I also seem to sense a certain morphing of the increasingly lemming-like attitude toward Governor Palin on Free Republic akin to the attitude of the Bushbot crowd here, who so totally became committed to ONE PERSON and often imagery over substance, over a set of principals that when this one person did something as an anathema toward Conservativism, you would invariably be called a "hater" or "basher" for simply taking issue--and often politely so--with whatever issue it was GWB wobbled on. These people (with exceptions) truly become unthinking automotons politically speaking. You could not get a point in edgewise, or any concession that a current approach by GWB (such as government spending or North Korean capitulation) was not in keeping with Conservatism.
Truth be told, on FR for the last 10 years, I always had a trouble with, and God Bless them anyway--the so-called "Day in the Life" and "Pray for President Bush" groupie threads because they were devoid of any real deep critical thinking nor political analysis, devoid of doctrine, and were often just a mere Amen Corner cheering on clever marketable products. When I a) begin to see some of those same cheerleaders now move into the forefront of the Palin camp adopt the same close-minded tone here on FR which is antethetical to open, respectful internal Conservative debate--in others not countenancing thoughtful concerns expressed about Gov. Palin; and b) it glosses over some concerns such as the McCain endorsement, the wobblyness on illegal immigration, etc., red flags go up in my mind.
This is not to say that I do not support her, as nobody has even announced for president and so I am neutral at this point. I am just saying we had better be very very careful as we move forward. I think some of the concerns I heard out there of people stepping out of our internal conservative box and looking at this from the viewpoint of the average voter out there (I know this is hard to do, this total, distanced objectivity), there is a certain shrill, at times whining-like type delivery by the Governor which can in fact be worked on over the next few months. I think that turns a number of people off and it is not her strong point.
Imagine how boring FR would be if we ALWAYS had the same opinions all the time,24/7. I would fall asleep myself. Be thankful to God for the variety. ;-) I am still in the furniture store and have not settled yet on what we are going to buy, is where I am at currently. 2012 is a long way off. Part of the things I am looking for is her unabashed support and vigorous campaigning for JD Hayworth in the Arizona general election, as well as her meeting with a cross section of Legal Immigrants in a Governor Palin Immigration Summit (an idea that has been floated). To quote the great Ronald Reagan himself (whom I personally knew): Доверяй, но проверяй. (Trust but Verify).
Also, I am certain she will campaign both 2010 and 2012, but not necessarily for herself. Her goal - as far as I can discern from her statements and her writings - is to take back the country from the socialists. Quite honestly I think she'll be happy if there are others who take the lead in that campaign, but if not she may well make a run for the presidency in 2012.
As for her competence and experience I must say I would take the criticism against her much more seriously if a) the same critique was directed at all contenders and office holders and b) the critics (eg the two “Davids” and others) showed even a modicum of competence themselves.
As for the debate here at FR -— it has its ups and downs. :-)
PS: I had an older relative who had the opportunity to meet with all US presidents from Eisenhower until Clinton. He - despite the fact that he was a NY liberal - told us that President Reagan towered head and shoulder above the rest.
Two things about Our Lady of Wasilla: 1) The fact that she is more qualified than Obama is really damning with faint praise. Being more qualified than Obama is meaningless - except that it proves the American people can be manipulated into electing unqualified Presidents. 2) I am becoming more convinced that she is OUR Obama. By that I mean, she connects with us on a visceral level, there is a symbolic character to her as a national candidate, the difference is that it's OUR symbols and the connection she has with us is because we are GOOD.
The facts that she is more qualified than Obama, and FReepers would fight each other to drink her bath water are not qualifications for the Presidency.
I also seem to sense a certain morphing of the increasingly lemming-like attitude toward Governor Palin on Free Republic akin to the attitude of the Bushbot crowd here
So anyone who does not just agree 100% with your personal opinions has a "lemming like mindset akin to the Bushbots" and are worshiping at the shrine of "Our lady of Wasilla"
Love the way the self proclaimed "superior intellects" around here cannot post a simple rational defense of their views but instead continually engage in the standard Alinsky tactic of diversion and personal attack. You two whine non stop about "personal attacks" from the "Palin bots' yet none of you ever post anything but emotion driven, blie laced personal attacks. You then turn around and complain when people respond to your bile in kind! There is no substance to your posts at all. It boils down to you proclaiming to the supposedly mindless Palin drones "I am such a great open mind thinker and all you who disagree with my opinions are mindless lemmings."
Utterly hypocritical for you two to then get all outraged when people respond in kind to your standard choice in debate tactics.
You both suffer from a serious case of emotion projection.
If you two are such "great thinkers" how about you try post a fact based rational argument for your views.
But then neither of you is capable of that. Take away your habitual reliance on the twin logical fallacies of stating your opinions as if they were facts and Ad Homine personal attacks, and neither of you have anything to post.