Palin and Snobbery
Claire Berlinski ·
Jun 12, 2010 at 12:16am
During our podcast conversation about Sarah Palin, I noticed that everyone seemed to express some variant on the sentiment that they wished they liked her more because she so obviously infuriates the people they most loathe. I discussed this phenomenon in a review of her autobiography. It's a curious kind of blackmail. Why should we pretend to love her just because pantywaist leftists are snobs about her? If the same snobs refuse to eat Velveeta, that still doesn't mean it's a great cheese.
- Comment (83)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (7)
Comments :
Jun '10
Re: Palin and Snobbery
Well, Conor, what's that old saying? Oh yea, now I remember. "Now there ya go again"!!
"Can anyone quote or provide a link to an original intellectual insight she has had?"
To tell the truth Conor, I don't follow every thought Sarah Palin expresses and I haven't studied those she has expressed in the past for the purpose of determining if they were original. Why? Because I couldn't care less and, frankly, I don't understand how you would determine an "original" thought, or even why you would consider that important.
Sarah Palin is an executive type, a doer. Some poeple, perhaps you are one, are thinkers. There's nothing wrong with being a thinker, so I won't criticize you for your lack of actionable accomplishments, nor will I search your files for actual original insight. I'll just trust you on that one.
Edited on Jun 15, 2010 at 7:47amRe: Palin and Snobbery
I take two things away from this fantastic conversation: Sarah Palin continues to be one of the most controversial and interesting figures in American politics, and conservatives are excited but also anxious as the 2012 presidential election approaches. On Palin, I urge everyone to read Norman Podhoretz's March 2010 essay: "What she does know -- and in this respect, she does resemble Reagan -- is that the United States has been a force for good in the world, which is more than Barack Obama, whose IQ is no doubt higher than hers, has yet to learn."
Most failed vice presidential candidates fade away. Not Palin. Why? I think it's because of her remarkable political savvy. She has a deep connection with the conservative grassroots, because she is one of them. Surely that counts for something.
On 2012, we should all relax. The midterms aren't even over! Right now the top tier of candidates is Romney, Huckabee, and Pawlenty. Daniels, Palin, and Gingrich are thinking about it but may not run in the end. It's likely a dark horse will emerge: Who was talking about Huckabee in July 2006? Politics is a dynamic and ever-changing process. Speculation is fun. But it's only speculation.
Re: Palin and Snobbery
Matthew Continetti: [...] On Palin, I urge everyone to read Norman Podhoretz's March 2010 essay: "What she does know -- and in this respect, she does resemble Reagan -- is that the United States has been a force for good in the world, which is more than Barack Obama, whose IQ is no doubt higher than hers, has yet to learn."
Most failed vice presidential candidates fade away. Not Palin. Why? I think it's because of her remarkable political savvy. She has a deep connection with the conservative grassroots, because she is one of them. Surely that counts for something.
Great point 2, Matt. But I say N-Pod is strawmanning Obama. The truth is more complicated -- in a more reassuring, but also more troubling, way. I'm certain Obama does think America has been a force for good -- insofar as it has created the biggest possibility for goodness in the world to transcend America. A long tradition of left patriotism in America views US history as the history of moral progress in the world, overcoming a new social injustice at every leap, and pointing to ever-greater overcomings -- including, finally, American exceptionalism itself. Obama's moral sense of America is strong, but he dreams the wrong dream.
May '10
Re: Palin and Snobbery
Palin in the VP debate: "Let's commit ourselves; we need to ban together and say, 'Never again. Never will we be exploited and taken advantage of again.' ...We need to not get ourselves in debt we can't afford. Let's do what our parents told us even before we got that first credit card, Don't live outside of our means. We need to make sure that, as individuals, we're taking personal responsibility through all of this."
My challenge is now to Conor. Find me an insight by any of the other three candidates--or, hell, by any politician--which more profoundly states what should be the lesson of the last decade. Everyone please feel free to help Conor out in his search.
Jun '10
Re: Palin and Snobbery
Re: New and original insights.
"Under the current imperfect administration of the Universe, most new ideas are false, so most improvements make matters worse."
~George Will
I will tell you from my experience as a teacher that liberal educators worship at the altar of all that is "new and innovative." Such ideas usually amount to more flapdoodle and humbug, but that doesn't matter to the liberal mind. "New" is always identified as "progressive" and "progressive" is always by definition "good."
In contrast, the conservative bases his ideas on a firm foundation of tradition before moving "forward." Under the present circumstances moving forward means returning to our foundational principles. Mrs. Palin is doing just fine in this regard.
Jun '10
Re: Palin and Snobbery
Aye, aye Paules!
Re: Palin and Snobbery
Scott Reusser: Palin in the VP debate: "Let's commit ourselves; we need to ban together and say, 'Never again. Never will we be exploited and taken advantage of again.' ...We need to not get ourselves in debt we can't afford. Let's do what our parents told us even before we got that first credit card, Don't live outside of our means. We need to make sure that, as individuals, we're taking personal responsibility through all of this."[...] Find me an insight by any of the other three candidates--or, hell, by any politician--which more profoundly states what should be the lesson of the last decade.
A great line, Scott. I had hopes for Teh Fred for similar reasons. The issue is that distilling the case for private and public responsibility should be necessary to a good candidacy but not sufficient. That's not original intellectual insight. It doesn't need to be. But a strong candidate wins confidence by showing at least some.
May '10
Re: Palin and Snobbery
Matt argues that Sarah Palin knows "the United States has been a force for good in the world, which is more than Barack Obama, whose IQ is no doubt higher than hers, has yet to learn."
Does Sarah Palin really "know" that the United States has been a force for good in the world? Or does she believe it because people she trusts tells her it is so? I suspect what Sarah Palin really knows is that "the United States has been a force for good" is a savvy thing to say if you're trying to appeal to a conservative audience.
I happen to believe that the United States has been a force for good in the world. But I'll only believe Sarah Palin "knows" this when she makes an argument for why it is so that involves more than talking points.
And Scott, I agree with James: the credit card line and the sentiment behind it isn't an original insight. Its what Republicans, including my grandparents around the dinner table, have been saying at least as long as I've been alive.
Also, Matt, shouldn't "political savvy" require not just winning popularity or even elections, but achieving actual policy advances?
May '10
Re: Palin and Snobbery
Conor and James: Couple points. First, isn't it hilarious that we're pushing 70 posts on Palin? Like you all, I don't want her to be president, but we must admit that the woman is a force of nature, for good or bad. Second, as conservatives why are we so hung up on "original" insights. I'm more impressed with the pedestrian kind, especially those time-tested insights which are seldom uttered because they take political courage--like calling out the American people for their irresponsibility. I haven't heard any original intellectual insights out of Chris Christie either, but his insights might as well be original, since only he has had the courage to say them.
That said, I understand and share your concerns about Palin's intellectual firepower, if only to avoid the "high wire act."
May '10
Re: Palin and Snobbery
Scott,
If by "a force of nature" you mean that Sarah Palin can attract people to her speaking engagements, sell books, and engender feelings of trust among certain Americans, I won't deny it, but I would suggest that these qualities no more qualify her as a political lodestar than Oprah Winfrey -- or to name another "force of nature" on the campaign trail, Barack Obama, whose cult of personality was prudently mocked by the right until folks on our side of the political spectrum started talking about how they just "know" that we can "trust" Sarah because she is "authentic" (this about someone they only encounter through friendly tv interviews, a ghost written book, and speeches written by other people).
This trust is especially puzzling given that John McCain, the least trusted establishment Republican of them all, is the one who chose Sarah Palin with an assist from Bill Kristol, a longtime McCain champion who also happens to be an Inside the Beltway media elite -- and lo and behold, Ms. Palin has quickly embraced the culture of insider political favors, endorsing McCain against a more conservative challenger while making tons of money selling books.
Yet she remains a Tea Party favorite!
Re: Palin and Snobbery
Agree, but my "hangup" is in part a consequence of the preferred alternative, to which not even Palin is immune: canned responses, simplistic catchphrases, and rhetoric that replaces, not embellishes, serious policy arguments.
Keep America Weird! This is part of the fun insanity of American public life. It can survive, of course, only in the wild, and is certain to die in White House captivity.
May '10
Re: Palin and Snobbery
Palin's work on behalf of McCain is laudable- loyalty should mean something; in the same situation, I would bet that Ronald Reagan would have been out there waving banners. It should only be trumped if there is a clear violation of principle by following that route. And pushing a nativist mediocrity like Hayworth is not a trump card, no matter what he says about spending. If it were McCain against Kyl, you would have a point.
And, ParisParamus, I am not a "Mr."- the only one who calls me that is my wife if she's irritated, so I avoid that eventuality like Breitbart at the DailyKos Netroots convention. I am, however, curious why you don't believe Pawlenty would help Romney, other than the fact that he is a white male. Please elucidate.
May '10
Re: Palin and Snobbery
When the swarm of cringers, suckers, dough-faces, lice of politics, planners of sly involutions for their own preferment to city offices or state legislatures or the judiciary or congress or the presidency obtain a response of love and natural deference from the people whether they get the offices or no... when it is better to be a bound booby and rogue in office at a high salary than the poorest free mechanic or farmer with his hat unmoved from his head and firm eyes and a candid and generous heart... then only shall the instinct of liberty be discharged from that part of the earth.
Question. Was Walt Whitman describing Palin or her conservative detractors?
Norman Podhoretz in that WSJ piece: When William F. Buckley Jr..... quipped that he would rather be ruled by the first 2,000 names in the Boston phone book than by the combined faculties of Harvard and MIT, most conservative intellectuals responded with a gleeful amen. But put to the test by the advent of Sarah Palin, along with the populist upsurge represented by the Tea Party movement, they have demonstrated that they never really meant it.
You don't have to be a Palin-for-Prez person to notice.
Jun '10
Re: Palin and Snobbery
Not to belabor this discussion, which has gone about as far as it can, but Powerline had a post today that is directly on point to Palin's perceived intelligence, or lack thereof. I apologize to Mr. Freidersdorf for my gruff response to his first post on this subject, but I just don't understand why we spend so much time beating up on conservative politicians when our country is flailing before our very eyes. Anyway, for those who haven't read it:
http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2010/06/026533.php
It begins with this:
Now, let me ask you a question: You've all read about the great men and women of history. Do you recall ever reading that a major historical figure was "bright"? Of course not. No one would even think of describing anyone of significance that way. The issue is not whether someone is 'bright.' The issue is whether that person is competent and wise.
This post was referring to Obama, but is just as relevant here.
May '10
Re: Palin and Snobbery
Cdor,
No need to apologize, and thanks for posting that link. Also, I'd say the Framers and Lincoln were all quite bright.
At this point, Sarah Palin isn't a conservative politician. She doesn't hold any office, nor is she running for one. So what is she? Well, she is functioning as a public intellectual -- doing television commentary, publishing a book, engaging public discourse on Facebook, etc. Is she a competent and wise public intellectual, or commentator, or whatever it is that she is doing? I don't think so.
Let me offer a compelling example. We're told that Ms. Palin is an expert on energy -- that if there is one issue she knows about, it's oil, due to what we're told was an impressive tenure as governor of Alaska, when she dealt with the oil companies.
Well, take a look at this Fox News interview. Does that sound to you like someone who is able to effectively critique President Obama? Does it sound like someone who knows a lot about the subject at hand, her supposed expertise? Does she sound wise? Forthright about what she knows and what she doesn't? And we're told that is the issue she knows most about.
Jun '10
Re: Palin and Snobbery
Conor, she is not functioning as an intellectual because she is not an intellectual, nor have I ever seen nor heard her claim to be an intellectual. That bothers you more than me, apparently. Does someone have to be an intellectual to have an inherent or internal wisdom about life? Would you take your car to Joe Biden or BHB if you were having mechanical problems? Would you call your college professor to fix your plumbing or electrical problems? Would you ask Charles Krauthammer to run the military in a war? Intellectuals have their place for sure. I don't know that they always make great executives. A car mechanic might very well have a greater feel for economics than a college professor or a lawyer. The article spoke about this very issue. Einstein's professors were unimpressed by him. You are unimpressed by Sarah Palin. That's just fine with me. But why is it you think it is so important for you to make sure everyone knows your disdain? What has she done to acquire your wrath? .Isn' t she promoting conservative policies and conservative politicians? Your critique seems venomous and I do not understand it.
May '10
Re: Palin and Snobbery
Cdor,
Sarah Palin resigned her governorship. She has since written a book, been paid handsomely to give speeches, signed on as a Fox News analyst, and endorsed candidates in certain races. In other words, she makes her living doing the same thing that journalists and public intellectuals do. That is how we encounter her in public life: through her written words and her spoken rhetoric.
How should we evaluate her if not by her ideas? Is the fact that someone promotes conservative politicians enough to put heir commentary on national affairs beyond criticism? Is it unreasonable to point out the manifold flaws of someone who a lot of conservatives would like to see run for office? Why is it verboten to argue that the trust a lot of conservatives put in Sarah Palin's judgment is unjustified, or that she is not a very effective advocate for conservative ideas, or that her expertise on energy issues is exaggerated?
These are the kinds of straightforward criticisms that are made of everyone operating in the world of ideas, but when they are made of Ms. Palin the critic is accused of venom (and the allegedly venomous words are never quoted).
May '10
Re: Palin and Snobbery
I agree that the words are not "venomous". I think that they are vulnerable to an interpretation, presumably unintended, of condescension- both toward Palin herself, and toward many of her followers (Democracy Corps' "conservative Republicans").
I do think that the modern American political scene has been captured by the extemporaneously glib, coupled with an expectation of instant recall expertise on virtually every public policy topic. We now have Mr. Glib in the WH. Enjoy. He will declaim on vital subjects upon prompting- e.g., Reinhold Niebuhr.
I prefer good management- people who can delegate and assess alternatives when presented using a set of solid principles.
But then, I still admire (psst- George Bush) too, so what do I know.
May '10
Re: Palin and Snobbery
Duane,
You accused me of being venomous without quoting me. I'm glad you now agree that word doesn't apply to my critique, but suddenly I'm "vulnerable" to being interpreted as "condescending." Well, okay. Is that interpretation correct? If not why bring up my vulnerability to it? If so, can you actually cite where I've been condescending? I've certainly been far less so that your treatment of President Obama in the very same post.
We can agree that "good management" is desirable -- certainly preferable to mere glibness -- but I am unsure how that is relevant since Ms. Palin has never proved herself to be a good manager, or good at delegating, or adept at assessing alternatives, or possessed of any identifiable set of solid principles. Time and again, when I press Ms. Palin's defenders, or even the critics of her critics, they can neither provide evidence that she's being treated as unfairly as they imagine nor defend their assessment of her supposed strengths.
This phenomenon is troubling to me because I want a strong, functional conservative movement adept at competently governing, and if that is your goal Sarah Palin is the wrong champion to rally behind, whether as candidate or intellectual.
Jun '10
Re: Palin and Snobbery
It looks like, Conor, she makes her money now doing the same thing you do. She seems to be quite successful. She is actively promoting, campaigning, endorsing conservative candidates. She seems to be pretty successful in that area as well. Many conservatives do like her. Why is it your job to determine that her supporters have poor judgement? Is she evil, casting an ungodly spell over the American electorate? You have stated your postion and made your points. Everyone in the world,that knows or cares about you, knows you do not like Sarah Palin. You seem to think she is harmong the conservative movemet. I would propose the possibility that the harm is being caused by those conservatives making a living criticizing everything she does.