Sarah Palin: Clarence Thomas 2008

[Teacher Mark 53]

More ravings from a deranged lunatic.

I am far from a fan, but Jonathon Freedland (big Obamaite and left wing) makes similar points in the UK Guardian (aa left-leaning paper)

Who knows if Palin will bring victory or defeat? But the culture wars are back

Some exerpts:

But Democrats who make these points risk doing the Republicans' work for them, falling into the wearily familiar trap of sounding like condescending coastal elitists, who look down their noses at ordinary Americans like the Palins. The blue-collar Republican base is already wild for the governor: every time they see a New York talking head say how absurd her candidacy is, they'll like her even more.

What no one can know is whether that cost will be outweighed by the gains Palin brings, galvanising a socially conservative base that had been previously lukewarm towards McCain. What we can know already is that this election will share a depressing feature with the contests of the past 40 years: that America will plunge again into the never-ending culture wars.

For Palin cannot help but polarise the electorate. Everything that liberal, blue-state America can't stand about her makes conservative, red-state America swoon. It's not just about "Jesus babies and guns," as Rush Limbaugh pithily put it. Palin also wants "intelligent design" - creationism - taught in school. When she was mayor of the small town of Wasilla, "she asked the library how she could go about banning books," according to a local official quoted by Time. Palin was worried about "inappropriate" language. "The librarian was aghast" - and was later threatened with the sack.

In his stirring speech last week, Obama urged America not to "make a big election about small things". Yet here we are, discussing not Sarah Palin's record or programme but Jesus, guns, and as one feminist blogger put it yesterday, "the uterine activity of her family". This is a setback for women, especially in a year that seemed to promise a breakthrough, but it is also a setback for America itself.

Obama made his name four years ago with a speech that called for an end to the civil war of red against blue. In 2008, he urged a different kind of election, one that would match the gravity of the hour. But the naming of Sarah Palin, and the reaction it has provoked, has dashed that hope. Americans are, once again, fighting over the questions that politics can never really settle - faith, sexuality - and pushing aside the ones that it can. And which it must.

Full article is here:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/20...tions2008.palin

Erm.....I wouldn't call Rush Limbaugh non-biased when it comes to comparing the Thomas scenario to the Palin nomination.

I'm not saying he's not - but a lot of people listen to him and he knows how to rally the troops

I wouldn't listen to that type of bashing from the left either. I listened to Allen Colmes a few times and was almost as put off by him as I am by Rush, or any of the others. Since I drive alot I split my time between CNN, Fox and The NFL Network.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

More ravings from a deranged lunatic.

Did you read any of it? Whether you like it or not he is saying things that a large portion of America is thinking. All this Palin bashing is going to backfire on the dems. And trying to use her daughter like this will without any doubt backfire.

You mean it will backfire on the press and a few blog sites. Probably not.

It will backfire on Obama and the dems. No doubt about it. Watch the polls over the next few weeks. This sort of thing entrenches the "elitist" persona that the liberals have gained.

Oh, Gary, please. It won't backfire and you know it. American voters recognize it for what it is - just the usual political game. ####### for tat; nasty remark for nasty remark.

Exactly. There are no martyrs here.

[Teacher Mark 53]

More ravings from a deranged lunatic.

Did you read any of it? Whether you like it or not he is saying things that a large portion of America is thinking. All this Palin bashing is going to backfire on the dems. And trying to use her daughter like this will without any doubt backfire.

Yes, I read the entire article. He needs to go practice Steps 1, 2, 3... actually all of them.

[GaryC 7]

More ravings from a deranged lunatic.

Did you read any of it? Whether you like it or not he is saying things that a large portion of America is thinking. All this Palin bashing is going to backfire on the dems. And trying to use her daughter like this will without any doubt backfire.

You mean it will backfire on the press and a few blog sites. Probably not.

It will backfire on Obama and the dems. No doubt about it. Watch the polls over the next few weeks. This sort of thing entrenches the "elitist" persona that the liberals have gained.

Oh, Gary, please. It won't backfire and you know it. American voters recognize it for what it is - just the usual political game. ####### for tat; nasty remark for nasty remark.

I couldn't disagree more. This is going to blow up in their faces if they keep it up.

[HAL 9000 96]

More ravings from a deranged lunatic.

Did you read any of it? Whether you like it or not he is saying things that a large portion of America is thinking. All this Palin bashing is going to backfire on the dems. And trying to use her daughter like this will without any doubt backfire.

You mean it will backfire on the press and a few blog sites. Probably not.

It will backfire on Obama and the dems. No doubt about it. Watch the polls over the next few weeks. This sort of thing entrenches the "elitist" persona that the liberals have gained.

[?]

Elitist liberals... here we go again. Man this is getting better. First you need to substantiate that this is a Democratic campaign smear campaign. You probably won't and can't, so why fretting other than trying to make much of nothing?

Yeah, lets keep relying on see-saw polls. My guess is that this one will go away in a day or two (as have the rest of the other non-issues) as people are reminded of the real issues that may make a 2008 victory for McCain a little harder to attain, independent of the polls. If Obama doesn't use real issues to campaign then yes, we can talk about a Republican victory- regardless of what reality states. But for now, according to what I saw by his house not 20 minutes ago, he's home resting (as far as I can tell). Lots of Secret Service and CPD with the streets a bit blocked.

[GaryC 7]

More ravings from a deranged lunatic.

Did you read any of it? Whether you like it or not he is saying things that a large portion of America is thinking. All this Palin bashing is going to backfire on the dems. And trying to use her daughter like this will without any doubt backfire.

You mean it will backfire on the press and a few blog sites. Probably not.

It will backfire on Obama and the dems. No doubt about it. Watch the polls over the next few weeks. This sort of thing entrenches the "elitist" persona that the liberals have gained.

[?]

Elitist liberals... here we go again. Man this is getting better. First you need to substantiate that this is a Democratic campaign smear campaign. You probably won't and can't, so why fretting other than trying to make much of nothing?

Yeah, lets keep relying on see-saw polls. My guess is that this one will go away in a day or two (as have the rest of the other non-issues) as people are reminded of the real issues that may make a 2008 victory for McCain a little harder to attain, independent of the polls. If Obama doesn't use real issues to campaign then yes, we can talk about a Republican victory- regardless of what reality states. But for now, according to what I saw by his house not 20 minutes ago, he's home resting (as far as I can tell). Lots of Secret Service and CPD with the streets a bit blocked.

He who laughs in November laughs last. Obama isn't going to win for a whole host of reasons. This will be one of them if the left doesn't reign in it's nut cases.

[HAL 9000 96]

More ravings from a deranged lunatic.

Did you read any of it? Whether you like it or not he is saying things that a large portion of America is thinking. All this Palin bashing is going to backfire on the dems. And trying to use her daughter like this will without any doubt backfire.

You mean it will backfire on the press and a few blog sites. Probably not.

It will backfire on Obama and the dems. No doubt about it. Watch the polls over the next few weeks. This sort of thing entrenches the "elitist" persona that the liberals have gained.

Oh, Gary, please. It won't backfire and you know it. American voters recognize it for what it is - just the usual political game. ####### for tat; nasty remark for nasty remark.

I couldn't disagree more. This is going to blow up in their faces if they keep it up.

'They' needs to be honed in on a bit better Gary. You've made pretty far-off predictions before that blew up in your face... not anyone elses.

[Ban Hammer 13,335]

More ravings from a deranged lunatic.

Did you read any of it? Whether you like it or not he is saying things that a large portion of America is thinking. All this Palin bashing is going to backfire on the dems. And trying to use her daughter like this will without any doubt backfire.

You mean it will backfire on the press and a few blog sites. Probably not.

It will backfire on Obama and the dems. No doubt about it. Watch the polls over the next few weeks. This sort of thing entrenches the "elitist" persona that the liberals have gained.

Oh, Gary, please. It won't backfire and you know it. American voters recognize it for what it is - just the usual political game. ####### for tat; nasty remark for nasty remark.

I couldn't disagree more. This is going to blow up in their faces if they keep it up.

'They' needs to be honed in on a bit better Gary. You've made pretty far-off predictions before that blew up in your face... not anyone elses.

he did tell monica not to work at the white house........

[HAL 9000 96]

More ravings from a deranged lunatic.

Did you read any of it? Whether you like it or not he is saying things that a large portion of America is thinking. All this Palin bashing is going to backfire on the dems. And trying to use her daughter like this will without any doubt backfire.

You mean it will backfire on the press and a few blog sites. Probably not.

It will backfire on Obama and the dems. No doubt about it. Watch the polls over the next few weeks. This sort of thing entrenches the "elitist" persona that the liberals have gained.

[?]

Elitist liberals... here we go again. Man this is getting better. First you need to substantiate that this is a Democratic campaign smear campaign. You probably won't and can't, so why fretting other than trying to make much of nothing?

Yeah, lets keep relying on see-saw polls. My guess is that this one will go away in a day or two (as have the rest of the other non-issues) as people are reminded of the real issues that may make a 2008 victory for McCain a little harder to attain, independent of the polls. If Obama doesn't use real issues to campaign then yes, we can talk about a Republican victory- regardless of what reality states. But for now, according to what I saw by his house not 20 minutes ago, he's home resting (as far as I can tell). Lots of Secret Service and CPD with the streets a bit blocked.

He who laughs in November laughs last. Obama isn't going to win for a whole host of reasons. This will be one of them if the left doesn't reign in it's nut cases.

Perhaps... but if we go on patterns of predictions made by yourself... I have little to worry about.

[GaryC 7]

More ravings from a deranged lunatic.

Did you read any of it? Whether you like it or not he is saying things that a large portion of America is thinking. All this Palin bashing is going to backfire on the dems. And trying to use her daughter like this will without any doubt backfire.

You mean it will backfire on the press and a few blog sites. Probably not.

It will backfire on Obama and the dems. No doubt about it. Watch the polls over the next few weeks. This sort of thing entrenches the "elitist" persona that the liberals have gained.

Oh, Gary, please. It won't backfire and you know it. American voters recognize it for what it is - just the usual political game. ####### for tat; nasty remark for nasty remark.

I couldn't disagree more. This is going to blow up in their faces if they keep it up.

'They' needs to be honed in on a bit better Gary. You've made pretty far-off predictions before that blew up in your face... not anyone elses.

Ah yes, the smartest man in VJ has spoken. Sorry your Highness. I forgot myself for a minute. Please forgive me.

[HAL 9000 96]

More ravings from a deranged lunatic.

Did you read any of it? Whether you like it or not he is saying things that a large portion of America is thinking. All this Palin bashing is going to backfire on the dems. And trying to use her daughter like this will without any doubt backfire.

You mean it will backfire on the press and a few blog sites. Probably not.

It will backfire on Obama and the dems. No doubt about it. Watch the polls over the next few weeks. This sort of thing entrenches the "elitist" persona that the liberals have gained.

Oh, Gary, please. It won't backfire and you know it. American voters recognize it for what it is - just the usual political game. ####### for tat; nasty remark for nasty remark.

I couldn't disagree more. This is going to blow up in their faces if they keep it up.

'They' needs to be honed in on a bit better Gary. You've made pretty far-off predictions before that blew up in your face... not anyone elses.

Ah yes, the smartest man in VJ has spoken. Sorry your Highness. I forgot myself for a minute. Please forgive me.

Should I just provide you with a couple of VJ searches or can you look yourself up?

Hey I don't make the jokes up.

Not a whole lot of intelligence necessary for that one.

[rebeccajo 14]

More ravings from a deranged lunatic.

Did you read any of it? Whether you like it or not he is saying things that a large portion of America is thinking. All this Palin bashing is going to backfire on the dems. And trying to use her daughter like this will without any doubt backfire.

You mean it will backfire on the press and a few blog sites. Probably not.

It will backfire on Obama and the dems. No doubt about it. Watch the polls over the next few weeks. This sort of thing entrenches the "elitist" persona that the liberals have gained.

Oh, Gary, please. It won't backfire and you know it. American voters recognize it for what it is - just the usual political game. ####### for tat; nasty remark for nasty remark.

I couldn't disagree more. This is going to blow up in their faces if they keep it up.

Ok, Gary. What I'm about to say next has nothing to do with who supports which candidate. Really, it doesn't.

BUT....

You can't seriously believe that, can you? I mean, come on. We've all seen it all before, LOTS o'times.

And while we're at it, I don't think it really MATTERS whether McCain picked SP because she's female. It's the perception. It LOOKS like that's what they did. This is why it's so ridiculous the more the GOP goes on about how that's NOT why she was chosen. They should just STFU and move forward. Of course, if they HAD picked one of the dozen or so really qualified females, they'd have less to defend. But the perception would have been there anyway, no matter who the poor woman might have been.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Robin,

Don't you think you're playing up to this nonsense with your generalizations on who is perpetuating all of this? When did Andrew Sullivan become 'the voice of left wing bloggers?' I think everyone needs to be careful about painting with a broad brush, rushing to judgment, putting their foot in ther mouth, etc.. If Andrew Sullivan said something out of line, then criticize him for it along with whoever else says something that is out of line about Bristol Palin's pregnancy.

He's not. But he is an important and very respected journalist and media figure, as the former editor of the New Republic and writer for mainstream publications like Salon and the New York Times. That his actions can get me to agree with Rush Limbaugh is nothing short of incredible.

And of course you're right Steve - but if I, a card-carrying member of the liberal, coastal elite and someone who is committed to voting for Obama in this election, feels my own family personally attacked by some of this nonsense (and I know it's nonsense) how do you think someone in an important swing state like Ohio or Missouri feels who is presently lukewarm to him feels? If you don't think the way some people treat this stuff will rally the conservative base you may be surprised - they will milk it for all it's worth.

I understand what you are saying and I am concerned, but golly gee - as quickly as this stuff is being surfaced and published on the blogosphere, look how quickly Rush and many on the Right are calling foul on this...which makes me suspicious of their supposed sincerety or selective outrage. Where was the outrage from Rush when Michelle Obama was raked over the coals for saying that she was finally proud to be an American?

As for Britol Palin's pregnancy - I don't think it's being realistic to think this news should not be talked about, particularly since Sarah Palin decided to go public with it. She could have made a public statement about her daughter that her family wishes to keep their family matters private, but instead she chose to announce to the press that her 17 yr. old daughter is pregnant. And given the context of it -that Palin is an outspoken advocate of abstinence only vs. sex education, it does take on a different life of itself considering the social ramifications if she and McCain were elected into the WH.

I remember how Surgeon General Joyce Elders was forced to step down after she condone masturbation as an alternative to having teen sex. She became the laughing stock of the right wing media for her comments.

[GaryC 7]

Not a whole lot of intelligence necessary for that one.

Then your the right man for the job.

[joelunchbox 0]

Clarence Thomas--at best a middling supreme court judge. We got exactly what we wanted in him.