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America's fascination with Sarah Palin keeps on keeping on
The Amsterdam News ^ | February 24, 2012 | Richard G. Carter

Posted on 02/24/2012 11:37:56 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet

“Age hates youth and ugliness hates beauty…”—Kirk Douglas, “Town Without Pity”(1961)

Why is the nation’s news and entertainment media—as well as everyday people—so fascinated by Sarah Palin? After all, it’s been almost four years since she unexpectedly burst onto the scene as Arizona Sen. John McCain’s Republican vice presidential running mate, flaunting an effervescent smile and sparkling personality.

Yet, the drop-dead gorgeous Palin—a description agreed upon by many female Democrats—still commands all manner of attention from celebrity-obsessed Americans. Pundits, newspaper readers and TV viewers can’t get enough of the former Alaska governor.

The latest example is a forthcoming (March 10) HBO movie “Game Change” about the conservative Palin and her role in the 2008 campaign that saw Barack Hussein Obama become America’s first Black president. Based on a so-called “insider’s” book by liberal journalists Mark Halperin and John Heilemann—unabashed Obama sycophants—the film stars Julianne Moore as Palin and Ed Harris as McCain.

The outspoken Palin—who, like Obama, is a Jeremy Lin fan—is less than thrilled by the movie. “I’m sorry that millions of people are going to waste their time,” she told Chris Wallace on “Fox News Sunday” earlier this month. More later on the film.

“Game Change” is the second recent, mainstream visual vehicle about Palin. A docu-movie called “The Undefeated”—concerning her time as Alaska governor—had a high-profile, short run in big screen theaters last summer.

All of that said, let’s briefly examine some of the reasons for America’s ongoing fascination with Palin, who, at 48, remains one of the country’s best-known, admired, influential and powerful women. And why not? Her emergence on the national political scene was as important and noteworthy for mature family women, as the emergence of the relatively unknown, mixed race Obama for Black people.

Remember how she mocked Obama at the 2010 Tea Party Convention in Nashville. To wit: “How’s that hopey, changey stuff working out for ya?” And a growing grassroots backlash against Obama’s big-government gamble is helping make her case.

As for Palin’s relationship with the Republican-oriented Tea Party so feared by Democrats, the vivacious mother of five is a hero to the movement. Why? Because she represents a relatively unpolished, plain-spoken conservatism untainted by association with GOP compromises and failures in Washington during the George W. Bush years.

After the Republicans went down in flames in the presidential election—leaving the party in shambles—Palin reinvented herself. Regular shots as a commentator on top-rated (much hated by liberals) Fox News Channel have provided her with an unmatched public forum. In addition, she makes big bucks from her best-selling books and $60,000 speaking fees.

As anathema as she may be to many, Palin has undeniable attributes. For one, she’s a knockout—by far the best-looking female ever in big-time politics—so much so the lame Tina Fey, who spoofs her on TV’s “Saturday Night Live,” comes off as a wet noodle.

And like her or not, the ubiquitous Palin—who clearly rankles and scares liberals and Democrats with her feisty appearances on Fox News and occasional speeches at important GOP gatherings—may be just what the doctor ordered for her party. When she gets around to endorsing a candidate, everyone will take notice.

Thus, the outdoorsy Alaskan—the self-styled “Mama Grizzly”—has served notice that she’s still a major player on the national political landscape. Despite resigning as governor after two years, she’s been in the public eye as much as any current elected official. And it looks like she will run for president in 2016.

Now for “Game Change.” Clearly intended to denigrate Palin, the book and movie chronicle, among other things, her well-known, embarrassing gaffes and indicate that she was forced on McCain by his advisers. This, after they vetted her for a mere five days.

Although Moore is said to do a more believable job in the film as Palin than NBC’s lame, loony-tunes Fey does on TV, Palin is clearly blamed for McCain losing the election. In reality, he lost because he suspended his campaign for a while in the summer of 2008 to address the financial crisis and decided not to nail Obama for his questionable associations in Chicago with the Rev. Jeremiah Wright and terrorist William Ayers.

Discussing the movie during their Fox News interview, Wallace asked Palin: “Is there any truth to the story [that she was on the verge of a complete mental breakdown]? Did you ever go into a funk during the campaign?”

“Thank God I have the right perspective on what really matters in life, Chris,” Palin said. “And there’s no need to ever be in a funk when you know what right priorities are and what really matters in this life.” She added that the movie was “based on a false narrative.”

Meanwhile, will her naysayers—including some Democrats questioning Obama’s competence—keep mocking her? Is she really that close to the Tea Party? These are burning questions for the media, as well as Democrats, Republicans and independents.

Finally, a good measuring stick for Palin’s influence could very well play out at the Republican National Convention in August. Will she attend? Will she speak? What will she say? Stay tuned, because Palin ain’t going away. And that’s the name of that tune.


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: democrats; freepressforpalin; obama; palin; sarahpalin; teaparty; teapartyrebellion
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Comments?
1 posted on 02/24/2012 11:37:59 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
That headline writer for the New York Amsterdam News needs to take a remedial course in English. Sarah Paline? Really? Otherwise, 2ndDivisionVet, thanks as always for posting about Sarah Palin.
2 posted on 02/24/2012 11:47:40 PM PST by re_nortex (DP...that's what I like about Texas.)
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To: re_nortex

Maybe he added an “E” for excellent...


3 posted on 02/24/2012 11:49:10 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet (You can't invade the US. There'd be a rifle behind every blade of grass.~Admiral Yamamoto)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Comments?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRjItDLnAwc

Comments? This is what I am listening to.


4 posted on 02/24/2012 11:54:23 PM PST by Lazlo in PA (Now living in a newly minted Red State.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet; John Robinson
Maybe he added an “E” for excellent...

Yes!

The article itself was mostly fair and factual. I couldn't help but notice that this black-owned newspaper just had to draw a parallel between Obama and Sarah Palin regarding Jeremy Lin.

The Amsterdam News seems to be a sloppy operation. Not only did the typo in the headline draw my attention, but the biographical page for the author, Richard Carter, is just a template. They need to consult with John Robinson to learn how to properly design web content.

5 posted on 02/24/2012 11:57:44 PM PST by re_nortex (DP...that's what I like about Texas.)
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To: re_nortex
The Amsterdam News seems to be a sloppy operation...

The Amsterdame News?

6 posted on 02/25/2012 12:24:57 AM PST by C210N
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To: re_nortex

>”They need to consult with John Robinson to learn how to properly design web content”<

I’ve heard his Brother Jim Robinson knows even more about web content.


7 posted on 02/25/2012 12:36:30 AM PST by Kickass Conservative (Liberals, Useful Idiots Voting for Useless Idiots...)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
Despite resigning as governor after two years

The media created the new reality of rounding 32 months down to 24, instead of up to 36, as if they needed to round off 32 months, any way.

8 posted on 02/25/2012 12:45:23 AM PST by ansel12 (Romney is unquestionably the weakest party front-runner in contemporary political history.)
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To: Kickass Conservative
I’ve heard his Brother Jim Robinson knows even more about web content.

Jim is John's father.

9 posted on 02/25/2012 12:45:39 AM PST by re_nortex (DP...that's what I like about Texas.)
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To: re_nortex

I did not know that. So much for my correction.

You learn something new on FR every day.


10 posted on 02/25/2012 12:53:11 AM PST by Kickass Conservative (Liberals, Useful Idiots Voting for Useless Idiots...)
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To: re_nortex

LOL....FRookies; whaddya gonna do? :)


11 posted on 02/25/2012 12:55:07 AM PST by RightOnline
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
After the Republicans went down in flames in the presidential election—leaving the party in shambles—Palin reinvented herself.

The next election the GOP made historical gains.

Palin helped create that, she never stopped fighting, and weeks after the November loss was instrumental in a Governor's run-off race, and she kept fighting, the longer she fought and survived, the more bold other Republican office holders became, and the tea party came along.

Palin was a lone warrior for the first few months after 2008, she never let up from the 2008 campaign, and I have always wondered where we would be if she had not been there to pick up the conservative movement after the Obama phenomena and with Romney being the assigned leader of a broken GOP party.

12 posted on 02/25/2012 12:56:33 AM PST by ansel12 (Romney is unquestionably the weakest party front-runner in contemporary political history.)
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To: Kickass Conservative; DollyCali
You learn something new on FR every day.

There's no disputing that!

By the way, you may enjoy reading (or perhaps re-reading) Happy 40th Anniversary Sheila & Jim Robinson posted by DollyCali and attributed to "Your son John!!! (via Facebook)". It gives more insight into a great family of American Patriots.

13 posted on 02/25/2012 1:11:02 AM PST by re_nortex (DP...that's what I like about Texas.)
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Comment #14 Removed by Moderator

To: 2ndDivisionVet

Fey is a nobody - who WATCHES “30 Rock”? Yet, it garnered an Emmy. Reminded me of the Dixie Chicks (aka the two sisters and the little fat one) “winning” all those music awards - WHO bought their music after they whined about country music fans’ turning away from them en masse after Maines’ reprehensible concert comments overseas. Political correctness is all it amounts to. Moore? another FADING celeb. It’s about like Behar - FAILED teacher, FAILED comedianne.... so she now is a self-proclaimed mental giant in politics and social issues. “I have a maaaastaaaah’s degree” she nasally whines. DeGeneres - FAILED actress, FAILED comedianne - “oh, wait, I’ll ‘come out’ as a lesbian - THAT’ll springboard my carreer. Jane Lynch - ditto. Rosie O’Fata*s - she was possibly the first such PC foundering career type who pulled this (although O’Donnell has coke-snorting Okra Windbag behind her - every time the Beluga whale flops, Winfrey props her back up. I’ll NEVER forget how Tom Selleck took her down on national TV. It surprised me that the liberal network allowed it to be seen.


15 posted on 02/25/2012 4:04:09 AM PST by Nathaniel (- A Man Without A Cross -)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

We like her because she’s smart and beautiful. We’ve come to love her because she talks the talk and walks the walk. She lives her beliefs. She’s the anti-Obama not because of the policies she advocates, but because of her character.

Sarah Palin is the embodiment of the notion that conservatism is right, correct, and operative as a way to think and as a way to live.

She didn’t reinvent herself after the election, she didn’t need to. Her steadfast conviction enables her to speak freely, and without a teleprompter. This makes her unusual as a politician, and it’s so refreshing.

The left hates her because she had that baby, but we know it’s their own self-loathing that is the genesis of this hatred.

She makes them feel dirty.

They fear her because abortion is at once the foundation of their ideology, and its Achilles heel. They feel utterly threatened by her because her life exposes their tenuous hold on the moral high ground, which they absolutely must maintain, or lose their power.


16 posted on 02/25/2012 4:31:56 AM PST by wayoverontheright
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To: Nathaniel

I agree with your sentiment...but

It seems more like Fey is at the zenith of her career.

“30 Rock” is already in syndication and airs - at least 10 times between 4 and midnight on various FOX channels.

She’s also a “Cover Girl” - that ad is on every day during the Hota/Kathy>Soap Opera slot. If there is a human being on TV more than Fey...I’m not aware of it.

Did anyone notice how Fey stole Palin’s “sexy librarian” glasses for her new Cover Girl ad?


17 posted on 02/25/2012 4:35:16 AM PST by 2ndamendmentpa
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To: wayoverontheright

Beautifully said. Thanks!


18 posted on 02/25/2012 4:57:44 AM PST by Dahoser (Separation of church and state? No, we need separation of media and state.)
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To: Nathaniel

Now they’re Sprigsteen’s warmup act; charity move.


19 posted on 02/25/2012 5:33:36 AM PST by steve8714 (Yoda's speech to Luke; copied from Jack Webb in "The D.I.")
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To: 2ndamendmentpa

WHERE was Fey before the SNL thing? Yes, she’s now famous and making big bucks - but WHO and WHERE was she before her talantless im personations?


20 posted on 02/25/2012 6:21:38 AM PST by Nathaniel (- A Man Without A Cross -)
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