Joe Scarborough tells GOP to man up and confront Sarah Palin

[The_Dude 1,142]

Joe Scarborough tells GOP to man up and confront Sarah Palin

By JOE SCARBOROUGH | 11/30/10 4:44 AM EST Updated: 11/30/10 9:49 AM EST

Republicans have a problem. The most-talked-about figure in the GOP is a reality show star who cannot be elected. And yet the same leaders who fret that Sarah Palin could devastate their party in 2012 are too scared to say in public what they all complain about in private.

Enough. It’s time for the GOP to man up.

Everybody knows that Palin is a busy woman. The former half-term governor of Alaska stays so busy these days that one wonders how this mother of five manages to juggle her new reality show, follow her eldest daughter’s dancing career and launch her latest frenetic book tour while still finding the time to insult a slew of revered presidents and first ladies.

You’ve got to admit hers is a breathtaking high-wire act.

What man or mouse with a fully functioning human brain and a résumé as thin as Palin’s would flirt with a presidential run? It makes the political biography of Barack Obama look more like Winston Churchill’s, despite the fact that the 44th president breezed into the Oval Office as little more than a glorified state senator.

Still, Palin is undeterred, charging ahead maniacally while declaring her intention to run for the top office in the land if “nobody else will.” Adding audacity to this dopey dream is that Palin can’t stop herself from taking swings at Republican giants. In the past month alone, she has mocked Ronald Reagan’s credentials, dismissed George H.W. and Barbara Bush as arrogant “blue bloods” and blamed George W. Bush for wrecking the economy.

Wow. That’ll win ’em over in Iowa.

One can only guess what comes next on Palin’s bizarre road show. Maybe the publishing world’s favorite reality star can keep drawing attention and selling billions of books by spitting on John Wayne’s grave or “manning up” by shooting an American bald eagle.

Or how about this? Maybe Palin could show up on Fox News and build her weak résumé by tearing down Reagan’s.

Oh, wait. Been there, done that.

When Sean Hannity asked Palin whether being in a reality show diminished her standing to be president, the former half-term governor mocked Reagan’s biography, dismissing him as “an actor.”

Sounding like every left-wing politician and media elitist who ridiculed Reagan for decades, Palin sneered that she could be president if the actor from “Bedtime for Bonzo” managed to do so.

Reagan biographer Peggy Noonan dismissed the remark as “ignorant, even for Sarah Palin.” Noonan reported that Reagan loyalists were outraged that Palin would stoop to using the old left-wing jab. The Gipper's former speechwriter then used her Wall Street Journal column to strike back.

Noonan noted that Reagan walked into the White House as far more than an actor.

The 40th president first led a major American labor union through massive upheaval, toured factories for General Electric for eight years and was California’s governor for two full terms during the Golden State’s most momentous times. Reagan then challenged an incumbent president from his own party and reinvented American conservatism without the help of the GOP establishment or the conservative movement.

After Palin mocked Reagan’s credentials, the TLC reality show star took aim at the 41st president and his wife. Borrowing again from old left-wing attacks that Democrats used against GOP presidents, Palin channeled Ann Richards by bashing Bush and his wife as “blue bloods” who had wrecked America.

Palin was perturbed that a former president and his wife would dare to answer a question about whom they preferred for president in 2012. Perhaps her anger was understandable. After all, these disconnected “blue bloods” had nothing in their backgrounds that could ever make them understand “real America” like a former governor from Alaska who quit in the middle of her first term and then got rich.

Maybe Richards and Palin were right. Maybe poor George Herbert Walker Bush was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Indeed, he was so pampered growing up that on his 18th birthday, the young high school graduate enlisted in the armed forces. This spoiled teenager somehow managed to be the youngest pilot in the Navy when he received his wings, flying 58 combat missions over the Pacific during World War II. On Sept. 2, 1944, “Blue Blood” Bush almost lost his life after being shot down by Japanese anti-aircraft fire.

With his engine shattered and his plane on fire, Bush still refused to turn back, completing his mission by scoring several damaging hits on enemy targets. His plane crashed in the Pacific, where he waited for four hours in enemy waters until he was finally rescued. For his bravery and service to this country, Bush was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, three air medals and the Presidential Unit Citation for bravery while in combat.

What a spoiled brat.

I suppose Palin’s harsh dismissal of this great man is more understandable after one reads her biography and realizes that, like Bush, she accomplished a great deal in her early 20s. Who wouldn’t agree that finishing third in the Miss Alaska beauty contest is every bit as treacherous as risking your life in military combat? Maybe the beauty contestant who would one day be a reality star and former governor didn’t win the Distinguished Flying Cross, but the half-termer was selected as Miss Congeniality by her fellow contestants.

And now a point of personal privilege. I work hard every day to assume the best of Americans who engage in public service. But I am offended by Palin’s attempt to build herself up by tearing down great men like Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush.

Palin is not a stupid woman. But like the current president, she still does not know what she does not know. And she does know how to make millions of dollars, even if she embarrasses herself while doing it.

That reality hardly makes Palin unique, but this is one Republican who would prefer that the former half-term governor promote her reality shows and hawk her books without demeaning the reputations of Presidents Reagan and Bush. These great men dedicated their lives to public service and are too good to be fodder for her gaudy circus sideshow.

If Republicans want to embrace Palin as a cultural icon whose anti-intellectualism fulfills a base political need, then have at it. I suppose it’s cheaper than therapy.

But if the party of Ronald Reagan, Paul Ryan and Marco Rubio wants to return to the White House anytime soon, it’s time that Republican leaders started standing up and speaking the truth to Palin.

Source

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[^_^ 5,021]

Yeah, the Bushes may have a ton of money but I don't see how anyone questions GHWB's service to this country. That's simply beyond the pale.

But more to the point - what's Joe up to here? He is joining Hillary pollster Mark Penn, many other Democratic politicians and NYC mayor Bloomberg in the kickoff of the national group called "No labels". This is the opening salvo in a Democratic Party revolt against Obama. Dressing it up as an attack on Palin is genius.

[The_Dude 1,142]

I thought that No Labels group was supposed to be an attempt at bipartisanship, to try to cut out some of the partisan rancor that seems to be the norm in our politics.

[^_^ 5,021]

I thought that No Labels group was supposed to be an attempt at bipartisanship, to try to cut out some of the partisan rancor that seems to be the norm in our politics.

I don't buy it. Mark Penn is a snake. So is Bayh.

Edited November 30, 2010 by \

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

But more to the point - what's Joe up to here? He is joining Hillary pollster Mark Penn, many other Democratic politicians and NYC mayor Bloomberg in the kickoff of the national group called "No labels". This is the opening salvo in a Democratic Party revolt against Obama. Dressing it up as an attack on Palin is genius.

It's more than that. It's testing the waters for a third party located in the center - where Republicans and democrats that don't feel at home on the fringes can work together with independents in a non-ideology driven manner. Quite promising if this actually gets off the ground and manages to produce candicates that win elections. All of a sudden, it's no longer this side or that side running the show but more likely that the center works with either side of the spectrum to get to solutions that work. Interesting stuff.

[The_Dude 1,142]

I don't buy it. Mark Penn is a snake. So is Bayh.

How does Mark Penn have any credibility left? If he were the manager of a football team, he would have been fired and mocked for decades for such a monumental ** up that he pulled off.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

How does Mark Penn have any credibility left? If he were the manager of a football team, he would have been fired and mocked for decades for such a monumental ** up that he pulled off.

He is not a football coach. (Obama would not be asked to coach a girls little league team) He is a Democrat attacking a woman. YeeeeeeeeeHaaaaaaaaaaaa! Anything goes!

[The_Dude 1,142]

He is not a football coach. (Obama would not be asked to coach a girls little league team) He is a Democrat attacking a woman. YeeeeeeeeeHaaaaaaaaaaaa! Anything goes!

English only outside the regional forums please. In the meantime, could someone who speaks fluent moron please translate what Gary said to english?

[Ban Hammer 13,474]

English only outside the regional forums please. In the meantime, could someone who speaks fluent moron please translate what Gary said to english?

are you suggesting gary speaks like a moron?

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Please stop with the personal attacks - the discussion was going along very nicely until they were introduced. Insults and personal attacks accomplish nothing as well as being against the Terms of Service.

[The_Dude 1,142]

are you suggesting gary speaks like a moron?

I'm saying that what he said a few posts ago was unintelligible. I thought I was quite clear about that Charles. Or was that yet another troll from you?

[Danno 1,228]

I actually thought this piece by scarborough was going to touch on some meaningful points... but he spent the bulk of it building up misrepresentations of what Palin even said or meant.... in order to fire away at her.

Why? Palin is a target, largely of her own making so why he waste so much time trying to convince us the Bushs are just regular "joes"?

Anyway.....I tend to believe, the REpublicans don't have a problem with Palin as much as they have a problem with their -inability to run attractive, inspiring candidates..... and so Palin steps into the void.

Last I looked, mike Huckabee was polling at the top....... MIKE HUCKABEE!

[The_Dude 1,142]

I actually thought this piece by scarborough was going to touch on some meaningful points... but he spent the bulk of it building up misrepresentations of what Palin even said or meant.... in order to fire away at her.

Why? Palin is a target, largely of her own making so why he waste so much time trying to convince us the Bushs are just regular "joes"?

Anyway.....I tend to believe, the REpublicans don't have a problem with Palin as much as they have a problem with their -inability to run attractive, inspiring candidates..... and so Palin steps into the void.

Last I looked, mike Huckabee was polling at the top....... MIKE HUCKABEE!

Depends on what poll you see. I've seen some that have Romney polling at the top. The point though, is that Palin isn't really a serious candidate, nor is she intellectually qualified for the job. Her points were not misrepresented.

I really don't think we'll see any of the current so-called front runners actually win the primary.

[Danno 1,228]

Depends on what poll you see. I've seen some that have Romney polling at the top. The point though, is that Palin isn't really a serious candidate, nor is she intellectually qualified for the job. Her points were not misrepresented.

I really don't think we'll see any of the current so-called front runners actually win the primary.

"intellectually qualified"?

Yeah I guess being intellectual can come in handy but trust me, after 4 yrs of Obama and his band of intellectuals.... that will not be high on Americas "Must have" list when looking for the next Pres.

I'd bet on it.

Many are waiting for new blood to surface in the gop bull pen of presidential candidates......we'll see.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I'm saying that what he said a few posts ago was unintelligible. I thought I was quite clear about that Charles. Or was that yet another troll from you?

Being over one's head is not the same as "unintelligible"

Thank you to Kathryn41 for noting the lack os substance in some posts. It is OK for Democrats to attack women. It is OK for Democras to attack irrelevent women.

For my part I am actually happy and will no longer comment on the Dems spending time and energy on irrelevent things.