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

Skip to comments.

Beware the Barracuda
http://www.newsweek.com/id/157697 ^

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 ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 2008; mccain; mccainpalin; notaboutmccain; obama; palin; sarah; sarahpalin; vp
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-50 next last

1 posted on 09/06/2008 2:44:27 PM PDT by kcvl
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: kcvl

Palin is not a “Rock Star”, I hate that term.


2 posted on 09/06/2008 2:45:55 PM PDT by frogjerk (MSM: We will not question Obama bin Biden...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kcvl
her newfound celebrity has made even Obama look dull.

Obama is reacting to Palin like my three year old niece is to my three month old nephew.

3 posted on 09/06/2008 2:46:22 PM PDT by mainepatsfan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kcvl

4 posted on 09/06/2008 2:46:33 PM PDT by mathprof
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kcvl
Probe with bayonets. If you encounter steel, withdraw. If you encounter mush, continue. — Vladimir Lenin

It would appear that the old media has encountered steel.

5 posted on 09/06/2008 2:46:54 PM PDT by Interesting Times (Swiftboating, you say? Check out ToSetTheRecordStraight.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kcvl
Obama looks dull. I mean its like the life went out of his campaign. I love it!

"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

6 posted on 09/06/2008 2:47:21 PM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kcvl

The Secret Service Guys & Gals are going to love Alaska. I would beg to see a female agent placed in charge of her detail.


7 posted on 09/06/2008 2:47:29 PM PDT by Dustoff45 (A non-posting Freeper produces far fewer spelling errors)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kcvl

LOL Visual of author of essay in Newsweek cuddling laptop weeping on the keys...

Well done author - have a tissue...


8 posted on 09/06/2008 2:47:35 PM PDT by imintrouble
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kcvl
Sarah Palin could be an elusive target for Democrats.

Wow. Way to step out on that ledge.

9 posted on 09/06/2008 2:47:55 PM PDT by TexasNative2000 (Obviously, liberals can't handle a strong, independent woman.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: imintrouble

Oh it was Howard Fineman.... figures


10 posted on 09/06/2008 2:48:55 PM PDT by imintrouble
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: kcvl
Newsweek remains clueless.  The one thing they get right?

"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.

11 posted on 09/06/2008 2:49:51 PM PDT by Morgan in Denver (Change is not two more lawyers in the White House)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kcvl
her newfound celebrity has made even Obama look dull.

And her political convictions have made Obama look like a wet noodle.

12 posted on 09/06/2008 2:50:53 PM PDT by TexasNative2000 (Obviously, liberals can't handle a strong, independent woman.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Dustoff45

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?


13 posted on 09/06/2008 2:52:06 PM PDT by TNCMAXQ
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: frogjerk

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.


14 posted on 09/06/2008 2:53:05 PM PDT by Morgan in Denver (Change is not two more lawyers in the White House)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: kcvl
she has a respectable approval rating

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.

15 posted on 09/06/2008 2:54:07 PM PDT by Argus (Obama: All turban and no goats.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Morgan in Denver

This article has so many barbs, I cannot even begin to start.

Of course coming from “newsweak” it explains it all.


16 posted on 09/06/2008 2:54:13 PM PDT by bushsupporter30
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: kcvl

[cue Barry Humphries]

“Bidens are friends, not food.”


17 posted on 09/06/2008 2:54:30 PM PDT by RichInOC (McCain/Palin '08: And Now For Something Completely Different.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: frogjerk

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.


18 posted on 09/06/2008 2:55:33 PM PDT by JLS (Do you really want change being two guys from the majority of Congress with a 9% approval rating?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: kcvl
ok folks... just picture this in your minds....
Picture a harsh Alaskan wintry scene with wild wolves , grizzly bears and wild beast around, and the elitist MSM metro sexual men geeky trying to maneuver around in that harsh environment.. Alaska is not Park Avenue New York or Beverly Hills California.
19 posted on 09/06/2008 2:55:42 PM PDT by Prophet in the wilderness (PSALM .53 : 1 The FOOL hath said in his heart, there is no GOD.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kcvl

Respectable approval rating?

I think 86% is stellar.


20 posted on 09/06/2008 2:58:58 PM PDT by gc4nra
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-50 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