The Great White Nope
Here's a shocking display of honesty from the conservative blog Powerline :
We conservatives have had a good time ridiculing the Obama phenomenon, especially its messianic feel -- the willingness of its adherents to pour so much hope and belief into such an empty, or at least incomplete, vessel -- and its elevation of "narrative" over substance.Indeed. The Republicans have been desperate for a conservative savior for a while now. In fact, the desire to find the next Reagan pretty much defines the entire GOP presidential campaign.It turns out that we were dying to have basically the same experience.
In early 2007, the front-runners for the GOP nomination were Rudy Giuliani and John McCain, but those were both deemed non-starters by the Republican base. John McCain is a sanctimonious twit who conservatives can't stand much the same way that Democrats hate Lieberman. Rudy excites the base with his 9/11-tourette's, but he's a serial adulterer who doesn't hate gay people enough to excite the religious wing who still operate under the quaint notion that they're the ones in charge of the Republican party. Faced with that dreadful choice and knowing that the Bush legacy was a surefire loser in 2008, the GOP began their search for the person who would save their party from another humiliating defeat.
First up to the bat was Mitt Romney, who seemed almost as if he was designed to be a Republican politician. A generically handsome governor/billionaire who wears his religion on his sleeve, what's not to like? Well, the fact that he's from Taxachussets and has a history of pandering to liberals, for one. At least, that was enough to help Republicans to justify the real reason for opposing him, which is that he's a Mormon. The religious right is all about religious freedom when it comes to their own religion, but they'll be damned if they give their vote to somebody who wears the magic underwear.
Okay, how about former Senator Fred Thompson of TV's Law and Order? He's an actor, like Reagan! Plus, he's got that condescending southern drawl that voters find irresistible. On paper it seemed perfect, since the only thing Republicans love more than railing against celebrities is voting for them. Unfortunately for them, Thompson couldn't pull off the biggest challenge of his career, acting like he wanted to be president. Huh? You want me to campaign on the weekends too?
Then, out of the Iowa caucuses came a dark horse candidate, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee. Finally a guy who the Republicans can sink their teeth into. He's funny, he talks about Jesus all the time, and he used to be fat. Unfortunately for the Huckster, when the Republican party bosses started paying attention to his record, they were struck with paralyzing fear. "Oh no, he really means this 'compassion for the poor' crap." Needless to say, when faced with the choice between compassionate conservatism and lower taxes, Republicans always choose the latter.
And so, with the primaries underway, the pendulum of Republican opinion swung back to John McCain by default. Though it seemed like a race for a while between McCain, Romney, and Huckabee, the winner-takes-all nature of the GOP primaries sealed the deal for our nation's least humble POW on Super Tuesday. And with that, Republicans across the country woke up in a cold sweat on the morning of February 6th thinking "Oh shit! We just nominated John McCain."
Though they may be loathe to admit it, that's pretty much been the thought in the backs of the minds of conservatives everywhere for the past seven months. The preferred euphemism is "enthusiasm" gap, but it really sugar coats the fact that Republicans seemed lost and had resigned themselves to the fact that their nominee was somebody they couldn't stand. That is, until John McCain gave them their next conservative messiah, Sarah "Barracuda" Palin.
She's a regular lady, they boast to themselves, not like those minorities and city-dwellers in the DemocRAT party. She eats moose and calls her husband "dude", what wonderful nuggets of authenticity that look great in a campaign ad! Plus, she's so damn religious that we get all of the positives of supporting women without having to change our views in ways that would actually, y'know, support women.
Which is where we are now. The Republicans have found a new crush, "the one" who will save their party and usher in a new era of conservatism. Once the glory of her gloriously sarcastic convention speech has faded, they'll start finding reasons to dislike her just as they have every other conservative standard-bearer. Will her tax-raising ways, Which have drawn comparisons to GOP-bogeyman Hugo Chavez, prompt the oilmen who own the GOP to force her out? Or will the fundies get scared off by her knocked-up kid and the tabloid innuendo that surrounds her? Or will the GOP base start rejecting her when they realize that she's just the more-likable frontwoman for that saddest of sacks, John McCain?
Either way, if recent history is any guide, the honeymoon won't last forever. Hell, I doubt it'll last until election day.
Loading comments…
Want to reply to a comment? Hint: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the comment; after being approved your comment will appear directly underneath the comment you replied to
somewhat beside the point, but isn't an 18 year old, getting a 16 year old pregnant statuatory rape? humm, maybe he was 17 when it happened..
Did any one else find that "devil horns" jesture Ms. Palin made yesterday on the stump? It was like she was a biker chick gone nuts. And the smile she emitted during this strange "devil horns" jesture was off putting in light of Pappy-McSame saying how wonderful she is...just kinda odd. Did any one see the speech and her doing that jesture? And, please I have nothing against bikers, I've been a Harley gone forever.
Here in MI we call that the "rockstar" gesture. Usually a gesture made by trailer trash during a Kidd Rock song.
i honestly think that she and her family are trailer trash; no one's picked up on it yet because she looks normal, but if you look at the rest of them - the older son, bristol and her boyfriend - they look low-class.
i hope that her nastiness becomes more apparent to the public.
Yes.... I saw it. Made me laugh at the absurdity of it, given time and place.
If only there were more time. There is no question had she been a serious candidate during the primary and scrutinized as closely as Huckabee, Romney, even Pawlenty, et al, her negatives would have disqualified her with the Republicans. Given the timing and the campaign's strategy to stiff arm any serious inquiry, I can't agree. Sarah Palin represents to the Republican base nationally the same thing she represented to Alaskans when she ran against incumbent, Mulkowski. Anybody but HIM. It's a Hail Mary pass aimed at the same "hard working, blue collar" crowd that Hillary so effectively aroused. With evangelicals thrown in for good measure.
I share your fear. We need more time. I don't think we have enough time for this crush to fade. I also don't think her obvious charisma will not reoccur, even if they don't win this election. As Pat said - a star is born. We need as many opportunities as possible to expose her extremism.
Dead On! My Repug family loathes McCain (thanks to Rush & Co.) and the orgasms for Sarah are simply because they have been waiting for months to hear there own rhetoric spewed back at them. (Plus she is kinda hot in a convention of raisins and dogs) But the Repug base is not what will win this election. They may like Sarah's "tell 'em what they want to hear" speech, especially the shrill cynicism part, but the fact is she is a woman they are not likely to hand the keys to the party to. She will be used for now and when it comes time to vote for McCain the pangs of disgust will still resound. This election will not "electrify the base" for Repugs and importantly, Sarah will turn off the middle road moderates who see her as Bush light doing PR for rubberstamp Johnny. This race may become "Pale and Palin" emphasizing Joh's nack of charisma. People don't vote for the VP unless of course you are seriously considering McCain's age as a factor on him even finishing his term. If that's the case McCain has a big problem. The middle road independants will not go to "more of the same" or "sure let Sarah who run things after hockey season is over."
I disagree. She is not "Bush light". She is a far more, ignorant (not stupid, but unaware) conniving and ruthless version. The only thing that rang true after her speech, for me, was barracuda and pitbull
Maybe you're right. I hope so. But this sounds like wishful thinking to me.
You are SMUG and COMPLACENT!
Do NOT underestimate Palin. She is smart, tough, and RUTHLESS. Lots of people underestimated her and LOST.
Attack her HARD and attack her NOW, before the momentum gets on her side.
Attack Palin with short simple, unassailable, non-sexist FACTS about her record:
Spends our kids money.
-Mayor with $27 mil in TAXPAYER Earmarks, for a town of 6000. And still left it with $22 mil in debt.
(She is a BUSH Republican)
Tax cuts for the wealthy, tax hikes for everyone else.
-Mayor of Wasilla did cut taxes, property taxes for the rich, but raised sales taxes that hit the middle class and the poor, taxes even on food.
(She is a BUSH Republican)
Stonewalls investigations.
-Promises to cooperate on an abuse of power investigation, but then stonewalls and refuses to testify.
(She is a BUSH Republican)
Cuts programs for the most defenseless among us.
-"Covenant House Alaska, a program that helps younger people, including teenage mothers. The Alaska legislature decided to allocate $5 million in building funds, but Gov. Sarah Palin cut that to $3.9 million with a line-item veto in June."
http://the
-Projects with funding reduced by 50 percent include the following:
� Catholic Community Resources " counseling and adoption
� Fairbanks Community Food Bank
http://www
NEW? SHE IS A BUSH REPUBLICAN!
Take a deep breathe that was alot to distribute
I agree - it would be unwise to underestimate her. Attack her on her record and show she's a typical Bush republican. Attack her in any way possible short of anything that might create any sympathy backlash. Stay away from attacking her family!
Biden can win any debate with Palin on substance but he is pompous enough to be dangerously counterproductive.
thank you for this.
I DON'T AGREE!! TIME IS RUNNING OUT SOON AND THE MEDIA CAN'T OR WONT PUSH
BACK ON WHY PALIN IS NOT TAKING INTERVIEWS. SHE IS LIKE CANDY WINDOW DRESSING
AND, IF THE PRESS DOES NOT GET A SPINE, THE ELECTION WILL BE OVER BEFORE
AMERICA CAN HAVE ITS FILL OF HER.
Thanks Greg you ROCK. THE PAINLY DRIP GOES ON......IT
IS IT LEGAL TO PREGNANT A 16 YEAR OLD??? IS IT LEGAL???? IF NOT . WHERE ARE THE CHILD SOCIAL SERVICES????? HOW COME PAINLYMCSAME ARE PARADING THIS DISGRACEFUL ACT FOR POLITICAL PITY???/. HOW COME EVERYONE IS MUTE ABOUT THIS????.
GOD HELP ALL TEENAGERS FOLLOWING THIS HISTORIC ELECTION. I PRAY THEY DON'T THINK IT'S COOL TO HAVE KIDS AT 16.
HAVE WE GONE INSANE??? I WONDER WHAT THE WORLD IS SAYING....
SO MUCH IS AT SAKE PEOPLE..WE HAVE TO FOCUS AND DO THE RIGHT THING..
VOTE OBAMABIDEN COME NOV4TH. PLEASE...I PROMISED TO DRINK LESS GUINNESS IF YOU DO....PLEA
Especially when it could be the 2nd one!
The age of consent in Alaska is 16.
Also, PLEASE STOP YELLING.
I agree with you but please stop shouting. It makes my head hurt.
From what I've learned from friends abroad, the world actually thinks we're insane.
This is a brilliant article. Thanks.
There's some big differences between the Messiah's. One graduated top of his class at Harvard, taught constitutional law, was a civil right lawyer, while working as a community organizer, served as a state legislator in IL for 8 years, 3 term State Senator, spent 18 months being vetted so the American people could decide if he was the Messiah they wanted. The other one is a gimmick.
Absolutely! The RepuplicRat VP pick was a member of the secessionist AIP party until she become mayor in Wasilla, home to 9000 Alaskans. She took that tiny berg from a balanced budget to a 19 Million Dollar deficit in her short term. She took every chunk of Pork she could from Washington, liked the bridge to nowhere, and then the road to nowhere, until Ted Stevens was indicted. She demanded assurances of loyalty as mayor, from people like the Chief of Police and the Library Director, ... who relented, to save her job.
"Country First"? No, ... looks like "Sarah First, ... Alaska Next, and Country Last! And, By God, get the first one right or you are out of here!"
Her hubby, the First Dude, was a member of AIP for seven years. Records show Palin was always a registered Republican. She was a sympathizer, but that's not the same as being a member. The town librarian did not relent to save her job. Palin relented due to public support for the librarian. Work on your facts and syntax. Too much is at stake her for us to get as sloppy as the opposition.
Thank you for this article. It was great to read. I love your humor. I hope and "pray" the American people won't be fooled by this joke-of-a-VP pick.
I think Palin was a smart pick by McSame. She's youthful enough to help John with his walker or wheel chair when the time is ripe.
with a barracuda pitbull in lipstick on your ticket, mccrotchety better watch his back
Biden's not that bad, just because he fails at having real private sector work experience doesn't make him a joke. But you do have to admit that all his experience is worthless given how often he was wrong on issues.
If that's the standard, then McSame is eliminated. Has he ever been right? I guess it's inevitable, given how many times he has changed his stance on the issues. Whatever he was right about, he's not right any longer.
Name ONE issue he was wrong on........
Wonderful stuff Greg- you give narrative expression to an essential truth about what's left of the Republican Party- the idealogical nonsense that binds them together prevents them from enthusiasm over any candidate who could actually solve our problems. Because for all the lip service from McCain about 'working across the aisle,' to hold these yahoos together, he has to disdain, insult and dismiss the actual people sitting over there.
When "the Obama Phenomenon" started, his opponents began detracting from this by spreading unfounded rumors about him and trying to discourage support with the 'guilt by association' argument.
In Palin, we have another 'phenomenon' rising in the Republican party. But in this case, she is already surrounded by on-going investigations, scandals, and charges of corruption.
Both may be 'popular political celebrities', but their situations are not equal. And I don't believe the media [ elsewhere ] should be treating them as such.
HERE IS THE DIFFERENCE
AND ENERGIZE THE REPUBLICAN BASE OR DRAW SYMPATHY/VOTES FROM WOMEN SEEING
HER AS BEING VICTIMIZED IN THE PRESS. THE REAL NEWS IS THAT THE REPULICANS ARE
ISOLATING HER FROM AMERICAN SCRUTINY BY REFUSING TO PUT HER OUT ON THE TALK
SHOW WITH A SERIOUS INTERVIEWER. THIS IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF BUSH -ROVE
TACTICS...
POLICIES OF THE LAST 8 YRS THAT MCCAIN SUPPORTS..
WHITE AND THE SUPREME COURT AND OUR FREEDOM!!
OR LOSE THE WHITE HOUSE.
IT IS NOW UP TO THE PRESS TO DO ITS JOB.
THANK YOU, GREG! Hope doesn't have a color even though the Republicans what to give it one.
Leave it up to the liberals to provide specious arguments and platitudes for your reading pleasure. It never ceases to amaze me...perha
It is ironic that an OLD horse like John BUSH wouldn't be further ahead in the polls than the "New kid on the block that has no experience
Obama-Biden 08!
http://www
Racism is a mental disorder that is VOID of being human! It like something slimy that slivers on its belly.
Greg, superbly excellent blog. And you hit it with humor too!
I was saying exactly the same thing yesterday after the Nielsen rating #s had the Repthugs singing hallelujah. Come to understand, they were just jealous of Obama's "celebrity" all along. All they wanted was to have their own "celebrity". Now that they do, there's no longer anything wrong with being a "celebrity".
Problem is, to Obama supporters, he's NOT a celebrity, he's an inspiring leader, we're in for the long run, we're in to get our country back, while to THEM Obama is a celebrity and now so is Palin. Obviously, the honeymoon, as you say, will end, just as it does with the real Hollywood celebrities.
You must be logged in to comment. Log in or connect with
