Sunday, November 21, 2010

Real conservatives have pretty much gotten over their puppy love for Sarah Palin.

Recently somebody e-mailed me and was upset because I had said earlier that when Sarah Palin announced her intention to run for President there would be people coming out of the woodwork to make sure that did not happen, and she had not yet seen any evidence of that taking place.

So for any of you who may have been missing the GOP blowback on Sarah Palin here are a few examples.

On ABC's "This Week" George will looks like he just smelled something rotten when asked about Palin's run for President.



Mona Charen, whose right wing credibility certainly cannot be questioned due to the fact she wrote the aggressively titled "Useful Idiots: How Liberals Got it Wrong in the Cold War and Still Blame America First", writes on Townhall.com the following:

Palin has many strengths. I admire her fortitude and her commitment to principle. Her capacity to connect with a crowd is something most politicians can only dream of. I will always remember her 2008 convention speech as a rollicking star turn. She would be terrific as a talk-show host -- the new Oprah.

But as a presidential candidate? Someone to convince critical independent voters that Republicans can govern successfully? Absolutely not.

Perhaps the most famous conservative so far to trash Palin in the media was Karl Rove:

“With all due candour, appearing on your own reality show on the Discovery Channel, I am not certain how that fits in the American calculus of 'that helps me see you in the Oval Office’,” Mr Rove told The Daily Telegraph in an interview.

While the Weekly Standard, hardly a bastion of liberalism, had this to say about Palin's "completely lacking in reality" reality show:

On the other hand, her show is very similar to other reality-television fare, in that there are plenty of artificially constructed moments. The eldest Palin daughter—Dancing with the Stars contestant Bristol—is taken to a shooting range so that Sarah can “remind Bristol what it’s like to pull the trigger.” But it’s fairly obvious when Bristol asks if the recoil is going to hurt and mistakes a clay pigeon for a mosquito that the reason she needs “reminding” is because she’s rarely if ever pulled a trigger at all. Likewise, there are gobs of forced dialogue in order to set up Palin’s bumper-sticker lines (she tells Bristol, with the -subtlety of a skywriter, “Don’t retreat, just reload”). She also repeatedly makes unlikely pronouncements, such as that Denali National Park is 9,400 square miles while New Hampshire is only 9,200 square miles, sounding less like Sarah Barracuda than Sarah Wikipedia.

Which leads to this summation at the end.

But that’s what going rogue is all about. Letting it fly. Following your gut. Which has made Sarah Palin wealthy, and intensely discussed, and now has secured her a spot in the Reality TV Star pantheon. And good for Palin if she’s happy following her gut.

Though there’s no compelling reason to suggest the rest of us should tag along behind.

So obviously the conservatives with any intelligence are already openly mocking the idea of Sarah Palin ever winning their party's nomination.  And without the support of competent professionals who really know what it takes to run a successful political campaign the Grizzled Mama is shit out of a luck.

Let's face it, the Teabaggers might be able to draw substantial media attention by gathering in the Washington Mall with their ridiculously misspelled signs, but is that the brain trust which can put together a substantial political platform? Or are there any members of that group of misfits who could write a speech that does not indicate to America that Sarah Palin's elevator does not quite make to the top floor?

No Palin needs to have seasoned professionals willing to spend their time working with a person that almost everybody agrees does NOT take direction well, and who seems almost incapable of absorbing information that does not fall in line with her preconceived notions of reality.

Who is chomping at the bit to take on that job?

Now of course that leads to the next question, which is are the people of Alaska starting to rise up and do their civic duty to stop this lunatic.  And the answer to that is yes, and no.

Yes there have been a few more that have stepped forward and told their stories, but there have also been others who promised that when there was no question she would run they would start talking, who have been irritatingly silent.  And still others who the Palins have gone after so aggressively that they just clammed up.

However I am very aware that some of the books being written contain some very juicy and potentially devastating bits of information about Sister Sarah that will undoubtedly make her unelectable.  Her only defense is to defame the authors, as you have seen her attempt to do with Joe McGinniss, but the problem is that when enough books, and magazine articles, report similarly damaging information it becomes impossible to question the integrity of ALL of them.  Though with her use of the term "Lamestream media" the Grizzled Mama is certainly giving it "the old (five) college try."

Will Sarah run in 2012?  She has already started.  Does she have a chance?  Here let's allow Vice President Biden answer that question for us.

46 comments:

  1. nswfm4:44 PM

    Don't forget "Babs the Impaler" as another blog called Barbara Bush.

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  2. Anonymous4:46 PM

    Many other other conservatives who have not talked favorAbly- David Frum, Kathleen Parker and of course Andrew Sullivan. George Bush was very negative and this week his mother Barbara Bush said this week that Sarah should stay in Alaska. I cant wait for Nancy Reagan to give her opinion. The Palinbots attack anyone who wont worship their queen- they are labeled rinos.

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  3. Anonymous4:49 PM

    Eh, I don't know. I think that maybe the top dogs in the GOP will make an effort to elbow Crazy Woman out, and certainly her rivals for the nomination will. But, if it looks like she's going to get the nomination, they'll all roll over and sing her praises. Politics = disgusting.

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  4. ManxMamma4:54 PM

    Excellent post Gryphen.

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  5. Fairy Godmother Question5:04 PM

    They are getting it! The conservatives are getting it, but why is it taking so damned long? Sarah Palin is in it for Sarah Pslin! She is her own god!

    If a fairy godmother who looked like John McCain came along and offered you fame and with it, the opportunity to make (not earn) $millions, Gryphen, how would you use your new money and new fame?

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  6. Most of the tea partiers don't want her either. They love her but don't want her to run for president. She's yet to win any straw polls.

    She's mostly backed by a small group of fanatics, some misguided Democrats, and the media. She's deluded enough to believe God will make voters fall in love with her once she can do it her way and to speak to them directly.

    I'm thankful for the Republicans who are finally speaking up. I don't think they can give us any candidate who would support policies that are good for the country but, at least, they can find someone who is mentally stable and can engage in an intelligent and civil debate.

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  7. Anonymous5:10 PM

    I hope everyone realizes that until journalists name names, these socalled stories will do nothing. and even then, I doubt theyll dent her. There will always be people defending their friend, Sarah Heath Palin

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  8. Anonymous5:14 PM

    "five college try" - thanks for the laugh!

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  9. Anonymous5:16 PM

    The MOST insane thing is, apparently (according to a poll I saw recently), 81% of Democrats view her unfavorably. So........ WHO in God's name are these 19%ers who don't view this lunatic unfavorably? WTF?

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  10. Anonymous5:26 PM

    Feeling totally guilty that i am watching SP's pathetic show but wondering why she took Tripp but not Trig on the family fishing trip? Very odd. She drops him off with the in-laws?

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  11. Anonymous5:33 PM

    I guess she things she has a chance

    "Palin scouts for office space in early voting state, suggesting next week's visit will be 'more than just a book signing'"
    http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/nov/21/sarah-palin-2012-presidency-iowa

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  12. Anonymous5:34 PM

    Gryphen, hope you watched family guy tonight.. just substitute Brian for Mis Quitty pants

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  13. GrainneKathleen5:45 PM

    here is barbara bush saying she hopes she stays in alaska:
    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/20/barbara-bush-sarah-palin_n_786454.html
    but the barbara still has hopes for her jebby0boy, no doubt, so there is some calculation there. rove might be helping them out, who knows....

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  14. Anonymous5:46 PM

    I suspect that there are many people who know devastating details about Palin, but will say nothing until she announces a run for POTUS. At that point, they will step up to the public microphone. If they don't, may they rot in hell for the disasterous consequences of what will happen to this country. Even if Palin's bid for the presidency is a losing one, the damage will be significant because this woman is flat-out crazy.

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  15. Anonymous5:47 PM

    5:33: either that, or it's to get publicity to lure more dumb peeps to buy her book on Tues.... Could go either way.

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  16. ..."but the problem is that when enough books, and magazine articles, report similarly damaging information it becomes impossible to question the integrity of ALL of them."

    And THAT in a nutshell says it all!

    Well done!!

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  17. Anonymous5:59 PM

    Advantages: she attracts attention, donations, publicity, has a rabid following who are willing to kill for her, literally.

    Disadvantages: she attracts attention for all the wrong reasons, some day someone is going to get hurt, doesn't take criticism well, has a couple of kids whose antics reflect badly on family values, hasn't read anything and ain't a gonna, that goes for taking direction, or being organized. We would be a world wide laughing stock. You think that Bush was bad....and I have only gotten started.

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  18. Anonymous6:02 PM

    I loved the explanation of her reality show, that the scenes are staged, the activities are not what the family normally participates in, and the lines are cheesy and annoying. I thought these aspects were only obvious to those of us who knew the reality of the situation, but it's great to see that others get it too.

    What's so surprising is how there are daily discussions on political shows, like MSNBC, with various commentators discussing Palin's chances of running in a serious manner. They may make a few slightly negative comments but they act like she has a very strong chance of being the party leader and they go on an on like she isn't the freak show we all know she is.

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  19. Anonymous6:07 PM

    @5:10p.m.,

    Uh, Palin has already been "dented," even without names. Since 2008, she's gotten more unpopular.

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  20. Don't forget to add fellow AK republican Lisa Murkowski to the list-she had some interesting words for Mrs. Quittypants too!

    SP's circle is getting smaller and smaller - she must be WORSHIPPED and ADORED. That leaves the cult at c4p, all of them imagining that they will be in her cabinet at the White House.

    I do not live in the "real" Anerica - big city here. But, if she ever is in my area, I will point and laugh. She is a joke - a laughingstock unto the world.

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  21. Anonymous6:08 PM

    I watched with teeth gritted the Sarah Palin Alaska show. Bristol was much thinner then than she is now.

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  22. The longer the republicans let this go on (pretending SP is a serious candidate for office), the more credibility they will lose. The entire Party is being defined by the snarling, mean Wasilla shrew - if they do not find a way to make her go away (and SOON), the entire republicn party may be DONE.

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  23. Anonymous6:26 PM

    Ella 6:14
    "if they do not find a way to make her go away (and SOON), the entire republicn party may be DONE."

    The republicans being DONE -- I don't have a problem with that!! To put it in other words - my Santa wish list would be granted!!

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  24. Anonymous6:26 PM

    What impresses me most when this happens (the circular firing squad) is when the bots go after the conservative icons. Read the comment postings, it is viscous. Peggy Noonan and Kathleen Parker were the first female conservative pundits to dip their toe in the waters of doubt and the Right went nuts on them.

    It's easy for the bots to do because these are the very "Elite," "Establishment" figureheads that have long manipulated and toyed with this demographic (the poor and undereducated, and now, fully embracing the willfully ignorant and angry with the Palin brand.)

    It's a good time for the criticisms to roll and pile on, unfortunately, it only makes the Unsinkable Sarah Palin stronger or more sympathetic.

    They should have done this from day one, in fact, let's go there again and blame McCain and his handlers for this monumentally stupid, cynical and irresponsible political ploy to cinch the women vote beyond the pro-life fringe.

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  25. Anonymous6:27 PM

    Dug up this old treasure meme when it turned desperate after Sarah revealed her weakness on everything after her roll-out:

    Mr. McCain has defended Mrs Palin against accusations that she is not ready for the White House, likening her to Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton who he said were also underestimated.
    He said: "It's not the first time I have seen a governor being questioned by some 'expert'. I remember Ronald Reagan was a cowboy, President Clinton was governor of a very small state that had no experience either. I remember how easy it was going to be for Bush One to defeat him. The point is I have seen underestimation before and I am very proud of the excitement Governor Palin has ignited."

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  26. Anonymous6:35 PM

    While I don't share George Will's political philosophy, he was absolutely correct in saying that Sarah Palin had but two things to do after the 2008 election: go home to Alaska; govern well and educate herself. Instead, she went back and quit mid-term. And ended up with a tarted up reality show and as a talking head on the Faux Network.

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  27. Anonymous6:44 PM

    I smell civil war in Wasilla if the few people (if there really are any) speak out. They will look like idiots considering most of the country 1) doesn't approve of character assassination 2) doesn't care about her in the non political sense

    People would be wise not to make fools of themselves. Or they will get their asses handed to them by all her friends in matsu valley

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  28. the problem child6:50 PM

    I delight in the damage that $P is doing to the Republicans. Every "reality show" moment, every embarrassment caused by her own children and handlers, every time she opens her mouth, whether in reality or on twitter/facebook makes her look stupider and less competent & whether by plan or accident, she is dragging the wingnuts in her party further and further under the oily, polluted surface to where the true contamination lies.

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  29. jadez6:56 PM

    actually i was one of the very first to tell everyone that the republican party would turn against this woman if she really tried to get close to power.
    you have my ip so you can look up all my comments.
    but more important..

    there is sooooo much info available and soo many people trying to get attention on the internet its easy to see things but not really 'see' truth.
    this palin as many know but most really dont see is SO BIZARRE that she scares anyone that really knows the truth abouther as all the people you mention do know the truth.
    expect to see much more of this because the decision has been made that this woman will be stopped.
    when you see mother bush talking her down you better believe she is on borrowed time.

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  30. Anonymous6:59 PM

    Meanwhile, Palin let it 'slip' that while in Iowa, staffers 'might' be looking at office space?

    She's so into herself. When will the rest of America open their eyes and see she's nothing more han a meida whore.

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  31. There are more.

    Barbara Bush.

    Mona Charen.

    Lisa Murkowski.

    Judith Miller and Liz Trotter. Fox News Commentators.
    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/18/fox-news-reporters-mock-palin-video-_n_785662.html?ir=Media

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  32. Anonymous7:14 PM

    Indeed @5:34 -- I think that was Seth McFarlane's little wink at some of the Divine Miss P.'s hijinks.

    I especially loved the part where Brian was trying to blame all his problems on Stewie while trying to act like he wasn't blaming him.

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  33. Anonymous7:31 PM

    The comment @6:44 should be captured and spread as evidence of threats in the name of Palin They will eventually get caught "handing someone their ass" in the Matsu valley.

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  34. Anonymous7:43 PM

    Well, take THIS: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/nov/21/sarah-palin-2012-presidency-iowa

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  35. FEDUP!!!9:13 PM

    I don't know... too many well-heeled anonymous donors support this witch from Wasilla. Don't know what they promise themselves from her running/potentially winning in the next election cycle, but they still DO it anyway. Sine they can now support anyone anonymously (THANKS, Supremes! NOT!!!!), they have nothing to lose but some money. In the meantime, they are successful in bringing down the US and our government. However, I am not sure if they are counting on the potential consequences of this disaster - total anarchy and lawlessness, because people have nothing left to lose anymore.

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  36. kdusmdd12:01 AM

    IF the people in Alaska don't come through with ALL they know abt Sarah Palin's dishonestly...crooked deals...threats, etc.....I BLAME the Alaskan's for her march toward Washington DC.

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  37. Anonymous3:18 AM

    Sarah is the one who used the excuse of "I thought it was a mosquito" when she didn't hit the bird.

    Interesting article on Palin in Mother Jones.

    http://motherjones.com/politics/2010/11/sarah-palin-pac-joshua-livestro

    Sharon1943

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  38. Anonymous3:22 AM

    You know, I think that people waiting until Palin announces she's going to run to step up and tell what they know is a mistake. She needs to be brought down ASAP to stop the devastation that she's doing to the country. Her attention grabbing antics are diverting attention from what the GOP is doing. I know, there's books coming out but not soon enough to suit me.
    Sharon1943

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  39. Anonymous3:33 AM

    The establishment conservatives never had any respect for Palin. They thought she was teachable and that they could use her. Fred Malek advised her to serve out her term and maybe a second term and to learn about foreign affairs. She didn't take his advice or anyone else's.They have given up on her now as a lost cause.The people who really, really want her to run is her "lamestream" media. She makes an easy story.

    Inside the Beltway

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  40. Anonymous3:34 AM

    To Anonynous @6:44

    Well that's a good reason to stay quiet and let the country go down the tubes - Sarah's friends in the Matsu Valley will retaliate against those who speak up!

    "People should stay quiet and not make fools out of themselves". The fools in Matsu Valley are the Palins and their friends.

    Sharon1943

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  41. Anonymous3:53 AM

    I call BS on anon 6:44 ... We all know $aint $arah has no friends! pfffff.....

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  42. Anonymous5:54 AM

    Mona Charen blasts Sarah Palin reads the headline at HuffPo.

    A conservative columnist whose bonafides include a stint at the National Review and a speechwriting gig for former first lady Nancy Reagan has slammed Sarah Palin, calling the former half-term governor "consumed and obsessed by the media.

    When a respected conservative columnist says it, it shows that they are as nervous as the rest of us of this poseur.

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  43. Gasman8:35 AM

    Gryphen, you forgot Andrew Sullivan and Kathleen Parker in your list of conservative Palin detractors. There is also basically the entirety of the McCain campaign staff - with the exception of McCain himself - who have not had much to say about Palin of a positive nature either on or off the record.

    In their own individual fashions, these people are simply stating what is painfully obvious: Palin is a buffoon who would do more harm to this nation as POTUS than did Bush the lesser. She lacked even the MUCH less demanding skill set to be Mayor of Wasilla, and yet she can see herself as POTUS? That she is not fit to be president is readily apparent to any sentient being with a faint pulse and rudimentary intelligence. This shit is serious; we've seen what can happen with an arrogant idiot in the White House. Been there. Done that. Don't want to repeat.

    Palin can't speak any language coherently. She is a moron. She is exceedingly vain. AND she has hopelessly deluded herself into believing that she is presidential material. Gee, what could those most intelligent of conservatives POSSIBLY be concerned about?

    I can think of few things that could unite thinking conservatives and liberals more than a Palin presidential campaign.

    Run, Sarah, Run!

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  44. Anonymous9:27 AM

    Wow, I sorta got mentioned. Made my Monday :) Thanks for bringing it into perspective. Great Post! ~E

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  45. Anonymous10:29 AM

    I am not optimistic about anyone in the mainstream media taking an objective look at Palin. She is, after all, mostly their creation. She's gets them ratings and web traffic, but more importantly she is the perfect political figure for keeping politics in this country all about "controlling the message" and "winning the day." Journalists are highly-paid celebrities these days and Sarah Palin is the dream politician for media figures who are looking after their own self-interests: keeping their opinion-based, content-free programming/publications at the center of a completely degraded, meaningless political "dialogue." That's why they fawn all over for her media "savvy" and "charisma." She is just like them: completely uninterested in talking about or understanding the real issues and obsessed, instead, with stirring up controversy and distracting everyone from the actual, difficult problems of the day. Because it's hard, sometimes unpleasant work to try to understand difficult problems or shed light on ugly truths. Just as long as they are players and the recognition and money keeping coming, they are not going to change. Why mess up a good gig?

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  46. DetroitSam4:04 PM

    I recently read somewhere, don't remember the source, that Palin has already sppent upwards of a million dollars on political consultants to help her in 2012.

    I don't think that money has been well spent.

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