Sarah Palin is Rubber; Barack Obama is Glue

To the ten friends who e-mailed me the Photoshopped picture of Sarah Palin in the American flag bikini holding a rifle...

To the guy who posted the list of lies in her speech even before it was over...

To the rumor victim who sent me some new scandalous tidbit every two hours about her membership in a party that wants to secede from the Union or irregularities in the timeline of her most recent pregnancy...

To the people circulating online petitions demanding this or that and to those who have not been able to contain their outrage that Gov. Palin has not submitted to a grilling from a tribunal of reporters as required by the Constitution...

And to all of my Obamamaniac friends who seem downright offended that the other guys would even consider proposing a lightweight fifth-rater as a worthy opponent for their standard bearer...

To all of you-- although it gives me no pleasure to do so -- I ask: are you happy, now?

In an era where every Republican must claim to be the reincarnation of Ronald Reagan, Sarah Palin is the first candidate in a general election who genuinely seems to have slipped on his Teflon mantle. The barrage of innuendo, criticism, and outright attacks initiated by her ascension from Arctic obscurity less than two weeks ago didn't just slide off her; they ricocheted, fragmented, and gained velocity mowing down her opponents like doughboys going over the top.

And to the many frustrated Democrats who have responded to Obama's stationary poll position by wailing for their candidate to quit dancing and fight like a man, now I hope you see where the low road will take you. Sure, the blogosphere's Swift-Boating of Sarah Palin was pretty thin stuff compared with the real thing. It was more chaotic and silly than sinister. But underlying it was this year's deep political truth: Obama's supporters don't love him like they love a political candidate, they love him like an ugly schoolgirl loves the captain of the football team. And, as a result, as prom night approaches, they can be expected to be more and more high-strung and irrational.

If only. If only, somehow, the Obama campaign could have dragged all of its foot soldiers up onto the high road. If only it could have spread the word, "Shhhh, keep quiet. Be polite." If only the Democratic Internet outliers could have welcomed Sarah Palin in a chivalrous manner to the fray and kept all their blows above the belt.

Those particular cats, of course, could never be herded (as any reader of the Huffington Post knows.) But, as a fallback, the Obama Team should have immediately and vigorously repudiated every slur that floated across the Internet; more promptly and more vigorously than the McCain campaign did. I don't blame Barack Obama. I know that he tried to wave his people off. He was nice about the Bristol business and only batted an eye when Palin got the nod because it bounced him off the front page as the confetti was still raining down at Invesco.

But he didn't go far enough.

"Not in my name!" is what Obama should have cried whenever anyone brought up anything untoward about Sarah Palin or her family. Heads should have rolled in a theatrical effort to put open water between the campaign and the Internet hornets' nest of anti-Palinite invective. "We welcome Sarah Palin and congratulate her on her historic candidacy. We look forward to engaging her on the issues of importance to all Americans which are front and center in this election like the economy, health care, the environment, and our foreign policy," that should have been the refrain.

Look, this may not last. Sarah Palin may not continue on her current trajectory to be the most popular and influential politician of the 21st Century. But if Obama loses in November, I know who I'm going to blame: Al Gore. If only he hadn't invented the Internet...

Comments

[FirstShirt]

Obama is a nice, weak man. He has never had to fight for anything in his life. His defense is to talk, and talk, and talk. Unfortunately, our enemies will also get it.

[jbg]

We shouldn't be spreading lies about her and calling people hillbillies. If we do that, we are no better than the Barrack is a secret Muslim crowd. But we have to go after her on the issues and on her weaknesses.

[Zanti]

I've been hoping Kimball would come back and let us know whether or not he was being serious. In spite of the essay's light tone, it's not clear whether or not his main point--about the kind of love Obama's fans feel for him--was meant in fun or not. It sounds like a serious criticism to me. And one I agree with.

There doesn't seem to be a consistent point of view, comic or otherwise. Well written, yes, but a bit vague. Maybe the election has become too ridiculous to satirize properly.

[MyAudacity]

Most of this year we have heard some of the most vile things thrown at Obama...Uppity, acting White, Talking White, Don't know his place, unprepared, not ready, inexperienced, black boy, boy, muslim, terrorist, anti-christ, books riddled with lies, and YET, NO ONE ATTEMPTED TO STAND UP FOR THIS CANDIDATE. Where were the surrogates?

Hillary Clinton underwent ridicule, was given testicles, and morphed into a male in a woman's pantsuit......she had the "real" American voter's on her side, which turned out to be true......yet, there were claims, and I agree, that she had been targeted with sexism in this election. YET, SHE HAD SURROGATES, AND THEY WERE PROACTIVE STANDING UP FOR THEIR CANDIDATE. Where are they now?

Sara Palin has entered into the scene and suddenly everyone on both sides act like she is exotic royalty, not to be touched, not to be addressed unless spoken to, and why be concerned about experience, background, or any of that other silly stuff the other candidates had to suffer through, because WHY?
I don't know about anyone else, but there need to be some new rules to this game, starting with everybody will be held to the same standards, everybody will be accountable for what they say and do, and everybody is fair game.

[FirstShirt]

"Uppity, acting White, Talking White,"

and that was from Jesse Jackson.

[DASChicago]

Hey B. Kimball;

I'm sorry that you feel that way, really. ) - :

[Star2000dancer]

And just for the record...get your facts straight. Al Gore NEVER said he INVENTED the internet. But the guy that did said Al Gore made it possible for the Internet to be put into action. Al was one of the few who believed the internet was the future. And he was right.

[CarbonDate]

To paraphrase Bobby Bowden, it's not Obama's job to stop his offense: it's John McCain's.

What, McCain can run an ad implying that Obama likes to diddle five year-olds, but Obama has to be held to account for everything his supporters say on the Internet? Get a grip.

By the way, have you seen even half of the ugliness directed at Obama by online Republicans? If what a candidate's supporters said on the Internet was what turned elections, Obama would be leading by 30 right now.

[FirstShirt]

One pundit on a talk show said it best: When the times get tough, republicans put their head down and walk into the wind. Democrats flip out.

[Miravanguild]

I hope people are listening... But I fear they are not, so far anyway... Today on Hardball they said women interviewed after one of her speeches were all excited and said they'd willingly cut her some slack because "she is one of us..." Wow, and we've had the guy in the White House the last eight years that we most wanted to drink a beer with... We get the government we deserve... I am a housewife, adopted two children, was president of our dog team, I cannot shoot but I think I could field dress a moose if I had to... I think I am charming... I'd like to announce that I am running for office in 2012... Cut me some slack, I am one of you...

[Whatashame]

I refuse to get scared because of what Republicans might do and are doing. We know what Republicans might do. They've done it for years. When you react to what they do, when you get concerned, you play their game. And when you play their game, you lose. I intend to play my game. And in my game - issues, judgment, vibrancy, decency, ability and outraged anger at eight years of supporting divisive, disastrous policies trump everything, most especially empty pandering. And that game is a winner

[FirstShirt]

"We know what Republicans might do. They've done it for years."

You are right, poor dear. It's called winning and you wouldn't recognize it.

[tellthetruthalways]

Every time I hear the foolish, unsubstantiated statement that people like Palin, I shake my head. I have had numerous conversations and few people I know like or trust her. No, Palin is exciting the religious base who were going to vote for McCain anyway. Why would clear thinking Democrats and Independents vote for someone with the identical policies, ideas and intellectual depth of George Bush. I really don't think so for a moment.

[sendpizza]

Its not just the Palin-mania that Democrats are struggling with. Its that Democrats are alienating the very people whose vote they NEED to win. Many Democrats are describing themselves as so called "intellectuals," while at the same time everybody else are "stupid, hillbillies, rednecks" etc. I don't think that many Democrats understand that this condescending attitude is the exact opposite of what the party needs right now. The fact is that most of America is middle of the road, leaning right, and they are traditionalists. These are the people you need to reach out to right now, rather than to look down upon. And that IS how its playing out here in suburban USA. It will end up costing Democrats the election.

Also understand that Palin is a very likable figure. Many, many people (not just women) relate to her. Bill Clinton had that same appeal. Don't for a moment sell that appeal short. Obama certainly doesn't need to shower Palin with compliments, but he DOES need to denounce the comments that seem to come out of some leading Democrats mouth each day in regards to Palin. Today it was her being called a "cocky wacko." Yesterday it was the abortion comment. The public is paying much more attention to things like this than it is the issues Obama wants to get across.

[FirstShirt]

Good post. You are right.

[libbygirl]

Wow! You have hit the nail on the head. I'm afraid to show this article to my husband because he will say "I told you so". I was one of those people who thought Obama ought to fight fire with fire.....until I realized, with my husband's help, that it would only hurt us by reacting that way. Obama is trying to lead by example but unfortunately alot of people weren't paying attention.

[FirstShirt]

Two ways to assess Obama: One is that he is leading by example. The other is that he is essentially a weak man and you are seeing his best.

[Citizen08]

I agree, it's hard not to Bite as the Cat-Nip, but as long as we do the media will pay attention to Palin

We should not utter her name.
We need to Focus 100% of our attacks on McCain' himself and discredited his Honor by attacking his wolves the ones running his campaign (rove) and calling McCain out on every LIE - loud and clear - Ever since Obama said "Phony Lies" I've heard the media use the word "LIE" like it had to be Obama to finally make that statement and now it's "catching on and we need to make sure that STICK's to McCain

[chosenson]

HuffPost's Pick

The writer of this post is overlooking one thing. Obama listserv was baffled by the pictures as well. They were not created by Obama supporters.

Try looking at the Republicans who post hateful articles on DIGG. Articles that we try to bury because they were put there so that we would be blamed for them. Like everybody else, including the press, we saw them and commented on them. Nothing was done in Obama's name.

Get the truth before you write stuff!!

[Jazz42]

(chosenson)
Great comment.
I completely agree with you.

[Zanti]

I was waiting for the disinformation theme to show up. Wish I could be so sure that the photos, rumors, etc. were strategic plants created by the Other Side, but I don't have infinite faith in the people of my party, some of whom are as just as lacking in judgment and moral reservation as McCain's worst followers. In fact, I don't even have moderate faith....

[MarciL]

Ummm, excuse me? Lame and vapid piece, first of all.

Secondly, have you asked the McCain/Palin campaign to stop all of its horrendous lies?

No?

That makes you a what? A hypocrite, that's what.

[tchristin]

I disagree with this, because I believe Sarah Palin should be subjected to the same scrutiny of the rabid 24 hour a day news cycle that the other 3 big candidates have had to face. Hillary Clinton had her entire life invaded and insults hurled at her daughter years ago by the same man with fake outrage now (McCain).

Obama has had every inch of his life on public view for 2 years now.. everything from how he dances to how he greets his wife and what he listens to on his IPOD... it's all been in the news. He was in something like 23 nationally televised debates where he answered all sorts of policy questions and some that had nothing to do with policies. Sarah Palin is no lightweight in politics. Anyone who can be elected Governor after being nothing but a self described hockey mom.. can handle her own defense. Stop protecting her. She's not your mom and she's not your sister. She's not your wife or your girlfriend.

I keep wondering why it is that so many people in the press are reporting there is outrage. I haven't heard a word from anyone but pundits.