Sarah Palin

[JimmyMethod]

I've noticed a large amount of defending her on this board, particularly by Greg, but by others as well. I really want to know why Republicans/Conservatives are pushing for her so much. I'm not trying to really start an argument, I'd just like to know your reasons for supporting her.

From my perspective, there are hundreds and hundreds of prominent republicans who are more experienced, wiser, smarter, and more capable at leading the country. I've read quite a bit about her, and the more I learn, the less competent she seems to be. What's the draw? That she's a woman? Do you think that it'll help pulling in women voters?

The people who would vote for Palin just because she's a woman are the same people who will auto-vote against someone who is anti-choice (Palin).

She has next to no education, dropping out of 4 colleges before graduating with a BA (in communication, one of the easiest majors) from a 3rd tier university (University of Idaho).

Her political experience consists of city council work/mayorship of a town of (at the time) less than 5000 people - For comparison, the high school that's a mile away from my house has more than half that, Chairperson of AOGCC, and 3 years as a Governor, a job she would quit partway through her term.

In addition to all the above she has a number of nasty issues associated with her, most notably her support for the Gravina Island Bridge (the 'bridge to nowhere'). She's embarrassed herself time and time again as being having no foreign policy experience, and seems to only be able to get press by playing the victim, a tactic that, I assure you, will come back to bite her (presidential role - leader, not someone who will be kicked around).

She blamed the media for her losing. As president you need to take on the shortcomings of others and assume the blame for those around you, not the other way around.

As much crap as I gave Bush Jr. for his less-than-stellar performance academically, he looks like a pillar of competence compared to Palin.

There's more to write, but we'll use this as a primer for discussion.What gives? Why are you guys so excited about her? What leadership characteristics do you see?

[UpStar]

this should be good

[themadscientist]

She was intriguing and the press on the state level prior to the fame was favorable. Her b****slapping of big oil in her state was impressive. Her efforts to save money for the state, selling the governor's jet for instance, was refreshing. her support for the BTN was shared by many at the state and federal level. Not an excuse but it's important to put in context.

I still maintain, on paper, she looks more experienced than Obama. he had no executive experience and his activity at the state and federal legislative level was underwhelming.

Palin has shown, though, that once the pressure is on, she gets befuddled. Backing someone based on potential is not bad, but continuing to do so in light of a documented inability to deliver under pressure is partisan BS.

I liked her when she hit the scene, but over time she has shown me she cannot handle the pressure and has no idea what she is doing so I no longer desire to see her progress.

*I did not read this from the palm of my hand*

[AZhitman]

I've noticed a large amount of defending her on this board, particularly by Greg

Really? Where?

And just because I'm not a pantywaist metro libby pseudo-intellectual socialist doesn't mean I'm a Republican. Never have been.

You kids and your black & white thinking...

[AZhitman]

this should be good

You won't be participating.

As much as I usually disagree with JM, at least he brings some substance to his position.

Need more popcorn?

[JimmyMethod]

And just because I'm not a pantywaist metro libby pseudo-intellectual socialist doesn't mean I'm a Republican. Never have been.

You kids and your black & white thinking...

Sorry, how does 'persons with many conservative viewpoints, not necessarily associated with a particular party' sound?

[JustinStrife]

I like what she's done with Alaska. Prior to him being elected President, she actually had better qualifications than Obama. She's not someone I'll be voting for in the Primaries however. She's done a few things that just makes me shake my head.

[AZhitman]

Sorry, how does 'persons with many conservative viewpoints, not necessarily associated with a particular party' sound?

You'd be surprised.

I'm actually a social moderate who leans left on issues of personal autonomy, a fiscal conservative with a disdain for pork, and an advocate for abolition of 90% of all government programs and services, and a strong belief in capitalism and self-regulation of the market.

But if you must pigeonhole me...

[themadscientist]

I like what she's done with Alaska. Prior to him being elected President, she actually had better qualifications than Obama. She's not someone I'll be voting for in the Primaries however. She's done a few things that just makes me shake my head.

I'll accept that.

Although, when I am speaking to hard libs I am a "hatemongering conservative," with hard cons I am a "socialist liberal."

[AZhitman]

I like what she's done with Alaska. Prior to him being elected President, she actually had better qualifications than Obama. She's not someone I'll be voting for in the Primaries however. She's done a few things that just makes me shake my head.

I'd prefer her occasional cluelessness and naivete to out-and-out deceitfulness (yeah, I'm looking at you, Barry.)

I get a kick out of how threatening she is to the left. I mean, she's no real political threat - Yet they're coming out like she's already a 2-term shoo-in.

[bigbadberry3]

I like what she's done with Alaska. Prior to him being elected President, she actually had better qualifications than Obama. She's not someone I'll be voting for in the Primaries however. She's done a few things that just makes me shake my head.

Resigning as governor probably did help out Alaska.

[JimmyMethod]

I get a kick out of how threatening she is to the left. I mean, she's no real political threat

We thought that about Bush too.

Never underestimate an idiot with a national podium. e.g. Glenn Beck.

[AZhitman]

We thought that about Bush too.

Never underestimate an idiot with a national podium. e.g. Glenn Beck.

Hmmmm, I dunno. I think Bush always was a "threat" to win the Presidency. Your first post is pretty close to spot-on, so I won't even go there.

Time and time again, I say this: If you don't like a politician, a radio personality, a celebrity, or an athelete, you vote them out... whether it's with your dollars, your viewership, or your listening habits.

While I don't always agree with Beck (sometimes he's absolutely brilliant, sometimes he's off-base and iritating), you can't deny that there's not a libby on Earth that can draw the audience like he can, AND that there's a LOT of Americans who tune in. Perhaps instead of bashing and trying to silence the likes of Beck / Limbaugh, maybe the left should find someone to compete for those listeners?

Won't happen.

The fact is this: America is a conservative-dominated nation, whether you (or anyone else) likes it or not. They're just not as loud and flamboyant as the lefty minority.

But back to your OP: You're right - I don't think she's someone the left needs to concern themselves with - at all.

The left needs to quit worrying about Former Governor MILFbiscuit and find out where the F it's going and who's gonna lead them, because right now, the DNC looks like two monkeys humping a football.... No direction, no consistency, no cohesion.

[JimmyMethod]

Glenn Beck fosters hate and division. Those things are the easiest thing to draw an audience with. People have proved that time and time again (REEEEAL trying hard to not Godwin's Law this thread...)

Also: While I wouldn't say this isn't a conservative nation, that doesn't mean we can't change it for the better i.e. not conservative.

And yes, I agree about the democratic party as a whole. The legislature needs to pull its head out of its a**.

[UpStar]

You won't be participating.

As much as I usually disagree with JM, at least he brings some substance to his position.

Need more popcorn?

just focus on the original topic from JimmyMethod

Really? Where?

And just because I'm not a pantywaist metro libby pseudo-intellectual socialist doesn't mean I'm a Republican. Never have been.

You kids and your black & white thinking...

This is you defending her after she got busted reading her hand

Really?

Interesting that you'd think someone's trying to "play something off", when I (and all of America) could CLEARLY see ink on her palm several times during her speech.

Methinks your own shortcomings in life are weaseling their way out in the form of displaced anger (and maybe a little jealousy).

At least people show up to hear what SHE has to say.

Modified by UpStar at 6:08 PM 2/24/2010

[srellim234]

The fact is this: America is a conservative-dominated nation, whether you (or anyone else) likes it or not. They're just not as loud and flamboyant as the lefty minority. .

I don't think you can classify America that way. I think the people of this country tend to want a government that is conservative fiscally but more liberal socially.

Politicians, the Republican and Democratic parties, the pundits and many people in forums like this one think in terms of being only conservative or liberal about everything. I just don't think that's where the majority of the people are.

[AZhitman]

Glenn Beck fosters hate and division. Those things are the easiest thing to draw an audience with. People have proved that time and time again (REEEEAL trying hard to not Godwin's Law this thread...)

Hmmmm.

ANY commentator with a contrary position to yours would, I suspect, be perceived as "fostering hate and division".

I can kinda understand how you'd see it that way.... But you're a little young to remember those who REALLY "fostered hate". Nowhere is he encouraging "hate" like some of history's more volatile personalities. Nowhere.

Besides, if the lefties HAD a voice in the media, they'd have been "fostering hate and division" the past 8 years. Listen to some of the vitriolic spewing from the anti-Bush crowd - I hear it every day at work from the wingnuts I work with. I should start keeping track of their absurdities.

Just because you disagree with the man's points doesn't mean he should be silenced - Perhaps, instead, someone should refute his positions with facts and logic. Easier said than done, though. And I say this because I often disagree with him.

I don't like some of the horse**** that this Administration is pulling... So why would I sugar-coat it? Of COURSE it's gonna come off as "fostering division".

If it's the 3rd most listened-to radio show, then somewhere he has to be doing something right... Think about it. Disagree, and I'll remind you that you TRIED to make the same point by showing us a picture of a big crowd that showed up at an Obama speech (50-60% of whom wouldn't vote for him today... )

p.s. Your cheerleader over there? Nice fella, but that head injury did a number on the poor guy.

[AZhitman]

Jimmy - I actually had to look up Godwin's Law.

Somehow, I avoided going there as well.... Step AWAY from the jackboots!

[JustinStrife]

Resigning as governor probably did help out Alaska.

She didn't have much choice. She was getting constantly attacked by the media and facing lawsuits left and right. Unwarranted I might add. I've never seen a politician get attacked so much, in such a short amount of time by the media, like she was in 2008. It was sickening how CNN/NBC/MSNBC/CBS/ABC etc were all out to kill everything about her.

All Alaskans I've talked to, said they liked her as their Governor. She wasn't afraid to stand up to both political parties.

[bigbadberry3]

She didn't have much choice. She was getting constantly attacked by the media and facing lawsuits left and right. Unwarranted I might add. I've never seen a politician get attacked so much, in such a short amount of time by the media, like she was in 2008. It was sickening how CNN/NBC/MSNBC/CBS/ABC etc were all out to kill everything about her.

All Alaskans I've talked to, said they liked her as their Governor. She wasn't afraid to stand up to both political parties.

First of all every politician gets attacked left and right. If you cannot stand being attacked politics isn't for you. Secondly, she was found to have to repay some expenditures so the investigations were some what warranted. Finally, Palin did have support initially, most sources saying 83%, but again fell steeply to around within a few years 50% give or take a few %.

[AZhitman]

All Alaskans I've talked to, said they liked her as their Governor. She wasn't afraid to stand up to both political parties.

Yep. Several of my neighbors are from AK, and say the same.

[dusred]

First of all every politician gets attacked left and right. If you cannot stand being attacked politics isn't for you.

They weren't only attacking her but her family also which is totally off limits. Notice how Obama never had his family attacked? Hell, he even told the media to back the s*** off her family but they didn't. Some even claim that Trig, her down-syndrome son, was born by one of her other daughters.

I've gotta agree that JM (whom I completely resent as a general rule) had some very valid points at the first.

I've noticed a large amount of defending her on this board, particularly by Greg, but by others as well. I really want to know why Republicans/Conservatives are pushing for her so much. I'm not trying to really start an argument, I'd just like to know your reasons for supporting her.

What do you mean we support her? She's not running for office or anything. Is what has always been intriguing to me about her is that she's more the caliber of the average American and therefore connects with the American people better than other politicians.

Have you read her book by any chance?

From my perspective, there are hundreds and hundreds of prominent republicans who are more experienced, wiser, smarter, and more capable at leading the country.

Like who? We don't need another Obama in the White House who is wise, smart, and capable. We need someone who can see things on our level.

She has next to no education, dropping out of 4 colleges before graduating with a BA (in communication, one of the easiest majors) from a 3rd tier university (University of Idaho).

In her book she explains how she would drop out of college to so she could get a job and pay as she went. When she graduated she was debt free.

Her political experience consists of city council work/mayorship of a town of (at the time) less than 5000 people - For comparison *** Chairperson of AOGCC, and 3 years as a Governor, a job she would quit partway through her term.

You fail to mention that while she was governor she had an 89% approval rating which is excellent if you're asking me. She clearly explained why she resigned as governor - she had over $500,000 in personal attorney bills to pay from defending baseless "ethics violations" and I may be wrong on this part but I think she said in her book that that was more money than she had made the entire time of being governor in Alaska. Also she was charged $50,000 for the vetting process before becoming the VP candidate which the McCain campaign refused to pay.

In addition to all the above she has a number of nasty issues associated with her, most notably her support for the Gravina Island Bridge (the 'bridge to nowhere'). She's embarrassed herself time and time again as being having no foreign policy experience

Agreed. Our current president doesn't have any foreign policy experience either so why do you hold that against her and not against him?

and seems to only be able to get press by playing the victim, a tactic that, I assure you, will come back to bite her (presidential role - leader, not someone who will be kicked around).

She performed the roll of the victim. The attacks on her and her family were so relentless and rotten and the way the McCain campaign handled it didn't help any (read the book and you'll know what I'm talking about). For example at one point they released a statement from her that she didn't even write or approve .

She blamed the media for her losing. As president you need to take on the shortcomings of others and assume the blame for those around you, not the other way around.

In her book she points out how the media attacked her and her family but I don't think I could call it blame. In fact I don't think she particularly blamed anyone for McCain loosing. She seemed pretty big about it in her book.

Why are you guys so excited about her? What leadership characteristics do you see?

I can't say I'm excited about her. I personally don't think she's presidential material at this point but I do see potential. I think a few years in the Senate or some other prominent political position would do good for her and then I'd take a look at her for President. I'd say there is a 35% chance that she will play some roll in the next election. After Obama is through screwing up our nation I'm sure the American people will be ready for anyone other than him.

I don't usually like to excuse the shortcomings of one person by pointing out the shortcomings in another but I'd just like to point out that Palin had more experience and as incompetent as she is I still think she was more competent than Obama to become president. For instance she had no ties to terrorists, racist preachers, and corrupt community organizing groups (ACORN). She had a great approval rating in Alaska, had a excellent record in fighting the "good ol' boys" in Alaska and the Oil companies, and purged much of the corruption from the state of Alaska. Obama had next to no experience or accomplishments to look to.

I've gotta give Obama credit for winning the election. He must have done something right. I think that the reason he won wasn't because he was the most wonderful candidate but because the Republicans screwed up so bad in the Bush years and we the people were damn tired of it.

With the election of Scott Brown and other Republicans I think the Republicans will make a come back.

Anyway sorry about the wall of text. Hope this enlightens you to a greater extent of our appreciation of Palin.

Peace.