Peggy Noonan Goes Off On Sarah Palin In Column: "Horrifying"

One of the most refreshingly honest moments of the 2008 campaign came when Peggy Noonan, a columnist and former Republican speechwriter, was caught on a live mike calling the choice of Sarah Palin to run on the Republican ticket "political bullshit." She smoothed over her harsh remarks in a subsequent column, saying she liked Palin even if she wasn't sure the selection would be successful. But now that Palin has announced her plan to resign as Alaska Governor, Noonan apparently feels free to speak openly.

In television interviews she was out of her depth in a shallow pool. She was limited in her ability to explain and defend her positions, and sometimes in knowing them. She couldn't say what she read because she didn't read anything. She was utterly unconcerned by all this and seemed in fact rather proud of it: It was evidence of her authenticity. She experienced criticism as both partisan and cruel because she could see no truth in any of it. She wasn't thoughtful enough to know she wasn't thoughtful enough. Her presentation up to the end has been scattered, illogical, manipulative and self-referential to the point of self-reverence. "I'm not wired that way," "I'm not a quitter," "I'm standing up for our values." I'm, I'm, I'm.

In another age it might not have been terrible, but here and now it was actually rather horrifying.

Noonan goes on to refute the most popular conservative arguments in Palin's favor, from her supposed working-class credentials to the idea that she upsets the mainstream media.

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Comments

[Denni]

It's just too darned late to 'reclaim' the integrity Republicans sold in order to try to advance the 'story' that Palin was not only ready to lead, but far more qualified than now-President Obama. They were willing to put the nation at risk to place Palin in the second seat of power, behind McCain. NOW they want honesty? I'd never trust a single word any of them had to say, listening to them eviscerate her now that she's no longer kissing the GOP ring.

[Drash]

"She couldn't say what she read because she didn't read anything. She was utterly unconcerned by all this and seemed in fact rather proud of it"

As I've noted before, ignorance has become a virtue for many Republicans. Their disdain for intellect and education is clearly seen when they mock and refer to people, who happen to be intelligent and educated, as "elitists"

[coastalcarla]

Little children call playmates names when they are jealous or don't get their way. All McCain and Palin did throughout the campaign was call names.

[biznobar]

Dear Becky16
Determination is a trait that has to be combined with direction before you can decide whether or not it is an honorable trait. It's like saying I love my gas pedal in the car. I press it and the car goes. But if I am not steering then accelerating is very dangerous, innit?
Nothing in life is one dimensional.
Drive without purpose, persistence without direction, passion without contemplation. Think about it a minute and add your own.

[PiscesPrincess]

ah. and there's the rub. the thinking part. thanks, lol :-)

[Jaxas]

Look. Palin's supporters are not really interested in government, or policy or the future or anything else that really has to do with making this a better country. They are angry. They were angry when Bush was in office. They will always be angry. They will never be happy. In so many ways they are like their pig God Limbaugh who often resorts to the absurdly ridiculous assertion that he "won't be happy until every American agrees with him". He will inist that this is just a joke but deep down, it expresses his true personality. And that is precisely the tyoe of personality his radio show attracts. People who will never be happy as loing as there is one living, breathing liberal out there who doesn't agree with them.

[aquarius2001]

Well said.

[ttyy]

You had me at "pig god."

[Loveher]

I support Sarah Palin and want to see where she goes with her new found political fame and power.

I am not angry about anything, I'm not a Republican, but I don't give as much value as some of you do to talking smart. Actions speak louder than words, and when I look at Sarah's history, I see a lot of action that I agree with.

[DenverJJ]

PN,
All newsies are missing it... it's the Lee Atwater Method: move fast, play dumb.
DenverJJ

[becky16]

Of course she has a point, but given what everyone says Palin lacks, you have to give it to her for sheer determination. I dont mind looking up to that.

[VegasBabe]

Serial ki.l.l.ers demonstrate "sheer determination" dear. You may wanna rethink that.

[artistgirl]

i've seen people obsessed with sheer determination ... they usually break down because there is nothing to balance out that determination.

[JKPHILLY]

Yup, the crackhead that I pass each morning on my way to work is determined to pan handle for that $10 to buy crack...now that is sheer determination...go back to sleep Becky16.

[indytarheel]

Thanks for your thoughts Becky16, you have to ignore left-wing zealots here when speaking your opinion.

[coastalcarla]

Sheer determination with no brains to back it up causes all kinds of disasters. You look up to that?

[aquarius2001]

George W. Bush had "sheer determination too!" He was determined to take us to war!

[lampshady]

Look, I distrust Peggy Noonan - and some of what she says towards the end there smacks of dramatic license. But this is honestly SPOT ON. Palin was brought up middle class -- the class of ambitious strivers. Back when there WAS a middle class, and when being a school secretary made enough money to be in it. And being a member of any given class shouldn't have the huge resonance that it does in this country. We're always being led around by the nose on this basis and need to grow up and get a clue.

There really are serious problems afoot, and we need true leadership. At the moment, both political parties are owned by the oligarchy (not the "elite," we hardly have any of those any more - the plutocrats). Wealth has gotten concentrated, not through talent but theft, in the hands of very few. Without REAL leadership, things will get increasingly unstable and based on theft until the whole thing topples under its own weight.

Capture by the religious right drove me out of the Republican party. If the Republicans can post true leaders, I'd vote for them. Lately the Republicans work to segment the population along religious and tribal lines so that they will be easier to manipulate - and historically have a deeper tie to wealth and disdain for poverty.

Palin's stupidity and unfounded ambition sicken me. It's pretty interesting that someone like Peggy Noonan would call a spade a spade.

[aero56]

Narcissistic personality, "I" itis.

[tomasedison]

...and Mittens is left standing by the side of the road with his d^ck in his hand...

[Raster]

Aw shucks, but she's gonna be your 2012 nominee so better change your tune.

[aero56]

Yeah, those republican men are so ga ga over her, it's possible they will try to get her nominated.

[Hollywooddeed]

We know where repub male values reside. In their pants first, wallets, second.

[antifluff]

Did you miss the pictures of the prez in Italy? Where were his thoughts?

[rushislame]

She certainly MIGHT be a candidate during the primaries, but do you really thnk she can debate with the big boys and girls where she will have to answer questions she hasn't prepared for? Look how she did when she was prepared for questions?????

After this stunt I think she has committed political suicide, I think she is going to write her book and do as many speeches as the GOP will allow her to do. Make as much money as possible and disappear to live in Alaska forever!!!!! We can all hope for something!

[JKPHILLY]

2012...vote for Palin, she will quit when the going gets tough!

[TaurusRose]

No problem with answering, just do as before; ignore the question and bring out your talking points instead.

[JoeBlows]

This is an historic moment! The first time Peggy Noonan has done something to improve the world. Maybe she has a terminal disease, ala Lee Atwater, and hopes to atone.

[jayburd]

I'm curious as to which age in which "it" would not have been terrible?

No age. None.

Always terrible & hopefully forever...

[HGMercury]

In Nero's time?

[winnie47]

I guess she's referring to the Bush/Rove era. Ignorance, boorishness and outright hatefulness were celebrated by them.

[thinkabbouddit]

was thinking the same thing...

[newhouse1]

Bravo Ms. Noonan.

I love HuffPo as a progressive-leaning information resource, and the opportunity to post comments can actually be fun and informative, no doubt. But seriously my progressive brothers and sisters. It is completely insane to comment on or engage anybody who stands in defense of John McCain's "quitting is leadership" comments on today's MTP, or anyone who tries to defend Sarah Palin's quitting her elected position for the reasons she gave (higher calling, media pressure-unfair, legal complaints filed by Alaskan conservatives, to help lead America in other ways, when her record to date for quitting -- in her public and private life experiences -- is well documented).

Quitting is below losing on the character scale, one rung above cheating. What Sarah Palin is saying is that, she cannot be trusted. Elect her, invite her to your party, befriend her, but do so at your own peril. This fact is indisputable, and no amount of comparison or juxtaposition with others in public life can make her record or behavior smell better.

Her defenders are not serious about wanting to make America a better place. There are a lot of things we can post comments on that can inform us of perspectives in concert or opposition with our own views, but move us forward to better understanding on a host of subjects. But spending a single calorie of energy rebutting Palin defenders is truly a waste of life.

[winnie47]

True dat. I read that she has a "cult-like following that has nothing to do with politics. Criticism of her only makes her a more sympathetic character in the eyes of her supporters." As with any cult, it's a blind loyalty. No reasoning with those people.

[D Right One]

There are cults in America that actually pray to Ronald Reagan and GWB as if they where God. Actually, now that I think about it, that actually describes most Republicans.

[havegonedc]

Great piece in the just released LA Times...

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-palin-gop13-2009jul13,0,3913909.story

[newhouse1]

That was good. Thanx.

You do need to cut-paste the link through the word "story" to get to the article.

[elr50]

I clicked on this link, got a reply that this story could not be found.

[BlackDemfromNH]

Something Peggy Noonan said here is really on target. She points out how self-indulgent Palin is, how in her rhetoric everything is "I'm, I'm, I'm". Notice the difference between her rhetoric and President Obama's. With Obama it was, "you" and "us" and "we". He did not use "I" and "me" all that often. Regardless of what you think of his political views, you cannot argue that his approach is much more inclusive and selfless than that of Palin. Her motives are purely self-serving and it shows.

[fredjernig]

but, but, wait! She had executive experience! She was much more experienced than Obama! Or at least that's what they told us.

[foneric]

She makes me sick. She and the others who at first (or when they thought no one would hear them) said exactly what they thought of Palin. Then over the next several months of the election cycle spun themselves into a lather about how much they loved Palin and how unfair her critics had been. How do you trust any one of them to even tell you what day of the week it is if they are so willing to suspend reality to fit the political theme that they want to put forward. Sickening. I was watching Morning Joe on the morning Palin was going to be announced and the entire panel considered her a joke and a ploy. Originally they didn't even list her among potential nominies and could even remember her name.