Palin’s star may have faded, but her grass-roots influence persists

The Washington Post ^ | February 14, 2012 | Stephanie McCrummen

[2ndDivisionVet]

It was a Sarah Palin crowd.

At a conference of conservative activists last week, there were stacks of Sarah Palin books and Sarah Palin posters. A special screening of a film about Palin was planned. And after skipping the gathering for four years, Palin herself had agreed at last to give the keynote address.

Having traveled from Buffalo, Jason Benner was there to see the one who made his heart soar.

“Wayne LaPierre,” he said with gusto, referring to the head of the National Rifle Association. He named the rest of his top five speakers — Marco Rubio, Mitt Romney, Rand Paul — and then paused.

“Who else . . . ?” he said, looking across the lobby where Palin’s face smiled out from book covers. “I thought of a fifth! Daniel Hannan,” he said, referring to a British member of the European parliament. “He’s amazing.”

It was hardly that Benner didn’t like Palin; he really did. But like one half of a couple that wishes to remain friends for life, he had moved on.

The response reflects how Palin’s star has traveled from a central place in the galaxy of conservative politics to a more nebulous, quasi-pop culture, quasi-political realm that is the dwelling place of figures such as Donald Trump....

[2ndDivisionVet]

The fact that they have felt the need to write an article like this one nearly EVERY SINGLE DAY since September 2008 tells you where the truth lies. She really hit a home run with the keynote speech ending CPAC. Their flop sweat and fear stink warms my heart.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

It’s sort of ironic to witness the Washington Post commenting that someone else’s star has faded.

[Jemian]

If the star has faded, she no longer has influence.

If she has influence, the star hasn’t faded.

Doesn’t the WaPo understand logic? /rhetorical question

[Sarah Barracuda]

yeah her star has faded..sure..that’s why she sells out EVERY SINGLE EVENT she attends..that is why at CPAC she received the loudest ovation, that is why it was a packed house the moment she arrived.

[Billthedrill]

What the author means is that although Palin is still very popular with voters she isn't with the people who count. The Post is, after all, the flagship of the Beltway elite. What other attitude would you expect them to have?

[Cicero]

I wonder how many men in the hallways they had to interview before they found Jason Benner? Perhaps they need to explain a little more clearly why his opinion is so special?

[digger48]

Her speeches still give me goosebumps.

few politicians have that effect on me.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Were the log Cabin Republicans in attendance?

[ak267]

Yawn...another crap piece form WaPo. One days Palin if “irrelevant” the other day a “superstar”.

Was kind of expecting it after her home run speech at CPAC....the kind of people she needs (grass roots and has apparently won over).

Why didn’t she run? It appears that the GOP has no intentions of winning POTUS. All the establishment wants is the house/senate for the committee chairmanships in order to control the money.

[One Name]

There is a certain resonant harmonic she hits, that appears to escape the ears of the “mighty”, yet is clear as a bell to us simpler folks.

She’s my personal “dog whistle”. Nobody else hits those notes, consistently. She took up the fight after 2008 when very few were taking it directly to the enemy...

Rush L gets maligned alot here at FR at times, but he too never got down. “ I hope he fails...”

IMHO, Sarah led the charge for a full 3 years and still has it in her!

[citizencon]

V-envy afflicted WaPost writer-cum-Obama-groupie wishes upon a star that Palin’s star has faded.

[fish hawk]

Sarah is not a fading star but a super nova about to happen. The only thing fading about her is the MSMedia has left her alone for a short time. Let her talk about running and all hell will break loose. Whether she runs or not, she is golden for the grass roots believers. She would be my choice if she was in it.

[fish hawk]

I laugh at articles like this. In reality, if she was to put out a new book tomorrow, it would be on the best sellers list with in a week. Fading stars can't do that.

[DJ MacWoW]

We're also going to try to replace some of our older servers and failing equipment this year so we're going to add a little extra to our FReepathon goals. John is estimating ten to fifteen thousand to do this and I'd like to get it all in place and working before the election cycle is fully heated up, so we'll try to bring in a little more now if we can and the rest next quarter.
Jim Robinson

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[Milhous]

“Palin’s star has traveled from a central place in the galaxy of conservative politics to a more nebulous, quasi-pop culture, quasi-political realm”

Why does WaPo feel it so necessary to carefully spell out the reportedly obvious?

[RedMDer]

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