Palin Fights Like A Girl
I know that former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin can be a contentious topic around these parts, but did anyone catch her speech this weekend? You can check it out here or read it here. It was quite the speech. She told Republicans they could take a lesson from the University of Wisconsin women's hockey team and "fight like a girl," which probably made a thousand feminists immediately scream and punch the object nearest them. She seems to have that effect on them.
Anyway, I'm hearing a lot of feedback from folks. Inside the beltway, people generally fear or loathe Palin. Outside the beltway, you seem to find more reasonable positions, even if they don't think she's the bee's knees. But check out some of these reviews:
But all it took was one powerful, pugnacious and presidential speech — just 15 minutes long — for Palin to again make herself completely relevant to the current political and policy battles raging across America.
Gotta say it — Sarah Palin doesn’t use teleprompters, she doesn’t use Orwellian double-speak that is so preposterous even Jon Stewart has to call it out; she is not contemptuous of her audience, as the president increasingly appears to be, she has enough wit to grab a phrase and have fun with it, (“so yeah, we’re here, we’re clear, get used to it!“) and, most importantly, the former Governor of Alaska is coherent.
For my money, what Palin really accomplished here was grabbing hold of and making her own what has made Donald Trump such a breath of fresh air and boosted his poll numbers. What we want first and foremost in our GOP standard-bearer is someone unafraid of the MSM, and who takes the fight directly to Obama. We also want them calling out our friends in DC when they — to paraphrase the Governor — rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic after they’ve promised to stop Obama from hitting icebergs.
It's also interesting to note how little folks inside the beltway are discussing the speech. But what are your most civil and constructive thoughts on the speech and its effect on the current political situation?
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May '10
Re: Palin Fights Like A Girl
Anyone who's ever watched a few minutes of roller derby knows that the gals are way scrappier than the guys by orders of magnitude.
Palin's terrific - "speaking truth to power" becomes her. It may be a good thing that she's so despised by the lickspittle media that couldn't be obsequious enough in packaging Obama to us like so much soap - she owes them no favors and so is freed of any obligation to tone down and liberal up her message.
The drawback is she won't get a hearing. The media has done its work too well in making her America's Crazy Aunt In The Attic - and the national conversation is poorer for it.
Jun '10
Re: Palin Fights Like A Girl
"She told Republicans they could take a lesson from the University of Wisconsin women's hockey team and 'fight like a girl,' which probably made a thousand feminists immediately scream and punch the object nearest them."
True. Sarah has the ability to induce a true "primal scream." No one since Phyllis Schafly has been able to get under the skins of crazy knee-jerk feminists like Palin.
Palin would not be my first choice for the nomination, but I really like her, and she's far more talented than most give her credit for. And I think she's good for the Right. We've had plenty of problems motivating the base--if we're going to beat Obama, Sarah and the Tea Party have got to be a key element of the GOP strategy.
Re: Palin Fights Like A Girl
It would be a mistake to underestimate Palin. Sarah Barracuda is a force of nature.
Apr '11
Re: Palin Fights Like A Girl
Every month or two since last fall, I've been checking the Intrade expectations for the Republican nomination, then ranking who I liked best among those with at least 3% probability. After seeing Palin's speech online this weekend, I checked for the first time in about 6 weeks, and Palin's probability had continued to slide (high teens in November to mid-single digits now). I don't really disagree with that as I think there's a very high likelihood she won't run at all. But listening to Palin speak reminds me again why I want to see her become president. I know a lot of skeptics would disagree with this, but I actually think she would make a much better president in office than a candidate.
Mar '11
Re: Palin Fights Like A Girl
Palin's most trenchant point in that speech was that sticking to your principles is the path to victory. Governor Walker and the Republicans held on to their principles and came out victorious--in the birthplace of Progressivism. Capital Hill Republican leadership are, on the other hand, gutless. They let the media define the terms, they capitulate to those terms, then they come out wondering why nobody loves them.
One more point for the "I love Palin but I think she's too damaged to get elected," set. Why are you letting the media pick our candidate? That will get us another Gerald H.W. Maverick McDole. Rolling over for the media is for losers. I want leaders who are willing to fight. I want to win.
I don't mind the high-pitched Alaskan twang and occasionally scrambled syntax, because they come with a tiny pair of bloody knuckles.
Edited on Apr 18, 2011 at 9:14amMar '11
Re: Palin Fights Like A Girl
I have been tweaking Democrat and Republican friends by declaring Palin as the inevitable next POTUS for months now. And over that time my tweaks have become more and more plausible. The same "independents" that voted for Obama because he was historic, cool, or black will vote for a feisty Palin who takes it to Obama because he lied, cheated and defrauded them as president.
Oct '10
Re: Palin Fights Like A Girl
Thanks Gus. "Want to win"... what an unusual phrase. Isn't it, "want to be liked so I can win?" Or is it, "want to read the electorate so I can reflect their sentiments, and therefore win." Palin's likability factor comes from simply declaring her positions with clarity and the courage to want to win.
We can count on the sophisticates, even here at Ricochet, to denigrate such a simple concept. After all, only really brainy people qualify for the position of leader. Smart and intellectual people, like Barak Obama.
Jul '10
Re: Palin Fights Like A Girl
As I said, the general population, and the Republican Primary Voters specifically, want someone who will -Play To Win!
They are tired of Playing To NOT Loose. And this 100; er 72; er 61; er 38 bllion dollar (sort of) budget deal was a classic Washington DC business as usual playing to NOT loose capitulation.
They are still not learning the O'Donnell lesson that people would rather be shafted by their enemies than their friends.
Sarah understands this.
Mar '11
Re: Palin Fights Like A Girl
Mollie,
I did start a member feed over the weekend where I and a few other Ricochet members posted our opinion of the speech - "Game On'.
I was beginning to think that Ricochet was becoming part of the lamestream media, which also ignored the speech - must, as you say, be an inside-the-beltway thing. Of course the whole point about Sarah Palin is that she is outside the beltway.
For those who think she is too damaged by the aforementioned lamestream media, I would point out that this will happen to any Conservative candidate we put forward. If we put forward another John McCain they will be happy and Mr Obama will win.
Edited on Apr 18, 2011 at 9:24amRe: Palin Fights Like A Girl
David,
I meant to link to that thread earlier. Here it is.
Dec '10
Re: Palin Fights Like A Girl
My favorite thing to do with respect to Palin is to say, "Well, yes, I see what you mean. After all, she is so...[little sneer]...working class."
Dec '10
Re: Palin Fights Like A Girl
I listened to her speech thru one of those blog links you noted in your post. Here was my first thought when it was over: Wow! That was better than anything I've heard from ANY of the current crop of R hopefuls. Second thought? I agreed with every single word. Since that is the case, why wouldn't I want her to run and win? I simply don't care what ANYONE else thinks. These vaunted independents that we all stress so much about are either too concerned with what everyone else thinks and can't make up their own minds or want a leader led by the most recent opinion poll. Sarah speaks for me, jabs hard at the press, GOP leadership, and our sorry excuse for a president. What's not to LOVE!
Dec '10
Re: Palin Fights Like A Girl
Deleted double post.
Edited on Apr 18, 2011 at 10:35amSep '10
Re: Palin Fights Like A Girl
As someone who wants a strong fighter who is fundamentally conservative to get the GOP nod, I must once again say that Sarah Palin cannot win. By saying that, it doesn't mean that Iwant to substitute some Gerald H.W. Maverick McDole (thanks, Gus) in her place. In fact that type of candidate also cannot win, and trust me I'm closer to voting for Palin than the clueless GOP corporate-moderate.
Please guys and gals, admit when the other side won this battle. It hurts to "reward" their behavior but they have pegged Palin with something she cannot shake and therefore it will doom her. She was and is unable to come off as someone who ordinary people can take seriously.
The left lies about a lot of things, and they will mock, demonize and belittle any and every GOP candidate that threatens them. But some of the lies they fervently believe and others they just use and don't really buy into - at least those who aren't complete drones of the left and in the middle. A Palin candidacy would play into their existing strategy so well it would be an absolute disaster.
continued..
Sep '10
Re: Palin Fights Like A Girl
A Palin candidacy would play into their existing strategy so well it would be an absolute disaster.
continued..
Democrats wouldn't have to run against Palin - they will run against the Palin stereotype, the one they have already created, the one that so many believe. They won't have to argue or defend Obama on one issue. They will only say - yeah but it's Obama vs. Palin so it's a no-brainer for me. Furthermore the Democratic base is so afraid of her they will come out in droves to vote against her If she makes one more significant gaffe she's done (if she isn't already)
She can deliver a good speech to our side. Great. But much more is needed. The base doesn't need to be fired up, we already are.
The independents and the middle need to vote for the GOP candidate this time. BUT, by saying this I'm not advocating for a RINO squish as some here call themselves and their candidates. I want a conservative who has some credibility and communication skills - not just with the base - and someone who the left can't easily mock.
Oct '10
Re: Palin Fights Like A Girl
I wonder if you were paying attention during the 1980 Reagan campaign. Do not take this as a comparison of the candidates. It is an observation of how the Left campaigns against an actual Conservative. Reagan was demonized and ridiculed throughout by the same lamestream media that uses the same strategy against Palin. It is merely the Alinsky Rules for Radicals approach. Isolate, demonize, ridicule and dismiss.
If you think any person who holds to the Conservative philosophy will receive any different treatment, you are indeed naive.
Get used to it.
Sep '10
Re: Palin Fights Like A Girl
raycon
I wonder if you were paying attention during the 1980 Reagan campaign. Do not take this as a comparison of the candidates. It is an observation of how the Left campaigns against an actual Conservative.
If you think any person who holds to the Conservative philosophy will receive any different treatment, you are indeed naive.
I am fully aware of how the left operates. A stopped clock is right twice a day. I hate to find myself on the same side as these people - but they have some truth in their assessment of Palin. I know it's hard to hear. I'm done fighting for candidates who won't A) defend themselves or conservative positions or B) fail to shore up their weaknesses and walk into left-wing punches, thus failing to advance the argument beyond those already convinced..
Palin hasn't done what is necessary to win over moderates. I don't mean change her positions on the issues. I mean, learn to talk like someone who could be President. She does not impress. I know you guys don't want to hear it and may shun me here for my forthrightness. So be it.
Mar '11
Re: Palin Fights Like A Girl
Raycon - spot on!
One would think the media would have a hard time demonizing Paul Ryan, but Mr Obama showed em the way. Not for nothing is he a disciple of Saul Alinsky - and he does it with such a smile and mellifluous tones... gonna be hard to beat.
So, damn the torpedoes - lets fight like girls!
Franco: we can agree to disagree - not sure what Palin can do to impress the Rino squishes, err, moderates - any ideas? Maybe well-creased pants and an operation on her larynx?
Edited on Apr 18, 2011 at 12:09pmSep '10
Re: Palin Fights Like A Girl
David Williamson: Raycon - spot on!
One would think the media would have a hard time demonizing Paul Ryan, but Mr Obama showed em the way. Not for nothing is he a disciple of Saul Alinsky - and he does it with such a smile and mellifluous tones... gonna be hard to beat.
Franco: we can agree to disagree - not sure what Palin can do to impress the Rino squishes.
Palin will energize the left and she would not impress the squishes who probably will not only not vote for her but they will publicly talk her down. So how will she win?
As I said it's one thing to demonize - they do it with everyone, it's another thing when people actually believe they are right. I'm saying that they don't really believe the stuff they say about Ryan or Gingrich - notice they don't call him stupid. No matter what they say about Gingrich they can't get the drones to the point where they don't think they even have to debate. Few are calling Bachmann stupid and if they keep doing that they are walking into a trap because the woman is obviously not stupid.
Oct '10
Re: Palin Fights Like A Girl
Franco: You'll get no argument from me about Bachmann. She lacks an executive track record, but so did Reagan. I would find supporting her a joyous occasion, and am fully enthusiastic for her. It is an enthusiasm that I share for Palin. We can disagree about that last name, but definitely agree on Bachmann.
Just remember, when Bachman starts to move against the Left and get traction, she will get that same treatment. Guess that you'll have to dump her also, when the time comes.
Edited on Apr 18, 2011 at 12:39pm