Posted on 09/06/2008 2:44:24 PM PDT by kcvl
Sarah Palin could be an elusive target for Democrats.
The plan for Sarah Palin—rock-star Republican—was to do a series of swing-state events with John McCain, record the campaign's regular weekend radio address and then go home. "We kind of shanghaied her out of Alaska," Steve Schmidt, the McCain-Palin campaign manager, told me. "She needs to go back for a few days." There are personal reasons. Her son is shipping off for Iraq. With a newborn of her own, a pregnant daughter and a state to run, "Sarah Barracuda" has to get her affairs in order.
But there are political reasons, too. She needs time to study McCain's views and bone up on foreign policy before debating Joe Biden. At home she can more easily avoid interrogation by GOP enemy No. 1, the media. And by hunkering down in Alaska, she's also less visible to Barack Obama's campaign and its allies. The moose hunter of the North, Palin is now the hunted one.
She's an elusive target. Her home state is a tougher political racetrack than Lower 48 pundits appreciate, and she has a respectable approval rating there. GOP delegates in St. Paul fell in love with her, and they form a bulwark to protect her if she trips up. Her stage skills are obvious, her charisma electric, her freshness an advantage. She delivered her barb-filled acceptance speech with what David Axelrod, Obama's campaign manager, told me was "snide efficiency." And as a woman and the mother of five, Palin is an opponent whom male rivals need to be careful about attacking.
Still, Democrats dare not issue Palin a pass—she's too dangerous a foe. Normally vice presidential candidates fade into the background. Nobody is expecting that with Palin; indeed, her newfound celebrity has made even Obama look dull.
(Excerpt) Read more at newsweek.com ...
Palin is not a “Rock Star”, I hate that term.
Obama is reacting to Palin like my three year old niece is to my three month old nephew.
It would appear that the old media has encountered steel.
"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
The Secret Service Guys & Gals are going to love Alaska. I would beg to see a female agent placed in charge of her detail.
LOL Visual of author of essay in Newsweek cuddling laptop weeping on the keys...
Well done author - have a tissue...
Wow. Way to step out on that ledge.
Oh it was Howard Fineman.... figures
"Still, Democrats dare not issue Palin a pass—she's too dangerous a foe"
Life is wonderful as liberals, progressives, Democrats and the media try to finesse power.
And her political convictions have made Obama look like a wet noodle.
I am just wondering what impact this has on AK politics. Is the lt. gov. acting as governor in her absence? He can’t be devoting that much time to the job as he is pursuing this recount in the congressional primary he was just in. Or will the prospect of becoming governor cause him to give up that race perhaps? Just curious to hear from Alaskans on this. I hope there is no upheaval in the AK GOP.
Any more news on what will happen with Ted Stevens? I wonder if perhaps he does not resign and goes into the general election, will the Palin/McCain coattails help him?
I reject the “rock star” status too. Sarah Palin is NOT a rock star. That terminology is reserved for Democrats.
Sarah Palin IS, however, one of the rising stars who represent the new and changing face of the Republican party.
Oh sniff sniff. 82% is "respectable". She's the most popular politician in the United States! What's the Democratic Congress's approval rating? 7%?
It's enough to make a moose laugh.
This article has so many barbs, I cannot even begin to start.
Of course coming from “newsweak” it explains it all.
[cue Barry Humphries]
“Bidens are friends, not food.”
Maybe they need to PUBLICALLY send her home for a couple of days every week or so. After all she has a state to run, she can not campaign full time like a US Senator who does not have anything to run.
Respectable approval rating?
I think 86% is stellar.
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