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.
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May '10
Re: Palin and Snobbery
Conor Friedersdorf: 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.".....
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.
Remember- I am not a Palinite. But, Conor- 1) I said that the words - not necessarily you- were vulnerable to misinterpretation; seems to me you overreacted a bit. You are a smart guy, fully capable of assessing the nuances of sender-receiver dynamics. If you didn't intend venom, merely criticism by factual assessment, great. I accept the clarification.
However, I am curious where you got all the inside information about Palin's executive management style, how she delegates, makes decisions, etc. to be able to make the assertions above. It seems to me that all of our discussions and knowledge have regarded her writing-speaking-punditry; candidate-TV stuff, not government operations. Did I miss a book by her former aide?
May '10
Re: Palin and Snobbery
Duane,
My assessment is based on a bunch of reading I did back during the campaign in Alaska papers, and other coverage of her time as mayor and governor. If you've seen contrary evidence that Ms. Palin has proved herself a good manager in some instance, or a story about how she successfully delegated responsibility, or some cohesive set of core principles that she has laid out, I'd happily revise these assessments, but as yet, I've never encountered a Palin supporter who could offer the evidence that should ground their belief in these things.
And apologies if I overreacted RE venom. I'm enjoying our exchange.
May '10
Re: Palin and Snobbery
I have enjoyed every minute of the Ricochet podcasts except the discussion of Sarah Palin, which left me vaguely disappointed. I have a left wing pacifist brother who has a similar air of condescension when he discusses Palin, and I'd hoped for a slightly less elitist tone from our esteemed podcast participants.
I just read the 82 comments on this post (Whew! Guess this is a hot topic for many Ricochet follwers!) and agree with Will Collier's early statement that many urban and east-west coasters just don't "get" Sarah Palin's popularity. I moved to a small town 19 years ago and have much more positive impression of Palin than many in this thread. I know it's politically incorrect to mention that she's has a Down syndrome baby as well as a new grandchild, but to me her family situation probably influenced her decision to quit the governorship of Alaska, especially when she was repeatedly targeted by the left. Does that mean she's less qualified to be president in the near future? Definitely. Quitting, for whatever reason, is a black mark without doubt, but the derision toward Palin expressed both from our camp and the left seems way beyond what's deserved.
Edited on Sep 22, 2010 at 2:05pm