Defeated Palin makes triumphant return home; GOP infighting grows

SFGate (home of the San Francisco Chronicle) ^ | Thursday, November 6, 2008; 18:57 PST | Carla Marinucci, Chronicle Political Writer

[Gondring]

Gov. Sarah Palin returned home in defeat to Wasilla, Alaska, today - leaving behind eyebrow-raising tales about towel-clad appearances and internal campaign feuds. [...]

Among the stories reported by Fox News and Newsweek magazine:

-- She showed up in front of John McCain campaign aides "wearing nothing but a towel";

-- She sent campaign staff on a shopping spree for her family that insiders described as the "Wasilla hillbillies looting Nieman Marcus from coast-to-coast";

-- She was so shockingly ignorant of basic civics that aides prepping her for her single debate realized she didn't know that Africa is a continent and not a country, nor could she identify the countries that comprise North America. [...]

On election night, the New York Times reported, Palin showed up at McCain's election-night gathering in Phoenix ready to read a concession speech. It goes against campaign protocol for a vice presidential candidate to speak on election night, and the move was vetoed by McCain strategist Steve Schmidt. [...]

"She didn't know the nations involved in the North American Free Trade Agreement," NAFTA - a key agreement between the United States, Mexico and Canada," he said GOP insiders told him. She also "didn't understand that Africa was a continent and not a country" and asked for explanation about the difference between South Africa and Africa, he reported. [...]

And the lingering matter of her wardrobe spending continues - a Republican party attorney has been assigned to look into Palin's designer clothing purchases and, reportedly, to retrieve the expensive items. [...]

"An angry aide ... said the truth will eventually come out when the Republican Party audits its books," according to the magazine.

Still, conservative leaders downplayed those reports, insisting that base voters were deeply impressed by Palin and her contributions to the ticket.

[Gondring]

You might try forming your opinions based on a variety of sources. The unfiltered words of Governor Palin herself would be start.

That's part of what I've used. For example, the colonel's report.

[Gondring]

What ethical system are you operating under?

I can either answer, "The search for reality and objective truth." or "red herring--reality isn't an ethical question."

[Gondring]

I also find it astonishing that when there are problems, there are many who claim to be conservatives who would rather hide them than face them.

Some of Gov. Palin's past behavior makes these accusations seem plausible to at least some extent. As I mentioned earlier, the colonel's report gives some insight. I can understand people not wanting to discuss those things at the time they first came out nationally, but it's after the election and we should take honest stock.

[Gondring]

What I’m most steamed about is the fact that she would have been SHREDDED by the MSM if she had shown up at a single event in “regular” clothes.

So you think $150,000 wasn't enough?!?

[Gondring]

They even say that she’s smart....Carl Cameron agreed on that point.

[Gondring]

Sarah caused soft republicans to bolt and thus the need to follow them? Yet then I hear those 'value' voters got turned off and stayed home after being Foloyized in 2006 and gave Congress to the democrats.

First, you're giving two statements that are not from the same source--I don't either of us made both of those statements.

Second, you're attributing two results that are not neessarily mutually exclusive (i.e., "value" voters can stay home from the same ticket that causes soft Republicans to bolt).

[Gondring]

It must be rough to have a shower that opens into public areas.

[jla]

To me, these things are believable...and demonstrate the culture-clash we're facing. Gov. Palin presented herself as an unintellectual, regular person...and perhaps that's true.

These "things" have already been explained, (to Gov. Palin's favor), or exposed as total fabrications.

I would suggest that casting aspersions on Gov. Palin before you know fact from fiction makes you appear unintellectual.

[Just mythoughts]

First, you're giving two statements that are not from the same source--I don't either of us made both of those statements. Second, you're attributing two results that are not neessarily mutually exclusive (i.e., "value" voters can stay home from the same ticket that causes soft Republicans to bolt).

Did I say they were from the same source? So are we now going to debate the source of the statements or their content?

The exclusivity is that 'value voters' are always the first in line to get blamed when they stand for their obviously known values. But soft Republicans need be massaged to get their votes and they are never treated as outcasts, but like 'madams' of the party.

[TAdams8591]

"What is amazing is that so many conservatives actually accept the false premises that the left and media present them - and proceed to anguish and attack one another, just as the left and media wish."

We see this time and again and point it out time and again, and still our own fall for it. Just incredible.

[Gondring]

Did I say they were from the same source? So are we now going to debate the source of the statements or their content?

Well, you'd prefer to just change to a less conservative message?

Seems to me that soft Republicans are always getting the blame around here. I'm a conservative, but I'm not going to fool myself and ignore the fact that decades of public-school indoctrination aren't taking their toll on the American electorate.

We can either put our heads in the sand and ignore that, or we can address it. I prefer the latter.

[Gondring]

These "things" have already been explained, (to Gov. Palin's favor), or exposed as total fabrications.

"Explained" by whom?

What was the answer to the Colonel's fear question?I never heard a good explanation when it came up, but I didn't want to highlight it during the campaign.

[Warrior Nurse]

Maybe even Warrior Nurse will have a hat in the ring by then...

Thanks for the sentiment FredZaguna I am sure that I have a resume that has more on it then our current President Elect we are the same age. Besides when I retire from the big green machine I will need something to do. Especially if I can get the support of my new wife and the conservatives of FRee Republic.

[Gondring]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrUN8oldj9o&fmt=18

[FredZarguna]

You'll have our support, not because you happen to be Black, but because you choose to be conservative, and we are our choices more than anything else.

By the way, we have something in common: My Dad, who has always been my hero as well, was also 3d ID (1941-1946).

FRegards,
FRed.