Rumblings of Discontent — on Palin

NRO Corner ^ | 12/3/2010 | Mike Potemra

[Uncledave]

When I see the fervor of Sarah Palin’s fans — and by no means just those who swell the adoring crowds who go to her public appearances — I am convinced that the question is not, “How can she win the GOP nomination?” but “How can she not win it?” When you have anywhere between five and fifteen GOP candidates, all expressing basically the same conservative views, how can anyone other than the only one with the passionate fan base possibly win? And yet: Reading between the lines of what conservative-movement people are saying and writing, there is a great deal of worry about the prospect of a Palin nomination. I would summarize the GOP political writers’ consensus as follows: She must never be criticized, and she must never be nominated.

The most basic underpinning for this view is the notion that she can’t beat Obama, and I think this is a profoundly mistaken assumption. It is based on a too-abstract understanding of the qualifications for the presidency: It holds Palin up against an ideal presidential résumé, and finds her inadequate — which is true enough, but neither fair nor quite relevant. It’s important to remember that in a 2012 general election, she would be confronting not an ideal presidential profile, but an all-too-human flesh-and-blood opponent. The choice between Palin and Obama, phrased in the least flattering (to Palin) possible way, is a choice between a woman who may turn out to be seriously inadequate to the job and, therefore, become a failed president; and a man who has already convincingly demonstrated that he is seriously inadequate to the job and, therefore, already is a failed president. This rather changes the “electability” issue, doesn’t it?

I talked to a savvy GOP politico early this evening, who told me that he believed the Palinmania of her backers — which, as I said above, I consider the gamebreaker for the primaries — will peter out once she goes to Iowa or New Hampshire for the umpteenth time. At that point, he said, she will be seen as just another candidate, and therefore judged on a more even playing field. This commentator knows politics much better than I do, but I remain unconvinced. So far, every gaffe Palin has made and every attack she has endured have only soldered her supporters more securely to her cause. At this point, I think the only way this bond could be broken is through something politically nuclear — the equivalent of Lonesome Rhodes’s famous meltdown at the end of the great 1957 movie, A Face in the Crowd. And anybody who is seriously hoping that, right before the New Hampshire primary, a tape will be released on which Palin is heard referring to Granite State voters as “idiots, morons, and guinea pigs” — well, let me just say that such a person would be letting his hatred of Palin eclipse his common sense.

No, I think the only way Palin will not be the GOP nominee is if she finds a safe, face-saving way to exit the race before the primaries. Some of her supporters may well be working on it: Here is an op-ed, non-ironically titled “Is Sarah Palin Too Good to Be President?” The author says:

Simply, the confines of the presidency may prove too narrow for a name that scales new heights (or, to some, plumbs new depths) in ubiquity and provocation. . . . The iconic images of Sarah the moose-hunter and fisher-woman (many courtesy of her hit TLC show Sarah Palin’s Alaska) and Sarah the tireless, principled and so gosh-darned unpolished campaigner and pundit do not mesh with the duties of the policy wonk in chief, navigating the political terrain, working within the constraints of a one-industry town and facing retirement and decline after a four or eight year apex of public service. Likewise, Teddy Roosevelt, a Republican president with progressive leanings, is as beloved today for his bluster, manliness and war record as he is for his presidential term from 1901-1909.

So she may decide to settle for being a beloved, world-historical figure like TR, and leave the presidency to lesser men (or women!). But there was another politician who faced a similar choice, four years ago: I could be content with the adoring crowds, the bestselling books, the ideological media applauding my every move — or I could go for the presidency. We all know the choice Barack Obama made; and I somehow don’t think — all “quitter” gibes to the contrary — that Sarah Palin has any less fight in her than her fellow basketball player in the Oval Office.

There’s going to be some more split lips before this one’s over.

[blau993]

I too was around for Reagan. I agree that from a male perspective Governor Palin is very attractive, and I like her style of plain speaking (though it drives my elderly mother up a wall).

In plain fact, though, Reagan had served two terms as Governor of California to Palin's three years and out as Governor of Alaska. Reagan had also been a powerful force in shaping and defining American Conservative thought -- a more than worthy successor to Barry Goldwater in the political arena. In terms of gravitas, I have the feeling that Governor Palin is not quite there yet.

I am assuredly not anti-Palin. I voted for her in 2008 despite having a low regard for her running mate. If she is the nominee in 2012, I will almost surely vote for her again.

But in the meantime, we conservatives need to have an honest and civil discussion about whether she is the best we can do and whether she can beat Obama. That latter discussion necessarily includes her appeal, or lack thereof, to voters outside the conservative party base. That same discussion must be had about the other candidates as well. It just seems more difficult to have the discussion about Governor Palin since her staunch supporters are often very doctrinaire and very quick to demonize anyone who questions or criticizes her as a "Rino" or worse.

[Deb]

The “Lonesome Rhodes-Face In the Crowd” references are getting really old. They’re the new “Clause-Rains-Casa-Blanca-Gambling” cliche. Doesn’t anyone think for himself anymore? Sheesh.

[upsdriver]

When you have anywhere between five and fifteen GOP candidates, all expressing basically the same conservative views

Expressing conservative views is very different from living by and implementing conservative views. We have had our fill of conservative pretenders, politicians who will say anything to get elected. Sarah Palin is authentic conservative.

[Candor7]

The Couriac interview may have defined Sarah for you personally. But that is not the case for most Americans, who never even saw it.Even Reagan had his bad days, was called a bonzo for appearing in a movie with a chimp. And if he couldn’t control a chimp on a movie set, how could Reaganexpect to handle world affairs. Thats your logic, and it is not really very relevant.

Here is what is relevant:

Governor Sarah Palin’s Record:

1) 2010 Record:

http://us4palin.com/accomplishments/master-list-of-governor-palins-2010-accomplishments/

2)2009 Record:

http://us4palin.com/accomplishments/master-list-of-governor-palins-2009-accomplishments/

3)Gubernatorial Accomplishments 2006 – 2008:

http://us4palin.com/accomplishments/gubernatorial-accomplishments-2006-2008/

4)Oil and Gas Conservation Commission 2003 – 2004:

http://us4palin.com/accomplishments/oil-and-gas-conservation-commission-accomplishments-2003-2004/

5)City of Wasilla, Mayor 1996 – 2002

http://us4palin.com/accomplishments/wasilla-mayor-1996-2002-2/

6) Wasilla City Council 1992 – 1996:

http://us4palin.com/accomplishments/wasilla-city-council-1992-1996-2/

7)KTUU Sportscasting 1987 – 1992

http://us4palin.com/accomplishments/ktuu-sportscasting/

8)Commercial Fishing Accomplishments:

http://us4palin.com/accomplishments/commercial-fishing-accomplishments/

9)Athletic Accomplishments:

http://us4palin.com/accomplishments/athletic-accomplishments

10) Hunting and Subsistence Fishing

http://us4palin.com/accomplishments/hunting-and-subsistence-fishing-accomplishments/

11) Marriage and Family

http://us4palin.com/accomplishments/marriage-family-parental-accomplishments/

Promotions******Sarah Palin Gear:

http://www.cafepress.com/northstarpromo

[andy58-in-nh]

Regrettably, even the mildest and most constructive critique of Sarah can sometimes produce reflexive and thoughtless accusations of the sort one would correctly associate with liberals. I see it as the flip side of Palin Derangement Syndrome, which is a very real (and still disturbing) phenomenon on the Left.

[Nachoman]

I think Palin’s biggest problem is going to be over-exposure. If she continues to dominate the media the way she has for the next year, the public may tire of seeing her.

[onyx]

Thanks very much for pinging me.
I slept “late” but I see that Sarah’s Ping List got pinged.

[Candor7]

Thats simply great. The facts speak for themselves. She is more qualified than Obama was the day he was inaugurated.

[meadsjn]

Palingenesis: from the Concise English Dictionary: “a new birth; reincarnation, a second creation, regeneration, unmodified inheritance of ancestral character, the new formation of a rock by re-fusion.”

I looked it up too. That's an awesome find.

So really, why do the heathen rage?

[onyx]

I love her and want to vote for her, but if she chooses not to run or if another conservative beats her in the primary, I’ll vote for them.

Todd Palin is married to Sarah, I’m just in love with her.

- - - - - - - - - - -

WELL STATED!!!

[misharu]

But what would make her less polarizing?

Oh good Lord, for once and all, let's answer the eternal question about Sarah Palin as seen from naysayers, liberals and PDS sufferers:

She is a woman and belongs in the kitchen, barefoot and chained to the stove.

(ichabod1: this is not directed toward you. That statement was the straw that broke the camels back in my patience for the "polarizing/unelectable/inexperienced/dumb argument.)

[Candor7]

Pissant is a liberal when it comes to Governor Palin.

It must be a jean or gene thang.

[BillM]

As I’ve pointed out on other threads:
To become president in 2013, the conservative candidate must raise $1,000,000,000 by the spring of 2012. It is that simple. It is on the critical path.

Who besides Sarah Palin has a chance to do this? Based on campaign financing rules it will require millions of hard working Americans to hit this number

[onyx]

ichabod1 said s/he wanted to see somebody who gets in their faces and punches back hard... Sarah Palin does precisely that!

As for “But what would make her less polarizing?”

Well, she could stop getting into Obsma’s face and punching back hard, and maybe “refudiate” her true words “Obama’s Death Panels” for starters.

LOL.

[factmart]

Did you know that Senator Goldwater Didn't Even support Reagan?

If Palin is not the nominee the GOP will never get the money or help that they could have!

Also some will be so disappointed that they will stay home! This is a fact!

When was the last the Republicans didn't vote someone with her base as the nominee! never happened. REASON - SHE IS A WOMAN!

[EyeGuy]

‘independents’

####

The quote marks are essential aren’t they?

Who are these people, what are their core values and what will win their vote.?

Similarly, divide 1087 by zero

[editor-surveyor]

The GOP elite have never come up against such an effective, astute politician as Palin before.

They have no infrastructure to deal with her.

Thank God!
.

[editor-surveyor]

Is there anything inside your head that isn’t soft, squishy, and putrid?
.

[Elsiejay]

The choice would be between an “intellectual” (not to mention socialist internationalist) who basically does not like America, and one of us that truly loves America and would strive to help America live up to the principles propounded in its funding documents, the first and foremost of which is the Declaration of Independence.

[WVNan]

Yes, and I believe that He is in charge and He will hear our prayers if we continue to turn to Him.