WaPo's Capehart on Palin speech

[Koi]

This columnist makes many points as to the fallacies of Sister Sarah. It goes to my view: words, words, words; no substance. A good read.

Sarah Palin is no Eve Harrington
After former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin strode across the national political stage and chewed up the scenery with her bravura performance at the 2008 Republican convention, I wrote one PostPartisan after another comparing her to the talented, ambitious and fictional star Eve Harrington from the movie "All About Eve." Now that I've seen Palin's Saturday night address to the Tea Party convention in Nashville, I would like to extend my apologies to Harrington. She would never have given such a poor performance.


Sure, Palin brought the Tea Partiers in Nashville to their feet with belittling put-downs of President Obama, including calling him "a charismatic guy with a TelePrompTer." And as with any Palin speech, there was plenty of sarcasm. "When you're 0 for 3, you better stop lecturing and start listening," she zinged. "How's that hopey-changey stuff working out for ya?," she snarked. But after having more than a year to learn the ins and outs of national and foreign policy, to fill in the considerable gaps in knowledge that were on display on the campaign trail, you'd think Palin would do more than lean on platitudes and talking points.

"The government that governs the least governs the best,"said the best-selling author and Fox News analyst who quit being governor after just 2 and a half years on the job. "The constitution provides the best road map towards a more perfect union," she noted. And she told the gathered that she wanted Washington to "adopt a pro-market agenda" that "lowers taxes for small business," "support[s] competition and innovation" and "reward[s] hard work."

To win the war on terror, Palin said, "We need a commander in chief, not a professor of law standing at the lectern." She slammed Obama's "misguided thinking that is seen throughout the administration's foreign policy decisions." Palin didn't like that the president "spent a year reaching out to hostile regimes; writing personal letters to dangerous dictators and apologizing for America." Then she said to mounting applause, "It's time for more than just tough talk. Gah, just like you, probably just so tired of hearing the talk, talk, talk. Tired of hearing the talk."

But it was her response to a query during the question-and-answer session that I found worrisome. She was asked what would her top three priorities be if conservatives take over leadership of the House and the Senate. Getting spending under control was one. A restatement of her energy mantra was another. And then there was this:



And then, I think, kinda tougher to, kinda tougher to put our arms around, but, allowing America's spirit to rise again by not being afraid [applause] not being afraid to kinda go back to some of our roots as a God-fearing nation [applause] where we're not afraid to say, especially in times of potential trouble in the future here, we're not afraid to say, "You know, we don't have all the answers as fallible men and women so it would be wise of us to start seeking some divine intervention again in this country," so that we can be safe and secure and prosperous again.

That's all I needed to hear to be convinced that this raw talent with unending ambition is content to stay unrefined and oblivious to the fact that snark, smirks and sarcasm will only carry her so far.

[SJR]

Sister Palin will be the 2012 nominee, mark my words! Dang, I hope I'm wrong!

I can't understand why no one is after her because on Fox Sunday she practically stated she wants Obama to declare another war.

[Koi]

You're wrong.
Too much baggage.
The subtle GOP leaders, in Congress and out, let her rant on and on, keeping them in the fore.
I think she'll fade away.
Even Baggers will catch on that it's the same old from her endlessly. "Pals around with terrorists." Where's the proof? "Death panels." Where's the proof? Even Baggers can ask pertinent questions now and then. Right now they love the limelight. When they realize they're being used, they'll disappear, too.

[SueMI]

And then, I think, kinda tougher to, kinda tougher to put our arms around, but, allowing America's spirit to rise again by not being afraid [applause] not being afraid to kinda go back to some of our roots as a God-fearing nation [applause] where we're not afraid to say, especially in times of potential trouble in the future here, we're not afraid to say, "You know, we don't have all the answers as fallible men and women so it would be wise of us to start seeking some divine intervention again in this country," so that we can be safe and secure and prosperous again.

Wow, that has to be the longest word salad I have ever read.

[SJR]

Originally Posted by Koi

You're wrong.
Too much baggage.
The subtle GOP leaders, in Congress and out, let her rant on and on, keeping them in the fore.
I think she'll fade away.
Even Baggers will catch on that it's the same old from her endlessly. "Pals around with terrorists." Where's the proof? "Death panels." Where's the proof? Even Baggers can ask pertinent questions now and then. Right now they love the limelight. When they realize they're being used, they'll disappear, too.

It would be good for the Dems if she does run!

[Koi]

Yes, indeed it would.
But outside the South and ultra-conservative areas, where's her appeal? NE? No. West coast? No. Fl, Oh, Mid-Atl.? No.

[P.S.]

I actually heard several on Morning Joe (including Joe) diss her this morning. When the media was treating her like an important person she was important. Now that some seem to understand she is not intelligent and actually are saying it her throne is falling. Treating her like she was Presidential material when she wasn't was the problem.

[MinnMs]

How anyone could have ever mistaken her for intelligent just escapes me...a certain segment perhaps, but the supposedly know-it-all media/press?

[Koi]

Did the media ever take her seriously, MinnMs? I think most have treated her as an aberration right along: Matthews, Olbermann certainly, Comedy Central. she's news because she thinks the populace loves her and hangs on every word. In truth she's our court jester.

[Marina]

I sure hope you are right about her lacking popularity out of the south. She still seems to draw crowds in the south. The Supreme Court is leaning even more right than it was when Bush was appointed president if the election came down to Florida again.

As for demanding proof of her rants, I don't think the baggers and her base care about proof. Look at how Bush went to war. Anyone who asked for proof was a traitor. She has his base. Whatever Palin says is devinely inspired by Palin. It really bothers me that she is painting intelligence as something horrible with all the comments about "professors."

[MinnMs]

Oh, there have been some of so-called Conservative intelligentsia ...notably Bill Kristol.... who have supported her right down the line. Kristol , no doubt, because of the Israeli lobby.
It disgusts me beyond belief that assholes like this have no compunctions at all about selling out our nation by any avenue, in their lust for power.

[norphan]

Originally Posted by MinnMs

Oh, there have been some of so-called Conservative intelligentsia ...notably Bill Kristol.... who have supported her right down the line. Kristol , no doubt, because of the Israeli lobby.
It disgusts me beyond belief that assholes like this have no compunctions at all about selling out our nation by any avenue, in their lust for power.

When Bill Kristol was on the Daily Show, it was quite clear that he knew her for what she is. While trying not to change his tune on her, he was clearly embarrassed and abashed. I realize that he'll not put that in writing, but even he knows.

[SJR]

Originally Posted by norphan

When Bill Kristol was on the Daily Show, it was quite clear that he knew her for what she is. While trying not to change his tune on her, he was clearly embarrassed and abashed. I realize that he'll not put that in writing, but even he knows.

You really think so, Norphan? Gee, the times I've watched him on Fox News Sunday he is gushing when he speaks of Palin!

[bluemoon]

Even the republicans can do better than someone who uses phrases like "hopie changie"

We thought Bush was an embarrassment, imagine Sarah giving a speech to international leaders.