Rep. Keith Ellison: Sarah Palin May Have Hit 'The End Of Her Political Ride'

WASHINGTON -- Sarah Palin took a lot of heat on Wednesday for her seven-minute-long statement on the shootings in Arizona, in which she mourned the tragedy and accused her critics of "blood libel." And it appears that the president's speech last night -- in which he adopted a far more civil, reconciliatory, and emotional tone -- has made matters only worse.

Thursday's papers have been filled with largely unfavorable contrasts for the former Alaska governor. And at least one Democratic member of Congress has decided to declare that the Palin trajectory is now firmly in downturn mode, her brand tarnished.

"I think that the president's message is going to prevail," Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) told the Bill Press Show on Thursday. "In fact I think Sarah Palin may be looking at the end of her political ride. I think she may be at the end of her ride right now. If Sarah Palin would have said 'you know what, I probably have been responsible for overblown rhetoric and I'm going to watch myself,' that would be different. But she is completely unrepentant. And the enormity of this tragedy, I think, put a very, very clear damper on her prospects. And her reaction even dampers her political ride more."

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This is, to borrow a sports metaphor, the equivalent of a showy touchdown dance in the second quarter. The idea that Palin is at the "end of her political ride" is a bit far-fetched, considering the role she will have (as candidate or kingmaker) in the upcoming Republican presidential primary. If anything, the backlash to Palin's speech seems likely to only bolster her position in the GOP ranks -- dependent, as she is, on feeding the notion of her political victim-hood.

Comments

[BIG AL 2]

12:18 PM on 02/18/2011

Even the most self-ignorant lowest-class people in America deserve a voice, and Palin offers that to them.

[Orlando Aloma]

10:04 AM on 01/18/2011

this lady does not get the message , hide away please dont make more damage to the country thats enough stop the left and right please go away for the sake of our country

[JDZSB]

01:05 AM on 01/17/2011

Wishful thinking won't make Sarah go away no matter how hard you try. She is still very popular with conservatives and will continue to help Tea Party candidates raise money to run in the 2012 election. She will not run for President in 2012 even though the progressives wish she would. Sorry, but, Obama will be running against someone like Romney, Palenty, or Gingrich. Maybe even Christie if the GOP drafts him.

[absolutelyInsane]

07:04 PM on 01/16/2011

She continue to provide her fellow GOP Candidate a great deal of material to use against her in the primaries. Keep on talking Sarah.

[seenitall]

05:30 PM on 01/16/2011

She and McCain shared a cab to nowhere...she pushed him out and continues her ride. She should be nowhere soon.

[Longbaugh]

05:04 PM on 01/16/2011

So Palin's "ride" ends when the GOP selects their inevitably-unequipped-to-beat-Obama-in-a-general-election candidate... THEN she's gone forever.

The point is that she'll never hold elected office again.

[calindi]

05:01 PM on 01/16/2011

If it were only true...

[studioh!]

04:20 PM on 01/16/2011

she was at the end of her political ride when her ticket lost, but she has only begun the fame and fortune ride, that's her real E ticket. blinders and earplugs for the left from here on out ...

[poobah]

04:10 PM on 01/16/2011

Those who were blind to her inadequate intellect and inciting behavior before will contine to support her no matter what she does. Trainwreck and highway accident fans will always be drawn to her.

[bascombe]

04:07 PM on 01/16/2011

Rep. Keith Ellison: Sarah Palin May Have Hit 'The End Of Her Political Ride'

that is not true. the media is already running full cover for her.

[Soulmentor]

03:32 PM on 01/16/2011

Good "christian­" Sarah should have been more mindful of a Biblical exhortatio­n before she made herself look more stupidly, carelessly­, and foolishly opportunis­tic than we already knew. Her video reminds me of a proverb of Solomon (often attributed to Lincoln): "Better to remain silent and thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt."

[poobah]

04:11 PM on 01/16/2011

I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.
Mohandas Gandhi

[johnmorgan]

03:08 PM on 01/16/2011

Where is the proof that this is the end "of her political ride"? Opinion alone is not worth much. Palin will be disappear any time soon, and she may do well. The American public has a very short memory.

[bascombe]

04:16 PM on 01/16/2011

the media will keep her prominent. as long as Obama is the president, the media will put a mic in front of anyone, no matter how unqualified, as long as that person attacks Obama and democrats.

[barney123]

06:07 PM on 01/16/2011

I see a train a coming down the track, roll on, roll on. Gee whitakers, there was something on the track.

[Jced]

02:27 PM on 01/16/2011

He's just vocalizing what about 72% of America is hoping!!!

[bobncar]

02:16 PM on 01/16/2011

I'm trying to figure out if I've been asleep for the past few days. I haven't heard her say anything since her eight minute 'speech'. Gosh on the other hand, maybe I got a life, and quit looking and listening for a change.

[oldrazor]

01:46 PM on 01/16/2011

To listen to Palin, you'd think she was the 20th victim of the shooting.