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The Spectacle Blog
Come on. You remember Sarah Palin. Try. Governor of Alaska picked as McCain's running mate? Does a boffo tour as new conservative star and is suddenly all the rage ever since? The conservative who even got some right-leaning scribes harrumphing?
I know you can remember. She made liberals foam. Go nuts. Crazy nuts. And when some of us tried to point out that she was following a path trod by other conservatives from a young Richard Nixon to an old Ronald Reagan to a middle-aged Rush Limbaugh and George W. Bush and Sean Hannity, Mark Levin, Glenn Beck, Ann Coulter -- the path of most hated conservative in the land -- we were told (indignantly!) that this wasn't so…that it really was all about Sarah herself. She was just…just…well…fill in the epithet of your choice.
Suddenly…Sarah Palin turns out NOT to be the most hated conservative in America. Uh-uh. The crown has been rudely snatched and jammed on someone else's head. That honor has now reverted to a white guy. This one named… Scott Walker. Shoved into the coliseum as the lions roar… he's Hitler. He's Mussolini. He's a Nazi, a Fascist, a racist, a tool of billionaires. He's so bad he makes Sarah Palin look reassuringly plain old vanilla.
Not to put too fine a point on this, but this is what happens when a conservative or even someone who is not a movement conservative but flies enough conservative colors -- becomes the focus of left-wing wrath. What we are watching in real time is the demonization of Scott Walker by the left…a process recently devoted exclusively to Sarah Palin and before that to George W., the talk radio stars, Ann Coulter, the Fox crew.
The irony is that this process is now becoming familiar to more and more people -- more people get the game. Which has two interesting side effects.
One, people begin to realize what the real game is -- discrediting conservatism itself by using one star as a target. The old Alinsky trick of picking the target, freezing it, personalizing it etc.
And two -- by focusing on the newest target with such fierce animosity, it makes the last target fade into… dare we say it… the comfort of a reassuringly familiar face. Reagan is a hero these days. Billboards are up with a winking George W. Bush and the caption "Miss me yet?" Rush's audience grows, his joshing description of himself as a lovable fuzzball not far from the now-comfortable reality of his every day, 20-plus year presence. Sean Hannity's ratings are soaring, making him the dominant prime time figure in both his television and radio slots. Mark Levin's book sales astound as his ratings soar…..and Fox keeps on surging. Ann Coulter sallies forth with a new bestseller-in-waiting. Beck…O'Reilly…Greta. All of them having walked through this bizarre ritual of left-wing fire-breathing… some more than others… and coming out on the other side as just regular folks with a comfortingly familiar message presented in their various and unique fashions.
Sarah Palin, doubtless to her amazement, is suddenly being elbowed aside -- yanked from the dead-center of the coliseum as the number one conservative villain in America. She's already through the firewalk and lions stage… now becoming right before our eyes that nice Sarah Palin from Alaska…. the Mom… the girl with that Alaska show…. Todd and the kids, the dancing daughter with the cute baby, the whole loveable gang.
It's worth noting as this bucket of brimstone gets dumped on Governor Walker's head (this weekend AFL-CIO president Richard Trumka declined to rebuke his pals who are parading Walker-as-Hitler signs through the state capitol building in Madison) that he is in fact being initiated into a peculiar American tradition of how to welcome a major conservative star into the club.
Once it was young Nixon the Alger Hiss villain, then a young William F. Buckley (he too got the Nazi label)… then Goldwater… Reagan…Rush… Sean… Levin … Ann Coulter… Laura… and so on down through the years.
It took a while for conservatives to get the routine.
But we get it now.
And by the time they're done with Scott Walker… someone now unknown will be trotted out into the middle of the leftist Coliseum to see if they can survive the lions.
Keep the popcorn and scorecards handy.
Welcome to the club, Governor.
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More Blog Posts by Jeffrey Lord
http://spectator.org/blog/2011/03/01/remember-sarah-palin
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PhilTheCapitalistPig| 3.1.11 @ 11:18AM
Typical Neo-Commie response. Liberals seek to destroy everything they fear. Attack, Discredit, then destroy. I always tell my friends, who are typically liberals bc of age, "If someone is telling you to not listen to these people, and the people telling you not to are the ones in a position of power, doesn't it make you want to listen to them?"
Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 3.1.11 @ 11:22AM
Our respect for Governor Walker will overwhelm the insanity and dirty tactics of the left.
Personally, I would like to see him run for President.
Michael L. Hauschild| 3.1.11 @ 11:25AM
Forget Sarah? Hardly! She is number one on my program and number one in my heart. The only thing that would endear me to her more is having the name Bolten appear in conjunction with her’s on a ballot.
Ken (Old Texican)| 3.1.11 @ 1:22PM
Michael,
There you go!
Game, set, match!
Let Sarah and Bolton flip a coin on who leads the ticket.
Bob Miller| 3.1.11 @ 11:30AM
It's better that the opponents fear us, even irrationally, as long as most voters see through the nonsense.
John Carnal| 3.1.11 @ 11:30AM
At last a post that gladdens my heart about Sarah Palin's political prospects. I've always thought she was just a regular gal with an extraordinary backbone. All the liberal jackals baying at Walker better watch their backs. After all what is to dislike about a regular gal America?
David W| 3.1.11 @ 11:44AM
Perhaps the more they "villianize" these conservatives the more the normal people begin to see what is happening. It may even be possible that those people on the fence may realize that conservatives have so much more to offer than the harping liberals, progressives, socialists, facists (same as socialists), etc.
Mike W| 3.1.11 @ 11:52AM
Palin is no Reagan or even Nixon. It is sad when conservatives have to worship her as their new savior. The woman is doing fine for herself financially. She should keep it that way and stay out of the presidential race.
I am not a liberal and she doesn't drive me bonkers other than the fact that she is not super bright and would be eaten alive in a race with the Democrats.
Go on and keep listening to your echo chamber where Palin has a prospect of un-seating the current clown. Then, viciously attack anyone on the right who disagrees.
I Survived Arlen Specter| 3.1.11 @ 1:44PM
That chip on your shoulder must get real heavy after awhile. I wouldn't worry though. I'm sure The Stupid Party will nominate a John McCain- styled RINO for you to fall in love with. At least until the Obama steamroller runs him over in November of 2012. Then you can join the idiots in the drive-by media in blaming Palin after the election for the RINO getting crushed by Obama. The Stupid Party will not nominate Palin, so you can return to your echo chamber where everyone believes Palin is not electible or intelligent enough to be POTUS. Meanwhile Palin will continue to live in your head rent free. Have a nice day!
MikeN| 3.1.11 @ 11:59AM
Greta?
Ken (Old Texican)| 3.1.11 @ 1:25PM
Mr. Lord,
well spoken!
I'm still praying earnestly that Sarah runs. Screw NRO today!
Jersey Mark| 3.1.11 @ 1:39PM
People don't attack those they don't care about or consider a threat. Progressive/Liberals are no different. As a result, The more effort they put into their attacks demonstrates the strength of the perceived threat. On that score, Sarah Palin is recognized by the Democrats as the most significant threat to their power and plans. Unfortunately, there are way to many "conservatives", Republicans and Independents who do not understand this dynamic and buy into their attacks by summarily removing the victim from further consideration thereby rewarding the Democrats' actions.
Joey Hannah| 3.1.11 @ 1:50PM
I really hope you get your wish and Palin runs. It'll be even more entertaining than watching Giuliani crash and burn in '08.
Jersey Mark| 3.1.11 @ 2:00PM
What the Democrats don't understand is that they are dealing with a political genius they haven't encountered before in Sarah Palin, who might be considered political judo master. Contrary to the narrative created by the left and it media drones, Sarah is the captain of her ship and knows exactly what she is doing and why. She is unconventional and strategically thinks on a level that her doubters do not understand - her use of alternative media and her ability to manipulate the MSM should provide a hint. What the Dems don't understand is that they are playing their role perfectly in their attacks and their narrative (Judo Master). They have lowered the bar of expectation concerning her among those who are minimally engaged in the process to the basement and as a result, when the Republican debates begin, there will be huge interest by those minimally engaged folks expecting to watch a car wreck as she falls flat on her face. When Palin does fine and in fact, excells in the debate and crushes those expectations, those folks will sit up and take notice and realize that the Left narrative is a big lie and they will take a fresh look at Palin and come to her defense in reaction to all the attacks they have previously witnessed. There will be a sea change over night in the Republican race and Palin will gain such momentum that she will cruise to the nomination. Then she will crush Obama in the General Election making history since by then the economy will not be any better and our national weakness will be on full display. It will be Reagan vs. Carter all over again.
MOS was 71331| 3.1.11 @ 3:36PM
From your words to God's ear. I hope you're right.
Strudwick Wickerwire| 3.1.11 @ 2:36PM
Weather permitting in Wisconsin, Sarah Palin supporters should schedule a Tea Party function that hopefully celebrates Scott Walkers victory over leftist darkness, rubbing their noses in the Alinsky!!!
Lou Sarah| 3.30.11 @ 8:52PM
Oh Palin fanboys -- she`s gonna break yer heart. The Quitta From Wasilla isn`t gonna run next year -- look at how she ignores Michelle Bachmann lining up voters in Iowa right now! Nope, the Quitter isn`t goig to walk away from the lucre she`s making now by pretending to be a prospective candidate. It`s all make-believe, just like pro wrestling.
Seek| 3.1.11 @ 3:04PM
It's far tougher to govern Wisconsin than it is to govern Alaska. For that reason, Scott Walker should be considered battle-tested and a possible GOP Veep selection in 2012. He's taken tough hits for the team in ways that the shrill, publicity-hungry Sarah Palin hasn't -- and won't.
As for Mrs. Palin, she's a credit to her bank account. I sincerely hope she appears on "Dancing with the Stars." I'll watch, I promise.
Amanda| 3.1.11 @ 4:02PM
It never ceases to amuse me that Palin's detractors never have anything intelligent to say.
Not once do they mention specifics regarding
her 18 year record in government, small business owner, her facebook, WSJ, IBD postings, , interviews, speeches, etc.
You would think that if they had any brains, they would have researched her record and found something substantive to disagree with.
Ken (Old Texican)| 3.1.11 @ 4:19PM
Amanda,
spot on, girl! well spoken!
wodiej| 3.1.11 @ 5:08PM
Right on girl. Perhaps the problem is they just don't have a brain.
wodiej| 3.1.11 @ 4:59PM
Blessing in disguise. Now people will see that conservatism is the enemy and not Gov. Palin.
Luv the Guv and I stand w her to reclaim our country in 2012.
A Conservative voter| 3.19.11 @ 9:26PM
It is not going to be Sarah Palin who will get the nominee in 2012. I hope it is going to be former Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota and he is the best choice for the Republican Party.
The Duke| 3.22.11 @ 9:22PM
So I see Palin botched her attempt to visit Bethlehem, apparently not realizing that it is in the West Bank, under the control of the Palestinian Authority, and as such, no one is allowed to travel there from Israel without a permit (oh, those nasty gubmint regulations!).
She should taken up David Frum's group (RJC) offer to take her to Israel, they would have known this and made the proper advance arrangements.
The Gipper| 3.28.11 @ 9:11PM
"She`s no Reagan"--Bill Kristol, the man who "made" Sarah Palin.
From http://www.politico.com/blogs/.....minee.html
But Kristol -- one of her key boosters -- went on to raise many of the same questions that have undercut her prospects inside the Republican Party.
"When she quit as governor of Alaska, that was a questionable move from her point of view, but I thought at least then that she would come to the mainland and really participate in the national debate," he said. "Instead, [it] turns out that she loves Alaska, which is to her credit -- but then I don't know why she quit as governor."
"She has a very shrewd judgment about politics and policy and very good instincts -- but she hasn't done what Reagan ... did, which is really educate himself over a number of years," Kristol said.
"I think she's unlikely to be the Republican nominee, and to be honest I think she probably shouldn't be the Republican nominee for president," he said, adding that he thinks she's "unlikely" to run.
Lou Sarah| 3.29.11 @ 8:44PM
Sarah Palin needs to wake up and the smell the coffee. While she`s been playing tourist in India and Israel, Michelle Bachmann has been quietly laying the groundwork to steal Sarah`s lunch in Iowa--a lightning strike that could place Bachmann in the driver`s seat towards the GOP nomination.