I was attacked in another thread on FR just today when I pointed out the 55% unfavorable ratings for Palin.
What poll that? I haven’t seen any like that in a long time
Don’t you know you’re not allowed to say or write or even think anything that might even begin to perhaps hint of suggesting gently that Sarah, for all her wonderfulness, might not be quite the perfect president?
The article is quite constructive in one of the most conservative websites. I hope FReepers will read through it all before rushing to comment.
It's my experience with some Palin fans that keeps her at arm's-length. I think they feel intense emotions about her, and so many people trust their emotions that they can't like what someone stands for AND admit to their flaws (or any flaws). I think many Palin fans are so frustrated at the ridiculous attacks from the media that any hint ofthe criticism ALL politicians deserve gives them an excuse to fire away, with the one unbeliever standing in for those remote reporters and talking heads.
It's bizarre to me how someone would feel such personal warmth for someone they only know through the media. These people are all politicians, for pete's sake. But when people hear a woman who talks as they do, they feel she is a stand-in for them, so when she's assaulted, they feel like THEY've been assaulted.
It's actually the same mindset that brought us Barack Obama--make people think you're One of Them, talk like them, and they feel close to you. Once they feel that way, they're in your corner, no matter who or what you really are.
Some have no problem with this. To me, though, it's why we're so screwed up politically, and why we probably always will be. (And I say this as someone who would vote for Palin over anyone else on the scene.) It's especially disturbing since we're supposed to be the party of adults--when people attack you for bringing up facts or even poll numbers, we've got a lot of nerve saying we're nothing like the other side.