My Knowledge of Sarah Palin
I've written 2 blogs here these past 2 days, and received comments questioning my knowledge--or lack thereof--of Sarah Palin. Okay, for better or worse, here's the truth. Never met her, though would love to. Never been to Alaska, though would like to go--especially to Wasilla. Haven't read "Going Rogue" yet, though no one else has either. (Maybe Todd has??) Not only that, I was a Democrat since 1960, only becoming a Palin fan on August 29, 2008. Okay, so where do I get my "knowledge" of Ms Palin? Except for those who really know her (friends, neighbors, members of her staff when she held offices in Alaska, family), I'm pretty sure most fans of Palin got their "knowledge" the same way I did. (Actually, it's likely most fans of Palin go on gut instinct and emotion and seeing "similarities" between themselves and Sarah, not on first-hand knowledge of her.) Starting 8/29/08, I've spent many hours watching videos of her press conferences, interviews, and speeches. I've seen dozens of them, and watched some of them many times. I've read 4 biographies of her--by Joe Hilley, G. Robert James, Lorenzo Benet, and Kaylene Johnson. In my library, I've read many editions of Anchorage Daily News. I go every day to Conservatives4Palin, Texas for Sarah Palin, The Book of Sarah, and Sarah's FB page, where I've read all 72 of her Notes. I've read all the magazine articles I could find on her, including negative ones. So my knowledge is not total, nor, by scholarly standards, even that extensive. But, compared to most of her blogging critics, and those who display their retched humanity in their comments, and even those who refuse to give her respect due a former Mayor, Governor, and Vice-Presidential candidate, despite calling themselves "professional" journalists, I'd say my own knowledge of Sarah Palin is more than adequate to the task at hand, which is to state my OPINION about Sarah Palin. That I've never met her, or know every single detail of every single moment in her life, should not disqualify me from speaking out. I look forward to reading "Going Rogue".
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Go rogue someplace else.
October 18, 2009 7:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
So far, you aren't doing Sarah any favors, you are sounding more like a teenager with a crush. If you truly are attempting to help her - you have to do better, because so far you're only hurting her and making yourself look inept in your self proclaimed role to tout her abilities and competency to be a credible POTUS candidate.
I reiterate - If you want those here (or elsewhere) to give credence to your platform, you need to do more than parse her speeches (some not written by her) and give specific examples of actions and stances by Sarah of which you are personally knowledgeable (by careful research based on factual documentation - not speeches or interviews).
If you are basing your pro-Palin stance on only what she's 'said', the truth is that Obama is a much better orator and debater. Give the opposition credit for their strengths and come back with factual data on specific issues that she has proffered and acted upon. If you truly want to positively impact and convince any that Palin is a better option.
I live in Alaska and have been able to form my impressions and stances about Sarah on facts, personal interactions and knowledge. I'm a registered Independent - not affiliated with Repubs or Dems.
As for your previous comments that most Americans don't read the bills - 'Most Americans' aren't going to be in the running for POTUS. If you want to influence any that she is truly competent and has the required knowledge to be POTUS, then provide the basics that prove she subscribes to higher standards in her review, abilities and acumen on the issues.
October 18, 2009 7:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well said.
October 19, 2009 9:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
As always.
October 19, 2009 9:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
You're assuming that anyone that supports Palin has an IQ high enough to actually engage in research, reading or thought...
October 19, 2009 4:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Okay, I have a confession to make. After initially laughing at your first post (I really did think it was a joke!) I've tried to believe that you aren't just funnin' with us.
If you have truly read and watched all you said you have and still think she is qualified to be POTUS, I have serious concerns for your mental health.
I am more inclined to think that you ARE just having a giggle at our expense, and I was correct to laugh at the joke.
At any rate, whatever your motive, welcome to TPM...you will certainly add to the entertainment value around here!
The question is, fellow TPMers, will we feed her, ignore her or try to convert her?
October 18, 2009 7:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is actually a reply to both Aunt Sam and yourself. I apparently came to TPM lacking knowledge of their political leanings---leftist. My mistake. I really did think this was part of Michele Bachmann's stage, so thought I'd be among people of like persuasion. Again, my mistake. I will not post here again. Afraid? NO! Just realize it's not worth my time, knowing how the left thinks and feels about Sarah Palin. But you need to understand that most Palin fans/supporters don't know her personally, don't live in Alaska, probably aren't even that involved in politics. They just feel a kinship---for many reasons, some unexplainable with words---with her, and thus trust her and are willing to believe what she says and writes to be true, and to NOT trust or believe her critics, especially after they've read some of the hateful comments made about her on blogsites...or anywhere. I'd be willing to bet a lot of people (most?) voted for President Obama based more on emotion and gut instincts and, yes, wanting to cross the racial divide, rather than on first-hand knowledge of his views and policies. Anyway, it's been fun. I'm glad you took the time to read my blogs. Fare thee well, my fellow Americans!
October 18, 2009 8:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Regardless of political affiliations, no one should ever vote for POTUS based on emotions and feelings of 'kinship' without regard for proven knowledge, ability and competence - not to mention proof of intelligence and ethical standards.
This type of voter is exactly why we are in the mess we are in and have the government we deserve!
Shame on you and anyone who marks any ballot without knowledge of candidate's acumen and history in all things pertinent! Basing the security and future of our country on emotion is, IMHO, insanity! No matter party or candidate!
October 18, 2009 8:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Gee, by your standards Obama would still be a community organizer!
October 19, 2009 7:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
Unless I am mistaken, that is ultimately the highest function of a President. The community is the USA.
As for this Palin cultist, my only question is how deep were your personal convictions before the adoration set in? Really does sound like a teenage crush more than thoughtful reasoning.
You bio suggests you were a conflicted Democrat, to put it mildly, but my own gut tells me your party affiliation had more to do with peer pressure (Bellingham, no less) than it did with your vote.
I've been to Bellingham, My youngest son lives there these days. It is a very progressive city. It would be easy for any old hypocrite to claim to be a Democrat, but then vote Republican behind the polling booth curtain..
And as for Palin, her appearance and personality seems to have captivated too many people for all the wrong reasons. Just the fact she resigned should be at least some sort of proof she's not the noble public servant we are being served up here.
",,,give her respect due a former Mayor, Governor, and Vice-Presidential candidate,"
As far as I can see, she misused all those opportunities, and literally abused her position as Governor.
Regardless of her foot-in-mouth problems, her politics alone should give your gut some sort of check.
But I am tending more towards Bwakfat's last comment, there's something fishy in this whole tale. Not that a lifelong conservative Dem couldn't find kinship with the person Palin, especially a lonely person who puts seemingly strong, manly women on a pedestal, but I can't see the reconciliation with the politician Palin.
Go ahead, have a beer with her, but don't vote for her.
October 19, 2009 9:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
",,,give her respect due a former Mayor, Governor, and Vice-Presidential candidate,"
Just wanted to extrapolate a bit on that statement.
Since when did any of those "qualities" constitute "character?"
George Allen was Governor of Virginia and Senator from Virginia, but he proved in one youtube moment how unworthy he is of respect.
Especially in this day and age (but probably all the way back to the Greeks) political achievement can prove devious ambition as readily as personal character.
"Politicians," per se, rank lower than used car salesmen on the totem pole of puiblic respect. Since when did their position command respect?
Not that there aren't a whole lot of good people in politics, both behind the scenes and up on the stage. But to suggest political achievement assures personal character is naive or disingenuous.
October 19, 2009 10:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
Don't let the door hit your ass on the way out.
October 18, 2009 8:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's not very nice. Shouldn't you be happy to have people with other viewpoints here? It is a dangerous thing to listen to only one point of view, one side of every story. That's why I stop by, just to see what the left thinks, and to try to figure out why they do so. I find it amazing that people can see the same things and draw directly opposite conclusions.
October 19, 2009 7:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
Then you ought to be well aware by now that you are unwelcome.
Of course, awareness has not been your strong suit, Chihuahua. Neither has fact-based reasoning.
October 19, 2009 9:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
"Shouldn't you be happy to have people with other viewpoints here?"
Not when they are literally advertising. Advocacy of political ideology is one thing, selling books written by political opportunists is wholly different.
This is surely hypocritical, coming from such an incessant anti-everything-we-say avatar.
Why can't you appreciate OUR opinions? You seem cocked to disagree without even pondering that maybe JUST MAYBE, you might be wrong, and not the least bit clever.
But, as with most bona fide trolls, you aren't open minded enough to consider your opinion as anything but fact. You couldn't learn from Horace Mann if he was alive, because you already know everything.
Some of us come here to learn from each other and gain inspiration. Others just come by to trash the place, then brag to their conservative pals how clever they are. You, like so many others who have come and gone, delude yourself that your provocations teach anyone anything.
Just more wasted words and ideological handsprings, when we need real answers.
October 19, 2009 9:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
Very well said...
October 19, 2009 9:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
Do you have any idea how it sounds to say you are a Palin FAN? She is not a contestant on American Idol... She is attempting to be the leader of the free world. She doesn't like how hard it is to be Governor of Alaska...she quit, rather than be a lame duck Gov... Or was it for the money? Either way, does that not give you pause?
If she can't deal with the stress of her small world, how can any rational, thinking person believe she could cope with the stress of deciding how many more of our young people are going to die trying to change a country like Afghanistan? Or deal with people like the leaders of Iran or North Korea? Do you think she would just bat her eyelashes and have them eating out of her hand the way she does the old white guys in the republican party?
I'm going to take a spin around Michelle Bachmann's website...I have such a difficult time believing she would send anyone to TPM to learn more about her...
Why am I writing this? You can not possibly be real.
October 18, 2009 10:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Seriously, you can write this and be an Obama supporter? What in his past could have possibly indicated that he was ready to be president? He's afraid of Fox News and you think he can stand up to Iran and North Korea?
October 19, 2009 7:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
"Seriously, you can write this and be an Obama supporter? What in his past could have possibly indicated that he was ready to be president? He's afraid of Fox News and you think he can stand up to Iran and North Korea?" Well said. Completely erroneous on the facts and logically full of shit, but as well said as shit can be. Well played, sir, well played!
October 19, 2009 9:03 AM | Reply | Permalink
Chihuahuas share with leopards the inability to change their spots.
October 19, 2009 9:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
You want to talk about hateful comments...Did you pay attention to your beloved Palin at all? There's ample footage of her energetically encouraging people at rallies to yell and scream about killing Obama...All while she just stood there and smiled.
But that's not the same thing, is it? It's only bad when the evil, socialist Left does it.
October 19, 2009 4:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sarah who?
October 18, 2009 8:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Some chick that shot a moose once.
Upstate New York, probably.
October 18, 2009 8:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Can you see Russia from New York?
October 18, 2009 8:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
No, but you can certainly keep an eye on those pesky Canadians.
October 18, 2009 9:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Russiaour traffic, maybe.
October 18, 2009 9:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think there is a Moscow in Texas. Didn't do us much good, did it?
October 18, 2009 9:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nyet.
October 18, 2009 9:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ah, a Palin troll. I'm sure it will be back. Not under this name, of course. Gotta sell them books, right? Townhall.com will be broke if they have to give them away again. Like all the other rightwinger books that "appear" on the NYTimes bestseller lists, it's got to be hurting them. Gaming that list has been a RW embarrassment, it's a wonder they still do it. I mean, how many times have you seen get this (stupid rightwing title) FREE ads. They can't even give them away. LOL. So they get stuck with the bill.
Anyone that read what this person says they have read wouldn't have a favorable impression of Palin, period. Can't be done. Might be Sarah, herself. She thinks people are THAT stupid.
Then again, the line about thinking the cafe was somehow connected to Bachman shows the depth of thinking and analytical skills this poster has. If it's for real, I'd hope that fact gives it some pause.
October 18, 2009 9:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Just spent 20 mins carefully perusing Bachmann's website...can't find any mention of TPM...Doesn't mean it isn't there, I guess, but I couldn't find it.
October 18, 2009 11:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
There's a dystopia in there somewhere, I assure you.
October 19, 2009 3:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
"just spent 20 mins carefully perusing Bachmann's website."
Take a day or two to recover...
October 19, 2009 9:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
It was painful, but I did it for you guys! I'm okay after a good night's sleep...
October 19, 2009 9:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
I admire your courage.
Because I tend to get overly agitated at the sound of sheer stupidity, I have never EVER intentionally listened to Rush on the radio.
But once I got stuck in the mini-van with conservative relatives, who had their tuning knob permanently soldered to wingnut radio, and I embarrassed everyone by laughing out loud at all the wrong moments.
And as for those who say refusing to listen to The Lump constitutes a closed minded perspective, don't worry, I live in Kansas, and by the time the morning coffee is hot, the local 'baggers have already regurgitated Lumpisms so profusely, we all know what he said.
Never have so many simple minded people been so easily misled with cliche's and falsehoods.
October 19, 2009 10:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
Dickday's not here to confer a Dayly award, but for sheer simple logic, my vote goes to jsfox at 9:10PM.
"Sarah who?"
October 19, 2009 10:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
You are not nearly as good at parody as William Wulfrum, read his stuff and learn.
Thanks for the laugh!
October 19, 2009 4:31 PM | Reply | Permalink