Sarah Palin's Got Guts
Say what you will about She Who Must Not Be Named, but even those of us who aren't aflutter at the idea of her potential presidential bid can't fault her for moxie. Palin's bus tour took her to Seabrook, New Hampshire today and the crowd that greeted her included the articulate young lad pictured at right.
Nor was his a silent protest. The local Portsmouth Patch quotes the man who is clearly the next Larry Sabato:
Brett Chamberlain of Durham held a sign titled, "Idiot Queen," in front of the hotel ...
"She is just really leading a rather rabid pack of these so-called Tea Party followers," he said.
Reuters, of course, also needed a quote:
"Many of Palin's policies are ludicrous. She's a panderer to the media and obviously enjoys the spotlight," said Chamberlin.
Put aside, if you can, the fact that Sarah Palin is probably the only politician in America who sends the journalists covering her scrambling to get commentary from the most deranged member of whatever crowd she appears in front of. What's more telling is her reaction to the man in question. She said hello:
Palin also spoke briefly to college student Brett Chamberlin, 20, of Durham, who held up a sign decrying Palin as an "Idiot Queen," saying she understood his right as an American to express his views.
Anyone who's ever seen a politician work a crowd with a heckler knows the drill: the politician doesn't make eye contact, generally does as much as possible to ignore the fact that the individual is there, and often has handlers to move either themselves or the antagonist out of the way. Yet the reports from New Hampshire indicate that Palin went out of her way to greet the low-budget provocateur. And even if telling him that she respected his right to free speech was a politician's banality, it's one that probably surpasses the capacity for civility that most of us would have in this situation.
That shows some grit. If anyone can be forgiven for wanting to avoid one more ad hominem barrage, it's Sarah Palin, a woman who inspires a level of vitriol from the left that should rightly be reserved for war criminals. Instead, she dove in head first.
It's also a study in contrasts. Last month, President Obama turned his back on the sister of a 9/11 victim at Ground Zero when she (in, by all accounts, a much more civil fashion) implored him to drop the Justice Department's investigation into CIA interrogators. Yet Palin, in a scenario where she certainly owed her interlocutor far less deference, stood her ground and gave him the time of day.
Presidential material? Nah. But every once in awhile, I'm reminded why I like the cut of her jib.
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Mar '11
Re: Sarah Palin's Got Guts
I have to admire someone who infuriates the people who’ve infuriated me for so long. She’s got great media chops, but she’s not presidential timbre nor is she always the best candidate picker. Still, I’m glad she’s on the national scene raising the collective blood pressure of the left.
May '10
Re: Sarah Palin's Got Guts
That's my girl! ♫ I looooooove her! ♫
May '10
Re: Sarah Palin's Got Guts
Roger that! Wish I could recall who first said it, but it goes, "Sarah Palin's got all the right enemies."
I was actually present on the floor of the RNC 2008 convention in Saint Paul the night she first addressed the adoring crowds. About five minutes in, I thought to myself, "The other side will be terrified of her. They'll have to do everything they can to destroy her."
Re: Sarah Palin's Got Guts
In my considered opinion, the Sarah Palin from that night could have been President of the United States.
Nitwit MN:
I was actually present on the floor of the RNC 2008 convention in Saint Paul the night she first addressed the adoring crowds. About five minutes in, I thought to myself, "The other side will be terrified of her. They'll have to do everything they can to destroy her." · Jun 2 at 7:05pm
Apr '11
Re: Sarah Palin's Got Guts
Gaaaaaahh! I finally finished reading the last SWMNBN thread (250+ comments!) and thought I had some breathing room. But nooooo...
Jun '10
Re: Sarah Palin's Got Guts
I'm ready for a decision. In or out Sarah? We need to know.
Dec '10
Re: Sarah Palin's Got Guts
Amazing how she has MSM following her around, hanging on for the scraps she dishes them, but she's the dummy right?
Dec '10
Re: Sarah Palin's Got Guts
Amazing how she has MSM following her around, hanging on for the scraps she dishes them, but she's the dummy right?
Mar '11
Re: Sarah Palin's Got Guts
Brett Chamberlain of Durham held a sign titled, "Idiot Queen," in front of the hotel ...
I for one think it is very brave of Mr. Chamberlain to be such an up-front spokesman for the mentally challenged gay community, and had I been there I would have congratulated him on his courage.
Feb '11
Re: Sarah Palin's Got Guts
Sarah Palin was a housewife who got elected governor of a state of the American Union.
Never forget that.
She may or may not be a candidate, may or may not be elected, but something in the greasy matter between her ears makes her a deadly sharp politician that every trick in the Alinsky playbook still hasn't been enough to destroy.
That she feels confidant enough to venture out and challenge ill-educated over-aged children "protesting" her appearance is just one sign among many.
Feb '11
Re: Sarah Palin's Got Guts
Troy Senik:
Last month, President Obama turned his back on the sister of a 9/11 victim at Ground Zero
Sadly, the begging crayfish we had in our aquarium for a few months was born with more class than Barack Obama can ever dream of attaining.
I hope Palin doesn't get the nomination. She has no chance of winning. But if she did, she would make the current occupant look like the dwarf he is, (Granted, not a very high standard.)
I also hope that someday an objective researcher does a study of the typical progressive's utterly psychotic responses to everything Palin. Is it individual pathologies on a vast scale, mass psychosis or something even stranger. It would seem to be a fertile field of inquiry.
Oct '10
Re: Sarah Palin's Got Guts
On the face of it, Palin is doing one thing.... Keeping the potential voters charged and maintaining interest. Not that one is fan of Glen Beck, save this just may be an extension of his rallies.
The whole point being that in the current thinking the guy with the most money wins. Perhaps if enough folks are encouraged to be involved and cast a vote for someone to fill the needs of the country. Just having money means just that. Wealth may be enviable, but does that simply qualify one for office ? Seems so today, Sadly..
Dec '10
Re: Sarah Palin's Got Guts
cdor, that's what makes her a formidable politician. She doesn't do what "everybody does." She will announce her "in or out" decision at the moment of greatest impact.
Dec '10
Re: Sarah Palin's Got Guts
jrb: "I also hope that someday an objective researcher does a study of the typical progressive's utterly psychotic responses to everything Palin. Is it individual pathologies on a vast scale, mass psychosis or something even stranger. It would seem to be a fertile field of inquiry."
Progressives are selling a product that they guarantee will get you closer to paradise on Earth than any other political belief system out there. Their pitch hinges on their contention that only Progressivism can liberate women to have it all: career, kids, love. Palin is the living refudiation of the Progressive sales pitch. Unless and until she is destroyed, Progressivism risks collapse under the weight of its lies.
Edited on Jun 2, 2011 at 9:23pmMar '11
Re: Sarah Palin's Got Guts
"Presidential material? Nah. But every once in awhile, I'm reminded why I like the cut of her jib." Conservative commentator material, Troy? - Nah.
Feb '11
Re: Sarah Palin's Got Guts
"...today's saturation journalism, mesmerized by presidential politics and ravenous for material, requires a steady stream of political novelties. In that role, Palin is united with the media in a relationship of mutual loathing. This is not her fault. But neither is it her validation." George Will
Sarah plays the media, yes, but Sarah provides them with a lot of material to sell advertising against. She is a story and people tune in, she helps them get readers and viewers which is ultimately what they care about. If there is a dummy in this situation it isn't her but isn't it the media either.
Nov '10
Re: Sarah Palin's Got Guts
Troy Senik:
Presidential material? Nah.
Compared to who? Glib dismissal it is, contradicted by your own first words.
Oct '10
Re: Sarah Palin's Got Guts
If bringing a hateful sign to a Palin rally means I'd get to meet her, I'm almost tempted to do it.
I agree with Troy; she doesn't seem like presidential material. But then, as Jefferson once said, it's healthy to replace your elites every once in a while; and Palin is certainly not of the mainstream political elite.
Sep '10
Re: Sarah Palin's Got Guts
Ducatista
Troy Senik:
Presidential material? Nah.
Compared to who? Glib dismissal it is, contradicted by your own first words. · Jun 2 at 10:31pm
Too bad so few Democrats and liberals dissed their pretty boy candidate Obama the way so many Republicans and conservatives so reflexively dismiss Sarah.
Mar '11
Re: Sarah Palin's Got Guts
Presidential material? Nah.
Troy, please define "presidential material," so I know what to look for from now on. Apparently, the conservative positions, stellar character, and undeniable moxie of Gov. Palin that lead me to be a supporter are inadequate.