Noonan Says Palin's Type Of Populism Is Bad For Country

Appearing on NBC's Meet the Press, conservative columnist Peggy Noonan said that the "populist" tactics being deployed by Sarah Palin was "not helpful to the country" and painted her candidacy as built on class warfare.

"She is a natural," said Noonan, "But I will tell you, I feel increased concern about... what she thinks of as populism, as her populist approach. There are two ways, you know, her stuff about, 'I'm main street, you are the elite, I'm Joe six-pack.' She actually says 'I'm the Joe six-pack candidate.' This has me thinking, gosh, would Lincoln say 'I represent the backwoods type?' Would FDR say, 'the New York aristocracy deserves another moment in the sun, vote for me?' There's something weird about it. But there is also something, for me, concerning. Populism as a tactic is justified often in politics. 'I need this program, the people want it.' Populism as a strategy, 'we're the good guys, you're the bad guys,' is not good. And if that's the road they are going, that's not a good road to be on. It is not helpful to the country."

Noonan has been skittish about Palin's candidacy from the get-go, though not always publicly demonstrative about her concerns. She was caught, off camera, calling the vice presidential pick as cynical. But she has also, on occasion, praised Palin for energizing the Republican base and for her debate performance.

On Sunday, Noonan expanded on those compliments, arguing that Palin did an effective job on Thursday night but one that amounted to a political infomercial.

"I'll be frank, she convinced the American people -- though they had seen her crater in the interview after interview in the previous few weeks before that debate -- that she was capable of coming forward and simply debating," said the Wall Street Journal columnist. "I think she showed that she is a woman of great and natural competence about the show-business of politics, if you will: the ability to look over the camera, to think that the camera is your friend, all of that stuff. But there are questions about other areas."

Comments

[SwingVoter]

What is he hiding http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afawZWEtCKc

[Omarion]

Noonan has her senses right on this one. Check out this picture of the Palin family. Did the daughter learn this from her mother???? Somebody really needs to pick up on this. It has everything to do with Palin's parenting skills.
http://img.allvoices.com/thumbs/event/940/700/20051964.jpg

[LemJ]

Is that little Piper? Yea, she learned it from somewhere. Where was this?

[LAR1969]

Wow. Hockey Mother of the Year goes to Sarah Palin. I'd like to see her rage in the ice rink when Trips or Tug or Tank (whichever son), gets hip-chucked by the opposing team.

[aofh]

Wow. Family values..

[DeniseD]

That is priceless. This photo should go nuclear or nucular (however you want to say it).

[Politihal]

Now why would the ultimate right winger, Noonan, attack Sarah Palin? Unless it will boost Ms. Noonan's own career to do so. Ms. Noonan has been making a lot of appearances on Morning Joe of late, and one assumes she would like to continue doing so. So, she'll play both ends of the political game, keeping Republican Joe Scarborough happy, and lefty Chris Matthews too. After all, a girl has to look after her own career. Right Peggy, I mean Sarah, I mean...wel­l, gosh, gee, doggone it, you know what I mean!

Halli Casser-Jayne http://www.thecjpoliticalreport.com

[Voting Must Happen]

Oct 5 Polling Update.
http://voteforamerica.net/editorials/Comments.aspx?ArticleId=90&ArticleName=Poll+Update

Checkout my piece on Youth Voter Registration. For every 100 registered voters aged 18-24, the democrats accrue a 9 vote advantage.
http://voteforamerica.net/editorials/Comments.aspx?ArticleId=85&ArticleName=Youth+Vote%3a+The+Power+of+Registration

Obama 355, McCain 183
http://voteforamerica.net/electoral.aspx

[Hawaii4Obama]

There is something so disingenuous about Noonan's remarks this morning on MTP. Who cares if the light flickers in the wide eyes behind those designer glasses and her toothpaste-white smile and that she fully understands the "show business" side of politics. This isn't the Mrs. America pageant, for crying out loud!! The future of our nation AND its standing in the world has taken a Bush-beating for the past 8 yrs. To have this woman involved in the conversation denigrates the office of the Vice President.

[ContraEgoiste]

It's totally disingenuous, absurd and hypocritical for right~wingers to claim the populous ground. This is the biggest self serving deception of the McCain campaign and a blatantly cynical statement of his disdain for middle America.

Populism is something that conservatives have derided, opposed and fought against for 3 decades while pushing the country towards fascism. For 3 decades they pushed the corporate class and lauded the "free~markets" while accusing anybody who advocated for the people to be "communists". For 3 decades they have taken every opportunity to rendered ineffective every agency that was created to oversee and protect the public; FEMA, EPA, FDA, SEC, and on and on.

For 3 decades they have pushed for the authoritarian control of government in direct opposition to the idea of "we the people". They've taken every opportunity to circumvent and diminish the Constitution. They have loaded the judicial system all the way to the Supreme~Court with individuals who legislate on the side of corporate~greed and malfeasance. These are the~same~people that with one hand enact freedom subversive­~legislatu­res under the cover of national~security such as the Patriot~Act, while with the other they erase from the books long standing laws that protect the individual such as Habeas~Corpus. They are the ones who have entered into a mutually profitable unholy~alliance and elevated to power would be theocrats who would like nothing better than to rule this country by religious~tenets.

How dare they! Their entire ideology and everything they have done has been in diametrical opposition to populism.

[ContraEgoiste]

(more)

Seems there needs to be a definition of "populism".

If by populism they mean embracing anti-intel­lectualism and the elevation of mediocrity to government then true, it is not the direction any sane person or country should head. But the truth is that this is not the correct definition of populist(ism). The real meaning of populism is what this country was meant to be, and that is government by "we the people".

What concerns me and see happening here is the old Karl Rove / NeoCon playbook of reframing our strengths into weaknesses. They are now turning "populism" into a perojative, the same way the have with "liberal". And the reason for this is because, due to their malfeasance, they see a populous wave moving across the country that can coalesce into a movement. And this they fear to their core, because such movement can have the unstoppable power to unseat the status quo. And in that case I say that 'populism' is not only what is most needed but it is imperative for the survival of what America is supposed to be.

[mostlybluedot]

Theye're just phonies trying to grap some votes from people who don't pay attention.

[DebbieinPhx]

In the wise words of Joe Biden, "Past is prologue."

[BowlingForRevenge]

I was appreciative of the fact she continues to stress our need for "GRACE" in politics and that McCain Palin do NOT seem to bring any to the table but Obama Biden do.

Not heavenly "GRACE" but "PATRIOTIC GRACE"....­a civility that puts our great nation first instead of our petty egos.

(Yes, I know she write a book about that a few years ago...the idea remains relevant)

[mostlybluedot]

Sorry I have seen Noonan too many times this past week. I judge her a phony - - even though she may say something right every once and awhile.

[BowlingForRevenge]

Don't get me wrong...sh­e's a detestable right wing shill.

I just believe that statement to be true...I'm clueless as to her motive for saying though.

We absolutely need more "GRACE" and Barack and Joe have a gentile graciousness about them that I admire.

[Omarion]

Now its on! They'll be sorry they started with Ayers. Obama Campaign to hit McCain on Keating 5

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1008/14302.html

[DebbieinPhx]

Isn't that just the coolest thing ever??? I love that he's finally cut loose with that. I knew he'd hold that until the right moment, itsssssss tiiiiiime!

Also if you haven't had a chance read what the Rolling Stone Magazine had to say about Sara Palin....W­OWOWOWOWOo­wwwww!!

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/23318320/mad_dog_palin

[sociocanuck]

Scathing article image. Really disturbing, too, though.

[GOPorganizedcrime]

Thank you for sharing that Rolling Stone article link on Sarah Palin. The
cartoon illustration was hilarious yet eerie. And the article is a must read.

[starbright]

Noonan's only truthful moment during this race came when she was on a hot mike and thought the cameras weren't rolling. Since when is it a debate when a candidate reads off of prepared notecards and ignores all of the questions?

[mostlybluedot]

I'm glad to hear someone else say it - - even about Noonan whom I think is a fake and trying to "appear" reasonable.

[arizonabusinesswoman]

Express concerns if you will, Palin has connected with people on a level that will energize voters that were not happy with McCain. Why is she so popular? While Obama and Biden were busy perfecting their political theories and acts, she was shopping at Costco and dealing with 5 children. She may not have the political savy that we are used to, but her life is more reflective of most of America. People are tired of politicians who claim to understand us, they are yearning for someone who actually is one of us.

[lornejl]

Ooooga Booooga ! You are now witch free ! Rejoice Sister !

[luvobama]

I beg to differ. I am a white woman, same age as her, one less kid. She and i have nothing in common other than our plumbing. I am raising my children. no nannies for me. I have never hun ted in my life. In fact I am pro life unlike her. I believe in civil rights for everyone and I am 100% against war. She is a a joke and the guy who picked her is too.

Thanks for trying to speak of something you know very little about. She is not one of us.

[mostlybluedot]

I keep wondering that if I needed help, say on my taxes, would I hire Sarah Joe Sixpack or someone else? Nice to be "aw shucks and o me gosh" kinda person, wink, wink but substance? nah, she hasn't any of that stuff.

[OurKoan]

I, actually, am yearning for someone who is smarter than me, been more places than me, knows more people than me, has a better grasp of the big picture of the world than me, speaks better than me, leads better than me.

I am not afraid of this Person I yearn for. Why are the Costco people AFRAID of this person? Half of America seems to have an insecurity complex that is the size of ....half of America.

[BowlingForRevenge]

AMEN! Well said!

[lornejl]

Just curious, why are you posing as a woman ? I've met women, and you are no woman.

[tottie2001]

Obama drops hints of McSame's Keating 5 connection on new youtube video

www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsI_0bV2CZo

[mostlybluedot]

He is definitely not a maverick either. Someone has to say it like Biden did. I wouldn't mind that he wasn't except he likes that image of Joe sixpack so much and he is NOT.

[Ave-Gabrielle]

We will all find out if America is indeed for the pretty cheerleader, or the nerd--in essence the Bill Gates. Barack is not Gates, but in school he was the nerd in the books. We all know who was popular in high school and we'll find out if America is one big high school still pickin the cheerleader as the most popular. Are we substance or style. Are we full of class or full of charm. Charm won't fix the economy, just looks good on TV. Class is character and cares and is thoughtful and smart. We will find out: America-substance. America: style. I fear we are style with a lot of empty talk and broken promises.

[ichiro]

while i mostly agree without you... cheerleaders, imnsho, do not represent style, they represent sex --among other things such as enthusiasm, athletic"ness", "loyalty".­.. but not style.

i guess there is or are styles of cheerleading and style in cheerleading.

does this look like a "good" cheerleader?
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh289/ichisatori/stuff/Palin.jpg

Tina Fey can't do that.

[rfa3232]

Noonan is right, Palin is playing with fire and is way over her head, we already had GW and IT DIDN"T WORK

[blaqntelligence]

Amen.

[mostlybluedot]

Noonan is right AND a jerk.

[browndoe]

She has more decency and self-control than you. We will never have Obama's dream: not a red America and a Blue America but the United States of america as long as you condemn someone like Noonan who is advancing in that direction.

I can't stand the tone of the pro Obama-ites, though I am one. Once we have power, we best use it judiciously. Learn from history.

[americanideal]

I find her views off base most of the time, but I do not view her as a "jerk". I would hope one of the most important results of this win, if we are blessed with it in November, would be a long-overdue erosion of the acidic relationship between the left and right over the past two decades.

Our surest path forward is one that bridges the best ideas and values of both sides; that finds "truth" in the evaluation of both sides of an argument. The problem is, we can no longer help ourselves when we are tempted to cross the line between political debate and personal attack. I have shook my head time and again recently when the left laments Obama's uniwillingness to "engage" and "get tough" when in reality he is lighting a path to a better America by demonstrating in acts, not just words, that listening and evaluating and hearing both sides of an argument can inspire, and lead to better answers. I want that -- so should you.

We can be better than this bluedot...

[Bond007]

It's hard to believe all the foolish women, and not all women, but the foolish ones, who will swamp us on election day and vote for McPalin because they claim, "She is like me". She understands soccer moms.
I don't want a guy like me, or a woman like sara Palin, or even "a joe six-pack" in the presidency. Are we actually so foolish to vote for Palin? Yes we are. Remember, we vote for Bush twice, not once but twice. Yes, we are that foolish. Look at our country now. No domestic stability and for sure no international respect. Thanks to the idiots who voted for G. Bush twice,,, Unbelievable.

[blaqntelligence]

I agree wholeheartedly.
I want a brilliant, elite, educated, well-traveled, experienced, person as my president and vice president.
I don't want to feel familiar or comfortable enough to slap them on the back or have a beer with them, to scratch or belch in their presence.
I don't want to feel comfortable enough to invite them over for dinner.
I want to know my president can confidently navigate through situations I have no clue how to handle.
My president and vp must know far more than I do.
My president must understand the gravity of the responsibilities he or she assume when they are president.
Above all, my president must respect me enough to talk to me like an adult.
Anything less will not get my vote.

[luvobama]

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

[Dovespeace]

She proved she could debate as long as she didn't get off message. In other words she didn't answer questions. She proved she is a puppet just like George W. When did she really say anything of substance. If there was truth in what she had to say it was hard to see because she lies so much. If winking, and lying, and not answering questions proves she is a good debater this country is in trouble. I resent that because there is too much at stake. I am so tired of the mean politics of the McCain campaign. It is like 2000 and 2004. Those who voted for Bush/Cheney were duped and the rest of us paid the price. It doesn't take allot of smarts to know that the republicans had control of the White House and Congress. I am thankful for this article by a conservative to at least question Palin. She really is a joke for the times but I'm not laughing.