Sarah Palin's Gut is Making Me Sick

I never thought I'd miss Bill Kristol. And his successor, Ross Douthat, isn't giving me the chance.

When Palin's cheerleader-in-chief left the op-ed pages of The New York Times, I hoped that the new conservative columnist might make my Monday mornings a little less full of indignation, but now I'm starting to wonder.

In Monday's column, Ross Douthat looks at Palin's high unfavorable ratings (44 percent in a recent Pew poll) and manages to tease out a silver lining: among Americans without a college education, her approval ratings peak at 48 percent. Douthat doesn't linger on the fact that, even among this subpopulation, Palin's approval is shy of a majority, let alone a mandate. Instead he prefers to focus on the 'crucial' significance of Palin's popularity among citizens without a college education.

According to Douthat:

That last statistic is a crucial one. Palin's popularity has as much to do with class as it does with ideology. In this sense, she really is the perfect foil for Barack Obama. Our president represents the meritocratic ideal -- that anyone, from any background, can grow up to attend Columbia and Harvard Law School and become a great American success story. But Sarah Palin represents the democratic ideal -- that anyone can grow up to be a great success story without graduating from Columbia and Harvard...

Sarah Palin is beloved by millions because her rise suggested, however temporarily, that the old American aphorism about how anyone can grow up to be president might actually be true.

But her unhappy sojourn on the national stage has had a different moral: Don't even think about it.

It's understandable that in the aftermath of the Bush presidency, Douthat got a little confused about how the old "anyone can grow up to be president" line works. Douthat has added a fairly inconsequential clause "without graduating from Columbia and Harvard," while dropping an important one.

Perhaps he forgot, but when our parents and teachers and anyone else who wanted to inspire us told us that we, too, could be president, they included the phrase that Douthat neglected "if you work hard enough, you can grow up to be president."

It's an idea that no one seems to have passed on to Palin, who touts her inexperience as a qualification and never refrains from attacking academics for presuming that their studies are relevant to policy. She comes off not just anti-intellectual but anti-knowledge as well. These attitudes are not actually a prerequisite for populist appeal.

During the 2008 Republican primary, Huckabee, who also tried to frame himself as a Republican populist made gaffe after gaffe on foreign policy after the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. Eventually, an aide admitted that the governor had been unprepared to discuss the issue and that he would refrain from further comment until he was "briefed and up to speed."

While Huckabee owned up to being under-prepared, Palin appears to feel no corresponding sense of shame. After her disastrous performance with Katie Couric, there was never a sense that the Palin camp recognized the interview as a failure.

The oft-cited talking point accusing the media of 'playing gotcha' is meant to obscure Palin's stumbles, but, in actuality, it brings a worrying point of view to light. By dismissing the media's assessment of her, Palin dismisses their entire metric for evaluation, without providing an alternative framework for determining merit, or, if we are presume to judge her, the criteria is once again decisiveness, rather than the rightness of her decisions.

After her nomination, Palin supporter Nicholas Guariglia, an editor for Family Security Matters wrote:

We should ask ourselves what it was, exactly, that thwarted the intelligent kid in class from being in with the "in crowd." What was it that the cool kids knew that the nerdy kids didn't?

...In short, why is it that we differentiate between "doers" and "thinkers" and are inclined to have greater confidence in someone who doesn't over-analyze and over-think about a problem for long?

The answer is moxy [sic]. Guts. Backbone. The kind of quiet self-confidence and swagger that comes with a record of accomplishment and assuredness in one's own instinct.

An appeal to the prejudices of high schoolers? I won't even try to understand the element of self-loathing as Douthat (Harvard) and Kristol (also Harvard) stumble over each other to denounce their alma mater and its mission, but I would have thought that after eight years of Bush's 'gut instinct,' these two conservatives might have realized the danger in dismissing the value of thinkers.

Instead, both Douthat and Kristol still seem to be living in a reality of their own making, just like Bush and Palin. On Fox News Sunday, when Kristol was asked for his assessment of Palin's future, he said simply, "She's really just getting out there and it's going to depend on her talents and abilities."

Kristol's right; in a functioning democracy, Palin ought to be judged on her merits. But he is trying to rewrite history, forgetting that Palin's resignation does not wipe the slate clean. The American people have seen plenty of evidence regarding Palin's 'talents and abilities' and this bizarre resignation is just one more corroborating observation. Palin's 'don't blink, don't think' philosophy won't fly in the wake of the Bush's disastrous 'gut checks.'

So, while Palin takes off to spend more time with her family, here's hoping Kristol and Douthat will find the time to see a gastroenterologist, so they can sort out their own problems with their guts.

Follow Leah Anthony Libresco on Twitter: www.twitter.com/leahlibresco

Comments

[offred]

I guess that now that Jesus is no longer talking directly to Dubya, Palin must have Him on speed-dial.

[N504jb]

A suggestion for democrats:

One would think that talking up Palin's virtues--as a contrarian strategy--would be
the obvious move, particularly if she has propelled herself, as many believe,
to banishment to a political outback.

What could be better for the president to square off in 2012 against an inarticulate,
illiterate, intellectual minnow? Succeed in taking Palin out, however, and that
conceivably could open the door for someone with a genuine political resume
and the skill set to capitalize on any missteps Obama might make.

Would democrats rather have Obama face Mitt Romney--more streetwise and
capable of profiting in terms of political capital--if the economy in the autumn of
2012 looks as fragile as it was in November of 2008?

What is there to gain from making Palin a non-factor now, unless, of course,
democrats feel threatened by her as a viable republican candidate in three years?

[Anpan]

As a Democrat, in general I would applaud the Republican choice of ANY intelligent, qualified person, even without all the civil and human rights bells and whistles. Why? Because I am certain -- and I have seen it proven -- that millions of Americans, at least 50% of them, will vote for an incompetent because of the party they represent. Frankly, that terrifies me. That's why I want Palin OUT of the picture.

Do you think that those of us who are presently Democrats are so hide-bound that they would happily elect an inferior product? Because I don't, and I have seen proof of that in the number of ex-Republicans among us. If the present Republican party can come up with someone who is intelligent, honest, open-minded, fiscally-c­onservativ­e, wise, empathic, generous, and immune to common bigotry, someone who genuinely believes that adult citizens should be permitted to do as they please with their bodies and their bedrooms, someone who supports the Second Amendment but not the abandonment of American citizens to the sharks of the insurance and banking industries, I would happily consider supporting that person in their attempt to become President. I want the best possible good for every person in America, and if the Democratic candidate fell too far short, I guarantee that I would consider overlooking the company a suitable Republican candidate must keep.

[Elle Bach]

Palin made herself a "non-facto­r." (Dream on.)

[clevelandchick]

Romney may be savvy but I would never confuse the man with being an intellectual. He's got lots of money, which always helps. But that's it.

The evangelicals will not support Romney over Palin. He's got a reputation of being tolerant and supportive of gay people and a history of being a moderate (both traits have YouTube evidence to back that up). Plus he's a Mormon.

The GOP has a real problem, without the evangelicals they can't win, with the evangelicals they can't win. Their only hope is if we don't see a turn around in this economy in the next 1.5 years, then they could probably run Daffy Duck and at least come close to winning.

[peacegurl48]

One of the smartest people I know has a high school diploma but she differs from Palin because she reads voraciously, has an open mind, values and respects people who are different from her and never stops learning. Palin, I would guess, skated, winked and BS'd her way through her many colleges. This is a woman who has disdain for anyone who differs from her. She is an egotistical ideologue with an absolutist's take on right and wrong.
As far as class Palin is a fake "woman of the people" with her custom home, boats and million dollar plus net worth. Kristol and others pander to the ignorant, right wing base so they champion Palin. There is no way this divisive woman could ever appeal to Americans who think beyond their ideology.

[dadw5boys]

FAILURE TO PLAN MEANS YOUR GOING TO FAIL !!!!!

JUST LIKE BEING GOVERNOR AND THEN QUITING WITHOUT A PLAN.

Take time to think about a problem and you can solve it. Rush in and only make things worse.

Just like Bush in Iraq !!!!!!!

[LiberalInTexas]

While I agree with this post, it's moot. The 'Real Americans' who love Palin cannot be convinced that her poo hath odour because they've already been convinced by the religious right to take her on faith. They believe anything negative they hear about her is fiction written by the devil and spread by his liberal media minions. They believe supporting her against the tide of persecution is a righteous fight. They believe if she is POTUS she will act as the hand of God to deliver them from evil.

Bill Kristol et al. are not stupid. They are intentionally backing the one person they know can most easily be manipulated into continuing their neocon agenda. In this respect, Dubya was a raging success.

[therblig]

The only reason I can fathom for these supposedly intelligent conservatives and neocons to support Palin is that they view her as a path to power. If she can win over enough anti-intellectual voters and get elected president, she'll just have to come to them for advice. Remember, their Christ-figure is Reagan, who was famous for running the White House like the Chairman of the Board. So it will be with Palin - she'll bask in the limelight of photo-ops and personal appearances, and leave the heavy liftin' and book larnin' to her brain trust.

god/allah/­yahweh/gai­a/xenu/fsm help us all!

[keepemhonest]

Leah,

Great article!

I wish you, or someone, would do an article regarding Bill Kristol & his under the radar Project for New American Century, (PNAC) and highlight that in 1998 Kristol wrote Pres. Clinton a letter asking for regime change in Iraq. Kristol's letter was co-signed by: Dick Armitage, D. Rumsfeld, John Bolton, Richard Perle, Paul Wolfowitz, Bill Bennet, Bob Kagan, & more ... the letter is on their PNAC website: http://www.newamericancentury.org/iraqclintonletter.htm

Kristol was also McCain's foriegn policy advisor during his campaign.

Seriously I wish someone would underscore the fact that Kristol is not a journalist but is a rightwinged "operative" - who, btw, has been wrong on nearly every "prediction" he has made.

People like Kristol should be exposed for what they really are.

[FreidaPeeple]

Al Franken was just sworn in as the 60th Senator for the Dems...How did HE win?

By Golly....p­eople just like him.

[Elle Bach]

You've (obviously) got some reading to do. He's not just the shallow "comic" you imagine him to be. Happens a true intellectual lurks beneath his bent to humor (....i.e., he uses more than his gut to decide issues, imagine that!).

[mjl422]

By graduating, cum laude, from Harvard with a BA in Political Science maybe?

[keepemhonest]

... and your point is????

[FreidaPeeple]

Point is...lots of Americans voted for BarryO based solely on his looks. People vote for all sorts of stupid reasons that have nothing to do with true Policy. You people keep having your Beauty Contests every four years and the Country keeps going down the tubes. Don't blame me...I voted for Ron Paul.

[questionsquestions]

You mean educated people with a sense of humor?

[rkm0619]

Don't be so quick to dismiss the "subpopulation" of Americans without a college degree. Not only is that an elitist statement it is also aarogant and offensive. Do not forget that those in the "subpopulation" put Bush in office twice. There are far more people without college degrees than with and college degrees do not mean anything when you walk into a voting booth.

[prog]

I understand this -- very well. My mother is mostly self-educated due to poverty and circumstances, but she is an intellectual -- she has CHOSEN to learn about the world. My mother knows more about foreign policy that Sarah Palin will ever know, and that isn't even one of her main interests. She's smart. and she's interested and put in the hours to learn.

I don't understand WHY, whether you are formally educated or not, you would want someone unqualified for president, no matter what you think of them as a "person".

I certainly want my surgeon to know what the hell he's doing -- shouldn't the leader of the free world have a passing INTEREST in what they're doing?

Palin has always projected the attitude that she didn't need to do anything but show up and all would be taken care of, as if by magic.

[rkm0619]

Because class warfare over rules logical decisions. By saying that Palin does not have enough Harvard degrees you are essentially insulting everyone who does not have a Harvard degree. Placing them in a lower class. It charges the base and it happened with Kerry on 2004, he was viewed as a wind-surfing elitist while Bush was viewed as an every-man. I'm not saying it's right or wrong, it's just how it is.

[charlot]

I think the point being made here is the degree to which any candidate with brains is dismissed as "elitist" and out of touch with "real" Americans (whatever that means; and I can say that I personally resent that label placed on anyone), while ignorance-­mixed-with­-stubbornn­ess has been, for the last eight years, lauded as a qualifier for high office.
How many times have we heard about Bush's electibility based on people's desire to have a beer with him? THIS is the mentality that horrifies me, and anyone possessing that mentality should, in my opinion, be disqualified from voting.

[rkm0619]

I'm sure you would also disqualify people based on ideology, income, age, and other factors. The fact is that this is America and as long as you are an 18 year old citizen with no felonies you can vote, period. Stop trying to come up with excuses to limit the electorate to further your own agenda, that's tyrannical and dangerous.

[pennsykid2000]

Very well said. Palin's immaturity and unpreparedness on the national stage were reinforced by the content and style of her rambling resignation speech. (Her main point seemed to be that Alaska was much better off without her as governor; can't argue that point but also can't see how that serves as a springboard to higher office.) Only if Republicans can actually start appreciating competence, logic, judgment, etc. in their political leaders will they recover. Doesn't seem likely given their fascination over Palin, the least prepared national candidate in many decades, perhaps ever.

[Gudrun]

That resignation speech is a prime example of Palin talking "without a media filter," pure, unadulterated Sarah, and it will come back to haunt haunt her if she ever thinks of putting herself forward as a candidate again.

[jashu51]

Yep. Can't accuse anyone of gotcha journalism or asking her questions she's supposed to know the answers to.

[-0013]

she needs to borrow o-bags teleprompter

[abbienormal]

Palin just gave up the only talking point that had any merit, her governing experience. All that she has left in that little toolbox of hers is an ability to incite crowds to hatred and violence. But, even the tea parties have fizzled out.

I don't think that any Republican candidates are willing to allow her to incite the voters in their campaigns, so I doubt that she will be invited to go on the road for them. She might get the speaking gigs, but as you said, her stories will get old.

Bill Clinton speaks internationally about his new passion, raising money to combat poverty and such. She will only hold sway in the south speaking about herself.

[me again]

Brava!!!

[dutch163]

VERY well said!

best part:
"By dismissing the media's assessment of her, Palin dismisses their entire metric for evaluation, without providing an alternative framework for determining merit, or, if we are presume "to judge her, the criteria is once again decisiveness, rather than the rightness of her decisions

so how is she to be judged?

[MNKen]

She will judge herself and let you know how she came out.

[ladyrefined2000]

gee. i have nothing in common with sarah palin.....­...i dont belive in her issues....­......but, i give her props for being a maverick.

come on folks.....­......you go and become a govornor of alaska....­.........y­ou go and run for vice president.­..........­....

she basicaly said......­.........f­@ck you to her critics...­..........­.......lau­ghing.

all the women who critizise her couldnt in a million years become govornor of a state.....­.......LOL

[ericmiami]

Well said, Leah.

[d man1230]

My God I hope this woman runs in 2012...she has ya'll scared s**tless! Keep talking about her ignorance this, lack of experience that. If the 2008 presidential election taught us anything, it should be that somebody who runs the democrat ticket only has to be a community organizer (still don't know what that means) for the bulk of their career. You guys make me sick with all the hypocrisy going past your collective lips! Obama was a relatively unknown, first-term Senator, who ended up getting a majority of votes from an uninformed and ignorant constituency! Oh no...mirac­les CAN AND DO happen! Go Palin 2012!

[buddiecat2]

Obama may lack experience but Palin is down right ignorant. She is also a grifter and a liar. I guess that's why she needed to call Cheney. Two birds of a feather...

[lisa36]

Quitting isn't one of my "family values."

[Ydnic]

Scared of Palin??? It's more like feeling embarrassed for her. The scary part is the thought that she *thinks* - and has manipulated you into believing - she could run an entire country. When the manipulation veil became so thin during and after the campaign, even Alaskans were embarrassed.

We can all explain to you all day long why President Obama is President, but we can't make you comprehend something that you are unwilling to comprehend.

I take exception to your "uninformed and ignorant constituency" statement. Seems as though you believe that 20% of the country is more informed and more intelligent that the rest of the country. Turn on the lights, pal; you're in the dark.

[patrickmcdougal]

Hmm,
President of the Harvard Law Review....­.
or
Mayor of Meth-town Alaska , wait she didn't finish that job either.

[keepemhonest]

d,

Um .... does that mean Obama has YOU scahred **tless?

Also, I am truly NOT surprised that YOU "still don't know what "community organizer" means. You must be one of the high school drop outs (quitter) polled who adore Palin.

I know your type don't like dealing with FACTS but for the record, during the primary, President Obama had higher favoribility rating with college graduates than did his opponents.

The most important day - voting day - Obama beat McCain by a LANDSLIDE

Electoral Votes
McCain 173 ... Obama 365 = LANDSLIDE

Popular Votes
McCain 45.7% .... Obama 52.9% = LANDSLIDE

[-0013]

It's called election day not voting day you dumbshit.

[smileatfear]

President Obama is brilliant, a master chess player, a doer and a thinker. The world adores him and other leaders respect and admire him. Your spouting the repub convention talking point that President Obama was "only a community organizer" shows how out of touch you people are. That anti-community hatred of your fellow Americans and the anti-intel­lectualism and anti-knowledge screed spouted by the neocons of your party are why the repubs were given a sound beating this last election. President Obama represents a return to a more respectable public discourse in politics, an embrace of the knowledge we are all American even if we disagree. The neocons continue with their scorched earth, divide and try to conquer policies but the vast majority of the public is no longer buying it. sarah palin is the cover girl of nasty politics and we're tired of it. In 2012, President Obama will have 4 years of experience as President and palin will be gone fishing, still angry at the press and still as ignorant and proud as ever.

[Deborah Paley]

You're so right.

Sigh, my sainted Mom used to tell me when I was little to be more patient with people who weren't as smart. Didn't work Mom lol, they are sucking the life out of me!!!!