palin: lowering the standard

[DisFlan]

I've been a Republican for 40+ years, and I find Gov. Palin to be painfully embarrassing as the choice for a running mate. I cringe when she talks (and winks). I'm a Missourian, and the tactic of using Palin to pander to a red state voter has failed miserably in my case. I'll be taking my vote in a different direction. Initially, I had high hopes for "Straight Talk, Keep It Clean" McCain, but he's let us down in a number of ways. It's especially difficult to trust the judgment of someone who caved in and bent low enough to choose Ms. Palin.

I have to add that GWB et al has been an embarrassment, too. A big one.

DisFlan

 

[yeartolate]

I like your analogy, but I think you give her too much credit. Smart people KNOW when they are in over their heads. Smart people know they don't know it all. She may have some frontier-style "streetsmarts" and she certainly has a bizarre charisma that probably works for her as governor of Alaska. However, she appears outwardly to lack any intellectual curiosity. Smart people read. They study the world. They ask questions and they become informed BEFORE they say "Sure, I would make a great VP, doggonit!"

I will give her credit because she went from a hockeymom to mayor to govenor. Granted the city she was mayor was only about the size of two or three high schools and the state has the population less than San Francisco (that is about 49 square miles in size). But I do give her credit. Obviously by the inability to answer simple questions posed to her on multiple occasions and a distinct unwillingness to regularly put herself in front of a press conferance or substantial interviews ---- this shows she is unable to think on her feet - at least in the national venue. She is smart in her limited focus - but for the big picture...her lack of grasp of the material would make her a puppet - easily manipulated. that is not just concerning, it is scary.

 

[Took]

Oh give me a break. This is the same old liberal schtick that gets pulled out on every Republican candidate -- that somehow they're not "smart enough."

For eight years liberals ranted about what a stupid, unqualified buffoon Ronald Reagan was.

Then George Bush Sr. was a doddering fool, totally out of touch with the average American.

Then George W. -- you can't find a name in the book they haven't called him.

And now Sarah Palin. A woman who's such an idiot that she rose from hockey mom to Governor of her state? Wow, she must be a real moron. Yeah, that winking will clue you in every time.

EDITED TO ADD: This is the liberal equivalent of conservatives saying that Democrats aren't "patriotic enough." That's total BS, too.

If I hear one more person say that Democrats aren't "patriotic enough" or that Republicans aren't "smart enough" I will really go over the edge. Both arguments are cliched, tired, old and untrue.

Umm...It's all true. RR, GWB, Quayle, and, now SP--all dim bulbs. GB Sr and JM--bright bulbs, even though i don't agree with them on many issues. Sorry, Reps just pick dummies for some reason.

 

[Took]

I like your analogy, but I think you give her too much credit. Smart people KNOW when they are in over their heads. Smart people know they don't know it all. She may have some frontier-style "streetsmarts" and she certainly has a bizarre charisma that probably works for her as governor of Alaska. However, she appears outwardly to lack any intellectual curiosity. Smart people read. They study the world. They ask questions and they become informed BEFORE they say "Sure, I would make a great VP, doggonit!"

Excellent--well put!

 

[Mr Man]

Interesting thread (and by that I mean predictable)

I don't see Sarah Palin as any kind of lowering of standards at all. She is a breath of fresh air to me. I like that she stands in opposition to the media and DC elite of both parties who are entirely to blame for the financial morass we find ourselves in. What a show of sophistication & nuance we have seen from them over the last 3 weeks (insert barf smiley here).

Sarah Palin is no dummy and wishing it so is not going to make it so. I tend to agree with Camille Paglia who says that "Palin represented an explosion of a brand new style of muscular American feminism" that has the potential to break down the barriers erected by "shameless Democratic partisanship over the past four decades."

http://www.salon.com/opinion/paglia/2008/09/10/palin/print.html

But, hey keep calling her stupid......such silliness will cost the Democrats large numbers of votes before this election is over.

Politicians like Sarah Palin are the future. Of the people, by the people.


Also, there are few things I care less about than an opinion piece from the Guardian. They are predictably glum......

 

[eliza61]

Except for 1 thing Mr. Man,
That article was written back in September when Ms. Palin was first introduced, heck even us feminist (wink, wink) were praying that she really was a new, improved style of feminism. She has since proven that hope to be wrong.

 

[welovedisneyx4]

I tend to agree with Camille Paglia who says that "Palin represented an explosion of a brand new style of muscular American feminism" that has the potential to break down the barriers erected by "shameless Democratic partisanship over the past four decades."

Politicians like Sarah Palin are the future. Of the people, by the people.

Well, if she is and example of "new feminism", get me some heals and pearls and send me back to 1950. I have much more respect for those ladies than I ever will for SP and her winking and "cutesieness".

 

[bicker]

I believe she is no kind of feminist. I feel many of her perspectives are anti-woman.

She's a pro-life conservative, who has a job; that's it AFAIC. That last bit is good-for-her.

 

[Took]

Interesting thread (and by that I mean predictable)

I don't see Sarah Palin as any kind of lowering of standards at all. She is a breath of fresh air to me. I like that she stands in opposition to the media and DC elite of both parties who are entirely to blame for the financial morass we find ourselves in. What a show of sophistication & nuance we have seen from them over the last 3 weeks (insert barf smiley here).

Sarah Palin is no dummy and wishing it so is not going to make it so. I tend to agree with Camille Paglia who says that "Palin represented an explosion of a brand new style of muscular American feminism" that has the potential to break down the barriers erected by "shameless Democratic partisanship over the past four decades."

http://www.salon.com/opinion/paglia/2008/09/10/palin/print.html

But, hey keep calling her stupid......such silliness will cost the Democrats large numbers of votes before this election is over.

Politicians like Sarah Palin are the future. Of the people, by the people.


Also, there are few things I care less about than an opinion piece from the Guardian. They are predictably glum......

If simply being "refreshing" or different were enough to be a "feminist" then Paglia and you would be right. Camille Paglia, of course, has prided herself on "difference." But Palin doesn't know enough about things she OUGHT to know about as both a leader and college-educated American (or, certainly, she hasn't revealed her knowledge at all). Thus, she is slammed for being "dumb." Perhaps, wildly ignorant and incurious would be better adjectives.

She is dangerously lacking in the solid information she needs to lead us. If you, or Ms. Paglia, want to imagine she has more to her than you've seen so far in terms of "brains," by all means, enjoy the fantasy. But it just isn't there.

took

 

[catherine]

Interesting thread (and by that I mean predictable)

I don't see Sarah Palin as any kind of lowering of standards at all. She is a breath of fresh air to me. I like that she stands in opposition to the media and DC elite of both parties who are entirely to blame for the financial morass we find ourselves in. What a show of sophistication & nuance we have seen from them over the last 3 weeks (insert barf smiley here).

Sarah Palin is no dummy and wishing it so is not going to make it so. I tend to agree with Camille Paglia who says that "Palin represented an explosion of a brand new style of muscular American feminism" that has the potential to break down the barriers erected by "shameless Democratic partisanship over the past four decades."

http://www.salon.com/opinion/paglia/2008/09/10/palin/print.html

But, hey keep calling her stupid......such silliness will cost the Democrats large numbers of votes before this election is over.

Politicians like Sarah Palin are the future. Of the people, by the people.


Also, there are few things I care less about than an opinion piece from the Guardian. They are predictably glum......

Is this a serious post?

 

[Kathi OD]

Interesting thread (and by that I mean predictable)

I don't see Sarah Palin as any kind of lowering of standards at all. She is a breath of fresh air to me. I like that she stands in opposition to the media and DC elite of both parties who are entirely to blame for the financial morass we find ourselves in. What a show of sophistication & nuance we have seen from them over the last 3 weeks (insert barf smiley here).

Sarah Palin is no dummy and wishing it so is not going to make it so. I tend to agree with Camille Paglia who says that "Palin represented an explosion of a brand new style of muscular American feminism" that has the potential to break down the barriers erected by "shameless Democratic partisanship over the past four decades."

http://www.salon.com/opinion/paglia/2008/09/10/palin/print.html

But, hey keep calling her stupid......such silliness will cost the Democrats large numbers of votes before this election is over.

Politicians like Sarah Palin are the future. Of the people, by the people.


Also, there are few things I care less about than an opinion piece from the Guardian. They are predictably glum......

Agree with those far-right ideals!

John McCain's selection of Sarah Palin has cost him my vote, so much for you theory on such silliness! Calling her stupid may cost the Dems some votes, but not nearly as many as choosing her cost the Republicans.

I surely hope that politicians like Palin are NOT our future! She in no way "of the people" or "by the people" in most of America!

 

[babytrees]

EDITED TO ADD: This is the liberal equivalent of conservatives saying that Democrats aren't "patriotic enough." That's total BS, too.

If I hear one more person say that Democrats aren't "patriotic enough" or that Republicans aren't "smart enough" I will really go over the edge. Both arguments are cliched, tired, old and untrue.

thank you!! I've been waiting for somebody to say this....I don't get involved on most political threads (though I read them) because I gag at both sides pulling out these tired "talking points'.

 

[Castlebound]

I wanted Hillary to win ,but it didn't happen. Before VPs were announced I was divided. When John McCain announced Sarah Palin as his VP choice I had never heard of her and gave her the benefit of the doubt. Then she actually did unscripted interviews and showed her true self. She comes off as the cutesy high school girl who uses her looks to get in with the popular crowd. Everytime I hear her speak she makes me think of Jessica Simpson. She tries so hard to be cute she makes herself look dumb. I don't want her wink or her little cutesy sayings. I want someone who actually can speak on an important subject with some intelligence. I have no faith in her ability to lead this country if McCain was elected, but could not finish he term.

 

[Amirah95]

It almost looks like a sneer and she has to work hard to even come close to a wink:

 

[SteveInBrooklyn]

Interesting thread (and by that I mean predictable)

I don't see Sarah Palin as any kind of lowering of standards at all. She is a breath of fresh air to me. I like that she stands in opposition to the media and DC elite of both parties who are entirely to blame for the financial morass we find ourselves in. What a show of sophistication & nuance we have seen from them over the last 3 weeks (insert barf smiley here).

Stands in opposition to the media? How? By refusing to face the media? That's cowardice. She's a cut and runner. Oppose the media by standing up to it, Sarah, not by running away from it.

Let's face it, nothing we say here is going to cost either party any votes, but even if it did, I want to repeat: Sarah Palin is a dolt, a dunce, a dummy, a dimwit. I'm not sophisitcated or nuanced, I'm just yer typical voter. I voted for Bush in 2004, and this year I'm voting for Obama. Why? Because SARAH PALIN IS STUPID!!!!

 

[Mr Man]

Stands in opposition to the media? How? By refusing to face the media? That's cowardice. She's a cut and runner. Oppose the media by standing up to it, Sarah, not by running away from it.

Let's face it, nothing we say here is going to cost either party any votes, but even if it did, I want to repeat: Sarah Palin is a dolt, a dunce, a dummy, a dimwit. I'm not sophisitcated or nuanced, I'm just yer typical voter. I voted for Bush in 2004, and this year I'm voting for Obama. Why? Because SARAH PALIN IS STUPID!!!!

Thank you for the repeated insults of a decent American. They are making a difference for your opponents.

The best thing Sarah Palin can do with the media is ignore them as much as possible. This is similar to the strategy many posters employ with explosive hyperbole- of which your posts povide an admirable example.

The media, as a whole, is "in the tank" for the Obama campaign. They need to continue to be treated as the opposition by her as she takes her message directly to the people.

I am enjoying watching her operate very much. It reminds of someone I admire very much. Ronald Reagan. She is doing everything Ronald Reagan did on the stump and doing it in high heels.

Lowering standards..........pshaw.....

More like the media/elites are irrelevant.....and losing touch with reality.....

 

[SteveInBrooklyn]

Thank you for the repeated insults of a decent American. They are making a difference for your opponents.

The best thing Sarah Palin can do with the media is ignore them as much as possible. This is similar to the strategy many posters employ with explosive hyperbole- of which your posts povide an admirable example.

The media, as a whole, is "in the tank" for the Obama campaign. They need to continue to be treated as the opposition by her as she takes here message directly to the people.

I am enjoying watching her operate very much. It reminds of someone I admire very much. Ronald Reagan. She is doing everything Ronald Reagan did on the stump and doing it in high heels.

Lowering standards..........pshaw.....

More like the media/elites are irrelevant.....and losing touch with reality.....

Reagan faced the media! He answered questions! Reagan faced down the Soviet Union!!! And not from his front porch either. He did it for real. You are comparing Simple Sarah to Reagan???? Nuff said. Let's agree to disagree.

 

[bicker]

It is disappointing how often the Republican campaign is resorting to conspiracy theories, this year.

 

[Judy from Boise]

Please don't presume to speak for all Republicans, and please don't compare Ronald Regan to Palin ! RR was a curious and intelligent man who read and traveled and surrounding himself with bright minds. I am a professional women who works in the "C ring" with the big boys, and Palin is nothing but an embarrassment to me as a republican women.

 

[Mr Man]

Please don't presume to speak for all Republicans, and please don't compare Ronald Regan to Palin ! RR was a curious and intelligent man who read and traveled and surrounding himself with bright minds. I am a professional women who works in the "C ring" with the big boys, and Palin is nothing but an embarrassment to me as a republican women.

Please show me where I presume to speak for anybody but myself and my point of view. I speak as a conservative, not necessarily a Republican. There is a difference. There are plenty of Republicans in D.C. (and elsewhere) that are not Conservative after all.

I see no reason for me to censor my personal opinion and point of view because someone somewhere doesn't agree with it. Plenty of room at the big table for dissent.