What's Next for Sarah Palin?

[ryberg]

Albert Einstein said, "God doesn't play at dice." That about sums up what I know about Quantum Mechanics.

Steve

[ryberg]

Well Camille Paglia sees lots in Sarah Palin in terms of feminism:

I stand on what I said (as a staunch pro-choice advocate) in my last two columns -- that Palin as a pro-life wife, mother and ambitious professional represents the next big shift in feminism. Pro-life women will save feminism by expanding it, particularly into the more traditional Third World. [source]

Then again, Camille Paglia seems to say a lot of things just for the fun of it or to get attention or to rile people up, to, so...

Steve

[melliedee]

Originally Posted by ryberg

Well Camille Paglia sees lots in Sarah Palin in terms of feminism:

Then again, Camille Paglia seems to say a lot of things just for the fun of it or to get attention or to rile people up, to, so...

Steve

There are already a number of pro-life feminists, so I don't think that prediction is too far off the mark. How important and what voice they might gain in a women's movement grounded in the concept of choice, has yet to be seen.

This was also interesting:

How dare Palin not embrace abortion as the ultimate civilized ideal of modern culture? How tacky that she speaks in a vivacious regional accent indistinguishable from that of Western Canada! How risible that she graduated from the State University of Idaho and not one of those plush, pampered commodes of received opinion whose graduates, in their rush to believe the worst about her, have demonstrated that, when it comes to sifting evidence, they don't know their asses from their elbows.

Liberal Democrats are going to wake up from their sadomasochistic, anti-Palin orgy with a very big hangover. The evil genie released during this sorry episode will not so easily go back into its bottle. A shocking level of irrational emotionalism and at times infantile rage was exposed at the heart of current Democratic ideology -- contradicting Democratic core principles of compassion, tolerance and independent thought. One would have to look back to the Eisenhower 1950s for parallels to this grotesque lock-step parade of bourgeois provincialism, shallow groupthink and blind prejudice.

[ryberg]

That may be, but from where I stand, at least, it's rather overblown to attribute all negative coverage of Palin to her pro-life views. You have to write off a number of alarming statements and discoveries about her that have nothing to do with that in order to come to that conclusion, from saying living in Alaska qualifies as important foreign policy preparation because of the proximity of Russia to her being found guilty of violating the ethics laws of her own state during her term as governor (by the only entity to review that issue at the time).

But as I say, Paglia seems to like to make big, sweeping, controversial claims.

Steve

[roni]

Liberal Democrats are going to wake up from their sadomasochistic, anti-Palin orgy with a very big hangover. The evil genie released during this sorry episode will not so easily go back into its bottle. A shocking level of irrational emotionalism and at times infantile rage was exposed at the heart of current Democratic ideology -- contradicting Democratic core principles of compassion, tolerance and independent thought. One would have to look back to the Eisenhower 1950s for parallels to this grotesque lock-step parade of bourgeois provincialism, shallow groupthink and blind prejudice.

Replace the words Liberal Democrats with the words "the intellectual wing of the Republican conservative movement" and it is a good point. The anti-Palin attacks did not come so much from the Democratic Party.

[Mogley]

Its my understanding that she will be touring with Madonna early next year

[roni]

This from CNN via poll-boy

The story

As speculation swirls around Sarah Palin possibly running for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012, a national poll suggests that just under half of all Americans have a favorable opinion of the Alaska governor.

Forty-nine percent of those questioned in a CNN/Opinion Research Corp. survey released Wednesday have a favorable opinion of the woman whom Sen. John McCain picked as his running mate this year, with 43 percent viewing her unfavorably.

That is lower than a previous poll, suggesting that favorable opinions of Palin are dropping among Americans.

Views of Palin deteriorate as GOP looks ahead - CNN.com

[melliedee]

Originally Posted by ryberg

That may be, but from where I stand, at least, it's rather overblown to attribute all negative coverage of Palin to her pro-life views. You have to write off a number of alarming statements and discoveries about her that have nothing to do with that in order to come to that conclusion, from saying living in Alaska qualifies as important foreign policy preparation because of the proximity of Russia to her being found guilty of violating the ethics laws of her own state during her term as governor (by the only entity to review that issue at the time).

But as I say, Paglia seems to like to make big, sweeping, controversial claims.

Steve

Paglia also cites her accent and education as sources of criticism. Palin's extreme pro-life and anti-evolution stances were big issues for me; I have no problems admitting that those issues negatively impacted my regard for Palin as a candidate.

The sweeping claim suggests that feminism is suddenly going to decide to be inclusive to groups of women who hold views like the biblical decree of a husband's dominance literally. I can't see that happening. On abortion there is more room for feminists to have some common ground. Or the groups will diverge with some overlapping and some completely opposite agendas, as we see with Feminists for Life.

[ryberg]

Originally Posted by melliedee

Paglia also cites her accent and education as sources of criticism. Palin's extreme pro-life and anti-evolution stances were big issues for me; I have no problems admitting that those issues negatively impacted my regard for Palin as a candidate.

The sweeping claim suggests that feminism is suddenly going to decide to be inclusive to groups of women who hold views like the biblical decree of a husband's dominance literally. I can't see that happening. On abortion there is more room for feminists to have some common ground. Or the groups will diverge with some overlapping and some completely opposite agendas, as we see with Feminists for Life.

True, Paglia seems to argue against her own sweeping claim, first talking about (in the title from the previous page of the same piece), "The real reason Palin was excoriated by the press," and then upon first getting to her, saying, "reporters have been too busy playing mini-badminton with every random spitball about Sarah Palin, who has been subjected to an atrocious and at times delusional level of defamation merely because she has the temerity to hold pro-life views. How dare Palin not embrace abortion as the ultimate civilized ideal of modern culture?"

THEN she goes on to mention other things that are not related to that.

Anyway, it's hard for me to see what you're saying happening, as well...

Steve

[roni]

November 12, 2008
Palin in Obama's administration?
Posted: 03:05 PM ET

MIAMI, Florida (CNN) — Former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin said Wednesday she would be honored to help out President-elect Barack Obama in his new administration, even if he did hang around with an "unrepentant domestic terrorist."

The Alaska governor said in an interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer that if Obama asked her for help on some of the issues she highlighted during this year's campaign, such as energy or services for special-needs children, "It would be my honor to assist and support our new president and the new administration."

"And I speak for other Republicans and Republican governors, also," said Palin, whom Sen. John McCain tapped as his running mate in August. "They would be willing also to seize this opportunity that we have to progress this nation together, in a united front."

But asked moments later about some of the tough rhetoric she hurled from the stump, she said she was "still concerned" about Obama's ties to former Weather Underground member-turned-Chicago college professor William Ayers.

"If anybody still wants to talk about it, I will," she said. "Because this is an unrepentant domestic terrorist who had campaigned to blow up, to destroy our Pentagon and our U.S. Capitol.

"That's an association that still bothers me, and I think it's fair to still talk about it," she continued. "However the campaign is over. That chapter is closed. Now is the time to move on and make sure all of us are doing all that we can to progress this nation."

Palin was attending the annual Republican Governors Association convention in Miami, Florida. She was interviewed for CNN's "The Situation Room" — the latest of several high-profile appearances for the ex-VP candidate — and will also appear Wednesday night on CNN's "Larry King Live."

Filed under: Barack Obama • Sarah Palin

[sctx]

Originally Posted by roni

This from CNN via poll-boy

The story

As speculation swirls around Sarah Palin possibly running for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012, a national poll suggests that just under half of all Americans have a favorable opinion of the Alaska governor.

Forty-nine percent of those questioned in a CNN/Opinion Research Corp. survey released Wednesday have a favorable opinion of the woman whom Sen. John McCain picked as his running mate this year, with 43 percent viewing her unfavorably.

That is lower than a previous poll, suggesting that favorable opinions of Palin are dropping among Americans.

Views of Palin deteriorate as GOP looks ahead - CNN.com

wow, with another 35 point drop, she'll be viewed as favorably as Congress...... you go girl, Pelosi ain't got nuthin on you !!!

[user 6507]

Originally Posted by ryberg

True, Paglia seems to argue against her own sweeping claim, first talking about (in the title from the previous page of the same piece), "The real reason Palin was excoriated by the press," and then upon first getting to her, saying, "reporters have been too busy playing mini-badminton with every random spitball about Sarah Palin, who has been subjected to an atrocious and at times delusional level of defamation merely because she has the temerity to hold pro-life views. How dare Palin not embrace abortion as the ultimate civilized ideal of modern culture?"

THEN she goes on to mention other things that are not related to that.

Anyway, it's hard for me to see what you're saying happening, as well...

Steve

Paglia is someone I'd really like to have a beer with and talk with for awhile.

[roni]

Originally Posted by sctx

wow, with another 35 point drop, she'll be viewed as favorably as Congress...... you go girl, Pelosi ain't got nuthin on you !!!

Palin can't hold a candle to Pelosi.

politico.com

As Pelosi enters her third year as speaker, by any measure, she has become the most powerful woman in U.S. political history and is now preparing to wield her gavel in a way that few, if any, recent speakers could match. Even former Speaker Newt Gingrich of Georgia, the architect of the 1994 Republican Revolution, pales in comparison. Pelosi is being mentioned by observers in the same breath as the legendary Sam Rayburn and Tip O’Neill, although she has yet to assemble a legislative record to match theirs.

“I think you’d have to compare her to the great people we’ve seen in the past,” said former Rep. Dick Gephardt (D-Mo.), who served as both majority and minority leader during his 28-year congressional career.

Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas), no fan of Pelosi, said during a recent MSNBC appearance that she is “the most powerful speaker in a generation — she will be able to do anything she wants.”

From top to bottom, she is a controlling presence in the House — Pelosi forbids her staff to use the word “I” in speeches. Pelosi has called politics “a free hedge-clipping service,” meaning that any pols who seek too much attention will get their head handed to them.

There are a variety of factors that help cement Pelosi’s growing stature, even as Congress as a whole suffers from its worst approval ratings ever. During the past two cycles, Democrats have picked up at least 50 seats, moving her party from minority status to an entrenched majority. She has no rivals within her own leadership ranks — Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer of Maryland was once a bitter opponent but is now a loyal lieutenant — and committee chairmen don’t have the same power they once enjoyed. Further, Pelosi is the chief fundraiser for House Democrats, raking in at least $26 million for the DCCC alone this cycle. Finally, Pelosi has become the leading communicator for House Democrats, speaking more on the House floor than any other speaker in recent history.

I respect the office that I hold,” she told Politico in July. “And when you win the election, you win the majority, and what is the power of the speaker? To set the agenda, the power of recognition, and I am not giving the gavel away to anyone.”

Pelosi’s style of leadership can be difficult to convey: She’s not a bomb thrower, a bully or an arm breaker, yet her complete control of the chamber isn’t in doubt. She doesn’t make threats, and while occasionally she will yell at a lawmaker, it’s unusual.

She doesn’t curse — or smoke or drink — and the impeccably turned-out California Democrat always knows a member’s spouse or children’s names, something she casually drops into a conversation to foster intimacy. Larson said when his son was sick two years ago, “the phone would ring at midnight or 1 a.m., while I was in intensive care, and it was Nancy. She wanted to know what she could do. People remember that kind of stuff.”

Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), chairman of the Education and Workforce Committee and Pelosi’s closest friend in the House, likens her to a top athlete, one who has “downfield vision, who can see everything on the field at once.”

“Look at how she’s built this caucus,” Miller added. “[Pelosi] was out recruiting these people six years ago, she and [the late Rep. Robert] Matsui, her and Rahm [Emanuel], her and [Van Hollen]. She’s been out to their districts. She knows their families. She knows them in an amazing way. That has built a level of trust that I have never seen.”

With her growing authority, Pelosi will grab her turf if she thinks it’s important. She took control of the House debate over children’s health insurance in 2007, yanking the issue away from Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles B. Rangel (D-N.Y.), which upset him. But when Rangel ran into ethics problems this year over back taxes owed on a Dominican Republic vacation home, Pelosi had Rangel’s back and refused to oust him.

Last month, after a humiliating defeat on the bailout plan, Pelosi began personally lobbying members, and when the proposal came up again five days later for another vote, 31 House Democrats switched their votes.

[ryberg]

Too funny: Stevens now trails by 3 votes, with lots more absentees to count.

I'm sure it's already been posted elsewhere. No matter. It's relevant to this thread.

Dunno if this has been posted elsewhere, but it's kinda funny:

Steve

[melliedee]

Hmmmm....

KING: Katie Couric, by the way, said last night that she thinks you should keep your head down, work really hard, and learn about governing before contemplating a presidential run. What are your thoughts about her saying you should learn about governing?

PALIN: Well, thank you, Katie Couric, for your advice. And I won't reciprocate in giving her any advice, that's for sure, because I have respect for her and the profession that she is in. I would have greater respect though for the entire profession called mainstream media if we could have great assurance that there is fairness, that there is objectivity throughout the reporting world.

I gotta say, I'm with Palin on this one.

Why would Couric offer this kind of advice to a politician?

Sarah Palin Doesn't Need Any Advice from Katie Couric - mediabistro.com: TVNewser