Well, anyone out there who is writing Sarah Palin off as a light-weight and wants to see Sen. Obama in the White House better buckle their chin strap and put on a cup, because whatever you think of her politics, she is no worse than the second best communicator out of the four people running, and she’s going to be number one for a lot of people.Obama is all cool, Palin is all passion. Barack is Harvard and Columbia; Sarah is home town folk. The Senator holds himself a little above the fray – the Governor body checks. She certainly played no defense last night. Plus, she can tell a joke. (The difference between a pit bull and a hockey mom? Lipstick.)
You want to know how to make her a genuine America hero? Keep calling her and her family “white trash.” Keep denigrating her experience as a Governor and Mayor. Keep sniggering about how Alaska is really North Alabama. Keep patronizing her as just a PTA president on steroids. Keep comparing her to Dan Quayle. Continue to withhold any props for her successes in a man’s world because her views aren’t consistent with feminist dogma.
Keep doing all those things and she’ll be the most popular woman in America by November 4th and the difference in the election.
Here are some of the better barracudaisms from last night’s speech. You can watch the speech here.
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“Before I became governor of the great state of Alaska, I was mayor of my hometown.
And since our opponents in this presidential election seem to look down on that experience, let me explain to them what the job involves.
I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a "community organizer," except that you have actual responsibilities. I might add that in small towns, we don't quite know what to make of a candidate who lavishes praise on working people when they are listening, and then talks about how bitterly they cling to their religion and guns when those people aren't listening.
We tend to prefer candidates who don't talk about us one way in Scranton and another way in San Francisco.”
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“We've all heard his dramatic speeches before devoted followers. And there is much to like and admire about our opponent.
But listening to him speak, it's easy to forget that this is a man who has authored two memoirs but not a single major law or reform - not even in the state senate.
This is a man who can give an entire speech about the wars America is fighting, and never use the word "victory" except when he's talking about his own campaign.”
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“A leader who's not looking for a fight, but is not afraid of one either. Harry Reid, the Majority Leader of the current do-nothing Senate, not long ago summed up his feelings about our nominee.
He said, quote, "I can't stand John McCain." Ladies and gentlemen, perhaps no accolade we hear this week is better proof that we've chosen the right man. Clearly what the Majority Leader was driving at is that he can't stand up to John McCain. That is only one more reason to take the maverick of the Senate and put him in the White House. My fellow citizens, the American presidency is not supposed to be a journey of "personal discovery." This world of threats and dangers is not just a community, and it doesn't just need an organizer.”
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"And though both Senator Obama and Senator Biden have been going on lately about how they are always, quote, "fighting for you," let us face the matter squarely.
There is only one man in this election who has ever really fought for you ... in places where winning means survival and defeat means death ... and that man is John McCain."
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18 comments:
I thought she gave a very effective speech. It struck me a bit over the top to have the image of Mt. Rushmore in the background. Let's see how she does outside the friendly confines of the Republican witness protection program.
I think she will/has hardened the base of each party and once again the election will be decided by the 10% of the electorate that can't seem to make up it's mind. Who are these people anyway?
At this point, I'll let Peggy Noonan speak for me today on the quality of Governor Palin's abilities.
SARAH PALIN,I'M THINKING FRESH AIR,STRAIGHT FORWARD,AMERICAN DREAM,REGULAR FOLK,GOT GUTS. FOR THE MEN THINK,LIBRARIAN FANTACY. SAYING SHE PLANS TO LAYING MORE PIPE IN ALASKA WAS NO ACCIDENT. I DO FEAR PEOPLE WHO ARE CONSIDERED UNQUALIFIED OVER REACTING IN GIVEN SITUATIONS.
Somehow in this new America, a comedy show is the only major outlet that cuts through the BS of a national government election.
God help us, and may God continue to help America:
http://ccinsider.comedycentral.com/cc_insider/2008/09/jon-stewart-ann.html
I agree with most of what's been posted already, was highly impressed but realize it was highly staged (right down to moving women into the front rows before her speech).
One thing I'm a bit confused by is both parties trying to lay claim to Lincoln's greatness. When Lincoln started the Republican party, Democrats were southern wealthy land owners and certainly represented the aristocratic establishment in post-revolutionary America. Doesn't that feel like the current Republican stereotype? Did somewhere along the line the parties' ideologies switch places? The modern day democrat is much more socially liberal versus those 1800's Virginia democrats fighting to hang onto slavery with every fiber of their beings.
Can anyone shed light on who should really be able to claim Lincoln in this election? (not a rhetorical question).
Despite Democrats being the slavery party 150 years ago, a case can be made for them to claim Lincoln. 100 years after the Civil War they were the party that did away with Jim Crow and more fully realized emancipation - another reason why I'm proud to call myself a Democrat.
I always matched up Lincoln with the current democratic party so what you're saying makes sense, Kaz. Having read a lot about lincoln over the last couple years, however, it surprised me that he wasn't necessarily driven to free the slaves like you learn about in school. Like Obama, he seemed to be most committed to holding office over and above everything else and then came down on slavery when he realized the majority of the country was finally leaning in that direction. He was the king of the trial balloons, waiting to gauge public feedback on policy proposals before formalizing them and sending them off to congress. Smacks of today's focus groups and market research done daily by these candidates to vette virtually everything they say!
Also, to me it's pretty clear that Obama was romanticized by "A Team of Rivals" which is why he selected Biden for his ticket. I wouldn't at all be surprised to see Hillary in a cabinet position if he wins!
With all due respect, Lincoln's been dead for almost 150 years. Time to stop the comparisons and claims.
Right now the Dow is in a free fall with a mixed bag of economic ups and downs -- oil, jobs and the dollar.
Maybe Palin should aim her Winchester at the issues instead spewing rhetoric like the rest of the pols. It's just more of the same old Washington BS via the Alaskan pipeline.
She can claim to being a big shot in the arm to a previously comatose response to McCain by the GOP. Other than that, it remains to be seen.
I’m no historian, but wasn’t the essence of the original Republican party its commitment to holding the Union together rather than abolition or emancipation? Neither of the modern day parties seems so inclined. Each marches under a cultural banner very different than the other, upon which they heap scorn. Neither seeks common ground, but rather allow the country to drift aimlessly, leaving all important issues unsolved.
Really, they are less like political parties and more like rival labor unions struggling to take control of their workplace. God help us if one of them ever wins a complete victory. You’ll have to weigh the plunder – counting would be too slow.
Dennis, your 100% right, that was Lincoln's/Republican's goal then and you're also right about the current state of affairs.
It's almost mind boggling how a country of 300 Million + can be so equally divided that we're almost guaranteed another recount on November 5th.
Being 35 with my head in the clouds since college this is the first election I'm completely engaged in and not coincidentally the first one I'm completely disgusted by at the same time.
That Stewart piece sent by anonymous was the most unbelievable indicator of where we are right now...sad, sad, sad.
I think she gave a fine speech.
You still have to assume that should is ripe for an Adm. Stockdale moment. She has been the Mayor of a town of 7,000 in what is the last wilderness left in America. She has been Governor of a state, which is half the size of the county I live in, for less than two years.
Best tactic for GOP will be to send her to small towns and keep her away from answering questions. She could be a very quick study but she could easily be asked about issues that she has never thought about and could start stumbling. Don't put her in those positions.
This election will not be about ideas or issues or veeps. It will be whether most folks are comfortable with Obama.
John Kerry had a 16 point lead over W at this time four years ago. People are more upset with the way the country is going now than then. Yet most polls show Obama with a 4-8 point lead.
Many Americans are not all that comfortable with diversity and he is the personification of that in this country.
AS to God helping us if either party wins a complete victory. If the Dems do this fall, we'll have national health insurance - a step forward in the social contract!
I agree we will all be going to bed in early Nov,not knowing who will be president.History will be made.I think there will be plenty of late night fodder that will be from both parties to keep all the talk/news shows busy.I would still take this country over anyother..
The Republican party began in 1854 by a group of anti-slavery activists. The party gained national power in 1860 when its candidate Abraham Lincoln defeated the Democratic candidate. It has remained the Republican party since that time. I think you have to call the Republicans the party of Lincoln. Tonight McCain claimed Roosevelt as a Republican. He was talking about Teddy Roosevelt, not FDR.
Change is hard for winners and losers. The GOP is clinging to its values which are flotsam in deep water. Freud said the first sign of recovery is recognizing you are sick: not here. Like the little old man who used to sell the Daily Worker on the streets of Greenwich Village, they are sure their mission is correct, only subverted by some along the journey. The chants of "Drill, Drill, Drill" are all you need to know which lever not to pull. It's 3rd down and 25 yards. Sarah Palin is American Idol. This is a test for the American people. If only it was a written...
Hankster, were you going to say "a written test?" After the Civil War there were literacy tests prior to voting in the South. The purpose was to exclude the ex-slaves from the voting booth. During the LBJ administration the National Voting Rights Act of 1965 outlawed this practice. GWB recently extended this act for another 25 years. You are flying without a parachute on this one. I do not think your suggestion can be found in the Democratic playbook.
Woody, my reference, believe it or not, was to Woody Allan's movie, Love and Death, where he and his fellow Russian soldiers were marching into battle against Napoleon's army. Carnage was everywhere. One soldier said, "God is testing us." Woody Allen's character said, "Why doesn't he just give us a written?"
As to restricting the power of the vote. Both parties shamelessly use redistricting. But I do believe GOP goons restricted access to the ballot box in key states during the 2004 presidential election. We can volley this back and forth all the way to the 2000 election and it will bring us nowhere other than the present. Some of us believe things just need a new coat of paint. Others feel otherwise.
Hey Biden where have you been Hiden...
After one week Biden has gotten as stale as his hair cut. Is he still Obama's VP pick? I know Obama doesn't like to listen to anyone but himself, but where is he.
Hankster, I am glad you cleared that up. Obama is spending time with Bill O'Reilly at Fox News. He will be on his show nightly 9/8, 9/9, and 9/10 (taped,not live). This should be a real test of the No Spin Zone. I am not a fan of O'Reilly but he and Obama had a reasonable interview Thursday. Obama deserves some credit for his willingness to go on that show. Obama is aware, of course, that Fox News has the largest viewing audience of all the news programs (including MSNBC, CNN, ABC, CBS,etc). I agree that Joe Biden needs to change his act, he is beginning to sound a little shrill.
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