Yes, Palin is Loyal, but to What and to Whom?

NewsReal ^ | 2010-04-07 | John R. Guardiano

[rabscuttle385]

Conflicting loyalties seem to have resulted in some surprising political decisions by Sarah Palin.

On Monday here at NewsReal Blog I argued that Govenor Sarah Palin’s active support of John McCain’s Senate reelection campaign makes no sense. Palin, after all, doesn’t owe McCain anything. Whatever debt she might have owed McCain she paid off during the 2008 presidential campaign.

In fact, if anything, it seems to me that McCain is indebted to Palin. This because his ‘08 campaign really did her a disservice, and also because McCain staffers have since betrayed the former Alaska governor with malicious and disparaging leaks to the media.

Many of the commenters to my post don’t disagree. However, they write, there is one laudable reason why Palin is actively supporting McCain: loyalty.

Fair enough. Loyalty is important. But it seems to me that Palin has competing loyalty obligations; and that she chose to be loyal to McCain when she just as easily could have chosen to be loyal to other people and other principles instead.

For example, Palin knows that some of her most steadfast supporters in the conservative and Tea Party movements have very profound and important differences with McCain.

These Palin supporters believe that on too many critical issues — including free speech (aka “campaign finance reform”), military modernization, and illegal immigration – McCain is a liberal wolf in a conservative sheep’s clothing.

What about loyalty to these people? What about loyalty to their issues and concerns? Why does loyalty to one man, one politician, outweigh loyalty to millions of dedicated conservative and Tea Party activists?

And why does personal loyalty to a man (McCain) outweigh loyalty to a set of conservative political principles?

No one’s saying that Palin had to actively oppose McCain. That might, indeed, have been awkward and ill-advised given that she was his vice presidential running mate.

But why did Palin have to go out of her way to actively support and campaign for McCain? Why couldn’t she have praised both McCain and his challenger, Rep. J.D. Hayworth, while remaining neutral in the Arizona Senate race?

I can think of two possible explanations offered up, respectively, by journalists Conor Friedersdorf and Matthew Continetti.

Friedersdorf says that Palin simply may not be the conservative her steadfast supporters think she is. She may, in fact, be a John McCain Republican. This would mean that she is liberal on some issues, moderate on others, and conservative about a few things.

Continetti notes that since being thrust into the national limelight, Palin has “become incredibly rich.” It may be — and this is me speaking, not Continetti — that because of her newfound riches, Palin feels an understandable debt, literally and figuratively, to Sen. McCain.

If true, that’s fine. Making money to support one’s family is honorable. But that’s a different type of loyalty, I think, than many of the governor’s defenders have in mind.

John R. Guardiano is a writer and analyst in Arlington, Virginia. You can follow him on Twitter: @Guardian0.

[the long march]

Thank you that is exactly the truth

[UCFRoadWarrior]

Yes, she is not the conservative her supporters claim she is.....when you have 8 different positions on Illegal Alien Amnesty (”not Total Amnesty”...Palin), and, put a windfall profits tax on oil companies in Alaska...you are not a conservative.

We need to find a real conservative in 2012...and Palin is not a real conservative. You do not continue to hang around and shill for John McAmnesty...if you are a real conservative

[Will88]

She may, in fact, be a John McCain Republican.

I've written that very thing here in FR threads several times in recent weeks. I think the reality is that Sarah had not formed stances on all the issues that one must deal with in presidential campaigns. And that's no surprise and nothing negative about Sarah. She had not spent months and years preparing for a presidential campaign as most have who end up on a presidential ticket. She had a few days, or weeks notice when most have been preparing for years.

I'd hoped that Sarah would take 2010 as a year to establish herself and form stances on the major issues, but attaching herself to Juan McCain is not the way to do that. Am now hoping she is through with the McCain campaign, and will be very scarce around that race for the duration. But if she continues to speak out for McCain, and especially if she returns to Arizona to campaign more, she can really harm her own future prospects.

[aumrl]

“it seems to me”
that doesn’t mean squat.
What matters is what loyalty means to her.

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

I’m certainly not anti-feminist. Good grief. After the hell her family’s been through, they need to see their mom kick some tail. You want her kids to grow up with “loser” over her forehead?

[jonrick46]

Sarah Palin is loyal to the American people and your freedom.

We must take every opportunity to educate those who do not understand the consequences of the Obama Regime.

[the long march]

I have been a conservative longer than you have been alive so stop with your name calling.

To suggest that somehow one cannot be a conservative if you are a) female b) married c) with children and d) in politics is beyond ridiculous. Why not suggest perhaps that ANY politician should have NO children because it would be a sign of a bad parent to be so involved outside the home.

Considering that the Hasidim seperate the men from the women for worship I am not overly impressed with your comment about being fanatics about women.

Please do not try and force your Orthodxy onto others. If you think a woman should stay at home that’s fine that has not been the view in the western US for over 150 years

[jonrick46]

I hope John McCain wins. JD is guaranteed to lose in Arizona. That would give the DemonRATs a seat we could have won with McCain.

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

“But if she continues to speak out for McCain, and especially if she returns to Arizona to campaign more, she can really harm her own future prospects.”

I agree. But actually, the way she’s resisting conservatives makes me respect her in a grudging kind of way. I hope she clears up her position on borders after Hayworth wipes up the McStain.

[Spok]

“Palin’s image would have never survived”

I think you’re right. The one sure thing about Palin is the MSM is going to trash her no matter what she does, it’s hatred defies all bounds of reason. That, too, is to her credit.

[FrankR]

"I think she can do us much more good as a politically active private citizen.

Which is exactly why she resigned. To sacrifice that for the good of the country and the cause of conservatism I think EXACTLY makes her and excellent candidate for the Presidency.

You can never resign, or change directions in your life if you want to be President? What is that?

I think she rope-a-doped her critics and the media perfectly...they almost had her financially down with all their frivilous lawsuits, plus, having to deal with legalities cut deeply into her duties as Governor...so I think that was the smartest thing she ever did.

Jesus was the only "perfect person" ever, but he ain't running for President.

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

“I hope John McCain wins. JD is guaranteed to lose in Arizona.”

Yeah, McStain’s a real “winner” all right.

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

This primary is going to be a long slog for those of us who like Palin, like Hayworth, and know McStain for what he is.

[TitansAFC]

Dude, seriously.

ANOTHER thread about Palin endorsing McCain?



"I was going to vote for Sarah Palin, but now she's lost ALL of her Conservative credentials by endorsing McCain."

"I can't believe Sarah Palin is throwing Conservatives under the bus for John McCain! Now I'll never vote for her!"

"She can't WIN! She quit on Alaska, and that's all her opponents need to say!"

"She didn't outright say that she wants to deport every illegal alien in her first 100 days of office, so that means she supports total amnesty and open borders! What a RINO! Why she didn't even spit on John McCain right in the middle of a campaign speech when the topic of immigration was mentioned, so how could she be a REAL Conservative?"

"I was thrilled when John McCain picked her as his running mate, but now she's tarnished goods. That's just a fact."

"I was open to supporting her, but this (insert latest bullcrap spin on latest bullcrap accusation of the day against Palin) is a deal-breaker for me!"

"Jim Demint for President in 2012! I don't care if he's completely ruled it out!"

“I care about the USA, and Palin is now the enemy.”—stephenjohnbanker

"She IS a quitter. She IS a political lightening rod. She is damaged goods"---PSYCHO-FREEP

"What’s the difference between John McCain and Sarah Palin? Lipstick"---UCFRoadWarrior

"Palin IS all for Amnesty"---PSYCHO-FREEP

"Palin is rapidly proving her incompetence as a Conservative. She is also a terrible speaker"---PSYCHO-FREEP

"Now, I'm thinking she's not worth backing herself"---A2J

"Palinbots"--Man50D

"I think Palin's fifteen minutes are up."---Uri’el-2012

"Sounds like as airhead"---indylindy

"Bye bye Sarah"---unkus

"Palin is not the real problem around here. Her supporters on FR are. They are no different than the O admin"---indylindy

"rabid Palin worshippers"---indylindy

"Sarah, YOU stick around and listen. Maybe YOU’ll learn something."---DManA

"she’s just another wannabe"---dps.inspect

"i have very serious doubts about Palin"---wyowolf

"I got off the Palin bus five or six stops back."--noumenon

"I refuse to vote for her. Is she stupid, blackmailed, or bribed"---little jeremiah

"Her quitting the Alaskan governourship under pressure shows that she doesn’t have what it takes"--- Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus

"A trained monkey could have had a more coherent answer"---pissant

"She is nothing more than a double talking politician and because of it she will never be our nominee"---tatown

"As near as I can tell she has a popularity addiction it seems and is NOT good POTUS material"---cva66snipe

"PalinStinians"---UCFRoadWarrior

"She is no better than Myth Romney"---Frantzie

"I will NOT support her for any elective office."---Mariner

"Palin’s toast now"---pissant

"I’ve lost my respect for Sara Palin"---concernedforusa

"Her list of poor judgements (being generous) keeps growing."---School of Rational Thought

"Sarah Palin has a degree in journalism? Why oh why doesn’t she get some decent help with writing and with speeches??"---molybdenum

"Yes, she is not the conservative her supporters claim she is"---UCFRoadWarrior

"(On Palin) the friend of my enemy is also my enemy."---stockpirate

"she isn’t up to the Presidency."---MEGoody

Please feel free to ping me with more PDS quotes!

[CharlesWayneCT]

However, they write, there is one laudable reason why Palin is actively supporting McCain: loyalty.

She is supporting McCain for the reasons she says she is supporting McCain. I wish these people would stop calling Palin a liar.

Palin says "we need John McCain fighting for us" because he is "fighting harder for Americans today up against Obama's misguided policies" and she wants to see him re-elected. "I do support John McCain, and I would come out again in a heartbeat and say absolutely I support him."

PALIN: Well, I will correct you, then, Greta, because John McCain and I and everybody I think who was here today rooting for John McCain, we're all part of that tea party movement that is part of that groundswell of Americans rising up and saying, No, big intrusive government growing every day under Obama? We don't like it. We want to take our country back. That's what the tea party movement is all about and that's what John McCain is all about.

PALIN: Hey, Greta, he's very humble about this. Bottom line is John McCain believes in equality. He believes in the power of women, too, and I'm thankful for that. And Cindy McCain, as you say, a strong, independent woman -- she'll speak her mind. She'll call it like she sees it. And I appreciate the relationship that they have and the friendship and respect that comes from this couple. And Cindy McCain -- she's a great -- she's a great American. Tell you what Cindy McCain, too -- she's a perfect example of behind every good, successful, strong man stands a very surprised woman.

VAN SUSTEREN: Governor Palin, if you were vice president today, what would you be telling a President McCain about what to do about immigration, if anything?

PALIN: I support his position on immigration. It all comes down to securing the border. And he who has actually proposed some solutions, the Obama administration does not want to listen to Senator McCain or any other Republican, and that, of course, leads to a greater problem that we have in Washington, D.C. And it's that lack of the new administration's ability and enthusiasm for listening to those on the other side of the aisle who have some good solutions that they want considered.

"If you want conservative solutions and common sense leadership ... to fight for what this state and country needs, I'm asking you to vote for John McCain," Palin told several thousand people packed into a fairground in Tucson, Ariz.

"Let's send the Maverick back to the Senate," she added,

It's not about Loyalty. It's about what Sarah Palin thinks is best for Arizona.

[ilovesarah2012]

I disagree. She loves her family very much. She believes she can do some good. She managed to take care of her kids while governor. Have you read her book? She is an amazing woman.

[Lakeshark]

Beating the dead horse as usual, but what can you expect from a perfessional student.

What, your Ron Paul articles weren't enough so you have to post this crap from a David Frum supporter?

We're on to you Rabs. How's that support for Ron Paul going? Has he cracked 1% yet? Like you, he's just so pure......

[MEGoody]

Which is exactly why she resigned.

You can never resign, or change directions in your life if you want to be President?

Now, wait a minute. If she resigned because she knew she'd be more effective as a private citizen, then why would she run for President, thus ending that private citizenship? It simply isn't possible to have it both ways at the same time.

If she no longer feels she can't be more effective as a private citizen, then what has changed? I can't think of anything.

[Monterrosa-24]

The real point with Sarah’s children is that if she wants a decent America for them she has to run and win. When the barbarians are streaming through the gate...one has to react to that threat...not the number of hours of child-parent “quality time”.