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Expert Reaction

By Robert Stacy McCain on 11.1.08 @ 12:37AM

Second Amendment historian Clayton Cramer (author of Armed America, the definitive refutation of academic fraud Michael Bellesiles), examines the attacks on Sarah Palin and suggests that liberal attacks stem mainly from two causes:

1. She's a pro-life, evangelical Christian.
2. She's a woman.
To the left, it is axiomatic that every woman has to be pro-choice and hostile to the patriarchial system of oppression that is Christianity.

Reacting to my criticism of the anti-Palin "experts" among the pre-war Iraq hawks, Cramer says:

I do think Stacy is on to something here: when the people that played a major part in the Iraq strategy suggest that Palin was an incredibly bad choice -- consider the source.

My point was not to say that all hawks are disqualified from criticizing Palin. What I objected to was the "expert" assertion that Palin is (a) the basic cause of Republican electoral difficulties and/or (b) somehow symptomatic of a fundamental problem with the conservative movement.

This is scapegoating pure and simple, and its sources are among those who far more deserve to be thus blamed than the governor of Alaska. Her son is fighting the war the "experts" demanded, and the lady's reward is to be vilely insulted by them? Just to think of this injustice makes my blood boil. If this were 1850, they would be invited to meet me in Bladensburg, the miserable curs!

(Cross-posted at The Other McCain.)

View all comments (6) | Leave a comment

Captain America| 11.1.08 @ 1:50AM

Mac, it's funny how Gov. Palin is getting hit from within but Biden is not. Biden is so bad that they are finding a place for him to hide while Gov. Palin is drawing crowds of 20,000+.

M. Tobias| 11.1.08 @ 10:48AM

There is undoubtedly some gender discrimination involved among Republican critics of Sarah Palin. But this is by no means the true reason for their dismay. It was evident, even before the convention, that John McCain had no chance of winning by appealing to independents and moderate Democrats and ignoring conservative Republicans. Hence, the choice of a pro-life, pro-second amendment, evangelical Christian, fiscally responsible woman as his VP, instead of Joe Leiberman. This woman represents everything that the country club Republican set fears. The rise to prominence of the common conservative. They are deathly afraid of a Palin Presidency in 2012, and it shows in their attacks.

Michael Roush| 11.1.08 @ 12:14PM

Sounds like country club Republicans and moderate Democrats share a lot of common ground.

M. Tobias| 11.1.08 @ 12:24PM

That they do, Michael. Fortunately, 60% of Americans are self-described conservatives. But, don't be frightened. Conservatives are a tolerant lot.

Kingfish| 11.1.08 @ 12:42PM

Just think back to 96 when Buchanan had some success and how many so called conservatives said they would NOT back him if nominated. Truth is, they claim to worship Reagan but they would rather be in charge of the Republican party or Conservative Movement than be second fiddle on the winning team.

M. Tobias| 11.1.08 @ 1:26PM

Conservatives are not a homogeneous block of voters. And there is no real leadership of Conservatives, contrary to what you may have heard. Conservatives are simply common people who have certain common beliefs and views.

In the case of Pat Buchanan, may of his viewpoints resonated strongly with conservatives. What diminished his chances with voters in '96 were two things. One was a report of close ties between a white supremist group and one of Buchanan's advisers [it was never proven] and Buchanan's extreme isolationism. But, it was the leadership of the Republican Party [those old country club Republicans] that killed his run. The primary schedule is structured in such a way as to give the Party a large degree of control over the selection of the nominee. It is all about power, acquiring it and holding it. Those that have it within the Republican Party, understandably, do not wish to give it up.