Sarah Palin steps aside as Governor, Probably going to run for President

The Other McCain has far superior coverage of this than I ever could. The thing I like best about McCain is that he is a genuine, old-school reporter. I'd love to see someone photoshop an image of him as the 20s style press man, complete with fedora and press card. I am also in agreement with him regarding his disdain for young journalism grads who demand recognition by virtue of writing skills.

So here is my caveat. I am not a reporter, nor am I claiming journalistic integrity. This analysis comes from my training in Politics, my time as a debater, and the logical training I have received from groups that will remain unnamed (read the disclaimer at the top, you should be able to figure it out). I recognize my disagreement is precocious. I invite any who disagree to attempt to reeducate me over cocktails in DC the next time I'm down.

That being said, I am going to risk the Blog-Sensei's wrath and that of the right-wing blogosphere by saying this:

Nominating Sarah Palin is a bad idea.

Allow me to enumerate my points before I get flayed (which will probably happen anyway). Firstly, and foremost in my mind, she is indelibly tied to failure. I challenge any of my American readers to find me a recent (last 30 years) candidate who has overcome the stigma of a previously failed ticket. From what I can see, the American body politic is unforgiving of failure. Unfair as it might be, the MSM will be able with great facility to equate Sarah Palin's policy with the idiocy that was the McCain campaign. Don't get me wrong, Palin may be able to gather and synthesize some great policy, but if no one know about it, what good will it do?

Secondly, Sarah Palin is too public. What do I mean by this? Essentially, Sarah Palin is already into the rough and tumble game of sparring with the media. She's had a spat with Letterman, she's been backstabbed by McCain campaign staff, and despite its patent silliness, the whole Trig thing just won't go away. The Republican party has been brutalized in the public sphere, and Sarah Palin was there when it happened. The grassroots are saying "Varus, give me back my Legions!" and Sarah Palin can offer nothing but the tattered standard of the survivor of a massacre. It doesn't matter that her own behaviour may have been exemplary. What is needed now is for a relative unknown to step in from the wings, and offer a narrative greater and more legitimate than President Obama's. The strength of the Republican grassroots has always been the claim to the "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" story. Sarah Palin had that chance, but blew it on the McCain '08 campaign. Every minute she has spent in the public eye since is another opportunity for lies and spin, and another obstacle to be overcome.

Finally, I will present my most personal reason for being uncomfortable with a Palin '12 ticket. She is far too similar to the standard Democratic candidate for my liking. I apologize to any fervent Palin fans out there, but I have yet to see any proof of a high-calibre mind. By no means is she an Obama-style stuffed shirt, but I just don't see the political killer instinct. The "Sarah Barracuda" claims are interesting, and a great story, but I just don't see the proof. Unfair a stage as it was, Palin was objectively and irretrievably annihilated in the Couric interview. Yes, I know that they were unfair questions, and yes I know that Palin's responses were logical and reasonable. My point is this: logical and reasonable are reinforcement, not the lead! They are the muscle in the arm, not the blade itself. Rhetoric is the blade, and it's edge must be viciously keen. Once you've pierced the liberal armour of ignorance, logic and reason give you the strength to reach the vitals. When Palin realized that Couric was doing a snow job, where was the attitude she had during her Convention speech? When someone mugs you, you don't politely hold them off. You beat the f*** so badly that when the police come, they need a paramedic with them. Or, failing that, you run. Palin sat there and took it. No dice. Until someone can prove otherwise, Palin's Convention speech, while magnificent, cannot really be credited to her as anything other than eloquent delivery.

In the tradition of my training, I will now do something unheard of in the land of snark. I have identified a problem, so it's only right that I should offer a solution. Try this out for a template for a better candidate than Palin:

Somewhere in the Mid-West, there is a mother of 3 who is involved in low-level politcs. Some kind of voluntary association that has been given municipal authority- town council, volunteer committee, church council, whatever. The woman is a thorough professional- teacher, lawyer, anything where public speaking is common. She's a soccer mom who hangs out with her girlfriends at the gym, jogging club, etc. Her kids play football, her son being defensive tackle or something like it. She homeschools to supplement what they learn at school. Her husband is in public service, real public service- policeman, firefighter, construction. Something physical. He's the strong, silent type who stands in the back of the meeting hall with his little girl sleeping in his arms, a gentle smile on his face as his wife owns the room with fire and passion.

Most importantly, the candidate has to be reluctant, but once persuaded to run absolute hell to manage. Her campaign staff should be in despair all the time, as she rides roughshod over them and ignores how it's always been done. Some of you may notice that my template plays to identity politics; she's a mother, a woman, professional, good looks with a perfect life. Yes, yes I am playing to identity politics. But my point is that her life is a direct result of her political belief. The vast majority of gorgeous, desirable, and challenging American women I know (you know who you are) are products of a fierce desire for personal liberty and the resistance of socialism. It isn't wrong to show the American people the proof that Conservatism works.


I now stand for cross examination. Paramedics are standing by.