Sarah Palin... Quits?!?! Is there a stronger term than WTF?

no. (2.00 / 6)

no stronger term. heh. ? heh. ? - my reaction in a nutshell.

"I spend my days and nights pondering the meaning of life, the state of the universe, and the Home Shopping Network." -- Donald Roller Wilson

---

by: canadian gal @ Fri Jul 03, 2009 at 15:40:12 PM CDT

Oh why Oh why (2.00 / 6)

can't crazy take a holiday?  

---

by: nrafter530 @ Fri Jul 03, 2009 at 16:43:14 PM CDT

Yea! (2.00 / 7)

"Conway, whom experience had taught that rudeness was by no means a guarantee of good faith, was even less inclined to regard a well-turned phrase as a proof of insincerity."  James Hilton, Lost Horizon

---

by: chrisblask @ Fri Jul 03, 2009 at 16:55:25 PM CDT

Outside of Government? (2.00 / 6)

I don't think so.  Don't underestimate this 'hockey Mom' and her sense of entitlement.  She realises her 'constituency' is national and this frees her up to continue barnstorming the lower forty-eight while eluding the increasingly negative ethics complaints and criticism of her absentee governance.

The economy is tanking in Alaska and she can neatly point to her 'record' as the populist purveyor of oil revenues, like Ahmadinejad, frankly, without having the consequences on her desk.  To her supporters such a move is perfectly justifiable.

I think her strategists, such as they are, can see that the disorder of the Republican party and the lack of leadership in the lead up to 2012 is a lifetime opportunity for a media commodity of her shallowness but wide exposure.

For better or worse we haven't seen the last of the 'barracuda' yet in national politics.  Watch for a 'political action committee' providing funds for her continued public appearances and hints she would run as a 'draft' choice by popular acclaim from her narrow yet fervent base.

---

by: Shaun Appleby @ Fri Jul 03, 2009 at 17:10:28 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Yes, but here's the problem. (2.00 / 7)

Sarah Palin abdicated her responsibilities. When faced with mounting problems, she did not rise above them, she passed the buck. When you are President, you don't get to give up when it gets hard. If she couldn't handle her responsibilities in Alaska, where you only work with the legislature a couple months a year, why would we expect she could handle the pressures of the Presidency.

Now all of what I just said will be used by fellow Republicans, who are much more vicious than Obama ever would be. How this is perceived now does not matter. What matters is that this is instant fodder for every single primary opponent. They will crush her, and rightly so. Someone this unpredictable and flaky cannot ever be in charge of anything.

---

by: vcalzone @ Fri Jul 03, 2009 at 17:59:15 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I think you hit the proverbial nail right square on the head (2.00 / 7)

with this comment. This should kill her chances in the GOP primaries. But with the GOP in utter disarray there is no telling what might happen over the next couple of years.

"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross." - Sinclair Lewis

---

by: John Allen @ Fri Jul 03, 2009 at 18:20:02 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I'm Guessing (2.00 / 4)

She's calculated that the subjective narrative of 'abdication' will be easier to counter than the reality of failure.  How's that pipeline project going, for example?  It's a political calculus which fits her like a snowmobile suit.

---

by: Shaun Appleby @ Fri Jul 03, 2009 at 18:34:37 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

And she doesn't understand the fragility of national politics (2.00 / 4)

You cannot leave people pissed off at you. The guy who helped her win governor because he wanted that pipeline? He sounded pissed already in that Vanity Fair piece. Now instead of trying for it, she's quitting to put her focus AWAY from Alaska? If I were him, I would be ready to spill every dirty secret I knew.

---

by: vcalzone @ Fri Jul 03, 2009 at 18:37:22 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

There is an old saying for Politics and Show Business: (2.00 / 6)

"Don't believe your own P.R."

Sarah Palin has crossed the line from using her spiel to believing it.  She's the weather and sports anchor from a backwater TV station in freakin' Alaska.

-gadfly

"Life is like a comet.  Even if you're paying attention...you still miss a lot."  - Lucky, c.1987

---

by: the national gadfly @ Fri Jul 03, 2009 at 17:07:49 PM CDT

Not to Mention (2.00 / 6)

Former beauty queen contestant.  This superficiality and appeal to 'popular' culture is demonstrated by her ethics, values and complete lack of understanding of the 'real' world, none of which seems to matter a bit to the media or her 'base.'  That's the lesson she took away from the 2008 campaign, she can get away with it.  From her perspective her career has been a dramatic success, so far...

---

by: Shaun Appleby @ Fri Jul 03, 2009 at 17:14:19 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I've been reading comments on freerepublic (2.00 / 7)

Most of them think this is a brilliant move on her part. Many of them seem to think the Left is scared to death of her candidacy and are now filling their depends from even greater fear at her political threat.

The Romneybots and Cult of The Kenyan will be horrified when they see the fundraising and turnout that Sarah will drive when she campaigns for the GOP candidates in Democrat at-risk districts in 2010.

Sarah is coming to the Lower 48 very soon and the liberals and Romneybots will be soiling their diapers at what they will witness in the runup to the 2010 midterms.

Sarah will start fundraising for the GOP to take back the House in 2010 before she starts fundraising for 2012.

Sarah's coming to the Lower 48 very soon to help us TAKE BACK THE HOUSE!

Pelosi is soiling her Depends right now.

I think Bachman is the next target.

Palin and Michele Bachman are hated primarily because they are unapologetic Christians .

"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross." - Sinclair Lewis

---

by: John Allen @ Fri Jul 03, 2009 at 17:28:29 PM CDT

Pretty much she's scary for the Republicans too... (2.00 / 6)

There is a piece of me that wants to see her run. Wants to see her run with Michelle Bachmann at her side. So that they spend their political capital, and then have to run the Crazy Train even harder.

I want them to do this, so when they don't get the nomination, they will split the ticket. They will take the Crazy Train with them, and run them on their own newly formed Conservative Party ticket.

Not that I think that they're remotely Conservative, but I'm willing to let them have the moniker, and take the radical RINOs and leave the Republican party to reform without the constant chatter from the peanut gallery who thinks that "fiscal Conservatism" means "tax cuts" and judges have no business deciding matters of constitutionality.  

What is sad, is that she is going to be a great fund raiser for a while, and without having an office, she doesn't have to make any of the hard decisions that face Alaska now.

Yes, she's a political coward, and no, I don't think that anyone is fooled by it, at least not anyone who isn't already on board that particular Crazy Train that thinks that she was a "brilliant" candidate.  It's a sad day when intellectual light weights like herself are considered great lights in the Republican firmament, but that is the tragedy and fallout from the Southern Strategy, and hooked up the RNC with the Religious Right and included every whackjob under the Big Tent.

But, hope or not, that she and her handlers will split the party, it doesn't change the fact that she's going to barnstorm without any responsibility for a while, and she is going to add her own cheerfully spat bile on the political landscape for a while longer, and raise a shit ton of money for Michael Steele and others until they can figure out what to do with her.  

---

by: hubiestubert @ Fri Jul 03, 2009 at 18:08:28 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

If, by some weird alignment of the stars and planets, (2.00 / 3)

she did win the nomination, who the hell would be dumb enough to accept the second spot on the ticket?

"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross." - Sinclair Lewis

---

by: John Allen @ Fri Jul 03, 2009 at 18:17:47 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Bachmann I hope (2.00 / 4)

Two crazy Christians would pull huge numbers of folks out of the wood work, and the sorts of folks who aren't swayed by silly things like "facts" or "figure"....

---

by: hubiestubert @ Fri Jul 03, 2009 at 18:25:16 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Man, they're stupid. (2.00 / 4)

They have no idea what this means. There is nothing positive in this story. There is nothing that makes Sarah Palin look like a better President. There is nothing that enhances perceptions of her character or honor.

NOTHING good. It could have been good if she really quit, or even pretended to. She isn't, and at this point, I've moved beyond disgust. I just feel sorry for her. I feel sorry for this delusional narcissist who lacks the ability to do anything but disappoint herself and everyone around her. I feel sorry for her family, who seem more and more plastic every time I see them. I feel sorry for the people who supported her in Alaska that she is now abandoning. It's just really pathetic.

---

by: vcalzone @ Fri Jul 03, 2009 at 18:13:54 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I mean, think about it. (2.00 / 3)

She did not need to quit to get the media to stop "harassing" her. She just needed to stop making public statements and issuing press releases all the time. You only do what she's doing if you intend to keep campaigning, raising money and prepping for more politics.

---

by: vcalzone @ Fri Jul 03, 2009 at 18:24:17 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

And with NONE of the pesky responsibility... (2.00 / 4)

---

by: hubiestubert @ Fri Jul 03, 2009 at 18:27:42 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Because we were horrified (2.00 / 3)

to see the turnout that she drove last year? lol

---

by: nrafter530 @ Fri Jul 03, 2009 at 18:53:16 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Apparently (2.00 / 4)

They just take it as a given that Obama will be far less popular in 2012 AND that the GOP will get more die-hard people on board. Which is insane, because the GOP platform at this point is inherently exclusionary.

"Oh, you don't support tax cuts? Get out."
"Wait, you're pro-choice! What do you think you're doing here?"
"You are against banning gay marriage? Whatever, go sit in the corner."

Like the underpants gnomes, forever a symbol of a dedicated movement without a plan, they have no step two.

---

by: vcalzone @ Fri Jul 03, 2009 at 19:44:23 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

And she is hoping (2.00 / 4)

That she can parlay her popularity to a PAC and either be a mover with money to throw people who fear education and experience towards a candidate she likes, or hitch her wagon to whatever front runner emerges.  

---

by: hubiestubert @ Fri Jul 03, 2009 at 20:06:51 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

BTW has anyone else noticed (2.00 / 3)

that SarahPAC ads appear to be popping up in the margins of every liberal blog?  

---

by: nrafter530 @ Fri Jul 03, 2009 at 22:02:37 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

i smell... (2.00 / 4)

a scandal coming up.... but guys this is the moose - let's keep the beauty queen comments to a minimum shall we?

"I spend my days and nights pondering the meaning of life, the state of the universe, and the Home Shopping Network." -- Donald Roller Wilson

---

by: canadian gal @ Fri Jul 03, 2009 at 20:20:19 PM CDT

I see nothing wrong with the single comment (2.00 / 2)

that mentioned she was a beauty pageant contestant. Seemed applicable to me.

"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross." - Sinclair Lewis

---

by: John Allen @ Fri Jul 03, 2009 at 20:39:40 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

After listening to her speech, I'm left with disquiet... (2.00 / 5)

See, her speech highlights a problem that I have: when faced with her own decisions, and the consequences of her oath of office, she tosses that aside.

The oath portion of the show especially is what bothers me. She doesn't want to be constrained by operating within government, and the rules and regulations that govern that. Which then puts me to wondering how she's going to handle rules and regulations with actually financing any sort of PAC or other campaign. She's already shown contempt for the rules and laws regarding her own office--and a grim disregard for the truth about when she's gotten caught dealing from under the deck with said office.

It's an issue of responsibility. It's an issue of leadership that you can trust. So far, she's demonstrated little regard for any of the offices that she's sought. Nor has she shown much for respect for those who do discharge those responsibilities. As a Republican, that makes me nervous.

Because I think that responsibility is important. And that to lead, you have to set an example. And thus far, her example is that if it gets in her way, she disregards it. That isn't something I trust in an officer of this republic. I happen to have great respect for the Constitution, and the rule of law, and with oaths. I guess I'm funny that way, which is why I'm still a Republican, despite the sea change that the party has taken away from responsibility.

Responsibility isn't something you expect others to take. It's not something that you accept, and discharge yourself. You serve those responsibilities and you perform to the best of your ability. It's not something you can assign like blame, and that is part of the problem we face as Americans today--this odd notion that responsibility and blame are interchangable and synonyms. And Mrs. Palin worries me, because she doesn't really understand what our republic actually means, nor how responsibility works. She is hardly a cause, but this announcement is certainly a symptom, as his her entire attitude.

That if you don't like it, YOU can just dust your hands of it, and walk away.

That's not responsibility. That's not how those who stood for the Republic and our government discharge their duties. She may think she has a higher duty, and that is fine, but perhaps being far from any form of government service is in order, because she doesn't operate in any fashion that gives me any comfort as a Republican.

Republic first. Conservative second. Either understand that, or join another party. Understand what responsibility truly means, or join another party. Palin underscores a great hurdle for Republicans, who don't understand what the party stands for, and have twisted it up over the years...

---

by: hubiestubert @ Fri Jul 03, 2009 at 20:33:36 PM CDT

stoopid fingers (2.00 / 2)

It's something that you accept, and discharge yourself.

---

by: hubiestubert @ Fri Jul 03, 2009 at 20:37:25 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Not sure I understand this. (2.00 / 4)

"I happen to have great respect for the Constitution, and the rule of law, and with oaths. I guess I'm funny that way, which is why I'm still a Republican,"

Are you saying that is something that is peculiar to the GOP or are you saying you took an oath to be a Republican?

"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross." - Sinclair Lewis

---

by: John Allen @ Fri Jul 03, 2009 at 20:49:34 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Rather (2.00 / 3)

part of the reason that I became a Republican was the belief that the Constitution and the republic were important, and their preservation was part of what it meant to be a Conservative.  That portion of the show has shifted, at least with the Religious Right, and the Neoconservatives, who both, I think, have lost an important part of what it meant to be Republican.

Both of these factions are more concerned with a set of ideals and goals, as opposed to the Republic itself.  

It is a loss of definition, in creating this mythic "Conservative" movement that has lost track of what the party stands for.  Or at least did.

Conservatism seems to be what folks think the party stands for, as opposed to the Republic, and I blame the leadership, as well as a lack of decent Civics education in this country...

---

by: hubiestubert @ Sat Jul 04, 2009 at 00:47:43 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

This is why I could never belong to the Republican party (2.00 / 2)

I have never seen them as the defenders of the constitution. I see them as the defenders of privilege and corporations. I may be wrong, but I don't believe corporations were mentioned in the constitution. The whole corporations as persons with the rights of citizens is a perversion of the constitution and everything for which the founding fathers stood. If corporations are covered by the 1st amend. then they are also covered by the 2nd and therefor they should be able to have their own militias.

The Republican party is not the defender of the constitution or the republic. They are the defenders of the business class and have been so ever since Teddy Roosevelt left office.

"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross." - Sinclair Lewis

---

by: John Allen @ Sat Jul 04, 2009 at 16:32:50 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

John your right again. (0.00 / 0)

I still find it amazing that most of those at Tea Bag protest vote republican.  

---

by: creamer @ Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 12:55:35 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

This made my weekend. (2.00 / 7)

What a great kickstart to the Fourth of July.

None other than Harry S. Truman said, "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen."

And am I mistaken in thinking that SHE adopted this line during the GE as well? If so... talk about irony.

"I now am bold to say to the swift changing hours,
Pass, pass upon your way, for I grow never old,
Fleet to the dark abysm with all your fading flowers,
One rose that none may pluck, within my heart I hold."

---

by: sricki @ Fri Jul 03, 2009 at 22:18:25 PM CDT

according to some (2.00 / 7)

local Alaskan bloggers Palin is facing federal indictment.

seems like she got a free house in exchange for a $13M contract to build a sports complex in Wasilla.
+++

Could explain the randomness of it all.

"The past is indestructible; sooner or later all things will return, including the plan to abolish the past" -Jorge Luis Borges

---

by: alyssa chaos @ Fri Jul 03, 2009 at 23:21:26 PM CDT

This rumor has been around since last fall. (2.00 / 5)

It's certainly one possibility.  

"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross." - Sinclair Lewis

---

by: John Allen @ Fri Jul 03, 2009 at 23:39:46 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I definitely remember that story (2.00 / 4)

I just thought it was an example of how she was just a corrupt small-town politician, not something that the FBI would get into. I guess they were already busy with Ted Stevens.

I don't think it will really stick, though. Charges or not, there's not enough real proof, not enough force behind it to survive without a really high-profile prosecutor.

---

by: vcalzone @ Sat Jul 04, 2009 at 02:00:51 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

More details about the sports complex/house build (2.00 / 4)

Apparently Todd built a 4000 sq ft house on his own, with some buddies. Where the materials and labor came from remains circumstantially interesting

I suppose its inevitable that questions will arise about Palin's psychology, her ethics, and her political (or perhaps) celebrity strategy. But I still feel the same way I did about her as I did in September last year: how on earth could McCain and the RNC risk putting the most powerful nation on earth a heart beat away from somebody so clearly inexperienced and untested.

I'm still convinced that no man would have ever got as far with such a slim and frankly dubious resume.

It was such a cynical identity politics move post the primaries. It still works to this day as democrats are divided over whether one can mention her youthful history in beauty pageants or on the basketball court, or the sexual moraes of her family. The whole thing ties us in knots, just as McCain intended. And in the last few months there can be no better symptom of the dysfunctional chaos of the republican party that she was still seriously entertained as a presidential candidate.  

Moose Juice; debate without hate

---

by: Brit @ Sat Jul 04, 2009 at 09:23:25 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Sarah's MO (2.00 / 3)

Her MO is to snuggle up to the person holding the job she wants.  Then when she learns something damning about them, uses it to campaign against them.  If she stays true to form we should watch who she snuggles up to.

---

by: GMFORD @ Sat Jul 04, 2009 at 09:26:27 AM CDT

There's also a good quote I read on KOs... (2.00 / 3)

...from some pundit commenting on the number of republican hopefuls who have self destructed in the last few months.

It's incredible the lengths to which people are going to avoid being the Republican Pres nominee in 2012.

Moose Juice; debate without hate

---

by: Brit @ Sat Jul 04, 2009 at 09:39:48 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Oh and PS... (2.00 / 4)

Congrats to all my former colonial friends today, July 4th.

Wasn't sure about all this 'independence' thing at first, but it kind of worked out didn't it?

Congrats from across the pond

Moose Juice; debate without hate

---

by: Brit @ Sat Jul 04, 2009 at 09:41:17 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

We appreciate it (2.00 / 4)

Despite the whole Boston Massacre thing...

---

by: hubiestubert @ Sat Jul 04, 2009 at 12:33:02 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Didn't John Adams defend the British soldiers in that case? (2.00 / 1)

Moose Juice; debate without hate

---

by: Brit @ Sat Jul 04, 2009 at 14:30:08 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Yes, and it earned him a lot of noteriety. (2.00 / 2)

He gained stature in the view of some of his compatriots for those actions and lost some in the view of others. It's a rather fascinating case. In fact, that came to mind when I saw the pictures out of Iran where protesters were defending riot police.

There are other faxcinating odd little facts from the years prior to the declaration of independence. Few people realize that Benjamin Franklin was an ardent royalist until shortly before the revolution. He was working very hard to get Pennsylvania declared a royal colony.

"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross." - Sinclair Lewis

---

by: John Allen @ Sat Jul 04, 2009 at 16:23:53 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Possibly the best image from this mess (2.00 / 4)

---

by: hubiestubert @ Sat Jul 04, 2009 at 13:21:55 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I'm guessing it won't be Lisa Murkowski who slammed Palin (2.00 / 2)

for abandoning Alaska.

I can see an argument being made for Palin using her celebrity to campaign for other candidates in 2010.  She, however, doesn't appeal to moderates so I have to imagine that, while she may stir up the base, she's not going to do much good bringing people into the fold.

Plus, the anti-Palin ads are easily written.  The woman quit her duties as governor to camapaign for causes and candidates.  If I were a moderate Republican candidate I wouldn't want her anywhere near my campaign.

The same holds true of a potential presidential run in 2012.  As was mentioned during the GE, it is hard to undo first impressions.  Her primary challengers have plenty of fodder from the campaign and now they have this mess.  I haven't watched her speech from yesterday but apparently there are a number of quotes to the effect that Alaska will be better off without her as governor.  She makes it easy to use her own words against her.

Plus, Levi has said he's going to write a tell-all book.  Gotta wonder what damage he could do to her "family values" cred.

Hey, Brett, piss or get off the pot.  Really.

---

by: HappyinVT @ Sat Jul 04, 2009 at 13:32:13 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Her own spokesperson made my head hurt (2.00 / 4)

...and Anderson Cooper's...

---

by: hubiestubert @ Sat Jul 04, 2009 at 15:19:06 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I didn't listen to the whole thing; 2 minutes was more than enough. (2.00 / 2)

Anderson did a good job with at being incredulous.

Yet again it is what is best for Palin and screw everyone else.  That's okay, though, 'cause maybe now I won't have to see her on my teevee so often.  (Wishful thinking, I'm afraid, at least for awhile.)

BTW, Meg Stapleton is a snarky little thing.  I'd heard she was a pain to deal with and I think I see why.

Hey, Brett, piss or get off the pot.  Really.

---

by: HappyinVT @ Sat Jul 04, 2009 at 16:26:27 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I think this is all about seeing Palin a lot more. (2.00 / 2)

I peg her for a media position of some sort.  With a book and a talk show (radio or TV) she'll be everywhere...

"Conway, whom experience had taught that rudeness was by no means a guarantee of good faith, was even less inclined to regard a well-turned phrase as a proof of insincerity."  James Hilton, Lost Horizon

---

by: chrisblask @ Sat Jul 04, 2009 at 17:55:16 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Lordy! And I thought it was good news... (2.00 / 2)

Thank god you can change channels though, easier than politicians.

One thing that strikes me though: there's no doubt that Sarah and Todd enjoy the high life (i.e. money) as witnessed by the spending spree during the campaign, but someone I doubt the motive is a TV show, speaking fees, or a book advance. Palin's cache comes from politics, and to pull out so quickly and nervously at his stage does nothing positive for her long term earning potential. This move was forced on her, as was so evident in the breathless edgy speech, given on a Friday before a holiday.

Who forced what of course we have yet to discover.  

Moose Juice; debate without hate

---

by: Brit @ Sat Jul 04, 2009 at 18:27:48 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

And on that score (2.00 / 2)

Here's the house that Todd and his buddies built for next to nothing, currently valued at over half a million dollars

Moose Juice; debate without hate

---

by: Brit @ Sat Jul 04, 2009 at 18:36:33 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I'm with you on this one, Brit. (2.00 / 3)

This is all so strange that any guess about the reasoning behind this is only a wild guess. It could be a move that was forced on her. It could be a preemptive move of some sort. There might be a scandal brewing. She might have decided she likes the spotlight so much that Alaska just isn't a big enough stage for her anymore. It might be about book deals and media exposure. It might be about her family. It might be something to do with her health or the health of a family member. One thing is for sure, that speech didn't explain anything.  

"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross." - Sinclair Lewis

---

by: John Allen @ Sat Jul 04, 2009 at 19:38:20 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Anderson Cooper - who unless I miss my mark is anything but a shill for the political left - summed it up. (2.00 / 3)

"Very interesting speech.  At least grammatically."

He brought up the fact that there was no written speech and how that seemed like folly.  That by itself sums up the amateurishness of the person involved.  Could you imagine Obama (or McCain, Clinton, Romney or any other serious political player) coming out like that with nothing written and rehearsed and just ramble?  It's beyond unprofessional.

"Conway, whom experience had taught that rudeness was by no means a guarantee of good faith, was even less inclined to regard a well-turned phrase as a proof of insincerity."  James Hilton, Lost Horizon

---

by: chrisblask @ Sat Jul 04, 2009 at 21:24:49 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Katie Couric mugged her and took her lunch money (2.00 / 4)

Katie Couric stumped this woman.  

That's the journalistic equivilent of a bunny rabbit kicking in the 'nards and stealing your wallet.  And you are actually surprised?

---

by: hubiestubert @ Sat Jul 04, 2009 at 23:20:31 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Oddly enough, not all Republicans are enamored of her "maverickiness"... (2.00 / 4)

Quin Hillyer of the American Spectator

And I reserve any judgment at this point for where this will lead. She'll be used as a money magnet for the Idiot Brigade--the same sort of mouth breathers that are looking for the birth certificate, and who think that Supply Side Jesus is coming for us--but that is going to be dependant on if folk's memories are really short...

---

by: hubiestubert @ Sat Jul 04, 2009 at 18:55:37 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Our beloved... (2.00 / 2)

Zina Saunders, a staple on this site during the campaign, gets the tone of Palin's announcement perfectly

Moose Juice; debate without hate

---

by: Brit @ Sat Jul 04, 2009 at 18:42:55 PM CDT

"Nobody move or I shoot the witch?" (2.00 / 1)

"Conway, whom experience had taught that rudeness was by no means a guarantee of good faith, was even less inclined to regard a well-turned phrase as a proof of insincerity."  James Hilton, Lost Horizon

---

by: chrisblask @ Sat Jul 04, 2009 at 19:00:38 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Perfect. (2.00 / 2)

To me, that seems like it could mean she's "quitting" politics like John McCain "suspended" his campaign or how The Undertaker was "buried alive" in the WWE.

Without poverty, corruption, injustice, bigotry, stupidity, and inequality good people like us would have absolutely nothing to do. - fogiv

---

by: spacemanspiff @ Sun Jul 05, 2009 at 05:58:43 AM CDT

FWIW, (2.00 / 2)

according to a headline at Huffington Post, Palin is not under a federal probe.

Hey, Brett, piss or get off the pot.  Really.

---

by: HappyinVT @ Sun Jul 05, 2009 at 11:30:49 AM CDT

I'm so interested (2.00 / 2)

in how defenses of Palin show up on liberal blogs;

http://www.mydd.com/story/2009...

---

by: DTOzone @ Mon Jul 06, 2009 at 20:11:15 PM CDT

I like Lin, (2.00 / 1)

but we have to disagree on this point.  I know she is not alone at being sensitive to sexism directed at female politicians, but I think it is in this case largely misplaced.

Sarah Palin is an incompetent twit, and with testes she would continue to be an incompetent twit.  Michelle Bachman is an profoundly ignorant person, with a phallus she would be just as ignorant.

It does not have to be sexism - much less the massively misused "misogyny"  - to oppose (or even viciously attack) a political figure.

"Conway, whom experience had taught that rudeness was by no means a guarantee of good faith, was even less inclined to regard a well-turned phrase as a proof of insincerity."  James Hilton, Lost Horizon

---

by: chrisblask @ Mon Jul 06, 2009 at 20:28:09 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Be great if she cross posted on the Moose (2.00 / 1)

Need some Palin defenders here for a good debate

Moose Juice; debate without hate

---

by: Brit @ Mon Jul 06, 2009 at 20:57:48 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

That whole thing is rather offensive. (2.00 / 6)

The diarist actually defended Palin's debate performance.  The one where Palin thought winking to a national audience multiple times was appropriate?  Oy.

I don't care that she bore a special needs baby.  I care that she thinks she's the only one allowed to make that choice.

I don't care that Bristol "had" to get married (although, apparently not).  I care that Palin threw a pregnant Bristol into the media spotlight to advance her own career.

I don't care that she tried to talk like middle class folks except that's not the way she normally talks.  That folksy twang was an act just like those fancy duds were an act.

I do care that she was the second woman nominated to be vice president because she was obviously woefully unprepared and almost certainly made it harder for another woman to be seen as a serious nominee (when we already have it harder in politics).  I also care that she was chosen largely because she was a woman and the McCain folks obviously hugely overestimated the PUMA effect.

McCain got a great deal of credit for the way they rolled Palin as VP out.  However, they made a huge mistake by not doing a better job of introducing her to the public at large, or the media.  The first most people heard of her was that dreadful convention speech where she might have revved up the base but she also riled up the Left.  I gave my single largest donation to Obama that night.  Then she gave a series of dreadful interviews and the feeding frenzy was on.  Seriously, the woman couldn't truthfully name the newspapers she read on a regular basis?  She couldn't name two Supreme Court decisions she disagreed with?  One of them should have been a recent decision re: the Exxon Valdez spill that affected her OWN state.

Then, as a I mentioned above, she winks her way through a debate.  Seriously, that might be the most offensive for me.  And, then she wants to complain about not being taken seriously?

I don't hate anyone, but I come close with Palin.  I think she's nasty, back-stabbing, hypocritical, and wrong on most issues.  I'd say the same if she had a penis instead of some boobs.

Hey, Brett, piss or get off the pot.  Really.

---

by: HappyinVT @ Tue Jul 07, 2009 at 18:42:48 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Tell it! (2.00 / 5)

---

by: Radiowalla @ Tue Jul 07, 2009 at 21:27:27 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

It's heartbreaking (2.00 / 1)

to see even pdrew defending her over there.

---

by: nrafter530 @ Tue Jul 07, 2009 at 23:12:46 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Look for a Sarah show on Fox. (2.00 / 2)

Wich means more money,and a national platform to launch a run in 2012 or 2016.

Or maybe its all about money.

---

by: creamer @ Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 12:53:01 PM CDT

Peggy Noonan is not Sarah's BFF... (2.00 / 3)

Peggy brings up an important point in that the "intellectual elites" have made Palin. And made her an issue. Perhaps to distract those "good plain folks" from the fact that the bulk of both parties' leadership has been attending the same schools, and running in much the same circles for a long while.

Let's never mind the think tanks that have been payrolled by more Ivory Tower intellectuals over the years that spawned the incredibly horrible foreign policy and domestic economic policy justifactions for the same policies that they penned to create the Neocon revolution.

Noonan addresses an essential issue: Palin is bait and switch. She is distraction, to shore up the "just plain folks" aspect of the party, to keep folks from looking beyond the AEI and others who blueprinted the disasters that we've seen over the last 12 years of Republican policy, and spawned the Voodoo Economics that has driven a majority of the leadership for a while.

And part of the problem is the siege mentality that afflicts so many of the AEI circles.  For years they were a tiny minority trying to print their way to respectability, then when given a chance, they stayed in that perpetual role of the minority, and lashed out at any sign of dissention, and drove justification to new heights for ideology's sake, as opposed to good governance.

As a minority, you can afford to "stick to your principals" even if they're quixiotic, because you're making a stand for your ideals, knowing that you're only looking for the "moral" victory, that will hopefully feed your next election attempt.

When in the majority, and in charge, you actually then have to take responsibility, because you are no longer making moral stands, you are enacting policy.  And the short sighted stance of the Neocon coalition is from never making that leap from theory to practice. Even when confronted with the grim realities, you have a good many invested in the joys of subjective reality as a philosophical experiment that has no business outside of a think tank or classroom as exercise.

This is part of the problem. So mired has the leadership lashed to these intellectual elites, that they've got to distract folks from realizing that they've been dancing to their tune for years, and now that the bills are coming due, along with caskets, it's time to rebrand--as opposed to taking some damn responsibility.

Which is why I am so frustrated with the leadership of my party. But Noonan and a few others give me hope that the spell of these assholes is starting to break, and that good, efficient, and pragmatic leaders will bowl through the idealism and subjective reality crowd.

---

by: hubiestubert @ Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 13:38:21 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Excellent comment, as always. (2.00 / 2)

Even when I don't agree with you I have to admit that you make a good argument.

There is another problem with the GOP besides what you mention here. Pandering has always been a part of American politics, hell, all politics, but the GOP has taken it to new heights ever since Nixon's Southern strategy.

"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross." - Sinclair Lewis

---

by: John Allen @ Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 13:47:42 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I agree with you that the intellectual elites might come fron the same pond, (2.00 / 1)

but a lot of the similarities end there. The GOP's idea of governance is non-governance, with predictable results. A small group of people manipulate the economy to makes boatloads of money. The Dem's actually try to make government work, and although we fail a fair amount of the time, we are trying to govern for everyone.
Peggy Noonan was Reagan's primary speech writer, and while I find her intelligent, she not only drank the kool-aid she helped stir it.(The kool-aid we call Reaganomics)

---

by: creamer @ Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 15:30:40 PM CDT

[ Parent ]