Posted by Lookitsme at 11/30/08 7:31 p.m.

Palin appeals to the Talibangelical wing of the GOP.

As a committed progressive, I hope that the GOP trots her out again, although I'd really prefer that more level headed Republicans steer the party back from the lunatic fringe it's occupied now for so many years...

Posted by cliffordc05 at 11/30/08 7:53 p.m.

It is not the lunatic fringe, but she does marginalize the GOP into a regional party with primarily social issues. If the GOP wishes to again become a political party of relevance, it will steer back towards fiscal conservatism, less centralized government (states authority), and leave the moralizing to one's church.

Posted by captainavenger at 11/30/08 8:12 p.m.

Ummmm, why should we even care about Palin? Slow news day? No dirt to drag up?

Palin is yesterday's news. Give it up already!!!!

Posted by jungleal at 11/30/08 8:13 p.m.

Governor Palin should advise the newly prez-elect on all issues unique to Alaska (Baby O is clueless) and perhaps suggest that he quit smoking and learn how to bowl. Our 'Joe Camel or is it menthol man?' has so much to learn. Has Obama ever even been to Alaska??

Posted by Glenn Sand at 11/30/08 8:35 p.m.

|| "Fully two thirds of Republicans, including Republican-leaning independents, want Palin to run for president in 2012, twice as many as back Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, who has already made one post-election visit to Iowa, and about 20 points ahead of former Speaker Newt Gingrich." ||

There is NO WAY that I'm buying into that statement. It's absurd to think that there's that large of an in-bred illiterate lunatic fringe in the GOP. Practically speaking, she's a gold-plated gift to the Democratic Party. With her running, there's absolutely no way that the Dem's can do anything but win.

Posted by unregistered user at 11/30/08 9:31 p.m.

Let us get Palin in 2012, along with Joe the Plumber as her running mate. That way Obama will be virtually guaranteed a second term.

Meanwhile I would strongly recommend that she enroll in elementary school right away so as not to appear as stupid in 2012.

Posted by sahulsizer at 11/30/08 9:32 p.m.

Having been in and out of Alaska for over twenty years, I cannot say that whether or not Obama has been to Alaska makes any difference. It's sort of like asking whether Obama has been to Wyoming. Two small population states with little to offer the country and nothing but bottomless sinks for money.

Posted by greenlantern at 11/30/08 9:44 p.m.

I am all for Sarah Palin being the standard bearer for the American Taliban Party in 2012 aka The Republican Party. If the rightwing lunatics running the Republican Party think is their best choice....great move!

Posted by wmd at 11/30/08 9:44 p.m.

Our media (and partisans of the left-wing blogosphere) have managed to falsely represent Gov. Palin's character and achievements. Gov. Palin has not governed as a right-wing idealogue and has not in any way imposed her morality on the people of Alaska. She has governed as a centrist and has worked comfortably with Democrats, Republicans and Independents in her role as chief executive of the state of Alaska. With the McCain campaign she was positioned as the "attack dog" and appropriately raised issues that the media was unwilling to address. Gov. Palin flubbed some interview questions and for this she and her handlers should be held accountable. Having been plucked from her role in Alaska and thrust onto the National stage would be difficult for anyone, it did not help that she was held to an impossibly high standard. It is worth remembering that Obama spent some 2 years developing his persona on the national stage, yet he was never and still isn't being held to the same standard (the US has "57 states"!?! a gaffe of Quayle proportions).
Liberals primal scream over Sarah is quite justified however as she has a solid large and growing core of true believers who would follow her to shores of Tripoli and that is more valuable than the premature interpretation of any poll.

Posted by Lookitsme at 11/30/08 10:34 p.m.

Having been plucked from her role in Alaska and thrust onto the National stage would be difficult for anyone

Of course, it was particularly difficult for someone as amazingly ignorant as Sarah Palin. Even her GOP handlers admitted as much.

Since you note her achievements, let's take a look at some of them

As a mayor she:

-Ran up a $20+ million debt in a tiny town
-Tried to ban books at the library
-Tried to force rape victims to pay for their own rape kits
- Engaged in a personal vendetta against city staff

As a Governor she:

-Abused her authority based on a personal family matter
-Charged the State of Alaska a per diem expense for living in her own home.
-Charged the state of Alaska for travel expenses for her kids
-Earned the title of Welfare Queen by gobbling down Federal Pork spending as fast as she could get it
- Was for the Bridge to Nowhere until it became a nationl joke; naturally, she quickly changed her opinion
-Still kept the Federal Bridge to Nowhere Pork
-Negotiated a very dubious pipeline deal

As a Candidate she:

-Couldn't name a single Supreme Court Case with which she disagreed.
-Couldn't name a single periodical that she read
-Demonstrated a stunning ignorance of basic current events
-Didn't bother answering any questions at the "debate" - preferring instead to read verbatim screed from index cards that less ignorant folks had typed up for her.
-Repeated blatant lies ad nauseum on the campaign trail
-But, she does live in a State near Russia...

Yep, that's quite a record of accomplishment.

Personally, I'd love it if her core of true believers would follow her to the shores of Tripoli. They'd all doubtless be much happier in a more theocratically minded country like Libya than they are here...

Posted by Steve E. at 11/30/08 11:15 p.m.

"Liberals primal scream over Sarah is quite justified however as she has a solid large and growing core of true believers who would follow her to shores of Tripoli and that is more valuable than the premature interpretation of any poll."
-------------------
Only in coupes or a putsch. In elections, numbers matter. But I do hope the Republican Party makes her their standard bearer in 2012. We really do need for these theocrats to be completely marginalized.

Posted by wmd at 11/30/08 11:18 p.m.

Unfortunately, you have again misrepresented her record. There is more to political discourse than a sarcastic review of the MSNBC / Huffpo talking points. You should spend some time researching the real story behind each of the comments you have made. For example Alaskans (read Anchorage Daily News, multiple editorials) are pleased with the pipeline contract. Find a detailed discussion at "Palin on energy - Governor's record here is better than McCain's energy platform, 10/11/08, Anchorage Daily News). Their "Bottom Line" "Sarah Palin's got a solid energy record in Alaska. National voters need to hear more than 'drill, baby, drill.'" Or, "Praise and more for Palin pipeline proposal," Tim Bradner, March 18, 2007, Anchorage Daily News, page F1. We could go into each of these and demonstrate the fallacy of your statements. But that is not really what you want. Just more of the talking points to nowhere.

Posted by wmd at 11/30/08 11:29 p.m.

Do you know the definition of "theocrat?" I think it is probably becoming an appropriate term to consider now that we have the messiah, dear leader Obama. Sarah is a citizen-politician, in the mold of our founding fathers. She wasn't brought up in the corrupt Chicago machine. She did not have her opponents thrown off the ballot in any of her political contests. You want to discuss a theocracy!?!

Posted by Meff at 11/30/08 11:43 p.m.

Sarah Palin in the laughing-stock of this country.

Along with that Joe-the-(Fake)Plumber.

Posted by Lookitsme at 12/1/08 12:06 a.m.

Unfortunately, you have again misrepresented her record.

You do realize that this is all a matter of public record, no? Right wing revisionist talking points might be enough to make you mistakenly believe that Palin is a mavericky reformer, but the facts are clear.

Do you know the definition of "theocrat?"

Do you? I'm guessing that the answer is no...

Posted by unregistered user at 12/1/08 1:38 a.m.

The primary McCain/Palin message was one of condemnation of Obama. For many--namely a sizable portion of born again Christians--who focus on what they don't like, that condemnation message rang true. But for others, who would rather light a candle than curse the darkness, Obama was appealing because he talked about finding solutions. If Palin wants to win in 2012, she'll have to appeal to the majority of voters who want solutions, not sarcasm.

Posted by unregistered user at 12/1/08 8:32 a.m.

Any reasonably intelligent person who listens to Palin speak for a short period of time must realize that she has no qualifications for elected office...Of course, the same argument can be made of George Bush...Its amazing how dumbed down a significant portion of the US population is...Based on previous elections and all available information it would seem reasonable to assume that nearly, if not, half of the US population is functionally retarded...I think the media is largely responsible for half of the country losing basic faculties of discernment and judgment...USA = redneck nation...however, there is hope!!!! Go Obama!!!

Posted by unregistered user at 12/1/08 8:37 a.m.

Let's see, she appeals to Republicans and 53% of the independents. Sounds like a winner to me. You Democrats don't like her? Too bad.

Posted by unregistered user at 12/1/08 11:41 a.m.

Its very interesting that amid Obama appointments and as much as Governor Sarah Palin is disliked, unpopular and not a political threat to Democrats in '12, that sooo much effort by our press continues to be dedicated to negative post-election reportage about her. TV clown, Tina Fey's, opinion of Palin's past comments about campaign sexism (which didn't much differ from Hillary's) was quoted today!

Liberals aren't nearly as clever at hiding their fear of Palin as they'd like us or themselves to believe. At least Liberal 'non-fear' of her holds some entertainment value at some level, and as far as intended demoralizing or negative affect on Palin? As they say,'Bad press is better than no press!' ... and ya betcha that she's thinkin' just that, too, b'golly!

Posted by unregistered user at 12/1/08 1:19 p.m.

You liberals are all to caught up in your obama-mania. Get over it. Obama isnt going to change out country, he isnt going to do anything special. He is nothing special.

In all respects, he's just as "dumb" and "inexperienced" as Palin. But god only knows he's black, and can make pretty speeches. That makes him the better person. He's been tested for 2yrs on the national stage, and that is no comparison to Palin's 7 weeks before the election. No fair.

You democrats sit here and criticize Palin, because she is a threat to your good 'ol Barack Obama. I cant wait till 2012, that will be a race to remember. And remember, the 2012 election isnt tomrrow - its 4yrs from now, and 4yrs is along time to prepare.

People listen to what Sarah Palin has to say, and thats what makes her a viable candidate. Sure, McCain had the experience, but people didnt really want to listen to an old man. People would come to his rallys, and listen to Palin and not stay to hear McCain.

Just think, our country elected Barack Obama, and if our country elected Obama, we sure as hell can elect Palin.

Posted by Tongass Girl at 12/1/08 1:23 p.m.

If Sarah Palin really wants to put her money where her mouth is, she'd say "thanks but no thanks" to the Juneau Road to Nowhere and the Knik Arm Bridge to Nowhere! Alaska received money for these projects in the same federal spending spree that gave them the other Bridge to Nowhere. The total cost of both of these projects is well over $1 billion, and the decision is hers to cancel them or allow them to go forward. That will be the true test of what's behind her fiscal conservative tough talk. Check out www.akbridgesandroadstonowhere.org for the details and this video about the crazy dangerous Juneau Road to Nowhere... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fai9UT8ZRrk

Posted by Lookitsme at 12/1/08 1:24 p.m.

Liberals aren't nearly as clever at hiding their fear of Palin as they'd like us or themselves to believe.

Hide our fear? Why would we?

Any rational human being, at least one who gives a damn about the United States, knows perfectly well that a Palin Presidency would be even more disastrous for the US than the Bush debacle. I'd call that cause for some measure of fear - again, assuming one actually gives a damn about the US.

Fortunately, the odds of Palin ever actually becoming POTUS are *extremely* long...

Posted by unregistered user at 12/1/08 1:33 p.m.

Two words: Ellen Craswell.

Posted by rbob at 12/1/08 4:16 p.m.

I voted for O though I have many Republican bones in my bod. I'm not too sure of the media infatuation with Palin, I think it's as much that she looks good on TV as anything. Fox, especially, but really all of them, like that.

I have no fear of her on '012. She is who got Obama elected. As for her fans above, her degree from U of I represents a small fraction of a degree from Harvard Law. The woman is a cutie and a dunce but trades heavily on the cutie aspect, and her religious affiliation. As I said, that is what elected Obama. Even the radical religious right were not gonna let that fool run their nation.

Katie Couric got her firguatively naked when she couldn't name a newspaper, magazine or web site she reads. She doesn't read the news. Your dog knows more about it than she does.

Sarah can run in '012 but the only folks who will support her are religious wing nuts. They need to make a stronger alliance if they hope to regain the support that W just squandered. He was not just bad for the nation, he was death to his pals in power.

Posted by unregistered user at 12/1/08 5:36 p.m.

Jindal? Jindal is a muslim. Why do the media keep pushing these muslims who claim to have converted to Christianity? Why would we run another muslim like Obama?

Posted by unregistered user at 12/2/08 1:09 p.m.

More media brainwashing. 'Yes we will believe everything you say.... Sarah Palin BAD.... Obama GOOD...the media is our leader....they know what we think and what we want.... they are the Messiah's chosen messengers...' What a load of elitist crap! Sarah Palin is infinitely more qualified than that loser you people just elected as leader of the free world. She is the next Ronald Reagan... she just wears heels.

Posted by rbob at 12/2/08 1:17 p.m.

Unregistered #223278, you're not only unregistered, you are seriously uninformed. Jindal is a Christian, has been for decades. In any event, prior to that conversion he was Hindu, not Muslim. He never was any kind of a Muslim. Where do you xenophobes get this nonsense?

Posted by unregistered user at 12/3/08 2:40 p.m.

That Bobby Hussein Jindal aint mo better thin that Barraak Obuma dude. They both just waitingt to get a chance to attack us god fearing Amiricans. You just wait n see. At leastr Pailin is a real American, whith RED WHIITE and BLUE blood.

I'll be voting for her for sure. Just a soon as the judge says I paid my debt to societty. Boy, that woman is HOT. Id salute her flag if she run it up my flagpole.

Posted by unregistered user at 12/4/08 8:13 p.m.

The myth of Palin's approvability ratings is utter nonsense: she has a favorable rating of more than 70% with Republican. The fact that 75% of democrats do not approve of her is hardly surprising. How many republicans are embracing Obama?

Eight months ago Obama's approval rating with Democrats was at 65%. His approval rating nationwide had slipped to 48% nationwide--and Obama had pocketed the black vote to pad his numbers.

Unless liberals see what is so evident to Bill Clinton--that Palin has uncanny political
instincts and is a lot sharper than armchair beltway pundits give her credit for, they risk making the same mistake they made underestimating Reagan who they thought was dimwitted and far too much to the right to win a national election.

And here's some advice for the guy who said Bobby Jindal is a Muslim: get yourself tested for Mad Cow Disease. Jindal was a Hindu who converted to Roman Catholicism.

If you have any faith in this country, you wouldn't care if we put a Druid in the White House if he was the best man for the job, Ditch the muslim idiocy

Posted by olympic_boy at 12/6/08 9:24 a.m.

To those who think the left wing media hung Palin out to dry consider her answer to what a VP actually does (she said they run the Senate and help fashion legislation - WRONG) and after losing the election wanted to give a concession speech (altogether another level of WRONG). While Palin, like Bush, governed more like the centrist as governor, her campaign rhetoric was frequently divisive (remember her "real Amercians" comment in Virginia). While clearly some of her more partisan attacks where likely encouraged by the McCain campaign, Palin largely hung herself with her own words. Often. I would grant however that perhaps never in modern media history has there been a female political character easier to attack than Sarah - Bush in a Skirt - Palin. If Palin is going to carry the mantle for the GOP, I can imagine sober conservatives starting a new, more legitimate opposition party to the Democrats.