T'Aint "Elitist" to Be Anti-Palin

I HATE TO pull rank here. But it seems I am almost the only Republican still standing who can criticize Sarah Palin without being accused by my fellow conservatives of suffering from an "elite education. "

Peggy Noonan, David Brooks, Christopher Buckley, Kathleen Parker and [my husband] David Frum have all had their heads put on pikes by the self-appointed rulers of Conservatism. As Rush Limbaugh said:

These are the people who are embarrassed by Sarah Palin 'cause she's not an intellectual and she didn't go to Harvard or have a college degree from approved universities and she drops her g's from words like morning and says mornin'. She's embarrassing, and I think something else really bothering these people is that they believe that she may become one of the key leaders of the conservative movement beyond 2008 if she and McCain lose this.

Those with degrees from approved universities are capable of mounting their own defense. But what about those of us who did not go to Harvard -- and yet whose eyes still bug out at the prospect of a Palin vice presidency, let alone the prospect of her as a "key leader"in the future?

In fact, not only did I NOT go to Harvard, I have no education to speak of. Not beyond high school anyway (and it was one of those large, urban high schools from which many of the most successful graduates went on to become garage mechanics). To paraphrase Melville, a tabloid newspaper was my Yale and my Harvard (and yes, it is possible to have read Melville without attending Yale and Harvard. It's Sarah Palin's kind of story, too: lots of huntin' and guttin' ).

My lack of post-secondary education isn't something I'm proud of. Certainly I've never been moved to boast about it in public. Honestly, if I'd had more sense at eighteen, I would have gone to college -- preferably, an elite one. But I grew up in a newspaper family and was eager to join the business. So instead of spending my early twenties engaged in discussions of Keynes and Friedman, I found myself knocking on the metal doors of public housing developments, asking residents for recent photos of their murdered children. I never said "Get me rewrite" because, more often than not, I WAS rewrite. And like Palin, I was raised to disdain anyone who thought himself too clever or above everyone else (usually a reporter from the competing broadsheet). In my world, an elite degree marked you as someone with permanently retarded judgment, a reader of The New Yorker -- the sort of person of whom Orwell would write, "Only an intellectual could say something so stupid."

Maybe it's because of my background that I've been wary of Palin from the get-go -- and more than taken aback by those who insist the only reason a conservative could oppose her would be because of intellectual snobbery.

Don't get me wrong: I love the idea of Sarah Palin. She conforms to an early American (and pre-feminist) ideal of womanhood: rifle on one hip, baby on the other. I love her modern incarnation of this ideal, complete with Sex-in-the-Tundra wardrobe and kick-ass Jimmy Choos (even if they are paid for by the RNC). I love the idea she represents "common sense" over fancy-pants theorizing. I love -- and certainly identify with -- her real world, "out there" experience over her opponents' closed-off years in Washington. Truly, there are few women I'd rather share a beer with.

The problem is that the reality of Sarah Palin does not match the idea of Sarah Palin. It's as plain as day -- glaringly obvious! -- that she's unfit for the job she's running for. We wouldn't expect the best darn regional car saleswoman to be appointed the next vice president of General Motors. We wouldn't fly in a commercial plane piloted by someone with a Cessna license because we trusted her gut. We wouldn't follow a woman into battle because she's a crack shot at moose hunting. Why is it unreasonable -- or snobbish! -- to have expected a better choice from our party for the next potential leader of the free world?

And please don't reply with, "The other side doesn't have experience either!" That's an argument you can make without having graduated from elementary school.

Those of us who came of age as Reagan Republicans expected more from ourselves. Leave the left to its demagoguery and name-calling. We'll make the case using facts, reason - -and yes, common sense.

Now it seems my side are the ones circling the wagons, shouting abuse at dissenters -- determined to lose rather than ask ourselves why we aren't winning.

As Orwell once might have said...

Comments

[JuliaS123]

This is the first thing Danielle Crittenden has written that I've agreed with. Although it is kind of fun to watch the Republican strategy for the past decade backfire on them. The party had agreed to pretend that the extreme social conservative movement was the "base" of the party in order to win elections. Of course, the real base -- the Georgetown/McLean cocktail circuit that McCain, Cheney, Pat Buchanan et al belong to—never intended to hand over the keys to the kingdom to social conservatives. But darn it all! That maverick McCain apparently never got the memo.

[Ben is right]

Ha ha! You said Pat Buchanan. Ha ha! Are you under the impression that Pat Buchanan is buds with McCain and Cheney? Ha ha! Have you mistakenly decided that Buchanan is not a social conservative? I disagree with more of your statement than just this part, but this part is the most outrageous. Get to know Pat Buchanan before you talk about him.

[ebanks84]

Like I said before, most people who use common sense know that Palin is not qualified to be a VP and have no qualms about saying so. Those who do think so because of this reason for the other and none of the reasons have to go with qualifications. When we fit the person to the job, Palin is not the one that fits. When we use our common sense, we all know that's a fact jack.

All you others, whatever your excuse is, make it fit because no one will be able to tell you any different.

[mrskorn]

I'm more concerned about the people who are running for the number one position..­...Barack. He has the same qualifications, actually more, as Palin, yet she is skewered.

I am much more worried about Obama.

[mrskorn]

And it ain't racist to be anti-Obama.

[gisellestwocents]

I am a Christian woman and my initial impression of Palin was favorable overall. However, my opinion has gone downhill from there, sorry. You don't have to believe that, but what you choose to believe doesn't change fact.

I don't dislike Palin. I disagree with and dislike some of the things that she says and I have concluded that she is wholly unprepared for the position to which she aspires and that is based upon my assessment of her performance on the national stage to date.

[gisellestwocents]

My assessment of Ms Palin's internatio­nal/nation­al political savvy and her economic/financial background isn't based upon her credentials. It's based upon the substance of her discourse. And my critique of the way that she speaks isn't due to her accent; but rather her eloquence.

It's very "concerning" (an SP word choice, I would choose "disconcerting") to me when a proposed leader of our country isn't up to the task of conducting an articulate conversation regarding the issues of the day. It doesn't take an Ivy League education to meet that challenge. I don't have an Ivy League education or political experience or even a journalism background; but I am educated, well read and interested enough in internatio­nal/foreig­n affairs that I know when I'm listening to someone who doesn't fit that description. I would prefer that my leaders be at least equally and preferably better prepared than I am to evaluate and to offer substantive original thought regarding the matters that affect our country.

It disappoints me to note the number of my fellow citizens who don't get that or who simply don't care.

What a person chooses to believe does not change what the truth is...SP could have, but she has not, prepared herself in the least to assume the position to which she aspires...­sorry...th­at is just fact. Even if the McCain/Palin ticket pulls off a victory, she should step aside.

If she works hard, SP could be ready to challenge Hillary in 2016...

[MeiLing]

She won't even be qualified to polish Hillary's pumps! And she's going down now that the cat is out of the bag to her Alaskan electorate!

[Ben is right]

1st point - SP, as you so affectionately call her, did not aspire to the Vice Presidency. She was content, from all I know, to be governor of Alaska. She was called upon by John McCain to join his campaign. She wasn't being seriously considered by very many before that happened.

2nd point - SP had no reason to be overly concerned with foreign affairs, or even domestic affairs that didn't affect her constituents in Alaska. She was elected to represent them, and that was what she was doing. She was apparently doing it well, because she had an approval rating above 80%.

3rd point - Do you not believe that anyone with a modicum of intelligence would be able to bone up on domestic and foreign policy if it was her job and she studied for several hours a day for months? Have you heard SP's discourse recently? She is much improved over the interviews with Gibson and Couric. She's fully capable of doing the job of Vice President. By the way, do you know what she'd be doing, exactly?

[imodotcom]

Danielle,

This is an amazing piece!!!

Hillarious, enlightening, entertaining and eye-opening.

You have crystallized the points very well!

- imodotcom

[GuyRC]

"Those of us who came of age as Reagan Republicans expected more from ourselves. Leave the left to its demagoguery and name-calling. We'll make the case using facts, reason - -and yes, common sense."

I've been around longer than you have and I don't ever remember Democrats being bigger demagogues or name-callers than Republicans. Maybe it's just that the Republicans actually believe the names they call are accurate. I have a name for that: deluded.

[Ben is right]

Are you saying that Democrats just say whatever they need to say to get elected? I agree with that. Of course Republicans do that, too, sometimes. When you hear a Republican say something that resembles something a Democrat might say, think expediency. When you hear a Democrat say something a Republican might say, think the same thing. That's one way the two parties are alike, unfortunately.

[Hepcat62]

Can anyone explain the appeal of Palin to me? There is nothing in her background or education that demonstrates intelligence or leadership abilities. She was a small town beauty-queen who took 6 years, attending 5 undistinguished schools, to get a journalism degree.She never distinguished herslf academically, belonged to any clubs, wrote for the school newspaper, etc. She was mayor of a small town, where she had very few responsibilities. She became governor of a sparsely populated state whose economy depends on oit tax revenues, inheriting a budget surplus. Her biggest challenge as governor was how to spend all the money.

She speaks poorly, pronounces common words incorrectly, and uses bad grammer. She was disrespectful in her debate, winking and using slang, mocking the seriousness of the issues this country faces. She cannot answer any questions on complicated economic or foreign policy issues, and made a fool of herself in unscripted interviews time and time again. She lies about her record, claiming she opposed the bridge to no where, while spending over 50,000 in taxpayer money to redecorate the governors office, charges the tax payers per diem for nights she spent at home, and charges the taxpayers travel expenses for carting her kids to adult functions they were not invited to so her husband could spend his "free time" snowmobiling.

Why does anyone consider her presidential material?

[ebanks84]

Because those who do don't know any better. They do not know what it takes to be a VP and since she can talk and look pretty, they think that's all she needs. That's why she appeals to these type people. They just don't know any better.

[Patrocolus]

Here's a thought:

substitute "she" with "he"
substitute "can talk and look pretty" with "is the same color"
substitute "these type people" with African Americans.

Are you still comfortable with your ridiculous generalization? After all, if the polls are to be believed, the percentage of black Americans supporting Obama, hovering near 88%, is far higher then the percentage of evangelicals supporting Palin

[Ben is right]

Please, ebanks84, enlighten us as to what it takes to be a VP. You must know. Tell us, in small words we can understand.

[Justaride999]

Sarah Palin couldn't even get the endorsement of the largest and most important newspaper in Alaska!!

Watch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVI_nhCzO74

[Maisey]

My dislike of Palin really settled in when it became abundantly clear that she was not a critical thinker. Education certainly helps, but it isn't necessary. I have a lot of respect for people who listen because you can learn a lot. She never shuts up. I just find her abrasive, like fingernails down a chalkboard. Additionally, I dislike women who think they 'speak' for other women. Her 'values' don't mirror mine. Finally, I have a huge problem with her ethics violation, which she brushed off like snow on her shoulders.

[Ben is right]

She never shuts up? So you're with her 24/7? Lucky.

[Michale32086]

Personally, I find Sarah Palin quite attractive. And my wife does too.. :D

Obviously that's not something to base a vote on, but it is a fact nonetheles­s...

That's why I don't understand all the animosity generated towards Palin. I can't help but feel that jealousy is a large part of it...

Michale...­..

[adderton]

From a person who has lived in Alaska, it's apparent to me that the prevailing spirit is live and let be. I don't understand why anyone who has endured the past 7+ years could provacate bad behavior.

What would spur a local politican to heights that Icarus could not endure?

Adeline

[Ben is right]

Whatever are you talking about?

[wolfgangmo]

Good question and for the record this is the only thing that I agree with Ben about.

[krocklin]

Why don't the Democrats and Media make a big deal out of Palin's close ties in terms of campaign funds and otherwise with Ted Stevens?

McCain and Palin are bracing for them to do so, but they are just laying back.

It's like the Alaskan Independent Party and Gordon Liddy - unimportant compared to a host of paper thin smears agains Obama according the MSM.

[Wakemewhenitsallover]

HuffPost's Pick

Obama is not running a negative campaign - people who vote for him will generally be voting because they think he will make a good president. McCain's tactics will leave him wondering if people really voted for him because they believed in him or because they believed his scare tactics about Obama. This says a lot about the character and integrity of these candidates.

[Michale32086]

Actually, by strict definition, Obama IS running a negative campaign..­.

"Negative campaigning, also known more colloquially as "mudslinging", is trying to win an advantage by referring to negative aspects of an opponent or of a policy rather than emphasizing one's own positive attributes or preferred policies. In the broadest sense, the term covers any rhetoric which refers to an opponent, if only by way of contrast, but can also include attacks meant to destroy an opponent's character, which may veer into ad hominem."

Michale...­..

[Ben is right]

Obama's not running a negative campaign, for the most part. He doesn't have to. He's in the lead. He has certainly run negative ads. He ran the one that made McCain's age a factor, even though age has always been associated with wisdom. The ad didn't simply say McCain was old, though. It disparaged him by using cliches of old age against him.

Obama's campaign also ran a negative ad against McCain using comments made by Rush Limbaugh, which the ad took out of context and represented as racial slurs against Mexicans. Rush Limbaugh has never been a fan of McCain, and he certainly wasn't when he was talking about Hispanics. One of the comments that was taken out of context was something about letting the stupid Mexicans do the manual labor jobs that are going to Mexico. In context, it was obvious that Rush just meant that there are stupid people everywhere, and the kinds of jobs that were being sent to Mexico were the kind less well-educated people do. So let them go. Don't worry about it. We'll create new, higher tech jobs here for our people. I agreed with him wholeheartedly. He did not say or imply that all Mexicans are stupid. Another comment from Limbaugh that, taken out of context, made it sound like he was laying down the law to Mexican immigrants to this country, was actually him reading the very draconian immigration laws of Mexico.

So, yeah. Obama doesn't run a negative campaign.

[Michale32086]

A State Governor and a State Senator..

Of COURSE there are going to be ties...

Big deal..

As for the AIP???

You DO realize that about 20 states and regions in the USA have secessionist movements. One of the more well known ones is in the most liberal state in the country..

Big deal.. They are simply a loose association of people who get together for family picnics and BBQs..

I say again. Big deal...

Answer me this. If the AIP is such a horrendous organization on the par with, say associations with a terrorist, why is it that there hasn't been a WORD said about it PRIOR to Palin's entrance into the national stage..

Surely such a HORRENDOUS and RADICALLY UN-AMERICAN organization as the AIP would have been TOP fodder for the Democratic Party, no???

No one knew about it, you say???

Then obviously, it can't be that horrible, eh???

Michale...­..

[wolfgangmo]

Well, she was vetted for about 5 minutes. That could have something to do with it. Also, Obama seems to be running a clean, no attack ads campaign. Maybe that has something to do with it.

The questions I have about the AIP have to do with the quasi endorsement she gave them about helping her get the governors chair, about the AIP's founder getting blown up in an illegal explosives deal gone bad [which doesn't sound like anyone just "goin' ta picnics, doncha know"], and the fact that her husband and confidant and Alaska's "first dude" was a member for about 7 years.

These are not casual associations like the fact the Obama and Ayers live in the same area and once were both appointed by a republican to a board, or the fact that Obama once attended a church in Chicago [where there are no witch hunters as far as I know].

Later for you, M.

[Oken]

I don't have a problem with the AIP in the abstract -- I'm a big believer in free speech and free thought.

But don't you think there's something fundamentally disingenuous about running for high office in a nation your husband would like to cecede from? And then, as icing on the cake, isn't it a bit odd to talk about "pro-America" and "anti-America parts of the country when your husband was a member of an organization that wanted to LEAVE America? That would see to me to be about as anti-America you can get. Wouldn't it?

[CCverve]

The AIP is an organization which by its mission seeks to do what ? And yes Tim McViegh or anyone whom espouses his distaste with the US of A in the manner Timmy did or SAY the FOUNDER of the AIP JOE VOGEL did, DO infact make me very uncomfortable. And many people in intelligence community, I am certain, will be required to seriously take heed. Been then that's the benefit of a proper vetting process.

The security apparatus of the United States will always warrant serious concern. I doubt Todd Palins resume a plus in the "Sarah's OK" column

[liriope]

Oh my gosh...jus­t picincs and bbqs. Just a little harmless secessionist fun. Wow. You really are out of touch. Of course, this jabberwocky comes from someone who would defend Palin by announcing that both he and his wife find her attractive. What an endorsement. Just brilliant.

[Wakemewhenitsallover]

It's just defense tactics to brand critics with an unwelcome slur - they hope it will shut a lot of people up and discredit those who speak out. I think you are a credit to your party that you have spoken out, because this all round dumb acceptance makes Republicans look stupid or desperate at best, and at worst fanatical, dishonest and cynical.

[Ben is right]

Do you think it means anything to compliment someone from your opposition for siding with you?

As far as branding critics with an unwelcome slur... Is there such a thing as a welcome slur? It's not an attempt to do anything but give an explanation for the criticisms. Those of us who are on the side of Governor Palin believe that she has been misrepresented by people who have no knowledge of her. In our minds, their only possible motive is that they believe that they are better than she is. Most of the things they have said have been proven false, and those things that haven't aren't a big deal to us like they are to the "elites." What else should we call those who would behave in such a manner? Why is "elite" a slur? I've seen the word used to favorably describe many things. It is an accurate description of someone who would look down upon anyone else for any reason.

[Wakemewhenitsallover]

Okay, well let's put it this way. Why can't the Republicans allow anyone to criticise Sarah Palin? They are being very precious about her and this is probably because they know she is a weak candidate who is very hard to defend in any rigorous way, therefore they resort to slurs on her critics.

BTW I don't have a problem with complimenting anyone who deserves it, whatever the party - neither does Obama. This can be considered a strength, you know, not a weakness.

[larry278]

Dislike of S Palin is simply a matter of good taste.

[boing007]

We know one thing. She is not qualified to be President of the United States of America.

[Michale32086]

In YOUR opinion...

Let's not confuse opinions with facts, K??

Michale...­..

[anney]

Hell, she doesn't even know what a vice president DOES. That's how unqualified she is.

[Michale32086]

And Joe Biden gave an equally incorrect answer to what the VP does...

So???

Michale...­..