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Writing Sarah Off (VDH on Palin)
National Review Online ^ | July 4, 2009 | Victor Davis Hanson

Posted on 07/04/2009 10:03:14 AM PDT by Yardstick

Conventional wisdom suggests that short-term the Palin decision was unwise — e.g., "quitter," unpredictable, sulking, etc. But what else are her critics really going to say? It's not like a Letterman can trump laughing at her on late-night television as he puns that a Yankees star had sex in a dugout with her 14-year old daughter. Can Andrew Sullivan at the Atlantic website go beyond his slurs that she did not deliver her own child? How much more cleverly can N.Y. feminist pundits tsk-tsk her that she's a Wasilla trailer-park retread?

In other words, it doesn't matter that much what critics say, but — should she pursue politics — only what she does with her newfound time, especially if she travels widely, studies foreign policy, and helps galvanize the party base.

In the long run, she can lecture, earn a good income through speaking, develop a coterie of advisers and supporters, take care of her family, not have the constant political warring on all flanks, and invest time in reflecting and studying issues, visit the country, meet leaders, etc. She's not looking at 2012; but in eight years by 2016 she will be far more savvy, still young, and far more experienced. It matters not all that the Left writes her off as daffy, since they were going to do that whatever she did; the key is whether she convinces conservatives in eight year of travel and reflection that she's a charismatic Margaret Thatcher type heavyweight.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Alaska
KEYWORDS: independenceday; palinresignation; quitter; vdh; victordavishanson; waronsarah
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To: Yardstick
I hate it when our side falls to the erroneous idea that an elected official must be judge based on their profession political experience. First of all, the Left doesn't give a crap about that for their side. . .just look at the present idiot in the White House. . .secondly. . the bogus standard of "experience" is just a euphemism for the inside the beltway crowd to discredit anyone not of their own choosing and not while to bend their knee at their altar.

Sarah Palin would make a great President because of her character, her brightness, her values, her life experience in rugged Alaska, her ability to pull together a team of like-minded conservatives that could understand that it's not about them. ..its about serving the country. . .THIS IS WHAT THE FOUNDER'S INTENDED. . .I want to barf when conservatives whine because they want a President that can fit the Camelot model. . .well the Camelot model is a hoax and masks the reality of corruption that rots the nations soul. GROW UP AMERICA. . .Start electing people who understand the nation is about a Creed and not about mesmerizing personalities. Consider the wise words of President James Monroe:

Republics demanded virtue. Monarchies could rely on coercion and “dazzling splendor” to suppress self-interest or factions; republics relied on the goodness of the people to put aside private interest for public good.

21 posted on 07/04/2009 10:35:09 AM PDT by McBuff
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To: Deb
Actually read on Thatcher, she had some similar issues early on.

Under estimating Palin has great risks IMHO.

Anyone can learn policy, hire knowledge, but charisma? It is either there or it isn't.

I have seen the crowds. If she can maintain that, the rest will follow.

Indeed I think that is what this will be all about in the long run..

22 posted on 07/04/2009 10:35:38 AM PDT by ejonesie22 (Mitt Romney is a more subtle version of Arlen Specter with better hair...)
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To: seton89

http://womensissues.about.com/b/2009/07/03/why-is-palin-quitting-ask-auburn-ny.htm

Why Is Palin Quitting? Ask Auburn, NY
Friday July 3, 2009
Alaska Governor Sarah Palin did some traveling in June. And one of the places she visited was Auburn, NY, the home of former Secretary of State William Seward, the mastermind who brokered the purchase of Alaska from Russia under President Andrew Johnson.
To say she received a hero’s welcome would be an understatement. She rode in a parade down streets jammed with gushing well-wishers. Local television showed smiling faces — young, old, male, female — all saying how attrractive she was, how sweet, how much they admired her.
[more]


23 posted on 07/04/2009 10:37:02 AM PDT by seton89
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To: ejonesie22
In the end Thatcher was sabotaged and defeated by the ancient men in her own party.

Not one, single elected Republican or conservative is standing behind Sarah. McCain is a disgrace.

24 posted on 07/04/2009 10:41:33 AM PDT by Deb (Beat him, strip him and bring him to my tent!)
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To: AuntB
"Remember Jarbidge! It’s Independence Day!"

I remember Jarbidge...nine years ago!!

25 posted on 07/04/2009 10:45:14 AM PDT by blackie (Be Well~Be Armed~Be Safe~Molon Labe!)
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To: freespirited
Yes. Toomey and Rubio for sure. Whoever is running against Reid in Nevada for starters.

Also, it would be great to see her make an appearance in Honduras in support of the legal, constitutional government.

26 posted on 07/04/2009 10:48:04 AM PDT by Servant of the Cross (the Truth will set you free)
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To: Yossarian
Come on now, don't be negative. She is now MORE
unstoppable.

Here's what to say to anyone who cuts Sarah down.

"You know, sir/madam your setiments about Palin are
EXACTLY how I and so many of my friends feel about
Obama, the most unqualified person to ever serve as
our President."

27 posted on 07/04/2009 10:50:21 AM PDT by cliff630
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To: Deb

Beg to differ, Sarah is our Maggie Thatcher.


28 posted on 07/04/2009 10:53:18 AM PDT by libbylu ( Palin begins from Wasilla not only a campaign, an Iditarod of a crusade)
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To: ejonesie22

0bama has unfortunately proven that we live in an ‘American Idol’ culture, which has infected our politics. Sarah has the “It” factor that can compete in this arena. IMO, Fred would be President right now except for this AI filter.


29 posted on 07/04/2009 10:56:37 AM PDT by Servant of the Cross (the Truth will set you free)
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To: Free America52

Nobody know what Sarah Palin’s future is except her and her family.


30 posted on 07/04/2009 10:58:53 AM PDT by McGruff (Don't explain; your friends don't need it, and your enemies won't believe you anyway)
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To: pennyfarmer

Couldn’t you say the same thing to the signers of the Declaration of Independence? Virtually each one, by signing, destroyed the well-being of their families. . .sometimes families must sacrifice for a greater cause. . .the family is important but the call of duty for the sake of this great nation supersedes the demands of the family. Think of the fighting Sullivans. . .if we become a nation that is unwilling to rise to such levels or even to honor it. . .I indeed tremble for my nation.


31 posted on 07/04/2009 10:59:26 AM PDT by McBuff
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To: Yardstick

Please Sarah, don’t wait until 2016. If you do you’ll find there’s no country to govern.

Gotta be 2012.


32 posted on 07/04/2009 11:00:25 AM PDT by upchuck (Psalm 109:8 ~ Let his days be few; and let another take his office.)
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To: Deb
VDH (my future husband)

I heard he loves mastiffs ....


33 posted on 07/04/2009 11:03:28 AM PDT by Servant of the Cross (the Truth will set you free)
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To: libbylu
You need to read a book on Thatcher. Failing that, read her tribute to Reagan after his death.

I love Sarah and she's the only reason I dragged myself to vote for McCain, but if she's "our Maggie Thatcher" we're in pretty bad shape.

The past year will certainly toughen and season her, but Sarah is years away from the command of the issues that Thatcher had. And Thatcher never walked off the battlefield.

Being in a fan club is not the same as being part of a movement.

34 posted on 07/04/2009 11:05:26 AM PDT by Deb (Beat him, strip him and bring him to my tent!)
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To: pennyfarmer
If Sarah needs to be at home for her kids then so does everyone else!

What an idiotic appraisal on your part. Especially when this is an historic opportunity to save America, given we have an exception candidate.

35 posted on 07/04/2009 11:07:53 AM PDT by duckln
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To: Servant of the Cross

OMG! The face of heaven!!


36 posted on 07/04/2009 11:07:55 AM PDT by Deb (Beat him, strip him and bring him to my tent!)
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To: Deb

Sad isn’t it.

So close to being winners they decide to lose..


37 posted on 07/04/2009 11:09:18 AM PDT by ejonesie22 (Mitt Romney is a more subtle version of Arlen Specter with better hair...)
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To: Servant of the Cross

The huddled masses don’t do serious until they are in trouble.


38 posted on 07/04/2009 11:11:53 AM PDT by ejonesie22 (Mitt Romney is a more subtle version of Arlen Specter with better hair...)
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To: ejonesie22
I am really stunned at the way she is being left dangling out there. Where is my hero, Duncan Hunter?? Dammit.

On another thread someone suggested she go to Honduras and stand with the new government. I think that's brilliant!

39 posted on 07/04/2009 11:15:22 AM PDT by Deb (Beat him, strip him and bring him to my tent!)
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To: Deb
She has options now that she did not have before.

I doubt Duncan will chime in. God knows I love him, but making play of the topic of the day is something he has never been good at, though in the long run when he finally does chime in he is usually right.

Just wish he had made a habit of doing that on the front end, things might be different.

40 posted on 07/04/2009 11:19:12 AM PDT by ejonesie22 (Mitt Romney is a more subtle version of Arlen Specter with better hair...)
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