AM
Jonah is a smart guy. His title got the ball rolling this morning didn’t it?
That’s exactly what this party needs. It needs to get rolling, it needs to get stirred up for god’s sake.
Johan is right on target and right on cue! Sarah IS blowing it by not seizing the opportunity to get out there and be a voice for the millions of people who are absolutley terrified of what is being sucked away from them.
She has a platform, millions of supporters, the name recognition, the respect to get out there and speak truth to power and well… yes…
She is blowing it.
katy on July 3, 2009 at 11:13 AM
Her weakness is the MSM and her strength is articulately speaking the truth.
Obama’s weakness is his inability to speak the truth, and his strength is the MSM.
One is the real deal, the other a false prophet.
fogw on July 3, 2009 at 11:14 AM
Bash Sarah week continues!
It’s like everyone who’s ever wanted to shit on her but were afraid to is coming out in full force to do so this week. awesome.
Lets think about this for a minute. Vanity Fair writes a hit piece, Palin says nothing. Then others (so call conservatives as well as lib tards) start attacking her in full force blaming her for all manner of things.
Amazing.
Dritanian on July 3, 2009 at 11:14 AM
She’s not. But she is the only one who is not living up to her “cuda” reputation.
I think Jonah knows she can do better. I think Jonah’s pissed that she’s not!
katy on July 3, 2009 at 11:15 AM
Come on folks. The pundits at the National Topsider–those that haven’t gone completely over to the socialist Obama–have cast their lot with Mitt Romneycare. Most of the right side media has or will. Get used to it.
Hammer them or shut them off, that’s your call. Just don’t let them tell you who you support. That’s their game. As they see it, we are the sheep and they are the shepherds.
james23 on July 3, 2009 at 11:16 AM
I wonder if Sarah Palin just gave two tv interviews about her pipeline? Did you just return from Eastern Europe?
Oh yeah, Goldberg and Krauthammer don’t actually pay attention from their views in the beltway.
Ridiculous.
joey24007 on July 3, 2009 at 11:16 AM
Jonah is a smart guy. His title got the ball rolling this morning didn’t it?
That’s exactly what this party needs. It needs to get rolling, it needs to get stirred up for god’s sake.
Johan is right on target and right on cue! Sarah IS blowing it by not seizing the opportunity to get out there and be a voice for the millions of people who are absolutley terrified of what is being sucked away from them.
She has a platform, millions of supporters, the name recognition, the respect to get out there and speak truth to power and well… yes…
She is blowing it.
katy on July 3, 2009 at 11:13 AM
—————————
She also has a job as a wife, mother, and Governor. Have you forgotten that?
Why is everyone so all fired up for Palin to get out there
and “do something” ?
Good grief give the lady some air.
LankyLou on July 3, 2009 at 11:16 AM
we have a winner
joey24007 on July 3, 2009 at 11:17 AM
Most of what Goldberg said can’t even be backed up. The MSM has trashed Palin all week. And you noobs think lecturing her and her supporters on her weaknesses for the billionth time isn’t counterproductive???
Blake on July 3, 2009 at 11:17 AM
I agree with Goldberg and Krauthammer about Palin. There are several things she should do to make herself a great candidate. Hopefully she will acquire the additional info on other topics that she needs to nail them. However, these aren’t exactly normal times. We have a national crisis in Obama, and we are at war. And as Rumsfeld once quipped, “You go to war with the army you have, not the army you might want or wish to have at a later time.” So anyone can offer positive criticism to Palin if they think it will help her (and I do think Goldberg intends to do just that)but he and others may be hurting her by making it public. For the rest of us, just simple voters and not pundits, we care who wins, not whether we can get paid for a story ruminating about our doubts.
JiangxiDad on July 3, 2009 at 11:17 AM
I assume “male conservatives” here is a shot at me. In which case (a) I’m not surprised when anyone tells me to get lost. That’s a bizarre charge to make in the comments to this site, of all places, where I give you guys pretty much carte blanche to dump on me, and (b) I give plenty of advice to male conservatives too, e.g., telling Mark Sanford that he’d be wise to shut his yap, to take a recent example. If the advice Palin gets from people tends to sound condescending, it’s not because she’s a woman, it’s because (as Goldberg says) she’s given to speaking in platitudes which suggests she doesn’t feel comfortable straying from her script. No one’s ever told Ann Coulter, for instance, that she needs to hit the books. Coulter herself *has* told Palin that. Is she sexist too?
Allahpundit on July 3, 2009 at 11:18 AM
National Review = Romney
joey24007 on July 3, 2009 at 11:19 AM
We have your winner maybe.
katy on July 3, 2009 at 11:19 AM
Hey Jonah – the only one taking the bait here is you. You have now crossed the line and become a useful idiot for the liberal left that seeks to ridicule and destroy SP because they fear a return to basic American values more then anything else. RINO wankers like yourself need to be cleansed from the GOP if they are ever to present themselves as an alternative to the libtard moonbats.
Fear us. We are coming.
Sarah2012
DeweyWins on July 3, 2009 at 11:21 AM
So, this is a losing strategy for getting to the White House? You just lost your argument.
faraway on July 3, 2009 at 11:21 AM
Well said
katy on July 3, 2009 at 11:22 AM
To be fair about thing, I think it is people like you and Jonah who need to “hit the books” when it comes to Governor Palin. Do you still believe she is Mike Huckabee? I mean, you never even bothered to look at her record before you made that statement.
Governor Palin has a huge problem because people like Goldberg and the rest of those GOP “strategists” who discuss her have no clue what she is doing up in Alaska and yet they are given a microphone to spew their crap
joey24007 on July 3, 2009 at 11:23 AM
Yep, what they do is, she shows her face at some fundraiser and they manufacture a news story. Or better, someone writes some screed in a magazine about her quoting “Republican sources” then the Obama Media turns around and calls it a “circular firing squad.”
The media manufactured the “firing squad.”
AYNBLAND on July 3, 2009 at 11:23 AM
The diva strikes again. There’s a time and place for everything and there’s a method to do it. Ann Coulter didn’t write a column saying Sarah was blowing it or talks in platitudes etc and include wrong information along the way. She praised Sarah very much and gently added her advice to read more. That’s not what Jonah did.
promachus on July 3, 2009 at 11:23 AM
Yeah, it’s a losing strategy. I addressed this yesterday in the Krauthammer post. If you want to pretend that Obama’s capable of nothing more than stammering “Yes we can” when asked complex policy questions in interviews, that’s your right.
Allahpundit on July 3, 2009 at 11:23 AM
They are a version of sheepdog, and some here are too. I doubt the sheepdog all get along, all the time, but their ultimate goal should be the same. If Goldberg is a Romney supporter, and will work for him over Palin, he should take his piece and shove it up his arse. But if he is willing to see a strengthened Palin as the nominee, and vote for her, then I say let him help, but carefully.
JiangxiDad on July 3, 2009 at 11:24 AM
Dear Jonah,
Point your weapon at the enemy. You can’t win by shooting your side with the enemy’s bullets.
Love,
GOP winners
faraway on July 3, 2009 at 11:24 AM
The problem with the Republican media pundits is they tell Sarah Palin to “Go & do your homework, bulk up on your foreign media creds”. She is doing this by going to Europe, meeting with former defense secretaries, meeting with foreign leaders,etc.
Jonah’s criticism was correct,……3 months ago. Suddenly Every pundit is a campaign manager/confidant/Chief of Staff. I don’t think Jonah means to cut her down, but such a “letter” was best served if it was hand delivered and not posted across the internet.
portlandon on July 3, 2009 at 11:24 AM
Do better at what, campaigning for the presidency?
Last I checked there were few governors, if any, who were doing a better job of running their state. That is her job isn’t it?
Save your criticism for the fool we have in the White House. Constantly putting Palin under the microscope will serve no purpose to the already downtrodden Republican Party.
fogw on July 3, 2009 at 11:25 AM
Alternative headline:
On a slow Friday, Goldberg trolls for traffic.
TheUnrepentantGeek on July 3, 2009 at 11:26 AM
Criticism duly noted. And some for you in return: You do Palin no favors by serving as the Hugh Hewitt to her Mitt Romney. It’s one thing to support and even love a candidate, it’s another thing to be unable to find fault with her. Jonah’s been plenty complimentary about Palin in the past. If he can’t even offer constructive criticism without being attacked, then there’s a problem here.
Allahpundit on July 3, 2009 at 11:26 AM
True, he can also lie through his teeth.
Jim Treacher on July 3, 2009 at 11:26 AM
Again, for the most part, she hasn’t been speaking AT ALL recently. Goldberg is responding to the recent manufactured media narratives not to anything Palin has done recently.
AYNBLAND on July 3, 2009 at 11:27 AM
Lying through your teeth while using an impressive vocabulary doesn’t impress all of us.
fogw on July 3, 2009 at 11:27 AM
Sarah Palin has every right to “whine” about the media if she chooses to… she has be despicably treated. But her reaction is not whining as I see it, it is attacking a canceruos institution that has far too much power, and no accountablity or ethics, that is ruining this country.
I want Sarah to eviserate the media, and I think there are plenty of Americans who would love to see her take out this particular pile of trash.
drunyan8315 on July 3, 2009 at 11:28 AM
Yeah, it’s a losing strategy. I addressed this yesterday in the Krauthammer post. If you want to pretend that Obama’s capable of nothing more than stammering “Yes we can” when asked complex policy questions in interviews, that’s your right.
Allahpundit on July 3, 2009 at 11:23 AM
—————————
Trying to drive a Republican out of the party is a losing strategy for the party. The party doesn’t want her but they
would be happy for her to be their fundraising whore.
LankyLou on July 3, 2009 at 11:28 AM
It’s not so much that he stammered, it’s that what he said was crap. But let’s face it. The qualifications for the Rep. nominees are higher than for the Dems. The same double standard exists on the family values stuff. So be it. We’re the party of political philosophy and traditional morals. Obama does not compare to Palin, but he doesn’t have to.
JiangxiDad on July 3, 2009 at 11:28 AM
Reagan’s Eleventh Commandment indeed.
Monica on July 3, 2009 at 11:28 AM
Allah, you could do alot to alleviate alot of this if you would post some of the accomplishments every once in awhile. You know, the accomplishments all of the “She Should” pundits seem to print every other day and you regurgitate on Hot Air?
One sided debates aren’t too fun you know?
portlandon on July 3, 2009 at 11:28 AM
crap, I didn’t use preview…
drunyan8315 on July 3, 2009 at 11:29 AM
I can’t imagine Palin saying something like this gem:
faraway on July 3, 2009 at 11:30 AM
don’t think that because the Palin4Pres crowd cheers
Wonder who that broadside is aimed at?
/sarc
cs89 on July 3, 2009 at 11:30 AM
Whilst I agree with some of what Goldberg said about Governor Palin needing to round out her political profile and expand her policy base more to become a real challenger for President in 2012, I have to question his timing penning an article like this in a week when it seems the entire GOP establishment is out knock any potential 2012 run by Palin on the head before it can even get started.
Whilst I can sort of understand that this is probably an attempt by Goldberg at tough love, I am beginning to get the impression with all the friendly fire being directed at Governor Palin this week that it appears to me to be more of an orchestrated political campaign against her rather than a realistic assessment of her chances in 2012.
One of the reasons I say this is because in everyone of these opinion pieces about Governor Palin, Mitt Romny’s name always seems to come up as an example of the type of politician republicans should be looking to for leadership in the in the run up 2012. The odd thing about this is the fact that at in the same week Sarah Palin is being trashed Mitt Romney is going on a publicity blitz and is essentially launching his campaign for 2012.
Dreadnought223 on July 3, 2009 at 11:30 AM
What Jonah offered was not constructive criticism.
promachus on July 3, 2009 at 11:31 AM
Right!! That’s why our leaders really can’t be pundits or journalists. They have dual loyalties, and one is green.
(I excuse Rush from the above. He doesn’t need the $)
JiangxiDad on July 3, 2009 at 11:31 AM
That’s going to leave a mark…
myrenovations on July 3, 2009 at 11:32 AM
Why all of a sudden are her other duties so important as to give her breathing room now?
Was she not running for the second most powerful position in the world (which would have clearly strained her other duties) a few short months ago? But now she needs room to be a wife and mother?
katy on July 3, 2009 at 11:32 AM
Agree 100% with Jonah. I’ve felt the same way about Palin from the start. She speaks in bumper sticker slogans when the conversation goes beyond oil. And yes I know that worked for Obama, but Obama could have sat on a stage and read the phone book and still would have won.
angryed on July 3, 2009 at 11:33 AM
Why do you assume Allah Pundit is interested in honest debate? He’s whoring for Romney and comments.
promachus on July 3, 2009 at 11:33 AM
Here’s MY open letter
Dear Sarah,
Dude, you’re completed BLOWING IT! I mean, come on, you’ve only got three and a half years ’til the next election! Why aren’t you talking about the situations in Anvilania? Why aren’t you discussing the problem of the exploding population of mollusks near waste water outfalls? Why aren’t you discussing the ant infestation in my kitchen?:
Really, all you’re doing is stupid Governor stuff up in Alaska. Please. Alaska? Really? Forget that stuff, you should be on Meet The Press and This Week, every, um, week. Just like George Will. Man, now that should be your template. You need an opinion on any issue of the day. Forget about concentrating on important principles and using those to guide your decisions. You have to be able to rattle off just enough about every subject so that we know you read the same article in the New York Times that we did.
Yeah, yeah, you have something that the people in showbiz call “It”. Bullpucky, says I. This is Washington we’re talking about! We don’t talk TO people here, we talk DOWN to the public and AT each other.
Take a page out of the Romney book, sure he’s wishy washy and still won’t admit his health-care plan was a disaster, but he does what we suggest. WHen he ran in a liberal state, he ran as a moderate who supported abortion, just like we said any Republican would have to.
You really should take our advice, I mean you’re not very bright, after all. Did you even apply to a College east of the Mississippi? We really do have your best interest at heart, sweetie.
Oh, and while you’re at it, loose the glasses. We’re all doing Lasik now, don’t you know.
http://mattfinnish.wordpress.com/2009/07/03/an-open-letter-to-sarah-palin/
jacrews on July 3, 2009 at 11:33 AM
Goldberg’s being lazy here. He wanted some easy hits, and he found a way to get them by criticizing the governor for the way she’s perceived in the media (and the left, but I repeat myself) rather than for the way she actually is.
Of course, knowing her for the way she is (through her record of policy decisions) takes a lot of effort; effort that the center won’t be willing to exert. So perhaps he’s got a point. Perhaps she’s doing everything she needs to do – but maybe she needs to do a thing or two more to “show her work.”
TheUnrepentantGeek on July 3, 2009 at 11:34 AM
uh… yah.
katy on July 3, 2009 at 11:34 AM
I do post them. I posted the video of her interview with Blitzer after she landed Exxon as part of her Alaska pipeline deal. Just like I wrote post after post defending her during the Letterman thing. In fact, ironically, I bet there’s no blog that gets more links from us these days than Conservatives 4 Palin, and that includes Michelle and Ace. But it’s never enough for the hardcore Palin fans, is it? Criticism that wouldn’t draw a second thought if it was posted about any other Republican is immediately set upon when applied to her; if you doubt that, pick a conservative of your choice and imagine Jonah writing this same column about that person and the resulting reaction.
The explanation that’s always given for the double standard is “well, the media’s been so hard on her that we should go easier on her.” I reject that absolutely. It does her no favors, for one thing, and it’s fundamentally dishonest for another. Just because the left believes X doesn’t mean that not X is always true.
Allahpundit on July 3, 2009 at 11:35 AM
Allah, your not new to this whole mem so stop acting like you are. You know darn well 10-20% of any candidates “true believers” are going to attack any criticism. If you think Palin’s supporters are the only ones who have this 10-20%, post 5-6 negative pieces on Romney every week, have the whole media trash Romney for 8 months, have every pundit try to play campaign manager in Op-eds,articles,etc and see what happens.
portlandon on July 3, 2009 at 11:35 AM
Internets Fan Club = Dude with a TV show now?
That’s a new one.
TheUnrepentantGeek on July 3, 2009 at 11:36 AM
We should all be more concerned about whether she actually believes in these platitudes and truisms and will stand by them.
(It’s a given that she will learn more as she goes. Any moron could figure that out and she doesn’t need Goldberg to tell her that.)
faraway on July 3, 2009 at 11:37 AM
Did I dispute Jonah being a “smart guy”? No, I most certainly did not. In fact, I said I like him. He presented no specifics but vagueries that can be and were disputed with facts of what she’s actually doing.
If there’s something in particular you or he would like to point to that leads to “You’re blowing it” I and others are all ears.
I’ll be back shortly to see what (if anything) has been presented that specifically called for this “advice” to be offered today on the heels of the bashing piece from VF and follow-up hit by CBS.
KittyLowrey on July 3, 2009 at 11:37 AM
Exactly. Jonah didn’t say anything during the letterman flap but now that the dude Romney launches his campaign and everybody from Vanity Fair to Charles Krauthammer are sharing talking points, Jonah has a sudden urge to strike? Give me a break.
promachus on July 3, 2009 at 11:37 AM
Why all of a sudden are her other duties so important as to give her breathing room now?
Was she not running for the second most powerful position in the world (which would have clearly strained her other duties) a few short months ago? But now she needs room to be a wife and mother?
katy on July 3, 2009 at 11:32 AM
————————–
It’s because after the election she went back to Alaska and has been glued to those duties and basically minding her own business.
It’s her life you know. She isn’t required to stay home and study because you say so.
It’s funny how lots of people are experts on how Sarah Palin should manage the rest of her lufe.
LankyLou on July 3, 2009 at 11:38 AM
No? Go ahead then and offer some constructive criticism for Palin yourself. I’m curious to see what qualifies as constructive in the minds of hardcore Palin fans, since pretty much every form of criticism — even from the right — is deemed an attack. Is it simply a matter of phrasing? “Sarah, you’re *almost* perfect in every way, but…”
Allahpundit on July 3, 2009 at 11:38 AM
Allah, your golden boy Mitt Romney has been endorsed by Huffing Post n Daily Kos. I thought that’d be interesting for HA readers to know, so why are you keeping them in the dark?
promachus on July 3, 2009 at 11:38 AM
Agreed. There is ignorance in both parties: Their ignorance will lead us to ruin; ours prevents us from having a winning chance.
Cody Baker on July 3, 2009 at 11:39 AM
This article is a joke. But I honestly have no idea whether it was intended that way or not.
logis on July 3, 2009 at 11:39 AM
While I would agree that whining about unfair press coverage isn’t presidential, I’m trying to think of any other instances other than the Letterman feud where she’s done that. There may have been plenty, and I just missed them, but I can’t think of any off the top of my head. In fact, Palin did an 11-minute interview with Hannity back in June, and not once did she mention the media.
nickj116 on July 3, 2009 at 11:40 AM
Wonder why they’d offer criticism to Sarah but none to Mitt. After all, by the crowds he’s attracting, he’s in need of plenty of advice.
promachus on July 3, 2009 at 11:41 AM
Yikes.
katy on July 3, 2009 at 11:41 AM
Well, victims don’t get elected president.
Really? We just elected a whining, race-card playing neophyte. He’s a pathetic cry baby.
Good try, Jonah, but this article needs a re-write.
Cody1991 on July 3, 2009 at 11:42 AM
You did cross the line with Powers one time way back. And I know you pissed off Hammer not too long ago, but that was for other reasons.
So, no, my little narcissist, it’s not always about you.
The advice to Palin is condescending and it is partly because she is a woman. Goldberg’s criticism can’t be backed up. You are another one who thinks Palin should be ragged on 24/7. It’s counter productive and that’s why you have no problem with it.
Blake on July 3, 2009 at 11:42 AM
Wasn’t everyone excited about Mark Sanford and Bobby Jindal when all they were doing was refusing stimulus money because of the strings that would be attached? Or giving the official Republican response which was nothing more than peddling a few platitudes and truisms about the free market. Oh, and whining about volcano research. But here’s a tip. Most of the world doesn’t believe in the free market. They’re trying to set up more global institutions. We need more peddling of platitudes and truisms about the free market because less than half of America and none of the rest of the world actually believes them.
Anyway, Sarah Palin has had, I believe, 3 op-eds posted detailing the strings that would be attached if she accepted federal stimulus money for energy efficiency. Each time she refused the funds, some RINO would publish an op-ed saying that she was lying, that there were no strings attached, and that she should take the money, and she has smacked them down with a command of the issues every time.
She’s given speeches about the free market, about government control, about abortion, about energy, about women’s issues, etc. Why would Jonah presume to tell her what she hasn’t been doing when he hasn’t paid any attention to what she has been doing?
Dan Minardi on July 3, 2009 at 11:43 AM
The timing of Goldberg’s “criticism” is suspect and his “criticism” comes through the lens of the beltway. Goldberg, nor Krauthammer, know anything about Governor Palin and Alaska and neither do the rest of the pundits out there who are supposed to be “experts.”
There is nothing Palin will ever do that will sway people like Goldberg, who operate in the world on the beltway elite. Governor Palin has accomplished more in her lifetime and as governor than Goldberg ever will. Goldberg and the crew really need to stop taking themselves so seriously, because they operate in an echo chamber that no longer means anything to voters.
Why didn’t Goldberg mention anything about the pipeline project? That is a HUGE deal for the United States and something that Governor Palin played a HUGE role in.
Give me a break, if you are going to use your position on tv or in a publication to discuss a topic, at least make it LOOK LIKE you actually researched it.
joey24007 on July 3, 2009 at 11:43 AM
Palin apparently is smarter than you. She knows if she goes into campaign mode now, three-and-a-half days out of the election, the MSM will only have more time to crucify her for every word she says, every opinion she expresses.
She’s making the right move. She’s got plenty of time to develop an effective winning strategy ….. if she chooses to run.
fogw on July 3, 2009 at 11:43 AM
Your falsetto is cracking. Calm down.
promachus on July 3, 2009 at 11:43 AM
So your problem isn’t with Palin, but with “hardcore Palin fans.” I think Reagan said it best when somebody tried to lump him in with some of his more controversial supporters: “They support me, I don’t support them.”
Jim Treacher on July 3, 2009 at 11:44 AM
Criticism of Palin is usually more personal–like picking on Romney’s religion. It’s often out of bounds, and that’s why it has to be watched carefully.
JiangxiDad on July 3, 2009 at 11:45 AM
Hahahah!
Blake on July 3, 2009 at 11:45 AM
Yeah, it’s a losing strategy. I addressed this yesterday in the Krauthammer post. If you want to pretend that Obama’s capable of nothing more than stammering “Yes we can” when asked complex policy questions in interviews, that’s your right.
Allahpundit on July 3, 2009 at 11:23 AM
Then give examples of Obama’s supposed ability to answer complex policy questions. You make these blanket statements but don’t provide examples to back them up. The guy is a stammering, stuttering fool who has to fill his townhalls with plants that ask questions he is already privy to (see his recent healthcare townhall). Is that showing his “gravitas”? When he claims there was a military coup in Honduras is that accurate and shows his grasp of foreign policy? Please, show us examples of these great things Obama has said and done.
Redneck Woman on July 3, 2009 at 11:45 AM
Oh man, like AP says, you can’t criticize Palin or Limbaugh. I’ll add a third, Israel.
True_King on July 3, 2009 at 11:46 AM
I will be looking for National Review’s advice to Romney in the coming days…
joey24007 on July 3, 2009 at 11:46 AM
No she’s not. She’s the only Gov, other than Sanford, who’s been out giving interviews on her new gas pipeline and findraising in NY state etc. She’s out there.
katy on July 3, 2009 at 11:46 AM
No offense, but you think that Meghan McCain is a serious political thinker
joey24007 on July 3, 2009 at 11:47 AM
Running from the Conservative wing of the GOP she’ll want to win the National Review primary. Having an influential columnist on her side will help. Currently, only Kristol seems possible though given his management of Dan Quayle’s public image, a second wonk would be good.
dedalus on July 3, 2009 at 11:47 AM
Agreed. You have posted some great pieces on Palin…..not without a couple of jabs in the posting (some pretty funny).
Hardcore Palin fan’s couldn’t get enough Palin if it was fed through a needle, but thats besides the point. The Rep party is in shambles, and Palin is someone that inspires and motivates ACTUAL conservatives to stay in the party.
If Jonah had written this letter to Romney, I wouldn’t like seeing it either. This Public Autopsy of the Republican party is doing more damage than good. 8 months of it is enough. We should be working toward the ‘10 takeback, but many are still stuck in ‘08.
portlandon on July 3, 2009 at 11:47 AM
and you know this how….
katy on July 3, 2009 at 11:48 AM
Why should his constructive criticism be public?
JiangxiDad on July 3, 2009 at 11:48 AM
Now tell us your theories on 9/11.
Jim Treacher on July 3, 2009 at 11:48 AM
Hey, I have an idea. Why can’t we trash Al Franken for a change? There’s lots of material.
This business of beta males channeling their inner misogynist is getting old.
Cody1991 on July 3, 2009 at 11:49 AM
Good day all –
Haven’t had time to read all the posts, but the thought that immediately comes to my mind about the republican infighting is this:
If it is clear by polls, etc. that Gov. Palin is very popular with the republican base, why the hell don’t these republican insiders, pundits, etc. get a clue and realize that they have 3 1/2 years to start grooming Palin for the big leagues. Instead of sinking an obvious talent, why not develop it behind the scenes and then in planned public policy forums, etc.???
KickandSwimMom on July 3, 2009 at 11:49 AM
yah annoying.
JiangxiDad on July 3, 2009 at 11:49 AM
If Jonah was worried about Sarah’s whining about media, why didn’t he say something when Sarah actually “whined” but now that she has kept quiet through the VF flap and hasn’t reacted at all, he’s dishing out his “constructive criticism”?
It’s also interesting that the Romney people come up with a “tanned, tested n ready” meme and then they drag Sarah into it while she’s in Alaska n has bothered nobody. They consort with Vanity Fair and then suddenly both Jonah Goldberg n Charles Krauthammer decide to jump in.
promachus on July 3, 2009 at 11:50 AM
I disagree with Goldberg – I *don’t* think she has what it takes. If Palin, Romney and the Huckster are the true cream of the GOP crop, they’re doomed and so is the country.
edshepp on July 3, 2009 at 11:51 AM
How do you let everyone know ur the smartest guy in the room if you say what u gotta say privately. I repeat, don’t look to political pundits on the right to save the Rep. party or conservatism. They earn their living from airing it all in public.
JiangxiDad on July 3, 2009 at 11:51 AM
I will be looking for National Review’s advice to Romney in the coming days…
joey24007 on July 3, 2009 at 11:46 AM
*Snort* I can hear the cricket chorus now……
Redneck Woman on July 3, 2009 at 11:52 AM
No she’s not. She’s the only Gov, other than Sanford, who’s been out giving interviews on her new gas pipeline and findraising in NY state etc. She’s out there.
katy on July 3, 2009 at 11:46 AM
———————————–
The fundraising was for charity, “not” political fundraising.
Do you actually believe giving “one” interview qualifies her
as being out there ?
LankyLou on July 3, 2009 at 11:52 AM
I think that’s exactly what’s going on. Her education will be public and the best way to get her up to speed is educate her from within the same way. She will be impervious to anything.
katy on July 3, 2009 at 11:53 AM
LOL. And don’t forget the Muzzies. Jeez. fugeddaboutit.
JiangxiDad on July 3, 2009 at 11:53 AM
I like Sarah Palin.
And I like Jonah Goldberg.
I didn’t think his column was particularly harsh.
rickskin on July 3, 2009 at 11:53 AM
Ain’t that the truth.
lowandslow on July 3, 2009 at 11:53 AM
Any other govs you can think of that are making the rounds?
katy on July 3, 2009 at 11:54 AM
Yeah, no kidding. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz……………..
Cody1991 on July 3, 2009 at 11:54 AM
Not really, Moby.
Jim Treacher on July 3, 2009 at 11:54 AM
tell us about the pipeline and pt thomson
joey24007 on July 3, 2009 at 11:55 AM
I wonder if Goldberg appreciates the constructive criticism of his story.
JiangxiDad on July 3, 2009 at 11:55 AM
heh
katy on July 3, 2009 at 11:56 AM
Also one thing I would like to point out as well, is that as far as I know Governor Palin doesn’t seem to have publicly responded to the hit piece in Vanity Fair yet or any of the Red on Red attacks against her this week as well. So if she really was constantly whining about all the the negative press like Goldberg claims surely she would have said something by now?
Dreadnought223 on July 3, 2009 at 11:56 AM
You apologists are too funny. Krauthammer and Goldberg are some of the most brilliant minds we have, but instead of being open to the legitimate criticisms they have, you just offer a knee-jerk reaction questioning them. Yes, how care question our Sarah!!!1111! They’re threatened by her like everybody else!!!
What a joke.
jjraines on July 3, 2009 at 11:56 AM
My honest critique of the piece:
http://nicholasjacob.wordpress.com/2009/07/03/nros-jonah-goldberg-to-sarah-palin-stay-home-and-do-your-job-and-your-homework/
I felt Goldberg was slightly unfair with his media criticism, but was dead on when talking about her needing to become an expert on policy.
I wrote:
nickj116 on July 3, 2009 at 11:56 AM
Yes. And the possible connection is something we will probably only find out by reading the comments. I didn’t know about it until this thread.
Blake on July 3, 2009 at 11:56 AM
*How dare they*, preview is my friend.
jjraines on July 3, 2009 at 11:56 AM
Any other govs you can think of that are making the rounds?
katy on July 3, 2009 at 11:54 AM
————————–
weak tea..
Gov Sanford seems to have made some rounds. Did Goldberg
tell him to go home a zip his pants ?
LankyLou on July 3, 2009 at 11:56 AM
JiangxiDad on July 3, 2009 at 11:51 AM
Hi JiangxiDad – what I am suggesting is that conservative/republican policy folks work with her behind the scenes in getting her up to speed on national/foreign policy and then she can start appearing at policy forums and dazzling with her policy expertise. The point being that the powers that be in the republican party are clearly swimming against the tide and need to realize that they have a talent that needs to be developed – not kicked aside.
KickandSwimMom on July 3, 2009 at 11:57 AM
What about Jindal who gave SOTU rebuttal and then did a lot of interviews about the stimulus?
promachus on July 3, 2009 at 11:57 AM
Lincoln went through a lot of Generals before he found one who would kick ass. Can’t wait to see who that will be for us, but he/she is a comin.
JiangxiDad on July 3, 2009 at 11:58 AM
Argument by authority. So I guess we shouldn’t question anything Obama says either.
Jim Treacher on July 3, 2009 at 11:58 AM
When McCain said he didn’t understood economy , no one told him to “study”. Sarah isn’t perfect but any meme the smearmongers can get hold of they try to throw at her.
And no , she’s not in the media all the time complaining about media. It’s a straw man attack.
the_nile on July 3, 2009 at 11:59 AM
Palin/Prejean 2012
John Ziegler interviewed Gov. Palin for a second time on June 9, 2009.
The Race Card on July 3, 2009 at 12:00 PM
I guess I wasn’t clear. I was agreeing with you. People like Goldberg and AP earn their living from saying stuff publicly that others would say in private. Ur right–public criticism, even if constructive, can hurt her. Don’t look to the pundits to help her. They can’t without harming themselves.
JiangxiDad on July 3, 2009 at 12:00 PM
It may also be that the Beltway circuit is abuzz over the Vanity Fair piece and that Jonah is conscious of what topic will get traffic.
dedalus on July 3, 2009 at 12:01 PM
And how is being the 50,000 person to tell her to become an expert on policy constructive? Is this something someone can become overnight? No. Is it something that she just calls a press conference on and start showing off her policy chops? No. There is so much overkill in the criticisms of her and on top of it to do it when the msm has unfairly trashed her, is stupid. Maybe, Goldberg and others should become experts on running a campaign because so far I give them a D-.
Blake on July 3, 2009 at 12:01 PM
It’s not her fault a former comedian didn’t like her taking her kid to a baseball game.
Jim Treacher on July 3, 2009 at 12:01 PM
It’s called an opinion
like this one ……
fogw on July 3, 2009 at 12:02 PM
SOTU rebut?…. 5 months ago?… that one?
Missed the stimulus inteview… probably like the majority of peeps.
katy on July 3, 2009 at 12:02 PM
And no , she’s not in the media all the time complaining about media. It’s a straw man attack.
the_nile on July 3, 2009 at 11:59 AM
——————————-
Unnamed repubs are in the media complaining about Sarah Palin.
Men made of straw attacking a woman who has more balls than they do.
LankyLou on July 3, 2009 at 12:02 PM
Summation of article: I’m frustrated that Romney, Jindal et al. are seen by the public as dorks.
The rest is rhetorical fluff.
spmat on July 3, 2009 at 12:03 PM
There are two worlds. In one world(Goldberg, DC Beltway) people like Biden are experts because they have been in DC for 30 years and have sat on a committee.
The other world is where Palin is the governor of Alaska, Palins are not accepted by Goldbergs
joey24007 on July 3, 2009 at 12:03 PM
Good one!
katy on July 3, 2009 at 12:03 PM
No one told McCain to study, but when Lehman collapsed everyone said of McCain–he’s going to lose.
dedalus on July 3, 2009 at 12:03 PM
Great point. Palin is a natural. Does she need some grooming? Yes. The constructive thing to do is to assist her. Instead of doing so we see the elite crowd constantly sniping at her. Imagine what conservatives could accomplish if they took the positive view as you suggested? The Dems and media did that for Barry. Why are we devouring our own?
Cody1991 on July 3, 2009 at 12:05 PM
Just because they’re the “new” media, doesn’t mean they’re not trying to influence your opinions. Jeez, don’t decide who to vote for because of what Kraut or Goldberg or AP says. Use their info, and then reject when necessary.
JiangxiDad on July 3, 2009 at 12:05 PM
There is nothing odd about it. June 30,2009 was the official Trash Palin Blitzkrieg, carefully choreographed by Mittco who aligned with ObamaInc. Palin is fighting off a frontal attack,with Saboteurs flanking her. All while governing a state, and studying up on the International conflicts of the world Volume II. as per Professor Krauthammer’s instruction.
portlandon on July 3, 2009 at 12:05 PM
You know what they call a “leader” who doesn’t have any support? A guy taking a walk.
Thats Romney
joey24007 on July 3, 2009 at 12:06 PM
JiangxiDad on July 3, 2009 at 12:00 PM
Sorry I misunderstood your post – guess I’m a little slow on the uptake today
Seriously, this infighting is sooo stupid on its face. No one in their right mind throws raw talent away.
I also agree with another poster that this may be a coordinated inside-the-beltway effort on Romney’s behalf. That is a shame because I like Romney, but he will not get elected as president without a staunch conservative on the ticket.
KickandSwimMom on July 3, 2009 at 12:06 PM
Mr. Treacher, I love you and your fish and chips.
Terrie on July 3, 2009 at 12:06 PM
No, why don’t you tell us about the pipeline Joey. Tell the people here how Palin will have to gut her very own legislation to make it work, something she’s unwilling to do right now.
Here’s what going to happen to her pipeline, It will go to open season next year and fail. After that the state will have to gut Palin’s AGIA to give the producers the tax certainties they need to have FERC even bring up the hearing to proceed. Then even after the state, Exxon, BP, Conaco and FERC reach an understanding and FERC gives the go ahead the producers just may look at the market and decide it’s still not fiscally sound and wait till it is.
Pipeline, there will be no pipeline under Palin’s AGIA.
lowandslow on July 3, 2009 at 12:07 PM
So ? the should have told him to study?..
the_nile on July 3, 2009 at 12:07 PM
So now, all of a sudden, Allahpundit is the self-proclaimed King of Constructive Criticism!
When did this happen? In exactly what way does telling Sarah Palin “Quit being portrayed as a retard” constitute being constructive.
Can somebody point out to me how this differs from the Bush Derangement Syndrome, where the media spent eight years screaming, “ADMIT YOU’RE WRONG! ADMIT YOU’RE WRONG! ADMIT YOU’RE WRONG!!!!!!!”
I know that this is asking for the world, but stop and actually think about this for two seconds in a row: Do you REALLY expect anyone to believe that there could be some magical combination of words in response to a question like that which could somehow make you quit believing that all Sarah Palin supporters are fools?
Really?
Seriously?
logis on July 3, 2009 at 12:07 PM
Just as a reminder, Gov. Palin did not pick the fight with David Letterman, but she won it. Much of the anonymous bashing of her in the media is obviously coming from the Romney camp. She’s not trying to be a spokesperson for the national Republican opposition to Obama and it isn’t fair to measure her by that yardstick.
She has a tough row to hoe here. She could make the most dazzling, intelligent, articulate and detailed speech on foreign policy ever given, and her detractors would dismiss it as simply well written by someone else and well reghearsed and delivered by her. “Just be yourself” is not going to be nearly enough for her in 2012 because of the caricature her “self” is to so many voters already. She has to overcome that without appearing to be too obviously calculating about how she does it. If she can pull that off, she will win no matter what the commentariat says.
rockmom on July 3, 2009 at 12:07 PM
I am proudly the biggest Sarah Palin fan on this thread.
But…
Jonah nails it.
Do you want to see Sarah in a debate, or in a hostile interview, routinely knocking answers out of the park?
If “yes,” then Sarah needs to develop some depth and gravitas.
If you think Sarah should stay just the way she is–and blow interviews like the Gibson and Couric interviews, and remain an intellectual laughingstock–you aren’t doing Sarah any favors.
Jonah’s observations fall within the ambit of “constructive criticism.” The man is right.
__________
RJGatorEsq. on July 3, 2009 at 12:08 PM
Disagree. That is Pawlenty. Romney has some support.
myrenovations on July 3, 2009 at 12:08 PM
Don’t worry, AP, the majority of posters at hotair love you.
chaucer55 on July 3, 2009 at 12:09 PM
Slapdown!!! I loved this part.
conservnut on July 3, 2009 at 12:09 PM
Constructive advice I would give to Sarah Palin is to not always interpret jokes uncharitably. And not give in to this identity politics bullshit.
I think that it’s obvious that Dave Letterman meant to joke about Bristol and simply got the daughter wrong. And it was not a joke about rape. It was a joke about Alex Rodriguez having sex with her 18 year old daughter, not a joke about Alex Rodriguez raping her 14 year old daughter. If it had been a rape joke, Alex Rodriguez would have a lot more to be offended about, having been called a pedophile and a rapist, than would be Palin or her family. But it’s so wrong to make a joke about a teenager getting knocked up by an older man, but no one was concerned about Alex Rodriguez being accused of being a rapist. And then Sarah Palin’s spokeswoman essentially made a dig at Letterman suggesting he was a pedophile. Letterman certainly didn’t handle the controversy well, though, and I was pleased when Palin graciously accepted his apology.
Also, photoshopping a picture of her baby is not a sin just because he has Down Syndrome. Perhaps a baby should be spared the indignity of having his face photoshopped in such a manner, but his Down Syndrome doesn’t automatically make him more immune than other babies. Yes, if the joke is perceived to be “Eddie Burke is a retard just like Trig Palin!” then, yes, that’s good reason to be offended, just like “Ha, my bowling is like the Special Olympics!” But automatically uncharitably interpreting the joke and demanding that state Democrats distance themselves from the blogger is unnecessary. Mrs. Palin needs to ignore as much of that stuff as she can bear to, though I understand the desire to take down an enemy who has been filing frivolous ethics complaints against her.
Dan Minardi on July 3, 2009 at 12:09 PM
Moby.
the_nile on July 3, 2009 at 12:10 PM
HAHAHAH
What a total moron you are.
joey24007 on July 3, 2009 at 12:10 PM
Good point. The issue was whether Goldberg’s criticisms were valid. Other blogs have detailed how they are not. Then it becomes an attack on her supporters.
Talk about smoke and mirrors!
Blake on July 3, 2009 at 12:12 PM
FIFM
katy on July 3, 2009 at 12:12 PM
Romney won 11 states before suspending his campaign after Super Tuesday, February 7, 2008.
ChrisB on July 3, 2009 at 12:13 PM
Meanwhile, AP has gone back to his Twitter gossip page
gloating about 4th of July fireworks or something.
LankyLou on July 3, 2009 at 12:13 PM
That’s so good, I’m going to repeat it:
Blake on July 3, 2009 at 12:14 PM
Dear Jonah Goldberg
Please tell us about Mitt Romney’s vast knowledge of foreign policy
joey24007 on July 3, 2009 at 12:14 PM
Romney overestimates his support with conservatives. Conservatives voting for that flip flopper, johnny come lately just proves how weak of a field the GOP put up there in 2008
joey24007 on July 3, 2009 at 12:15 PM
You can google my posts for the last few years and see that I am not a moby.
I am, however, a big fan of Sarah.
__________
RJGatorEsq. on July 3, 2009 at 12:16 PM
Better response to Goldberg.
I think there is value in what Goldberg is saying, but if his goal is to strengthen Palin’s position on the national stage, I think he’d do better to make the effort to contact Palin and talk with her one-on-one than to publicly excoriate her for “whining” and making a “laughingstock” of herself.
spmat on July 3, 2009 at 12:16 PM
No, the point is that McCain was deemed unqualified on economics and no matter how many books he read by Alan Greenspan was going to change it. Voters trusted his judgment on foreign policy. Palin has credibility on the energy issue. She needs a few more.
dedalus on July 3, 2009 at 12:17 PM
Ultimately, I may not end up voting for Palin. However, I’ll slit my wrists before I vote for Romney if he is behind this crap. And I did support him in 2008.
Blake on July 3, 2009 at 12:18 PM
My favorite part is the little picture of Jonah across the top of the NRO page.
It was clearly taken about 5 years and 100 lbs ago.
e-pirate on July 3, 2009 at 12:18 PM
Don’t you think he knows that? Yet, he chose not to do it. He’s just a partisan hack.
Blake on July 3, 2009 at 12:19 PM
joey24007 on July 3, 2009 at 12:20 PM
I like Mitt Romney and Sarah Palin about equally.
rickskin on July 3, 2009 at 12:20 PM
Sarah Palin’s future is not set. I can see Sarah’s heart, charisma and the unofficial champion of conservatism taking America forward onto great things.
.
I watched the movie Seabiscuit last night and saw some parallels of the struggles and dismissals of what happened to that horse and what went on during Sarah’s appearance onto the national stage. Both suffered setbacks early on directly and indirectly. They both were managed poorly by their handlers. All Seabiscuit needed was a second chance. All the tools were there for that horse to win. And win it did to become one of the greatest champions of the 20th century. Will Sarah be the “America’s Seabiscuit of 1938″ or will she be allowed to fade away because America would not give her a second chance.
.
Watch the movie about that horse or again it have done already. It defines a true American success story. Sarah can be our true American success story if we give her a second chance. I am willing to give her that second chance. Are you?
Americannodash on July 3, 2009 at 12:22 PM
Why does any criticism directed solely at Palin always get back to Romney? Or Huckabee? Or Jindal? Or Pawlenty? Or anyone except for Palin for that matter?
I mean, seriously? Goldberg wrote a letter to Palin constructively criticizing her, pointing out BOTH her strengths and weaknesses. It wasn’t about Romney or anyone else. In fact, the only thing Goldberg said about Romney is that he was able to articulate and sell our policies and philosophy. So why bring him up, Joey?
nickj116 on July 3, 2009 at 12:22 PM
First question, what does Goldberg mean by ‘what the party wants’?
The party upper echelon did n ot want Mitt Romney so much they wasted the images of Giuliani and Fred to triangulate Mitt out and move McCain in.
I missed how well Jindal articulated and sold ‘our’ party’s philosphy when he had a national platform
I think there was a lot more money betting on the triangulation strategy that landed McCain like a rusted scud missile into the nomination than Mitt’s personal expenditures
For what: to pretend she is something else to get votes? The bunk about the party’s philosphy is belied by the party’s game plan to pretend to be all things to all swing votes to gain power to do God knows what since they do not promote their platform but spend their time beating up the base for not letting go of conservative ideals
.
Snide jerk ought to be more specific.
Reagan had integrity and exuded decency in public. He was not a con man
Clinton and Obama both have great physical appeal. Interesting how quickly Clinton’s star has diminished with a negative press. I believe Clinton could regain his position if the press needed him again. He is brighter than Obama
Obama is being shaped at the top by former Clinton employees. They are having a much worse time maintaining his ‘image’ (outside the black community). That is because Clinton gave them a better platform to support. Clinton did not need a teleprompter, and he did not need to cover up a constant stream of anti American moves
Nomination by the folk who triangulated McCain into office? (Or the Dole nominators?). The public just wants someone they trust and by the next election, they will want a rescue from the economic collapse and the collateral which could include war
The good part is they destroyed Rudi and Fred getting McCain in. Jindal has a lot farther to go than Palin based on his national blow up. And Mitt is not dead despite the constant death notices from the RNC elites.
The bad part, the RNC snobs are still trying to kill Palin before the election. The fools do not have to kill her off. She can do it herself if she is the stupid twit they imply. And they still hate Mitt
I have yet to make a final judgement on Palin, since all I have is a bag of propaganda to go by. The party is going at her like a bunch of buzzards which is good for identifying buzzards.
This buzzard wants her to hide until she is ready. And yet this buzzard uses a public platform to warn America she is unfit for office. His secret is safe with me
entagor on July 3, 2009 at 12:23 PM
From Geraghty:
Since the election “….Palin has, by and large, gone away. She’s mostly focused on her work as governor of Alaska. She doesn’t appear on many talk shows or do many interviews. She’s been outside of Alaska . . . four times? Once to the National Governors Association meeting, once to a pro-life dinner, once to the Alfalfa Club dinner, and once to Albany for an event raising money for a museum honoring William Seward, the 19th-century U.S. secretary of state who acquired Alaska for the United States.”
aquaviva on July 3, 2009 at 12:23 PM
???
I was saying I had to leave for a bit but since you said Jonah was right I figured you’d have time to assemble a list of examples, especially recent ones, that called for this column to be written today.
As it is, I’m not aware she’s responded at all to the VF or CBS hit-pieces, let alone “whined” about them.
KittyLowrey on July 3, 2009 at 12:24 PM
Is there anybody left who can actually examine what Sarah Palin has actually been DOING without relying on the media spin?
The biggest reason why we keep hearing about Sarah Palin AT ALL is because some other asshole in the media insists on bringing her up! And what gets brought up is never the things she’s actually said or done; it’s always somebody’s evaluation of her — that she’s a whiner, that she’s been sitting on her ass when she should have been “studying”, that she just doesn’t have the gravitas that Barack Obama and Joe Biden and Al Franken have.
Funny how none of these jackasses even bother to point to anyone who might be an example of “study” and “gravitas” that Sarah Palin might emulate. Why? Because the entire Beltway clan is a bunch of f**kups with a talent for looking thoughtful on cue, that’s why. Why in hell would Sarah Palin want to emulate anybody that Jonah Goldberg and the rest might name as a role model?
(Oh yeah, and President Bush spent eight long years “not being a whiner.” Where did that get him? When do we finally get to say something about assholes being assholes, Jonah?)
I’m sorry, but I’m really starting to get fed up with this.
Aitch748 on July 3, 2009 at 12:28 PM
Exactly. Doesn’t make sense.
KittyLowrey on July 3, 2009 at 12:28 PM
Allah participating in the discussion. Cool. OK, a legitimate critisism of Palin…. hmmmm
Palin handled the Letterman thing all wrong. She should have just ignored it like Hillary Clinton did when Chelsea was attacked….. uh wait, that didn’t happen. But when Amy Carter was attacked about…. dang, that didn’t happen either. But Obama showed how to handle it correctly when his girls were attacked about….. wait, nope, didn’t happen either.
Let me try again. Economy and jobs creation.
Palin is terrible at creating jobs in Alaska. That pipeline is only going to create a few thousand construction jobs in Alaska and Canada for only 10 years. And then permanent employment in maintaining the pipeline for a few thousand for decades. Unlike Obama who’s superb leadership has stopped the bleeding in July, only 400,000 jobs lost in June instead of the 600,000 jobs lost every month since he became President. Obama is creating jobs building skateboard parks and sodding the national mall. That’s real job creation.
This is not going the way I had planned. Last try, budget management.
Obama has shown us that debt doesn’t matter. We’ll be dirt when the bill arrives and someone else will have to pick up the tab. Palin insists on not spending money the state doesn’t have. How stupid is that?
Hog Wild on July 3, 2009 at 12:29 PM
Goldburg, like most of the Pundits and Washington types, don’t see, or care to admit, what the next two election cycles will be about.
Its all about the Electorate, against Washington.
The Big Whigs (pun intended) of the “Conservative” elite, and Rebpublican Oligarchs, are out of touch, and step, with the conservative base… but they wish to keep their hold on power.
So, we see a spat of articles giving Gov. Palin advice, and ALL of that advice is to come join and pay homage to the Washington Elites, and learn the Washington Two Step.
They do not understand, or want to admit, that a lot of us see WASHINGTON as the problem…
Sarah needs to PUBLICLY stay as far away from the Oligarchs in DC as she can…
Romeo13 on July 3, 2009 at 12:31 PM
I miss Buckley
joey24007 on July 3, 2009 at 12:32 PM
+100
KittyLowrey on July 3, 2009 at 12:34 PM
AP mentioned posting the Blitzer interview. It alone refutes Jonah’s charge that she constantly whines and lacks depth. If you haven’t seen it, find it and watch it.
KittyLowrey on July 3, 2009 at 12:37 PM
+1,000,000
portlandon on July 3, 2009 at 12:37 PM
I question the timing. Goldberg and Krauthammer both Romneybots, both slamming Sarah at the same time, when she didn’t even react to Vanity Fair article. I question the timing.
promachus on July 3, 2009 at 12:38 PM
Sarah Palin + law degree + experience = Fred Thompson
ChrisB on July 3, 2009 at 12:38 PM
Platitudes, you say? The same old tired platitudes Reagan used to use?
Inartful choice of words, Jonah.
petefrt on July 3, 2009 at 12:40 PM
Palin worship by many on the right is approaching The One worship by those on the left. No criticism will be tolerated…
brak on July 3, 2009 at 12:42 PM
How discreet of him. RomneyCare-s.
the_nile on July 3, 2009 at 12:43 PM
Dear Jonah:
(from Conservatives for Palin)
Yup.
ExTex on July 3, 2009 at 12:43 PM
Strawman #724
portlandon on July 3, 2009 at 12:44 PM
You skipped a few minuses there, Euclid.
Jim Treacher on July 3, 2009 at 12:44 PM
Enlighten me, Socrates
ChrisB on July 3, 2009 at 12:45 PM
I am sick of Romney and fairly or not- I’m gonna blame him for EVERY UGLY THING SAID ABOUT SARAH, or Huck, or Sanford, or ANYONE else.
ExTex on July 3, 2009 at 12:46 PM
“Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. Three times is enemy action.”
the_nile on July 3, 2009 at 12:46 PM
FIFY
I love Fred, but his get up and go got up and went.
TheUnrepentantGeek on July 3, 2009 at 12:46 PM
Amazing how Goldberg and Krauthammer are suddenly traitors to the party since they criticized — gasp!– Sarah Palin.
Didn’t Goldberg write that little book, oh what was it called…..oh yeah!
But of couuursse, he must be an idiot, a traitor, nonsensical, etc, etc, etc!
Unbelievable.
nickj116 on July 3, 2009 at 12:46 PM
Sarah Palin says she’s up for new presidential race
Brad Norington, Washington correspondent | July 04, 2009
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25728963-26397,00.html
katy on July 3, 2009 at 12:46 PM
I like Sarah. I really do. I would vote for her over Romney. But she’s not God. She does have some work to do. She can’t be all folksy and no substance. And I KNOW that she’s done some impressive stuff but that’s not her image. She does need to do more to shape her image and whining about how the press is misrepresenting her image does nothing constructive.
chemjeff on July 3, 2009 at 12:47 PM
Yet Another Letter to Jonah Goldberg, my fav so far.
Below it, commenter “wisetrog” adds some really good points.
petefrt on July 3, 2009 at 12:47 PM
That’s a job for a licensed professional, Einstein. If you really think Fred has all of Palin’s strengths and more, without any weaknesses, you just keep on keepin’ on.
Jim Treacher on July 3, 2009 at 12:48 PM
Or … ya know … human. And fallible.
TheUnrepentantGeek on July 3, 2009 at 12:48 PM
After the 2004 debates between W and Kerry, the pundits could not figure out why W’s poll numbers went up.
Kerry spoke in well-formed sentences, but nobody could figure out what he meant. In contrast, halting ‘Bushisms’ made sense , so his poll numbers went up.
The assumption that Sarah is not doing her homework has no evidence.
Besides, who knows what media outlets will be left in 2012.
Right_of_Attila on July 3, 2009 at 12:48 PM
Fair enough. Then Mike Huckabee – experience = Sarah Palin
ChrisB on July 3, 2009 at 12:48 PM
Dear Jonah,
You’re blowing up the conservative movement.
ExTex on July 3, 2009 at 12:49 PM
She wouldn’t, and that’s why they dislike her. Most of these folks have given up a bit of their souls to compete and/or accomplish anything. It seems to me as though Sarah is guilty by their standards of being authentic. She is who she is – not what anyone else tells her she must be. They are just who they are, molded by circumstance, a willingness to compromise and without a sense of self strong enough to withstand the attacks she has endured. Someone like Palin clearly infuriates them on some level.
Palin is interesting in many ways and not only for reasons belonging to Sarah.
Cody1991 on July 3, 2009 at 12:49 PM
What was she supposed to do, start running for president last Nov 5? Publish a 5-volume work on US foreign policy since the Monroe administration?
The simple fact is that the bar has been set impossibly high for Palin ever since August 29. The standard expected of her is far different from the one established for any other potential candidate.
ddrintn on July 3, 2009 at 12:49 PM
It would indeed be amazing if that’s what was happening.
Don’t question authority. That’s a good solid conservative message, alright.
Jim Treacher on July 3, 2009 at 12:49 PM
Huck’s pardons show poor judgment and he has nanny state proclivities that show up in his record. We’re not electing Pastor/Morality Czar of the United States.
TheUnrepentantGeek on July 3, 2009 at 12:50 PM
The Conservatives 4 Palin quote is right about the article being anything-but-friendly. Though, if you look at Jonah’s style you’ll find the Palin piece is consistent with his regular use of name-calling and derogatory adjectives.
dedalus on July 3, 2009 at 12:50 PM
“Hi folks, Mitt Romney here for Cleaning power of OxyClean.”
I don’t want a politician to be able to SELL conservative philosophy, I want one that governs and lives by them. Romney governed as a 1970’s democrat, which is what we call today a moderate Republican.
portlandon on July 3, 2009 at 12:51 PM
Right now, Sarah’s job is to avoid being any more of a target than usual. The media organs that took the lead in taking her down are losing viewers. An overt provocation? Just give Jon Stewart, Katie Couric, et al a bailout why doncha?
Sekhmet on July 3, 2009 at 12:51 PM
ChrisB on July 3, 2009 at 12:52 PM
Goldberg brought up Romney when he named him first in the list of policy wonk examples the GOP “wants” and “needs.”
cs89 on July 3, 2009 at 12:52 PM
In platitudes and cliches, or in criticizing some action of Obama’s a couple of months after the fact.
ddrintn on July 3, 2009 at 12:53 PM
She can do it. She’s already thinking of running. No beter time to get primed like the present.
katy on July 3, 2009 at 12:54 PM
What a bunch of whiners! I love, LOVE Sarah! but this is not unfair criticism. There are times when she is asked a question and you can tell she doesn’t feel certain with her answer. The media will try to trip her up with foreign policy questions they would never dare ask their lib overlords. She needs to be prepared for that. If you are a regular reader here you probably can debate several issues pretty well, there is no excuse for her not to be able to.
kongzilla on July 3, 2009 at 12:54 PM
Uh, who said anything about not questioning authority? I myself criticized Goldberg for what I thought was an unfair point he made about Palin and the media. At the same time, however, he makes many good points that should be recognized.
The Palin die-hards refuse to do that, and would rather attack Goldberg, or deflect criticism onto Romney, Huckabee, etc.
nickj116 on July 3, 2009 at 12:54 PM
You’ll take what I give you and like it.
Jim Treacher on July 3, 2009 at 12:54 PM
I happened to catch Jonah on C-Span this morning. I don’t think it’s fair to claim that he’s a fan of Romney. He seemed resigned to the possibility that Romney is a leading favorite because “Republicans have a tradition of picking the next in line”. Not exactly a ringing endorsement.
chemjeff on July 3, 2009 at 12:54 PM
I suspect you’re right about that.
Though I hate it when we publicly violate Reagan’s Eleventh, I could maybe understand it coming from a competing candidate (Romneybots) or a news commentator (Krauthammer). But I always considered Jonah as an advocate for our conservative movement, and discrediting our major candidates is not good for the cause. This coming from Jonah is very disappointing.
petefrt on July 3, 2009 at 12:55 PM
You have to admit though, he does them so well….
katy on July 3, 2009 at 12:55 PM
Elmer Gantry + Bill Clinton = Mike Huckabee
portlandon on July 3, 2009 at 12:55 PM
Agreed. If you can’t take constructive criticism from your own side, from whom can you accept it?
chemjeff on July 3, 2009 at 12:56 PM
He’s also committed an unforgivable crime in American politics. He’s boring.
I mean, I’d vote for him over a Dem, but then I’d vote for a ham sandwich over a Dem. At least the sandwich could feed somebody without putting the entire nation trillions of dollars in debt.
TheUnrepentantGeek on July 3, 2009 at 12:56 PM
Uh, um, er, who said anything about them being traitors to the party?
I can disagree with Jonah Goldberg on this even though I agree with him on other things. Hope that’s okay.
Jim Treacher on July 3, 2009 at 12:57 PM
Frum + Peggy + Goldberg + McKinnon + Meghan = ????
faraway on July 3, 2009 at 12:57 PM
My point is that the piece wasn’t about Romney, it was about Palin. To bring up Romney is childish, IMO.
nickj116 on July 3, 2009 at 12:57 PM
He’s NOT discrediting her. If you want “discrediting”, check out what Frum or Noonan have to say about Palin.
chemjeff on July 3, 2009 at 12:57 PM
Thank you, Judge Smails.
TheUnrepentantGeek on July 3, 2009 at 12:58 PM
oh paaalease.. that’s a tad dramatic.
katy on July 3, 2009 at 12:58 PM
ChrisB on July 3, 2009 at 12:52 PM
You’ll take what I give you and like it.
Jim Treacher on July 3, 2009 at 12:54 PM
And you write that I am the one who needs a licensed professional? Aren’t you just some obscure blogger like a less-successful version of Perez Hilton?
ChrisB on July 3, 2009 at 12:58 PM
Finally.
nickj116 on July 3, 2009 at 12:58 PM
You must be new in town. Care to come over for cake and tea?
katy on July 3, 2009 at 12:59 PM
So, even if it has been shown that Palin is not doing what her critics say she is doing — and even though it has also been shown that she is doing what they are saying she should do — she is still being attacked for not doing what they say she is doing and for doing what what they say she should do and in the most condescending and derogatory ways. Gotcha!
I did not address the “studying” because there is no way anyone knows what she is or is not “studying.” So, have at her for not faxing her “study schedule” to the pundit class. Tear her to pieces! You know you want to.
Blake on July 3, 2009 at 1:00 PM
It’s a 2 for 1 deal.
Palin IS listening to constructive criticism. This piece was to Palin, not her supporters.
The plus here is that we can also take afew whacks at the Romney & Huckabee Pinatas, since they are coordinating their attacks on Palin.
portlandon on July 3, 2009 at 1:00 PM
Not as well as he thinks. Treacher should stick to putting down poorly-educated social conservatives: when he challenges economic conservatives, Jim Treacher is in way over his head.
ChrisB on July 3, 2009 at 1:01 PM
One U G L Y troll…but with pretty eyes.
portlandon on July 3, 2009 at 1:01 PM
Yep, I guess it’s all relative, as in the old joke…
Q: How’s your wife?
A: Compared to what?
petefrt on July 3, 2009 at 1:01 PM
I don’t claim to have any authority you should respect. I just pointed out the flaw in your assertion. Try not to take it so hard.
Jim Treacher on July 3, 2009 at 1:02 PM
No, thanks. Eating Jim Treacher’s lunch.
ChrisB on July 3, 2009 at 1:02 PM
I think you had better start at the top and work your way down. I think you missed afew Palin supporters who said the same thing.
portlandon on July 3, 2009 at 1:03 PM
+100
Jonah and the beltway crowd just haven’t been able to reconcile themselves to the fact that the GOP has to adopt an “all of the above” approach to developing talent in the party and that they aren’t really in control of picking winners and losers. The cream will naturally rise to the top. They are just too comfortable with Romney and don’t know what to do with Palin. Palin needs to follow her own instincts and move forward. Following the advice of party insiders, like the McCain campaign geniuses, has only caused her grief so far.
inmypajamas on July 3, 2009 at 1:03 PM
Look I also think that what’s going on here is that the smartypants NR types and Beltway pundits want to offer their condescending advice to Sarah Palin on what to do. But it doesn’t mean that they have ill intentions against Sarah, only that they are too full of themselves.
chemjeff on July 3, 2009 at 1:03 PM
Of course it’s ok! That’s my point! I don’t mind people disagreeing with him, but to start saying he’s a Romney shill or that he’s an idiot is ridiculous.
And maybe peeps haven’t quite called him a traitor, but they may as well have:
Should I give you more examples?
nickj116 on July 3, 2009 at 1:03 PM
HAHAHAHAHA. He just drank your milkshake Mobey.
portlandon on July 3, 2009 at 1:03 PM
This is precisely why Dems win, we lose.
Until this lesson is learned the idiot donks will continue to win political races by not devouring their own.
fogw on July 3, 2009 at 1:04 PM
Is that what you were doing, advocating economic conservatism? It looked like you were saying Fred Thompson is Sarah Palin Plus. Well, six of one, half-dozen of the other.
Jim Treacher on July 3, 2009 at 1:04 PM
You can always tell when they’re winning because they make a point of saying so.
Jim Treacher on July 3, 2009 at 1:05 PM
You’ll need a big doggie bag…
katy on July 3, 2009 at 1:06 PM
Exactly right. The thing that endears Sarah to the bulk of the country is the very thing that drives AP and Jonah crazy. She scoffs at inside the beltway “conservatism” as well as New York “conservatism”. This appeals to fly over county folks who are sick to death of watching these people ruin the party and offer democrat lite to the electorate.
I think a lot of these “elites” of the republican establishment are scared to death of her as well, not that she can’t win but because she will. And the party will become more anti-abortion, god fearing and fiscally conservative. These are the same people who gave us compassionate conservatism, and have led us to the situation we have now.
I don’t know if Sarah is going to end up being the standard bearer or not. But if not I hope it is someone just like her that will offer something opposite to the democrats instead of just to the right of them.
conservnut on July 3, 2009 at 1:06 PM
No, I take your point, but I don’t think that’s the majority view.
Jim Treacher on July 3, 2009 at 1:07 PM
There’s a humongous difference between Hugh Hewitt and Palin defenders. Hugh picked Romney as the early 2008 favorite, wrote a biography and tried unsuccessfully to be a kingmaker. Palinmania is a grassroots phenomenon based on what Jonah described as Palin’s charisma, but that doesn’t begin to describe her political gifts or the patriotic fervor of her fan base.
Palin excites us more than any Republican since Ronald Reagan. She is as authentic as she is telegenic — a natural leader who, unlike most politicians, seems to walk the conservative talk. She needs to work on national issues and, God willing, has plenty of time to prepare for 2012.
I don’t mind when pundits on our side offer criticism. That’s what pundits do and nobody is better at the circular firing squad than Republicans. All potential candidates for 2012 need constructive criticism and improvement, including Palin, Daniels, Jindal, and especially Romney. I’ll never forget the debate when Romney’s responseresponse to a hypothetical question about handling a national security threat from Iran was to consult with his lawyers. Did these same pundits write open letters to Romney about his shortcomings?
I have a special quibble with Allahpundit who baits us with a steady stream of Palin threads to increase his traffic and then badmouths us on Twitter. Dysfunctional much, dude?
My primary concern right now is the attempt to create Palin fatigue so that we all want her to go away. To the extent that anyone on our side contributes to that, we need to hold them accountable. I wish Jonah Goldberg had sent Palin a private email, but it would be unlike him not to jump on such a crowded bandwagon.
Terrie on July 3, 2009 at 1:08 PM
The majority view in the comments here, I mean.
Jim Treacher on July 3, 2009 at 1:08 PM
Yep.
ladyingray on July 3, 2009 at 1:08 PM
The best advice for Sarah right now is to be very careful who you pick as advisors. Look at how McCain’s advisors turned out.
faraway on July 3, 2009 at 1:09 PM
I don’t think so either, but it’s the view of too many. Constructive criticism of our candidates is a good thing.
nickj116 on July 3, 2009 at 1:10 PM
I love the fact that Sarah is outside the beltway. It’s one of many powerful trump cards she holds. That’s not however what Jonah is driving at. Sarah has got to get her game on and make solid, biting points. Challenge the elite with facts. Drive hard and be a cuda.
katy on July 3, 2009 at 1:10 PM
inmypajamas on July 3, 2009 at 1:03 PM
+1
faraway on July 3, 2009 at 1:10 PM
I don’t see what that has to do with the Goldberg piece, but okay.
Jim Treacher on July 3, 2009 at 1:11 PM
“For a mere 10 Palin posts a day, you can feed a family of bloggers for a month. Thats more than most bloggers in a year.“- Sally Allahpundit Struthers
portlandon on July 3, 2009 at 1:11 PM
It’s all just meaningless gibberish to some people.
To show you have true “gravitas” in the media today as a Republican, you have to present a Five-Year Plan that’s better than what the liberals are offering. A Socialized medicine program that’s more cost-efficient; a Welfare reform idea that constitutes a more responsible way of paying people to have children out of wedlock; a Global Warming prevention program that involves slightly less government control of every business in the country; etc….
Because if you just keep saying over and over and over again that all that stuff is just plain rotten to the core. Well then, you’re not being “intelligent” enough to be taken seriously by anyone.
Well by anyone of course EXCEPT the millions of people who flock to Sarah Palin’s speeches, hang on Sarah Palin’s every word and send Sarah Palin every spare penny they can scrounge up.
But who cares about those people? Because, you see, we’re all idiots – as we’re constantly told by people who are indisputable experts on that subject. None of us understand what’s REALLY important the way that self-selected members of the “punditry class” all know deep down in their guts is the only thing that actually matters in life: Doing whatever the Hell it takes to get your ugly mug on TV.
logis on July 3, 2009 at 1:11 PM
No, what drives me crazy about Palin is the tendency of her more hardcore fans to resort to facile, insulting explanations like this for criticism of her. Just because you’re incapable of finding fault with her doesn’t mean that someone who does is operating with an ulterior motive or is “scared” of her.
Allahpundit on July 3, 2009 at 1:12 PM
Treacher should stick to putting down poorly-educated social conservatives: when he challenges economic conservatives, Jim Treacher is in way over his head.
ChrisB on July 3, 2009 at 1:01 PM
Is that what you were doing, advocating economic conservatism? It looked like you were saying Fred Thompson is Sarah Palin Plus. Well, six of one, half-dozen of the other.
Jim Treacher on July 3, 2009 at 1:04 PM
ChrisB on July 3, 2009 at 1:12 PM
Why should the behavior of her fans drive you crazy about Palin?
promachus on July 3, 2009 at 1:15 PM
You don’t think that piece was constructively critical?
nickj116 on July 3, 2009 at 1:15 PM
Allah, serious question: do you think Meghan McCain is a serious political thinker?
joey24007 on July 3, 2009 at 1:15 PM
Allah, you are a hoot. You can’t possibly believe half of what you write here. Uwww, we are all scary “hardcore” fans. hahaha
Good for traffic, though. Thanks for the post.
faraway on July 3, 2009 at 1:16 PM
+1
nickj116 on July 3, 2009 at 1:16 PM
No, what drives me crazy about Palin is the tendency of her more hardcore fans to resort to facile, insulting explanations like this for criticism of her. Just because you’re incapable of finding fault with her doesn’t mean that someone who does is operating with an ulterior motive or is “scared” of her.
Allahpundit on July 3, 2009 at 1:12 PM
———————————-
I find fault with bloggers and media bobbleheads who want to
to spend most of their time finding fault with Sarah Palin.
LankyLou on July 3, 2009 at 1:16 PM
Yes, I think you should. Calling a condescending ahole a condescending ahole is not calling someone a traitor. That was seriously disingenuous of you.
Blake on July 3, 2009 at 1:17 PM
Bingo!
Double bingo!
This is good advice from Jonah Goldberg. I like Sarah A LOT. But if she doesn’t step up her game in a huge way, there’s no way she can get to the White House, even if the GOP were foolhardy enough to nominate her.
califcon on July 3, 2009 at 1:17 PM
Chris, if you’re going to have someone for lunch, it may be helpfull to know how to use the silverware…
and this is for your reply….
katy on July 3, 2009 at 1:17 PM
One little problem with that advice.
Unless you are a political junkie, people are TIRED of elections.
Heck, we just finished one, its WAY too early for her to start a run (as Romney is doing).
Another point that just struck me… IF Goldberg really wanted to help Palin, this would have been a PRIVATE LETTER, not a public admonishment.
Romeo13 on July 3, 2009 at 1:18 PM
And yet the 2008 presidential election was his worst performance since Curly Sue. I like Fred, but maybe resumes aren’t everything?
Jim Treacher on July 3, 2009 at 1:18 PM
Hahahahah!
Blake on July 3, 2009 at 1:19 PM
When he leads off with a falsehood like, “Every time she’s on TV she’s whining about the media,” then no, I don’t think that’s particularly constructive.
Jim Treacher on July 3, 2009 at 1:19 PM
It doesn’t really. I was mirroring the insulting language conservanut used. But for sake of argument, do you not think it’s possible for the fanatic devotion of a politician’s supporters to affect your view of a politician? See, e.g., Barack Obama.
No, or at least no more so than I am or the average person is. I’m curious why you’d ask me that in this context, though.
Allahpundit on July 3, 2009 at 1:19 PM
This is good advice from Jonah Goldberg. I like Sarah A LOT. But if she doesn’t step up her game in a huge way, there’s no way she can get to the White House, even if the GOP were foolhardy enough to nominate her.
califcon on July 3, 2009 at 1:17 PM
———————————
Has it ever occurred to you that Sarah Palin might be perfectly happy doing what she is doing regardless of
the demands you are making on her ?
LankyLou on July 3, 2009 at 1:20 PM
Question to back up Allah’s point: Whose fans are more rabid on HotAir, Palin’s or Romney’s?
The answer seems clear, doesn’t it?
Btw, I would vote for Palin in a heartbeat, but would rather see Romney win the nomination. I think that’s a fair, rational position to have.
nickj116 on July 3, 2009 at 1:20 PM
OK, let’s always nominate the oldest, most boring geezer out there because by your logic he’ll be the most “qualified”. Let’s cede youth, charisma n energy to the other guys. They count for nothing.
promachus on July 3, 2009 at 1:20 PM
And, yet he didn’t. Which tells me his intent is not to help her.
Blake on July 3, 2009 at 1:20 PM
Please, enlighten us with your advice to Palin. How exactly does she “step up her game”? (was that a cliche?) Please don’t list things any 5 year old could tell her, or things that every other possible candidate must do, like study foreign policy.
faraway on July 3, 2009 at 1:20 PM
Wow. Jim Treacher, of all people, has a mini-he? Which can be taken as a mini-mini-he. (Thanks for the eye-wink emoticon. I put it to good use).
ChrisB on July 3, 2009 at 1:21 PM
I wish Todd Palin would have been the public pimpsmacker. A standing challenge to Letterman’s manhood via Todd Palin would have been a better response. IMHO
Ooomph! Thwack! Zing!
The Race Card on July 3, 2009 at 1:22 PM
Good work.
Jonah replied to my email on this so I sent him the a link to the thread and suggested he get an account … you might find it more challenging taking him and Treacher on together
.
gh on July 3, 2009 at 1:22 PM
If it’s completely at odds with the reality of that politician, yes. I think a small percentage of Palin supporters go overboard, but mainly in response to personal attacks against her, and the unbelievable number of canards about her policy positions.
Jim Treacher on July 3, 2009 at 1:22 PM
You need to start using a thing called logic if you are going to post here. McCain had more experience than all of them – and he lost. What is your point?
faraway on July 3, 2009 at 1:24 PM
If you think someone named Katy is a “he,” you’ve got worse problems than I thought.
Jim Treacher on July 3, 2009 at 1:24 PM
So he’s a condescending a-hole, because he…uh…criticized Sarah Palin? Right, well you must have forgotten this part:
And this part:
Man, sounds like a condescending a-hole to me!
nickj116 on July 3, 2009 at 1:24 PM
Aren’t youth, charisma, and energy what we got at this minute? How’s that working out for America? I like the track record of experience and education a little more than America’s current trajectory of youth, charisma, n energy.
ChrisB on July 3, 2009 at 1:24 PM
If Palin was a washed up and truly a Dan Quayle, you and the media would have abandoned her LONG ago. I don’t think people are “scared” of her as much as they have invested heavily in other candidates and don’t like it when someone comes along completely out of the blue and dumps a dose of enthusiasm the others can only pay to attain.
portlandon on July 3, 2009 at 1:25 PM
Is it “completely” at odds, though? Conservanut’s point is that Palin embodies “real America,” unlike the phony parts where Jonah G and I live. Didn’t Palin use that exact terminology on the campaign trail?
Allahpundit on July 3, 2009 at 1:25 PM
I’m not making any demands on her at all. And I think she probably is perfectly happy — that’s a huge part of her appeal! And she is appealing. And smart. And admirable. Can’t say enough good things about her.
My comments are directed more at the people who think she can win a Presidential race. I don’t think she can do that. I understand all too well the molecular-level dislike that many people have for her. I don’t think it can be overcome. I think that there are other conservative candidates that would do a terrific job without making the fence-sitters’ skin crawl. By ignoring that effect that she has on a lot of people, Palin-4-Pres enthusiasts are deluding themselves.
califcon on July 3, 2009 at 1:25 PM
I’ve already granted you that point. That was unfair. Much of what he said wasn’t, however.
nickj116 on July 3, 2009 at 1:25 PM
No argument here katy, but I think she has done a lot of that already. Look at some of the speeches she has given. She has been pretty forthcoming with criticism of the current administration. Is it enough, no. But then again she is playing the role of governor of Alaska right now, not contender for the throne. People need to remember that. Most of these expectations we have for her are out of our desire (in some cases, dread in others) that she run.
conservnut on July 3, 2009 at 1:25 PM
Yeah, IMO he didn’t bash her and I sent him an email in support.
aikidoka on July 3, 2009 at 1:26 PM
Which candidate am I heavily invested in? I’d love to know.
Allahpundit on July 3, 2009 at 1:26 PM
There you go again.
I’ll take Obama’s youth, charisma, and energy bundled with a belief in conservative values.
faraway on July 3, 2009 at 1:27 PM
Most people are tired of elections but Palin will need to be on her game when people start to put two and two together and are looking for a voice.
She has indicated she is intersted in running.
Someone earlier mentioned about going private with this. I don’t think it will hurt the party to make it public. It stirs the base and challenges everyone involved including Sarah. Long term, this will push her not discourage her. It’s her rabid supporters that are probably more upset about this than she would be….
katy on July 3, 2009 at 1:27 PM
It’s one thing though to find fault; it’s another to go looking for it with a fine-toothed comb. And failing there, magnifiying whatever characteristic into some grave weakness.
Hey, I wish Palin would use the Queen’s English as well. I wish she could converse fluently on the history of US-Soviet relations or the history of modern Islam or the intricacies of global finance. But let’s apply that same standard across the board, shall we?
ddrintn on July 3, 2009 at 1:27 PM
I was talking about the perception of Obama being at odds with the reality. What we’re seeing right now is his supporters and the media (pardon the repetition) coming to grips with that discrepancy. For the first time in my life, I almost feel sorry for Helen Thomas.
And yes, I do think there are more people in American who are like Sarah Palin than people who are like Allahpundit. But that’s because you’re one of a kind!
Jim Treacher on July 3, 2009 at 1:28 PM
If Goldberg hadn’t gone for the easy melodramatic hook of “you’re blowing it” and hadn’t resorted to a couple of other condescending phrases and facile, overly generalized judgments, he would have gotten more light, less heat in the response to what in substance was a fairly positive treatment. He wrote it as an open letter, but used the format as an excuse for false familiarity. If he REALLY wrote a letter to the Governor, he’d be much more thoughtful and polite about it.
CK MacLeod on July 3, 2009 at 1:28 PM
Jonah responds:
http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=MjdlZDRkNGUxOGY2NTA2NzQ0MGU1YzlmNzBhMmY0ZDU=
chemjeff on July 3, 2009 at 1:28 PM
She has indicated she may do that….
katy on July 3, 2009 at 1:29 PM
Well, next time he can leave the unfair part for last.
Jim Treacher on July 3, 2009 at 1:29 PM
You seem to have linked to a Palin quote contradicting your argument.
gh on July 3, 2009 at 1:29 PM
Well, okey dokey. Glad that’s resolved.
Cody1991 on July 3, 2009 at 1:29 PM
I second this. Most Palinites act like they are at least ten-years-old.
The Race Card on July 3, 2009 at 1:30 PM
Only some wacko Olby liberal would believe this is a slam on big city east coasters.
Again, I refuse to think you really believe this stuff.
lalalalala
faraway on July 3, 2009 at 1:30 PM
So where is all the “constructive criticism” for Rommney or the others?
Don’t they need some “help” or are they already perfect?
conservnut on July 3, 2009 at 1:32 PM
This should be interesting.
Which qualities are these exactly?
- a woman?
- she’s religious?
- she has children and a career?
- she did not abort her baby?
- other?
faraway on July 3, 2009 at 1:33 PM
It depends. When Palin fans start swooning at her rallies or change their name to Heath, you can club us with Obama’s. We don’t go to Romney’s sites and post what a garbage candidate he is, while many Romney supporters routinely trash her and her family in the most demeaning terms. We didn’t like what you were writing about Sarah, so we created our own site to serve as a rallying point for her supporters.
All we try to do is stand up for her when she’s unfairly attacked and clear misconceptions about her that are routinely raised. She doesn’t have any surrogates, so we fill the void.
There are two types of fans out there. Some of us like the good governor so much that they want to defend her honor regardless of her running in 2012 or not, some of us have coolly appraised her possibilities and have come to conclusion that only she can beat Obama which is our primary goal.
We are passionate about Palin but believe me not even most “fanatic” supporters of Palin compare with fans of Ron Paul, Obama and Romney. If her support ever takes the color of Paulian or Obamite cult, I’d be the first one to bail out.
promachus on July 3, 2009 at 1:33 PM
Do I have this right? -
There’s a plot afoot whereby Krauthammer and Goldberg (and anyone associated with NRO) have had their considerable brain cells removed and replaced with computer chips. They are now pre-programmed Mittbots, who parrot talking points supplied by the eeevil Romney (with some help from McCain’s former advisors) as he schemes to destroy Sarah.
Buy Danish on July 3, 2009 at 1:33 PM
My guess is, it’s not Palin. Scratch that one off the list.
faraway on July 3, 2009 at 1:34 PM
So has Rommney, Jindal, Pawlenty……..
Where is the “constructive criticism” for them?
conservnut on July 3, 2009 at 1:34 PM
Uhmm…I hate to have to say this Allah, but you live in a part of the country that looks down on most conservatives and especially socially conservative people.
Palin lives in a part of the country that looks down on social libs liberal ideals in general.
Don’t get mad when Palin draws a line in the sand and more people stand behind her than you. I’m sure you agree with Palin more than you disagree with her.
portlandon on July 3, 2009 at 1:34 PM
Not very well, because they’re being used to hide statism and lies.
Jim Treacher on July 3, 2009 at 1:34 PM
Sounds like you may be losing your lunch. Can I get you something to clean up with?
katy on July 3, 2009 at 1:34 PM
Jim, if you think “mini-HE” – a reference to YOU, Jim – would ever be a woman, then you have got even bigger problems than even Jim McGreevey ever imagined.
I at least I considered the possiblity that Katy takes the screen name from the Texas city, not as a personal name.
ChrisB on July 3, 2009 at 1:35 PM
Jonah’s been a bit of a twit since his book came out … but he’s really on the right side of things.
gh on July 3, 2009 at 1:35 PM
Eckkkk. I never thought I would see that at HotAir.
faraway on July 3, 2009 at 1:35 PM
Problem is that we are all spending our energy on a Red on Red attack, instead of calling out the Admins stances on Israel, or Iran, or Honduras, or Cap and Trade, or Health care….
Romeo13 on July 3, 2009 at 1:36 PM
That’s a mealy mouthed trick. Post the most offensive, uninformed email he gets and then say he was always criticisizing this. Is he getting tips from Andrew Sullivan?
promachus on July 3, 2009 at 1:36 PM
And yet you said it about Katy. Hint: The room ain’t spinnin’.
You really are good at this.
Jim Treacher on July 3, 2009 at 1:37 PM
Hehe.
“How DARE you be ‘facile’ and ‘insulting’ toward me, when all I ever do is offer you my ever-so-brilliant ‘constructive criticism’ about how you should stop making me perceive you as utterly stupid?”
Poor guy. In the spirit of selfless generosity, he casts us pearls, and can’t for the life of him imagine why the “pigs” don’t thank him his generosity!
logis on July 3, 2009 at 1:37 PM
You are falling into the same “hypocrisy!!!” trap that the libs use. Even if Jonah never wrote a word about Romney it does not diminish from the correctness of his criticism about Palin.
chemjeff on July 3, 2009 at 1:37 PM
chemjeff on July 3, 2009 at 1:28 PM
And in his NRO response, Goldberg focuses on the personal politics, including the foul language of Palin suporters, and, again, incidentally misstates the facts – claiming that Palin has lost a huge chunk of her popularity in the last six months when actually she’s recovered some of what was lost during the bruising national campaign. (I don’t know what the current story is an Alaska, but Goldberg is implicitly referring to her national profile.)
The sense of Obama’s potential vulnerability has raised the stakes in all of this. No one’s going to get the Republican nomination by default, and whether Palin’s in the 2012 mix or not, passions may be extremely intense.
Palin is not only not blowing it, by the way – she’s playing “it” extremely well. You won’t know whether she’s blown it until and unless she’s run and lost.
CK MacLeod on July 3, 2009 at 1:38 PM
lol … the first time, I read it the same as treacher … had to go back to check the grammar more carefully …
gh on July 3, 2009 at 1:38 PM
You have the magic 8 ball. flip it over.
portlandon on July 3, 2009 at 1:38 PM
They don’t have half of what she has going for her. It’s always the brightest star that people will see first.
She is the best hope but she needs work.
katy on July 3, 2009 at 1:39 PM
Read the whole thing. He posts other critical emails that aren’t quite so inflammatory.
chemjeff on July 3, 2009 at 1:39 PM
He posted some positive feedback towards the end. Comparing anyone to sullivan is pretty low.
gh on July 3, 2009 at 1:39 PM
Exactly.
gh on July 3, 2009 at 1:39 PM
It’s official now. Jonah Goldberg is the new Kathleen Parker. I wasn’t offended by his first letter, but by his new mealy-mouthed response. Believe me, next thing he’ll call her a slut or drama queen and then react in horror at the right wing anger. Seen it all. he’s following the same script as Parker.
promachus on July 3, 2009 at 1:40 PM
OK, Jonah. You deliberately list over the top comments as your response? This was intended as a hit piece on Palin.
You picked your side. Good luck.
Allah continues to post articles that say we should be better than the wacky leftists that smear people constantly. I think Jonah should take some of that advice.
faraway on July 3, 2009 at 1:40 PM
I think we’re muti-tasking pretty well. Unfortunately we’re going to have to do this while the Commies are fronting the attacks.
katy on July 3, 2009 at 1:42 PM
Jonah’s criticism was correct,……3 months ago.
portlandon on July 3, 2009 at 11:24 AM
That was my take (more like six months ago, though). Of course Gov. Palin is not above criticism, but I don’t see where she’s stumbled recently. Do her critics ever seriously study how she is doing her full-time job? From everything I’ve read, she’s doing a good job as governor and would easily get reelected if she runs. She has helped Alaska toe the line fiscally–quite the opposite from what’s going on in California, Michigan, and Illinois, to name a few. Why can’t her critics ever give her credit for her correct decisions as governor?
Other than responding to Letterman, when has she “whined” lately about the media? And responding to Letterman was not whining–it was defending her daughters.
It never ceases to amaze me how all these months later Gov. Palin is still unjustly taking the fall for McCain’s campaign and is already to blame if Obama wins in 2012.
NebCon on July 3, 2009 at 1:42 PM
Nope.
He posted a link to a list of his pro-Palin columns.
gh on July 3, 2009 at 1:42 PM
The journalists’ “impartial” veil was torn off a few years ago. It’s hardly possible for bloggers and pundits to play the same game. That’s why it’s perfectly reasonable to question Goldberg’s (or any other pundit’s) motives. That’s the reality. Pundits are finding out exactly how far they are respected and trusted. It’s less than they want. If Goldberg or AP don’t want to tell us who their favorite potential candidate is (heavens knows why not,) then they have to accept people questioning their motives.
JiangxiDad on July 3, 2009 at 1:42 PM
Not really interested in taking Jonah on – I always find his writings and opinions original, thought-provoking and his writings clever. “Maxi-he” Treacher sounds like he might be busy scheduling his sex-change.
ChrisB on July 3, 2009 at 1:42 PM
I didn’t make myself clear. What I am trying to say is that I know, from plenty of first-hand experience, that an awful lot of people object to Sarah Palin on a very visceral level. They don’t seem to feel the need to quantify it, they just get kind of an “eeewwww” feeling about her. I understand their feelings because I had the same reaction to the Clintons. Just sort of a “get that away from me” reaction.
I personally think Palin would very likely make an excellent president. She’s smart and charismatic, she’s got a ton of energy and commitment, she truly LOVES our country, and she’d be very happy to delegate issues outside her area of expertise to smart, capable people who are experts in those areas. She would not delude herself that she was the walking Messiah and micro-manage every petty detail to the terrifying detriment of the country, as Obama is doing.
But I do feel that, at this juncture in history perhaps more than any other, it is crucially important that conservatives run a candidate who has a good shot at winning, in order to mitigate and reverse the damage that Obama is hell-bent on creating.
So, in a year or two, maybe Palin will look more like that person. I’d be happy if she does. But if she doesn’t, we need to have a viable alternative, someone with the ability to appeal to a very broad swath of the electorate and the willingness to speak the hard truths in a way that captures peoples’ hearts and minds.
califcon on July 3, 2009 at 1:43 PM
AP, I never said she didn’t have faults. I just think that too many are making a career out of finding them. Folks like Jonah should be pointing out the faults of the other side. You do a good job of that but some of our pundits are just better at punching our own.
And sorry that you took offense to my comment, perhaps it’s my redstate sensitivity to being constantly looked down on as a dumb redneck that makes me lash out at times.
conservnut on July 3, 2009 at 1:43 PM
Where are the Romneybots now? This was all about propping Romney by undermining her.
promachus on July 3, 2009 at 1:43 PM
From Jonah’s response:
He’s got a point here. Populist revolts haven’t worked in this country since 1828.
chemjeff on July 3, 2009 at 1:44 PM
That’s not the point. She needs to lose some of her overused language, e.g. “hungry markets” and she needs to get better briefed so she sounds convincing. I trust that she’s working on it but she has said that she is not running yet. And I think she will concede gracefully to a stronger candidate … but I don’t see one willing to run yet.
gh on July 3, 2009 at 1:45 PM
Hee hee. A guy from Texas….This is new…
katy on July 3, 2009 at 1:46 PM
No, he’s a condescending ahole because he is a condescending ahole.
SNIP! No, I didn’t. I accidently edited out patronizing from my original post but added it to subsequent ones.
Yep. A condescending and patronizing ahole.
Blake on July 3, 2009 at 1:46 PM
Which candidate am I heavily invested in? I’d love to know.
Allahpundit on July 3, 2009 at 1:26 PM
—————————
at any given moment you are invested in the one that will bring the most traffic to HA.
LankyLou on July 3, 2009 at 1:47 PM
I need a new weapon that fires in both directions.
faraway on July 3, 2009 at 1:47 PM
Why isn’t he engaging the C4P letters which are both sane n beautiful n raise some good points? They were emailed to him also
promachus on July 3, 2009 at 1:47 PM
Dear Jonah Goldberg,
You’re blowing it.
Christian Conservative on July 3, 2009 at 1:48 PM
Knowing Jonah may read this….that was weak.
Treacher comment…? you lose..
katy on July 3, 2009 at 1:48 PM
Goldberg is publishing nasty emails he has received so he can play the victim card and those that give him a tongue bath. But what he won’t do is address the very polite challenges to his hack job over on C4P. Gee, I wonder why not?
Blake on July 3, 2009 at 1:49 PM
Palin’s formula for success:
“If I am elected, I will move the White House to Iowa”
faraway on July 3, 2009 at 1:50 PM
Well he did give them free advertising:
chemjeff on July 3, 2009 at 1:50 PM
OK, so she’s doomed to failure anyway. No use in worrying about it then.
ddrintn on July 3, 2009 at 1:50 PM
Thank you Jonah for pointing out your true intentions here.
conservnut on July 3, 2009 at 1:50 PM
I guess this really has nothing to do with Palin. It seems to be more about the role of the right wing pundits, and just where they stand in the pecking order.
JiangxiDad on July 3, 2009 at 1:51 PM
I love the fact that Sarah is outside the beltway. It’s one of many powerful trump cards she holds. That’s not however what Jonah is driving at. Sarah has got to get her game on and make solid, biting points. Challenge the elite with facts. Drive hard and be a cuda.
katy on July 3, 2009 at 1:10 PM
———————-
Do you think she should so that in her own time frame
or yours?
IOW, what’s the rush ?
LankyLou on July 3, 2009 at 1:51 PM
Whoa, don’t hit us with the good stuff all at once.
Jim Treacher on July 3, 2009 at 1:52 PM
I’m not sure about that. He keeps bragging that he’s intentionally being a contrarian a-hole just to generate traffic. But I don’t think it works that way.
Whether someone calls himself a “conservative” or a “liberal” or (worst of all) an “unbiased” commentator, the forces at work are always the same.
Only a very tiny fraction of a percent of journalism involves gathering facts – and in the case of blog link finders, it’s infinitely less than that.
By far the vast majority of any form of media is essentially being perverse solely for the sake of perversity. When you spend all day, every day doing nothing but trying to skew every story into an allegory about how “Man Bites Dog” that HAS to have an effect on you.
Most of them start out as arrogant twits. (Albeit with conservatives, that percentage is probably a bit lower.) But they all eventually tend to end up that way. There’s really no way around it.
logis on July 3, 2009 at 1:52 PM
It is an oft-used reference to Austin Powers:
Cast of Characters:
Doctor Evil (Mike Myers);
Doctor Evil’s dittoing sock puppet (also played by Mike Myers): Mini-Me
Jim Treacher
Katy (Mini-He) The Mini being small, The HE being Jim Treacher. “Mini-He” is, therefore, a puny Jim Treacher.
ChrisB on July 3, 2009 at 1:52 PM
He’s taking a long weekend … you need to read right to the end of his post (you have to click the “Keep reading this post . . .” link):
Anyhow, he’s posted a link at the corner to this thread and another one (perhaps the Krauthammer one) now.
gh on July 3, 2009 at 1:52 PM
Ok Jonah, please tell us which advisors she needs to hire n retain? The ones who backstabbed her during the campaign and called her a diva n a whackjob or crow that she post-partum depression? Or the ones who go on national TV and keep trashing her because she hasn’t hired them? Or the ones whom she had hired but who screwed her with the NRCC dinner, basically imposing on her what she didn’t want to do? Or should she turn to the wisdom of the likes of Goldberg or Krauthammer who has just declared she isn’t a viable presidential candidate? Or should she turn to Heritage or National Review both of us have been very condescending towards her?
Please tell us.
promachus on July 3, 2009 at 1:53 PM
No, it’s just that Palin must become more than just a populist figure.
chemjeff on July 3, 2009 at 1:53 PM
Goldberg is publishing nasty emails he has received so he can play the victim card and those that give him a tongue bath. But what he won’t do is address the very polite challenges to his hack job over on C4P. Gee, I wonder why not?
Blake on July 3, 2009 at 1:49 PM
—————————————-
Goldberg likes to write articles and then “share” the emails he gets.
It’s all about him.
LankyLou on July 3, 2009 at 1:54 PM
Threadwinner!!!!
Palin wants nothing to do with the DC and NY pundits.
faraway on July 3, 2009 at 1:54 PM
Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever seen 400 comments for a headline post before…
Palin is a lightning rod.
MedSchoolCatholic on July 3, 2009 at 1:55 PM
And in your mind, I would be interested in sucking up to Johah Goldberg…..why?
ChrisB on July 3, 2009 at 1:55 PM
From C4P:
Goldberg’s response to his (many) critics fails to convince me, I’m afraid. The issue isn’t whether Governor Palin (or any other politician for that matter – apart from the perfect Mitt Romney, of course, about whom more anon) needs sound advice. Of course she does. The question is whether sentences like “You’re blowing it” and “Stay home and do your job and your homework” really qualify as ‘advice’. You’re talking to a governor and a former vicepresidential candidate, after all, not to a dog. Any adviser who doesn’t know the difference has no business advising anyone.
promachus on July 3, 2009 at 1:55 PM
ChrisB, Jim Treacher is already a god on Planet Hot Air. You don’t need to deify him.
Terrie on July 3, 2009 at 1:56 PM
Austin who?…
katy on July 3, 2009 at 1:56 PM
Who else shares those weaknesses?
Well-said, Jonah:
Still, the question: “Where is your letter to Huckabee? Romney?” is a good one.
What this reader, and many others, fail to understand is that I haven’t written columns like this about other candidates is because I either don’t think they need the advice (Romney) or because I have no interest in seeing them succeed (Huckabee). The retreat to charges of sexism is as absurd as it is convenient. As is all of this knee-jerk junk about elitism and snobbery. If I was an elitist and snob of the sort these people claim I am, then why did I ever support her in the first place? Why did I tout her for the job? Is it all part of some elaborate ruse?
Again: If Sarah Palin becomes nothing more than expression of populist resentments of a certain portion of the base she will lose the ability to persuade anybody who isn’t already a diehard fan. That is not the route to success.
Populism is a very dangerous. One of my biggest problems with diehard Palin (and Huck) loyalists is the class warfare games they play. It’s fine to have a blue-collar background, but to use it in order to breed hatred or resentment for people like Mitt (or Jonah) merely because they’re “privileged” is un-American and the antithesis of conservatism.
Palin does not do this, but many of her fans do, and I find it very disturbing.
Buy Danish on July 3, 2009 at 1:56 PM
Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever seen 400 comments for a headline post before…
Palin is a lightning rod.
MedSchoolCatholic on July 3, 2009 at 1:55 PM
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More like lightning…
LankyLou on July 3, 2009 at 1:57 PM
I am waiting for any of yours to start!
(Yes, I kid)
ChrisB on July 3, 2009 at 1:57 PM
The more you explain it, the funnier it gets. Don’t stop now.
Jim Treacher on July 3, 2009 at 1:57 PM
The “real America” stuff is a problem. Conservatives have to promote a message that cuts across demographic lines. Probably “state vs individual” is the broad theme but it needs to be developed across the different parts of the country. A rural vs urban approach is unnecessary and going to lose based on the current make up of the electorate.
Jack Kemp was great at this type of stuff. Having someone like him in this generation of GOP leaders would be beneficial.
dedalus on July 3, 2009 at 1:58 PM
I would ask him first. He may not be of that persuasion.
katy on July 3, 2009 at 1:58 PM
promachus on July 3, 2009 at 1:55 PM
+1
faraway on July 3, 2009 at 1:58 PM
Another city in Texas.
ChrisB on July 3, 2009 at 1:58 PM
Well done.
Jim Treacher on July 3, 2009 at 1:58 PM
Which is, IMO, the real reason why she’s problematic. If I were advising Palin, this is what we’d work on. I’m not qualified to say how, but I see it as her major problem.
People have all these strong opinions about her but they really don’t know that much. Goldberg fell into this trap. He didn’t do his research but wrote in gauzy generalities that seem true to the zeitgeist of centrist public opinion. I guess that’s fine for a pundit trying to drive traffic, but he really shouldn’t expect to be above some return fire for it.
CK Macleod hit the nail on the head. It was at least partially tone and false familiarity coupled with a badly informed or dishonest premise. In general it was poorly done work, however well intended.
TheUnrepentantGeek on July 3, 2009 at 1:59 PM
But what if Jonah and others do look down upon Palin because of her vastly inferior social status? Shouldn’t we remark on that phenomenon? We don’t take swipes at Romney’s success but on the aristocratic, Whig-like habits of the GOP.
promachus on July 3, 2009 at 2:00 PM
This is going to end in tears.
Asher on July 3, 2009 at 2:00 PM
katy on July 3, 2009 at 2:01 PM
The anatomy of a smear.
Let me get this straight. Palin has said nothing about class warfare. Jonah and others attack her for being an ignorant hick. Her supporters support her. Her supporters are breeding hatred.
faraway on July 3, 2009 at 2:01 PM
Seriously, if Mark Steyn calls me an idiot, I’ll pay attention. Don’t get me wrong; I’m not saying I’d automatically rush out and start taking remedial education classes, but I’d at least stop for a second and reflect on it — before I reamed him up one side and down the other.
But Jonah freakin’ Goldberg is proclaiming himself He Who Must Not Be Mocked?
How in the Hell did that happen?
logis on July 3, 2009 at 2:02 PM
Do you think pieces like these are intended to be taken at face value, or does the writer have an ulterior motive(s)? I think the answer to that question determines how the criticism (why public, anyhow?) is received.
JiangxiDad on July 3, 2009 at 2:03 PM
I know a smear when I see one.
faraway on July 3, 2009 at 2:03 PM
Jonah has not. You turn it into a class warfare game when you insinuate that he has.
chemjeff on July 3, 2009 at 2:04 PM
From Jonas reply
Pow!
katy on July 3, 2009 at 2:06 PM
I know elitist, condescending snobbery when I see it.
faraway on July 3, 2009 at 2:07 PM
I don’t really see what he’d gain by discrediting himself, given his past support.
TheUnrepentantGeek on July 3, 2009 at 2:09 PM
Fine. Then what, only sixth-generation farmers from Nebraska should be allowed to offer Sarah Palin advice on how to run a political campaign?
chemjeff on July 3, 2009 at 2:11 PM
No, that would just be snobbery of a different kind.
Jim Treacher on July 3, 2009 at 2:13 PM
Fine. Then what, only sixth-generation farmers from Nebraska should be allowed to offer Sarah Palin advice on how to run a political campaign?
chemjeff on July 3, 2009 at 2:11 PM
I’ll yell out my window and see if they want the job.
NebCon on July 3, 2009 at 2:19 PM
I know it’s been a whole three hours now (and during that time, I’ve been told at least a dozen times what a retarded in-bred hick I am.) But can somebody please refresh my memory here?
Isn’t this the SAME guy who JUST wrote a heartfelt, kind-spirited letter telling Sarah Palin that responding to criticism makes you a “whiny” “laughingstock”, an “unpersuasive”, a “victimologist”, makes it “reasonable” for people to hate you and blame you for all their problems, and (in conclusion) reveals that you are an “inarticulate” person who needs to just “stay home and do her homework…”
Or was that somebody else?
In all seriousness though, I’m prepared to give this guy a second chance to prove that he knows better than Sarah Palin does.
…Just take a look at Goldberg’s “woe-is-me-athon” going on right now and compare it word-for-word with Sarah Palin’s latest speech.
Now, tell me: Which one of these two people should be advising the other on proper composure?
logis on July 3, 2009 at 2:22 PM
They know she is not an idiot, but that and attacks family the only lines of attack they have.
Sarah keeps getting up, which has to frighten the liberals and RINO elites. It’s up to Sarah to speak on several issues like she has on energy. It can persuade independents when she breaks the stereotypes created for her.
I hope to see it about 2011.
Right_of_Attila on July 3, 2009 at 2:30 PM
That’s a very good letter and I agree with it. One of my MAIN ‘issues’ with Palin is that she takes the “bait” and gets swept up in these tit for tat scenarios. And the guy is right…the sort of thing isn’t ‘Presidential’. She keeps saying she doesn’t want to “whine” because no one cares anyways-yet she continues to complain and complain about the press and how “no other politician faces this kind of criticism.” That may very well be true, but you know what? I don’t want my President complaining. Especially not about the media. We can’t complain and make fun of President Obama whining about Fox News, and then turn around and think it’s ‘true’ and it’s just ‘justice’ when Sarah Palin turns around and does the same thing. She should have NEVER gotten involved with that Johnston kid, and she should leave the Trig pictures alone. Yes, yes, she’s a “MOTHER” and mother’s defend their children…but you know what, the country doesn’t need a “MOTHER”, they need a PRESIDENT. And while I’m 100% convinced this woman CAN be the President…I agree. She needs to buckle down, read up, develop some strategies and policy position and then make those positions KNOWN (through Op-Ed columns, through interviews, hell…through a Palin blog).
-And simply because it personally annoys me…stop framing everything in terms of “Alaska”. Woman, you’re not only going to be the President of Alaska-you’re going to be the President of 49 other states as well. So, please, get off your “all things Alaska” trip and explain to me what your energy policies (or any other policy you have) can do for my state of COLORADO (and every other state).
LiquidH2O on July 3, 2009 at 2:35 PM
Wow. Talk about beating a dead horse. Look, dude, just let it go.
Point made. I mean, for crying out loud, we GET IT already!
Now do you think there’s any way you could possibly see your way clear to discuss something besides what an arrogant twit you are – or are you just a broken record?
logis on July 3, 2009 at 2:35 PM
Consistency does not seem to be one of his strong points.
Blake on July 3, 2009 at 2:37 PM
There’s nothing more to it than this. Ronald Reagan is universally hailed as a “genius” today; but trust me, the media smears of him made Sarah Palin look like Barak Obama.
I know personally dozens people who are more “intellectual” than Ronald Reagan – and Sarah Palin easily qualifies.
Reagan never said anything that didn’t used to be taught in grade school. But if that’s all it took, Presidential candidates like Reagan would be a dime a dozen.
People like Reagan and Palin FIGHT for what they believe. That makes them one in a million.
logis on July 3, 2009 at 2:45 PM
Jonah’s article had some valid points. Palin has become a punch line and some of that is her own doing. If she is interested in running for Prez in 2012, she needs to lay low for awhile, bone up on her policy knowledge and come back with a vengeance.
I swear, some of you are no better than Obamabots that become over hysterical at any criticism of him.
Constructive criticism is constructive criticism.
RR
ramrants on July 3, 2009 at 2:47 PM
Palin has done 3 interviews about the media that I have seen. Two with John Ziegler and one on NBC about the David Letterman thing which she had to respond to.
It is worrisome to see people like Jonah Goldberg speak in platitudes and not give specifics while sporting the Democrats premises.
Notice that you dont see critics talking about Palin’s record as governor, or taking her to task on the policy positions she has taken. If they did they would lose.
Chuck Norton on July 3, 2009 at 2:51 PM
Jonah is absolutely correct. Sarah Palin has a chance if she buckles down, gets properly prepared, trains like Rocky, and comes out swinging in the primaries. She is raw talent, but she is making rookie mistakes. Populism will only get you so far in politics.
Don’t mistake Jonah for critics such as Krauthammer, Frum, or God forbid, lunatic slandermongers such as Andrew “Trig Trutherism” Sullivan–Jonah is a Saracuda ally.
Mr. Joe on July 3, 2009 at 2:51 PM
This is very constructive criticism. Just like Hugh Hewitt and K-Lo became jokes over their blind Hello Mitty support for Romney, don’t fall into the same trap over Sarah Palin. Sarah Palin is definitely not through, but she can ill aford more framing by Katie Couric and the Left. Right now they have very low expectations for her. That is good. She should lay low, keep working on her training, and if she is serious go for it in 2012.
Mr. Joe on July 3, 2009 at 2:54 PM
And after it has been said for the 50 billionth time, it is a bore and annoying. So, don’t go patting yourself on the head.
Blake on July 3, 2009 at 2:57 PM
Here! Here!
Blake on July 3, 2009 at 3:00 PM
Very well said!
Further, I don’t know which ‘news’ programs Jonah watches- but I’m a bit of a politics junkie myself and have only once seen Sarah Palin complain about the media hacks who’ve tormented her (the Zeigler DVD). And THAT was the topic of the interview.
Other than that I’ve NEVER seen her ‘whine’. Could Jonah (or Allah) direct me to the exact ‘whining’ to which they refer?
ExTex on July 3, 2009 at 3:17 PM
This may all be moot in a few minutes. She’s about to make a big announcement.
juliesa on July 3, 2009 at 3:35 PM
Though both are experts at whining, their expertise is limited to their own whining.
Blake on July 3, 2009 at 3:35 PM
One think Goldberg has proved is that he will post the emails that insult him, but the civil well thought out rebuttals to his columns he will hide from like the 400 lb girly man that he really is.
Blake on July 3, 2009 at 3:43 PM
man, Sara fans act exactly like Paulbots…
equanimous on July 3, 2009 at 3:45 PM
And you act like the lefty troll you are.
Blake on July 3, 2009 at 4:17 PM
lefty troll?
*snicker
equanimous on July 3, 2009 at 4:37 PM
Yeah, that’s you, dumbass.
BlameAmericaLast on July 3, 2009 at 8:43 PM