The Quayled Lady: Why You Should Forget Sarah Palin

American Thinker ^ | January 17, 2010 | Selwyn Duke

[St. Louis Conservative]

Really, there's precious little fairness in the world. People tend to be slaves to emotion, and prejudices often reign supreme, even (in fact, especially) in those who rail against prejudice. This is why we'll see millions of Americans reflexively dismiss a politician simply because of the letter following his name. It is why people will often oppose a position they would otherwise support simply because it's being advocated by someone they dislike. Ah, that troublesome human nature.

This brings us to Sarah Palin, the Wasilla woman often billed as the best hope of the GOP. She certainly isn't one of those plain vanilla characters who inspire blasé reactions, that's for sure. It's just so often the case that people either love her or hate her, believe she is the cat's meow or the pig with lipstick, a political sensation or a puerile simpleton. I'm in neither camp.

Scrape away the emotionalism, and one realizes that Palin isn't at either extreme. Underestimated by the left and overestimated by the right, the truth about her lies somewhere in between. Where, exactly? That is secondary, because there is a more important point here relating to Palin's political future.

She doesn't have one.

I know this will raise the hackles of many, but you can forget Sarah Palin. I say this not because of her defects in ideology or lack of competency, but for a very simple reason: She has been Quayled.

Many of you know that I'm referring to what ensued after former Vice President Dan Quayle gave a public appearance at a school spelling bee in Trenton, New Jersey in 1992.

[Finny]

No, but saying that the reason she can't be the future of the party is because of the media's power to "Quayle" her DOES constitute "rolling over."

Plainly and simply, it constitutes allowing the MSM to determine the candidate of the party's future. That is ROLLING OVER to the MSM, and the author of this piece you posted apparently buys into it wholesale and wants you and me to do the same. It is a philosophy of LOSERS.

[toddausauras]

I’m not interested in what the PDS’ers say anymore, if she runs she has my vote, that’s all there is to it. I mean think of it, why do they all need to even make a statement like this? Ok, so you think she’ll never be president, so shut up about it and get behind Mitt or whoever, we’re still behind Sarah.

[Crim]

“she isn’t going to be a politician outside of Alaska.”

Right...and Coakley is a “shoe in” for “Kennedy’s seat”..no sence running aganist her in a heavy Dem state...it would be a waste.....

*smirk*

[SonOfDarkSkies]

Yep...you proved it.

You twist the truth and when caught refuse to accept responsibility.

My point was that Palin is being attack as unfit, just as was Quayle.

And, in fact, she is new to the national stage and is, at present, on a steep learning curve.

That said, I believe (I do not know for a fact) that she can master the subject matter and emerge as a powerful candidate.

BTW, having many screaming fans will not get her elected President. She will have to win over many on the right who still see her as lacking gravitas.

I am a huge Sarah fan, but she has a long way to go. Attacking people like me who are pulling for her (and, yes, hoping she can establish herself) is unseemly (and more than a little immature) for her diehard fans.

[WVKayaker]

...I am a huge Sarah fan, but she has a long way to go. ...

You must be smoking some good stuff, FRiend. She is so far past "there", that there's just nothing behind but the smoldering hole full of Romney, et al. I can't believe there are still enough of you to keep posting these Dim talking points on FreeRepublic. Is she the best? I don't know, but she is certainly the best in view.

If you continue to think she is unable to assume the job TODAY, you have not been keeping up with her, or news about her. She has established positions, and tons of following. She has one thousand times more executive experience than the present usurper, and it shows in every one of his (non)decisions. She draws HUGE crowds without a rock group to front for her.

I'm not attacking you personally, just the Dimocrap message you bring with you, and will do so again. No twisting allowed!

click for SarahPAC and the (very possible) First Dude...

[hopespringseternal]

John McCain losing the election probably saved her from this fate.

Every republican faces this. Even the ones who spend their time licking the media's boots. Bush and Reagan were supposed to be stupid, Gingrich, Delay, etc were evil. Whatever.

The reason why it all stuck to Quayle was in his role as vice president, there was little he could do fight back, to set the record strait. He was viciously attacked because the left feared him. That is one reason why Palin had to step down as governor, she couldn't run a state and fight the liberal smear machine.

At this point, she just needs to stay engaged and visible, because every time people see her they are reminded that she is nothing like the caricature of her that the media draws every day.

[SonOfDarkSkies]

If you continue to think she is unable to assume the job TODAY

Your extreme defensiveness about Sarah causes you to read into comments things that aren't there.

Nowhere did I say that Sarah isn't ready for the job itself.

My point is that she has to build gravitas so that she can overcome a hostile media to WIN THE ELECTION.

Obama had zero gravitas, but he had the media in his pocket.

It will not be the hardcore Sarah crowd that gets her elected...it will be a majority of the electorate and that currently includes some who still have to be convinced.

At this point, she already has my support, but winning in 2012 is most certainly not a sure thing. I think she was right to leave the governorship and I think she's doing an excellent job of grooming herself. But it is still a long road to the White House.

Now, exactly what Dimocrap message is it I bring with me?

[SterlingSilver]

There are a number of significant flaws in the author's premise that glare out at us in their absence.

Dan Quayle was never really a very popular politician in general. Quayle was more of an appendage on the administration in which he served.

Dan Quayle was never the ongoing focus of adoration by millions of American mainstream voters, dearly loved and appreciated by such a large segment of the electorate.

Dan Quayle never instilled a sense of ‘the possibilities’ that might evolve due to his leadership.

Dan Quayle never unapologetically and literally drove the leftists, socialists, Marxists Democrats and their media lap dogs to experience such deep unrelenting fear, anguish and panic every time he made appearance, wrote anything or was interviewed.

Basically, Dan Quayle was no Sarah Palin...

The author's comparatives collapse on this fact alone...

[WVKayaker]

Now, exactly what Dimocrap message is it I bring with me?

This article is correct in that Sarah doesn't have a future in politics...that is, unless she is willing to scratch and claw her way back in. -SDS#11

You cheated - SDS (various posts)

But she still has to prove to many that she is who I believe she is

You already had stated that you don't believe she is ready or able..., now you use the Dim "gravitas" to add to your drek.

That said, I believe (I do not know for a fact) that she can master the subject matter and emerge as a powerful candidate. ... I am a huge Sarah fan, but she has a long way to go. -SDS #144

She's great...BUT, BUT, BUT!

FRiend, your attempts to put your words back into the ether won't work. Your sincerity is always qualified, not defined, within these posts. That is exactly the DIM message, and their massage of the truth!

But, thanks for the opportunity to hang out in your mind today...

Your posts have zero gravitas! Even Piper has more followers than the other guys!

[RichInOC]

No, truly, this piques me. I mean, I get it. Sarah Palin isn’t perfect. She’s a mere mortal, not the Messiah. She puts on her undies one leg at a time. She’s got room to improve her skills and her image. I get that. Preach it, brothah. That said...who’s better? Is anyone? Or to put a sharper point on it, are you under the impression that any Republican/conservative candidate who ran in 2008 and/or is likely to run in 2012 is that much better, and if so, why? And before you rush to answer, consider this: The Republican/conservative/libertarian field who ran in ‘08 consisted, to a man, of (a) guys who couldn’t beat John McCain and (b) John McCain.

Some of you will note, have noted, that we don’t know who else will show up between now and 2012 or 2016. You’re right, we don’t. Particularly in the case of 2012, that’s kind of the problem. You can’t beat somebody, not even Sarah Palin, with nobody.

And finally, if you think at this point that Governor Palin has risen to the heights she has, and gotten the notice she does, merely because she’s a woman and a not very bright one at that, you might want to reacquaint (or just acquaint) yourself with the facts...although if you still think her resignation was a foolish and capricious act, you might not even be smart enough to understand them in the first place.

[SonOfDarkSkies]

I just realized that there's no reason to have a rational discussion with an irrational person.

Free rent in my mind? Perhaps you overestimate your influence.

Your comment and your attitude reflect poorly on Sarah and I am embarrassed for her.

And what's with all the photos of her...aren't you getting your puppy love get the better of you. You seem a bit like a stalker...

[WVKayaker]

**** ***, junior! -SDS (or a reasonable facsimile thereof)

Actually, my grandson is the Junior in the family, FRiend. He's now about 5 years old. I don't think he's sexually active at this time. I'll not pass on that little bit of wisdom to him.

But, I'm happy to know that you have such an eloquent way of expressing yourself. You had such a great opportunity, but wasted it on a simple expletive. I must have done my job really well. There is no adequate challenge to the truth, and you prove it once again.

Have a nice day! I'll sure be enjoying the FREE rent in your mind!

[RoadTest]

“She has been Quayled.”

Surely you jest.

[allmendream]

Selwyn sounds like he came out of the 17th century with his ‘Better if she stayed at home with the children, barefoot and pregnant’ comment.

How long can the “mental incompetent” image the MSM presents of Palin stand up against the reality that she is running circles around her critics and making them look like fools?

[ScottinVA]

Yes, we should forget Sarah Palin and put all our hopes behind Mitt Romney.

Uh, huh...

Uh... no.

[editor-surveyor]

In these things, fools just wait for others to run their lives.

[editor-surveyor]

"How long can the “mental incompetent” image the MSM presents of Palin stand up against the reality that she is running circles around her critics and making them look like fools?"

For those promoting that nonsense, lets hope that it lasts until she's in office.

[Lakeshark]

The writer needs to remember a few things.

First, Quayle's rep didn't start with potatoe, it was an immediate response to him by the media.

He also needs to remember that every single GOP president has been considered stupid by the media and tarred with that brush by the dems. Eisenhower, Nixon (although they used abuser of power in the end for him), Reagan, and of course HW and W Bush.

She may not overcome it, but it's far from over, she's far from irrevocably Quayled at this point. She has had a big jump in her favorables since her book tour, and her position with Fox will ennable her to fight back. Quayle never had that opportunity.

We shall see how this plays out.