She's 20 years old. How in the world can she afford to buy a house?
Bristol Palin buys house in Maricopa
Pinal County has certainly become a hotbed for republican politics as of late, but the recent sale of a Maricopa home to the daughter of America’s most famous hockey mom has the gravitas to take that to an entirely different level.
According to county records, Bristol Palin, the 20-year daughter of former GOP vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin, has purchased a 5-bedroom home in Maricopa -- closing on the nearly 4,000-square-foot dwelling in early December.
Palin purchased the house from Michael and Cynthia Smith for $172,000, records show. The Smiths have
owned multiple properties in Maricopa and have listed a North Dakota address on multiple real estate documents.
The home was built in 2006 and initially sold for $329,560.
Whether Palin plans to live in the home, or whether she purchased it for other reasons, such as to re-sell, or become a seasonal visitor to the area, has yet to be made public. Various reports have linked her as a potential broadcast journalism student at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism, but neither Palin or the school itself has publicly confirmed the rumor.
Sarah Palin’s political star power has arguably heightened since she stepped down as governor of Alaska in July 2009. She first gained notoriety as John McCain’s running mate during the U.S. Senator from Arizona’s bid for the White House in 2008, and is considered hardly a longshot to seek the republican presidential nomination herself in 2012.
Sarah Palin also currently stars in the TLC reality television program, “Sarah Palin’s Alaska,” while Bristol Palin recently made a name for herself on the reality television circuit as well. She finished in third place during the most recent season of ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars.”
Bristol Palin came to the forefront during her mother’s vice-presidential run when the Palin family announced that the then-17-year-old was pregnant. Following the birth of her son, Tripp, in 2008, Bristol Palin spoke out as a teen pregnancy prevention advocate.
Initial attempts by the Maricopa Monitor to contact representatives of Sarah Palin and the Palin family have been unsuccessful.
“I’m not sure why she wanted to buy that home, but we are real happy for her,” Michael Smith told the Arizona Republic. “She seems like a nice girl. We’re excited for her.”
People Magazine reported over the weekend that longtime Maricopa resident and current vice mayor Edward Farrell said he gave Todd Palin – Bristol’s father and Sarah’s husband – a personal tour of the Maricopa area earlier this year.
“I left the meeting thinking that maybe he and Sarah were looking for a place to live,” Farrell said, his comments appearing Sunday in a story on the celebrity news magazine web site.
“It’s not about glitz and glamour, but about quality of life,” he added. “I think she bought in the best neighborhood that Maricopa has to offer.”
How far is it, really?
Wasilla, AK to Maricopa, AZ
Should Palin actually make the move...
By Air: 50 mile drive from Wasilla to Ted Stevens Anchorage Int’l Airport; 2,550 miles (one-way) air trip to Phoenix Sky Harbor Int’l; 31.5 mile drive to Maricopa’s city center
By Car: 3,640 miles (one-way); Route runs from Wasilla through Canada’s Yukon, British Columbia, and Alberta territories; into U.S. through Montana, Idaho, and Utah, before reaching Arizona.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
28 Dec, 2010: Politics Daily: Palin Trails Other Potential 2012 Presidential Candidates Among Republicans
Palin Trails Other Potential 2012 Presidential Candidates Among Republicans
Reporting on each new poll that throws cold water on Sarah Palin's chances as a presidential candidate may be starting to sound like it's piling on. But not only have recent surveys shown that big percentages of the general public don't look kindly on a Palin candidacy, a new poll by CNN/Opinion Research finds that she makes the worst showing among fellow Republicans when compared to potential GOP contenders considered for the moment to be in the top tier.
Fifty-one percent of Republicans who were surveyed in the poll conducted Dec. 17-19 said they were not very likely or not likely at all to support Palin if she decided to run compared to 49 percent who said they'd back her.
That's a turnaround from December 2008, right in the wake of the just-ended presidential campaign, when 67 percent said they'd be likely to support a Palin run while 33 percent would not.
By contrast, Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee and Newt Gingrich are all in positive territory.
Fifty-nine percent are very or somewhat likely to back Romney compared to 40 percent who are not; 67 percent are very or somewhat likely to support Huckabee compared to 31 percent who are not; and, 54 percent are very or somewhat likely to get behind Gingrich compared to 44 percent who are not.
None of the four has higher than 27 percent of Republicans who describe themselves as "very" and not just "somewhat" likely to support them.
The unencouraging news for Palin about the sentiments of Republicans follows a Washington Post/ABC News poll conducted Dec. 9-12 that said 59 percent of all Americans ruled out backing Palin for president.
Palin's problems with the general electorate were also evident in surveys conducted over the last two months in 10 states by Public Policy Polling, which found that voters in every one of them held an unfavorable opinion of her. PPP said that an average 56 percent of voters saw her unfavorably in Florida, Ohio, North Carolina and Virginia, which it viewed as key to GOP chances in the 2012 presidential race.
One of Palin's worst showings was in her home state of Alaska where 58 percent regarded her unfavorably.
Reporting on each new poll that throws cold water on Sarah Palin's chances as a presidential candidate may be starting to sound like it's piling on. But not only have recent surveys shown that big percentages of the general public don't look kindly on a Palin candidacy, a new poll by CNN/Opinion Research finds that she makes the worst showing among fellow Republicans when compared to potential GOP contenders considered for the moment to be in the top tier.
Fifty-one percent of Republicans who were surveyed in the poll conducted Dec. 17-19 said they were not very likely or not likely at all to support Palin if she decided to run compared to 49 percent who said they'd back her.
That's a turnaround from December 2008, right in the wake of the just-ended presidential campaign, when 67 percent said they'd be likely to support a Palin run while 33 percent would not.
By contrast, Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee and Newt Gingrich are all in positive territory.
Fifty-nine percent are very or somewhat likely to back Romney compared to 40 percent who are not; 67 percent are very or somewhat likely to support Huckabee compared to 31 percent who are not; and, 54 percent are very or somewhat likely to get behind Gingrich compared to 44 percent who are not.
None of the four has higher than 27 percent of Republicans who describe themselves as "very" and not just "somewhat" likely to support them.
The unencouraging news for Palin about the sentiments of Republicans follows a Washington Post/ABC News poll conducted Dec. 9-12 that said 59 percent of all Americans ruled out backing Palin for president.
Palin's problems with the general electorate were also evident in surveys conducted over the last two months in 10 states by Public Policy Polling, which found that voters in every one of them held an unfavorable opinion of her. PPP said that an average 56 percent of voters saw her unfavorably in Florida, Ohio, North Carolina and Virginia, which it viewed as key to GOP chances in the 2012 presidential race.
One of Palin's worst showings was in her home state of Alaska where 58 percent regarded her unfavorably.
Monday, December 27, 2010
27 Dec, 2010: Huffington Post: Hillary Clinton Outpaces Sarah Palin As 'Most Admired Woman' Of 2010
Hillary Clinton Outpaces Sarah Palin As 'Most Admired Woman' Of 2010
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has emerged victorious in 2010 with Gallup's crown for the "most admired woman" of the year, beating out Sarah Palin for the third year in a row. This year's title constitutes Clinton's ninth consecutive win, and 15th in the last 18 years.
Clinton took 17 percent of the vote this year, topping Palin's 12 percent and Oprah Winfrey's 11 percent. First Lady Michelle Obama came in fourth, with 5 percent of voters saying they admire her the most. Palin had gained some ground on Clinton in 2009, when the 9-point gap between them in 2008 narrowed to a mere point.
Democrats and Independents strongly favored Clinton over other women, with 31 percent of Democrats choosing her and 13 percent choosing Oprah, while just 15 percent of Independents favored Clinton and 10 percent chose Oprah. On the Republican side, 25 percent picked Palin, 8 percent picked Oprah, and 5 percent picked Clinton.
President Barack Obama ran away with the men's contest, taking 22 percent of the vote for "most admired man" in 2010. His comparatively low overall total -- in 2009 he took 30 percent and in 2008 finished with 32 percent -- seems to match the trend in his approval ratings. Former presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton finished in second and third, winning 5 percent and 4 percent of the vote respectively. Glenn Beck and Rev. Billy Graham each finished with 2 percent, earning more points than the Dalai Lama, who finished in tenth place, with 1 percent of the vote.
The poll's results are based on random telephone interviews with 1,019 adults. The margin of error is ±4 percentage points.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has emerged victorious in 2010 with Gallup's crown for the "most admired woman" of the year, beating out Sarah Palin for the third year in a row. This year's title constitutes Clinton's ninth consecutive win, and 15th in the last 18 years.
Clinton took 17 percent of the vote this year, topping Palin's 12 percent and Oprah Winfrey's 11 percent. First Lady Michelle Obama came in fourth, with 5 percent of voters saying they admire her the most. Palin had gained some ground on Clinton in 2009, when the 9-point gap between them in 2008 narrowed to a mere point.
Democrats and Independents strongly favored Clinton over other women, with 31 percent of Democrats choosing her and 13 percent choosing Oprah, while just 15 percent of Independents favored Clinton and 10 percent chose Oprah. On the Republican side, 25 percent picked Palin, 8 percent picked Oprah, and 5 percent picked Clinton.
President Barack Obama ran away with the men's contest, taking 22 percent of the vote for "most admired man" in 2010. His comparatively low overall total -- in 2009 he took 30 percent and in 2008 finished with 32 percent -- seems to match the trend in his approval ratings. Former presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton finished in second and third, winning 5 percent and 4 percent of the vote respectively. Glenn Beck and Rev. Billy Graham each finished with 2 percent, earning more points than the Dalai Lama, who finished in tenth place, with 1 percent of the vote.
The poll's results are based on random telephone interviews with 1,019 adults. The margin of error is ±4 percentage points.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
26 Dec 2010, Huff Post: Top Religion Newsmaker: Imam, pope or Sarah Palin?
HUffington Post: Top Religion Newsmaker: Imam, pope or Sarah Palin?
By Bebeto Matthews, AP
Muslim community leader Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf is going to tour the United States explaining his proposed Islamic cultural centre near the site of the September 11th terrorist attacks. Religion writers voted him the newsmaker of the year.
Imam Abdul Feisal Rauf, the force behind an effort to build a community center-with-a-prayer-room two blocks from the footprint of the World Trade Center twin towers, is my pick for religion newsmaker of the year.
After Christmas season is List Season -- the annual summing up of significant voices and events before we plunge forward into a new year.
Religion Newswriters Association, the professional association of journalists who cover this beat (NOTE: I'm a member) picked Rauf as well in an annual members survey.
You may have someone else in mind. Some contenders:
Pope Benedict XVI jolted believers with a surprising-- and initially confusing -- comment on condoms in a newly published book, based on extraordinary interviews he gave a German journalists.
There is no change to the Catholic Church teaching that artificial contraception is unacceptable but for someone infected with HIV/AIDS using a condom to avoid spreading a killer virus, he says, might be a moral act.
The Vatican also reeled as revelations of clergy sexual abuse exploded across Europe. Coverage of Benedict's role in dealing with abuse allegations against priests in the USA in the decades before he became pope also caught headlines -- and vigorous Vatican defense.
Sarah Palin continued to punctuate many paragraphs in her books and speeches with references to God. The ex-governor, maybe-presidential-candidate could be nudging out other voices on the religious right in political influence (although she has one of its most conservative and inflammatory voices, Rev. Franklin Graham, on speed dial.)
Graham himself made news, first with leading his aid group into earthquake-devastated Haiti, then with his showdown at the Pentagon over whether someone who calls Islam evil could lead a prayer service at our multi-faith military headquarters on the National Day of Prayer.
Rev. Franklin Graham speaks with reporters outside the Pentagon, Thursday, May 6, 2010. Graham prayed on a sidewalk outside the Pentagon Thursday after having being disinvited inside because of comments that insulted people of other religions.
CAPTIONBy Cliff Owen, Associated PressIn the end of that dust up, Graham prayed on the sidewalk in front of the Pentagon-- but got plenty of TV news air time to continue attacking Islam.
Glenn Beck's rally at the National Mall captured most of the attention but he set out to proclaim God blessed it with a night-before Divine Destiny gathering of prayer, preachers and politicians at the Kennedy Center. His Mormon beliefs rattle some conservative Christians but Beck may be chasing Palin for God-mentions.
For comic relief, we can thank Christine I-am-not-a-witch O'Donnell for giving politics a brief spiritual buzz -- and giving pagans their day in the sun explaining and defending their beliefs. O'Donnell lost her bid to be the U.S. senator from Delaware but promises to stay in politics.
But I still stand by Rauf as the person whose actions prompted news through much of 2010 and will likely continue to do so in the year to come.
Rauf's plans for a center in Lower Manhattan to serve Muslims and their neighbors was originally intended to be an Islamic version of the Jewish-founded 92nd Street Y which serves the Upper East Side.
But it became known, erroneously, as the Ground Zero Mosque.
And with that mistaken label, the center became a flash point for anyone angry at Muslims, or Islam for any reason including many who falsely conflate all Muslims with potential terrorists.
As the furor built a Florida pastor hogged headlines threatening to burn a Quran and someone torched construction equipment at the construction site for a mosque near Nashville.
Rauf now tells Associated Press he'll tour the country to enlighten people about Islam and the true purpose of Park51, as supporters call the project planned to revitalized a dejected, unused former Burlington Coat Factory outlet.
As he arrives city after city, major media will revisit the controversy over its site near Ground Zero and Rauf will endeavor to outtalk, outpray, objections to the project, which was also the number one religion story of the year on the RNA List.
By Bebeto Matthews, AP
Muslim community leader Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf is going to tour the United States explaining his proposed Islamic cultural centre near the site of the September 11th terrorist attacks. Religion writers voted him the newsmaker of the year.
Imam Abdul Feisal Rauf, the force behind an effort to build a community center-with-a-prayer-room two blocks from the footprint of the World Trade Center twin towers, is my pick for religion newsmaker of the year.
After Christmas season is List Season -- the annual summing up of significant voices and events before we plunge forward into a new year.
Religion Newswriters Association, the professional association of journalists who cover this beat (NOTE: I'm a member) picked Rauf as well in an annual members survey.
You may have someone else in mind. Some contenders:
Pope Benedict XVI jolted believers with a surprising-- and initially confusing -- comment on condoms in a newly published book, based on extraordinary interviews he gave a German journalists.
There is no change to the Catholic Church teaching that artificial contraception is unacceptable but for someone infected with HIV/AIDS using a condom to avoid spreading a killer virus, he says, might be a moral act.
The Vatican also reeled as revelations of clergy sexual abuse exploded across Europe. Coverage of Benedict's role in dealing with abuse allegations against priests in the USA in the decades before he became pope also caught headlines -- and vigorous Vatican defense.
Sarah Palin continued to punctuate many paragraphs in her books and speeches with references to God. The ex-governor, maybe-presidential-candidate could be nudging out other voices on the religious right in political influence (although she has one of its most conservative and inflammatory voices, Rev. Franklin Graham, on speed dial.)
Graham himself made news, first with leading his aid group into earthquake-devastated Haiti, then with his showdown at the Pentagon over whether someone who calls Islam evil could lead a prayer service at our multi-faith military headquarters on the National Day of Prayer.
Rev. Franklin Graham speaks with reporters outside the Pentagon, Thursday, May 6, 2010. Graham prayed on a sidewalk outside the Pentagon Thursday after having being disinvited inside because of comments that insulted people of other religions.
CAPTIONBy Cliff Owen, Associated PressIn the end of that dust up, Graham prayed on the sidewalk in front of the Pentagon-- but got plenty of TV news air time to continue attacking Islam.
Glenn Beck's rally at the National Mall captured most of the attention but he set out to proclaim God blessed it with a night-before Divine Destiny gathering of prayer, preachers and politicians at the Kennedy Center. His Mormon beliefs rattle some conservative Christians but Beck may be chasing Palin for God-mentions.
For comic relief, we can thank Christine I-am-not-a-witch O'Donnell for giving politics a brief spiritual buzz -- and giving pagans their day in the sun explaining and defending their beliefs. O'Donnell lost her bid to be the U.S. senator from Delaware but promises to stay in politics.
But I still stand by Rauf as the person whose actions prompted news through much of 2010 and will likely continue to do so in the year to come.
Rauf's plans for a center in Lower Manhattan to serve Muslims and their neighbors was originally intended to be an Islamic version of the Jewish-founded 92nd Street Y which serves the Upper East Side.
But it became known, erroneously, as the Ground Zero Mosque.
And with that mistaken label, the center became a flash point for anyone angry at Muslims, or Islam for any reason including many who falsely conflate all Muslims with potential terrorists.
As the furor built a Florida pastor hogged headlines threatening to burn a Quran and someone torched construction equipment at the construction site for a mosque near Nashville.
Rauf now tells Associated Press he'll tour the country to enlighten people about Islam and the true purpose of Park51, as supporters call the project planned to revitalized a dejected, unused former Burlington Coat Factory outlet.
As he arrives city after city, major media will revisit the controversy over its site near Ground Zero and Rauf will endeavor to outtalk, outpray, objections to the project, which was also the number one religion story of the year on the RNA List.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Huffington Post: Sarah Palin Jabs Michelle Obama's Anti-Obesity Campaign With S'mores
Sarah Palin Jabs Michelle Obama's Anti-Obesity Campaign With S'mores
Sarah Palin took a shot at Michelle Obama during Sunday's episode of her reality TV show, "Sarah Palin's Alaska," jabbing the first lady's anti-obesity campaign for attempting to deprive Americans of dessert.
While searching for s'mores ingredients on a family camping trip, Palin remarked:
"Where are the s'mores ingredients? This is in honor of Michelle Obama, who said the other day we should not have dessert."
Michelle Obama has been a key proponent of an initiative to improve children's health by encouraging better diets and sufficient exercise. In May she announced her "Let's Move" program, which promoted dessert alternatives, among other dietary suggestions.
The Associated Press reported at the time:
One in 3 American children is overweight or obese, putting them at higher risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and other illnesses. Obesity is even more prevalent among black and Hispanic children. Some public health experts say today's children are on track to live shorter lives than their parents.
But Palin has maintained that Obama's effort to combat child obesity -- which was recently aided by the passage of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act -- is one that seeks to take away "God-given rights to make our own decisions." Some have since slammed that comment as Palin's demanding that Americans cling to their "God-Given right to be fat."
During an appearance on Laura Ingraham's radio program last month, Palin complained:
And CNN relays another incident in Pennsylvania last month, in which the former Alaska governor sought to criticize the first lady's health plan:
Sarah Palin took a shot at Michelle Obama during Sunday's episode of her reality TV show, "Sarah Palin's Alaska," jabbing the first lady's anti-obesity campaign for attempting to deprive Americans of dessert.
While searching for s'mores ingredients on a family camping trip, Palin remarked:
"Where are the s'mores ingredients? This is in honor of Michelle Obama, who said the other day we should not have dessert."
Michelle Obama has been a key proponent of an initiative to improve children's health by encouraging better diets and sufficient exercise. In May she announced her "Let's Move" program, which promoted dessert alternatives, among other dietary suggestions.
The Associated Press reported at the time:
One in 3 American children is overweight or obese, putting them at higher risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and other illnesses. Obesity is even more prevalent among black and Hispanic children. Some public health experts say today's children are on track to live shorter lives than their parents.
But Palin has maintained that Obama's effort to combat child obesity -- which was recently aided by the passage of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act -- is one that seeks to take away "God-given rights to make our own decisions." Some have since slammed that comment as Palin's demanding that Americans cling to their "God-Given right to be fat."
During an appearance on Laura Ingraham's radio program last month, Palin complained:
"Instead of a government thinking that they need to take over and make decisions for us according to some politician or politician's wife priorities, just leave us alone, get off our back."
And CNN relays another incident in Pennsylvania last month, in which the former Alaska governor sought to criticize the first lady's health plan:
Palin also hand-delivered cookies to a Pennsylvania school last month before delivering a speech there, saying: "Who should be deciding what I eat? Should it be government or should it be parents? It should be the parents."
Monday, December 20, 2010
19 Dec 2010, The Frisky: Sarah Palin Calls Herself A Feminist, Promptly Renounces Feminism
Sarah Palin Calls Herself A Feminist, Promptly Renounces Feminism
I know nothing will put some warm, fuzzy Christmas cheer in your heart like listening to Bill O’Reilly and Sarah Palin discuss feminism. So let’s dive right in and hear what Mama Grizzly has to say, shall we?
The video on TV Squad has been edited, so this transcript is not the full conversation but just what was posted online. I put ellipses (...) where it appears the video was edited:
Bill O’Reilly: “You say you are a feminist, but you resent the fact that label has been co-opted by the left.”
Sarah Palin: “I think there’s a lot of hypocrisy with women’s rights groups and those who proclaim to be the only ones who can wear that mantle of ‘feminist’ and they do not empower women. In fact, they make women feel weak and incapable of taking care of themselves and their families. ... I believe it’s all about a person’s character and their work ethic and how they choose to take care of themselves and their families. ... Too many feminists today have decided that women need someone to take care of them. That’s the most hypocritical (makes air quotes with her fingers) ‘feminist mantra’ that there can be.”
O’Reilly: “Why do you say you’re a feminist?”
Palin: “Because I am self-reliant and quite independent and I’m lucky to have been brought up in a family where, really, gender hasn’t been an issue and brought up in a community and a state where you’re expected to work — the women are — as hard as the men are and even engage in the same type of of jobs that they are. It’s really about your work ethic and your character.”
O’Reilly: “Yeah, you made it on your own.”
There is a lot to unpack from any conversation about Sarah Palin and feminism and we’ve likely done it on posts like this one and that one. I just have a couple thoughts I want to make about this one little exchange:
My personal definition of feminism comes from my friend (and Frisky contributor) Courtney E. Martin, who I once heard say “feminism is what’s good for most of the women most of the time.” I would amend that statement to say “feminism is what’s good for everyone most of the time.”
Some people — me, for instance — would say Sarah Palin and the Mama Grizzlies have co-opted the term “feminist” from liberals, not the other way around.
Granted, we don’t know what’s on the unedited video, but it seems that Sarah Palin thinks a feminist ideology only benefits women. That couldn’t be further from the truth! Easing traditional gender norms, accepting all sexual expressions, and being overall anti-oppressive (however you might define that) could have so much of a positive impact on men. The other side of the coin that tells women they should always be nice and not have too much sex is one that tells men they always have to be strong, cannot cry in public, and have to want sex all the time. But Sarah Palin has said stuff about how men are supposed to act that isn’t feminist at all, like saying President Obama doesn’t have the balls to deal with illegal immigration.
I actually don’t disagree with her that there is a lot of hypocrisy amongst women’s groups about who gets to call themselves a feminist. The “feminist litmus test” is extremely frustrating.
This Mama Grizzly idea that mainstream feminism assumes women are weak and need to be helped or rescued by the government/men is an old canard. First of all, refer to point three that feminism is about helping all genders. Second of all, when a group has literally been treated like second-class citizens (examples: women were not allowed to vote until 1920; it was legal to rape one’s wife well into the latter half of the 20th century; gays and lesbians cannot legally marry in the overwhelming majority of states in this country) one does need the government to intercede. That doesn’t mean that group is weak; it means it is oppressed.
I’m assuming Sarah Palin’s comment about feminism assuming women are “incapable of taking care of themselves and their families” is her referring to the anti-abortion argument that Planned Parenthood/people who support abortion rights assume women need to end pregnancies because they can’t handle it all. Remember, Palin is staunchly pro-life and her daughter, Bristol, who was a teen mom, is a public speaker promoting abstinence. I don’t doubt a small percentage women actually are guilt-tripped into having abortions they don’t want. Yet Palin is assuming all women, given the opportunity, have the capacity within them to rise to the occasion of nine months of pregnancy (plus a possible 18+ years of parenthood) and aren’t making the choice to have an abortion because it’s what they actually want.
I’m also assuming her comment about “character” and “work ethic” is her implication that oppression wouldn’t exist (racism, sexism, etc.) if the oppressed group just worked hard enough to make the dominant group accept them. I think women who can remember a time when want ads said “Work Wanted: Female” and “Work Wanted: Male” would take umbrage to that.
That part Palin said about “[I’m a feminist] because I am self-reliant and quite independent and I’m lucky to have been brought up in a family where, really, gender hasn’t been an issue and brought up in a community and a state you’re expected to work — the women are — as hard as the men are and even engage in the same type of of jobs that they are”? You know what? That’s great. That’s really awesome. I mean that sincerely. But she’s assuming a lot about men and women’s actual work experiences. Lower-class and some middle-class women have always worked and they’ve always worked as hard as the men have. And wouldn’t it be great if not only women were made welcome in traditionally male professions (construction work, if that’s your bag) but men were made welcome in traditionally female professions (pre-school, if that’s your bag)? Again, gender equality is for everybody.
OK, I ended up getting way too into this short little clip. But when Bill O’Reilly and Sarah Palin team up to talk feminism, how could I not?
I know nothing will put some warm, fuzzy Christmas cheer in your heart like listening to Bill O’Reilly and Sarah Palin discuss feminism. So let’s dive right in and hear what Mama Grizzly has to say, shall we?
The video on TV Squad has been edited, so this transcript is not the full conversation but just what was posted online. I put ellipses (...) where it appears the video was edited:
Bill O’Reilly: “You say you are a feminist, but you resent the fact that label has been co-opted by the left.”
Sarah Palin: “I think there’s a lot of hypocrisy with women’s rights groups and those who proclaim to be the only ones who can wear that mantle of ‘feminist’ and they do not empower women. In fact, they make women feel weak and incapable of taking care of themselves and their families. ... I believe it’s all about a person’s character and their work ethic and how they choose to take care of themselves and their families. ... Too many feminists today have decided that women need someone to take care of them. That’s the most hypocritical (makes air quotes with her fingers) ‘feminist mantra’ that there can be.”
O’Reilly: “Why do you say you’re a feminist?”
Palin: “Because I am self-reliant and quite independent and I’m lucky to have been brought up in a family where, really, gender hasn’t been an issue and brought up in a community and a state where you’re expected to work — the women are — as hard as the men are and even engage in the same type of of jobs that they are. It’s really about your work ethic and your character.”
O’Reilly: “Yeah, you made it on your own.”
There is a lot to unpack from any conversation about Sarah Palin and feminism and we’ve likely done it on posts like this one and that one. I just have a couple thoughts I want to make about this one little exchange:
My personal definition of feminism comes from my friend (and Frisky contributor) Courtney E. Martin, who I once heard say “feminism is what’s good for most of the women most of the time.” I would amend that statement to say “feminism is what’s good for everyone most of the time.”
Some people — me, for instance — would say Sarah Palin and the Mama Grizzlies have co-opted the term “feminist” from liberals, not the other way around.
Granted, we don’t know what’s on the unedited video, but it seems that Sarah Palin thinks a feminist ideology only benefits women. That couldn’t be further from the truth! Easing traditional gender norms, accepting all sexual expressions, and being overall anti-oppressive (however you might define that) could have so much of a positive impact on men. The other side of the coin that tells women they should always be nice and not have too much sex is one that tells men they always have to be strong, cannot cry in public, and have to want sex all the time. But Sarah Palin has said stuff about how men are supposed to act that isn’t feminist at all, like saying President Obama doesn’t have the balls to deal with illegal immigration.
I actually don’t disagree with her that there is a lot of hypocrisy amongst women’s groups about who gets to call themselves a feminist. The “feminist litmus test” is extremely frustrating.
This Mama Grizzly idea that mainstream feminism assumes women are weak and need to be helped or rescued by the government/men is an old canard. First of all, refer to point three that feminism is about helping all genders. Second of all, when a group has literally been treated like second-class citizens (examples: women were not allowed to vote until 1920; it was legal to rape one’s wife well into the latter half of the 20th century; gays and lesbians cannot legally marry in the overwhelming majority of states in this country) one does need the government to intercede. That doesn’t mean that group is weak; it means it is oppressed.
I’m assuming Sarah Palin’s comment about feminism assuming women are “incapable of taking care of themselves and their families” is her referring to the anti-abortion argument that Planned Parenthood/people who support abortion rights assume women need to end pregnancies because they can’t handle it all. Remember, Palin is staunchly pro-life and her daughter, Bristol, who was a teen mom, is a public speaker promoting abstinence. I don’t doubt a small percentage women actually are guilt-tripped into having abortions they don’t want. Yet Palin is assuming all women, given the opportunity, have the capacity within them to rise to the occasion of nine months of pregnancy (plus a possible 18+ years of parenthood) and aren’t making the choice to have an abortion because it’s what they actually want.
I’m also assuming her comment about “character” and “work ethic” is her implication that oppression wouldn’t exist (racism, sexism, etc.) if the oppressed group just worked hard enough to make the dominant group accept them. I think women who can remember a time when want ads said “Work Wanted: Female” and “Work Wanted: Male” would take umbrage to that.
That part Palin said about “[I’m a feminist] because I am self-reliant and quite independent and I’m lucky to have been brought up in a family where, really, gender hasn’t been an issue and brought up in a community and a state you’re expected to work — the women are — as hard as the men are and even engage in the same type of of jobs that they are”? You know what? That’s great. That’s really awesome. I mean that sincerely. But she’s assuming a lot about men and women’s actual work experiences. Lower-class and some middle-class women have always worked and they’ve always worked as hard as the men have. And wouldn’t it be great if not only women were made welcome in traditionally male professions (construction work, if that’s your bag) but men were made welcome in traditionally female professions (pre-school, if that’s your bag)? Again, gender equality is for everybody.
OK, I ended up getting way too into this short little clip. But when Bill O’Reilly and Sarah Palin team up to talk feminism, how could I not?
Friday, December 17, 2010
17 Dec 2010, Yahoo News: Palin says she couldn’t get away with crying like Boehner
Palin says she couldn’t get away with crying like Boehner
Sarah Palin, making an appearance on "Good Morning America" as part of her new embrace of the mainstream media, says there's a double standard when it comes to politicians crying in public.
In an interview with interview with Robin Roberts of "GMA," the ex-Alaska governor was asked about incoming House Speaker John Boehner's tendency to get weepy. While Palin said she had "respect" for her fellow Republican's emotional side, she suggested he gets a "pass" because he's a man (video courtesy of ABC News):
VIDEO NOT INCLUDED HERE
Palin continued:
"I don't know if a woman would be given a pass necessarily. That's one of those things where a double standard is applied. I'm sure if I got up there and did a speech, and I started breaking down and cried about how important it is to me that our children and grandchildren are provided great opportunities, I'm sure I would be knocked a little bit for that."
But Palin said it was OK, since double standards only encourage women in politics "work that much harder" and "be that much tougher."
Here's video of Boehner tearing up on "60 Minutes" (courtesy of CBS News):
In Palin's "GMA" interview, which took place at her home in Wasilla, Alaska, the ex-governor said she continues to give a potential 2012 run "prayerful consideration."
She dismissed poll numbers that show her losing to President Obama in a prospective matchup, saying it's too early to judge who will be competitive.
"A poll number like that, it's like, 'Oh yeah, that doesn't look really pretty today,' but a primary is months and months in the process, and there are, thankfully, many debates," Palin said. "And if I were to participate in that contested primary -- you know, it -- I would be in it to win it."
Sarah Palin, making an appearance on "Good Morning America" as part of her new embrace of the mainstream media, says there's a double standard when it comes to politicians crying in public.
In an interview with interview with Robin Roberts of "GMA," the ex-Alaska governor was asked about incoming House Speaker John Boehner's tendency to get weepy. While Palin said she had "respect" for her fellow Republican's emotional side, she suggested he gets a "pass" because he's a man (video courtesy of ABC News):
VIDEO NOT INCLUDED HERE
Palin continued:
"I don't know if a woman would be given a pass necessarily. That's one of those things where a double standard is applied. I'm sure if I got up there and did a speech, and I started breaking down and cried about how important it is to me that our children and grandchildren are provided great opportunities, I'm sure I would be knocked a little bit for that."
But Palin said it was OK, since double standards only encourage women in politics "work that much harder" and "be that much tougher."
Here's video of Boehner tearing up on "60 Minutes" (courtesy of CBS News):
In Palin's "GMA" interview, which took place at her home in Wasilla, Alaska, the ex-governor said she continues to give a potential 2012 run "prayerful consideration."
She dismissed poll numbers that show her losing to President Obama in a prospective matchup, saying it's too early to judge who will be competitive.
"A poll number like that, it's like, 'Oh yeah, that doesn't look really pretty today,' but a primary is months and months in the process, and there are, thankfully, many debates," Palin said. "And if I were to participate in that contested primary -- you know, it -- I would be in it to win it."
Thursday, December 16, 2010
16 Sep, 2010 Reuters Blogs, Sarah Palin vs. Simon Johnson and Washington wisdom
Sarah Palin vs. Simon Johnson and Washington wisdom
by James Pethokoukis
This is the kind of thing that really burns me. Here is Simon Johnson, former chief economist at the IMF, over the at the NYTimes econ blog:
The weakness in the Palin-Gingrich position is that while they want to balance the budget, they want to do so primarily by cutting spending. This is very difficult to do, as most of the spending issues over the next 30 years are about Social Security (a little) and Medicare (a lot). …
Cutting or limiting nonmilitary discretionary spending may play well with voters, but it is simply not big enough to make much difference. If Ms. Palin and Mr. Gingrich are willing to put military spending on the table, that would help, but this is fast becoming a taboo subject for all Republicans.
Of course, Johnson is being absolutely ridiculous here. Palin has flat out endorsed Paul Ryan’s fiscal Roadmap for America, a blueprint for radically restructuring entitlements. He is also wrong that cutting defense spending is taboo among Republicans. Plenty of conservatives, at least, think there are lots of smart cuts that could be made. But Washington insiders like Johnson — and most of the people I hear give presentations at symposiums around town — think just like he does. They assume spending can’t be cut, thus taxes must be raised dramatically. So when Palin and Ryan and other true budget hawks actually say “Yes, lets revamp entitlements,” it just doesn’t penetrate their noggins. They can’t take “yes’ for an answer.
Then there’s this: Since 1980, some 30 debt-plagued nations have tried to reduce their indebtedness through such austerity measures as spending cuts and higher taxes. In practically all cases, according to a study by financial giant UBS, the increase in national debt was only slowed, not reversed, by such policy pain. … [Faster growth] is typically how successful countries in the UBS study managed to get their books in order; they grew their economies faster than they added debt. And that means keeping taxes low.
by James Pethokoukis
This is the kind of thing that really burns me. Here is Simon Johnson, former chief economist at the IMF, over the at the NYTimes econ blog:
The weakness in the Palin-Gingrich position is that while they want to balance the budget, they want to do so primarily by cutting spending. This is very difficult to do, as most of the spending issues over the next 30 years are about Social Security (a little) and Medicare (a lot). …
Cutting or limiting nonmilitary discretionary spending may play well with voters, but it is simply not big enough to make much difference. If Ms. Palin and Mr. Gingrich are willing to put military spending on the table, that would help, but this is fast becoming a taboo subject for all Republicans.
Of course, Johnson is being absolutely ridiculous here. Palin has flat out endorsed Paul Ryan’s fiscal Roadmap for America, a blueprint for radically restructuring entitlements. He is also wrong that cutting defense spending is taboo among Republicans. Plenty of conservatives, at least, think there are lots of smart cuts that could be made. But Washington insiders like Johnson — and most of the people I hear give presentations at symposiums around town — think just like he does. They assume spending can’t be cut, thus taxes must be raised dramatically. So when Palin and Ryan and other true budget hawks actually say “Yes, lets revamp entitlements,” it just doesn’t penetrate their noggins. They can’t take “yes’ for an answer.
Then there’s this: Since 1980, some 30 debt-plagued nations have tried to reduce their indebtedness through such austerity measures as spending cuts and higher taxes. In practically all cases, according to a study by financial giant UBS, the increase in national debt was only slowed, not reversed, by such policy pain. … [Faster growth] is typically how successful countries in the UBS study managed to get their books in order; they grew their economies faster than they added debt. And that means keeping taxes low.
16 Dec 2010: Examiner.com: Sarah Palin dropped into Haiti for a quick nano-visit
Sarah Palin dropped into Haiti for a quick nano-visit
Sarah Palin returned from her trip to Haiti on Sunday, before most people knew she was gone.
by Jean Williams
The Palin’s, including Sarah, Bristol, and Todd were invited last month by Rev. Franklin Graham, son of Billy Graham, to visit Sumaritan’s Purse in Haiti.
Graham and the Palin family commuted in and out of Port-Au-Prince via Samaritan’s Purse private helicopter. No commercial flights have been scheduled to arrive or depart, due to civil unrest in the country over a contested election. Chartered flights and cargo planes have been the only flights allowed in or out.
Fox News had the exclusive media coverage and no other U.S. press outlet got interviews of Sarah’s quick visit.
Palin did spend a brief time with International press outside the Samaritan’s Purse location, but her appearance was so short, there weren’t any notable quotes that emerged.
Media coverage was tightly controlled, but Samaritan’s Purse released exclusive photographs of Palin visiting cholera patients, holding sick children, and delivering gifts.
Most of the people of Haiti didn’t know who Sarah Palin was, so she was not greeted by throngs of adoring fans that has become her custom.
According to a Time.com article, the fact that Palin was given a 30 page booklet on the situation with Haiti since the January 12 earthquake devastated one of the poorest countries in the world, she still asked questions that had obvious answers.
Samaritan's Purse vice president of programming Ken Isaacs said she asked things like:
“Why doesn't Haiti have proper sanitation? Why doesn't it have proper infrastructure?”
Critics see the trip as nothing more than a conversation piece and a photo-op. Palin has only been to 3 other countries outside of North America and her 2 day visit to Haiti adds a 4th to her passport.
Former president Bill Clinton visits Haiti on a regular basis, without media. Many others, including actor Sean Penn have quietly made several trips to the country to bring in aid.
“As a PR campaign, surprisingly, Palin blew a real opportunity,” said political analyst, Jonathan Alter, when asked for his assessment. “What she should have done, was to spend two weeks in Haiti, without media, then allow them all in at the end of her stay. That would have shown sincerity. Two days with only Fox News documenting her visit was not very convincing.”
Sarah Palin fans see it as another sign that she plans to run for president in 2012, by further demonstrating her “momma grizzly” compassion on a global level.
Opponents of Palin say the two day trip was a blatant political ploy to flesh out her scant worldly resume and keep her name in the press. Not many were convinced by the former governor of Alaska, who quit midterm, to launch a political speaking career, that she had any true altruistic motives behind a two day, tightly controlled, trip to Haiti.
The impoverished country has lost 2000 people to the latest cholera out-break and thousands more are susceptible. Haiti supporters say it needs more help than any locally unknown politician’s blip of grandstanding can deliver.
Furthermore, it was reported by Palin Twitter followers; "the first tweet she released after her return from Haiti was complaining about the condition of her hair."
Sarah Palin's reality show, Sarah Palin's Alaska, has been falling in the ratings and her latest book sales have been weak.
Sarah Palin returned from her trip to Haiti on Sunday, before most people knew she was gone.
by Jean Williams
The Palin’s, including Sarah, Bristol, and Todd were invited last month by Rev. Franklin Graham, son of Billy Graham, to visit Sumaritan’s Purse in Haiti.
Graham and the Palin family commuted in and out of Port-Au-Prince via Samaritan’s Purse private helicopter. No commercial flights have been scheduled to arrive or depart, due to civil unrest in the country over a contested election. Chartered flights and cargo planes have been the only flights allowed in or out.
Fox News had the exclusive media coverage and no other U.S. press outlet got interviews of Sarah’s quick visit.
Palin did spend a brief time with International press outside the Samaritan’s Purse location, but her appearance was so short, there weren’t any notable quotes that emerged.
Media coverage was tightly controlled, but Samaritan’s Purse released exclusive photographs of Palin visiting cholera patients, holding sick children, and delivering gifts.
Most of the people of Haiti didn’t know who Sarah Palin was, so she was not greeted by throngs of adoring fans that has become her custom.
According to a Time.com article, the fact that Palin was given a 30 page booklet on the situation with Haiti since the January 12 earthquake devastated one of the poorest countries in the world, she still asked questions that had obvious answers.
Samaritan's Purse vice president of programming Ken Isaacs said she asked things like:
“Why doesn't Haiti have proper sanitation? Why doesn't it have proper infrastructure?”
Critics see the trip as nothing more than a conversation piece and a photo-op. Palin has only been to 3 other countries outside of North America and her 2 day visit to Haiti adds a 4th to her passport.
Former president Bill Clinton visits Haiti on a regular basis, without media. Many others, including actor Sean Penn have quietly made several trips to the country to bring in aid.
“As a PR campaign, surprisingly, Palin blew a real opportunity,” said political analyst, Jonathan Alter, when asked for his assessment. “What she should have done, was to spend two weeks in Haiti, without media, then allow them all in at the end of her stay. That would have shown sincerity. Two days with only Fox News documenting her visit was not very convincing.”
Sarah Palin fans see it as another sign that she plans to run for president in 2012, by further demonstrating her “momma grizzly” compassion on a global level.
Opponents of Palin say the two day trip was a blatant political ploy to flesh out her scant worldly resume and keep her name in the press. Not many were convinced by the former governor of Alaska, who quit midterm, to launch a political speaking career, that she had any true altruistic motives behind a two day, tightly controlled, trip to Haiti.
The impoverished country has lost 2000 people to the latest cholera out-break and thousands more are susceptible. Haiti supporters say it needs more help than any locally unknown politician’s blip of grandstanding can deliver.
Furthermore, it was reported by Palin Twitter followers; "the first tweet she released after her return from Haiti was complaining about the condition of her hair."
Sarah Palin's reality show, Sarah Palin's Alaska, has been falling in the ratings and her latest book sales have been weak.
16 Dec, 2010, News Gather: Sarah Palin: "To Thine Own Self Be True"
Sarah Palin: "To Thine Own Self Be True"
With Sarah Palin, it seems there is no middle ground. Americans either love her or hate her. Every action or word she says becomes fodder for commentators and bloggers. Her reality show and recent trip to Haiti are no exceptions.
Whether she is spending time with her family, exploring Alaska or making a trip to Haiti with Samaritan's Purse, Sarah Palin is being true to herself. Politics aside, there are some lessons to learn.
Lesson #1: Family is family
Very few of us get to choose our family. Our responses to the challenges of family life define us. Every family faces such moments: a health crisis, changes in employment, divorce, or death. However, when these private events become public, the dynamics can change. What would you do to protect your family?
Lesson #2: Everyone is a critic
Imagine if every decision you made in private was publicly evaluated and criticized by strangers. Would you change your decision? Camera phones and the Internet turn private moments into public ones with the touch of a button. A prime example is Palin's recent trip to Haiti. Her daughter, Bristol, fixes her hair and it becomes a pseudo-scandal. Could your life survive that kind of scrutiny?
Lesson #3: Stand by your beliefs
Palin's views on controversial topics (abortion, gun rights, etc.) polarize American voters. Still, she stands by her beliefs no matter what others think. We, as voters, do not have to agree or even like her decisions - or those of any politician. Do you stand by your beliefs when challenged? Can you debate an opposing viewpoint without insulting the individual?
Next time Sarah Palin, or any other public figure, is dragged through the mud, stop and think. What would you do if it was you or your family? Would you post a hate-filled comment or find a constructive way to voice your dissension? Do you rush to judgment or research the facts so you can form you own opinion? If we want American politics to change, we have to start the change ourselves.
With Sarah Palin, it seems there is no middle ground. Americans either love her or hate her. Every action or word she says becomes fodder for commentators and bloggers. Her reality show and recent trip to Haiti are no exceptions.
Whether she is spending time with her family, exploring Alaska or making a trip to Haiti with Samaritan's Purse, Sarah Palin is being true to herself. Politics aside, there are some lessons to learn.
Lesson #1: Family is family
Very few of us get to choose our family. Our responses to the challenges of family life define us. Every family faces such moments: a health crisis, changes in employment, divorce, or death. However, when these private events become public, the dynamics can change. What would you do to protect your family?
Lesson #2: Everyone is a critic
Imagine if every decision you made in private was publicly evaluated and criticized by strangers. Would you change your decision? Camera phones and the Internet turn private moments into public ones with the touch of a button. A prime example is Palin's recent trip to Haiti. Her daughter, Bristol, fixes her hair and it becomes a pseudo-scandal. Could your life survive that kind of scrutiny?
Lesson #3: Stand by your beliefs
Palin's views on controversial topics (abortion, gun rights, etc.) polarize American voters. Still, she stands by her beliefs no matter what others think. We, as voters, do not have to agree or even like her decisions - or those of any politician. Do you stand by your beliefs when challenged? Can you debate an opposing viewpoint without insulting the individual?
Next time Sarah Palin, or any other public figure, is dragged through the mud, stop and think. What would you do if it was you or your family? Would you post a hate-filled comment or find a constructive way to voice your dissension? Do you rush to judgment or research the facts so you can form you own opinion? If we want American politics to change, we have to start the change ourselves.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
15 Dec 2010, Wed, CBS News Political Hotsheet: GOP Operative Starts "Draft Sarah Palin" Group
GOP Operative Starts "Draft Sarah Palin" Group
A conservative operative is starting a new political fundraising group called "Draft Sarah Palin," the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics (CRP) reports.
The group aims to get former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin in the 2012 presidential race, as well as to raise public support for the controversial conservative figure.
The treasurer of the "Draft Sarah Palin" group is Randy Goodwin, treasurer and co-founder of the Republican Majority Campaign political action committee.
"Sarah Palin is the single most effective leader in the Republican Party," Goodwin told CRP. "When voters get a chance to know the real Sarah Palin -- not the unfair stereotype that bears no resemblance to reality -- we believe her support will increase to include independents, moderates and conservative Democrats."
The "Draft Sarah Palin" effort will reportedly rely largely on grassroots financial donations, which are expected to primarily come through its website DraftSarahPalin.us.
The website is still under construction, but its "about" section today included an appeal to potential supporters: "Won't you join DSP and go rogue on the RINOs with us? It is the RINOs, after all, who must be ejected from power in order to redirect the Republican Party to its conservative roots." (RINOs refers to "Republicans in Name Only")
Palin has said she will consider jumping into the 2012 race, but polls show the public is skeptical of whether she is qualified to serve as president. The latest poll reveals that "Washington insiders" are even more skeptical.
In the meantime, Palin has maintained an influential role in politics through her own political action committee, SarahPAC. She's also stayed in the public eye, starring in a cable television reality show and releasing best-selling books.
Recently, a Tea Party group urged Palin to run for the chairmanship of the Republican National Committee.
A conservative operative is starting a new political fundraising group called "Draft Sarah Palin," the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics (CRP) reports.
The group aims to get former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin in the 2012 presidential race, as well as to raise public support for the controversial conservative figure.
The treasurer of the "Draft Sarah Palin" group is Randy Goodwin, treasurer and co-founder of the Republican Majority Campaign political action committee.
"Sarah Palin is the single most effective leader in the Republican Party," Goodwin told CRP. "When voters get a chance to know the real Sarah Palin -- not the unfair stereotype that bears no resemblance to reality -- we believe her support will increase to include independents, moderates and conservative Democrats."
The "Draft Sarah Palin" effort will reportedly rely largely on grassroots financial donations, which are expected to primarily come through its website DraftSarahPalin.us.
The website is still under construction, but its "about" section today included an appeal to potential supporters: "Won't you join DSP and go rogue on the RINOs with us? It is the RINOs, after all, who must be ejected from power in order to redirect the Republican Party to its conservative roots." (RINOs refers to "Republicans in Name Only")
Palin has said she will consider jumping into the 2012 race, but polls show the public is skeptical of whether she is qualified to serve as president. The latest poll reveals that "Washington insiders" are even more skeptical.
In the meantime, Palin has maintained an influential role in politics through her own political action committee, SarahPAC. She's also stayed in the public eye, starring in a cable television reality show and releasing best-selling books.
Recently, a Tea Party group urged Palin to run for the chairmanship of the Republican National Committee.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
SBNation: Too-"busy"-to-golf Sarah Palin to Obama: Get off the links!
SBNation (Sports blog): Too-"busy"-to-golf Sarah Palin to Obama: Get off the links!
December 12 -- Let’s see if we have this straight. Because gadfly hunter, fisherwoman, reality-TV personality, backstage Mom, and Fox “News” talking head Sarah Palin is too “busy” to play golf -- since, you know, saving the world takes a lotta time (you betcha!) -- President Obama should hang up his clubs and forget about teeing it up as long as he’s in office?
Yup, that about sums up the never-ending, mind-numbing hypocrisy of Palin and her ilk when it comes to Obama and his annoying habit of playing golf while the country stumbles through an economic recession and Mama Grizzly’s off rescuing the country from Democrats. (Republicans were strangely silent about George W. Bush and his record-setting bushwhacking vacations back in the day. But why muddy the argument with facts?)
“If I felt that I was needed, I would run [for president] because the country is more important than my ease -- though I'm not necessarily living a life of ease,” Palin said in a recent Time magazine interview. “I'm very busy helping people and causes; so busy, in fact, I haven't had time to hit the links in quite a few years.”
Really? Is that your final answer, @SarahPalinUSA? If memory serves, Alaska’s former governor took a chunk of time out of her crowded calendar when she wasn’t advocating for the rich and powerful on everybody’s favorite “fair and balanced” network to cheer her daughter on during Bristol Palin’s recent “Dancing with the Stars” turn. Did she not also spend months in front of the camera for her faux “Survivor”-like “reality” program, for which TLC reportedly padded her checking account?
It’s not like Palin’s not making money hand over fist for her good works. In fact, why play golf for free when @GolfChannel must have an opening for a failed vice presidential candidate who’ll do just about anything for cash?
Coming soon to a Golf Channel near you: “The Hank Haney Project Sarah Palin.” Tiger Woods’ former coach teaches 2012 White House wannabe Sarah Palin the difference between a tea party and a tee party.
Oh, yeah -- can’t wait to hear what Bristol’s mom will have to say when 100-rounds-per-year John “Will Birdie for Bucks” Boehner takes over as Speaker of the House. The guess here: not much.
Wonder if the darling of the right wing knows Boehner putts from the left side?
December 12 -- Let’s see if we have this straight. Because gadfly hunter, fisherwoman, reality-TV personality, backstage Mom, and Fox “News” talking head Sarah Palin is too “busy” to play golf -- since, you know, saving the world takes a lotta time (you betcha!) -- President Obama should hang up his clubs and forget about teeing it up as long as he’s in office?
Yup, that about sums up the never-ending, mind-numbing hypocrisy of Palin and her ilk when it comes to Obama and his annoying habit of playing golf while the country stumbles through an economic recession and Mama Grizzly’s off rescuing the country from Democrats. (Republicans were strangely silent about George W. Bush and his record-setting bushwhacking vacations back in the day. But why muddy the argument with facts?)
“If I felt that I was needed, I would run [for president] because the country is more important than my ease -- though I'm not necessarily living a life of ease,” Palin said in a recent Time magazine interview. “I'm very busy helping people and causes; so busy, in fact, I haven't had time to hit the links in quite a few years.”
Really? Is that your final answer, @SarahPalinUSA? If memory serves, Alaska’s former governor took a chunk of time out of her crowded calendar when she wasn’t advocating for the rich and powerful on everybody’s favorite “fair and balanced” network to cheer her daughter on during Bristol Palin’s recent “Dancing with the Stars” turn. Did she not also spend months in front of the camera for her faux “Survivor”-like “reality” program, for which TLC reportedly padded her checking account?
It’s not like Palin’s not making money hand over fist for her good works. In fact, why play golf for free when @GolfChannel must have an opening for a failed vice presidential candidate who’ll do just about anything for cash?
Coming soon to a Golf Channel near you: “The Hank Haney Project Sarah Palin.” Tiger Woods’ former coach teaches 2012 White House wannabe Sarah Palin the difference between a tea party and a tee party.
Oh, yeah -- can’t wait to hear what Bristol’s mom will have to say when 100-rounds-per-year John “Will Birdie for Bucks” Boehner takes over as Speaker of the House. The guess here: not much.
Wonder if the darling of the right wing knows Boehner putts from the left side?
Friday, December 10, 2010
10 Dec, 2010: Washington Post: Luster of Sarah Palin's name is wearing off in her book sales
The Washington Post: Luster of Sarah Palin's name is wearing off in her book sales
Sarah Palin's magic touch might be fading a bit. Although several of her recent projects have been successful, Palin's latest book isn't one of them.
"America by Heart," Palin's new memoir, has logged disappointing receipts since it officially went on sale late last month, publishing sources say. Although the book is second on the New York Times bestseller list this week (behind former president George W. Bush's memoir, "Decision Points"), its publisher, HarperCollins, hasn't ordered a second printing - a sign that sales haven't been overly brisk.
By contrast, Palin's first book, "Going Rogue," became thesecond-fastest-selling political book in history upon its release last year, according to Nielsen BookScan, which tracks industry sales. It went into a second printing three days after its release and went on to sell 2.2 million copies in hardcover, according to the publisher.
"America by Heart" (subtitle: "Reflections on Family, Faith and Flag") got a more modest launch. HarperCollins's initial press run was 1 million copies, suggesting that the publisher recognized that "Heart" was not likely to repeat the success of "Rogue."
Officially, at least, HarperCollins says it is pleased with the sales of the second book. "We're happy with how it's selling and expect to see it do well in the holiday season," said Tina Andreadis, a spokeswoman for the imprint, which is owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp.
In 2009, Palin spent six weeks on the road promoting "Going Rogue," hitting 33 states. In recent weeks, her "America by Heart" tour was more modest - 16 states in 10 days.
One theory within the publishing industry is that Palin is overexposed, at least in terms of drawing readers.
Palin's first book, published only a year ago, sold well enough to sate Palin's supporters, her enemies and the merely curious. It was such a strong seller in hardcover that it crowded out demand for the book in paperback and for the sequel of sorts, some in the industry say. The paperback version of "Going Rogue" has not made the bestseller lists or gone into reprint since it was issued with a new afterword by Palin in August.
The former Alaska governor and her family have been the stars of an eight-part reality series/travelogue, "Sarah Palin's Alaska," which scored record ratings for a new program on Silver Spring's TLC network in its debut Nov. 14. The program's ratings subsequently dipped.
Meanwhile, Palin's daughter Bristol was a recent finalist on the ABC show "Dancing With the Stars," turning the dance competition into a kind of proxy political event. Despite tepid reviews from the show's judges, Palin stayed alive on the program, buoyed by a wave of support from audience votes.
Sarah Palin has also stayed in the news with her frequent and combative postings on Facebook and on Twitter, where she has more than 325,000 followers.
According to her publisher, the crowds greeting Palin on her most recent book tour were similar in size to those that turned out for her first tour. The most recent promotional tour included a stop in Des Moines, which of course is the capital of the state - Iowa - that will hold the first presidential caucus in 2012.
"America by Heart" got a little pre-publication publicity when Gawker Media, the Web site operator, published leaked pages of it. HarperCollins sued, claiming copyright infringement. After a federal judge ordered the extensive excerpts removed pending a hearing, Gawker agreed to keep the material off its site - but not before both parties in the dispute drew attention to the book and to Gawker.
Washington lawyer Bob Barnett, who has handled such clients as former president Bill Clinton and former British leader Tony Blair in book negotiations, was Palin's agent on both of her books.
Sarah Palin's magic touch might be fading a bit. Although several of her recent projects have been successful, Palin's latest book isn't one of them.
"America by Heart," Palin's new memoir, has logged disappointing receipts since it officially went on sale late last month, publishing sources say. Although the book is second on the New York Times bestseller list this week (behind former president George W. Bush's memoir, "Decision Points"), its publisher, HarperCollins, hasn't ordered a second printing - a sign that sales haven't been overly brisk.
By contrast, Palin's first book, "Going Rogue," became thesecond-fastest-selling political book in history upon its release last year, according to Nielsen BookScan, which tracks industry sales. It went into a second printing three days after its release and went on to sell 2.2 million copies in hardcover, according to the publisher.
"America by Heart" (subtitle: "Reflections on Family, Faith and Flag") got a more modest launch. HarperCollins's initial press run was 1 million copies, suggesting that the publisher recognized that "Heart" was not likely to repeat the success of "Rogue."
Officially, at least, HarperCollins says it is pleased with the sales of the second book. "We're happy with how it's selling and expect to see it do well in the holiday season," said Tina Andreadis, a spokeswoman for the imprint, which is owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp.
In 2009, Palin spent six weeks on the road promoting "Going Rogue," hitting 33 states. In recent weeks, her "America by Heart" tour was more modest - 16 states in 10 days.
One theory within the publishing industry is that Palin is overexposed, at least in terms of drawing readers.
Palin's first book, published only a year ago, sold well enough to sate Palin's supporters, her enemies and the merely curious. It was such a strong seller in hardcover that it crowded out demand for the book in paperback and for the sequel of sorts, some in the industry say. The paperback version of "Going Rogue" has not made the bestseller lists or gone into reprint since it was issued with a new afterword by Palin in August.
The former Alaska governor and her family have been the stars of an eight-part reality series/travelogue, "Sarah Palin's Alaska," which scored record ratings for a new program on Silver Spring's TLC network in its debut Nov. 14. The program's ratings subsequently dipped.
Meanwhile, Palin's daughter Bristol was a recent finalist on the ABC show "Dancing With the Stars," turning the dance competition into a kind of proxy political event. Despite tepid reviews from the show's judges, Palin stayed alive on the program, buoyed by a wave of support from audience votes.
Sarah Palin has also stayed in the news with her frequent and combative postings on Facebook and on Twitter, where she has more than 325,000 followers.
According to her publisher, the crowds greeting Palin on her most recent book tour were similar in size to those that turned out for her first tour. The most recent promotional tour included a stop in Des Moines, which of course is the capital of the state - Iowa - that will hold the first presidential caucus in 2012.
"America by Heart" got a little pre-publication publicity when Gawker Media, the Web site operator, published leaked pages of it. HarperCollins sued, claiming copyright infringement. After a federal judge ordered the extensive excerpts removed pending a hearing, Gawker agreed to keep the material off its site - but not before both parties in the dispute drew attention to the book and to Gawker.
Washington lawyer Bob Barnett, who has handled such clients as former president Bill Clinton and former British leader Tony Blair in book negotiations, was Palin's agent on both of her books.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
9 Dec 2010: The Examiner: South Carolina wants a 'more presidential' Palin
South Carolina wants a 'more presidential' Palin
If Sarah Palin wants to win the Republican nomination for president, she'll have to do well in South Carolina.
The state's first-in-the-South primary is a key indicator of a candidate's strength in the GOP's strongest region. In a state filled with social conservatives, veterans, and spending hawks, a candidate has to prove that he or she can appeal to a large swath of the Republican primary electorate.
So how would Palin do? "It's not a clear picture," says Oran Smith, head of the Palmetto Family Council, the state's top organization of social conservatives. Smith points to his group's 15-member board of directors as a cross section of South Carolina voters -- the last time around, there were McCain supporters, Huckabee supporters, Romney supporters and others. Now, Smith says, "They like Palin's values, but they're still hoping she can make herself more viable in the sense that she is a little more knowledgeable and a little more presidential. They're not going to be interested in her simply because she's conservative and nice and popular."
Of course, the council's board is not exactly a rank-and-file group. Ask Smith about the group's supporters across the state -- the people who donate money, respond to e-mail appeals, and are among the most conservative voters in South Carolina -- and the reading on Palin is more upbeat, but not without reservations. "She's wildly popular," Smith says. Even so, the ties between Palin and potential supporters are still a little tenuous. "I think they're not fully on board with her as a candidate," Smith says, "but deep down they would like to be."
Polling doesn't tell us much; it's too early and too much in flux. Just for the record, though, when veteran South Carolina GOP strategist Richard Quinn polled the potential 2012 field last April, Mike Huckabee came out on top, and Palin, Mitt Romney, and Newt Gingrich virtually tied for second.
That was before "Sarah Palin's Alaska" and Palin's happy-mom appearances on "Dancing With the Stars." If anything, she's a bigger celebrity now than then. If a poll were taken today, Palin might be ahead.
Which might or might not mean something. David Woodard, a political scientist at Clemson and director of the Palmetto Poll, remembers conducting four statewide surveys leading up to the 2008 GOP primary. Rudy Giuliani, who was a Republican rock star at the time, won the first three, and then disappeared. "I think the glitz and the glamour and the celebrity status are always real big until people have to actually think about walking into that booth and pulling the lever," says Woodard. As far as Palin is concerned, Woodard says, "I'm still skeptical."
South Carolina voters have a reputation for respecting hierarchy and choosing the most establishment candidate. Reagan, Bush I, Dole, Bush II, McCain -- each was the establishment choice, and each won the state primary. But in 2012, who will be the establishment pick? Romney and Huckabee roughly tied for second in the 2008 Republican presidential race, and Palin was the party's nominee for vice president. No one has a clear claim.
Palin earned big points in South Carolina for her role in the governor's race, helping pull Nikki Haley out of the Republican field and onto the road to victory. "She practically anointed Haley," says Woodard. Now, the new governor certainly owes Palin big time.
But the mood of South Carolina's voters seems particularly tough to discern right now. In the governor's race, Richard Quinn worked for the establishment Republican candidate, longtime state official Henry McMaster. In one poll, without mentioning any names, Quinn asked GOP voters whether they preferred "a new face that promised change or a proven conservative leader." He expected "proven leader" to win -- that's the old way -- but "new face" came out on top. And so did Haley at the polls.
Today, Quinn warns observers not to dismiss what he calls "the new-face vote." In hierarchical South Carolina, someone could come out of nowhere and surprise the field.
Will Palin be a new face in 2012? No, just the best-known one. But focusing too much on Palin's star power obscures the more nuanced reality of attitudes toward her in South Carolina.
Conservatives in the state like Palin. They agree with her on most issues. They are inclined to defend her when she is unfairly attacked, which is often. But that doesn't necessarily mean they're convinced she should be president.
Byron York, The Examiner's chief political correspondent, can be contacted at byork@washingtonexaminer.com. His column appears on Tuesday and Friday, and his stories and blogposts appear on ExaminerPolitics.com.
If Sarah Palin wants to win the Republican nomination for president, she'll have to do well in South Carolina.
The state's first-in-the-South primary is a key indicator of a candidate's strength in the GOP's strongest region. In a state filled with social conservatives, veterans, and spending hawks, a candidate has to prove that he or she can appeal to a large swath of the Republican primary electorate.
So how would Palin do? "It's not a clear picture," says Oran Smith, head of the Palmetto Family Council, the state's top organization of social conservatives. Smith points to his group's 15-member board of directors as a cross section of South Carolina voters -- the last time around, there were McCain supporters, Huckabee supporters, Romney supporters and others. Now, Smith says, "They like Palin's values, but they're still hoping she can make herself more viable in the sense that she is a little more knowledgeable and a little more presidential. They're not going to be interested in her simply because she's conservative and nice and popular."
Of course, the council's board is not exactly a rank-and-file group. Ask Smith about the group's supporters across the state -- the people who donate money, respond to e-mail appeals, and are among the most conservative voters in South Carolina -- and the reading on Palin is more upbeat, but not without reservations. "She's wildly popular," Smith says. Even so, the ties between Palin and potential supporters are still a little tenuous. "I think they're not fully on board with her as a candidate," Smith says, "but deep down they would like to be."
Polling doesn't tell us much; it's too early and too much in flux. Just for the record, though, when veteran South Carolina GOP strategist Richard Quinn polled the potential 2012 field last April, Mike Huckabee came out on top, and Palin, Mitt Romney, and Newt Gingrich virtually tied for second.
That was before "Sarah Palin's Alaska" and Palin's happy-mom appearances on "Dancing With the Stars." If anything, she's a bigger celebrity now than then. If a poll were taken today, Palin might be ahead.
Which might or might not mean something. David Woodard, a political scientist at Clemson and director of the Palmetto Poll, remembers conducting four statewide surveys leading up to the 2008 GOP primary. Rudy Giuliani, who was a Republican rock star at the time, won the first three, and then disappeared. "I think the glitz and the glamour and the celebrity status are always real big until people have to actually think about walking into that booth and pulling the lever," says Woodard. As far as Palin is concerned, Woodard says, "I'm still skeptical."
South Carolina voters have a reputation for respecting hierarchy and choosing the most establishment candidate. Reagan, Bush I, Dole, Bush II, McCain -- each was the establishment choice, and each won the state primary. But in 2012, who will be the establishment pick? Romney and Huckabee roughly tied for second in the 2008 Republican presidential race, and Palin was the party's nominee for vice president. No one has a clear claim.
Palin earned big points in South Carolina for her role in the governor's race, helping pull Nikki Haley out of the Republican field and onto the road to victory. "She practically anointed Haley," says Woodard. Now, the new governor certainly owes Palin big time.
But the mood of South Carolina's voters seems particularly tough to discern right now. In the governor's race, Richard Quinn worked for the establishment Republican candidate, longtime state official Henry McMaster. In one poll, without mentioning any names, Quinn asked GOP voters whether they preferred "a new face that promised change or a proven conservative leader." He expected "proven leader" to win -- that's the old way -- but "new face" came out on top. And so did Haley at the polls.
Today, Quinn warns observers not to dismiss what he calls "the new-face vote." In hierarchical South Carolina, someone could come out of nowhere and surprise the field.
Will Palin be a new face in 2012? No, just the best-known one. But focusing too much on Palin's star power obscures the more nuanced reality of attitudes toward her in South Carolina.
Conservatives in the state like Palin. They agree with her on most issues. They are inclined to defend her when she is unfairly attacked, which is often. But that doesn't necessarily mean they're convinced she should be president.
Byron York, The Examiner's chief political correspondent, can be contacted at byork@washingtonexaminer.com. His column appears on Tuesday and Friday, and his stories and blogposts appear on ExaminerPolitics.com.
9 December, 2010: The Guardian: If only talking about Sarah Palin didn't boost her power
The Guardian (UK) If only talking about Sarah Palin didn't boost her power She treats criticism of her as proof that she is the lone outsider, one of the common folk, pilloried by a corrupt media
Were she still an actual politician, Sarah Palin's domination of the American political landscape in 2010 would be impressive. That she hasn't actually held office since July 2009 – when she resigned as governor of Alaska – makes her, well, I hesitate to use the word "influence" so let's just say ubiquity, downright extraordinary.
Interactive calendar Who were the heroes and villains of this year? From now till Christmas Eve, you'll find a new one each morning in our advent calendar Despite representing and certainly encouraging the ugliest elements of politics in America today, Palin was not my first choice for a villain of 2010. Not because she is in any way unvillainous, but partly because talking about her only seems to boost her power. Criticism in the mainstream (no, I will NOT use her coinage "lamestream") media is to her what blood is to a vampire: a life giving sustenance that ultimately may well destroy the source.
This is because Palin is a master of that school of politics known as turnthatfrownupsidedownology. This is when skilled practitioners take what would generally be seen as a negative and whip it up into a positive, and it's a skill she brought to new heights, or depths, of perfection this year. Thus, criticism of her in the press is proof that she is the lone outsider, one of the common folk, the speaker of truth, pilloried by a corrupt press intent on keeping the elite in power, never mind that with her estimated annual earnings at $12m (£8m) at least, she has about as much to do with common folk as Julia Roberts.
To anyone who doubts whether Palin really can keep spinning her own lack of political knowledge, experience or even current post into a convincing presidential candidacy in 2012, behold how she has managed to refashion that most inane of modern culture phenomena – reality TV – into a political gesture. Dancing with the Stars became the subject of national political debate when it was rumoured that the real reason behind Bristol Palin's endurance as one of the contestants despite her lack of dancing talent was mass voting from the Tea Partyists. Perhaps they confused host Tom Bergeron with news broadcaster Tom Brokaw and thought Dancing with the Stars was another midterm election.
Never known for self-restraint, the Palins appeared in not one but two reality TV shows this year, Dancing with the Stars and Sarah Palin's Alaska, in which Palin introduces viewers to the state where, as Jon Stewart put it, "bountiful lands are teaming with strained Palin political metaphors" (a fence her husband built to keep out a nosy journalist neighbour was "what we need to do to secure our nation's borders"; any sighting of a bear was "a mama grizzly, defending her cubs"; etc etc)
Even though the show fails to provide any material evidenceto support Palin's asserted self-image as an all-shootin', all-huntin' normal kinda gal (aside from the reliance on private planes and luxury coaches, it was evident by the end of the first episode that Palin has fewer outdoor skills than Bridget Jones), she has now achieved a status akin to that of the dictator of a corrupt country: no matter how many times the leader's deficiencies have been exposed, they retain a Christ-like position in the eyes of the faithful.
The question of how realistic a President Palin scenario is, has been exercising the pens of US political commentators all year, and will continue to do so until she quits her tiresome teasing and announces whether or not she will run. Optimists say the fact that only about 50% of the candidates Palin endorsed in the midterms won, coupled with Bristol's eventual ejection from Dancing with the Stars, proves that Palin's popularity only takes her so far.
I say that the fact we are talking about the relation between Dancing with the Stars and a presidential election shows that Palin has, in a sense, already won in the dumbing down of American politics to a place where celebrity trumps skills.
And to return to my earlier point, another reason Palin wasn't my first choice was because I considered citing the man who has done more than anyone to keep her in the public eye and bestow her with a certain kind of credibility. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you, the one and only Rupert Murdoch, who keeps her both on TV (Fox News) and in publishing (HarperCollins).
But only one of them can and very likely will run for president in 2012. I never thought I'd say this but, frankly, I'd rather have President Murdoch.
Were she still an actual politician, Sarah Palin's domination of the American political landscape in 2010 would be impressive. That she hasn't actually held office since July 2009 – when she resigned as governor of Alaska – makes her, well, I hesitate to use the word "influence" so let's just say ubiquity, downright extraordinary.
Interactive calendar Who were the heroes and villains of this year? From now till Christmas Eve, you'll find a new one each morning in our advent calendar Despite representing and certainly encouraging the ugliest elements of politics in America today, Palin was not my first choice for a villain of 2010. Not because she is in any way unvillainous, but partly because talking about her only seems to boost her power. Criticism in the mainstream (no, I will NOT use her coinage "lamestream") media is to her what blood is to a vampire: a life giving sustenance that ultimately may well destroy the source.
This is because Palin is a master of that school of politics known as turnthatfrownupsidedownology. This is when skilled practitioners take what would generally be seen as a negative and whip it up into a positive, and it's a skill she brought to new heights, or depths, of perfection this year. Thus, criticism of her in the press is proof that she is the lone outsider, one of the common folk, the speaker of truth, pilloried by a corrupt press intent on keeping the elite in power, never mind that with her estimated annual earnings at $12m (£8m) at least, she has about as much to do with common folk as Julia Roberts.
To anyone who doubts whether Palin really can keep spinning her own lack of political knowledge, experience or even current post into a convincing presidential candidacy in 2012, behold how she has managed to refashion that most inane of modern culture phenomena – reality TV – into a political gesture. Dancing with the Stars became the subject of national political debate when it was rumoured that the real reason behind Bristol Palin's endurance as one of the contestants despite her lack of dancing talent was mass voting from the Tea Partyists. Perhaps they confused host Tom Bergeron with news broadcaster Tom Brokaw and thought Dancing with the Stars was another midterm election.
Never known for self-restraint, the Palins appeared in not one but two reality TV shows this year, Dancing with the Stars and Sarah Palin's Alaska, in which Palin introduces viewers to the state where, as Jon Stewart put it, "bountiful lands are teaming with strained Palin political metaphors" (a fence her husband built to keep out a nosy journalist neighbour was "what we need to do to secure our nation's borders"; any sighting of a bear was "a mama grizzly, defending her cubs"; etc etc)
Even though the show fails to provide any material evidenceto support Palin's asserted self-image as an all-shootin', all-huntin' normal kinda gal (aside from the reliance on private planes and luxury coaches, it was evident by the end of the first episode that Palin has fewer outdoor skills than Bridget Jones), she has now achieved a status akin to that of the dictator of a corrupt country: no matter how many times the leader's deficiencies have been exposed, they retain a Christ-like position in the eyes of the faithful.
The question of how realistic a President Palin scenario is, has been exercising the pens of US political commentators all year, and will continue to do so until she quits her tiresome teasing and announces whether or not she will run. Optimists say the fact that only about 50% of the candidates Palin endorsed in the midterms won, coupled with Bristol's eventual ejection from Dancing with the Stars, proves that Palin's popularity only takes her so far.
I say that the fact we are talking about the relation between Dancing with the Stars and a presidential election shows that Palin has, in a sense, already won in the dumbing down of American politics to a place where celebrity trumps skills.
And to return to my earlier point, another reason Palin wasn't my first choice was because I considered citing the man who has done more than anyone to keep her in the public eye and bestow her with a certain kind of credibility. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you, the one and only Rupert Murdoch, who keeps her both on TV (Fox News) and in publishing (HarperCollins).
But only one of them can and very likely will run for president in 2012. I never thought I'd say this but, frankly, I'd rather have President Murdoch.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Palin For Christmas
Christmas is the time to give everyone books.
To that end, I've put together an Amazon.com store where you can purchase books by and about Sarah Palin.
http://volcanoseven.com/SarahPalinReport/index.html
Amazon offers books at a discount (so that even though you have to pay for postage, the two balance out, unless you order over $25 at one time in which case postage is free.)
Order books and send them as gifts immediately around the US - Amazon takes care of the mailng for you.
To that end, I've put together an Amazon.com store where you can purchase books by and about Sarah Palin.
http://volcanoseven.com/SarahPalinReport/index.html
Amazon offers books at a discount (so that even though you have to pay for postage, the two balance out, unless you order over $25 at one time in which case postage is free.)
Order books and send them as gifts immediately around the US - Amazon takes care of the mailng for you.
8 Dec 2010, SC Magazine: MasterCard and websites of Joe Lieberman and Sarah Palin latest to be hit by Anonymous DDoS attacks in support of WikiLeaks
MasterCard and websites of Joe Lieberman and Sarah Palin latest to be hit by Anonymous DDoS attacks in support of WikiLeaks
The websites of MasterCard and the office of Joe Lieberman have been the latest websites to be taken down due to a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack.
Lieberman, chairman of the US Senate's committee on homeland security, announced last week that he had contacted Amazon about its hosting of the WikiLeaks website, which was halted 24 hours later.
Meanwhile a report from CNET claimed that MasterCard was pulling the plug on payments to WikiLeaks, meaning that the only easy way to donate electronically would be with a Visa credit card through a web page hosted by Iceland-based DataCell.com.
However these actions have led to both sites being hit by DDoS attacks over the last 24 hours as part of the Anonymous group's ‘Operation Payback' effort, which is taking a temporary break from the efforts against the entertainment industry in order to spend some time helping WikiLeaks by taking down its increasing opponents.
On its Twitter feed, Anonymous said an hour ago that MasterCard was down claiming that the ‘group that took down Swiss bank site has now taken down MasterCard.com'.
Sean-Paul Correll, threat researcher and security evangelist at Panda Security, who has been tracking the actions of the attacks, commented that MasterCard.com first went down at 9:14am GMT today with four service interruptions.
Alan Bentley, SVP international of Lumension, commented that the attack on MasterCard's website, following its move to block payments to WikiLeaks, certainly should not surprise anyone.
“Many disgruntled 'hacktivists' will be seeking revenge on behalf of the whistle-blowing website and it is highly likely that this will be the first in a series of attacks on businesses such as Amazon, PayPal, Visa and Swiss Bank, all of which withdrew services to WikiLeaks over recent days,” he said.
“The WikiLeaks saga is undoubtedly set to continue for some time and all organisations involved will want to beef up their security efforts in a bid to protect themselves from the wrath of the hacktivist community."
With regards to the attack on the Lieberman website, Correll commented that this was the first hit on a US government website and caused eight service interruptions with 12 minutes of downtime.
Among the other sites to be hit were advbyra.se, the lawyer of the two girls who were allegedly assaulted by WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who is now being held in custody in London. Also, a small group of Anonymous protesters started to attack Sarah Palin's website (sarahpac.com) in retaliation for saying that Assange should be hunted like a terrorist.
Correll said: “We have observed 256 service interruptions and 94 hours of combined downtime since these attacks started on 4th December. We also observed over eight hours of counter-DDoS downtime on the attackers (anonops.net) site.”
The Anonymous group confirmed the counterattacks initially on Monday evening when it said it was ‘currently under heavy DDoS attack', with just under two hours of downtime and 23 service interruptions recorded since the pro-WikiLeaks attacks started that morning.
In an update last night, it said that Operation Payback has been under a constant DDoS counterattack, but the attacks against the site had intensified shortly after announcing the attack on Lieberman's website.
Correll said that he was not sure who exactly was involved in the retaliation against the group, but suspected that it may be a group of patriots attempting to protect the greater interests of the United States of America.
Using the Twitter handle ‘th3j35t3r', it previously took down the WikiLeaks website at the end of November ‘for attempting to endanger the lives of our troops, ‘other assets' and foreign relations'.
The websites of MasterCard and the office of Joe Lieberman have been the latest websites to be taken down due to a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack.
Lieberman, chairman of the US Senate's committee on homeland security, announced last week that he had contacted Amazon about its hosting of the WikiLeaks website, which was halted 24 hours later.
Meanwhile a report from CNET claimed that MasterCard was pulling the plug on payments to WikiLeaks, meaning that the only easy way to donate electronically would be with a Visa credit card through a web page hosted by Iceland-based DataCell.com.
However these actions have led to both sites being hit by DDoS attacks over the last 24 hours as part of the Anonymous group's ‘Operation Payback' effort, which is taking a temporary break from the efforts against the entertainment industry in order to spend some time helping WikiLeaks by taking down its increasing opponents.
On its Twitter feed, Anonymous said an hour ago that MasterCard was down claiming that the ‘group that took down Swiss bank site has now taken down MasterCard.com'.
Sean-Paul Correll, threat researcher and security evangelist at Panda Security, who has been tracking the actions of the attacks, commented that MasterCard.com first went down at 9:14am GMT today with four service interruptions.
Alan Bentley, SVP international of Lumension, commented that the attack on MasterCard's website, following its move to block payments to WikiLeaks, certainly should not surprise anyone.
“Many disgruntled 'hacktivists' will be seeking revenge on behalf of the whistle-blowing website and it is highly likely that this will be the first in a series of attacks on businesses such as Amazon, PayPal, Visa and Swiss Bank, all of which withdrew services to WikiLeaks over recent days,” he said.
“The WikiLeaks saga is undoubtedly set to continue for some time and all organisations involved will want to beef up their security efforts in a bid to protect themselves from the wrath of the hacktivist community."
With regards to the attack on the Lieberman website, Correll commented that this was the first hit on a US government website and caused eight service interruptions with 12 minutes of downtime.
Among the other sites to be hit were advbyra.se, the lawyer of the two girls who were allegedly assaulted by WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who is now being held in custody in London. Also, a small group of Anonymous protesters started to attack Sarah Palin's website (sarahpac.com) in retaliation for saying that Assange should be hunted like a terrorist.
Correll said: “We have observed 256 service interruptions and 94 hours of combined downtime since these attacks started on 4th December. We also observed over eight hours of counter-DDoS downtime on the attackers (anonops.net) site.”
The Anonymous group confirmed the counterattacks initially on Monday evening when it said it was ‘currently under heavy DDoS attack', with just under two hours of downtime and 23 service interruptions recorded since the pro-WikiLeaks attacks started that morning.
In an update last night, it said that Operation Payback has been under a constant DDoS counterattack, but the attacks against the site had intensified shortly after announcing the attack on Lieberman's website.
Correll said that he was not sure who exactly was involved in the retaliation against the group, but suspected that it may be a group of patriots attempting to protect the greater interests of the United States of America.
Using the Twitter handle ‘th3j35t3r', it previously took down the WikiLeaks website at the end of November ‘for attempting to endanger the lives of our troops, ‘other assets' and foreign relations'.
8 Dec 2010: AOL News: Surge Desk: Oprah Refuses to Say Whether Sarah Palin Is Qualified to Be President
Oprah Refuses to Say Whether Sarah Palin Is Qualified to Be President
(Dec. 7) -- No comment?
In an interview with Barbara Walters, Oprah Winfrey refused to say whether she believes that Sarah Palin is qualified to be president of the United States.
"What if she ran for president?" Walters asked. "She was on the program with you. You were very gracious and dignified. What if she ran for president? How would you feel?"
"Well," Winfrey responded, "I wouldn't feel anything, because I think, obviously, that would be her choice."
Walters then pressed the issue. "Do you think that Sarah Palin is qualified to be president?"
Winfrey smiled. "I'm not going to answer that question. That's good, Barbara, but I'm not going to answer."
As to the performance of the current president, whom she publicly campaigned for in the 2008 election, Winfrey said Barack Obama is "fully there, giving his all" at his job.
(Dec. 7) -- No comment?
In an interview with Barbara Walters, Oprah Winfrey refused to say whether she believes that Sarah Palin is qualified to be president of the United States.
"What if she ran for president?" Walters asked. "She was on the program with you. You were very gracious and dignified. What if she ran for president? How would you feel?"
"Well," Winfrey responded, "I wouldn't feel anything, because I think, obviously, that would be her choice."
Walters then pressed the issue. "Do you think that Sarah Palin is qualified to be president?"
Winfrey smiled. "I'm not going to answer that question. That's good, Barbara, but I'm not going to answer."
As to the performance of the current president, whom she publicly campaigned for in the 2008 election, Winfrey said Barack Obama is "fully there, giving his all" at his job.
Monday, December 6, 2010
6 Dec 2010, Monday: Washington Post: Who is reading about Sarah Palin -- and why?
Who is reading about Sarah Palin -- and why?
Sarah Palin.
The reason I started this post with the name Sarah Palin is that two weeks ago, when I wrote about Palin and Michelle Obama, my column was recommended on Facebook around 11,000 times. I credit some of that number to interest in Michelle Obama -- but most to what is clearly an insatiable interest in all things Palin. In show business, they would say that the woman has legs.
Sarah Palin. Sarah Palin.
The spectacular interest in Palin comes not, as you might imagine, from her fans on the political right. Nor from those who share her love of (dead) bears or those who can relate to her reality television show, in which you never see a book in her house. In a fascinating New York Times op-ed piece, Charles Blow tells us that what he calls an "obsessive-compulsive fascination" with Palin comes from the left. He begins the column by vowing never to write "the name Sarah Palin until she does something truly newsworthy." I shall take up the slack.
Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin.
I believe that when the name of Sarah Palin appears in a post such as mine, all sorts of alerts are automatically issued by some sort of computer mechanism that I cannot begin to understand. Texts are sent to phones and possibly toaster ovens and things happen by way of Twitter and Facebook and even, I think, the town crier -- "Eleven o'clock and someone is writing about Palin!" -- and that is how someone like me gets 11,000 or so mentions or referrals of, to coin a phrase, whatever.
Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin Sarah Palin.
But why?
Alas, Blow is long on data but short on explanation. He tells us that CNN, sort of the neutral control group, mentioned her name 800 times from Nov. 3 to Dec. 2, but the number for "left-leaning MSNBC" was 1,000, while Fox News, a redoubt of the right, mentioned her only 600 times -- and she works for that network. Again, why?
Two reasons. The first is that the left is sincerely mystified by Palin. It finds it hard to understand how someone so clearly clueless about so much could possibly be considered a presidential candidate. The left, you see, has long thought that there ought to be some connection between intelligence or learning and the right to govern. This helps explain its infatuation with Barack Obama, who, along with his wife, is accredited by no less than four Ivy League institutions -- Harvard twice and Princeton and Columbia, once each. George W. Bush, too, had an Ivy League background, but everyone knew that was a fluke and that he thought that learning -- book learnin', as it is sometimes called -- interferes with instinct, which is better than knowledge, anyway, and which is also why we are still in Iraq.
Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin.
The second reason is much more ominous. The left just doesn't get America. I say this as a fellow-traveler of liberalism and as one who recognizes that many liberals fear the heartland. They see it as a dark place of primitive religions and too many guns. For such a person, Palin is the perfect personification of the unknown and feared Ugly American who will emerge from the heartland to seize Washington, turning off all the lights and casting America into darkness. The left does not merely disagree with the right; it fears it.
As for myself, I trust America to distrust Palin. The polls at the moment show her with considerable, but not overwhelming, support as a GOP presidential candidate, but in many of them she trails Mitt Romney and runs virtually neck and neck with Newt Gingrich. At this point, though, the polls are meaningless. They are ways for voters to send a message, to express dissatisfaction or anger. They are far from a commitment to a particular candidate. Palin's support will diminish as other candidates question her credentials.
Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin.
In the meantime, as with all celebrities, she will be used to sell products -- everything from soap to People Magazine to MSNBC's nighttime shows. I intend to use her the same way -- Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin -- and to boost the popularity of my pieces, to trigger alarms and interest among my nervous liberal brethren. And because I have a hard time spelling Kardashian.
Sarah Palin.
The reason I started this post with the name Sarah Palin is that two weeks ago, when I wrote about Palin and Michelle Obama, my column was recommended on Facebook around 11,000 times. I credit some of that number to interest in Michelle Obama -- but most to what is clearly an insatiable interest in all things Palin. In show business, they would say that the woman has legs.
Sarah Palin. Sarah Palin.
The spectacular interest in Palin comes not, as you might imagine, from her fans on the political right. Nor from those who share her love of (dead) bears or those who can relate to her reality television show, in which you never see a book in her house. In a fascinating New York Times op-ed piece, Charles Blow tells us that what he calls an "obsessive-compulsive fascination" with Palin comes from the left. He begins the column by vowing never to write "the name Sarah Palin until she does something truly newsworthy." I shall take up the slack.
Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin.
I believe that when the name of Sarah Palin appears in a post such as mine, all sorts of alerts are automatically issued by some sort of computer mechanism that I cannot begin to understand. Texts are sent to phones and possibly toaster ovens and things happen by way of Twitter and Facebook and even, I think, the town crier -- "Eleven o'clock and someone is writing about Palin!" -- and that is how someone like me gets 11,000 or so mentions or referrals of, to coin a phrase, whatever.
Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin Sarah Palin.
But why?
Alas, Blow is long on data but short on explanation. He tells us that CNN, sort of the neutral control group, mentioned her name 800 times from Nov. 3 to Dec. 2, but the number for "left-leaning MSNBC" was 1,000, while Fox News, a redoubt of the right, mentioned her only 600 times -- and she works for that network. Again, why?
Two reasons. The first is that the left is sincerely mystified by Palin. It finds it hard to understand how someone so clearly clueless about so much could possibly be considered a presidential candidate. The left, you see, has long thought that there ought to be some connection between intelligence or learning and the right to govern. This helps explain its infatuation with Barack Obama, who, along with his wife, is accredited by no less than four Ivy League institutions -- Harvard twice and Princeton and Columbia, once each. George W. Bush, too, had an Ivy League background, but everyone knew that was a fluke and that he thought that learning -- book learnin', as it is sometimes called -- interferes with instinct, which is better than knowledge, anyway, and which is also why we are still in Iraq.
Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin.
The second reason is much more ominous. The left just doesn't get America. I say this as a fellow-traveler of liberalism and as one who recognizes that many liberals fear the heartland. They see it as a dark place of primitive religions and too many guns. For such a person, Palin is the perfect personification of the unknown and feared Ugly American who will emerge from the heartland to seize Washington, turning off all the lights and casting America into darkness. The left does not merely disagree with the right; it fears it.
As for myself, I trust America to distrust Palin. The polls at the moment show her with considerable, but not overwhelming, support as a GOP presidential candidate, but in many of them she trails Mitt Romney and runs virtually neck and neck with Newt Gingrich. At this point, though, the polls are meaningless. They are ways for voters to send a message, to express dissatisfaction or anger. They are far from a commitment to a particular candidate. Palin's support will diminish as other candidates question her credentials.
Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin.
In the meantime, as with all celebrities, she will be used to sell products -- everything from soap to People Magazine to MSNBC's nighttime shows. I intend to use her the same way -- Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin, Sarah Palin -- and to boost the popularity of my pieces, to trigger alarms and interest among my nervous liberal brethren. And because I have a hard time spelling Kardashian.
The Atlantic: The Daily Dish: Palin And The Caribou, Ctd
Palin And The Caribou, Ctd
A reader writes:
Well as I am a part of the Alaska hunting community, I forced myself to watch last night's episode of SPA. I wanted to see how Alaska hunting was portrayed, and particularly how Alaskan women hunters were portrayed.
One thing is patently obvious to any real hunter: Sarah Palin is a poseur; she is not at all familiar with a bolt action rifle. As far as real Alaskan women hunters, lest viewers think otherwise, no woman hunter I know does not operate her own bolt when extracting the brass and inserting a new cartridge. Very odd to see her dad operate the bolt for her as she fired all those bullets downrange. I have my doubts she actually killed that caribou with the other rifle, but we'll never know.
Rifle scopes can sometimes be bonked, a rifle dropped on rocks etc, to where they do go off sight. But there was no indication anything like that happened with Sarah's rifle.
And when they do go off sight, often it's a matter of inches up or down or left or right, and shooting at a broadside caribou from that distance as Sarah was, it is more likely to wound the animal than completely miss it when aiming at the shoulder/lung area.
On top of that, when a rifle scope does go off and needs to be sighted in again, one doesn't take something that small (a 10" diameter paper plate in this case) and put it downrange as a target to check the sighting. Missing something that small doesn't really prove anything ... if the rifle scope really was off, it could be six inches off left or right or up or down and still miss the plate, but would still have hit the caribou in the lung/shoulder area. It could be ten inches off and would still have hit the caribou. For Sarah to completely miss that caribou at that range would mean the scope would have to be waaaay off. That just isn't a very likely scenario with today's modern equipment. And taking that (supposed) final shot with the other rifle, when the caribou was no longer broadside (which is the much preferred shot because it provides a much large killing zone) but facing directly toward Sarah ... I don't know any hunter who after missing so many times would then choose to take that kind of shot at such a smaller target. It just doesn't add up.
Neither does a 72 year old man walk "four or five miles" from camp on that tundra - which is really undulating ankle-twisting tussocks - as they claimed during the episode, then walk the same distance back. A ten mile hike on that tundra with a loaded pack is a feat for someone young and physically fit. I'm not sure why they chose to lie about that, certainly the camera crew also could not walk that distance carrying their equipment. But that's "reality" television for you. Any hunter who watched that episode should come away with the knowledge that Sarah Palin the "hunter" was a big bold lie.
Another writes:
My favorite moment of this episode was her comment that having the binoculars made this a “fair” contest. I have nothing against hunting, but there is obviously nothing fair about this contest. Palin and her company are equipped with high powered killing machines—rifles with long-distance scopes, so they don’t even have to get near the target. And the caribou obviously hears the shots that miss, but doesn’t understand what they mean, so it makes no effort to get out of the way. This allows Palin to take 6 or so shots before finally killing the animal. How is that fair? How is that even a contest?
I have now seen all episodes but the immediately prior one. I can only say that:
(1) the visuals in the show are spectacularly unspectacular. I expected to see some really terrific vistas of Alaska, but for the most part it’s been less than memorable visually. In last night’s episode, for example, we see lots of very flat, unattractive tundra.
(2) Palin’s speaking parts remain totally banal and uninteresting. I understand that her comments while actually on location are trite and unmemorable, but there are plenty of voice-over segments and segments where she is sitting down and speaking. However, she never says anything particularly insightful about what she has done or is doing or about Alaska. She almost never takes the opportunity to present any facts about the subject matter of the show and when she does the information is minimal. She’s hunting caribou. Is it too much to ask that she tell us something about the origins of this animal or its relation to elk, moose, deer, etc., or that she say something about how large the caribou herds in Alaska are or whether they are growing or shrinking, or something about what they eat or, for that matter, anything at all about the caribou’s habits?
This seems to be a consistent failure on the part of this show. We see Palin engaging in a number of activities that supposedly are typical of Alaska, but she offers no insight into the activities and she gives no “bigger picture” sense as to how these activities fit into the Alaskan economy or way of life. Although she keeps talking about how wonderful Alaska is, the show is all about her, her, her.
And you were expecting ... ?
A reader writes:
Well as I am a part of the Alaska hunting community, I forced myself to watch last night's episode of SPA. I wanted to see how Alaska hunting was portrayed, and particularly how Alaskan women hunters were portrayed.
One thing is patently obvious to any real hunter: Sarah Palin is a poseur; she is not at all familiar with a bolt action rifle. As far as real Alaskan women hunters, lest viewers think otherwise, no woman hunter I know does not operate her own bolt when extracting the brass and inserting a new cartridge. Very odd to see her dad operate the bolt for her as she fired all those bullets downrange. I have my doubts she actually killed that caribou with the other rifle, but we'll never know.
Rifle scopes can sometimes be bonked, a rifle dropped on rocks etc, to where they do go off sight. But there was no indication anything like that happened with Sarah's rifle.
And when they do go off sight, often it's a matter of inches up or down or left or right, and shooting at a broadside caribou from that distance as Sarah was, it is more likely to wound the animal than completely miss it when aiming at the shoulder/lung area.
On top of that, when a rifle scope does go off and needs to be sighted in again, one doesn't take something that small (a 10" diameter paper plate in this case) and put it downrange as a target to check the sighting. Missing something that small doesn't really prove anything ... if the rifle scope really was off, it could be six inches off left or right or up or down and still miss the plate, but would still have hit the caribou in the lung/shoulder area. It could be ten inches off and would still have hit the caribou. For Sarah to completely miss that caribou at that range would mean the scope would have to be waaaay off. That just isn't a very likely scenario with today's modern equipment. And taking that (supposed) final shot with the other rifle, when the caribou was no longer broadside (which is the much preferred shot because it provides a much large killing zone) but facing directly toward Sarah ... I don't know any hunter who after missing so many times would then choose to take that kind of shot at such a smaller target. It just doesn't add up.
Neither does a 72 year old man walk "four or five miles" from camp on that tundra - which is really undulating ankle-twisting tussocks - as they claimed during the episode, then walk the same distance back. A ten mile hike on that tundra with a loaded pack is a feat for someone young and physically fit. I'm not sure why they chose to lie about that, certainly the camera crew also could not walk that distance carrying their equipment. But that's "reality" television for you. Any hunter who watched that episode should come away with the knowledge that Sarah Palin the "hunter" was a big bold lie.
Another writes:
My favorite moment of this episode was her comment that having the binoculars made this a “fair” contest. I have nothing against hunting, but there is obviously nothing fair about this contest. Palin and her company are equipped with high powered killing machines—rifles with long-distance scopes, so they don’t even have to get near the target. And the caribou obviously hears the shots that miss, but doesn’t understand what they mean, so it makes no effort to get out of the way. This allows Palin to take 6 or so shots before finally killing the animal. How is that fair? How is that even a contest?
I have now seen all episodes but the immediately prior one. I can only say that:
(1) the visuals in the show are spectacularly unspectacular. I expected to see some really terrific vistas of Alaska, but for the most part it’s been less than memorable visually. In last night’s episode, for example, we see lots of very flat, unattractive tundra.
(2) Palin’s speaking parts remain totally banal and uninteresting. I understand that her comments while actually on location are trite and unmemorable, but there are plenty of voice-over segments and segments where she is sitting down and speaking. However, she never says anything particularly insightful about what she has done or is doing or about Alaska. She almost never takes the opportunity to present any facts about the subject matter of the show and when she does the information is minimal. She’s hunting caribou. Is it too much to ask that she tell us something about the origins of this animal or its relation to elk, moose, deer, etc., or that she say something about how large the caribou herds in Alaska are or whether they are growing or shrinking, or something about what they eat or, for that matter, anything at all about the caribou’s habits?
This seems to be a consistent failure on the part of this show. We see Palin engaging in a number of activities that supposedly are typical of Alaska, but she offers no insight into the activities and she gives no “bigger picture” sense as to how these activities fit into the Alaskan economy or way of life. Although she keeps talking about how wonderful Alaska is, the show is all about her, her, her.
And you were expecting ... ?
Dec 6, 2010, Monday, Huffington Post: Tea Party Nation President Wants 'Superstar' Sarah Palin For RNC Chair
Tea Party Nation President Wants 'Superstar' Sarah Palin For RNC Chair
Tea Party Nation president Judson Phillips has written a plea to Sarah Palin and supporters Monday, urging the former Alaska governor to mount a bid to take over for the floundering Michael Steele as chair of the Republican National Committee.
Here's how he described the stakes and the need for Palin to combat "Obama and the socialists" and ensure the conservative direction of the RNC:
We are in a fight for the survival of our country. [...]
We need you as Chairman of the RNC. You have shown in the past no hesitation to take on the establishment. You did it in Alaska. If we end up with establishment control of the GOP and their support for an establishment candidate in 2012, Obama and the socialists will have won. An establishment candidate will not work to repeal Obamacare and the other programs Obama, Pelosi and Reid have put in place. We need someone who will put conservatives in control of the party apparatus, not RINOs. [...]
Finally, you are a superstar. You have an unbelievable ability to light up a crowd and to raise money. Both of which the Republican Party needs. Something is really wrong with the GOP when the RNC cannot fund a get out the vote campaign for mid-term elections. The GOP needs a conservative who can raise money and energize the troops. You are the only one out there with these unique talents.
The suggestion that Palin use her popularity for the direct benefit of the GOP is not a new one, but it is somewhat surprising coming from one of the nation's largest Tea Party groups, a faction that comprises a large chunk of her support.
While most of the news has been focused on Sarah Palin's increasing talk of a potential presidential bid and suggestions that she is seriously eyeing a run for the nation's highest office, it appears that the Tea Party Nation would prefer her to be at the helm of the RNC in order to channel energy to a different presidential candidate going into the 2012 election.
Sarah Palin, however, doesn't agree -- at least with the contention that she'd make the best "fundraiser-in-chief" atop the RNC. Here's her statement on the matter.
"I respect the desire to have someone in charge of the RNC who understands the wishes of the conservative grassroots and understands that power resides with the people and not the vested interests in DC. However, the primary role of the RNC chair seems be that of fundraiser-in-chief, and there are others who would probably be much more comfortable asking people for money than I would be, and they would definitely enjoy it more."
Even without a Palin entry into the competition, the battle for a new GOP leader is already heating up. Saul Anuzis, former GOP chairman of Michigan, and former Luxembourg ambassador Ann Wagner have already announced their plans to to take on Steele for control of the debt-ridden RNC, if he decides to run again. And more challengers are still expected to throw their hats into the ring in the lead-up to the mid-January selection process. Reince Preibus stepped down as general counsel of the RNC over the weekend, making way for his entry into the race Monday.
Tea Party Nation president Judson Phillips has written a plea to Sarah Palin and supporters Monday, urging the former Alaska governor to mount a bid to take over for the floundering Michael Steele as chair of the Republican National Committee.
Here's how he described the stakes and the need for Palin to combat "Obama and the socialists" and ensure the conservative direction of the RNC:
We are in a fight for the survival of our country. [...]
We need you as Chairman of the RNC. You have shown in the past no hesitation to take on the establishment. You did it in Alaska. If we end up with establishment control of the GOP and their support for an establishment candidate in 2012, Obama and the socialists will have won. An establishment candidate will not work to repeal Obamacare and the other programs Obama, Pelosi and Reid have put in place. We need someone who will put conservatives in control of the party apparatus, not RINOs. [...]
Finally, you are a superstar. You have an unbelievable ability to light up a crowd and to raise money. Both of which the Republican Party needs. Something is really wrong with the GOP when the RNC cannot fund a get out the vote campaign for mid-term elections. The GOP needs a conservative who can raise money and energize the troops. You are the only one out there with these unique talents.
The suggestion that Palin use her popularity for the direct benefit of the GOP is not a new one, but it is somewhat surprising coming from one of the nation's largest Tea Party groups, a faction that comprises a large chunk of her support.
While most of the news has been focused on Sarah Palin's increasing talk of a potential presidential bid and suggestions that she is seriously eyeing a run for the nation's highest office, it appears that the Tea Party Nation would prefer her to be at the helm of the RNC in order to channel energy to a different presidential candidate going into the 2012 election.
Sarah Palin, however, doesn't agree -- at least with the contention that she'd make the best "fundraiser-in-chief" atop the RNC. Here's her statement on the matter.
"I respect the desire to have someone in charge of the RNC who understands the wishes of the conservative grassroots and understands that power resides with the people and not the vested interests in DC. However, the primary role of the RNC chair seems be that of fundraiser-in-chief, and there are others who would probably be much more comfortable asking people for money than I would be, and they would definitely enjoy it more."
Even without a Palin entry into the competition, the battle for a new GOP leader is already heating up. Saul Anuzis, former GOP chairman of Michigan, and former Luxembourg ambassador Ann Wagner have already announced their plans to to take on Steele for control of the debt-ridden RNC, if he decides to run again. And more challengers are still expected to throw their hats into the ring in the lead-up to the mid-January selection process. Reince Preibus stepped down as general counsel of the RNC over the weekend, making way for his entry into the race Monday.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Dec 5, 2010, Sunday: Charleston SC News: Fans finally come face-to -face with Sarah Palin
Fans finally come face-to -face with Sarah Palin
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- Hundreds of excited Sarah Palin fans in Columbia have finished a long wait in the cold to get an autographed copy of her new book.
The former Alaska governor and vice presidential candidate came to South Carolina on Friday to promote her new book, "America by Heart."
Palin has said she hasn't decided if she is going to run for president in 2012. But she is ending her book tour in a key state. South Carolina has the first GOP primary in the South and has backed the winner in every Republican primary since 1980.
Every person who came up to have a book signed got a kind hello, a broad smile and a few seconds of chitchat.
Palin came to Columbia in May to endorse now Gov.-elect Nikki Haley.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- Hundreds of excited Sarah Palin fans in Columbia have finished a long wait in the cold to get an autographed copy of her new book.
The former Alaska governor and vice presidential candidate came to South Carolina on Friday to promote her new book, "America by Heart."
Palin has said she hasn't decided if she is going to run for president in 2012. But she is ending her book tour in a key state. South Carolina has the first GOP primary in the South and has backed the winner in every Republican primary since 1980.
Every person who came up to have a book signed got a kind hello, a broad smile and a few seconds of chitchat.
Palin came to Columbia in May to endorse now Gov.-elect Nikki Haley.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Dec 4, 2010, The Improper: Bristol Palin a Pawn in Mom Sarah's Lamesteam Media War
Bristol Palin a Pawn in Mom Sarah's Lamesteam Media War
Bristol Palin lashed out on her Facebook page at one of mom Sarah Palin’s favorite targets, the “lamestream media.” She specifically zeroed in on MSNBC fathead Keith Olbermann. But is it really Bristol talking?
In a screed titled “Mr. Olbermann—Sorry We Can’t All Be As Perfect As You,” Palin takes the talking head to task for supposedly attacking her efforts on behalf of abstinence education.
Among other things, Bristol is an ambassador for the Candies Foundation, which promotes teen pregnancy awareness and prevention education.
First, did she really write this? Bristol bounced around three high schools before graduating from Wasilla High School in 2009.
Her only accomplishment of note was becoming an unwed, teen mother at the age of 18 a year before she graduated.
Yet, the Facebook posting is well written and uses a lot of two-dollar words like “canard” and “incredulity.”
It’s hard to believe Bristol had time to polish her writing skills between fornicating and getting pregnant in high school. She never went to college.
Yet, she writes: “Accusing me of hypocrisy is, by now, an old canard.”
“What Mr. Olbermann lacks in originality he makes up for with insincere incredulity.”
Wait, did she really mean that? Incredulity means being incredulous or disbelieving.
Does insincere incredulity mean Olbermann doesn’t really mean what he says. Or, does she mean his disbelief is not real?
Did she not take the SAT? Lack of originality has no association with incredulity, let alone “insincere incredulity.”
Internet speculation is centering on Sarah Palin ghost writer Rebecca Mansour as the author of the piece.
If so, she needs to take a refresher course.
Palin infamously tried to use her daughter as a prop during the 2008 presidential campaign.
But Bristol’s awkward presence at the GOP National Convention, backfired, and she became a symbol of her mom’s irresponsible parenting and family values hypocrisy.
Bristol did a lot to repair her image on her recent turn on “Dancing With the Stars.” She showed pluck and determination against far more skilled contestants.
But she ultimately became a polarizing force after her mom’s rabid followers advanced her to the finals, well beyond her capabilities and over far more deserving dancers.
Afterward, comedian Margaret Cho, another DWTS contestant said on her blog that Sarah forced her daughter to go on the show.
“She told Bristol she ‘owed’ it to her to do DWTS so that ‘America would fall in love with her again’ and make it possible for Sarah to run in 2012,” Cho wrote on her blog.
Sarah Palin’s spotlight hogging on the show didn’t help. But apparently none of that matters.
Bristol is destined to be nothing more than a pawn to further her mother’s political ambitions and family values agenda. Greek tragedy, anyone?
Bristol Palin lashed out on her Facebook page at one of mom Sarah Palin’s favorite targets, the “lamestream media.” She specifically zeroed in on MSNBC fathead Keith Olbermann. But is it really Bristol talking?
In a screed titled “Mr. Olbermann—Sorry We Can’t All Be As Perfect As You,” Palin takes the talking head to task for supposedly attacking her efforts on behalf of abstinence education.
Among other things, Bristol is an ambassador for the Candies Foundation, which promotes teen pregnancy awareness and prevention education.
First, did she really write this? Bristol bounced around three high schools before graduating from Wasilla High School in 2009.
Her only accomplishment of note was becoming an unwed, teen mother at the age of 18 a year before she graduated.
Yet, the Facebook posting is well written and uses a lot of two-dollar words like “canard” and “incredulity.”
It’s hard to believe Bristol had time to polish her writing skills between fornicating and getting pregnant in high school. She never went to college.
Yet, she writes: “Accusing me of hypocrisy is, by now, an old canard.”
“What Mr. Olbermann lacks in originality he makes up for with insincere incredulity.”
Wait, did she really mean that? Incredulity means being incredulous or disbelieving.
Does insincere incredulity mean Olbermann doesn’t really mean what he says. Or, does she mean his disbelief is not real?
Did she not take the SAT? Lack of originality has no association with incredulity, let alone “insincere incredulity.”
Internet speculation is centering on Sarah Palin ghost writer Rebecca Mansour as the author of the piece.
If so, she needs to take a refresher course.
Palin infamously tried to use her daughter as a prop during the 2008 presidential campaign.
But Bristol’s awkward presence at the GOP National Convention, backfired, and she became a symbol of her mom’s irresponsible parenting and family values hypocrisy.
Bristol did a lot to repair her image on her recent turn on “Dancing With the Stars.” She showed pluck and determination against far more skilled contestants.
But she ultimately became a polarizing force after her mom’s rabid followers advanced her to the finals, well beyond her capabilities and over far more deserving dancers.
Afterward, comedian Margaret Cho, another DWTS contestant said on her blog that Sarah forced her daughter to go on the show.
“She told Bristol she ‘owed’ it to her to do DWTS so that ‘America would fall in love with her again’ and make it possible for Sarah to run in 2012,” Cho wrote on her blog.
Sarah Palin’s spotlight hogging on the show didn’t help. But apparently none of that matters.
Bristol is destined to be nothing more than a pawn to further her mother’s political ambitions and family values agenda. Greek tragedy, anyone?
Friday, December 3, 2010
3 Dec, 2010: Huffington Post: Karl Rove Responds To Palin, Huckabee Complaints Of GOP Elitism (AUDIO)
Karl Rove Responds To Palin, Huckabee Complaints Of GOP Elitism (AUDIO)
Karl Rove responded Friday to the latest round of complaints by potential GOP presidential hopefuls Sarah Palin and Mike Huckabee that elitism in the party was driving Republicans to form a conspiracy to keep them off the ballot in 2012. Such actions, Rove seemed to suggest, were not ones that "confident leaders" would take.
Rove played down their fears that there was any concerted effort to sabotage future candidacies and said that comments to the contrary were "unnecessary."
"Look, Barbara Bush is 80-some odd years old, and she's entitled to her opinion, as is everybody," Rove said about Palin's recent "blue-blood" comment toward the Bushes. "Governor Palin ought to be confident. She's got a right to run. All she's gotta do is pay the filing fee and form a committee."
As for Huckabee, Rove said his recent claim that he was not an establishment favorite and therefore could potentially be discounted as a viable candidate in 2012 was frivolous.
"And Governor Huckabee, again it's -- look, with all due respect to my Fox colleague, he doesn't need to be saying "Oh, well, they weren't for me," Rove said. "Look, do you think Ronald Reagan was sitting there, saying "George Bush was not for me." Look, just move on. You're making the best argument you can for yourself. Jump into the race, if you like to. I think it is, frankly, healthy."
Rove continued:
"I think it would be healthy for the party for us to have everybody jump in, and let them go out there and spend the next year making the case for themselves and making the case against President Obama and let people know what they got and show them that they can unite the party and reach outside the party like Ronald Reagan did."
LISTEN (from Mediaite):
Story continues below
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Here's the transcript, from GOP 12:
ROVE: I think that was unnecessary. Look, I know what Governor Palin was responding to, which was a comment by former First Lady Barbara Bush, but look, Barbara Bush is 80-some odd years old, and she's entitled to her opinion, as is everybody.
Look, Barbara Bush, World War 2 young bride, you know, moves with her husband to Bakersfield, California and then lives in a duplex in Odessa, Texas that they share with a prostitute.
I've been to the boyhood home that they upgraded to in Midland, Texas...
INGRAHAM: [interrupting] ... but why is that relevant? Why is it relevant to -- the elites don't want Palin to run, Karl. I mean, that's the concern is that the elites don't want Palin and Huckabee to run.
ROVE: Governor Palin ought to be confident. She's got a right to run. All she's gotta do is pay the filing fee and form a committee.
And confident leaders don't take -- look, Barbara Bush is entitled to her opinion and entitled to respect. Let her -- you know, the best thing to do is to say "You know, I love Barbara Bush. She was great First Lady" and move on.
INGRAHAM: She did say that. Yeah, I think she did say that. She said she really likes the Bushes.
ROVE: And Governor Huckabee, again it's -- look, with all due respect to my Fox colleague, he doesn't need to be saying "Oh, well, they weren't for me."
Look, do you think Ronald Reagan was sitting there, saying "George Bush was not for me." Look, just move on. You're making the best argument you can for yourself. Jump into the race, if you like to. I think it is, frankly, healthy. Right now, we've got eleven of these people who are thinking about running.
.... It's just unseemly for them to say 'They're trying to keep me out."
Nobody can keep anybody out. Let David Brooks write every column he wants in the New York Times saying this person should run and that person shouldn't run, and it has boo-do-diddly impact on whether or not somebody gets in or gets out.
Karl Rove responded Friday to the latest round of complaints by potential GOP presidential hopefuls Sarah Palin and Mike Huckabee that elitism in the party was driving Republicans to form a conspiracy to keep them off the ballot in 2012. Such actions, Rove seemed to suggest, were not ones that "confident leaders" would take.
Rove played down their fears that there was any concerted effort to sabotage future candidacies and said that comments to the contrary were "unnecessary."
"Look, Barbara Bush is 80-some odd years old, and she's entitled to her opinion, as is everybody," Rove said about Palin's recent "blue-blood" comment toward the Bushes. "Governor Palin ought to be confident. She's got a right to run. All she's gotta do is pay the filing fee and form a committee."
As for Huckabee, Rove said his recent claim that he was not an establishment favorite and therefore could potentially be discounted as a viable candidate in 2012 was frivolous.
"And Governor Huckabee, again it's -- look, with all due respect to my Fox colleague, he doesn't need to be saying "Oh, well, they weren't for me," Rove said. "Look, do you think Ronald Reagan was sitting there, saying "George Bush was not for me." Look, just move on. You're making the best argument you can for yourself. Jump into the race, if you like to. I think it is, frankly, healthy."
Rove continued:
"I think it would be healthy for the party for us to have everybody jump in, and let them go out there and spend the next year making the case for themselves and making the case against President Obama and let people know what they got and show them that they can unite the party and reach outside the party like Ronald Reagan did."
LISTEN (from Mediaite):
Story continues below
Advertisement
Here's the transcript, from GOP 12:
ROVE: I think that was unnecessary. Look, I know what Governor Palin was responding to, which was a comment by former First Lady Barbara Bush, but look, Barbara Bush is 80-some odd years old, and she's entitled to her opinion, as is everybody.
Look, Barbara Bush, World War 2 young bride, you know, moves with her husband to Bakersfield, California and then lives in a duplex in Odessa, Texas that they share with a prostitute.
I've been to the boyhood home that they upgraded to in Midland, Texas...
INGRAHAM: [interrupting] ... but why is that relevant? Why is it relevant to -- the elites don't want Palin to run, Karl. I mean, that's the concern is that the elites don't want Palin and Huckabee to run.
ROVE: Governor Palin ought to be confident. She's got a right to run. All she's gotta do is pay the filing fee and form a committee.
And confident leaders don't take -- look, Barbara Bush is entitled to her opinion and entitled to respect. Let her -- you know, the best thing to do is to say "You know, I love Barbara Bush. She was great First Lady" and move on.
INGRAHAM: She did say that. Yeah, I think she did say that. She said she really likes the Bushes.
ROVE: And Governor Huckabee, again it's -- look, with all due respect to my Fox colleague, he doesn't need to be saying "Oh, well, they weren't for me."
Look, do you think Ronald Reagan was sitting there, saying "George Bush was not for me." Look, just move on. You're making the best argument you can for yourself. Jump into the race, if you like to. I think it is, frankly, healthy. Right now, we've got eleven of these people who are thinking about running.
.... It's just unseemly for them to say 'They're trying to keep me out."
Nobody can keep anybody out. Let David Brooks write every column he wants in the New York Times saying this person should run and that person shouldn't run, and it has boo-do-diddly impact on whether or not somebody gets in or gets out.
Dec 3, 2010, Friuday: Reuters: Analysis: Some Republicans urge Palin not to run
Analysis: Some Republicans urge Palin not to run
(Reuters) - As Sarah Palin ponders a 2012 presidential campaign, some prominent Republicans are urging her to resist the temptation to run even as her devoted followers flock to her book tour.
In recent days, a debate has broken out among Republicans over whether the 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee and popular activist would be able to defeat a politically weakened President Barack Obama in two years.
The criticism, rejected by Team Palin, reflects concerns among establishment Republicans that the former Alaska governor lacks the gravitas to oust a sitting president, even a struggling one.
Palin has a very strong following in the conservative Tea Party movement and her endorsements helped several candidates in congressional and state elections last month. But that has not silenced critics -- even within her own party.
"What man or mouse with a fully functioning human brain and a resume as thin as Palin's would flirt with a presidential run?" former Republican congressman Joe Scarborough, an MSNBC co-host, wrote in an opinion piece for Politico.
Mark McKinnon, a former campaign adviser to Republicans George W. Bush and John McCain, wrote in the Daily Beast that he admires Palin's "tenacity, her verve, her moxie and her pluck" but believes she is "perhaps the only Republican nominee who could lose in 2012."
And Barbara Bush, the no-nonsense wife of former President George H.W. Bush and mother of George W. Bush, took a not-so-subtle jab by saying she hopes Palin will "stay in Alaska."
The criticism is raising eyebrows among Republicans who say Palin's detractors should concentrate on defeating Obama.
"Republicans should remember Ronald Reagan's 11th commandment, which was 'don't speak ill of fellow Republicans,'" said Republican strategist Scott Reed.
Palin has drawn fire ever since she burst onto the national scene as McCain's running mate in 2008 and was unable to tell an interviewer the publications she read regularly or cite Supreme Court rulings that she disagreed with.
She also has been criticized for her speaking style, quitting the governor's job in mid-term and writing notes on her hand.
Palin has worked to overcome questions about her intellectual ability by, for example, offering her opinions about Federal Reserve policies.
She rarely grants interviews to what she calls the "lame-stream media" but often uses her Twitter and Facebook accounts to jab back at critics.
David Yepsen, director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University, said Palin critics are unlikely to persuade her not to run for the White House if she decides she wants to do so.
Male politicians who warn her against running risk sounding condescending, he said.
"She is a pretty strong-minded politician in her own right and for somebody to suggest publicly that she shouldn't run is kind of gratuitous," Yepsen said. "I think there is a danger that it could backfire and make her more adamant."
All this is taking place as Palin, a champion of the conservative Tea Party movement, rides high.
She is the star of a relatively popular cable television series, "Sarah Palin's Alaska," which combines striking images of Alaska's raw frontier with scenes of Palin scaling mountains and killing halibut with a club.
She is a commentator on conservative-leaning Fox News network and received a lot of buzz when her daughter, Bristol, made it to the finals of ABC's "Dancing with the Stars." Currently she is drawing friendly crowds on a tour to promote her second book, "America by Heart."
The tour includes stops in Iowa and South Carolina, two states that would be crucial to a successful Republican campaign. This week two women carried a "Sarah Palin for President" sign at a Palin book-signing event in Kentucky.
"We just really like her. We think that she's down to earth, she's a mother and she's very intelligent no matter what others may say," Jennifer Cross of Jamestown, Kentucky, told WTVQ television.
Palin has said she can beat Obama in 2012 but has not made up her mind if she will try. Most experts believe that since Palin has such a huge following, she can wait months to make a decision while other potential candidates probably will announce by spring whether they are running.
Republican strategist Matt Mackowiak said Palin's detractors are reflecting concerns that Palin does not seem to be building the kind of organization necessary for a serious race -- an experienced staff, for example.
"She would bring tremendous enthusiasm. She would also bring some vulnerabilities," he said. "I think what's most worrisome is the uncertainty. She hasn't played the game at the national level like the others."
(Reuters) - As Sarah Palin ponders a 2012 presidential campaign, some prominent Republicans are urging her to resist the temptation to run even as her devoted followers flock to her book tour.
In recent days, a debate has broken out among Republicans over whether the 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee and popular activist would be able to defeat a politically weakened President Barack Obama in two years.
The criticism, rejected by Team Palin, reflects concerns among establishment Republicans that the former Alaska governor lacks the gravitas to oust a sitting president, even a struggling one.
Palin has a very strong following in the conservative Tea Party movement and her endorsements helped several candidates in congressional and state elections last month. But that has not silenced critics -- even within her own party.
"What man or mouse with a fully functioning human brain and a resume as thin as Palin's would flirt with a presidential run?" former Republican congressman Joe Scarborough, an MSNBC co-host, wrote in an opinion piece for Politico.
Mark McKinnon, a former campaign adviser to Republicans George W. Bush and John McCain, wrote in the Daily Beast that he admires Palin's "tenacity, her verve, her moxie and her pluck" but believes she is "perhaps the only Republican nominee who could lose in 2012."
And Barbara Bush, the no-nonsense wife of former President George H.W. Bush and mother of George W. Bush, took a not-so-subtle jab by saying she hopes Palin will "stay in Alaska."
The criticism is raising eyebrows among Republicans who say Palin's detractors should concentrate on defeating Obama.
"Republicans should remember Ronald Reagan's 11th commandment, which was 'don't speak ill of fellow Republicans,'" said Republican strategist Scott Reed.
Palin has drawn fire ever since she burst onto the national scene as McCain's running mate in 2008 and was unable to tell an interviewer the publications she read regularly or cite Supreme Court rulings that she disagreed with.
She also has been criticized for her speaking style, quitting the governor's job in mid-term and writing notes on her hand.
Palin has worked to overcome questions about her intellectual ability by, for example, offering her opinions about Federal Reserve policies.
She rarely grants interviews to what she calls the "lame-stream media" but often uses her Twitter and Facebook accounts to jab back at critics.
David Yepsen, director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University, said Palin critics are unlikely to persuade her not to run for the White House if she decides she wants to do so.
Male politicians who warn her against running risk sounding condescending, he said.
"She is a pretty strong-minded politician in her own right and for somebody to suggest publicly that she shouldn't run is kind of gratuitous," Yepsen said. "I think there is a danger that it could backfire and make her more adamant."
All this is taking place as Palin, a champion of the conservative Tea Party movement, rides high.
She is the star of a relatively popular cable television series, "Sarah Palin's Alaska," which combines striking images of Alaska's raw frontier with scenes of Palin scaling mountains and killing halibut with a club.
She is a commentator on conservative-leaning Fox News network and received a lot of buzz when her daughter, Bristol, made it to the finals of ABC's "Dancing with the Stars." Currently she is drawing friendly crowds on a tour to promote her second book, "America by Heart."
The tour includes stops in Iowa and South Carolina, two states that would be crucial to a successful Republican campaign. This week two women carried a "Sarah Palin for President" sign at a Palin book-signing event in Kentucky.
"We just really like her. We think that she's down to earth, she's a mother and she's very intelligent no matter what others may say," Jennifer Cross of Jamestown, Kentucky, told WTVQ television.
Palin has said she can beat Obama in 2012 but has not made up her mind if she will try. Most experts believe that since Palin has such a huge following, she can wait months to make a decision while other potential candidates probably will announce by spring whether they are running.
Republican strategist Matt Mackowiak said Palin's detractors are reflecting concerns that Palin does not seem to be building the kind of organization necessary for a serious race -- an experienced staff, for example.
"She would bring tremendous enthusiasm. She would also bring some vulnerabilities," he said. "I think what's most worrisome is the uncertainty. She hasn't played the game at the national level like the others."
Thursday, December 2, 2010
About the Sarah Palin Chronicles
Apologies for the dearth of posts recently, I've been travelling and had health issues, and all in all it's not been a good week.
Anyway, for my new subscribers, as well as my old subscribers, I thought I'd explain the direcotin the Sarah Palin Chronicles is taking.
I'm not providing commentary on any of the news articles, or at least not much. This is just a central gathering point of any news articles that mention Palin.
To that end, each post begins with the day's date, to make it easier for researchers to find what they're looking for. This is followed by the news media that is carrying the story.
Then comes the story, complete with link to original source.
The purpose of this blog is to simply track what the media says about Palin - how much of it is mocking her and how much of it is serious news coverage.
Anyway, for my new subscribers, as well as my old subscribers, I thought I'd explain the direcotin the Sarah Palin Chronicles is taking.
I'm not providing commentary on any of the news articles, or at least not much. This is just a central gathering point of any news articles that mention Palin.
To that end, each post begins with the day's date, to make it easier for researchers to find what they're looking for. This is followed by the news media that is carrying the story.
Then comes the story, complete with link to original source.
The purpose of this blog is to simply track what the media says about Palin - how much of it is mocking her and how much of it is serious news coverage.
2 Dec, 2010: Fox News, Election HQ Blog: More Photos, No Interviews, of Palin in Iowa
Reporter's Notebook: Iowa 2012
"Come on, Sarah."
Once more, Sarah Palin came to Iowa. Once more, it was for a book signing. This time it was at the WalMart in Spirit Lake.
Again, no questions allowed by media (local or national) and no opportunities for possible 2012 caucus-goers to get close and ask what's on their minds.
Supporters -- like those standing in line today in Spirit Lake -- don't mind that. In fact, the people we saw were delighted to meet the former governor of Alaska. Palin, in an apparent great mood, joked with people in line, shook hands and even autographed one woman's boot.
But the Iowa press corps, accustomed to regular access and one-on-one interviews with White House wannabes, has grown impatient.
The Cedar Rapids Gazette writes, "Will a Mama Grizzly Maul the Caucuses?" questioning whether such a political rockstar will even bother with retail politics, even in Iowa.
Political columnist Kathie Obradovitch of the Des Moines Register is more blunt. She writes Palin cannot merely "flirt" with Hawkeye State voters.
It is early. None of the contenders for the Republican nomination have officially announced they are running. But, they've all done stints of retail politics in Iowa. All of them.
Tim Pawlenty. Mike Huckabee. Newt Gingrich. Halley Barbour. Rich Santorum. Mitt Romney.
Palin might not read the Register or the Gazette. But Iowans do.
"Maybe Later"
Terry Branstad, the once and future Iowa governor, says he's not sure if he will endorse a candidate for the 2012 Republican Caucus. And if he does, the Republican governor-elect tells Fox News it will be late in the caucus campaign, closer to the actual date, now set for Feb. 6.
Asked whether Palin's endorsement of him in his gubernatorial campaign would sway him, Branstad says no.
So, what is Branstad looking for? In a word, participation.Being a big name, being popular won't cut it for him or for many other Iowans, Branstad says.
"You cannot take Iowans for granted even if you are a very popular and charismatic leader like Ronald Reagan. You need to come here, you need to actively campaign and go all throughout the state."
"I'll spell it out for you"
Iowa's Tea Party groups are gearing up for the caucuses.There are plans to make sure there is a Tea Party presence at every public appearance every presidential candidate makes.That sounds ambitious... until you realize there are more than 50 Tea Party groups statewide.
When I asked just how active Tea Party folks in Iowa might be when it comes to quizzing candidates, Jerry Jones of the Spirit Lake Tea Party had an emphatic answer, "V-E-R-Y! Very active, I can promise you that!"
"Come on, Sarah."
Once more, Sarah Palin came to Iowa. Once more, it was for a book signing. This time it was at the WalMart in Spirit Lake.
Again, no questions allowed by media (local or national) and no opportunities for possible 2012 caucus-goers to get close and ask what's on their minds.
Supporters -- like those standing in line today in Spirit Lake -- don't mind that. In fact, the people we saw were delighted to meet the former governor of Alaska. Palin, in an apparent great mood, joked with people in line, shook hands and even autographed one woman's boot.
But the Iowa press corps, accustomed to regular access and one-on-one interviews with White House wannabes, has grown impatient.
The Cedar Rapids Gazette writes, "Will a Mama Grizzly Maul the Caucuses?" questioning whether such a political rockstar will even bother with retail politics, even in Iowa.
Political columnist Kathie Obradovitch of the Des Moines Register is more blunt. She writes Palin cannot merely "flirt" with Hawkeye State voters.
It is early. None of the contenders for the Republican nomination have officially announced they are running. But, they've all done stints of retail politics in Iowa. All of them.
Tim Pawlenty. Mike Huckabee. Newt Gingrich. Halley Barbour. Rich Santorum. Mitt Romney.
Palin might not read the Register or the Gazette. But Iowans do.
"Maybe Later"
Terry Branstad, the once and future Iowa governor, says he's not sure if he will endorse a candidate for the 2012 Republican Caucus. And if he does, the Republican governor-elect tells Fox News it will be late in the caucus campaign, closer to the actual date, now set for Feb. 6.
Asked whether Palin's endorsement of him in his gubernatorial campaign would sway him, Branstad says no.
So, what is Branstad looking for? In a word, participation.Being a big name, being popular won't cut it for him or for many other Iowans, Branstad says.
"You cannot take Iowans for granted even if you are a very popular and charismatic leader like Ronald Reagan. You need to come here, you need to actively campaign and go all throughout the state."
"I'll spell it out for you"
Iowa's Tea Party groups are gearing up for the caucuses.There are plans to make sure there is a Tea Party presence at every public appearance every presidential candidate makes.That sounds ambitious... until you realize there are more than 50 Tea Party groups statewide.
When I asked just how active Tea Party folks in Iowa might be when it comes to quizzing candidates, Jerry Jones of the Spirit Lake Tea Party had an emphatic answer, "V-E-R-Y! Very active, I can promise you that!"
2 Dec 2010, IndyStar: Fans gather at Carmel store to meet Sarah Palin
Fans gather at Carmel store to meet Sarah Palin
CARMEL, Ind. -- Camping overnight in a Meijer store was a small price to pay, Holly Gillham said, to be among the first in line to greet former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin on Thursday.
"You can tell she really cares about her fans and the people who waited 18 hours to meet her," said Gillham, 19, Greenfield. "She looks you in the eye."
Gillham was one of hundreds of people who stood in a long line -- and one of several dozen who camped overnight -- at the Carmel store to have Palin sign a copy of her latest book, "America By Heart: Reflections on Family, Faith and Flag."
One person reported seeing two women walking near the store holding anti-Palin signs. But the mood inside was excited as people emerged with their signed books, buzzing about meeting the former GOP vice-presidential nominee.
Some of Palin's fans spent nearly 24 hours inside the store, with the first arriving around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday for the 6 p.m. book-signing event.
Palin chatted with fans as they filed past a table where the 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee signed books and other memorabilia.
"I am really inspired by her convictions and strong principles," Gillham said. "I wasn't that interested in political issues before she came along. I was pretty apathetic. But now I pay attention to the news."
Palin has dropped hints that she might seek the GOP's presidential nomination for 2012. On Thursday, she declined to talk about her intentions, even when asked by fans.
"I asked her to run," said Greg Kambic, 52, who drove from Champaign, Ill., for the occasion. "She was noncommittal."
Palin's outspoken conservative views have stirred strong opposition from critics, but everyone at the Meijer store seemed pro-Palin on this night.
Overcome with emotion, Kristin Dorini, 16, of the Chicago area, clutched her book and wept after meeting Palin. Her mother, Marilyn Dorini, 53, said her daughter considers the former Alaska governor a role model.
"This is a dream come true for Kristin," the elder Dorini said. "(Palin) thanked me for raising such a good daughter."
CARMEL, Ind. -- Camping overnight in a Meijer store was a small price to pay, Holly Gillham said, to be among the first in line to greet former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin on Thursday.
"You can tell she really cares about her fans and the people who waited 18 hours to meet her," said Gillham, 19, Greenfield. "She looks you in the eye."
Gillham was one of hundreds of people who stood in a long line -- and one of several dozen who camped overnight -- at the Carmel store to have Palin sign a copy of her latest book, "America By Heart: Reflections on Family, Faith and Flag."
One person reported seeing two women walking near the store holding anti-Palin signs. But the mood inside was excited as people emerged with their signed books, buzzing about meeting the former GOP vice-presidential nominee.
Some of Palin's fans spent nearly 24 hours inside the store, with the first arriving around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday for the 6 p.m. book-signing event.
Palin chatted with fans as they filed past a table where the 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee signed books and other memorabilia.
"I am really inspired by her convictions and strong principles," Gillham said. "I wasn't that interested in political issues before she came along. I was pretty apathetic. But now I pay attention to the news."
Palin has dropped hints that she might seek the GOP's presidential nomination for 2012. On Thursday, she declined to talk about her intentions, even when asked by fans.
"I asked her to run," said Greg Kambic, 52, who drove from Champaign, Ill., for the occasion. "She was noncommittal."
Palin's outspoken conservative views have stirred strong opposition from critics, but everyone at the Meijer store seemed pro-Palin on this night.
Overcome with emotion, Kristin Dorini, 16, of the Chicago area, clutched her book and wept after meeting Palin. Her mother, Marilyn Dorini, 53, said her daughter considers the former Alaska governor a role model.
"This is a dream come true for Kristin," the elder Dorini said. "(Palin) thanked me for raising such a good daughter."
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