Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

The Rush Is On For Palin, GOP (The GOP's Newest Hot Political Star Alert)
National Review ^ | 9/06/2008 | Kathryn Jean Lopez

Posted on 09/05/2008 10:37:14 PM PDT by goldstategop

She’s gonna make it after all.

Considering the location of the Republican convention, the theme song had already been written for Sarah Palin’s vice presidential campaign. It comes from The Mary Tyler Moore Show, based in the Twin Cities.


“Who can turn the world on with her smile?
Who can take a nothing day, and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile?
Well, it’s you, girl, and you should know it;
with each glance and every little movement, you show it.
Love is all around, no need to waste it.
You can have a town, why don’t you take it?
You’re gonna make it after all.”

With the announcement of Sarah Palin as John McCain’s running mate, the Republican Party transformed overnight from a lackluster, demoralized group of people largely willing to vote for McCain out of a lack of alternatives, to an eager and energized movement, ready to donate their time, money, and expertise. In the course of a few days, people who felt like they didn’t have a stake in the election became enthusiastically engaged. At one pro-life event here, a woman announced, “I’m really voting for Palin, not McCain.” There’s something about Palin that connects with and comforts members of the Right, while threatening those on the Left.

In the days after McCain’s pick became public, we saw left-wing blogs write salacious and unsubstantiated claims about Palin and her family. These digital scandalmongers even won a victory of sorts, when the Palins announced, through the McCain campaign, the pregnancy of their unwed teenage daughter. The Left evinced no small satisfaction from their time wallowing in the mud. As lurid, tabloid-ready stories issued forth, conservatives both rushed to defend Palin and got a little nervous. Had she been vetted properly? Could there be other, more dire skeletons lurking?

Creeping dread began to dampen the initial enthusiasm for the Alaskan governor. There were too many growing distractions, perhaps the biggest being the question of experience. McCain had previously said a vice president should be ready to assume the presidency from the get-go. Doubt and uncertainty grew.

But then on Wednesday night, Palin spoke.

Not only did she show the depth of her moral character, she demonstrated an aptitude for policy, both foreign and domestic. Most importantly, she exhibited a love of country, and a respect and support for military service. She came across as an everywoman. A mom who wanted to do her part at home and in the world — an instinct that led her into politics, and ultimately onto the podium of the Xcel Center as John McCain’s Number Two.

By the time she wrapped up her acceptance speech, the skepticism had vanished, and the dominant reaction now seems to be happiness and relief at McCain’s sagacious choice.

And for once, skeptics can’t cry tokenism. Commentators who compare Palin to George Bush’s gender-based, experience-blind pick for the Supreme Court, Harriet Miers, couldn’t be more off-base. One of Palin’s positives for McCain may have been her lack of a Y chromosome, but she’s also got everything else — including the fighting spirit to cross swords with a self-proclaimed scrapper, Joe Biden. Palin has the humor and winsome charm to hold an audience, the real-world wisdom to persuade, and the compassion to inspire — not to mention the executive experience that no one on either ticket can claim. Putting a play on an Obama phrase, conservatives have been saying, “She is the one we have been waiting for.” Comparisons to Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher are flying — all a tad premature, but it’s a good thing just the same.

What excites conservatives about Palin angers the Left. She’s an attractive (“The hottest governor from the coolest state,” one pin making the convention-hall rounds announced), conservative, pro-life, happy warrior who won’t play victim even when she and her family are attacked by a supposedly objective media. She threatens a dying feminist movement that thrives on victimization. With a gun in hand, ready to make moose burgers or caribou stew, Palin is not their kinda girl. And that’s exactly as it should be.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Editorial; News/Current Events; Philosophy; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 2008election; conservatism; kathrynjeanlopez; mccainpalin; nationalreview; palin; politicalstar; republicanparty; rnc; sarahpalin
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-31 next last
A good look at Sarah Palin's rise to political fame - and the GOP's new political star.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

1 posted on 09/05/2008 10:37:14 PM PDT by goldstategop
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: goldstategop

The left is deathly afraid of her. With good reason.

Think about it. Ten days ago she was in Alaska doing her thing. Then she gets called up from double A Juneau and the rest is history.

Her talent is unquestionable. On par with Reagan. 44 years old.

Ten days ago I felt sad for the future of this republic. Not anymore.


2 posted on 09/05/2008 10:41:31 PM PDT by Harry Wurzbach
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: goldstategop

I LOVE SARA PALIN...............SHE IS LIKE ME AND I WANT TO KNOW SINCE I WEAR GLASSES WHERE CAN I GET THOSE GLASSES SHE WEARS .................LOVE THEM AND JOHN MCCAIN STOLED MY HEART LAST NIGHT................
MCCAIN /PALIN 08


3 posted on 09/05/2008 10:41:56 PM PDT by proudCArepublican
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: goldstategop
What excites conservatives about Palin angers the Left. She’s a ... conservative, pro-life, happy warrior who won’t play victim even when she and her family are attacked by a supposedly objective media. She threatens a dying feminist movement that thrives on victimization. -Kathryn Jean Lopez

That's exactly why Governor Palin represents a new generation -- she's exploding the whiners.

4 posted on 09/05/2008 10:46:33 PM PDT by NutCrackerBoy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: proudCArepublican

I heard there has been a run on her glasses style. Women everywhere want to be like Sarah.. or at least look like her.


5 posted on 09/05/2008 10:49:58 PM PDT by RDasher (El Nino is climate, La Nina is weather)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: goldstategop
I start to think that Bristol's story helped rather than weakened the campaign. Without that story, Palin would be seen as a 'perfect' successful woman without 'real' problem. Sure, people might admire her, but that's about it. Now, they see a succesful woman who strives even when domestic challenges thrown at her. They see a strong, independent woman doesn't break even under constant attacks. Many women can identify themselves with her even more.

Not to mention the feeling that the attacks on her family were grossly unfair.

6 posted on 09/05/2008 10:53:44 PM PDT by paudio (Can you tell me a single thing Obama has done in the senate?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: goldstategop

Note: The slogan was originally posted to FR by Renfield. Islander7 created the graphic. I've merely taken the initiative in publicizing it. It's so good, it may well be the "Sore/Loserman" of the 2008 election.

If you want change in Washington D.C.

I mean you really want change.

Do you vote for the Fighter Pilot and the mother of 5?

Or do you vote for the two Lawyers?

7 posted on 09/05/2008 10:54:01 PM PDT by sourcery (Why do Republicans have no guts? Because the Governor of Alaska has them all!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: goldstategop

If McCain doesn’t win and we still have a country left after four years of Obammie, Palin is going to be the one that Americans are going to ask to come in to clean up the mess and get America going back in the “right direction” again.


8 posted on 09/05/2008 10:57:55 PM PDT by FlingWingFlyer (McCain/Palin '08! Real change you won't have to "believe in." You'll be able to see it!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: FlingWingFlyer

She will be more of her own woman as well, which will be good, not having the McCainiac, bipartisan amnesty types breathing down her back.


9 posted on 09/05/2008 11:00:27 PM PDT by AmericanInTokyo (Be the FR HERO! Find & Post The Palin Stand on "Comprehensive Immigration Reform" vs. 2008 Platform)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: goldstategop
I've been having fun with the women where I work. I'll start reciting some Dem talking points about Palin like I believe them -- Palin isn't qualified, she's a joke, a kook, etc.-- and then I'll watch them bristle, and cross their arms, and say Well, I think Palin is great.

Then I'll tell them I'm joking, and they will go on and on about how much they identify with Palin.

10 posted on 09/05/2008 11:09:11 PM PDT by Plutarch
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: goldstategop
THIS LOVES
11 posted on 09/05/2008 11:09:46 PM PDT by Gator_that_eats_Dems
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: FlingWingFlyer
If McCain doesn’t win and we still have a country left after four years of Obammie, Palin is going to be the one that Americans are going to ask to come in to clean up the mess and get America going back in the “right direction” again.

Jindal/Palin

12 posted on 09/05/2008 11:11:40 PM PDT by Cementjungle
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: sourcery
I mean you really want change.

Do you vote for the Fighter Pilot and the mother of 5?

Or do you vote for the two Lawyers?

Hey, that's good! Simple and to the point... that will sway some voters.

13 posted on 09/05/2008 11:13:10 PM PDT by nutmeg (Imagine Commander-in-Chief Barack Hussein Obama... appointing US Supreme Court justices)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Cementjungle; FlingWingFlyer
If McCain doesn’t win and we still have a country left after four years of Obammie, Palin is going to be the one that Americans are going to ask to come in to clean up the mess and get America going back in the “right direction” again.

Yup.

Jindal/Palin

Or Palin/Jindal... either way, I'm happy!

14 posted on 09/05/2008 11:21:58 PM PDT by nutmeg (Imagine Commander-in-Chief Barack Hussein Obama... appointing US Supreme Court justices)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: nutmeg

Try this slogan as well:

Republicans kill terrorists,
Democrats kill babies.

WHO WOULD YOU VOTE FOR


15 posted on 09/05/2008 11:22:53 PM PDT by Gator_that_eats_Dems
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: goldstategop

This is really well-written, really understands the feelings of R voters before and after her pick.


16 posted on 09/05/2008 11:29:25 PM PDT by Darkwolf377 (Sarah Palin--the man Biden and Obama wish they could be.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: paudio

So true, and that initial trial-by-fire, followed by her terrificly poised speech, should go far to strengthen people’s confidence in her durability and great strength under pressure!

I’m not saying that settles all “experience” debates etc., but she has already, in less than one week, proved to all of America that not only can she withstand such an avalanche of vicious political assaults as we have hardly ever seen in our national life, but that she can repond with poise and strength and superb character.

There are not very many humans who could give the kind of speech she gave before 40+ million people right after days and nights of being dragged through the mud with her children and husband. It’s been an amazing week, and while there are 60 days to go in the campaign and she has to continue to perform and communicate well to varied audiences, she has already proved more than Obama OR Biden have ever proved in their lives.


17 posted on 09/05/2008 11:30:25 PM PDT by Enchante (Governor Palin DECIDES more every day than all of Obama's "present" votes put together!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: goldstategop
There were too many growing distractions, perhaps the biggest being the question of experience.

She's got way more experience than Geraldine Ferraro had in 1984 (Ferraro had no foreign or defense policy experience, on no pertinent committees, and she did not have any major legislative achievements). As a matter of fact, Sarah Palin has more experience than President Grover Cleveland had (and she's much better looking).

Grover Cleveland became a mayor in 1881 (for a year), then governor in 1882 (for a couple years), then president in 1884 in his mid-40s.

18 posted on 09/05/2008 11:49:04 PM PDT by roadcat
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: goldstategop
Here's her theme song:

With apologies to Kim Carnes--Bette Davis Eyes

Her words are solid gold
Her lipstick is nice
Her actions always bold
She's got Ronald Reagan eyes

And she'll tease them,
She'll unease them
all the better, she'll displease them
She's precocious
And she knows just what to do to make a foe hush.
She's got lines to deflate
all those lies,
she got
Ronald Reagan eyes.

19 posted on 09/05/2008 11:50:26 PM PDT by Defiant ("There is only one man in this election who has ever really fought for you". Thus spoke Sarahthustra)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: sourcery; Renfield

Great line...that is going on my protest warrior sign this weekend.


20 posted on 09/05/2008 11:50:27 PM PDT by I got the rope
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-31 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson