And This Is How You Relate To Normal Folks?
By spending $180,000 of other people’s money on spa treatments and other inconsequential crap for yourself and your family in the space of a few months? See the article at Politico. The GOP is a train wreck.
It’s been a good week for Sarah Palin. Let us count the ways: The New York Times reports that she does know that Africa is not a country, and that reports to the contrary from unnamed GOP sources were a hoax. She has been the media darling of the GOP governors’ meeting in Florida. And now it looks like former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, one of her main competitors for the title of Republican Presidential Candidate in 2012, has been rattled by Palin’s popularity in the party. The Associated Press reports today that the “surprising ascendancy of … Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, and her popularity among some GOP conservatives have left Romney wondering whether he could wage a viable second campaign for the White House, according to friends and advisers.”
Sarah was supposed to give a news conference today at the Republican Governer’s Conference, but instead of a press conference it turned into a briefing session with four questions. Of those four questions she actually answered zero.
Asked why she had held no news conferences during the election season, Palin responded that “I don’t even want to talk about strategy within a campaign that’s over.”
To each of the three other questions — about how she would use her political celebrity, why the ticket didn’t do better with women and Hispanic voters and what the message would be going forward — Palin turned each answer into a comment on Republican governors.
Isn’t it wonderful? She is well on her way to “plow(ing) through that door” in 2012 as she said in her FOX News Interview over the weekend.
As Tony Perkins, president of the conservative Family Research Council said, “She is the future of the party. She can bring in those independents, those who have not historically voted Republican, like Ronald Reagan did.”
So I guess the future of the Republican Party is not answering questions in a press conference that you call.
The rallying cries have already started by the Republican faithful (read wacko Christian fundamentalist Republican core).
Are Bobby Jindal and Sarah Palin really the future of the Republican Party? Let’s hope so.
In case you don’t know about Piyush “Bobby” Jindal, he believes that he performed an exorcism that miraculously cured melanoma whilst expelling those nasty evil spirits. He takes his nickname “Bobby” from a 1970’s TV character that he was too young to see, except for in syndication (Jindal was 6 when the show went off the air).
The Republican Party can’t be serious, can they? Sure Jindal is a good public speaker, sure he can handle himself well under fire, but don’t they think that he and Palin are a bit too much to the right of majority of Americans?
This should be fun!
In her interview with Matt Lauer that was broadcast yesterday on The Today Show, Sarah blames “bloggers in their parents’ basement just talking garbage” for all of the bad press she got during her campaign.
Sarah was also on Fox News’ Greta this week, where she coined the term “sarah-centric”.
Not much new comes out in these interviews, she gives a great non answer about taking over Ted Stevens’ US Senate seat and a Presidential bid in 2012. She denies having anything to do with the wardrobe scandal. The NY Times has a more in depth analysis of her interviews.
Hopefully she’ll have some more interesting things to say during the Republican Governors Association Conference in Miami today. Wonkette has a nice schedule of events to attend if you happen to be at the conference.
And Sarah, I’ll have you know that I am in my own basement, I moved out of my parents’ basement in 1984.
GOP Bashes Its Intellectuals, But Faces Two Major Hurdles
The problem, many GOP pundits are claiming, is that the McCain/Palin ticket was too liberal. Salon.com’s Gary Kamiya lays the argument out in a great article that can be found here. The idea that McCain lost because he was not sufficiently conservative does not help explain the significant GOP losses in the House, Senate and gubernatorial races this year or in 2006. Nonetheless, that is the argument that is being made. Citing a poll that shows 69 percent of Republicans support Sarah Palin, Rush Limbaugh says, “So all of you wizards of smart on our side, all of you intellectualoids who think that Palin was a drag, the party loves Sarah Palin.” But, as always, hyperbole isn’t a solution to the GOP’s problem. The GOP faces two complicated hurdles:
Yikes! Jockeying Already Under Way for 2012 GOP Presidential Bid
Well, it’s happening sooner rather than later. Politico is reporting that Republicans are already jockeying for position to be the presidential candidate of the GOP in 2012. It’s a long list, but one thing really jumps out: the list is heavy on candidates with strong social conservative backgrounds and short on politicos with any real credentials as small-government fiscal conservatives. Here’s the list (with a few additions of my own). Let me know what you think of the contenders:
Terry wishes Sarah Palin a Fond Farewell
I really wish that Mrs. Palin had at least some ability to speak coherently. Watching her defend her statements just makes me cringe. Apparently, Terry doesn’t think much of it either. Thanks to Matt Phillip for sending this my way.
I hope to see you again Sarah.
Love Alex.
The political future of Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) still remains unclear as no clear victor has been declared in Alaska’s close Senate race and counting of votes continues. A win for Stevens will not ensure him another term, since Senate Republican leaders have called for his expulsion or resignation. Pundits say Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is his likely successor.
From this All Headline News report.
As The Wall Street Journal said today:
If (Stevens) is re-elected and later resigns, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin must call for a special election. State law is unclear on whether she can appoint someone to fill the seat temporarily.
I could see Sarah appointing herself to the Senate now that she has a taste of the national stage. Washington DC has a lot of nice malls and it is easy to get to New York City to shop.
If Alaska elects her in a special election, (which I think they would since they are on the verge of electing a convicted felon) they will not be doing themselves a favor towards improving their image (see first video here) to the rest of the US. They would be going from a guy who described the Internet as “a series of tubes” to a gal that doesn’t know that Africa is a continent.
Palin as a senator, would also put her on track for candidacy for the 2012 presidential election or possibly 2016, as she alluded to in the Masked Avengers’ prank call.
So I think that we are stuck with her for the long haul. Stay tuned to Palined.com for more updates.
Alaskans wonder if Sarah can return to normal
After being yanked out of Alaska and groomed for national office can she return to govern the state that she was elected to govern?
In the 68 days since Alaska’s governor began her run for vice president, things have changed on the home front. Some of her former allies are fuming, and former enemies are lying in wait. Public perceptions of the governor have also changed. Has the governor changed as well?
From ADN.com
Sarah says something about something.
Palin talked to CNN’s Dana Bash last night and spoke some incoherent sentences about running for president in 2012 or something.
BASH: You’re notably not ruling out 2012.
PALIN: Well, you know, right now, I cannot even imagine running for national office in 2012. When I say that, though, of course, coming on the heels of an outcome that I — I certainly didn’t anticipate and had not hoped for.
But this being a chapter now that is closed and realizing that it is a time to unite, and all Americans need to get together and help with this new administration being ushered in, policies that have got to help this nation keep us secure.
Somewhere is that mess of words is a sentence, maybe even an answer.
Video of interview:
Troopergate, (god I hate that name) it ain’t over till its over.
The Anchorage Daily News is reporting today that a report, released yesterday, clears Gov. Sarah Palin of any ethics violations and “directly contradicts earlier findings of an investigator for the Legislature”.
The new report says the Legislature’s investigator was wrong to conclude that Palin abused her power by allowing aides and her husband, Todd, to pressure Monegan and others to dismiss her ex-brother-in-law, trooper Mike Wooten. Palin was accused of firing Monegan because Wooten, the target of a series of complaints from the governor and her family, stayed on the job.
The reason given for the report not being released until yesterday is “it just wasn’t ready”.
Palin Needs a Remedial Class in High School Civics
Sarah Palin recently stated that media criticism of her negative campaign tactics makes her fear for the country’s First Amendment rights. You would think that the governor of the largest state in the Union would be well-versed enough in the United States Constitution to understand that this criticism is the exact speech the First Amendment is meant to protect. Blogger Brian Butler is right on the money, when he says that Palin has the Constitutional understanding of a third grader. As I stated above, I don’t agree with the political tack that this country has taken over the last eight years, but I don’t think these decisions are irreversible. However, I think it would be disastrous for the populace to allow the election of a Vice President who would try to implement policy without even a basic understanding of the fundamentals on which our democracy is based.
John McCain chose Sarah Palin because she would bring back the conservative social agenda wing of the Republican Party that had previously abandoned him. I do not agree with her views, but that does not make her unqualified for consideration as the Vice President (only unpalatable with my worldview). Additionally, Sarah Palin is not unqualified for the national stage because of her lack of experience. Sarah Palin is dangerously unqualified to be one step from the Presidency because of her complete ignorance of our constitutional democracy and her obvious inability to logically reason.
Because of the selection of Sarah Palin, I can’t envision the past McCain who seemed to at least stand up for his convictions about what he felt was truly best for the country. All I am left with is the bitter taste of divisive politics that has put pandering to a political base above sound national policies. I wish John McCain a long career as a Senator who can bring together bipartisan coalitions (we need more of them). However, the thought of a politician with as little intellectual rigor as Sarah Palin in the White House makes me wonder how the conservative movement has gotten so far off base.
Sarah Palin prank called by Quebec comedy duo
The Masked Avengers called Sarah Palin and made her believe that she was speaking to French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
My favorite part:
Masked Avengers: I love the documentary they made on your life, you know Hustler’s Nailin’ Paylin?
Sarah Palin: Ohh, good, thank you! yes.
MA: It was very edgy
update: replaced the audio that cut off early with full clip.
Well, Duh! Why do you think we started this site?
WASHINGTON (AP) — A former secretary of state and supporter of Republican John McCain, Laurence Eagleburger, says that McCain’s running mate, Sarah Palin, isn’t up to the task of taking over the presidency in a crisis but could become “adequate” if not “a genius in the job.”
Neal Conan of National Public Radio’s “Talk of the Nation” posed the following question to Eagleburger yesterday; “Are you entirely comfortable with Sarah Palin as the Vice President of the United States, that should she would be ready to take over in a crisis if she should be called upon to do so?”. After facetiously saying “That is a very good question” and stating “Of course not. I don’t think at the moment she is ready to take over the reigns of the presidency. I can name for you any number of other vice presidents who were not particularly up to it either.” answers, “Give her some time and I think she will be adequate”.
Alec Baldwin coins a new name for Sarah
Alec Baldwin was a guest on the Late Show with David Letterman yesterday and he was asked about the SNL appearance with Palin.
Baldwin was very diplomatic throughout the interview up until the end where he calls her Bible Spice. LOL!
Palin, and the uncertain future of the GOP
Media reports are trumpeting that Palin has effectively already thrown her hat into the ring for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination. Let’s take a moment to reflect on what this means for the GOP, and U.S. politics. Frankly, this could be the death of the Republican Party as we know it. A significant number of Republican pundits and flagbearers have already expressed their grave concern with the selection of Palin as a contender for the vice presidency — including former Secretary of State Colin Powell. Essentially we are watching what may become a civil war in the GOP between an increasingly despondent core of conservative thinkers (e.g., Christopher Buckley) and the waxing power of the evangelical right wing exemplified by Palin.
The Republican Party was, at one time, the voice of fiscal responsibility and conservatism on the political stage. They railed against national debt and wanted a minimum of federal government intervention in the daily lives of U.S. citizens. The Bush administration has thrown that template for the GOP out the window. With overwhelming legislative authority and a GOP president in the White House, the Republican-led federal government simultaneously ran up the greatest debt in American history, expanded the size of government, curtailed the protections of U.S. citizens and contributed to one of the greatest financial disasters in recent history. In a sense, the Bush White House has overseen the inversion of the Republican Party’s proclaimed core principles.
In short, while all Republicans still argue that they are the party of fiscal conservatism and small government, the past eight years show that this is clearly not the case. A messy divorce of the true conservatives from the free-spending neo-cons may have been in the offing regardless of this election. But Palin’s selection as the vice-presidential nominee, and her meteoric rise to prominence within the party, appear to be bringing matters to a head.
For example, her announced opinions on matters of science and education would place the U.S. at a distinct disadvantage in relation to other countries on issues ranging from genetic research to biotechnology — areas of critical importance to our economic well-being.
Meanwhile, despite these statements, public missteps related to her wardrobe and per diem pay, and significant ethical questions related to her behavior as governor, her popularity is soaring amongst many GOP faithful.
Many Republicans will soon have to decide whether their loyalty lies to their party, or to their principles of small government, conservative fiscal policy and economic competitiveness. If Palin’s brand of populism strikes a chord with Republicans who are more concerned with social issues (such as gay marriage or stem-cell research), that may give her the voting power she needs to overwhelm party faithful who are primarily focused on minimizing the role of government. These views are fundamentally in conflict. The GOP is undergoing an identity crisis, and something will have to give. It will be interesting to see what role Palin will play in that process.
-Ship
PS: Ed Stoddard of Reuters must have been thinking the same thing I was. His analysis of this issue is fairly interesting.
Palin snubs Penn State President at speech yesterday
ABC News reports that the Palin campaign did not extend an invitation to Penn State president Graham B. Spanier for Tuesday’s closed event.
Then (campaign aide Russ) Bermel allegedly stated, “He’s a big Democrat. Why would he want to meet Palin?”
Um, I don’t know Russ, maybe because he runs the university and would like to meet with personalities visiting his campus?
What I don’t understand is why would the campaign hold a closed, invitation only, campaign stop at the largest university in Pennsylvania? The McCain/Palin campaign has stressed many times how they need to win Pennsylvania to win the White House. Do they win by only preaching to the converted?
ION: I am going to try to make it to the Palin rally on Saturday, should be good for a laugh.
The Talking Points Memo has an interesting graphic of Republicans and conservative publications that have endorsed Barack Obama since Sarah’s nomination. If you mouse over the images in TPM’s graphic it will pop up a quote the individuals and papers said about Sarah Palin.
Click image to go to interactive image on the Talking Points Memo
Rush Limbaugh had some interesting things to say about these same people.
Well, they have gone, and I, for one, say, “Damn well good riddance!”
And he said this about our dear Sarah.
Well, make her the head of the party, for one thing! That might be a good idea. “In the past I’ve not been one to be considered for anything by the hierarchy of the party, certainly not in my state. In some sense, I ran against them in my party,” and she’s doing it again now!
Yes! Please make her head of the party!! Nominate her for President in 2012 too.
We own palined.com, palining.com and palinthis.com. I’d hate to think that our hard earned $28 were wasted on the endeavor.
Wardrobe mess or dressed down Sarah
The Republican party and Sarah Palin are determined to keep this thing in the headlines. Now Sarah is telling everyone that the $150k in clothing wasn’t her idea and now she is back to wearing the clothes she bought at her favorite consignment shop. On Meet the Press, John McCain said that some of the clothes have been “given back”.
But, the issue was never about Sarah Palin spending the $150k, but the fact that the RNC spent the money, without her consent, that Palin let them dress her after the fact.
The party was trying to paint Palin as being this “down to earth, good ‘ol girl, who acts just like every other American like you n’ me”, giving her this folksy rhetoric to spew and so forth. But, when they go out and spurge the party’s dollars on her wardrobe, like Edward Lewis did with Vivian Ward in Pretty Woman, the RNC makes all of the folksiness seem contrived and manipulative.
If the Republican Party truly thought that she was qualified to be Vice President they would have let her be herself and not try to pretty her up in appearance while attempting to make her sound like an everyman/woman. This is a prime example of palining.
Sarah wore her own clothes last night at an event in Asheville, NC, where she sang along with the godawful Gretchen Wilson song Redneck Woman.
video from necn.com
I love the photo of giant Sarah from the AP article linked above.
Asheville, N.C. Oct. 26, 2008. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)