Posted on 07/08/2009 1:25:18 PM PDT by Kaslin
The soon to be former governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin, is like one of those souffles my mother sometimes made. The recipe warned against premature removal from the oven because the dish would collapse.
That is the saga of Gov. Palin. Prematurely plucked from relative obscurity by John McCain and touted as a rising star by many Republican conservatives, Palin collapsed. Though she was treated unfairly and in ways that no liberal woman would have been -- not even Hillary Clinton -- she clearly was not prepared to discuss the issues, the command of which -- or least familiarity of which -- are essential to anyone seeking national office.
Palin energized the shrinking Republican base, but could never get beyond them to connect with independents and conservative Democrats who might have taken her seriously had she displayed more seriousness. It is not enough to talk about what has been lost in America. One must speak of a vision for the future and ways to reach it.
Many commentators are speculating whether quitting as governor is good or bad political strategy. Few want to take Palin's word at face value, that she is tired of the ethics probes (all but two of the 15 ethics complaints filed against her have been dismissed with no findings of wrongdoing) and the big media's refusal to examine her accomplishments as governor and the substance of her views. Fair enough. But anyone running for national office must traverse a media gauntlet -- with the notable exception of Barack Obama and his worshipful media disciples. While conservatives can expect worse treatment than liberals, they can prevail with the right strategy.
It was unfair to Palin to have been selected as McCain's running mate so soon after the birth of her youngest child, especially one with Down syndrome, and the pregnancy of her teenage daughter. Either event would have required more motherly attention than usual, but both demand a level of emotional energy that no human being can muster while running for vice president.
If Palin is to have a future in national politics (assuming she wants one) there are several steps she must take. First, she needs a complete makeover. The big media will never admit they were wrong in their judgments, but they might write stories about the "new Sarah Palin." She should hit the books and learn as much as she can about the modern world, history and court cases. She should read newspapers so that when future interviewers hit her with questions, she can dazzle them like a "Jeopardy" champion.
What she should not do is become a cable TV pundit. That's too predictable. Instead, she might follow Ronald Reagan's example and deliver a daily radio commentary. Radio takes the focus away from outward appearance and places it on the substance of what is said. She should write these commentaries herself, as Reagan did, and the outlets ought to include mainstream stations, as well as conservative and Christian ones.
Palin should hire a speech coach and follow that person's advice. She has a pleasant enough speaking voice, but the tone needs to be adjusted, as do her word choices. "You betcha" should be banned from her vocabulary. Such slang may resonate well with some people, but national candidates should have rhetoric that soars and gets attention.
Lastly, she needs a hair, makeup and wardrobe makeover. She is a beautiful woman, but appearance should not be the first thing one reacts to when people look at her.
There aren't many second acts in politics because the media tend to gobble people up and constantly search for the "new" and exciting. Sarah Palin can be "born again" in a political sense and excite beyond her base if she allows herself to be "baked" at the proper temperature and for the right amount of time. If she does that, she may emerge again and this time she'll rise, not fall.
Liberals always tell republicans how to succeed as though
they had their best interests at heart.Funny thing is some
republicans listen to them.
I don’t.
Sarah is doing just fine thank you.
We need to understand the “sides” have changed.
It’s not Dem v GOP now,
it’s “elites” v “individualists”.
I see others have come up with some new ones.
It’s like SP is the 3rd rail of conservative politics.
If Reagan came back from the dead and said anything negative about Palin, he’d be run out on a rail.
I like Cal Thomas. Just because you disagree with this commentary does not men that he is not entitled to his opinion.
I hope you aren’t saying that being ignorant of world events is “herself”.
I think he is wrong about his comments on her appearance, but I understand him. But he is right that she needs to be ready to outperform when she is asked questions, because they will try to trip her up and the way to change the narrative is to be BETTER than anybody so they can’t trip her up. Then they can all write about how smart they were to criticize her before, since now she is so much smarter — and that is a winning strategy for her.
“If Reagan came back from the dead and said anything negative about Palin, he’d be run out on a rail.”
Ain’t that the truth. I’m not a “Beltway Insider,” or anything of the kind. But I want someone with some substantive knowledge and the ability to make a coherent argument.
You are welcome. Unfortunately most here don’t think that Cal Thomas is entitled to his opinion
Cal Thomas ... RINO!!!! (/s)
She’s real, that’s what got them scared $^i1less, they’ve never seen such a thing, they know there’s no way to kill this Godgorgious monster , but their natural reaction is to throw sticks and stones in hopeless attempts at reprise before they turn tail and run for cover.
Cal Thomas is a buffoon.
He should be protected from himself by having all his writings scrutinized for stupid clangers like this.
You missed the obvious: "He hates Sarah Palin because she's beautiful."
My, oh my. The lib debating tactics return. No one said Cal Thomas can't have his opinion. I just see a lot of mocking of that opinion.
That's a pretty weak strawman you put up and knocked down.
I think I heard that he's also an anti-semite neo-con.
Or at least that's the rumor I'm spreading.
LOL!!!!! The comments on this thread read like an SNL parody of what FR would look like. Thomas is correct; and the silly responses to his rather obvious suggestions are downright embarrassing.
Or a long range contract for a syndicated column?
First Lowry, now Cal. I like Cal too but he seems to miss the point. Her popularity is due to who she is, not who she isn’t. His advise - you only need to change one thing...and that’s everything. Hair advice? From Cal?? Have these pundits lost it?
When they're owned, and controlled, lock, stock, and barrel, by the intrests that have been in control of this country for far too long!
Cal Thomas has gone to the dark side.....painful to watch him on that STUPID Fox show!!
Is anyone really surprised that a FOX GOP pundit write this? I’m not.
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