Why are we so defensive about Sarah Palin on this board? I like what she says, but then again we should, we’ve heard it before. She’s regurgitating the same content she reads from the same pundits we listen to, and quite possibly this forum. I don’t think there’s anything to apologize for when we call someone out for just repeating what they hear, rather than being able to quickly perform some real time analysis and decision making by applying their education, experience, and skill to form a coherent conclusion.
I know the flamers, zotters and troll-spotters are getting ready to respond in force, and I really hate that I need to preface my ‘controversial’ statement saying I don’t think Sarah would make a good president by saying that I am as diehard conservative as any of you, as it automatically calls into question the veracity of the statement - as in the sales guy who says: “let me be honest with you”. (so, you weren’t being honest before?) But here goes: I am a veteran, business owner (my company was just named to the Inc. 500), Republican, conservative, Christian, married (to a woman, thank you), father, gun owner. I pay more in taxes than I made 5 years ago, and I am sick and tired of being characterized as not paying my fair share, being the bad guy, responsible for oppressing entire classes, even races now of fellow Americans because I am caucasian and successful...and I live in Arizona. /conservative qualifications soapbox mode: off
And though I generally like Sarah, I appreciate she speaks out when, for whatever reason, we can’t seem to get a lot of folks to the podium, I just don’t think she is presidential timber. I am not going to say I am sorry about that.
I listen to/read Mark Steyn a lot and I really like his perspectives on a lot of topics. I note that Sarah does too as she recycles some of his phrases - specifically “hopey changey”. I don’t know about you, but that comes across as a bit cheap to me when you rip off someone else’s Intellectual Property. She gets rounding applause when she invokes that phrase, but you all are well read enough that you’ve heard this and other of her talking points before, haven’t you? Its not like the current administration isn’t an easy enough target to take some shots you come up with on your own, and frankly that is what I expect from a leader. We (Republicans, conservatives, Tea Partiers) can’t have our sincere desire for someone who will represent our truly mainstream viewpoints met by someone who has to check a blog, or read an article to see what she thinks. And that’s exactly what I think Sarah has to do before she can make the case. I think the right side of most arguments can be made after 10-seconds of analysis. More taxes? bigger government? Enacting regulation that favors one class or race over another? These crazy arguments of the left are easy to break down to their simplest components and make them look foolish. Why would someone need to invoke the words of another to make that case? Its not enough for me.
I haven’t seen a thing that she has done, nor does it come across in an interview, debate or even a speech she does, that she is capable of coming up with her own case. I don’t mean that in a harsh way...I just haven’t seen it. And neither have you.
A recent poll indicated that any Republican would beat Obama at this point...as it should be! However, I don’t think “any ol Republican” would be able to govern well, and build up enough credibility as an effective leader to establish a conservative dynasty. To me, being a conservative is a common sense thing. We should be in power for the next 500 years. We need someone who can be articulate enough to argue down these snake oil salesmen from the left, including the journalists which will be nothing less than out to do her (or any Republican) harm. We need someone like Reagan who can point out the hypocrisy of the Left, and in real time, with panache and good humor. That is what will win the voting public over. Break down their double talk/newspeak to the ridiculousness it is. It must be done for the long term sanity of this country.
Sarah’s just not the right person to bring this message there. If she has time to rehearse, she can regurgitate. We need to get someone in there who can think on their feet, and beat back this tide of national mediocrity. We all know what is at stake.
I am in agreement with everything you said.
What disturbs me most is the way the Palin supporters act toward other conservatives. It is disturbing and doesn’t bode well for the next election.
I have watched Palin closely and she is not my choice. I would vote for her over any democrat but don’t think she can win and don’t think she is ready to be president.
That is my opinion and I am sticking to it no matter how many people screeam and call me names.
The republicans, the conservatives are risking RINO’s and conservative dems banding together for a middle road candidate. ANd that will mean more socialism.
“Sarah’s just not the right person to bring this message there. If she has time to rehearse, she can regurgitate. We need to get someone in there who can think on their feet, and beat back this tide of national mediocrity. We all know what is at stake.”
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You’re standing in the middle of the forest, and are at a loss to find some firewood!
Palin is the only one, not just now but for a quarter century, that can and does think on her feet, and has proven it in her political career.
She took down the giants in her own party without help, and without flinching, and you try to pretend it didn’t happen.
We’re fortunate to have her; I thank the Lord daily for sending her to us.
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You articulated it very well.
I am a huge Sarah fan, because she IS saying what needs to be said, without cowering in fear like 99.9% of Republican politicians and talking heads.
However, stealing the hopey changey line bugged me too, and the fact that while she is always on the correct side, and brings up the correct points, she doesn’t have an original analysis or insight like, say, a Rush Limbaugh.
If she were our nominee, that would be good enough for me, but I fear that too many independents and less-political folks have believed the negative press about her. And I fear that maybe it’s true that she is not ready for prime time.
But I love her and wish she were the one to beat Obama. Certainly I don’t know who else can be an unabashed conservative and explain why the constitutional way is best for EVERY American. That is whom we need.