Posted on 10/06/2011 8:46:17 AM PDT by Qbert
- “I will continue driving the discussion for freedom and free markets…”
- From Sarah Palin’s statement announcing her decision not to run for president.
Um, probably not. Sarah Palin’s political voice had dwindled well before she announced her decision not to run. Now it will sink altogether into inaudibility. She will be no kind of force in future national discussions. She will have no sway over party debates. She will retain some starpower for a little while longer. She may for another cycle or two be able to help certain candidates for certain political offices raise some money. Even that will fade within two more years or four. Her political career was brief, bizarre, and sordid. But now at least it is definitively finished.
Palin will never become a party elder stateswoman. Over the past three years, it became apparent to all but a handful of cultists that her only interests were money and celebrity. She had no concept of public service, and no capacity to serve even if she had wished to do so. Soon even those last cultists will quietly abandon the argument. We talk often these days about makers and takers. Sarah Palin was the ultimate taker. She abandoned her post as governor of Alaska to cash in on lectures and TV. She squeezed her supporters for political donations and spent the money on herself. To adapt an old phrase, she seen her opportunities and she took ‘em.
In the end, she exploited, abused, or embarrassed almost everyone who had believed in her. Most embarrassing of all: she was never even a very good con artist. Everything that was false and petty and unqualified in her was visible within the first minutes of encountering her. The people she fooled were people who passionately wished to be fooled. To that extent, what was important in her story was not the faults and failings of Sarah Palin. There have always been grifters in politics. What was important in her story was the revelation of conservatism’s lack of antibodies against somebody with the faults and failings of Sarah Palin. That’s the story that should trouble us still.
“I haven’t counted Palin out. I won’t be surprised if all of a sudden she is running for Senator.”
Yep.
Are you predicting she won’t be able to influence elections?
Dream on boy. Sarah can and will be doing more damage to the leftist’s causes then if she were in the WH.
She has too many qualities that all sane American citizens love and want back in their lives.
Palin can influence more people in 5 minutes
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My question is pretty straightforwrd. Do you think that will continue to be the case now that she is officially out of the race for 2012. It is at least (I think) a useful question to ponder. Was her influence to the world at large based on the likelihood of her entering the race (fire in the belly, I know I could win), and will that influence and interest wane now.
I don’t know.
Dave, if this was it, if last night ended all that Sarah Palin ever has done or ever will do for conservatism, if I have to put that up against everything you have done or will ever do for conservatism and pass verdict on who’s done more and better for the movement...that’s a no-brainer. It’s not you.
You stay classy, Dave.
Yep.
I’ve never heard of this clown Frum. What is he, spokesman for the Metrosexual wing of the GOP?
I’d have to consult Sun Tzu...
Wonder if she'll still pursue lawsuit vs. McGinnis and his publisher?
One person in the White House is not going to correct 40 to 50 years of creeping liberalism. This country needs a ground up transformation. The organizing 4 efforts now should, for the most part, have an infrastructure in place to begin to effect (or is it affect?) elections at the local and state level.
That is where our Republic is going to be saved. Not from the Washington top down.
I am sure there are alot here who will agree with him, sadly.
She’s not done by a long shot.
“...I agree with one part of what he said... she took her supporters all the way into October and then just dropped it like our support didn’t matter.”
I seriously doubt this will be end of her political career. (Remember Reagan supporters after ‘68 and ‘76?)
To any idiot who thinks Palin’s influence is nil, consider such scenarios as this:
She comes out and flatly states Romney is wrong for the country and would portend disaster, and will do everything in her power to prevent his nomination.
She comes out and flatly states Perry is wrong for the country and should not be elected under any circumstances, and will do everything in her power to prevent his nomination.
She comes out and flatly states Cain is wrong for the country and lacks experience, and will do everything in her power to prevent his nomination.
Although endorsements don’t really mean much (especially to free-thinking conservatives), I would contend that she still has the power to deep-six any candidate she chooses. Not that I’m remotely expecting these scenarios. But Frum is a total idiot. Besides also being a worthless POS.
Does David Frum’s life-partner know he’s playing on the Internet today?
That’s fine and good. And if you’re a liberal you will take the Jon Stewart-like tactic of using sarcasm to hide from taking a sincere stand.
I’m not accusing of being a liberal, though I can’t know for sure. But what I say here about hiding from sincerity will separate a true conservative from a liberal.
"Thine enemy's enemy..."
Okay, you’ve been civil, I’ll be civil. I doubt if she’ll have a large influence, but I sure wouldn’t bet on being correct. Who’s to know?
Largely agree as to her diminished stature, but come on, Frum. I don’t know her motivations and couldn’t care less. You shouldn’t either. You sound like one of those people hell hath no fury like.
yeah, just like Reagan faded.
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