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What exactly is wrong with Sarah Palin as a candidate?
The Gainesville Sun ^ | January 26, 2011 | LTC William Dixon, M.D.

Posted on 01/26/2011 9:43:02 AM PST by 2ndDivisionVet

Rush Limbaugh is fond of saying the left will always tell you whom they fear by making that person the focus of their most virulent attacks. The left despises Sarah Palin. They say she is stupid and incapable of ever assuming the role of president. They mock her education, (B.S. University of Idaho), her small town background and her political accomplishments ( 2006 - 2009 Governor of Alaska ). When she resigned the governorship, they said she was a quitter. Just recently, the left indicted her as being responsible for the shooting of Congresswoman Gibbs in Arizona.

But what of pundits on the right, the Peggy Noonan-Karl Rove types? They hold Palin in equally low esteem. And what of conservative women? Many just viscerally dislike her. Ask them about Palin. You’ll get a response which begins with a shaking of the head and some comment about being inexperienced. Press them for facts. You will find most of these women ignorant of Palin’s background and remarkable accomplishments. Why is that?

Is it because Sarah Palin does not look at all like the admired but camera-challenged women in government, such as Hillary Clinton and Justice Sotomeyer? She has not the stern, formal look of a Maggie Thatcher, the British Prime Minister who turned around England’s economy nor of Golda Meir, the tough former leader of Israel. Palin is softer, attractive, plain spoken albeit with a sometimes irritating voice. Does her appearance put people, especially women, off?

All but three of our presidents in the last hundred years graduated from elite universities, often with law degrees. Truman did not attend college. Ike graduated from West Point, and Reagan graduated from Eureka College in Illinois. Those three are considered among the best of presidents by most. Reagan and Truman were thought stupid by some. Is it that Palin did not graduate from an elite university that causes some conservative pundits to reject her as unintelligent?

George W. Bush was considered stupid and incompetent by the governing elite because he actually believed in God and prayed daily. This despite two Ivy League degrees.

Sarah Palin is openly Christian and prays regularly. She was president of a Christian group in high school. She is “pro life” and rejected terminating her last pregnancy when she found she was carrying a baby with Down’s Syndrome. Perhaps that is the problem for some of her critics.

It seems unlikely that her performance as mayor of Wasilla, cutting taxes while expanding the town’s facilities so that it could grow, would be anything but a plus. Just so her role as a member of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. She outed two corrupt officials, one of whom was chairman of the state Republican Party.

Was she wrong in running for governor to oust a corrupt and wasteful officer of her own political party? Was it lack of wisdom which led her to sell the state plane, cut expenses of her office by 75 percent and pass a bipartisan ethics bill? Was she impolite in chasing away the oil company lobbyists so that she could start work on a stalled pipeline for natural gas? Not likely.

President Obama was elected because he appeared to be extraordinary. His academic pedigree and soaring rhetoric shielded from voters his appalling lack of real-world experience and complete lack of substantial accomplishments. His presidency is struggling.

By contrast, Sarah Palin, despite her talents and obvious achievements, seems very ordinary. Americans, believing the smears and punditry, will likely reject Palin without really getting to know her. Once again the nod will go to a member of the cultural elite, a group which has routinely failed to govern well.

*****

William Dixon is a graduate of Columbia University, New York Medical College and the USF College of Business Administration. He was an assistant professor of surgery at the University of Georgia before entering private practice. He served in the Army as a surgeon and as a Special Forces Officer, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Dr. Dixon can be reached at Wdixon16@yahoo.com.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Editorial; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 2012; abortion; elites; obama; palin; presidentpalin; prolife; sarahpalin
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To: Porterville

Yeah, he’s a regular Barry Goldwater:

N.J. Gov. Christie meets with Mitt Romney at governor’s mansion
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2663132/posts

Muslim Picked for New Jersey Bench [Gov. Chris Christie appointee]
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2657006/posts

Gov. Christie signs ‘Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights’ (more “gay rights” laws)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2652399/posts

Half Cocked: Chris Christie Won’t Fight for Gun Rights
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2649169/posts


41 posted on 01/26/2011 10:00:03 AM PST by 2ndDivisionVet (Please donate to FreeRepublic, sanity in a world gone mad!)
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To: Porterville

Yeah, cause he’s so pro-gun. /s


42 posted on 01/26/2011 10:00:13 AM PST by Vor Lady
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To: mamelukesabre

Actually after her debate with Biden in 2008 - Tom Brokaw , some guest on MSNBC and another guy on PBS said that she was Reagan like.....while I don’t care much what libs are saying, it’s worth noting


43 posted on 01/26/2011 10:00:49 AM PST by Bigtigermike
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
Advertisers often know what's really going on in the country and make their commercials accordingly.

You may have seen the commercial for Dodge Challenger; it shows the British army all set up ready for battle, but turn tail when they see George Washington (in a Challenger) with a stern RESOLUTE look on his face, coming at the Brits full speed.

“Two things America got right - cars...and freedom” goes the narrator.

My point being these Republican upperclassmen have no clue how sick and tired we are of the unconstitutional goings on in government. ‘We the People’ want our country back and are as resolute as Washington is portrayed in the advertisement.

Those that don't recognize this is a new day and act accordingly will simply get left behind.

44 posted on 01/26/2011 10:01:02 AM PST by MichaelCorleone (Sarah Palin is America's Margaret Thatcher)
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To: Porterville

>>I want a serious candidate like Chris Christie.... the boy plays hardball without drama.<<

By putting a Muslim on the court? That’s not going to work out well. While he’s good fiscally I haven’t seen much good about his social policy either.


45 posted on 01/26/2011 10:01:12 AM PST by CynicalBear
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To: Robbin

Is there anything in Cain’s past or present that could be a danger to his electibility?

‘Cuz if there is, the media will find it and magnify it.

I ask because I was thinking last night that a Palin/Cain ticket would be a good one and might even draw a few of the disillusioned blacks like the ones on Hannity last night.


46 posted on 01/26/2011 10:01:28 AM PST by altura
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To: Porterville

Christie is backing Romney....


47 posted on 01/26/2011 10:02:00 AM PST by Robbin (If Sarah isnÂ’t welcome, IÂ’m not welcome, itÂ’s just that simpleÂ…)
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To: Bigtigermike

They say obama is reagan like


48 posted on 01/26/2011 10:03:01 AM PST by mamelukesabre (Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum (If you want peace prepare for war))
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To: mamelukesabre

She destroyed the best debater the dims have (that is what kennedy, obama and all of the dim talking heads claim biden is)... and I have it on DVD to prove it.

LLS


49 posted on 01/26/2011 10:03:53 AM PST by LibLieSlayer (WOLVERINES!!!)
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To: mamelukesabre

How many debates have you seen her paticipate in???


50 posted on 01/26/2011 10:04:08 AM PST by BillM
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To: altura

What in the heck makes you think I’d vote for Romney? good grief! I’ll probably vote for her, but the fanboys are as bad as being at a Justin Bieber concert :-)

I haven’t liked a candidate since Barry Goldwater; doesn’t mean I’m going to vote for a socialist, though.


51 posted on 01/26/2011 10:04:47 AM PST by RedStateRocker (Nuke Mecca, Deport all illegals, abolish the IRS, DEA and ATF.)
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To: CynicalBear

Based on what I’ve seen , Romney, Huckabee, and Gingrich are the front runner right now. Pawlenty, Daniels, Pence, Barbour are all way behind. Looks like Giuliani wants to get in.

SP and Bachmann will probably not run. Ron Paul will make his usual Don quixote like stab at it.

Pay close attention to dark horses like John Thune or Marco Rubio who could wind up on the second spot of the ticket.


52 posted on 01/26/2011 10:04:54 AM PST by Gen. Burkhalter
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
Propaganda machine is out in strength ... like Obama’s speech it is simply lies, Over and over again. Say something often enough and people begin to believe it, Propaganda is powerful The Left has most of the Main stream medias, either owned by liberal stockholders ... thus able to channel the direction of the news, day after day: or the news persons themselves are liberal and thus berate the republicans, and especially Sarah Palin. ... because she is good, true, unafraid, honest, and an ordinary American in many ways and has values that do not agree with the overall projections of the left for America.

Which are ... Homosexuality, marriage, abortion, Socialism, government control from birth to death, taking away our incentives to achieve and taking away the paths to be achievers. Dumbing down education, and ... of course, the government itself and all it big wigs are completely immune and exempted from all these rules and regulations.

SARAH = FREEDOM, CHRISTIANITY, COMMON SENSE CONSERVATISM, ELEMINATE BIG SPENDING, CUT BACK ON GOVERNMENT CONTROLS ENCOURAGE SMALL BUSINESSES ... Have a life with family values, THIS SARAH'S MESSAGE. She is a terrific communicator and I will support her and vote for her.

Like the SOTUS, it is 'propaganda lies' for effect.

53 posted on 01/26/2011 10:05:33 AM PST by geologist (The only answer to the troubles of this life is Jesus. A decision we all must make.)
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To: RexBeach

No, the left hates her because she proves the lie of their pro abortion/pro choice stand.

Those on the republican side are mainly cynically trying to keep her from ruining Jeb’s chances in 2016. (Rove, Kraphammer, barbara bush, Will, et al)

They are complicit with the left in advancing the smears, but for somewhat different reasons (although pro-choice republicans are afflicted the same way by her I’m sure).

Her inherent goodness and character shows them how debased and vile their lives are, and they hate her for it.


54 posted on 01/26/2011 10:06:41 AM PST by t-dude (Sarah causes banal and vituperous evil snarks to shriek in horror!)
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To: MichaelCorleone

I was SHOCKED the first time I saw that ad.


55 posted on 01/26/2011 10:08:03 AM PST by 2ndDivisionVet (Please donate to FreeRepublic, sanity in a world gone mad!)
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To: mamelukesabre

Liberal Media praising some liberal candidate (Obama) that they hyped as the next Reagan, FDR, Lincoln, RFK, JFK, MLK is no big deal

Liberal Media praising someone they dislike (Palin) is quite different


56 posted on 01/26/2011 10:08:21 AM PST by Bigtigermike
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To: RedStateRocker

That’s good to know, but you should do more. You should back her without reservation. You should endure her overly worshiping admirers with a kindly toleration.


57 posted on 01/26/2011 10:08:22 AM PST by altura
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

They don’t like Palin because they don’t like us.

And they aren’t going to like anyone who looks or sounds like us.

And furthermore, they aren’t going to like anyone who they perceive is a threat to themselves. She draws fire for the above reasons, but if you back away from her to get away from the line of fire, whoever else you choose to rally around will start to draw the very same fire. It isn’t her they hate so much as it is, us.

As for the “Rino” Republicans, why do they hate her? For the very same reason. And, trust me, at least on my part, its mutual.


58 posted on 01/26/2011 10:09:24 AM PST by marron
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To: Bigtigermike; Porterville; mamelukesabre; LibLieSlayer; onyx
Welcome Back, Dad

I've been trying to convince my fellow conservatives that they have been wasting their time in a fruitless quest for a new Ronald Reagan to emerge and lead our party and our nation. I insisted that we'd never see his like again because he was one of a kind. I was wrong! Wednesday night I watched the Republican National Convention on television and there, before my very eyes, I saw my Dad reborn; only this time he's a she. And what a she! This was Ronald Reagan at his best -- the same Ronald Reagan who made the address known now solely as "The Speech," which during the Goldwater campaign set the tone and the agenda for the rebirth of the traditional conservative movement that later sent him to the White House for eight years and revived the moribund GOP. Welcome back, Dad, even if you're wearing a dress and bearing children this time around.

~Michael Reagan, Chairman, Reagan Foundation, syndicated talk show host and son of President Ronald Reagan

59 posted on 01/26/2011 10:11:21 AM PST by 2ndDivisionVet (Please donate to FreeRepublic, sanity in a world gone mad!)
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To: Porterville

I’d say Palin has more guts than Christie. She’s got common sense. That makes her perfect for office.

I don’t think she’s fully pro-life though.

Contraception leads to abortion: You can’t use something with a proven failure rate of 2-17% and have it work every time!!!

And that’s why 60% of black New York women shred their kids each year. Unfortunate media-educated non-thinkers.


60 posted on 01/26/2011 10:14:00 AM PST by If You Want It Fixed - Fix It
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