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Indie Sarah Palin flick could alter the 2012 political landscape
The Washington Examiner ^
| 06/06/11
| Rob Bluey
Posted on 06/06/2011 12:00:39 PM PDT by GonzoII
By Rob Bluey
Created Jun 6 2011 - 5:43am
Indie Sarah Palin flick could alter the 2012 political landscape
Long before Sarah Palin became one of America's most polarizing political figures - reviled by the left and critiqued by the right - she was an extremely popular governor of Alaska with a record of major accomplishments.
Years before emerging on the national scene, Palin rightfully earned the "maverick" label for taking on corruption and shaking up the establishment in Juneau.
But to this day, the story of Palin's rise to power remains largely unknown outside of Alaska. While it was part of her best-selling book, "Going Rogue," Americans have heard a different tale from the liberal media - one that portrays Palin as an unintelligent, conniving politician who poses a dangerous threat to the country. It began on Aug. 29, 2008, and hasnt stopped since.
A new feature-length documentary by conservative filmmaker Stephen K. Bannon seeks to change that perception. It tells the incredible story of Palin's groundbreaking rise in Alaska and foreshadows the unpredictable future that awaits.
I was among a small group of reporters from Washington to view the film recently. It's a powerful story of an amazing woman, but also a sad tale of a life changed forever.
"The Undefeated" is already generating buzz as a film that could alter the 2012 landscape. It will debut later this month in Iowa, home to the first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses.
Bannon, who last year produced Fire from the Heartland, a story of conservative women, is so confident that he financed the $1 million documentary himself.
Three years after Palin emerged as Sen. John McCain's vice presidential pick, the movie seeks to educate Americans about her tenure in Alaska. In fact, most Americans won't recognize the Palin they see in this film.
The documentary includes three acts, the first two devoted to a detailed look at Palin's successful stint as mayor of Wasilla and then governor of Alaska. Palin wasnt interviewed for the film; Bannon instead uses audio tracks from Going Rogue.
Long before Palin was a household name in the lower 48, she was facing sustained and sometimes sexist attacks from political adversaries in Alaska.
Not surprisingly, she overcame the challenges and managed to win the respect of many Alaskans for her populist agenda.
Palins political career took off in 1996 when she narrowly defeated Wasillas incumbent mayor, John Stein, and then went on to defeat him again by a landslide in her re-election bid.
As mayor, Palin cut taxes and transformed Wasilla into a pro-business city that attracted big-box retailers.
Her work paid off. She was appointed to the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, becoming a strong advocate for ethics reform and gaining a reputation for challenging corrupt bureaucrats -- a theme throughout the movie.
This was most evident when Palin took on a fellow commissioner (who was also state Republican Party chairman), stood her ground and resigned from the six-figure job when she grew frustrated with Republican Gov. Frank Murkowski.
That gave Palin an opening to launch an insurgent campaign against the incumbent governor, a towering figure in a state politics. She defeated Murkowski in the Republican primary, then easily beat Democrat Tony Knowles, a former governor, in the general election.
Bannon uses the second act of the documentary to detail Palins three major accomplishments as governor: approval of a natural gas pipeline, a tax deal that has left Alaska with a budget surplus and a confrontation with Exxon Mobil over oil development.
Even though the movie begins to drag during the second act, Bannon excites viewers in the third act with the dramatic story of Palins selection as vice president and her riveting acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention -- a speech youll view differently knowing the details of Palins accomplishments in Alaska.
The convention speech is a moment of both joy and sadness. At the time, Palin evoked memories of Ronald Reagan for her masterful way of connecting with people.
But looking back nearly three years, Palin hasnt lived up to that potential. In fact, after a TLC reality show, two books and numerous speaking engagements, shes now viewed suspiciously even by conservatives and loathed by many Americans.
It didnt have to be this way -- and its not entirely Palins fault. Two weeks after her national debut, the U.S. economy collapsed along with McCains campaign. Americans were never exposed to her achievements in Alaska. Instead, they saw Katie Couric quiz Palin about the newspapers she reads and Tina Fey mock her on Saturday Night Live.
There's such a stark contrast of Palin before her selection as vice president that you can't help but feel badly about how this story has turned out -- at least so far. But that's also what I found most compelling about the film -- that there is potential for redemption.
The Undefeated certainly helps reverse the negative perceptions of Palin, especially the prevailing view that shes not ready for primetime. However, it will require Americans to actually spend two hours in the theater to find out why.
Bannon told me it might not be as difficult as some might suspect. He said even liberal theater owners are clamoring for a chance to screen the movie, realizing that Palins story is a lot more remarkable than even they realized. Aside from selling tickets, Bannon also wants to change minds. That will be a tougher sell.
Rob Bluey is director of the Center for Media and Public Policy at The Heritage Foundation.
TOPICS: News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: palin; sarahpalin; theundefeated
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1
posted on
06/06/2011 12:00:44 PM PDT
by
GonzoII
To: GonzoII
I almost agree that a 3rd Party , with a strong candidate set, like a Sarah Palin / Allen West ticket , might be the way to go.
No matter how much the Tea Party has tried to assist /advance / support the better elements with the Republican Party , the mainstreamers have done everything possible to demean/deny/dis-empower that same Tea Party activist movement . All they seem interested in doing is subverting it . [ Carl Rove ]
The R’s hardly deserve our support any longer , they have lost the will to fight , as Constitutionalists . They barely support our troops .
And yet nothing but “ the-sky-is-falling ‘ scare tactics and rhetoric at any mention of a ‘ 3rd Party’
God forbid! “ it guarantees a sure loss ! “ And sticking with the same old tired Republican wimps doesn’t ?
It doesn’t have to be a H.Ross Perot redux .
Sarah and Allen , in a sea of United States flags and a battle cry of VICTORY in the wars against radical Islam and run-away debt and spending on dubious social programs .
A full on turning away for the Sodom & Gomorrahism of the Obamaist socialist ‘progressive’ Soros puppet minions ...
We can do it . Those in uniform need us to help them out in this way .
To: GonzoII
Why did she quit as governor if she was doing such a good job?
I like Gov. Palin, but lots of people I know point to that event, and say that it disqualifies her as a candidate for The White House.
Thoughts?
3
posted on
06/06/2011 12:15:34 PM PDT
by
RexBeach
(If two people know, it's not a secret.)
To: RexBeach
The answer to your question is: Legal bills. Democrats filed motion after motion to create a political quagmire in Alaska.
4
posted on
06/06/2011 12:20:14 PM PDT
by
Codeflier
(Bush, Clinton, Bush, Obama - 4 democrat presidents in a row and counting...)
To: GonzoII
Both Allen West & Sarah Palin are NATURAL BORN CITIZENS
Barry Soetoro aka Barack Hussein Obama isn't!
73:1:13
5
posted on
06/06/2011 12:23:03 PM PDT
by
ASA Vet
(Natural-born citizens, are those born in the country, of parents who are citizens. De Vattel)
To: RexBeach
I guess the same argument will be made against Christie, if he runs right?
6
posted on
06/06/2011 12:24:51 PM PDT
by
nikos1121
To: RexBeach
"Why did she quit as governor if she was doing such a good job?"
"People close to Sarah Palin say national political reporters and pundits have missed the real reasons for her surprising decision to resign as Alaska governor. The national media have dismissed or downplayed her real motives, which had little to do with any plans to run for president in 2012. Contrary to most reports, her decision had been in the works for months, accelerating recently as it became clear that controversies and endless ethics investigations were threatening to overshadow her legislative agenda. "Attacks inside Alaska and largely invisible to the national media had paralyzed her administration," someone close to the governor told me. "She was fully aware she would be branded a 'quitter.' She did not want to disappoint her constituents, but she was no longer able to do the job she had been elected to do. Essentially, the taxpayers were paying for Sarah to go to work every day and defend herself."
This situation developed because Alaska's transparency laws allow anyone to file Freedom of Information Act requests. While normally useful, in the hands of political opponents FOIA requests can become a means to bog down a target in a bureaucratic quagmire, thanks to the need to comb through records and respond by a strict timetable. Similarly, ethics investigations are easily triggered and can drag on for months even if the initial complaint is flimsy. Since Ms. Palin returned to Alaska after the 2008 campaign, some 150 FOIA requests have been filed and her office has been targeted for investigation by everyone from the FBI to the Alaska legislature..."
Source
7
posted on
06/06/2011 12:28:49 PM PDT
by
GonzoII
(Quia tu es, Deus, fortitudo mea...Quare tristis es anima mea?)
To: GonzoII
Man, if this works look out Cannes....the Oskaloosa Film Festival won’t be far away!
8
posted on
06/06/2011 12:30:38 PM PDT
by
bigbob
To: RexBeach
socialists were willing to murder Alaska to spite Palin. She wouldn’t have any of it. She did it to save Alaska.
Country first before me, my, and I!
9
posted on
06/06/2011 12:43:36 PM PDT
by
parisa
To: RexBeach
"Why did she quit as governor if she was doing such a good job?"You would NOT have to ask this question if you have followed Sarah, or even listened to her as to why she resigned.
The leftists did NOT accept her just going back to Alaska to do her job, but instead decided to destroy her and her family. They tried to BANKRUPT her by filing false accusations, which she personally had to pay an attorney to represent her, as well as all the wasted money Alaska had to pay to research and give the recommended documents.
Her resignation as Governor was a brave and honorable thing to do. Something we DO NOT have in our current parties.
Sarah knew what people would say about it, knowing they WOULD NOT accept the truth as to why she HAD to resign, but make up their own stories and lies about it.
10
posted on
06/06/2011 12:43:48 PM PDT
by
NoGrayZone
("Islamophobia: The irrational fear of being beheaded.")
To: RexBeach
Really? REALLY?! That’s only been hammered on about a million times here.
Short version: Frivolous lawsuits and ethics complaits - all of which were eventually dismissed or Palin won - were costing the state millions and were preventing Palin from doing her job. So she rendered them moot by resigning.
11
posted on
06/06/2011 12:43:48 PM PDT
by
piytar
(Obama opposed every tool used to get Osama. So of course he gets the credit. /hurl)
To: LeoWindhorse
>>I almost agree that a 3rd Party , with a strong candidate set, like a Sarah Palin / Allen West ticket , might be the way to go.<<
The “Indie” in the post title refers to an Independent Film, not a 3rd Party Independent run. Palin would never run as an “Indie” as it would almost certainly ensure Obama’s re-election.
12
posted on
06/06/2011 12:43:59 PM PDT
by
Norseman
(Term Limits: 8 years is enough!)
To: piytar; RexBeach
"So she rendered them moot by resigning." Not only did she render them moot, she became a "King Maker".
These idiots are so stupid which is why I call them the party of unintended consequences. They NEVER learn!
13
posted on
06/06/2011 12:48:36 PM PDT
by
NoGrayZone
("Islamophobia: The irrational fear of being beheaded.")
To: RexBeach
Watch the movie, you've obviously not done your homework.
Funny how she resigned her position as Energy Commissioner so she could unseat Murkowski as Governor, and that was just fine.
But stepping down as Governor to unseat O'Buttface as President... well, that disqualifies her? Sorry, but the logic doesn't follow. It's just a convenient excuse for oxygen-wasting brain-dead imbeciles to crap on a uniquely overqualified Christian leader. Period.
It makes decent people sick to their stomach to see adults behaving like this and acting like it's somehow justified because "We're talking about Palin!"
:^\/
14
posted on
06/06/2011 12:52:44 PM PDT
by
Gargantua
("Palin 2012 ~ Going Oval" ©2010 by Gargantua)
To: Gargantua
Now, now. I said I liked her. No need to get your shorts bunched up.
15
posted on
06/06/2011 12:59:01 PM PDT
by
RexBeach
(If two people know, it's not a secret.)
To: RexBeach; Gargantua
"Now, now. I said I liked her. No need to get your shorts bunched up."It seems the only ones who panties are bunched up is yours.
16
posted on
06/06/2011 1:08:19 PM PDT
by
NoGrayZone
("Islamophobia: The irrational fear of being beheaded.")
To: NoGrayZone
Not hardly.
Geez. Smile, God loves you.
17
posted on
06/06/2011 1:09:33 PM PDT
by
RexBeach
(If two people know, it's not a secret.)
To: RexBeach
"Why did she quit as governor if she was doing such a good job?"Your words. I know God loves me, I certainly don't need you to tell me so.
You need to freshen up on Sarahs resignation. We do not. YOU are the one making a stink out of it.
As I have stated, pull your panties out of your a$$ and do some research.
18
posted on
06/06/2011 1:18:45 PM PDT
by
NoGrayZone
("Islamophobia: The irrational fear of being beheaded.")
To: GonzoII
You know now I know why she has not announced....
Remember the movie "Hillary, the Movie" being ruled by the courts constitutes political advertising, and so must be banned by McCain-Finegold?
So what will happen when Sara announcers.... the left goes to the courts and the Sara movie get banned by McCain-Finegold
19
posted on
06/06/2011 1:29:39 PM PDT
by
tophat9000
(Global Warming, undeniable truth; Obama, infallible genius; Apple perfect, invented everything)
To: tophat9000
"So what will happen when Sara announcers.... the left goes to the courts and the Sara movie gets banned by McCain-Finegold top box office ratings"
20
posted on
06/06/2011 1:46:57 PM PDT
by
GonzoII
(Quia tu es, Deus, fortitudo mea...Quare tristis es anima mea?)
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