Ran across this today. Interesting to see all of it in one place.
http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/07/08 ... -the-press
I still think that, in practical terms, quitting is an effective end to her political career, regardless of how sympathetic anyone might be to what she has suffered. On a personal level, I do sympathize, but I expect leaders at that level to cowboy up. That's one reason of many I'm not a politician. It sounds like hell to me. At any rate, I think a fair percentage of conservatives will feel the same way about her quitting the office, and of course we know what liberals think about her, so she's left with a fraction of right-wing supporters. Enthusiastic though they may be, it's not enough.
Nutty Puppy or Crazy Fox?
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Bill Glasheen
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I don't spend a lot of time bathing in the mainstream media, so I wasn't exposed to a lot of the nastiness that was discussed in Mikes piece--mostly I saw the interviews and Tina Fey, and the debate. I do believe that she wasn't given a fair shake. I imagine some of it has to do with being the opposite of what people expect from women in politics, mostly--just like Clarence Thomas or Alan Keyes got / get nothing like the Obama welcome.
The thing that grates on me soooo much is her delivery. GWB, explaining his rationale for war initially, or the ongoing management, made me want to punch him in the face. His flippant facial expressions, that joke before the announcement we were going to war, just his general inability to deliver a message was so infuriating. Colin Powell explained just about exactly the same stuff and for the same reasons in interviews and made me believe it all. Instead of angry, I was left believing him because he acknowledged some mistakes and set out the rationale for the plan without obnoxious rhetoric, political overtones, gaffes, or goofiness. And Palin... ok, didn't get a fair shake, but WTF is she ever talking about? And what is with the high pitched ending to sentences about those liberal elites and the condescending "doncha know?" and folksy hometown kitsch? Seriously?
This is simple: "I am resigning because politically motivated attacks on me, mainly expensive ethics investigations, have handicapped my ability to advance my agenda and are costing Alaskans too much money. While I regret resigning, I fee it is best for the state, which deserves a governor who is not handicapped by these attacks." Period. Or: "it's for family reasons." Bonus point: "I am now going to (work on national issues with the RNC / run for president / go to disneyland / give some speeches." And then I say, "ok, this Palin, she's been mistreated and I am sympathetic."
But in a press conference and a followup interview she can't get these words out? She's talking about fish and how she thrives on a challenge so she's quitting, and also she's not running again so she has to quit now, because once someone is within a year or two of finishing office, you know, they all just resign. You can change things much more effectively with no office or plan. WHAT?
Biden's propensity to make stuff up, to borrow other people's words, and to make inflammatory comments is world renowned too, and gives me a similar level of frustration, BTW. Don't let this guy give the talk on the pandemic or the terrorist attack. Yikes! Reminds me of local idiot Aguirre, who suggested we evacuate San Diego at a cost of a trillion zillion bucks, because OMG we were inhaling a bit of smoke for a few days! People can't leave if they want to, so let's uh, force them! Smokers should be protected from their habit asap with government intervention! Reelect me! Nope, I voted for the republican, the one who wasn't a spaz.
The thing that grates on me soooo much is her delivery. GWB, explaining his rationale for war initially, or the ongoing management, made me want to punch him in the face. His flippant facial expressions, that joke before the announcement we were going to war, just his general inability to deliver a message was so infuriating. Colin Powell explained just about exactly the same stuff and for the same reasons in interviews and made me believe it all. Instead of angry, I was left believing him because he acknowledged some mistakes and set out the rationale for the plan without obnoxious rhetoric, political overtones, gaffes, or goofiness. And Palin... ok, didn't get a fair shake, but WTF is she ever talking about? And what is with the high pitched ending to sentences about those liberal elites and the condescending "doncha know?" and folksy hometown kitsch? Seriously?
This is simple: "I am resigning because politically motivated attacks on me, mainly expensive ethics investigations, have handicapped my ability to advance my agenda and are costing Alaskans too much money. While I regret resigning, I fee it is best for the state, which deserves a governor who is not handicapped by these attacks." Period. Or: "it's for family reasons." Bonus point: "I am now going to (work on national issues with the RNC / run for president / go to disneyland / give some speeches." And then I say, "ok, this Palin, she's been mistreated and I am sympathetic."
But in a press conference and a followup interview she can't get these words out? She's talking about fish and how she thrives on a challenge so she's quitting, and also she's not running again so she has to quit now, because once someone is within a year or two of finishing office, you know, they all just resign. You can change things much more effectively with no office or plan. WHAT?
Biden's propensity to make stuff up, to borrow other people's words, and to make inflammatory comments is world renowned too, and gives me a similar level of frustration, BTW. Don't let this guy give the talk on the pandemic or the terrorist attack. Yikes! Reminds me of local idiot Aguirre, who suggested we evacuate San Diego at a cost of a trillion zillion bucks, because OMG we were inhaling a bit of smoke for a few days! People can't leave if they want to, so let's uh, force them! Smokers should be protected from their habit asap with government intervention! Reelect me! Nope, I voted for the republican, the one who wasn't a spaz.
--Ian
Good article in the NYT today. Not as good as the Cannon article, but it gives the perspective mainly from insider-supporters.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/13/us/po ... ?th&emc=th
While there are a lot of things in the mix, one "take home" seems to be that, given how polarized the country is, taking prominent national political role is not good for your political health as a governor if you rely on bipartisan support. Her my-way-or-the-highway leadership style was perhaps totally dependent upon it.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/13/us/po ... ?th&emc=th
While there are a lot of things in the mix, one "take home" seems to be that, given how polarized the country is, taking prominent national political role is not good for your political health as a governor if you rely on bipartisan support. Her my-way-or-the-highway leadership style was perhaps totally dependent upon it.
Mike
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Jason Rees
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