Monday, November 22, 2010

Oh, Noes! Not ANOTHER Post About Sarah Freakin' Palin!

We have 1 year, 11 months, and 15 days until the 2012 election and already this crap is getting to me, especially where La Palin is concerned.  You can't get away from her, no matter how hard you try.  There's Palin's teevee show (which I haven't watched, thank you).  Her daughter Bristol dancing with stars or something like it.  Barbara Bush making headlines with an innocuous one-liner about Palin "staying there."  Conservative columnist Jedediah Bila doin' that "Jane, You Ignorant Slut!" thing to the equally conservative  Mona Charen's piece about why Palin shouldn't run.  And the moonbats! ... the latest of which is the supremely insufferable Frank Rich's column in yesterday's NYT.  I hate to deal in clichés but it's true: All Palin, All the Time.  I don't see how I'm gonna be able to take another 1,029,600 minutes of this.

I did read a good piece on the subject of Palin In 2012!, though.  David Boaz, writing at the libertarian Cato@Liberty blog, did a brief but excellent piece on the subject.  His main premise is this:
Liberals, on the other hand, are jumping up and down at the prospect of a Palin candidacy. She could win! they urgently insist to skeptical Republicans; you should get behind her. Don’t throw us Democrats in that Palin briar patch! The latest example is the star columnist of the New York Times, Frank Rich. His Sunday column is titled “Could She Reach the Top in 2012? You Betcha.” Palin’s got a huge television presence, Rich says — 5 million viewers for her new TLC series. Which is slightly less than the 65 million it would take to win a presidential election.
Boaz has a good point but I'm thinkin' he's missing the forest for the trees.  Yeah, the Lefties would love to see Palin run.  Like Mr. Boaz, I think the Lefties are praying for a Palin In 2012! candidacy.  But it ain't just Lefties.  Palin has a large number of followers and that camp is gettin' larger by the day.  Palin is anything BUT dumb and she's milking the populist anger at "professional pols" for all it's worth.  As Ms. Charen said: "She'd so much rather be out dog sledding than in some 'dull political office,' she tells the audience. File that."  Yup... there's a quote that will come back to haunt should Palin In 2012! become reality.

It seems like the only folks that don't like La Palin are the establishment Republicans, for better or worse.  But there's one thing about the establishment... they know how to win elections.  One could counter that Palin knows a lil sumthin' about the subject, too... just look how well the candidates she endorsed in the mid-terms did.  Well, sorta.  Except for that Delaware witch, the nutcase in Nevada, and the Alaskan Tea Partier.  They didn't do so well.  And there are more.  The endorsement thing was a mixed bag, at best.  But Palin does energize the base... that's what she's best at doing.

So.  This is gettin' long and I should stop.  Don't get the wrong idea: I'm not a Palin-hater.  I've written my share of paeans to the woman, the first of which is here.  If you peruse my September 2008 archives you'll see a LOT of that sort of stuff.  Do I like her?  Yes.  Do I want her to run for president?  Not only no but Hell, No!  Just continue doing what you're doing, Mrs. Palin... give your speeches, do the Fox News thing, write your books, smile for the camera, and stump for conservatives... coz you're good at that.

One more thing from Mr. Boaz and then we'll really go.  It has to do with the Reagan/Palin comparisons some folks are making, including La Palin herownself.
Peggy Noonan spoke for a lot of Reaganites when she responded to Palin’s suggestion that being a Fox-TLC celebrity was a reasonable platform for seeking the presidency, since after all “Ronald Reagan was an actor”:
Excuse me, but this was ignorant even for Mrs. Palin. Reagan people quietly flipped their lids, but I’ll voice their consternation to make a larger point. Ronald Reagan was an artist who willed himself into leadership as president of a major American labor union (Screen Actors Guild, seven terms, 1947-59.) He led that union successfully through major upheavals (the Hollywood communist wars, labor-management struggles); discovered and honed his ability to speak persuasively by talking to workers on the line at General Electric for eight years; was elected to and completed two full terms as governor of California; challenged and almost unseated an incumbent president of his own party; and went on to popularize modern conservative political philosophy without the help of a conservative infrastructure. Then he was elected president.
The point is not “He was a great man and you are a nincompoop,” though that is true. The point is that Reagan’s career is a guide, not only for the tea party but for all in politics. He brought his fully mature, fully seasoned self into politics with him.
I made a similar point back in February when David Broder was pushing Palin’s prospects. And two months before that I noted that the Washington Post had run two op-eds “by” Sarah Palin in the space of five months, so that one ”might almost think the Post wanted Palin to be seen as a leader of Republicans.” In the coming months, watch for it: Democrats, liberal journalists, and red-state bloggers will talk up Palin’s chances. Republicans and conservatives who want to defeat President Obama in 2012 will try to change the subject.
Yeah, what they said. Read Mr. Boaz's piece.

20 comments:

  1. I think you've got it, all right. The best place for the Guv is right where she is now - which is obscured by the fact that the GOP can't seem to come up with anybody else.

    There's a lot of good news out there in the future, with Christie, ALLEN WEST!, Rubio, et al, but the continuing discussion about Romney and Huckabee and their ilk is discouraging, to say the least.

    Sarah Palin, and long may she wave, has virtually single-handedly introduced Throw The Bums Out to the level of national discourse, to her eternal credit. As Morgan Freeberg (channeling David Warren) daily reminds us, she pisses off all the right people, all of the time. Never forget the simple truth that all of the Ruling Class sends its kids to the same private schools, and politics be damned.

    Still, I don't think I'd choose her to be a candidate. We'll see; in the meantime, she's more fun to watch than a dog fight at a beauty pageant.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for the vote of confidence, Rob. I like Christie a lot, but he's adamant about not running. I also like what little I've seen of West and Rubio but it's too early for either. Mo' experience, please.

    But yeah, La Palin pisses off all the right people, all the time. That's her finest feature. She MIGHT make a good candidate at some point in the future but not now.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I think Peggy Noonan has it nailed.

    SHe's attrative, she's bright (contrary to the cartoons portrayed on tyhe left), and she's tough. Could Palin get the nomination? I think so. Could she be elected? I doubt it -- she carries baggage, some of her own packing, some of others'. Would she be an electable repeat VPOTUS candidate? Probably not (see: Joe Biden). Does she have an important role to play in conservative politics? Absolutely.

    To my mind, she'd be the perfect replacement for Michael Steele.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I agree with you completely on the RNC thing, Moogie. That would be a perfect place for Palin. I agree on your other points too, but the RNC position is one I hadn't thought about.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Funny, I watched an episode of the Palin Alaska show on TLC last night. And I like her more having seen it. Not because of the huntin-fishin-shootin cliche garbage - couldn't care less if a person does or doesn't do those things - but because she is pretty personable and enjoyable on there. I suppose it's the difference between everyday livin', and politickin'. And what little I've tolerated of her politickin' has been nearly unbearable.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'll prolly catch an episode or three of her show in re-runs. But I couldn't do it last night... coz Discovery ran its first "Brewmasters" episode last evening. And it was good!

    I should say this again and again and again... I like the woman. I just don't want her to run.

    ReplyDelete
  7. For what it's worth, my theory du jour on presidential candidates is this:

    Political experience may or may not be useful.

    Business experience may or may not be useful.

    Name recognition/celebrity status may/may not be useful in some ways.

    Extreme intelligence may/may not ultimately be a useful guide.

    Etc. etc.

    The above may sound like a cop out, but what it comes down to is this. We don't absolutely know for sure what we're getting until the candidate assumes the office. We try to know (as we should), but with all the image makers, speech writers, etc. on the staffs of most candidates, we really can't be sure. We hope for a President who understands us, who can make a decision, who can lead, who can make the hard decisions, who can order troops into battle for our defense if need be, etc. All those things I mentioned above are important, but it is ultimately a kind of crapshoot.

    So. I like Christie a lot too. But I also like Palin. My gut tells me Huckabee isn't right. Romney's okay, but a bit wooden like Gore was. And there are some others out there that haven't come to the fore yet. At this point, I don't think I'll rule anyone out though.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'll take all your "may/may nots" as stated, Dan. But I WILL offer up Reagan as a rebuttal of sorts. He had a track record one could examine in depth if one was so inclined and you could check off each one of your boxes without reservation. Palin? Not so much. And let's not even THINK about Obama in this space, bein' as how he is the PERFECT example of the image-maker's Empty Suit. I think Palin is another example, just on the opposite end of the ideological spectrum. IM(NS)HO.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Buck, you may very well be right about Palin, but I think Obama proves my point. At least from a liberal perspective. There are plenty of Dems around who thought this guy could walk on water (in spite of his lack of exp.), but who now think he's proven to be a bust. Probably most of those Dems who lost their House seat this time would fall in that category. Yet two years ago, they thought this guy had it all and would make a great president.

    One more thought. Most everybody who runs for the office has an ego and is to some degree vain. I accept that. But. When I sense too much of that in a candidate, when they cross the narcisism (sp?) line, I begin to back away. I like Palin so far, but I acknowledge she's moving a little too close to that line.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'm hoping Christie is subject to a little friendy persuasion.

    And, like you, I'm already really freakin' tired of the 2012 elections.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanks, Daph. And thanks for the re-post, too. MUCH appreciated!

    Moogie: I'm hopin' Christie bides his time. A lil more seasoning wouldn't hurt, especially if his programs in New Joisey are successful. Besides, a campaign in 2016 wouldn't be an uphill battle like 2012 is gonna be. Even woefully inadequate incumbents like Obama begin with one hella advantage.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I started to comment earlier today, but got sidetracked by GGs. It was a long day. Now I'm worn to a frazzle and can only say that I agree. Personally, I do not know anyone who would vote for Palin although many like her. It seems the Reps would know that from the last election.

    ReplyDelete
  13. The truth is that NONE of the high profilers in the GOP have enough seasoning, IMHO.

    Don't get me wrong...I like Sarah as a human being, mother, etc. And, Christie seems to have it all together...jeepers, I have seen the guy sans teleprompter just tear up a debate. But, a couple of years as a Goober in a relatively small State doesn't really qualify one for the challenges of President. Especially a President that will be tasked with trying to undo the destruction left by ObozO.

    Our strength is in the back bench. Seriously, we've got some Congressmen that have been toiling away for years, (some under NannyP's rule) that are hardened blades. McCotter (who only has ONE fault in my book), Pence, Ryan...and some chicks like Bachmann (sp).

    I am not a Palin hater, either. But (and I've never been able to put my finger on it) there is just something lacking. Sure, she's trying to "evolve," as we all are. But, we need someone EVOLVED already to take over from the baby boy pResident.

    I know it's wishful thinking, though. There is not a Reagan type ready to stand head and shoulders above a Carter type like in 1980. We are going to have to swallow hard and support our best chance. For me, Sarah is NOT it. And I honestly don't think she'll go there, by seeking the nomination.

    I hope Pence, or one of his fellow Congressmen can gain some traction (you know...guys/gals that will really RUN), and we're not left with another "who doesn't suck the worst" decision like we had last time.

    ReplyDelete
  14. One more thing. When it comes to someone to head the RNC...take our Governor...Please!

    Bobby Jindal needs that job, and we need to be rid of him here in the Bayou State/Sportsman's Paradise/Whatever.

    He is the perfect guy for the job. Trust me, he is. He has excellent organizational skills, an IQ of about 225, can talk a coon out of a tree, and has got the whole right wing fooled big time. He'd be the perfect guy to lead the party.

    Please lobby for him to lead the RNC, because the quicker he's out of Baton Rouge, the better...

    ReplyDelete
  15. When an argument rests on a single word, you have to take the time and trouble to define exactly what it means.

    And once we define that word, in the way people are using it, we see the importance of getting an unqualified person in that office. The sooner, the better.

    Yes, I'm dead serious. I feel like, since we first heard about Billy-Jeff Clinton, we've all been asked to believe up is down, wet is dry, dumb is smart, and hey...just sit down with the bad guys and talk out our differences with them, the world will be full of peace and love and joy...raise the minimum wage and everyone will have a job...

    ENOUGH. Whenever we get someone "qualified" in there, the guy has to show us how super-smart he is, and to do that, he has to do things that aren't sensible. Shocka of shockas, it doesn't work in the long run. I've seen enough. If it isn't Palin, fine, come up with some other Earthling. Note that this mini-screed has absolutely nothing to do with conservatism or liberalism -- other than, I'm saying when something produces bad results consistently, eventually you should abandon it.

    Anyway. I agree, 'nuff about Palin. It certainly isn't my idea that it should be all Palin all the time...and I do not approve of it. It's not healthy getting into these "news cycles" in which a comet could crash into Indonesia, or World War III could start in Pakistan, and we'd never know about it because we're focused on a bright shiny object. She's a lovely lady but I'd much rather be looking at the TurBaconDuckEn. There'll be time enough to watch her when she's taking the oath. :-)

    This year we're having the turkey and the chicken and the duck de-boned professionally by the butcher. The five pounds of bacon are in the fridge as of yesterday. I'm going to try to get more pictures of the process this year.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I don't follow bayou politics very closely, and I'd be interested in your take on Bobby J, Andy.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Gordon, I've had several people ask why I, as a Christian Conservative am so sour on our good Guvnuh. I will try to get around to doing a thorough piece about it.

    When I do, I'll ask for some linkage here at Buck's joint so you'll see it. I'll beg, really. ;)

    Just as a preview, I am not the only one...no, all thinking conservatives I know here share my disgust, and disappointment. I will say that my vote for Campaign Bobby is the most disappointing I've ever cast.

    I will try to lay out WHY soon.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I started to comment earlier today, but got sidetracked by GGs. It was a long day.

    I can relate, Lou. There's a reason for that ol' joke about grandchildren, the one where the punch line is "you can send 'em home."

    I hope Pence, or one of his fellow Congressmen can gain some traction (you know...guys/gals that will really RUN), and we're not left with another "who doesn't suck the worst" decision like we had last time.

    Egg-zactly! It's way early, but I'm on board with your thought process, Andy. No one among the Usual Suspects floats my boat at the moment.

    As for Jindal, I'm with Gordon. I don't follow your politics closely and Bobby J looks appealing from afar. DO tell!

    Anyway. I agree, 'nuff about Palin. It certainly isn't my idea that it should be all Palin all the time...and I do not approve of it.

    Ah. We've reached the point of agreement as we usually do. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  19. The President of USA is not a cerimonial job. It is a leadership position. You have to be on the ball 24/7 for 4 years, maybe 8. I just can't see Palin going before Congress and speak to them in terms where they will adopt her leadership and direction. I see her making noise, hoping she gets a cabinet post, and a welfare check for her daughters who are squirting out babies like my sow.

    ReplyDelete

Just be polite... that's all I ask.