Sarah Palin isn't back. She never left. But the publicity surrounding her new book, Going Rogue, suggests that Palin will be the most formidable Republican presidential candidate in 2012. Even Levi Johnston's appearance in Playgirl with a lone hockey stick couldn't be more helpful--the Palin clan has become a permanent reality show with America's viewers glued to the drama. The longer the act goes on, the more publicity Palin wins. So far, it shows no signs of faltering.
If Palin chooses to enter the political ring again--and it would be surprising if she doesn't--then she will be trying not simply to reshape America, but also the GOP. The truth is that Palin's current and most immediate struggle isn't against President Obama or the Democratic party or even liberals. It's against the GOP itself.
In seeking to vindicate her performance, Palin is aiming some serious slap shots at the McCain camp, particularly campaign strategist Steve Schmidt. Her disdain for establishment Republicans is palpable and, of course, it's mutual. Palin wants to portray herself as a maverick, not just in her unabashedly socially conservative views, but also in terms of the Republican party. She's the one that will upend the ancient regime that has brought the GOP to grief. She's represents the vox populi. She'll take the fight to Washington, DC, where, incidentally, she's never served in Congress, leaving her untainted. And so on.
The irony of the Palin crusade is that her most stalwart backers are the neoconservatives based in Washington, DC, who are pushing her to run. Today's Wall Street Journal, for example, features a lively op-ed by Matthew Continetti of the Weekly Standard, who has also just published a book chronicling the efforts of an elitist media supposedly seeking to persecute Palin. But the neocons have, of course, themselves become Washington insiders with their various perches in think-tanks and magazines, not to mention government service in the George W. Bush administration.
But Palin could use some intellectual sparks. Both she and the neocons are intent on attacking what neocon founder Irving Kristol called the "new class" of intellectuals and government bureaucrats who allegedly form a kind of unpatriotic and parasitic elite. It will be interesting to see if she pursues an alliance with her well-wishers. As with so much, it's Sarah's choice.
I don't like her politics and I think she's dangerous and weird, but I do admire her chutzpah. And I can't WAIT to see the dysfunctional cow patty fling game start! WAY better than sitting through fantasy football season. *grabbing popcorn*
Boy, THAT'S the understatement of the millenium!!!!!!
What this woman needs is an intellectual five-alarm fire!
I wish to see her higher side, not the other way around.
Holly s…….sheep (goat or cow; by the way, God bless Ms. Palin!).
Respecting official, surfacial bipartisanship standpoint of Gop and Dem, I’d respect any presidential candidates from any parties as far as they are qualified for the JOB with sincere mind, political talents, hard work.
If Ms. Palin is serious about running for Presidency, I would expect her to do best to equip, surround herself with qualified advisors, experts, train herself with political knowledge, skills, strategies before the bid !
After the disastrous former presidency, even simple-minded folks, who voted for beer-buddy-looking candidate, declared they don’t want President to act like them, stammer in middle sentences. They declare, they want President who doesn’t look like them and a non-stammer to be able to handle the complicate JOB, wishing not to be pushed into another “RECESSION” !
Even when ordinary folks changed their mind and prefer non-stammering President, Ms. Palin talks talks about Waging a War against "NON-STAMMERING" politicians (in professional terms, are they called “new class” intellectuals?)?
Instead of working hard on training and teaching herself for the BIG JOB, are we expected to see her waste her time on this kind of MISSION? Arn''t there enough, serious domestic, international problems that US is facing now? Instead of solving them, create, add new problem?
Regardless of the conventional wisdom the press has not been overly negative. She has now in her book gone after Republicans who really know how to throw mud.
Then I look around at all the off-the-wall stuff going on and remind myself that the more people you get in a group, the easier they are to manipulate, and the farther the collective IQ drops. And I get queasy.
The IQ of a group is the IQ of its dumbest member divided by the number of people in a group
She is thin skinned, a back stabber and clearly can't take a punch and hold onto it until she can strategically land her own. She can't be trusted. She is proving that with this book. The Republicans will use her. But, they will never turn over their power to her. No way. Especially since she can't pull out a general election.
When they are done with her and they can't get her to understand the role she is playing for them, they will destroy her.
If they were serious about a Palin candidacy as opposed to feeding off any energy she produces, they would reign her in and would have had far more to say about what went into this book. Their hand would be heavy.
But, they know she is a political loser.
For real, this time.
Neocons are people who, if they were in power in 1941, would have invaded Mexico because Japan bombed Pearl Harbor.