Sarah Palin = Fred Thompson

By Libby

My friend Capt. Fogg flags a new poll showing that the McCain campaign's tactic of making Palin's pregnant daughter the center ring attraction in a media circus and then complaining about Sarah being victimized by all the attention appears to be working.

I saw it myself during a luncheon yesterday; hearing people complaining about how bad it was that "people" were harping on her daughter's plight - an idea they got all gift-wrapped in red paper from the media, of course.

There's a germ of truth there, but it had largely blown over already, and to say Sarah Palin is a victim of malicious press seems as woefully far from the truth as her assertion that the Pledge of Allegiance in it's 1954 edition was "good enough for the Founding Fathers." None the less, they have managed to draw attention away from the legitimate and serious concerns by stressing a non-issue about her daughter and dressing her up as a victim. It works.

Fogg laments the relentless gullibility of the deluded voting demographic that keeps falling for the same old tricks. I was initially appalled myself, but on reflection, I'm inclined to find it amusing. I found myself remembering Fred Thompson.

Fred, as you recall was going to be the great white hope of the GOP. As long as he managed to avoid any public appearances, he enjoyed mindboggling support from the same people who are now praising their new glamorous "It" girl as the latest, greatest player in politics. But once he was forced to enter the arena and deliver the goods behind the carefully crafted image, he couldn't close the deal.

Six days ago, nobody knew who Palin was and they still don't. She's made three public appearances that I know of, including last night's speech, which was very good for what it was, but it hardly constitutes any kind of test of her abilities. She may have played really well with the good ole boys who just loves themselves some VPILF, but it's too early to tell if McCain's crap shoot is going to come up 7/11 or just another snake eyed craps.

Comments

[BJ Bjornson]

Dammit! I just finished saying I wouldn't talk about Palin anymore for awhile and you go and drag me back in again.

No, never mind, just read this post regarding the daughter's plight. It says it way better than I can.

[Kyle E. Moore]

There should be a "c" after the VP, Libby. She ain't won a damn thing yet.

[Kat]

Palin's speech brought in $8 million in donations overnight -- for Obama.

The money's pouring in so fast, campaign aides say they expect to receive another $2 million by the time McCain takes to the podium tonight.

And Kyle's right -- she's just an unqualified candidate, not a VP.

[BJ Bjornson]

Thank-you ma'am, may I have another?

[Kyle E. Moore]

I love it, my Republican stepdad got all snide with me, "The media did what I didn't think anyone could do and unified the GOP"

My answer.

"Sarah Palin did what I thought no one could do and unified the Democratic base."

[Steve Hynd]

LOL Kyle.

Then Obama disunited it again on O'Lie-lly

The troop surge in Iraq has been more successful than anyone could have imagined, Barack Obama conceded Thursday in his first-ever interview on FOX News’ “The O’Reilly Factor.”

As recently as July, the Democratic presidential candidate declined to rate the surge a success, but said it had helped reduce violence in the country. On Thursday, Obama acknowledged the 2007 increase in U.S. troops has benefited the Iraqi people.

“I think that the surge has succeeded in ways that nobody anticipated,” Obama said while refusing to retract his initial opposition to the surge. “I’ve already said it’s succeeded beyond our wildest dreams.”
...

Speaking on other national security matters, Obama said he would not take military action off the table in dealing with Iran, but diplomacy and sanctions can’t be overlooked.

The Islamic republic is a “major threat” and it would be “unacceptable” for the rogue nation to develop a nuclear weapon, he said.

“It is unacceptable for Iran to possess a nuclear weapon, it would be a game changer,” Obama said. “It’s sufficient to say I would not take military action off the table and that I will never hesitate to use our military force in order to protect the homeland and the United States’ interests.”

Regards, C

[Libby]

BJ that was a powerful post at your link. Thanks.

LOL Kyle. What a comeback line. BTW, I was quoting the good ole boys, not offering my own assessment on Sarah.

Kat, I've heard that too. Great news.

C, I hate when he says that stuff but I think he was playing to the Fox audience. We all knew he isn't really going to be a game changer, especially during the race. I'm not keen on how he's playing Afghanistan either but it's still better than McBomb, bomb, bomb Iran.

[Xeromor]

Know some of this may be a repeat but it needs to be repeated over and over again until someone listens.

What bothers me the most about this campaign is that McCain was trailing in the polls before Palin. Why? Before Palin we knew he was pro Bush... bigger tax cuts for the wealthy, jobs overseas, private health care that would be unaffordable for most of us, vote for water boarding torture, no to GI bill for our troops, extended tours for the troops, and especially... inadequate mental health care for our soldiers in Iraq who are tortured daily while watching their comrades get blown away and then realizing that their lives are like playing Russian roulette each time they return to duty on a third, fourth, or fifth tour (just as bad as being a POW Mr. McCain. Pay attention to the high rate of suicides among our troops in or returning from Iraq). Now McCain's ahead in the polls because of a "cute hockey mom". I say this because how could he possibly gain popularity by choosing a short-term governor under investigation for firing a police commissioner who wouldn't fire her ex-brother-in-law. She fired a well liked and respected police chief because he wanted to close the town's bars at 2am from 5am because of a string of DWIs and accidents; he also wanted to restrict concealed weapons. This is a big issue because it calls into play Palin’s judgment. She’s a member of the NRA whose stance is pro concealed weapons. She was connected to the town’s big wigs who owned the bars, so the bars stayed open to 5am. As the mayor of Wasilla, Palin was more concerned about her opportunistic ties than the citizens’ safety. Palin also fired the town's librarian because she disapproved of the mayor's request to censor reading material. Palin left the town of Wasilla, population around 6,000, in over 20 million in debt (a settlement suit) because of construction of a sports complex on property not deeded to the town. Clearly she failed to perform her “executive duties” in verifying proprietorship. Palin sat on several boards and had close ties with Senator Ted Stevens indicted for corrupt practices. She is also tied to lobbyist Steven Silver, Ted Stevens' chief of staff. Palin attends the Alaska Independent Party whose anthem is to secede from the United States. Palin lobbied for the funds to build the “Bridge to No Where” and received over 200 million before it hit the airwaves and was scrapped...she kept the 200 million then said "no" to the Bridge to No Where. By the way, the bridge was to accommodate a town of around 50; a road was eventually built that fares quite adequately. Was this an earmark? McCain says he's pro-choice but picks a candidate anti-choice, anti sex education and pro abstinence...so unrealistic just looking at today’s stats on teen sexual activity, pregnancies, venereal disease, and Aids. I could add more, but some of you get the point already. In my opinion, McCain and "no change" republicans may see Palin as an ideal running mate because she reminds me a lot of Dick Cheney, and he wants to be the next George Bush. But to the Palin lovers who want a change from Bush/Cheney and the last eight years, please ask yourself what really attracts you to Palin…”cute hockey mom” image or a woman with the character to be Vice President or even PRESIDENT. Your call.