Palin Quoted Anti-Semite In Convention Speech

Wall Street Journal:

Thomas Frank writes in the Wall Street Journal:

It tells us something about Sarah Palin's homage to small-town America, delivered to an enthusiastic GOP convention last week, that she chose to fire it up with an unsourced quotation from the all-time champion of fake populism, the belligerent right-wing columnist Westbrook Pegler.

"We grow good people in our small towns, with honesty and sincerity and dignity," the vice-presidential candidate said, quoting an anonymous "writer," which is to say, Pegler, who must have penned that mellifluous line when not writing his more controversial stuff. As the New York Times pointed out in its obituary of him in 1969, Pegler once lamented that a would-be assassin "hit the wrong man" when gunning for Franklin Roosevelt.

The Politico's Ben Smith notes that, beyond supporting FDR's assassination, Pegler was an anti-Semite:

He was also known for what Philip Roth described as his "casual distaste for Jews," which had become so evident by the end that he was bounced from the journal of the John Birch Society in 1964 for alleged anti-semitism. According to his obituary, he'd advanced the theory that American Jews of Eastern European descent were "instinctively sympathetic to Communism, however outwardly respectable they appeared."

Read the whole story: Wall Street Journal

Comments

[odoreida]

This is such a nonsense story -- with a misleading headline -- that it is to laugh. Does anybody seriously think Palin knows anything about the long-gone Westbrook Pegler, or even that she was quoting him. In fact, "We grow good people in our small towns, with honesty and sincerity and dignity," is an excellent statement -- regardless of the other opinions of the person who supposedly made it. Speaking of anti-semitism, Obama attended Farrykann's Milion Man Merch. What have you got to say about that?

[Zoidie]

That's exactly the point!

"Does anybody seriously think Palin knows anything about the long-gone Westbrook Pegler, or even that she was quoting him"...

She apparently knows very little - about anything. And yes, the "source" matters. I don't go around quoting Hitler, simply because he's a gruesome representation of all that is despicable about being human.

When will you republicans introduce reason and logic into our thought process? :(.

[terragazelle60]

I quote Frank Zappa: 'Some scientists claim that hydrogen, because it is so plentiful, is the basic building block of the universe. I dispute that. I say that there is plenty more stupidity than hydrogen, and that is the basic building block of the universe.'

[SaltySaltillo]

She doesn't but the handlers writing her speech for her certainly do.

[lbcny]

I agree with you to the extent she may not know Pegler because she is really dumb and inarticulate but I am also very sure that one of the MCain's lobbyist/writers put the words on the paper for her to read, oops I mean parrot back to dopes that will vote for her.

You should all go to alaska and send the moose and wolves here. They are smarter than you.

[odoreida]

I'm smarter than you are. Not many people remember who Pegler was, including you.

[KBAR]

Barack Obama represents 'Positive Change' for all of America. Obama will stir the 'Melting Pot' into a better "Molten America.'"

Read The New Black Panther Party 10 Point Platform
http://www.newblackpanther.com/10pointplatform.html

[bigbenny]

And your point is?

[bascombe]

so your saying she's that ignorant and irresponsible?
should she be excused for that?
what if that quote were attributable to Hitler?
would it be OK then?
That level of ignorance and irresponsibility is a sure indicator that she would be a danger to herself and this country in any role in higher office anywhere.

Have you checked out the number of people in Alaska who are distancing themselves from her?

[JoeBlough]

Bush was excused for his ignorance.

[terragazelle60]

What if Obama had quoted it?

[odoreida]

I bet you never heard of Westbrook Pegler either. As a free-standing quote, it was true and perfectly OK to use. FDR was also an anti-Semite. Does that mean we should write him out of history as well?

[harriscrl3]

Sarah Palin is FRIGHTENING. Obama was NEVER scary even though the GOP tried to make him into someone scary. Sarah Palin is scary there is nothing worse than an ignorant person with power in their hands. Bush anyone?

Carol

[DebbieinPhx]

Did you see the Huff Po article about how the majority of SP's CLOSEST girlfriends would not even say they were voting for her? What does THAT tell you?

[PNK]

Scarier - people who vote for them.

[MadeinAmericaProud]

PNK, it is always great to read an " out of the box" comment. Thank you for expressing the correct mind set. I agree 1000%. You can look around and see what has happen to America and the people .
We have had more of them for years voting, I hope I live long enough that there more of people like you around to out number them, I have hope.

[abbeyroad]

"When facism comes to America it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross"
-- Sinclair Lewis

[DebbieinPhx]

Ha! That's my favorite quote, I love seeing it

[KBAR]

Nice quote from a drunken Socialist.

[gentlewomanfarmer]

KBAR, how about some substantive commentary instead of insults?

[wndrwrthg]

Name a quote from the coked out neocon in the white house that has any substance.

[terragazelle60]

Tell me what is bad about a drunken socialist? Now a dry drunk Born Again is another thing!

[lbcny]

It's here already!!!

[Shake-A-Spear]

Sarah: You have your share of crackpots, closet loonies, swindlers, and assorted psychos. They're the ones we read about whose neighbors vouch for the small-town qualities you so admire. Yet underneath it all they were basically rotten within or disturbed, or quietly enraged until they BLEW! Small towns and big cities both have their share of wackos. People are people all over. So look at it this way: When it comes to people there's no difference between the big city and the small town except for the number of people. No difference in per capita misfits. You would see that more plainly if you were to take off those $365 rose-colored glasses.

[Zoidie]

Nicely said!

[PNK]

The Daily Show had a hilarious bit at the RNC wherein they asked conventioneers to describe "small town values." No one could.

[happycat]

I watched that too. It was hysterically funny.

[NorthernCross]

Ehh, considering that BO appointed Jeremiah Wright to be his "spiritual adviser", I suppose we should be fair and dismiss both BO and the Governor from the Presidential campaign season.

[DebbieinPhx]

Jeremiah Wright is one guy, who at the core was a good but misguided and rather angry individual who I personally got carried away by the sound of his own voice. That being said, Barack Obama is a Baptist. Baptists do not preach Anti Semetic thought, they do NOT believe that they are the chosen and annoited Army of God sent here to speak in tongues and purge the world of gays and jews. SP's church however believes EXACTLY that. Google this and check it for yourself, the terms: Third Wave, Neo Pentacostal Dominionism, Latter Rain, Joel's Army.
Then you'll be able to speak with authority on this matter and not just take blind shots in the dark

[nananance]

I don't think it matters what denomination Sen. Obama belongs to but since you used it to prove a point, I'm curious as to how he is a Baptist when he attended Trinity United Church of Christ for nearly two decades.
And the Southern Baptist Convention, the largest Protestant denomination in the United States, remains devoted to its efforts to convert Jews to Christianity.

[FdeBear]

You cannot equate the two so there's nothing "fair" about your comparison.

[nananance]

If I had to choose whether Westbrook Pegler or Jeremiah Wright was more negative toward Jews, it would be a tie. Calling your opponent anti-Semitic isn't a winning card for either campaign,

[drzoon]

you are an idiot.

i know that's not really fair or nice to say...

but ....

seriously.­.. you are an idiot... and the reason the rest of the planet has been laughing at us for the past eight years

[wndrwrthg]

And mccain could join them for jerry falwell and hagee.

[terragazelle60]

So tell me how many Catholics went to services led by Priests that were later found wanting? How about Mccain with his Pastor Parsley and Haggee? Should we really keep bringing up Rev Wright when what other "men of the cloth" is just as bad but more hateful.

[KateAllwine]

She is a fake......­...

[alicante]

she is a performer not a reformer

[MadeinAmericaProud]

America vote for performers, they grow up with. The guy from Love Boat won office.
Ronald Reagan elected governor of Calif, Look who Calif has now for governor.

Americans love prime time drama and DAY TIME SOAP OPERAS. The soaps are as old as the TV invented on day one. When all else fail, she can be hired on the soaps and be ready without a screen test, we saw it at the convention

[LondonTownNY]

Sarah Palin is the DECOY, phase 2 of the Neocon deception. Focus on McCain.

[bascombe]

BINGO!!!!

[LarBear]

LondonTownNY

Is Sarah the NeoCon really a fake?

[Julie02]

Why doesn't she just proudly wear her Swasika?

[Egalitare]

It would clash with her fake glasses.

[kdubbg]

no it wouldn't.

[wndrwrthg]

"It's springtime for Hitler and Sarah P."
Aologies to Mel.

[capovarian]

Sarah Palin aka Wisteria Wormwood wrote a book which lampooned Hillary.

[EuroPreacher]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anxkrm9uEJk

[SeekerOne]

Nicely said. And felt. This is beyond partisanship. Palin cannot be president of our country!

[Wilson201]

Thanks for the link!

[TASutpen]

I'm afraid any further evidence of anti-semitic sympathies will only solidify Palin's standing with certain segments of the Republican base. Remember, when Kurt Waldheim ran for President of Austria, he was trailing in all polls until it was revealed he was a Nazi war criminal; whereupon he shot up like a rocket and was elected.

Don't say it can't happen here.

[the964kid]

We see what school of political thought Palin was brought up in.

Im not surprised.

[odoreida]

I'm sure Palin has no idea who Westbrook Pegler was. I bet you didn't either, until you read this piece. Pegler is pretty much forgotten at this point in time.

[abigail1]

get ed koch to tell south florida!!

[CocteausTwin]

About the best idea I have heard all day. The former New Yorkers would listen to him, and I am not being sarcastic at all.

[jja]

Someone needs to. I received an e-mail from a jewish republican group that claimed Palin is Pro-Israel. The evidence they point to is a small Israeli flag that was seen in the governor's during a interview she did for a hiking magazine in Alaska.

[SaltySaltillo]

She's no more pro-Israel than is John Hagee and they are of one and the same religious and ideological cloth.

[terragazelle60]

She is pro israel as long as all the Jews are Christian. Jews for Jesus.

[Heavy]

I look forward to her making her emails public, which is the law. Subpeonas are coming. Should be interesting reading.

[jcwtts1]

no chance she does that before November.

J

[SaltySaltillo]

She has already blocked it claiming some sort of executive policy privilege (even though her husband was copied on many emails).

[neo1]

Don't allow Palin to sway you by trying to act as though she is JUST LIKE YOU. She is NOTHING like you. Remember a wolf dressed in sheep's clothing is still a wolf.

And I said that and yes I meant it for Palin. I don't bite my tongue.

[Darthwave]

The MSM isn't picking up on this. What a waste the MSM is!

[neo1]

WE ARE PICKING UP ON THE TRUTH. THAT'S ALL THAT MATTERS. Make sure you tell all your friends and family also. Spread the words of truth.

[odoreida]

Is "the truth" taking the place of "hope" and "change?" I'm just trying to keep my empty catch-phrases straight.