Palin on Today: Not Goin' Anywhere

There a lot of things one can say about Sarah Palin, but this one cannot be disputed: by one measure, at least, she is true to her word. Sarah Palin is not going anywhere.

That, you'll recall, is what the Alaska governor and former vice presidential candidate told ABC's Elizabeth Vargas on the day before Halloween, "I think that if I were to give up and wave a white flag of surrender against some of the political shots that we've taken, that -- that would bring this whole -- I'm -- I'm not doing this for naught."

When her remarks were widely interpreted as indication of a likely 2012 presidential, she artfully dialed back. The day after the Vargas interview, she told me, "I'll be campaigning for John McCain's re-election in 2012."

That commitment now wiped off the slate by reality's eraser, Palin has set off on a charm offensive that will serve her well should she choose to toss her hat back into the ring of national politics. In this morning's Today show interview with NBC's Matt Lauer, Palin came off as endearingly combative, calling the unnamed leakers quoted in Newsweek "cowards", and cooking a halibut and salmon casserole for Lauer -- while being interviewed.

For the sit-down portion of the interview, which took place in the governor's office, she wore a jacket more reminiscent -- in color, if not cut -- of those she began the campaign with. Her hair was pulled up in a relaxed manner that suggested she did it herself. She denied all the talk about her alleged extravagance in the purchase of her campaign wardrobe, telling Lauer that her campaign duds were being purchased by the Republican National Committee before she ever even arrived in St. Paul for the Republican National Convention. Of Neiman Marcus, the high-end retailer that an unnamed McCain adviser claimed had been "looted" by "Wasilla hillbillies," Palin said, "I've never even been in those stores..."

Far more interesting than her denials, however, was her failure to deny Lauer's suggestion that it was the decision of McCain's people to keep her from the press, and her assertion that she would have liked to talk more to the media (which she once famously derided). "You can't just assume that the voters are going to be able to guess what's going on," she said, and that means talking to the media.

Which she's doing with a vengeance. Literally. Just ask those "cowards" who leaked the allegation about Palin not knowing that Africa is a continent, or that she greeted male campaign staffers while wearing nothing but a towel.

More important, though, than Palin's own self-redemption crusade is the national media's continued interest in her. And who can blame them? Like Barack Obama, Palin is a bundle of contradictions and seeming non sequiturs -- a bundle that represents the tensions in play in the lives of many Americans. In Obama, the tensions of race, culture and the structure of the modern, blended family were all brought into play. In Palin, as Katha Pollitt has sagely written, is the irony of the ambitious and talented woman who embraces a conservative, truly right-wing, worldview. As Lauer interviewed her in her Wasilla kitchen, it may have been the governor herself who made the casserole, but her hunky, blue-collar husband held the baby with utter comfort, patting him nonchalantly as if this is something he does every day (because it is).

I've heard liberals say that Palin's the one they want their president to face in 2012. And given her performance with Katie Couric and Charlie Gibson, I can understand why.

But Sarah Palin is not stupid. She's no Barack Obama, but she's not dumb. Needs a little schooling, but I suspect she's a quick study. And who knows what the president-elect will face in the next four years? Absent a credible ideology on the real problems facing America -- the economy, international relations, health care -- the Republicans have little left to run on but the culture wars. While that may seem so yesterday, the passage of anti-gay ballot measures in a handful of states on Tuesday proves the wars have not yet ended. And Sarah Palin could prove to be a great warrior icon -- Alaska's own Athena, goddess of hearth and war.

In the Wasilla segment of Lauer's interview, the adorable grade-schooler, Piper Palin, was asked how she would feel if, when she's 11 years old in 2012, her mom came to her and said, we're going run again. (Lauer was not specific as to which office.) Piper turned up her palms and said, with a little laugh, "I don't know."

Her mom didn't miss a beat. "Would you want to do it again, sister?" asked Sarah Palin as she stirred the casserole.

Piper suddenly knew the right answer. "Yeah," she replied.

After all, she hadn't done it for naught.

Follow Adele Stan on Twitter: www.twitter.com/addiestan

Comments

[daedelus]

Isn't salmon and halibut casserole a little like beef with pork sauce?

[kjstjohn]

While the economy and middle-class angst has taken center stage in this election, gay marriage has the potential to be a HUGE wedge issue that could, in better economic times, put a Palinite in office. Give Barrack four or maybe eight years to fix the economy and then the anti-gay, anti-choice, anti-government people will be back in power. That is what this election has taught the right wing of the GOP.

[realpolitic]

Palin while annoyingly be on the scene for awhile like a kid who leaves gum on the seat of a chair and then you come along and sit on it.

[pipetoe]

I can see her as a senator from Alaska.

[caseyblab]

"not dumb. Needs a little schooling" --- most of America qualifies as a republican candidate for the presidency I guess. Even the winner can be a loser. Hopefully this sad level of incompetence will be a thing of the past- we cannot afford a "heckuvajob sarah".

[realpolitic]

Yes, she is in her forties and does not know that Africa is a continent and all she needs is "a little schooling." Sure! The real question is why has she neglected learning anything her entire life? If she has not had the intellectual curiousity until now to read broadly why assume she has any interest too. People with a native intelligence find a way to read and broaden themselves.

[eleutheros]

Sarah Palin was plucked from obscurity to run as vice-president. She was selected because Christian Conservatives demanded that she be picked or they were taking their ball and going home. She is the governor of a rural state, much of which if pure wilderness. She, and I mean this as a matter of fact, is ignorant to much of what takes place in most big cities, never mind what take place in the world. Her plain spoken way and whatever else endears her to so many is equally offensive to just a many. But that's not really the issue. What is at issue is, has the office of the President been so dumbed down by GWB that we as Americans would entrust a Sarah Palin with that office?

[WFV]

Ok, well, if she's not goin' anywhere, then I will. From this day forward, I will no longer watch, read, nor comment on anything regarding Sarah. Her 15 minutes has dragged on to at least a half hour by now, and it's time to move on.

[lavndrblue]

I believe Palin won't be going anywhere. She is going to be the voice of the radical right, the James Dobsons', the Tony Perkins', Maggie Gallaghers', et al, the Focus on the Family groups. I would bet the Mormon Church will support her candidacy unless of course Mittens is running again. Palin wouldn't stand on stage with Republicans that are pro-choice until forced by McCain handlers, she has stated that she is for a Constitutional Amendment to ban gay marriage and it has been stated by a Republican in a leadership role that anti-gay marriage is what they will be running on in 2010. So don't think she isn't being groomed for the national stage, because she is and the more the media keeps her in front of the electorate the more dangerous she becomes. Her folksy ways are not real. She is on CNN with Wolf Blitzer this afternoon and on Larry King tonight, next she'll be on Leno and then make her rounds with O'Reilly and Hannity, just wait and see.

She is Michele Bachmann on steroids........and now has the fundies all fired up and ready to go.

[LesleyL]

Sarah Palin may appeal to a small core group of conservatives but this is by far a minority now in our country.
We, the overwhelming majority of Americans, have proven that we are so over "cute and ignorant"...just look at who we elected, only the most intelligen­t,eloquent­, and inspiring candidate in recent history.

She continues to be delusional...When Matt Lauer asked her why they lost she only mentioned the failings of her ticket...she couldn't even give any credit to the Obama campaign...talk about self-centered!
Move over Sarah Palin...America has put her country first and elected Barack Obama!

[anitayupyup]

I totally dis*agree with this article: that the Presidency is merely a matter of reading up and political coaching. Instead, the presidency is much more than knowing what Africa is and the ability to be charming. Its about having a broad perspective on America, the world, knowing America's position in the world, having the ability to co-ordinate and integrate some extremely complex issues and knowing the ramifications of each. Its dealing with world leaders and their teams, who are, trust me, very very bright and intelligent. Unlike America, the rest of the world does not elect leaders based on charm!

Sarah palin became mayor and governor by appealing to white males [teacher fantasy] and women who aspire to be like her. I have yet to see anyone of any gravitas come forward and explain in a straightforward manner precisely WHY she should even bother to run in 2012, much less be taken seriously.

I know my fascination with sarah is this: I cannot believe that anyone on earth can be that D U M B and she does provide some hilarious comic relief!

[dessertsfirst]

Thank YOU, for your post. I couldn't agree more with everything you said.

[RobHughey]

I hope I don't get skewered for saying this...

...but I have to admit that Sarah Palin has some very endearing qualities to her personality and demeanor. I kinda actually liked some her recent interviews. I mean, not the typical political lies, misleads and such... but... well, I just found her really charming.

I mean: I want her out of politics. I don't want her to run for anything in national Government... but if she was to say have her own talkshow or something...

I'd totally end up watching it. She's cuter than Rachel Ray.

[Kerris]

She can study for it? Is that really the answer? Well, in a nation whose education system has degenerated to testing and passing (often at any cost) over real teaching and learning, that actually makes sense to some folks, I guess. Forget that she would only be memorising answers and spouting the "correct" points with the flair of four more years of study can give someone.

She can never lead or initiate policy or manage a crisis, because she cannot think for herself. She has demonstrated herself to be a person who must know the answers before hand (either from God, her ministers, her husband, her campaign handlers, her tutors, the baying crowd, etc., etc., etc.) before she can act. That is not leadership -- that is terrifying.

[QuietLightTraveler]

Not only has Palin exposed herself on the national stage as an inadequate candidate for high political office, she has reflected poorly on the people and state of Alaska. With Palin as governor and all the other corruption that goes on in the politics of Alaska, Congress would be wise to be very carefull about the amount of federal funds and earmarks given to Alaska. It seems that Alaska got an inordinate share of federal monies in the past . As a taxpayer I would not want to see that again after what I have learned during this election.

[QuietLightTraveler]

There is no way Palin is presidential material. This is the top job in the country and not for the average Joesie six pack, which is all she is, plus a a disgusting boatload of ambitiion and a failure to apprciate her own limitations. The term Wasilla Hillbillies is a bit of an exaggeration but these are not sophisticated people. That's clearly obvious from their opinions and worldview, and painfully obvious from the Katy Couric interviews. Frankly, it upsets me when I hear it mentioned that she will run in 2012, even though such an occurance would favor the opposing candidate (I'm a democrat). Just her presence as the recent VP candidate diminished the credibility of our political process for me. I mean get rid of this woman already. She doesn't belong in the show and never did.

[LDnearthesea]

Every state has some parts that have people of more regressive thinking. Look at a map of the counties in California to see who voted yes on 8. Practically all the coastal counties and those nearer to San Francisco and Los Angeles voted no. Practically all the inland farming counties, except Sacramento, and those in the Sierra Nevadas and desert areas, voted yes.
Regarding Palin, she is getting a lot of press, and that is sad, but possibly expected. There's stories on Entertainment Tonight and the Insider, so-called entertainment news shows, every night about Palin. I'm sick of her. She's not very intelligent, not very truthful, and belongs to a radical christianist church with a medieval view of the world. She has horrible grammar, and it took her quite a few years and a number of colleges to finally graduate with a degree. As a male I do not find her very attractive, even if she's a size four, and in particular, can't stand that voice!

[Grace0727]

When are these people going to go away? Seriously, Sarah Palin is all over the news trying to do what? Each interview so far proves more and more how ridiculous she is. The latest interviews have done her no justice it's more of the same weird Sarah we've been getting. In fact, it further tells us all why the McCain camp had a muzzle on her and found it hard to get her to listen. She should go away and study her talking points, learn something about the issues of our nation not just Alaska. Then after some anticipation from the media come out and give us some brain talk. Not woulda coulda shoulda stuff ( she actually quoted that). How disrespectful to make this all about her when the nation needs to come together and join our elected president Obama. If she were a pundit or blogger I would understand her blabber. As a Governor she needs to start getting used to the fact that contrary to her popular opinion.. Barack Obama is in charge and she needs to show her boss a little respect. Sarah Palin needs to shut up and go to work already.
Is it not good enough that the GOP is holding a press conference on Thursday? That she's attending and I think opening? Now, That seems more noble. An interview of her talking Shhh going back and forth while cooking moose chili is a waste of air time. We have Martha Stewart for that.