Sarah Palin swarmed at first bus tour stop [Rolling Thunder]

The Politico ^ | May 29, 2011 | Andy Barr

[2ndDivisionVet]

Amid the chaos, there was Sarah Palin.

Only one advance staffer was on hand to wrangle the fans and reporters hoping to get close to the former vice presidential nominee, who arrived at Sunday’s Rolling Thunder rally on a motorcycle driven by her daughter Willow.

At the first stop on Palin’s bus tour — which, so far, has a vague itinerary and no other formally announced stops — security and press relations were left to a small group of disgruntled bikers.

When asked about the tour, Palin offered only, “This is our first stop; we’re very thankful to be here.”

A map of the tour’s stops on her PAC’s website remains blank.

Palin arrived with Willow on the front of the motorcycle she was driving and her husband, Todd, and oldest daughter, Bristol, on separate bikes. Still, their presence was very small in comparison to the rest of the rally, drawing about 200 people in a swarm around them at an event that drew thousands of veterans....

[2ndDivisionVet]

They have to downplay everything she does. And notice that they never refer to her as "Governor Palin" anymore? That would make the comparisons between her and O-Bow-Ma too stark, I guess.

[Paladin2]

"they never refer to her as "Governor Palin" anymore?"

Ms. Barracuda?

[trumandogz]

President To Be Palin.

[Paladin2]

PTBP.

A new acronym is born.

Could be posted at gas pumps along with post-its blaming the price on Zer0.

[TruthBeforeAll]

I’m sorry Todd & God but I covet that woman. And the pics of her in the black leather doesn’t help. Dangit. I must focus on her energy, drive and love for this country not her beauty.

[2ndDivisionVet]

In many parliamentary systems, such as the United Kingdom, they have “shadow governments” including a “shadow” prime minister, foreign minister, etc. on down the line waiting in the wings to take over. In this instance, it seems that we have a shadow president.

[Venturer]

I talked to a few of the rides from Ca;lofornia yesterday and they weren’t upset about Palin being there.

Some of these guys think the Ride to the Wall is theirs, It isn’t, It’s belongs to everybody who supports our troops and our MIA’s ,POW’s and those who died and who’s names are on the wall.

I was on the first Yellow Ribbon Ride. (THe ride that started it all off) and I can guarantee most of these guy’s weren’t there.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Her son is an Iraq war veteran, or has the press conveniently forgotten that? Anyone know the date when a Romney joins the military?

[weeder]

What the hell is your problem? Bad macaroni salad?

[Sidebar Moderator]

Are you friggin’ NUTS? Stay the hell off this thread if you’ve got nothing intelligent to say.

[LS]

Well, there are security and organization issues if you attract big crowds, and it is partly the responsibility of the Palin organization (and everything indicates it's non-existent) to help coordinate these issues. She can't have it both ways. If you are the person responsible for turning out the crowd, then your organization is at least partly responsible for helping to set up security and crowd control

This is what the Palinistas don't seem to get about this trip. She is demonstrating a lack of organization, and even, apparently, reveling in it. But especially when tied to other groups and their non-political agendas, it can become an irritant (as it apparently was with the Rolling Thunder people). After all it is their event. It would be akin to Lady Ga Ga dropping into a high school play. Everyone suddenly forgets the purpose of the play and focuses on celebrity.

I have no problem with her doing a tour to test political viability---but she absolutely cannot do it with no staff and no organization, because sooner or later you will have a Woodstock moment when the crowds (however well behaved) get to be more than the infrastructure can handle.

[weeder]

Never mind. Looks like the Mods found you. Hope your attitude takes a turn for the better.

[9YearLurker]

Bwahaha—As noted at the bottom of the story, this piece has been ‘corrected’ from saying that Palin was driving herself to claiming that Willow was driving her. I wonder when they’ll get to correcting their correction.

[9YearLurker]

No, no, no. Andy Barr was dissembling even while he was describing the situation. The Rolling Thunder participants were en masse protecting the Palins from creepy media types like this guy. Even CBS reported that the crowd was supportive of Palin—while giving the press covering her a hard time.

[dalereed]

Anyone that uses abreviations should be executed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[2ndDivisionVet]

I see that you're taking everything that Andy Barr at Politico says as Gospel. I wouldn't if I were you. That place houses more anti-conservative Journ-O-Listas tahn just about anywhere, save the major networks and New York Times If he says there was no security, I'd bet you a paycheck there were at least half a dozen Palin bodyguards. These people lie like you and I breathe. It's what they do.

[FreeReign]

But especially when tied to other groups and their non-political agendas, it can become an irritant (as it apparently was with the Rolling Thunder people).

Shpak was the irritant.

[kanawa]

Lot of assumptions there LS. Great touch comparing her to Lady Gaga.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Mullah Dale Reed? Or should I just say MDR?