Sarah Palin: on Today today, out of politics tomorrow?
Palin speculation is a fool's game, but her co-hosting gig on the Today show spoke volumes, didn't it? And not in the way The Washington Post's Chris Cillizza thinks. Cillizza claims that Palin's NBC appearance "proves one thing beyond any doubt: She needs the media. Badly. And she knows it." And why?
If the media ignored Palin, she had — and has — no ability to be the sort of celebritician (a combination of a celebrity and politician) that she clearly wants to be.
Hold it right there. I, too, once thought that Palin plainly aspired to hold higher office. (That, of course, is what it means to be a politician. There are lots of people who aren't politicians who nonetheless talk to big audiences about things that include politics.) But I was wrong. I still think I'm right that Palin isn't going to fade into oblivion, but her choices this election cycle must lead a careful observer to conclude that she's pointed her ship away from a career in politics. Right? That's my provisional judgment, anyway:
It’s probably too strong to say Palin’s meandering path says something generational about relatively younger versus relatively older Americans. On the other hand, once a real career in public office is really dispensed with, perhaps Palin’s improvisations won’t be judged so harshly. So she’s trying to make the most of herself on something approaching her own terms. What could be more American than that?
The rest of my take is here.
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Aug '11
Re: Sarah Palin: on Today today, out of politics tomorrow?
I think Palin is playing the long game. After the media feeding frenzy in 2008 did all it could to destroy her, naturally it was going to take some time to build up her brand again. I think going on the Today show -- effectively wading right into the shark tank -- is pretty shrewd on her part. One can almost envision Palin saying to her fans "Look where I've planted my flag." You could almost see this as a sort of victory. Where they once sought to destroy her, now they seek legitimacy among conservatives by showcasing her.
Just remember, that Today show seat once belonged to Katie Couric. The wink is perfect.
Mar '11
Re: Sarah Palin: on Today today, out of politics tomorrow?
James, I agree completely with your analysis.
Palin's career as an officeholder is finished. But since her ability to provoke such strong emotions in both supporters and distractors gives her a veritable license to print money, she would be a fool not to capitalize on it.
The only question, now that her time as governor is fading into distant memory, is whether she maintains her relevance through her own talent as an entertainer (as Huckabee does), or whether she will again subject us to her intermittent "dabblings" in politics. Let's hope for the former.
Jul '10
Re: Sarah Palin: on Today today, out of politics tomorrow?
Better to be Kingmaker than to be King.
Or Queen, I guess.
Apr '11
Re: Sarah Palin: on Today today, out of politics tomorrow?
Wasn't it Andrew Breitbart who said she could be the "red state Oprah?"
Re: Sarah Palin: on Today today, out of politics tomorrow?
Probably. And why not? Oprah isn't even the blue state Oprah anymore. Sarah vs. Anderson would be the best daytime rivalry EVER.
Mar '11
Re: Sarah Palin: on Today today, out of politics tomorrow?
Palin is interested in unabashedly promoting the conservative message. This morning, as usual, she succeeded.
Feb '11
Re: Sarah Palin: on Today today, out of politics tomorrow?
She is following Breitbart's admonition: politics follows culture. By doing what she's doing, she is helping to turn the oil tanker that is our culture.
May '11
Re: Sarah Palin: on Today today, out of politics tomorrow?
James Poulos
Probably. And why not? Oprah isn't even the blue state Oprah anymore. Sarah vs. Anderson would be the best daytime rivalry EVER. · 42 minutes ago
Who is Anderson? I really don't know.
May '10
Re: Sarah Palin: on Today today, out of politics tomorrow?
I ceased considering any kind of support for Palin as a politician when she established her own reality TV show. If she wants to fight the culture wars from a media pulpit (becoming the "Red State Oprah" as mentioned above), I think that's a great role for her.
Re: Sarah Palin: on Today today, out of politics tomorrow?
Southern Pessimist
James Poulos
Probably. And why not? Oprah isn't even the blue state Oprah anymore. Sarah vs. Anderson would be the best daytime rivalry EVER. · 42 minutes ago
Who is Anderson? I really don't know. · 2 hours ago
Cooper, of CNN fame.
Nov '11
Re: Sarah Palin: on Today today, out of politics tomorrow?
Palin would make a great president- and a great Republican candidate and my husband and I were very disappointed she dropped out. It's her decision anytime of course, and while I would hesitate to say her political career is over her media career is only good for conservatives. Another thought is she re-setting her image, because the more she's seen the less the lies can work. A thought I've had on some of brokered convention articles is it would be entirely fitting for her to win the nomination without spending a dime in the primaries (I know, a pipe dream and that is why I didn't comment). It would also be a huge hit on the idea a candidate must money grub so much and practically buy the election (esp. Obama), and her claim that she is beholden to no one but the electorate.
Mar '11
Re: Sarah Palin: on Today today, out of politics tomorrow?
Yes. Palin is analyzed from every possible perspective by some very smart people who are frustrated that they can't find a pattern. They miss the point. She does what she wants to promote conservatism, and does what she wants very well.
Mar '11
Re: Sarah Palin: on Today today, out of politics tomorrow?
And she would make a better president than anyone, anyone, the smart people put forward. Compare records and accomplishments and also compare what others owe to donors in quid pro quo and what Palin owes to anyone. My fear is that we'll continue to jerk around with politicians who don't quite "get it" before a Palin or Palin-like candidate has a chance to implement some "sudden and relentless reform" and our country is lost to the timid and the left.
Jul '10
Re: Sarah Palin: on Today today, out of politics tomorrow?
If Romney loses (more or less a coinflip) Palin is my darkhorse pick for the 2016 nomination. I'm not suggesting even odds (or better) between her and the imaginary field, but there is little chance that say Ryan, Rubio, or Jindal (let alone Santorum) start out as anything other than underdogs to her if she enters.
Consider the likely reaction of a GOP primary electorate responding to consecutive losses by a McCain and a Romney... particularly if Obamacare isn't struck down.
Jun '10
Re: Sarah Palin: on Today today, out of politics tomorrow?
Mendel: James, I agree completely with your analysis.
Palin's career as an officeholder is finished. But since her ability to provoke such strong emotions in both supporters and distractors gives her a veritable license to print money, she would be a fool not to capitalize on it.
The only question, now that her time as governor is fading into distant memory, is whether she maintains her relevance through her own talent as an entertainer (as Huckabee does), or whether she will again subject us to her intermittent "dabblings" in politics. Let's hope for the former. · 6 hours ago
So, Mendel, what policy that Sarah Palin supports do you disagree with? Or are you just disappointed, as am I, that she chose not to enter the race for POTUS this year? I couldn't tell if your comment was just another smirkish remark against Palin, or if you had something important to emit.
Mar '11
Re: Sarah Palin: on Today today, out of politics tomorrow?
cdor
So, Mendel, what policy that Sarah Palin supports do you disagree with? Or are you just disappointed, as am I, that she chose not to enter the race for POTUS this year? I couldn't tell if your comment was just another smirkish remark against Palin, or if you had something important to emit.
I have great respect for Palin's obvious political talents and savvy, but I'm not convinced she would make a good candidate or president. However, I am convinced that 2012 was her last realistic chance to be elected to national office.
But what I really didn't like about Palin was her (thankfully brief) game last fall of "will-I-or-won't-I" regarding her possible candidacy. She has the potential to be a great media presence and a forceful conservative advocate, but her gratuitous teasing that she might run for president didn't help the cause. Other than that, I wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors.
Jul '11
Re: Sarah Palin: on Today today, out of politics tomorrow?
Palin will continue to do what is best for her, her family and her cause. That may lead her back to being an elected official or it may not. I suspect that she will continue to be a thorn in the establishments side for a long time to come. I look forward to it.
Jun '10
Re: Sarah Palin: on Today today, out of politics tomorrow?
Mendel, good response. I understand your point of view and you may be right. Somehow, especially if Romney and his fellow Republicans mess up this fall, she may be back, but it won't be to lead the Republican Party as we now know it.