Going Rouge Skewers Palin

In what is surely a brilliant bit of counter-insurgency marketing, OR Books will be releasing the political antidote to Sarah Palin's memoir Going Rogue with Going Rouge--Sarah Palin, An American Nightmare, on November 16, the day before Palin's tome explodes on the national book market.

Although it's been billed by some right-wing commentators as a "copycat publication" intended to "confuse readers," Going Rouge will not be appearing in bookstores and will be available only on the OR website.

Edited by Richard Kim and Betsy Reed of The Nation, Going Rouge contains a superb collection of more than 50 short articles on Palin by an all-star array of political writers who skewered Palin during her vice-presidential candidacy last fall. Many of the classic pieces written about Palin in the last year are collected in the volume--including "Wrong Woman, Wrong Message," by Gloria Steinem, and "Our Polar Bears, Ourselves," by Mark Hertsgaard.

Going Rouge is an engaging read from start to finish. In their introduction, Kim and Reed rightfully acknowledge the "vital place" that Palin currently occupies "in the Republican Party's zeitgeist." In spite of her loss last fall on the Republican ticket and her endless series of car crashes on the campaign trail, Palin remains in the words of New York Times columnist Frank Rich not only the GOP's "biggest star and most charismatic television performer; she is its only star and charismatic performer." No one was talking this past week about paying Mitt Romney or Mike Huckabee $100,000 to come to Iowa.

If you've followed Palin's career closely, as I have, most of the essays here will be familiar, though I somehow managed to miss Robert Reich's powerful excoriation of Palin's "death panel" hysteria in response to Obama's proposed health-care reforms.

One of the reasons that Palin was selected as John McCain's running mate, of course, was as a calculated attempt by his campaign to wrest women voters (read Hillary Clinton supporters) away from the Democratic Party ticket. In the end it proved to be a strategy as ridiculous as it was misguided. Perhaps the most compelling sections in Going Rouge are those that address feminist considerations magnified (and distorted) by Palin's candidacy. It includes splendid pieces by the likes of Steinem, Katha Pollitt, Jessica Valenti, Amy Alexander, Linda Hirshman, Amanda Fortini, Rebecca Traister, Michelle Goldberg, Emily Bazelon and Dahlia Lithwick--all of whom shed considerable light on the varied and complex nuances of gender and feminist constructions raised by the Palin phenomenon.

Traister, a contributor to Salon who has a book coming out next fall about women in the 2008 campaign entitled Big Girls Don't Cry, was by far the best--and most consistent--feminist critic of Palin throughout the campaign. In "The Sarah Palin Pity Party," Traister writes, "I guess I'm one cold dame, because while Palin provokes many unpleasant emotions in me, I just can't seem to summon pity, affection or remorse."

Going Rouge is not all slash-and-burn. There's plenty of humor contained throughout. In a section entitled "The Poetry of Sarah Palin," Palin's peculiar phrasing and word amalgamations are placed in poetic form:

Haiku

These corporations.
Today it was AIG,
Important call, there.

Max Blumenthal, author of the fascinating Republican Gomorrah, is also here in all his splendor, with an account of Palin's witch-hunting pastor from Kenya, Thomas Muthee, "who urges his parishioners to crush 'the python spirit' of the unbeliever enemies by stomping on their necks."

While two of Alaska's best known bloggers (and HuffPo contributors) Jeanne Devon (AKMuckraker) and Shannyn Moore are included in the collection (Devon thoughtfully explains the brutal ironies of Palin using the term "rogue" in the title of her book), the Last Frontier gets more than a bit short shrifted in Going Rouge, and that's too bad.

There's little mention of Palin's role as a council member and mayor of Wasilla, her brutal firing of Police Chief Irl Stambaugh and her betrayal of political allies from the early days of her career. I also would have liked to have seen some excerpts from the Branchflower Report included in the collection along with a run-down of the nearly 20 ethics complaints that are tidily posted on the pages of the Anchorage Daily News. While Palin is now an American icon, she is also very much a product of longstanding Alaskan political traditions of isolation and corruption, and her current political traction remains linked to the interplay between those forces.

Then, too, are Palin's strange post-election relationships with the likes of Greta Van Susteren, John Coales and Fred Malek--all of whom go unmentioned in the collection. But these are minor rubs.

One thing is certain: You will read far more about the real Sarah Palin in Going Rouge than you ever will in her own memoirs, being published by (who else?) Rupert Murdoch. If there is a single consistency in the Palin canon it is that she is an inveterate liar and motivated by a reckless ambition that has left a trail of collateral damage from Wasilla to Washington, D.C. Going Rouge is full of golden nuggets about Sarah Palin. Judging from her past performances, her own book will most certainly be riddled with deceit.

GOING ROUGE: Sarah Palin--An American Nightmare
Edited by Richard Kim and Betsy Reed; OR Books
Publication: November 16th, 2009
$16 paperback; $10 e-book; 336 pp.

Award-winning writer and filmmaker Geoffrey Dunn's book The Lies of Sarah Palin: The Untold Story Behind Her Relentless Quest for Power will be released by St. Martin's Press in spring 2010.

 

Comments

[Cyclops0823]

The one thing that i agree with in this whole article is...you will certainly get to understand the Lefts overblown and exagerrated low opinion of Sarah Palin much better.

I doubt there will be much in the way of explaining why they hate her so much, other than for being a Conservative female or for being a politician in what people have already called one of the most corrupt states in the country, but on the flip side they love Obama whi is also from one of the most politically corrupt states in the country....

I doubt there will be much in the way of explaining what was really behind all those ethic complaints that were filed against her by her sol called party mates...that would be true journalism...why were so many in her won party out to get this very popular Governor...hmmm?

Yeah, doubt there will be much about that...

[JodiAnn Walker]

I agree with the last part that she is an inveterate liar. She is such a bold-faced liar. I hope she clean up some things about her character. If she does this, she will have a chance to become accepted by the people outside of the extreme right-winged fanatics.

[susiesorority]

I don't get the fascination at all...but, at the end of the day? America would much rather shine a light on someone who isn't on top of their game than someone accomplished, and a woman pretending to be in the game? Too good to pass up.

[Dolmance]

I've come to believe the American people are indisputably, absolutely, 100 percent deserving of Sarah Palin being their President.

I support Sarah Palin for President. I will do everything in my power to help her achieve her goal.

Nurture your hate. Peace. God bless.

[Aaror]

You hate America that much?
For that matter, you want someone like her in charge of the US nuclear arsenal?
Yikes!

[notadumbblonde]

I am not a Palin supporter, but I remain as fascinated by her as the rest of you do; all you Palin haters and those who think her book will end up a failure better get used to her being around.

Like I said, her fascination is not in her politics but in her beauty, charisma, and folksy attitude. You cannot buy that kind of charisma, you have to be born with it, and she was.

But she remains a fascinating, polarizing, person. That's why you all came in here to read this story.

[bedfordny]

Fascination suggests a level of respect of awe. I can assure you I have neither for her. Her mean spirited rallies and reactionary tactics during and after the election prove that beyond any shadow of a doubt. "Beauty, charisma and a folksy attitude" may have worked well for her before and may even keep public attention on her now, but that in no way should be confused as support of her transparent bid for higher office. She was chosen as VP for the reasons you suggested and as a modern day bait and switch tactic of 'forget about Hillary, we have our very own Hillary lite right here." That contrived attempt by McCain should never be confused as an endorsement of Palin as actually being qualified in any way shape or form to lead this nation in any capacity whatsoever.

You forgot to mention that she's smart. That is because she is obviously not. Shouldn't that be on the top of the list of any politician who imagines that she or he should be entrusted to lead our nation? The people of Alaska amazingly voted her in as governor and trusted she would remain there her full term. She abandoned them abruptly mid first term to enrich herself financially and position herself as a potential candidate for president. If she puts her own needs before the needs of the people in Alaska, why should she ever be trusted to put the needs of the entire nation before her own?

[truthartbeauty]

fascinated? I am more fascinated in listening to my food digest. Why would anyone be fascinated with a person so stupid with so little to say.??? she has only tabloid, checkout counter rag appeal. to real people with real educations she is NOT fascinating!

[eljefejeff]

I find her fascinating. I have used that exact word to describe her in the past. But I'm not so much fascinated by her as I am her supporters. What charisma did she bring? Where did it come from? Her supporters loved her from the moment McCain announced her, before she even spoke. They knew nothing of her at all and yet anointed her as the next leader of their party. It took Barack Obama months and even years before he was able to take down the Clintons and earn his leadership status, and Palin just walked into it.

It took mere days for the world to find out that Palin was not at all ready for a national campaign and an awful choice to be second in line for the presidency. But her supporters lover her and no matter what she does.....whether it be the irresponsible way she went about having her youngest child, if it's even hers, or quitting halfway through her first term as governor..­...they'll always love her, and she is definitely here to stay.

[snoopjohnny]

I don't find Palin interesting or appealing. I do fully respect her as a real American, just like Ralph Nader, Reverend Wright, Rush Limbaugh, the captain of my bowling team or the guy who lives in the cardboard box downtown.

In today's world, some believe "an everyday person" may well be capable of running our country. That person may well be out there, but I'm convinced Sarah Palin isn't that person.

Thrust into the spotlight through a campaign marketing tactic, Sarah feels justified to continue on as a gutsy "leader". Her inability to come to terms with this extraordinary responsibility, much less to to lead, has been abundantly clear since DAY ONE, to me (and most of the country). My interest lies in the troubling faith of people who have watched this minor historical train wreck and come to a different conclusion.

[Luv2Purple]

Wave to the crowed Sarah.....that's it, now smile...good....ok, pivot....also too you betcha Wave again and .....WINK! You have been awarded the title of....BEST HALF TERM QUITTER IN AMERICA!

[Squeglen]

How is going rogue part of American life, well never mind, maybe for her. She has no clue as to what rogue means so I will spell it out for her: For those followers who have no idea either, see the explanation below and tell me what you think of her after:
Rogue: A dishonest, knavish person; scoundrel. A tramp or vagabond.
For those that have no idea what knavish means, please see below:
Knavish: Untrustworthy; dishonest.
Well after you have read the meaning behind her book title, you can see that it fits her to a tee, because she is everything and more after all her babbling since she was chosen for vp. Now as far as her book being #1, bull larky, her publicist pre-ordered 1.5 million in the hopes that they sell. I personally will not be one who will help this woman make one red cent for something that she did not write nor would she be able to even begin to write. As they say, you write exactly how you speak and we all have had the horror of listening to her speak, so go figure.

[booker52]

One of these days the blinders will come off and people will see Palin as she really is, all show and nothing to back it up.

[ginamarie101]

Not too likely. Unfortunately for people like those who worship Sarah Palin and her ilk, the blinders never come off unless the damage comes to full fruition and is totally, irreversibly and indisputably absolute. And even then they do not adjust their perspectives, take stock of their misguided exaltation, or become the least bit wiser or discerning in their judgment. They belong to the ‘kill the messenger’ philosophy and will simply switch all their profound idolatry and reverent homage to a new messenger. They never burden themselves with the desire to develop keen insight or evolve through illumination. They live by gut and knee jerk reactions alone – and they are proud of it.

[snoopjohnny]

I've witnessed "blinders" falling, often from women who were initially excited about a "strong, assertive woman" in higher levels of government. Until many realized speeches and interviews bore no coherent message about women, policy, issues, family or much of anything, except random shots at Government, Hollywood, liberals, the media, etc. The resignation event was also a turning point..... HOWEVER, many watch this ongoing train wreck and still see a "strong, clever woman". Can't help thinking (or hoping?) the more people see of Palin, the less they'll want to.....

[wallyone]

I maintain that McCain's advisors and the conservative elite who picked Palin had no idea that a state governor could possibly be as uninformed, uneducated, provincial and unaware of their own shortcomings as she actually is. Like most people who know a lot about a lot, they assumed that she had a reasonably good knowledge base in her head. But they were way wrong. She actually revels in her own ignorance of many issues, and turns it to her advantage among her followers and fellow know-nothings. She is the only politician who tells them what they want to hear, and she has credibility as a working mother from humble beginnings with a good heart and a populist/c­onservativ­e message. How could any working mom have time to read substantial books and articles about history, politics, economics, etc.? People can identify with that.

[BoiseLib]

They didn't ask.

[ThinkCreeps]

Absolutely - the Quebec journalists had her mark halfway through their 3-minute phone call.

[AnneMarie27]

Rush's books pop up in thrift stores all the time. I think Sarah Palin's book will find its way to used book and thrift stores in record time. RIP

[Aaror]

Conservitives always think if they can give just the right book to a liberal they will sway the liberal to their point of view. They also buy books to support viewpoints without intending to read them. Both sets of books are eventually thrown out or given to a thrift store.
Liberals are so widely read that we can spot the lies in the conservitive books and are unmoved.
But Conservitives will keep trying, after all, the bible changed a lot of folks, right?

[Archivist1000]

Mr Dunn: from previous posts on Huffpost, I know you are working on a book yourself. When is it being released?

BTW .. I have a section on Greta in my blog .. http://archivist1000.blogspot.com/

[aznurse]

I always thought the reason McCain picked her was because he was pissed he couldn't pick Lieberman. He just went all mavericky on the GOP.

[Pupadup4oBama]

I think so too...

[xlntcat]

I think you are right. When McCain doesn't get his way he either throws a temper tantrum or pouts. "If I can't have my way, I don't care what you do" has got him in trouble before.

[BlackJAC]

Why won't it appear in bookstores?

[Geoffrey Dunn - Huffpost Blogger]

As I explained previously: This is OR Book's debut publication. It was never planned to hit bookstores. In the publicity I received for the book, the following appeared: "Going Rouge is available only from OR Books, a new publishing company selling progressive books in print-on-demand and e-book formats, direct to the reader." To my knowledge, there are absolutely no legal issues involved in the matter; political language remains protected by the First Amendment. It is a lovely, well designed book. I was also allowed to test-print off the pdf file. It came out very clean and readable.

http://orbooks.com/

[BlackJAC]

And what of the people who have neither Internet access nor E-book reader? I hate to say this, but this Green Jelly-style approach to book publishing is going to cost people sales in the long run.

[CommunistUtopia]

Palin's book appears to be on bestseller's list before it has been released. She is a political powerhouse.

[BlackJAC]

Gops are buying it by the pallet to artificially inflate the sales figures. Those copies will move from printer to storage bay to shelf to recycling bin completely unread.

[Aaror]

Buying a book you don't intend to read to give it to someone who disagrees with you in hopes they will read it and agree with you isn't the same as buying a book you want to read? Who would have thought?

[timetorevolt]

yeah..that's why she won last November....don't live in the real world?

[harmonikasavingsbonds]

They are selling the book for $9.00 to people who will never read it. Rather, they will wait until Rush Limbaugh tells them what to think about it.

[xlntcat]

That is why her approval ratings in the exit polls were at 32%

[kellygrrrl]

looks like both books are already outdated -- pretty clear Palin will be leading the Conservative Party rather than the Republican Party.

[Melissa]

I'm sure they will also be getting a million dollars and be on the best seller list even before the book goes on sale. Sarah really gets under the lefties skin, too funny!

[Geoffrey Dunn - Huffpost Blogger]

I'm not sure who gets under whose skin, though I think you have it backwards. That said, one of my predictions is that 'Going Rogue' will also announce, or reflect, Palin's break from the Republicans. It's a direct reference to her appearance on the national stage with GOP operatives she detested. She could not stand them. Nor they her. This will be, by far, the most interesting revelations in her book.

As for Palin on the national scene, she is the "17-percent solution."

[becspk]

Very true, Melissa. They CAN'T STAND her. This is a vice-presidential candidate we're talking about. When was the last time we cared so much about a vice presidential pick before? Hell I can't even remember the ones from the past few years. How about Bob Dole's in '96? Anyone? Jack Kemp. I had to look it up though.

Quit spazzing about Palin and just ignore her. Dems have everything they could possibly want right now, why go after Palin? It looks thin-skinned...

[Ohsnap]

She gets under my skin...I don't think her stinger is that powerful. More like a gnat bite.