Readers of this column will recall that months ago I wrote that a
political earthquake was coming. More recently, I wrote that the
biggest problem for Republicans in 2010 is that they will
underestimate their newfound strength, and so would not be
prepared to win some races they could have won. But even I did
not foresee the political natural disaster of biblical
proportions that rumbled out of Massachusetts yesterday.
Who would've have thunk it? In the one state that voted for
George McGovern in 1972, in a special election for a U.S. Senate
seat held by the "Liberal Lion" Ted Kennedy since the early
1960s, Republican Scott Brown beats the Democrat state Attorney
General, in the process snatching away the Democrats' filibuster
proof Senate majority.
Poor Martha Coakley. The most persistently liberal state
electorate in the union didn't reject her yesterday. It stood up
and said, "Hell, no, we won't go," to Barack Obama's triumphant
march to socialism.
If the Democrats can't win Ted Kennedy's seat in
Massachusetts, what seat is safe? The answer is none, not Barbara
Boxer's in California, not Chuck Schumer's in New York, not even
Barney Frank's in Brookline. Where Republicans can't win,
Democrat primary challengers can knock out old, tired, liberal
warhorses. In some cases, a black Democrat like Harold Ford
challenging Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand in New York can help
conservatives more than a Republican can, by co-sponsoring
bipartisan initiatives.
I hope our national ruling class doesn't get it. Barack
Obama, hopeless Nancy Pelosi, clueless Harry Reid, the Democrats,
our miserable excuse for a national media. I pray that they just
brilliantly spin it away, and keep on truckin' along, the strains
of "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds," and "Yellow Submarine," still
ringing between their ears. What conservatives need to take from
yesterday's political Krakatoa is the grand vista of opportunity,
politically and policywise, that the next several years now
offer.
Gotta Love That Rogue
And speaking of grand vistas of opportunity, let me discuss
Sarah Palin. Having just finished her book, Going
Rogue, I am angry. I am angry that no one, not
even conservatives, told me what a brilliant book this is, before
I read it for myself. Brilliant in a quintessentially Sarah Palin
way, showingthrough doingand being her genuine self, rather
than through academic argument, exactly the way to communicate to
the every day person.
I don't know that she actually planned it this way. But
what is so brilliant about the book is that she just tells her
fascinating and endearing personal life story, from childhood to
2009, in great personal and reflective detail. In the process,
you come to know exactly who she is, exactly what she believes,
and why, while she convincingly, thoroughly, politely eviscerates
her critics, from left to right.
After reading the book, the word that will stick in your
mind is genuine, which is jarring in a
modern, hip, culture, that Rush Limbaugh is accurately calling
"the universe of lies." Sarah Palin in this book transparently
speaks from the heart, and tells us who she is, more than willing
to let the chips fall where they may. And where they fall is to
provide a firm foundation for a generation of national political
leadership.
One of the People
Born in Sandpoint, Idaho, she spent her first five years in
Skagway, Alaska, population 650, living in a rented, wooden house
built in 1898. She was raised in "the one horse town of Wasilla,"
about an hour outside Anchorage. Though her father would rather
hunt and fish on Sunday morning than attend church, her mother
was devout, and Sarah became a Christian at a youth Bible camp.
She writes, "I got into the habit of reading Scripture before I
got out of bed every morning and making sure it was the last
thing I did at night."
She grew up in a great outdoors family, where "We were all
expected to work, build, chop, hunt, fish and fight equally."
That equal upbringing provided the foundation for her feminism.
"I didn't subscribe to all the radical mantras of that early
feminist era," she writes, "but reasoned arguments for equal
opportunity definitely resonated with me…. I grew up knowing I
could be anything I wanted to be." This was reflected in her
chosen profession as a sports reporter.
Four years of high school varsity basketball culminated in
leading her team as a captain to a state championship her senior
year. That was the year she met Todd Palin, from a hardworking,
highly productive Yupik Eskimo family. With Native American
conservationist sensibilities, "He hated gossip and pretension.
He hated prejudice. He opposed any physical disrespect of the
land, from litter to irresponsible development." Palin explains,
"But when he told me he had become a Christian and had been
baptized at a sports camp a few years earlier, that was the
clincher for me."
She earned tuition college money in the Miss America
Scholarship Pageant, first as Miss Wasilla and then as second
runner-up to Miss Alaska. After graduating from college, she
eloped with Todd down at the local courthouse, with witnesses
from the old folks home across the street, celebrating afterwards
at Wendy's. Her mother bawled at the news, and now Sarah
recognizes, "I want my kids to have the wedding I didn't
have."
She registered as a Republican when she turned 18 during
Reagan's presidency because she was "a believer in individual
rights and responsibilities rather than heavy handed government,
in free-market principles that included reward for hard work;
respect for equality; support for a strong military; and a belief
that America is the best country on earth." She describes herself
as "a free-market capitalist," and her daughter Piper serves as
the poster child for Alaska Right to Life.
Peter Ferrara is Senior Fellow at the Carleson Center for Public Policy, Director of Entitlement and Budget Policy for the Heartland Institute, and General Counsel of the American Civil Rights Union.He served in the White House Office of Policy Development under President Reagan, and as Associate Deputy Attorney General of the United States under the first President Bush. He is the author of America’s Ticking Bankruptcy Bomb, now available from HarperCollins.
…politically and policywise, that the next several years now offer. And speaking of grand vistas of opportunity, let me discuss Sarah Palin. Read more of this great article: http://spectator.org/archives/2010/01/20/here-comes-the-sun/ Related posts: None Dare Call It Socialism In 1959’s Rio Bravo, the Duke is the sheriff and... But We’re Still Gonna Kill You Barack Obama has spent the last year doing…
Stephanie| 1.20.10 @ 6:41AM
She may not run to be our President, but she has and will
continue to speak for us who know the direction these
progressives are taking us and our country. She is partially
responsible for last nights upset in Massachusetts.
Thank you Sarah.
Alan Brooks| 1.20.10 @ 10:12AM
"She may not run to be our President"
You are starting to get it-- you cannot feminize America in less
than 3 years (!) and expect to remain socially conservative.
SoCon| 1.20.10 @ 2:58PM
Go back to your rubber room, Alan.
Alan Brooks| 1.21.10 @ 12:59AM
"She's stupid!"
"She's inexperienced!"
No, she is too good to be president. This is a man's world, women
are too civilized.
Kelly Staples| 1.20.10 @ 7:01AM
Thank you Massachusetts. . . AND Alaska!
Big J| 1.20.10 @ 7:11AM
Ferrara, you're going to bring the PDS sufferers out of the
woodwork.
"She's stupid!"
"She's inexperienced!"
Blah, blah, blah.
Sounds to me like she has more experience, character and moral
grounding in her pinky fingernail than Hussein has in his entire
body.
You are correct. She is a force to be reckoned with, and will be
for a very long time.
Thank God.
Bill| 1.20.10 @ 7:25AM
Big J, yes thank God for instilling in her the strength of
character and insight she has for life and this country. This
spirit lives in many of us and only needs to be tapped for the
country to turn back to what made us great, to rediscover what
our founding fathers, led by their faith and desire for a better
way of life for the people, knew was the right path to follow.
May God bless America and may America be a beacon to the rest of
the world. It is our calling and duty.
Ret. Marine| 1.20.10 @ 7:46AM
I am almost sure her appearence in the coakley vrs. Col. Brown
special election had something to do with firing up the
independents, some cross-over Dem types and Republican with
another dose of trust in the People to do what is right and
things will change. Thank you Ma. for your contribution once
again in my faith of my fellow country men/ladies. Sarah is the
spearhead to better things happening, maybe the return to what is
considered normal out of American Patriots. Far too long, the
regressive lib rot has been allowed to outshout We the People, if
Sarah is a sign of things to come, We the People may right this
ship afterall.
I'll almost bet the Mao mumblers and the head of that snake,
obama, are seething with content with We the People this morning,
good they deserve every bit of the headache, afterall they have
tried really hard to pull off this changie and hopie thingie.
It's just too bad for them the People are more alligned with the
Sarah types than them, maybe theirs heads have grown too large,
they can't see past thier noses and for good reason, their noses
are bloodied.
Thanks to all the God fear'n folks out there in my Country for
thier prayers. Let us not get too confortable over this win last
night, our fight has only begun. May your tribe greatly increase
and ever bolder in our faith with our fellow Patriots.
…Button Add Topsy Retweet Button to your Blog or Web Site. WordPress Web Sites 1 Shortened Links Linking to the spectator.org page http://bit.ly/5GoQNz info 2 tweets tweet The American Spectator : Here Comes the Sun spectator.org/archives/2010/01/20/here-comes-the-sun – view page – cached Readers of this column will recall that months ago I wrote that a political earthquake was coming. More…
Whew!! What a puff piece. I don't recall Palin visiting
Massachusetts to support Brown and she was told not to come to NJ
or Va to campaign for Repub. candidates there. Palin surely
represents a populist movement but she's toxic to independents
where electoral success lies.
Ret. Marine| 1.20.10 @ 8:08AM
I was not talking of her phyisical appearence, but her Patrotic
sense of the meaning. The spirit my friend, the spirit.
Tim Dyson| 1.20.10 @ 1:01PM
I agree with Charles Jackson. This post is so light I'm surprised
it didn't float of the AmSpec site. Nice to know that Pete
learned more from Sarah's book than he did from law school, but I
suspect those that read Palin's book expecting to clerk at Baker
Hostetler will be greatly disappointed. I like Palin, but the
slobbering love fest she seems to inspire is embarrassing. I'm
guessing even she is kind of laughing at her sycophantic
followers.
SoCon| 1.20.10 @ 3:02PM
What slobbering love fest? Sarah Palin is a patriotic,
red-blooded, all American girl--and I am proud of her. Her
goodness can't be denied.
Go back under your rock.
John J| 1.20.10 @ 1:16PM
Whoa there, Chuck. Didn't you hear the Gov. on Gretta Tues.
night? Scott didn't ask her for an endorsement and she respected
that decision. She did post supportive comments on Twitter and
Facebook but honored his desire to make or break this on his own.
By the way, I've found the only "independents" who find the Gov.
"toxic" are those who listen only to the mendacious media and
take no time to actually learn about her. I, for one, do not
consider such people political sentients.
Anthony| 1.20.10 @ 8:37AM
Sister Sarah and Scott Brown have shaken the Washington
establishment to its very roots; that includes the leftist media.
All of America is the PEOPLE'S SEAT!!
So what will the "conservative"eunuch over at the New York Times
have to say today, hmmm? And the rest of the RINOS, hello,
anybody home?
Oh, has anybody heard from General Colin Powell?
Conservative America is back, stronger than ever.
Finally, a review of Sarah's book that mirrored my reaction! That
is encouraging, somehow.
Sarah's book, and now the Massachusetts Miracle, have reinforced
my idea that what is good and right and true will ultimately
prevail in this country - America is still a miracle and her
people are a special breed. We are FREE.
Guy| 1.20.10 @ 10:47AM
I would add that Huckabee's Huckaboom phenomenon is ongoing as
well. Wtih Palin and Huckabee and other gems yet to be found a
new day in conservatism is coming. New blood and new life.
John| 1.21.10 @ 5:34PM
Huckabee is not a conservative. He is evangelical, but his actual
track record as Governor of Arkansas is anything but
conservative. His pardoning of murderous thugs resulted in the
slaughter of police officers here in Lakewood, WA, and will
prohibit him from any chance at becoming president.
Ken (Old Texican)| 1.20.10 @ 10:10AM
Mr. Ferrara,
...well it took you long enough!
Sarah's book was one of the freshest breaths of air I have
enjoyed from a public servant in a long long time.
I agree wholeheartedly with your with your... belated ...review
of her book.........and her thoughts.
Heck, I would have to go to my thesaurus to find a single
descriptive word better than your choice...heh and I probably
could not pronounce it.
Darn it, I'm not a groupie. Never have been good at that, but I
have come to love the lady as if she were my own sister...as of
course she is since she is a professing Christian.
I think she is going to rock the tea-party movement nation-wide
at that conference she will be keynoting. All we need is for her
to hold up a "This Way" sign with an arrow on it.
Heck, Mr. Ferrara, I haven't even read the other comments here
yet...but oh what a day of rejoicing this will be.
Thank You Lord!
Michael L. Hauschild| 1.20.10 @ 10:58AM
Sarah Palin is often accused of “lacking” by various pundits in
both the political and media sphere. What you are witnessing in
the evolution of Palin will produce possibly the most qualified
candidate in modern political history.
Experience: She alone will have the only Republican/Conservative
presidential debate credentials, actual campaign experience, and
the combat ribbons of witnessing the retrospective feedback of an
embittered staff seeking retribution in their loss. This baptism
into the rough and tumble blame game of national party politics
will serve her well in the onset of 2012.
The Forum: Her early inarticulate performance with the MSM and
her inexperience in dealing with “agenda” interviewers will be
replaced with an actual “insider” perspective as a Fox News
regular. Beck, O’Rielly, and Hume are the best in the business
and the simple “association” of that star lineup will be both an
exercise in example and guidance. By the time an actual campaign
rolls around she will have more perspective, nuanced
articulation, media savvy, and exposure than all the Kuric’s,
Walters, and Gibson’s combined. They, not her, will be in the
unenviable position of seeking (while dreading) interviews. The
irony of “We have met the enemy and she is us” will be a very
cold sandwich. One other aspect of the new forum will be to
showcase her actual accomplishments at governess without the
filter of liberal bias. No longer will discrediting information
go without a “fair and balanced” response, clarification or
remain unanswered.
Financial Support: Who else will have the assets a paid speakers
podium, the star power of a Fox contributor, and readership list
alienated by abandonment of all the conservative principals by
their party, government and culture.
The Base: Witness the bedrock shift of partisan politic
abandonment. Palin is speaking to the “Tea-party” sector not the
conservatives, and certainly not the Republicans. While most of
the beltway seems to want to “board” or “jump” some ship; she
seems to be the only political cognizant enough to realize that
most of those “ships” are sinking. While she waits in the
lifeboat watching most of the entrenched incumbents who are
wasting their time bailing.
Contrariety and Political Timing: Probably the wisest decision
(and the one most negatively cited by critics) was her leaving
the Governorship of Alaska. The politics of personal destruction
being funded by all those who had their toes stepped on by her
honesty were hurting the state, her constituency, and her
effectiveness as an elected official. In retrospect few could
cite any fault in either her motives or the impeccable
choreographing of her career.
To all the nay-sayers I ask this: How could anyone besmeared with
the stereotype allotted to Palin progress from a Rockwell
inspired image of the small town mom to those red high heels of
the Convention photograph, pundit on the most watched forum in
mainstream media, sold out author, and an inspirational champion
of life, marriage, and family values. Something is going on here
and those of you who seemingly are oblivious to the meteoric
trajectory of Palin’s evolution had better open your eyes. I also
suggest you learn the words to “Hail to the Chieftess.”
John J| 1.20.10 @ 1:04PM
Brilliant. Thank you. Can't wait to start singing "Hail to the
Chieftess."
SoCon| 1.20.10 @ 3:05PM
Thank you, Michael; your post was inspiring.
james| 1.20.10 @ 11:11AM
Very good piece. I love Sarah Palin instinctively and would vote
early and often for her. But it is past time for her to stop
hedging. Glenn Beck said that in his interview with her she was
the most "guarded" person he had met. I agree. It wasn't good. We
want the Palin of Alaska, not the Beltway. She needs to get
going.
Anthony| 1.20.10 @ 12:03PM
I think you have a point here. Gov. Palin's remarks last night on
Gretta's show were disappointing. She kept talking about the
rejection of the "status quo". She was very guarded in her
comments, almost timid.
This was anything but rejection of the status quo. This was a
huge rejection of Leftist elites and the Washington establishment
and Gov. Palin knows it, she's said so in the past.
I love Gov Palin and I understand her guard is up; so would all
of ours given the treatment she gets daily from the Left. That
said, she has been right all along and the media hacks
wrong.
Sarah: Stay on offense, your instincts are right on, trust them,
not D.C. pol hacks. Don't go wobbly; kick ass even harder!!!
You're a natural, stay on course.
Leigh| 1.21.10 @ 10:10AM
Have you heard some of the comments Beck has made about her on
his radio show? He often speaks of her as a sex object...it's
creepy and crass. If she was "guarded," I expect she had good
reason to be.
Ken (Old Texican)| 1.20.10 @ 11:32AM
Michael,
Very well spoken, sir. Thank you.
Margie| 1.20.10 @ 12:38PM
The people of the U.S. love Sarah. They will not only vote for
her, but they will vote for whoever she backs! There's no denying
it. The Liberals are crying so loud and why do you think it is?
It's because they're loooosers!
William R| 1.20.10 @ 12:48PM
If McCain Palin had won in 2008 there would have been no Scott
Brown, Chris Christie , or Bob McDonnell. McCain would be cutting
deals with Democrats on amnesty, Cap N Trade and more regulation
of the financial markets. We'd also be at war with Iran and the
Republicans would be looking at horrible loses this November.
Palin went from being a Buchanan Ron Paul Republican to a full
blown NeoCon overnight. Conservatives must reject the
militaristic foreign policy of the Bush Cheney regime
Why Real Libertarian Conservatives are Anti-State and Anti-War
Screw you, William!
Your fringe looney didn't change anything in MA did he?
Puleasssssssssssssssssssssss, quit being a dumbass.
William R| 1.20.10 @ 3:00PM
You're the resident buffoon. It wasn't TARP or the out of control
spending why Republicans got slaughtered in 2006-08. The Iraq war
is the reason the American people turned to the Democrats. All
they saw in McCain Palin is more and more war.
Tammy| 1.20.10 @ 3:08PM
Go away, Paultard; we're not interested in your hatred. Why are
you folks so unhinged?
William R| 1.20.10 @ 3:20PM
NeoConism is the reason the Democrats took control of both houses
of Congress and we now have a radical in the White House.
Back in 2006 George Will called the NeoCons the most radical
people in Washington DC. The Americans rejected that radicalism
and then got suckered by another radical.
Palin has swallowed the NeoCon kool-aid hook line and sinker
At the 2008 convention she canceled a speaking engagement Phyllis
Schlafly's pro life group so she could go meet with AIPAC.
Palin has been NeoConized. Uber NeoCon Randy Scheunemann is her
chief foreign policy advisor.
Margie| 1.20.10 @ 4:33PM
Neo-Con-Artiste!
Tammy| 1.20.10 @ 5:29PM
Unhinged PaulTard: Your numbers are legion.
Carl Kunkle| 1.20.10 @ 12:50PM
Sarah is brilliant and a breath of fresh air! If she runs for
anything, I'll vote for her!!
John J| 1.20.10 @ 12:54PM
It is very rare that I read a piece with which I agree in evey
detail. Thank you Mr. Ferrara. By the way, concerning organizing
a nationwide movement, stay tuned for her TeaParty convention
keynote address...
Thomas| 1.20.10 @ 1:40PM
I have no idea if Gov. Palin will throw here hat into the
Presidential ring in 2012 or not. But, her strategy, accidental
or not, is excellent. She presents herself in limited venues that
showcase her conservatives stances before friendly conservative
audiences. She is keeping her face fresh, and her pocketbook
flush, by penning a deal with Fox. She is going to have three
years to take sanctioned pot shots at Barack Obama while building
almost no negative baggage herself. And she gets to do it in
front of a conservative/moderate audience.
Whether her current activities are designed to bolster a future
political career or are just coincidence, they will provide a
good springboard for a 2012 candidacy.
Lover or hate her, she is going to be an influential player in
the comming years, if she wants to be.
MajitoQuerido| 1.20.10 @ 1:46PM
Folks like Sen. Brown and Gov. Palin is what we need in America
today. George Washington et al did not envision a nation where
only the super elite/ultra rich would govern. As a matter of
fact, that type of system was exactly what they wanted to break
away from. This business that only intellectuals or 'smart
enough' are suited for higher office is hogwash. I just wonder
how many of these self appointed priest of the intelligentsia saw
the Berlin Wall fall, the 9/11 attacks, bernie madoff scams or
the '08 financial collapse? none...these clowns claim superiority
but they're neither superior nor smart. Iintelligence (or iq for
that matter) does not make you wise. That you can remember
useless trivia does not mean you can forsee what coming down. A
visionary, now there you have possibilities. Just remember Madoff
seduced and scammed many of these 'intellectuals' full of ivy
league doctorate degrees...now there's a sorry lot...'believing
to be wise they became as fools...' wrote Saul of Tarsus over 20
centuries ago...perfect description for these saps...
RAMIII| 1.20.10 @ 2:08PM
The factual statements made in this article remind me of the
toughness of one Margaret Thatcher.
With the wimpiness of men in our society who just want to play
and are portrayed as stupid and ridiculed on sit-coms,
commercials, etc. (much of it being true) it will be exciting to
see this develop.
I remember a story in the book of Judges about a woman leading
Israel to victory.
Puff piece or no -- God bless Sarah Palin.
The thing about the liberal intelligensia is that they are
deceived into thinking that by being "tolerant" they are morally
superior, however they are just hypocritical cowards, exposed by
their hatred of Sarah.
MTB| 1.20.10 @ 2:26PM
I'd vote for Sarah Palin in a heartbeat. She's a proven leader
with extensive executive experience, and a Reagan conservative.
Could 2012 be another barrier-buster for America? One can only
hope.
PCC| 1.20.10 @ 6:02PM
Good article, although a bit misty-eyed, I think. Anyway, I'm
going to buy the book and see for myself.
Minus the vitriol, that fellow William makes a good point: if
McCain had won, we'd still be in a helluva mess, just a different
kind of one.
Chris| 1.20.10 @ 6:05PM
Thank you Peter for another work of vision and honesty. Wow!
Spectator : Here Comes the Sun January 20th, 2010 | Author: admin With Native American conservationist sensibilities, “He hated gossip and pretension. See the original post here: The American Spectator : Here Comes the Sun Posted in American | Tags: and-pretension-, from-litter, hated-gossip, hated-prejudice-, land, native, palin, physical-disrespect, the-land Comments are closed. Search Search Categories
Spectator : Here Comes the Sun January 20th, 2010 | Author: admin With Native American conservationist sensibilities, “He hated gossip and pretension. He hated prejudice. Read more: The American Spectator : Here Comes the Sun Posted in American | Tags: and-pretension-, from-litter, hated-gossip, hated-prejudice-, land, native, palin, physical-disrespect, the-land Comments are closed. Search Search Categories
LiveFreeOrDie| 1.20.10 @ 8:41PM
The only criticism I ever hear of Palin is she's inexperienced.
While I disagree, my response would be, "That's Great!" In
politics experience = corrupt. I, for one, am tired of
millionaire politicians pretending they represent their
constituents. I think Palin is a shining example of what happens
when regular people who possess common sense and leadership are
elected to offices of public service.
Liberal Reader| 1.20.10 @ 10:03PM
Palin is a winner?
How?
She hasn't competed in a contest since she lost the election in
08.
After quitting the office she was elected to fill, she's taken
easy pot-shots via face book and stepped into a commentariat in
which she will never be challenged in a meaningful way.
More power to her. But she hasn't "won" anything.
Bill589| 1.20.10 @ 10:53PM
She had a bill changed in congress - using Facebook!
She appears to have won the honor of being the socialists’ number
one target.
And she has won a significant amount of supporters.
WalkingHorse| 1.20.10 @ 11:20PM
Palin is indeed a winner, just not by the standards you are
reflexively applying - electoral success.
One of the clear marks of leadership is exerting definitive
influence without benefit of a formal title or organizational
power. Making a formidable contribution to public discourse in
spite of her role as a human lightning rod is no mean feat.
Show me one other public figure in the last ten years who can
match what she has done with a Facebook page. Name me one public
figure in the past ten years who would have had the nerve to try
that strategy.
arlo price| 1.21.10 @ 1:13AM
Sometimes it's fun to chuckle at the ineptitude of spll /
jihadist such as LR when they display their basic character
traits of short-sightedness, a shallow intellect, an ego-maniacal
persona and the complete inability to recognize the truth (much
less grasp it).
…not envision a nation where only the super elite/ultra rich would govern. As a matter of fact, that type of system was exactly what they wanted to break away from. … See more here: The American Spectator : Here Comes the Sun Share and Enjoy: Tags: daily, south, super, Today Today Leave a Reply Name (required) Mail (will not be published) (required) Website Headlines America abc and- bac bbc best black ceo china…
John Marino| 1.21.10 @ 8:57AM
She is backing and campaigning with McCain. Nothing would do the
Republican party more good than if McCain were knocked off in the
primary. McCain is the enemy of what we want for this country.
His wife is now going around pushing gay marriage.
Moe Syzlak| 1.21.10 @ 10:19AM
Secretary of Energy?!? Good lord, what a waste of rare talent!
Why not just name her Ambassador to Timbucktoo-istan?
Leigh| 1.21.10 @ 10:45AM
The first Republican I ever voted for was Ronald Reagan. The
second Republican I voted for, after all those years of voting
for Independents and Libertarians was Sarah Palin. SHE brought me
back to the Republican fold.
And I think the thing I like the most about Sarah is that she's
not like any other "politician" I've ever known. In her book she
says: "Ambition drives...but Purpose beckons. Purpose calls." And
I think that sums up so much of who she is and why she does some
of the things that she does. Things that to most of us seem like
fool-hardy decisions for a "politician" with "political
ambitions" to make in their career. We are so used to
power-hungry politicians placing their highest priority to their
own careers, that someone motivated by "something more genuine"
confounds us.
Sarah is following a Call...not an Ambition. Where that Call will
take her, only God knows.
Raymond| 1.21.10 @ 1:26PM
I hope and pray that the American people will not make another
mistake in 2012. The disastrous mistake that Americans had done
last 2008 was when Obama was elected: One Big Ass Mistake of the
American people. Now, if by 2012, Sarah Palin will not be elected
POTUS, this will be the greatest mistake of the American people.
It can then be concluded that Americans are real stupid and real
assholes.
Dacron Mather| 1.21.10 @ 5:24PM
As a Brown voter, I think an extended sealing tour of
Timbucktoo-istan might indeed broaden the ex-governor's
intellectual horizons . If she can take Attorney general Coakley
along for the ride I shall wave them an affectionate farewell as
their umiak passes Nantucket.
No John Kerry jokes please, the Dems lost Naushon
Katie| 1.21.10 @ 7:04PM
Sarah Palin belongs on FOX news where she can wink and say folksy
things all day long. She doesn't speak for me, she doesn't
represent me, and "brilliant" is not a word I would ever use for
her. Patriotic? Somehow who has likened our president to Hitler?
Someone who leaves out millions of people and most cities as she
defines "real America"? Someone who thinks Sadam Hussein was
behind 9/11, couldn't name a founding father when initially asked
that particular "gotcha question", and doesn't understand the US
Constitution? Inspiring? Inspiring people to riot and spew
hateful things, maybe. She's a woman who has begun to embrace the
lamestream media and who is rapidly rising to the ranks of the
financially elite, two things she has scorned repeatedly in the
past. Do I hate her? Of course not. Am I jealous? No. I just
don't think she has any leader qualities and I'm annoyed with the
cult-like adoration in her worshippers. Let her stay on FOX. Let
her write a million best sellers. She's a celebrity. For some
reason too many people in this country confuse celebrity status
(and a pretty face) with someone that matters.
You won't have to worry about having your sunglass merchandise to
gather dust on its display racks waiting for the summer season to
commence www.sunglass-mall.com
Pingback| 1.20.10 @ 6:36AM
Here Comes the Sun | Republican Party of Door County links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Stephanie| 1.20.10 @ 6:41AM
She may not run to be our President, but she has and will continue to speak for us who know the direction these progressives are taking us and our country. She is partially responsible for last nights upset in Massachusetts.
Thank you Sarah.
Alan Brooks| 1.20.10 @ 10:12AM
"She may not run to be our President"
You are starting to get it-- you cannot feminize America in less than 3 years (!) and expect to remain socially conservative.
SoCon| 1.20.10 @ 2:58PM
Go back to your rubber room, Alan.
Alan Brooks| 1.21.10 @ 12:59AM
"She's stupid!"
"She's inexperienced!"
No, she is too good to be president. This is a man's world, women are too civilized.
Kelly Staples| 1.20.10 @ 7:01AM
Thank you Massachusetts. . . AND Alaska!
Big J| 1.20.10 @ 7:11AM
Ferrara, you're going to bring the PDS sufferers out of the woodwork.
"She's stupid!"
"She's inexperienced!"
Blah, blah, blah.
Sounds to me like she has more experience, character and moral grounding in her pinky fingernail than Hussein has in his entire body.
You are correct. She is a force to be reckoned with, and will be for a very long time.
Thank God.
Bill| 1.20.10 @ 7:25AM
Big J, yes thank God for instilling in her the strength of character and insight she has for life and this country. This spirit lives in many of us and only needs to be tapped for the country to turn back to what made us great, to rediscover what our founding fathers, led by their faith and desire for a better way of life for the people, knew was the right path to follow. May God bless America and may America be a beacon to the rest of the world. It is our calling and duty.
Ret. Marine| 1.20.10 @ 7:46AM
I am almost sure her appearence in the coakley vrs. Col. Brown special election had something to do with firing up the independents, some cross-over Dem types and Republican with another dose of trust in the People to do what is right and things will change. Thank you Ma. for your contribution once again in my faith of my fellow country men/ladies. Sarah is the spearhead to better things happening, maybe the return to what is considered normal out of American Patriots. Far too long, the regressive lib rot has been allowed to outshout We the People, if Sarah is a sign of things to come, We the People may right this ship afterall.
I'll almost bet the Mao mumblers and the head of that snake, obama, are seething with content with We the People this morning, good they deserve every bit of the headache, afterall they have tried really hard to pull off this changie and hopie thingie. It's just too bad for them the People are more alligned with the Sarah types than them, maybe theirs heads have grown too large, they can't see past thier noses and for good reason, their noses are bloodied.
Thanks to all the God fear'n folks out there in my Country for thier prayers. Let us not get too confortable over this win last night, our fight has only begun. May your tribe greatly increase and ever bolder in our faith with our fellow Patriots.
Pingback| 1.20.10 @ 7:49AM
Twitter Trackbacks for The American Spectator : Here Comes the Sun [spectator.org] o links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Charles Jackson| 1.20.10 @ 8:03AM
Whew!! What a puff piece. I don't recall Palin visiting Massachusetts to support Brown and she was told not to come to NJ or Va to campaign for Repub. candidates there. Palin surely represents a populist movement but she's toxic to independents where electoral success lies.
Ret. Marine| 1.20.10 @ 8:08AM
I was not talking of her phyisical appearence, but her Patrotic sense of the meaning. The spirit my friend, the spirit.
Tim Dyson| 1.20.10 @ 1:01PM
I agree with Charles Jackson. This post is so light I'm surprised it didn't float of the AmSpec site. Nice to know that Pete learned more from Sarah's book than he did from law school, but I suspect those that read Palin's book expecting to clerk at Baker Hostetler will be greatly disappointed. I like Palin, but the slobbering love fest she seems to inspire is embarrassing. I'm guessing even she is kind of laughing at her sycophantic followers.
SoCon| 1.20.10 @ 3:02PM
What slobbering love fest? Sarah Palin is a patriotic, red-blooded, all American girl--and I am proud of her. Her goodness can't be denied.
Go back under your rock.
John J| 1.20.10 @ 1:16PM
Whoa there, Chuck. Didn't you hear the Gov. on Gretta Tues. night? Scott didn't ask her for an endorsement and she respected that decision. She did post supportive comments on Twitter and Facebook but honored his desire to make or break this on his own. By the way, I've found the only "independents" who find the Gov. "toxic" are those who listen only to the mendacious media and take no time to actually learn about her. I, for one, do not consider such people political sentients.
Anthony| 1.20.10 @ 8:37AM
Sister Sarah and Scott Brown have shaken the Washington establishment to its very roots; that includes the leftist media. All of America is the PEOPLE'S SEAT!!
So what will the "conservative"eunuch over at the New York Times have to say today, hmmm? And the rest of the RINOS, hello, anybody home?
Oh, has anybody heard from General Colin Powell?
Conservative America is back, stronger than ever.
Kathy| 1.20.10 @ 9:32AM
Finally, a review of Sarah's book that mirrored my reaction! That is encouraging, somehow.
Sarah's book, and now the Massachusetts Miracle, have reinforced my idea that what is good and right and true will ultimately prevail in this country - America is still a miracle and her people are a special breed. We are FREE.
Guy| 1.20.10 @ 10:47AM
I would add that Huckabee's Huckaboom phenomenon is ongoing as well. Wtih Palin and Huckabee and other gems yet to be found a new day in conservatism is coming. New blood and new life.
John| 1.21.10 @ 5:34PM
Huckabee is not a conservative. He is evangelical, but his actual track record as Governor of Arkansas is anything but conservative. His pardoning of murderous thugs resulted in the slaughter of police officers here in Lakewood, WA, and will prohibit him from any chance at becoming president.
Ken (Old Texican)| 1.20.10 @ 10:10AM
Mr. Ferrara,
...well it took you long enough!
Sarah's book was one of the freshest breaths of air I have enjoyed from a public servant in a long long time.
I agree wholeheartedly with your with your... belated ...review of her book.........and her thoughts.
Heck, I would have to go to my thesaurus to find a single descriptive word better than your choice...heh and I probably could not pronounce it.
Darn it, I'm not a groupie. Never have been good at that, but I have come to love the lady as if she were my own sister...as of course she is since she is a professing Christian.
I think she is going to rock the tea-party movement nation-wide at that conference she will be keynoting. All we need is for her to hold up a "This Way" sign with an arrow on it.
Heck, Mr. Ferrara, I haven't even read the other comments here yet...but oh what a day of rejoicing this will be.
Thank You Lord!
Michael L. Hauschild| 1.20.10 @ 10:58AM
Sarah Palin is often accused of “lacking” by various pundits in both the political and media sphere. What you are witnessing in the evolution of Palin will produce possibly the most qualified candidate in modern political history.
Experience: She alone will have the only Republican/Conservative presidential debate credentials, actual campaign experience, and the combat ribbons of witnessing the retrospective feedback of an embittered staff seeking retribution in their loss. This baptism into the rough and tumble blame game of national party politics will serve her well in the onset of 2012.
The Forum: Her early inarticulate performance with the MSM and her inexperience in dealing with “agenda” interviewers will be replaced with an actual “insider” perspective as a Fox News regular. Beck, O’Rielly, and Hume are the best in the business and the simple “association” of that star lineup will be both an exercise in example and guidance. By the time an actual campaign rolls around she will have more perspective, nuanced articulation, media savvy, and exposure than all the Kuric’s, Walters, and Gibson’s combined. They, not her, will be in the unenviable position of seeking (while dreading) interviews. The irony of “We have met the enemy and she is us” will be a very cold sandwich. One other aspect of the new forum will be to showcase her actual accomplishments at governess without the filter of liberal bias. No longer will discrediting information go without a “fair and balanced” response, clarification or remain unanswered.
Financial Support: Who else will have the assets a paid speakers podium, the star power of a Fox contributor, and readership list alienated by abandonment of all the conservative principals by their party, government and culture.
The Base: Witness the bedrock shift of partisan politic abandonment. Palin is speaking to the “Tea-party” sector not the conservatives, and certainly not the Republicans. While most of the beltway seems to want to “board” or “jump” some ship; she seems to be the only political cognizant enough to realize that most of those “ships” are sinking. While she waits in the lifeboat watching most of the entrenched incumbents who are wasting their time bailing.
Contrariety and Political Timing: Probably the wisest decision (and the one most negatively cited by critics) was her leaving the Governorship of Alaska. The politics of personal destruction being funded by all those who had their toes stepped on by her honesty were hurting the state, her constituency, and her effectiveness as an elected official. In retrospect few could cite any fault in either her motives or the impeccable choreographing of her career.
To all the nay-sayers I ask this: How could anyone besmeared with the stereotype allotted to Palin progress from a Rockwell inspired image of the small town mom to those red high heels of the Convention photograph, pundit on the most watched forum in mainstream media, sold out author, and an inspirational champion of life, marriage, and family values. Something is going on here and those of you who seemingly are oblivious to the meteoric trajectory of Palin’s evolution had better open your eyes. I also suggest you learn the words to “Hail to the Chieftess.”
John J| 1.20.10 @ 1:04PM
Brilliant. Thank you. Can't wait to start singing "Hail to the Chieftess."
SoCon| 1.20.10 @ 3:05PM
Thank you, Michael; your post was inspiring.
james| 1.20.10 @ 11:11AM
Very good piece. I love Sarah Palin instinctively and would vote early and often for her. But it is past time for her to stop hedging. Glenn Beck said that in his interview with her she was the most "guarded" person he had met. I agree. It wasn't good. We want the Palin of Alaska, not the Beltway. She needs to get going.
Anthony| 1.20.10 @ 12:03PM
I think you have a point here. Gov. Palin's remarks last night on Gretta's show were disappointing. She kept talking about the rejection of the "status quo". She was very guarded in her comments, almost timid.
This was anything but rejection of the status quo. This was a huge rejection of Leftist elites and the Washington establishment and Gov. Palin knows it, she's said so in the past.
I love Gov Palin and I understand her guard is up; so would all of ours given the treatment she gets daily from the Left. That said, she has been right all along and the media hacks wrong.
Sarah: Stay on offense, your instincts are right on, trust them, not D.C. pol hacks. Don't go wobbly; kick ass even harder!!! You're a natural, stay on course.
Leigh| 1.21.10 @ 10:10AM
Have you heard some of the comments Beck has made about her on his radio show? He often speaks of her as a sex object...it's creepy and crass. If she was "guarded," I expect she had good reason to be.
Ken (Old Texican)| 1.20.10 @ 11:32AM
Michael,
Very well spoken, sir. Thank you.
Margie| 1.20.10 @ 12:38PM
The people of the U.S. love Sarah. They will not only vote for her, but they will vote for whoever she backs! There's no denying it. The Liberals are crying so loud and why do you think it is? It's because they're loooosers!
William R| 1.20.10 @ 12:48PM
If McCain Palin had won in 2008 there would have been no Scott Brown, Chris Christie , or Bob McDonnell. McCain would be cutting deals with Democrats on amnesty, Cap N Trade and more regulation of the financial markets. We'd also be at war with Iran and the Republicans would be looking at horrible loses this November.
Palin went from being a Buchanan Ron Paul Republican to a full blown NeoCon overnight. Conservatives must reject the militaristic foreign policy of the Bush Cheney regime
Why Real Libertarian Conservatives are Anti-State and Anti-War
http://thedailybell.com/744/Th.....i-War.html
ken (Old Texican)| 1.20.10 @ 2:41PM
Screw you, William!
Your fringe looney didn't change anything in MA did he?
Puleasssssssssssssssssssssss, quit being a dumbass.
William R| 1.20.10 @ 3:00PM
You're the resident buffoon. It wasn't TARP or the out of control spending why Republicans got slaughtered in 2006-08. The Iraq war is the reason the American people turned to the Democrats. All they saw in McCain Palin is more and more war.
Tammy| 1.20.10 @ 3:08PM
Go away, Paultard; we're not interested in your hatred. Why are you folks so unhinged?
William R| 1.20.10 @ 3:20PM
NeoConism is the reason the Democrats took control of both houses of Congress and we now have a radical in the White House.
Back in 2006 George Will called the NeoCons the most radical people in Washington DC. The Americans rejected that radicalism and then got suckered by another radical.
Palin has swallowed the NeoCon kool-aid hook line and sinker
At the 2008 convention she canceled a speaking engagement Phyllis Schlafly's pro life group so she could go meet with AIPAC.
Palin has been NeoConized. Uber NeoCon Randy Scheunemann is her chief foreign policy advisor.
Margie| 1.20.10 @ 4:33PM
Neo-Con-Artiste!
Tammy| 1.20.10 @ 5:29PM
Unhinged PaulTard: Your numbers are legion.
Carl Kunkle| 1.20.10 @ 12:50PM
Sarah is brilliant and a breath of fresh air! If she runs for anything, I'll vote for her!!
John J| 1.20.10 @ 12:54PM
It is very rare that I read a piece with which I agree in evey detail. Thank you Mr. Ferrara. By the way, concerning organizing a nationwide movement, stay tuned for her TeaParty convention keynote address...
Thomas| 1.20.10 @ 1:40PM
I have no idea if Gov. Palin will throw here hat into the Presidential ring in 2012 or not. But, her strategy, accidental or not, is excellent. She presents herself in limited venues that showcase her conservatives stances before friendly conservative audiences. She is keeping her face fresh, and her pocketbook flush, by penning a deal with Fox. She is going to have three years to take sanctioned pot shots at Barack Obama while building almost no negative baggage herself. And she gets to do it in front of a conservative/moderate audience.
Whether her current activities are designed to bolster a future political career or are just coincidence, they will provide a good springboard for a 2012 candidacy.
Lover or hate her, she is going to be an influential player in the comming years, if she wants to be.
MajitoQuerido| 1.20.10 @ 1:46PM
Folks like Sen. Brown and Gov. Palin is what we need in America today. George Washington et al did not envision a nation where only the super elite/ultra rich would govern. As a matter of fact, that type of system was exactly what they wanted to break away from. This business that only intellectuals or 'smart enough' are suited for higher office is hogwash. I just wonder how many of these self appointed priest of the intelligentsia saw the Berlin Wall fall, the 9/11 attacks, bernie madoff scams or the '08 financial collapse? none...these clowns claim superiority but they're neither superior nor smart. Iintelligence (or iq for that matter) does not make you wise. That you can remember useless trivia does not mean you can forsee what coming down. A visionary, now there you have possibilities. Just remember Madoff seduced and scammed many of these 'intellectuals' full of ivy league doctorate degrees...now there's a sorry lot...'believing to be wise they became as fools...' wrote Saul of Tarsus over 20 centuries ago...perfect description for these saps...
RAMIII| 1.20.10 @ 2:08PM
The factual statements made in this article remind me of the toughness of one Margaret Thatcher.
With the wimpiness of men in our society who just want to play and are portrayed as stupid and ridiculed on sit-coms, commercials, etc. (much of it being true) it will be exciting to see this develop.
I remember a story in the book of Judges about a woman leading Israel to victory.
Puff piece or no -- God bless Sarah Palin.
The thing about the liberal intelligensia is that they are deceived into thinking that by being "tolerant" they are morally superior, however they are just hypocritical cowards, exposed by their hatred of Sarah.
MTB| 1.20.10 @ 2:26PM
I'd vote for Sarah Palin in a heartbeat. She's a proven leader with extensive executive experience, and a Reagan conservative. Could 2012 be another barrier-buster for America? One can only hope.
PCC| 1.20.10 @ 6:02PM
Good article, although a bit misty-eyed, I think. Anyway, I'm going to buy the book and see for myself.
Minus the vitriol, that fellow William makes a good point: if McCain had won, we'd still be in a helluva mess, just a different kind of one.
Chris| 1.20.10 @ 6:05PM
Thank you Peter for another work of vision and honesty. Wow!
Pingback| 1.20.10 @ 8:16PM
The American Spectator : Here Comes the Sun links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 1.20.10 @ 8:16PM
The American Spectator : Here Comes the Sun links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
LiveFreeOrDie| 1.20.10 @ 8:41PM
The only criticism I ever hear of Palin is she's inexperienced. While I disagree, my response would be, "That's Great!" In politics experience = corrupt. I, for one, am tired of millionaire politicians pretending they represent their constituents. I think Palin is a shining example of what happens when regular people who possess common sense and leadership are elected to offices of public service.
Liberal Reader| 1.20.10 @ 10:03PM
Palin is a winner?
How?
She hasn't competed in a contest since she lost the election in 08.
After quitting the office she was elected to fill, she's taken easy pot-shots via face book and stepped into a commentariat in which she will never be challenged in a meaningful way.
More power to her. But she hasn't "won" anything.
Bill589| 1.20.10 @ 10:53PM
She had a bill changed in congress - using Facebook!
She appears to have won the honor of being the socialists’ number one target.
And she has won a significant amount of supporters.
WalkingHorse| 1.20.10 @ 11:20PM
Palin is indeed a winner, just not by the standards you are reflexively applying - electoral success.
One of the clear marks of leadership is exerting definitive influence without benefit of a formal title or organizational power. Making a formidable contribution to public discourse in spite of her role as a human lightning rod is no mean feat.
Show me one other public figure in the last ten years who can match what she has done with a Facebook page. Name me one public figure in the past ten years who would have had the nerve to try that strategy.
arlo price| 1.21.10 @ 1:13AM
Sometimes it's fun to chuckle at the ineptitude of spll / jihadist such as LR when they display their basic character traits of short-sightedness, a shallow intellect, an ego-maniacal persona and the complete inability to recognize the truth (much less grasp it).
ROFL
Pingback| 1.21.10 @ 12:46AM
The American Spectator : Here Comes the Sun | americantoday links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
John Marino| 1.21.10 @ 8:57AM
She is backing and campaigning with McCain. Nothing would do the Republican party more good than if McCain were knocked off in the primary. McCain is the enemy of what we want for this country. His wife is now going around pushing gay marriage.
Moe Syzlak| 1.21.10 @ 10:19AM
Secretary of Energy?!? Good lord, what a waste of rare talent! Why not just name her Ambassador to Timbucktoo-istan?
Leigh| 1.21.10 @ 10:45AM
The first Republican I ever voted for was Ronald Reagan. The second Republican I voted for, after all those years of voting for Independents and Libertarians was Sarah Palin. SHE brought me back to the Republican fold.
And I think the thing I like the most about Sarah is that she's not like any other "politician" I've ever known. In her book she says: "Ambition drives...but Purpose beckons. Purpose calls." And I think that sums up so much of who she is and why she does some of the things that she does. Things that to most of us seem like fool-hardy decisions for a "politician" with "political ambitions" to make in their career. We are so used to power-hungry politicians placing their highest priority to their own careers, that someone motivated by "something more genuine" confounds us.
Sarah is following a Call...not an Ambition. Where that Call will take her, only God knows.
Raymond| 1.21.10 @ 1:26PM
I hope and pray that the American people will not make another mistake in 2012. The disastrous mistake that Americans had done last 2008 was when Obama was elected: One Big Ass Mistake of the American people. Now, if by 2012, Sarah Palin will not be elected POTUS, this will be the greatest mistake of the American people. It can then be concluded that Americans are real stupid and real assholes.
Dacron Mather| 1.21.10 @ 5:24PM
As a Brown voter, I think an extended sealing tour of Timbucktoo-istan might indeed broaden the ex-governor's intellectual horizons . If she can take Attorney general Coakley along for the ride I shall wave them an affectionate farewell as their umiak passes Nantucket.
No John Kerry jokes please, the Dems lost Naushon
Katie| 1.21.10 @ 7:04PM
Sarah Palin belongs on FOX news where she can wink and say folksy things all day long. She doesn't speak for me, she doesn't represent me, and "brilliant" is not a word I would ever use for her. Patriotic? Somehow who has likened our president to Hitler? Someone who leaves out millions of people and most cities as she defines "real America"? Someone who thinks Sadam Hussein was behind 9/11, couldn't name a founding father when initially asked that particular "gotcha question", and doesn't understand the US Constitution? Inspiring? Inspiring people to riot and spew hateful things, maybe. She's a woman who has begun to embrace the lamestream media and who is rapidly rising to the ranks of the financially elite, two things she has scorned repeatedly in the past. Do I hate her? Of course not. Am I jealous? No. I just don't think she has any leader qualities and I'm annoyed with the cult-like adoration in her worshippers. Let her stay on FOX. Let her write a million best sellers. She's a celebrity. For some reason too many people in this country confuse celebrity status (and a pretty face) with someone that matters.
M.B.| 1.23.10 @ 11:35PM
You're entitled to your opinion. :)
lay123| 4.4.10 @ 1:15AM
You won't have to worry about having your sunglass merchandise to gather dust on its display racks waiting for the summer season to commence www.sunglass-mall.com
Converse| 8.11.11 @ 11:05PM
is good