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The 'Blame Sarah First' Crowd

By Robert Stacy McCain on 11.5.08 @ 11:06PM

In language that might shock some family-values types, Conservative Blogger of the Year Ace of Spades denounces the "kneecapping" of Sarah Palin by McCain campaign staffers. And Michelle Malkin is equally furious:

Sarah Palin worked her heart out. She energized tens of thousands to come out who would have otherwise stayed home. She touched countless families. I didn't agree with everything she said on the campaign trail. But two fundamental conservative stands she took mattered greatly to me: She vigorously defended the Second Amendment and the sanctity of life more eloquently in practice than any of the educated conservative aristocracy.
And she did it all with a tirelessness and infectious optimism that defied the shameless, bottomless attempts by elites in both parties to bring her and her family down.
Shame on the smearers who don't have the balls to show their faces.

What they're talking about is the sliming in Newsweek and elsewhere, including Fox News:

Let me make a small point about the McCain campaign's hamhanded mishandling of Palin's press relations. Michelle Malkin has been a huge advocate and defender of Sarah Palin. Between Michelle's own site and her Hot Air video blog, Malkin Inc. gets 1.5 million online visitors daily, to say nothing of Malkin's Fox News connection. Michelle and her Hot Air crew were in St. Paul for the Republican convention. Did anybody at Team Maverick think, "Hey, why don't we hook up Malkin with an exclusive one-on-one with Palin? That would be buzzworthy -- an innovative use of New Media!" No, apparently that blindingly obvious idea never crossed their feeble little minds.

That such a bunch of clueless campaign hacks would then go out and trash Palin behind her back . . . well, I can't blame Ace for cussing a blue streak.

UPDATE: Michelle Malkin e-mails to clarify:

I was in Denver for the DNC, but not at the RNC. Ed Morrissey was there for Hot Air, though.
Allah and I both requested an interview with Palin for Hot Air. They were somehow never able to make it happen...

For want of a nail . . .

View all comments (38) | Leave a comment

Joe The Investment Banker| 11.5.08 @ 11:31PM

That's OK, Sarah will be having the last laugh in about four years.

ruth| 11.5.08 @ 11:40PM

She didn't deserve to be treated like this. You are the real deal, Governor Palin, and we won' forget your grace and your courage under tremendous pressure. Name names, I want to know who did this to her. Losers.

Bullpup| 11.5.08 @ 11:46PM

This doesn't come as a surprise to me. McCain earned his "maverick" credentials by knifing conservatives in the back when they needed him most. I'm with Ace, these losers in the McCain campaign are dead to me. Palin, for all her slip ups, is the only reason Mac didn't lose by 50 million votes.

kyle| 11.6.08 @ 12:03AM

is anyone bothered by the fact that she thought africa was a country, and had no idea what countries composed NAFTA?

just asking.

ruth| 11.6.08 @ 12:06AM

Prove it's a fact, moron. Do you believe everything you read in print or do you just want to--in this particular case?

brown eyes| 11.6.08 @ 12:08AM

Irritating. They treated her like crap...tried to crucify her at every corner. Truth be known, I would not be surprised if people in her own camp didn't dredge up the stuff that was in the headlines and leak it to the media. Pretty crappy. She maintained her graciousness, and probably she's glad to go back home and get away from the negativity and cut-throat environment. The treatment she's received for the last two months has been unacceptable. Sorry, Sarah--you didn't deserve the shoddy treatment--not the way it was doled out and certainly not to the relentless degree that it was dished.

silver| 11.6.08 @ 12:12AM

The answer to your question kyle, is "no". Perky personality is what has charged the crowds. And is anyone bothered by the first acknowledgement in this video that critical details were known by Fox commentators early on, and they were told to keep them off record?

silver| 11.6.08 @ 12:14AM

Ruth,
Follow your dreams, not your lying eyes. Moron.

MK| 11.6.08 @ 12:25AM

This Africa being a continent stuff is new to me, too. That's why I like Sarah. She's just like me!

bullpup| 11.6.08 @ 12:56AM

one more thing, Palin draws 10,000-20,000 consistently at her rallies and McCain barely gets a thousand to show up in MO when he's alone. Who's the drag on the ticket? Grampa Simpson I think.

Palin_in_2012| 11.6.08 @ 1:09AM

What's a continent?

AD| 11.6.08 @ 1:15AM

Not a surprise that the knives are out for Palin. She did as well as could be expected considering that McCain couldn't focus upon salient issues long enough to penetrate the electorate's consciousness. Plus, she is more conservative than he and his staff were. His career is winding down, hers may just be ratcheting up, and this angst directed to her is a poor attempt to shift the blame to her. Not professional, not dignified and not the way to start the needed reflection upon the future direction and composition of the conservative movement.

Captain America| 11.6.08 @ 1:57AM

I just left Ace's site and we are hopping mad. Gov. Palin is the best thing to come out of this campaign. She is the future of our party. She will need to use the ensuing months to build up her cred on the economy US and international, foreign policy, and national security. Then she will be scoping President Obama like moose.

Claudia| 11.6.08 @ 1:58AM

Sarah Palin didn't pick herself as Vice President. McCain did - effectively taking the whole experience issue, which was the one thing McCain had going for him, off the table. I like Sarah and hope she continues on a national level, but she was probably the wrong choice. No, I take that back, McCain was the wrong choice. He never tied the sub-prime scandal to the dems, because his natural instincts are to reach out to them. He allowed the Bush/McCain mantra to go on and on, when he could have turned it around to the Obama/Reid/Palosi Presidency. He couldn't make an issue out of illegals, because he agrees with amnesty. He couldn't make an issue out of Obama wanting to bankrupt the coal industry, because he is for this stupid cap and trade policy, too. The list goes on and on. Palin was thrown into this mess and did the best she could.

Who is in charge of the RNC? Whomever they are they need to be the first to go. Now were stuck with the Socialist. God help us.

Captain America| 11.6.08 @ 1:58AM

According to Rasmussen, Gov. Palin carries a 71% approval rating amongst Republicans. Higher than McCain.

Captain America| 11.6.08 @ 2:00AM

I don't buy it. Obama has less experience than Palin.

Obama, Biden and McCain have less executive experience than Palin.

And, look how "experience" ranked in the exit polls (near the bottom).

JOHN BATEUP| 11.6.08 @ 4:14AM

God help America, USSA.

Ray Brotbeck| 11.6.08 @ 7:14AM

The Republican Party, thanks to it's archaic leadership philosophies, got what it deserved on Tuesday ... a smack in the face. When the leadership of this party is willing to sacrifice it's future on the alter of "moderate conservatism" ... then this is what they deserve.
Sarah Palin, and conservatives across this great nation like her, are the future of this party ... it's time to replace the so-called "leadership" of our party with true conservatives ... we are tired of having our values, our beliefs, our hopes and our dreams trashed and ridiculed as intolerant and narrow-minded.
Gov. Palin was able to relate to us because she is apologetically conservative ... she's one of us !!
The legacy of Ronald Reagan is now in the hands of a new, energized base of like-minded conservatives across this country. Our values are the values of the heartland of America ... and are still the values that make this great nation what it has always been ... the light that beckons to all who long to be free ... and hated by those who would seek to keep people enslaved to the bondage of tyranny and oppression.
I did not support Barrack Obama because he is black ... I didn't support his policies or his positions on wealth re-distribution, taxes and the war. While I will readily support a black conservative any day of the week, and twice on Sunday, I will never support a liberal ... no matter the color of their skin.

Ray B.| 11.6.08 @ 7:17AM

make that "unapolegetically conservative" ... darn spell-checker !!

Eric Dondero| 11.6.08 @ 7:25AM

Is anybody bothered by the Newsweek reports that Sarah came out of the bathroom in a wet towell in front of McCain Aides?

Nope, that this libertarian Republican. In fact, the libertine Republican side of me, rather likes that. As I suspect it's a bit tingly to other male voters, as well.

Bottom line, playing up a little sexiness on Sarah is a huge net positive, not a negative as liberals and some stuffy conservatives seem to believe.

M. Tobias| 11.6.08 @ 8:33AM

Look, the whole thrust of the Republican leadership, since 1996, has been to maintain the status quo in Washington. They don't really care who is in the majority as long as they get invited to the cocktail parties. Sarah Palin was not one of the in-crowd. A moose hunting, salmon fishing, hockey mom hick from the back of beyond is just too outre to be seen in polite society. You see, someone has to be to blamed for McCain's loss. And it is either going to be Sarah Palin or all of the Washington insiders on the campaign. So, they will just put her back on the stage to Bugtussle and blame it all on her.

The honor and integrity of the Republican Party leadership is absolutely astounding. Pass that canape please Mr. GM CEO and by the way, I need a new Cadillac. Thanks, the bailout check is in the mail.

McLoser| 11.6.08 @ 8:40AM

I believe McCain purposefully threw the election. Whey they heck did his campaign go to the rooftops to run up the white flag of surrender by announcing to the world that he was pulling out of Michigan so early? He failed to counter attack Obama in any meaningful way. He didn't want to be called "racist" so he avoided mentioning the fact that Obama sat in the pew of demonstrably racist, America hating, jew hating flame thrower preacher. McCain simply ran up the white flag of surrender and allowed one of the most vile of Obama's heros to stay on the battlefield.

For someone who gave so much to his country, McCain was simply unwilling to fight for it. He took a dive. This will be his lasting legacy.

saint| 11.6.08 @ 9:04AM

Of the love of Mike now we have the bath towel meme.

What's up with Americans? There's a photo of Cindy McCain in a bathrobe in a hotel on her daughter's blog.

Big. Bloody. Deal.

Millions of Americans, most likely those who trash Palin for wearing a bathrobe, for wearing cheap hoopy earings, for wearing RNC skirt suites, for just bloody wearing anything, probably trawl the internet looking for the disrobed. Andrew I-want-to-have-Obama's-baby Sullivan, that pathetic slimebag excuse of a journalist, sells his hairy arse online and people are expected to treat him seriously or even *scoff* believe he is a conservative.

All the Poliwood luvvies who barrack for Obama spend their lives making softcore porn and pretend it's "art".

And Sarah Palin allegedly answers a door in a bathrobe and it's a national crisis? It even makes Fox News?

No wonder Americans voted for a nutcase like Obama. You have all lost any sense of perspective.

WendyG| 11.6.08 @ 9:20AM

>>>is anyone bothered by the fact that she thought africa was a country, and had no idea what countries composed NAFTA?

just asking.

*****
Yes, if that's true, I am bothered by it. Also by the fact she had a lame answer when asked what the Bush Doctrine is. I have been a great defender of hers but the numbers indicate Americans had fears that she was not up to the job of being POTUS.

That said, I'd far prefer her to the leftist thugs who won. Their policies are far more terrifying than someone who fails a civics class.

The Mexican| 11.6.08 @ 9:28AM

I'm amazed at what a terrible candidate McCain turned out to be. I remember Rush stating that he went to one of those conservative shindigs and he was told by the DC "conservative" intelligentsia to get over it (the McCain primary win), boy does he look like a prophet now.

I felt the same way, that the Republican establishment pushed onto us the worst possible candidate in McCain.

Pantuso| 11.6.08 @ 10:17AM

Whether people agree with them or not, Sarah's actual practice of her convictions is the shock factor here, and the only thing theoretical or metaphorical about her is that she has what her "smearers" don't. Now she has time to regroup and refine. I'm with Joe the Banker.

james23| 11.6.08 @ 10:52AM

I agree with Michele and Ace, and with Byron York, who torched these cowards as "losers." Sarah was the only good thing that happened to the McCain Campaign. It only took them 48 hours, but now I am right back to where I was 8 weeks ago with John McCain--strictly arms length, do not trust him.

Finally, as part of our post-mortem and housecleaning, lets do what McCain promised to do but failed--lets name names. Who are the spineless rats scapegoating Palin? Steve Schmidt? Rick Davis? "Lose with Honor" Salter? Lets call them out, so they can't screw it up again in two years.

Tarotx| 11.6.08 @ 11:21AM

I refuse to believe the Governor of Alaska didn't know the countries of NAFTA.

The real issue is why they had to bring this stuff up? The election is over. Is it because someone whats to make sure Palin's off the radar for the future?

Michael Roush| 11.6.08 @ 11:38AM

Didn't Fox News break this story?

Aedemmair| 11.6.08 @ 12:10PM

I have been a great defender of hers but the numbers indicate Americans had fears that she was not up to the job of being POTUS.

Me too. And I can be numbered among those who decided that she wasn't up to the job. The Gibson interview was a bit disconcerting, but even Krauthammer came to her defense re: Bush doctrine, and he is the one who coined the phrase.

The Couric interview was the decisive event, and not because she couldn't name a Supreme Court decision she agreed/disagreed with. It was the manner in which she responded. It was a dance about that harmed her and won't lose its saliency.

That said, I'd far prefer her to the leftist thugs who won. Their policies are far more terrifying than someone who fails a civics class. .

No question of this. .

She can come back. But she needs to kill Couric Palin.

On a livlier note: she is formidably energetic and attractive.

I am unnerved though, by the crowds that attended both Obama's and Palin's appearances. As someone wrote several days ago: crowds such as these are a sign of distress.

Adams' said that whether the mob was for or against you, it was still the mob. I am inclined to that view as well.

Allahpundit didn't shy away from unapologetically declaring that he thought 50% of her followers would flip on immigration policy if she favored such. Unfortunately, I agree with him, though I never could become aroused by "shamnesty."

Malkin, an attractive young woman too, loses nearly all appeal when speaking of it. Her face becomes contorted by disgust.

Palin, on the other hand, even when discussing controversial issues retains her attractiveness.

No doubt Palin must be a bit worried now that Obama is the president. How will she square, "palin' around with terrorists," with "Mr. President, I need your help with some energy issues we are having up here."

Hopefully, all will be forgiven by The One.

WendyG| 11.6.08 @ 12:35PM

I am unnerved though, by the crowds that attended both Obama's and Palin's appearances. As someone wrote several days ago: crowds such as these are a sign of distress.

Adams' said that whether the mob was for or against you, it was still the mob. I am inclined to that view as well.

*********
Amen to that. And if the GOP "mobs" were scary, what about the mobs that met The One at every stop?

I was reminded on election night of the manner in which the Palestinians hit the streets after a suicide bomber is successful. Dancing, ululating mobs. Thankfully they didn't fire guns into the air as well.

But soon enough Obama will have feet of clay. It's inevitable, especially when you promise people everything - and all of it for FREE!! :)

ruth| 11.6.08 @ 3:09PM

Obama was elected two days ago and the DOW is down nearly 1,000 points. Good omen.

gini hebron| 11.6.08 @ 5:17PM

Sarah Palin's message was very clear- smaller government! It seemed to me that after she joined McCain's campaign Obama started stealing her message and moving over to the right. The press was always comparing her the VP with him, which I thought was pretty odd, too! I loved her. I thought she brought a whole lot of energy and pride to the stodgy old Republican party and for that she was really hung out to dry. When Walter Mondale picked Geraldine Ferraro I don't remember the press raking her over the coals liked they did Sarah Palin. I wonder why?

WendyG| 11.6.08 @ 9:23PM

>>Obama was elected two days ago and the DOW is down nearly 1,000 points. Good omen.

Yep. But you won't read about it at Huff Post, or Kos. As opposed to before the election, when every blip down in the market was reported with venom aimed at McCain and Bush.

ruth| 11.7.08 @ 1:32AM

Forget the Huff Post and Kos, the lamestream media won't even cover it. (They are one and the same anyway.)

silver| 11.7.08 @ 7:48AM

Ruth,
You are attaching a cause and effect relationship between the Dow and the man elected 2 days ago? I thought only LIBERALS acted like that. Grow up and start walking, or are you just lame? Oops sorry, I should be politically correct for your types and pretend the condition doesn't exist.

Snappy| 11.7.08 @ 5:00PM

Ruth, stop the bitterness. You're twice as retarded as Palin. Oh, stock went up 248 today. Would you give Obama some credit?
GOP is obsolete. It's fun watching the bloodbath amongst wing nuts. Great to see you guys fractured and irrelevant.
Palin is a blithering idiot. She's damaged goods. Good riddance.