A ROGUE REACTION: PALIN IS NO REAGAN
You’ve probably read it all here before but I decided to continue my quest to commit professional suicide and seek a larger audience for my Palin bashing.
From my latest column from PJ Media:
Reagan had a nimble mind and enjoyed jousting with the press, rarely complaining about the unfair treatment he received and, in fact, turning the tables on his adversaries by using self-deprecating humor to make them appear small and petty. Palin, while certainly having cause for complaint, nevertheless acts more like an aggrieved, whiny child who rails against the unfairness of it all.
I have written before of the self-defeating impulse of conservatives to try and anoint some personality as the “next Reagan” — or worse, to try and graft his ideas from 1980 onto solutions that would address our problems today.
Reagan is gone, and what we have is his legacy — a complicated mix of good and bad for which historians will be arguing over for decades to come. Palin and many of her supporters are stuck in this past, unable or unwilling to comprehend the basic reality that the world, America, and time itself have moved on, making whatever Reagan wanted or believed in the 1980s virtually irrelevant to where we are today and, more importantly, where we are headed in the future.
Palin is the anti-Reagan in this and many other respects. Where the Gipper had one eye on the past while trying to look over the next hill into the future, Palin and many of her supporters hold on to the past for dear life as the future rolls up to meet us. I believe this to be her basic attraction to so many conservatives. She offers a comfortable place for those who are so inclined to ignore the verity of the present and who, quite rightly, fear the future. The soothing yet empty bromides, the hackneyed and cliched talking points, and the familiar responses to America’s problems are indicative of a mind incapable of expanding to meet new challenges and new opportunities.
I note the comments are running pretty much as expected. Good thing tar and feathering has gone out of style, huh?
Seriously, there are several commenters who make the ridiculous assertion that my Palin bashing is a ploy to get on TV or something, or win points with the “elites” all the better to further my career. If it wasn’t questioning my integrity, I’d laugh. Not only am I not good enough to get a second look from any of the mainstream media or even the “elite” conservative press, but the fact that my audience for this site continues to dwindle - dropping more than 30% in the last year while traffic at other sites have skyrocketed. That should disprove any such outrageous accusation.
I write what I write because I feel like writing it. My opinions are my own and not disseminated to curry favor with anyone, anywhere, anytime. Disagreeing with conservatives, making a case for a more thoughtful approach to the issues, taking those conservatives to task who deserve it in my opinion - if I were doing this to win friends and advance my career, I am doing a piss poor job of it.
But the charge is indicative of the real problem with most of my detractors; they don’t think. Perhaps they can’t think. For all the Palin bashing I’ve done, all the criticism of conservatism, of Republicans, of the base, of everything else I see as wrong with the right - if that were to garner me attention from those who could advance my career, you would think I’d be making a gazillion dolllars. Instead, I am ensconced in this internet backwater where those precious few readers who discern a morsel or two of common sense from my writings come to visit.
The road to internet fame and riches is to agree with Palin, with the base, with big shot bloggers who get 10 times the traffic I do. So before questioning my integrity, you better have a damn sight more evidence than your idiotic, horse’s ass opinion.
And you know who you are.
Hi Rick
We’ve had our differences certainly, but you are not a Palin basher so much as someone who disagrees with her. The bashers resort to vicious fiction. Everyone needs friends who dare to be critical.
No politician (if that is what she actually is) is supposed to be immune from criticism and none is supposed to be immune to calls for action, change and reflection. Essentially, you are asking for relection and change from her.
So many people are now in an “all or nothing” “my way or the highway” mindset that finding a realistic middle is difficult. I hve been reflecting on your laments about this fact. How exactly do we govern when both major parties are run from the extremes? Do we hope a true independent party emerges and that nothing occurs unless all three parties buy in? Or do we have stasis.
I think Palin is currently refining her, forgive the marketing term, “branding” and her brand - “Reaganism,” lower taxes, smaller government, fiscal sanity, “all of the above energey policy” and a strong military - is a better “brand” than what is coming out of Washington. She has a long way to go in order to be a viable presidential candidate. I hope she gets there.
The real problem is that President Obama was elected in the first place. That means a majority was carved out that agreed to a massive expansion of government and fiscal insanity. It was all out there for them to see prior to the election, yet they did it anyway. Putting that tooothpaste back in the tube will be tough.
Comment by Jim — 11/20/2009 @ 11:21 am
You are talking about the years 2000-2008 correct?
Comment by Richard bottoms — 11/20/2009 @ 12:00 pm
I have my doubts about Palin — right now she’s more feeding off her core supporters than given the swing voters she would need to get new specific reasons to support her (other than just generic conservatism). On the other hand, when Reagan was Palin’s current age he was starring with Nancy in “Hellcats of the Navy” and just closing out his time as Screen Actor’s Guild leader, so Palin potentially has quite a bit of time to gain ‘gravitas’ among the unconvinced before she becomes too old to run for higher office (and the left was treating Reagan’s presidential aspirations as a joke in 1980, let alone 1956).
But if it does come down to Palin running in 2012, and if she does get the nomination, and if the Obama Administration continues heading in the path it’s on today for the next 3 1/2 years, the anti-Palin crowd outside of the core Obama supporters will have a decision to make — Sarah? Barack? Push for a third party candidate a la John Anderson in 1980? Don’t vote at all? Definitely things to think about between now and the 2012 primary season.
Comment by John — 11/20/2009 @ 12:28 pm
Rick
You fall into a strange category
I can see you arriving at your destination by emotion.
You then use reason to Justify why you are there and why it is good.
Not a lot different than the rest of us.
The biggest differnce, you wont admit what INITIALLY brought you to your position.
That you prefer refined conservatism of a higher pedigree is after all a matter of preference. We Rotgut drinkers will wait for the revolution.
Viva la Revolution
Viva la Madame Palin
PS We have run out of cake.
Comment by steve — 11/20/2009 @ 12:28 pm
Rick, I don’t quite understand the need to preemptively disqualify Palin years ahead of a presidential run. Palin-bashing, I don’t know. But if she plans on running, she will be more detailed with her policy positions and philosophical stances. Until then, what we have is your impression of her (based on what, I’m not sure) against those who like her.
If you’re warning us against a cult of personality around Palin, fine. Except you forget one thing. We’re not Democrats. We have brains and self-respect. We also have reasons for liking Palin, which you may want to address in your criticisms of her.
I read you regularly and listen to your podcasts but I wonder if you’re going to go all Andrew Sullivan on us. You’re entitled to your opinion but it seems visceral in nature. I just think you’re being unfair to her and those willing to give her a chance. I say so with respect and gratitude to what you do.
Comment by ignorantapathy — 11/20/2009 @ 12:30 pm
Refreshing… I am a member of the infamous 18-25 age voting bracket and I have been searching relentlessly to find some rational conservative voice to explain all that is happening right now. So far yours is the only conservative blog I can stand coming back to regularly.In fact, quite anxiously so, as I am trying to gain a broad rational perspective of issues today. I don’t know what conservatism truly is. I understand free market and cutting taxes. I am sure there is certainly more to it and it can’t have always been what it appears to be today.In one insightful piece on Sarah Palin you alluded to the fact that some conservative policies are outdated.I actually think this could be at the route of the problem with the GOP’s ability to pick up young voters. I think the republican party will have to mold itself to become more contemporary. So,thanks for the post and making me realize that at least for a little while I haven’t completely missed something.
P.S.Can you give me some names of books that you think influential
“Conscience of a conservative” by Barry Goldwater is a classic. “Road to Serfdom” by Hayek, and Russell Kirk’s “The Conservative Mind” are more philosphical but good reading.
ed.
Comment by James — 11/20/2009 @ 12:46 pm
Going down in flames might have some romantic aspects to it but a believable alternative to Obama is warranted. Palin doesn’t fit that description and that’s all there is to that. Nice work, Rick.
Comment by funny man — 11/20/2009 @ 1:03 pm
Rick touches on what I see as the core of Palin’s limitations; its not her lack of knowledge, and as Dreher says, we don’t expect a 12 point program on the Federal reserve;
But Palin- and Palin’s fans- represent a deep anger, a populist resentment of anything outside of her demographic; its not a coincidence that her family and lifestyle are her main selling points; Because she herself IS the message- the courageous heartland mom who embodies the best of American values. By subtraction, you get a picture of who she does NOT represent- nonhunters, non-Christians, non-whites.
She hasn’t framed a vision of America that doesn’t seethe with rage at the ever-shifting target of “elites”; instead of a vision of what she wants America to become, we get sniping of a vague and just-out-of focus group of evildoers, variously the media, corporations, regulators, immigrants. She is selling anger and resentment, not shared sacrifice and advancement.
Comment by Liberty60 — 11/20/2009 @ 1:15 pm
Being a non-hunting, non-white guy I don’t fit the mob she’s assembling. The rage at the elites (**cough, jews**), it is pretty typical of evangelistic Christians whose only use for Israel is as cannon fodder for the Anti-Christ at the fulfillment of the End Times.
Comment by Richard bottoms — 11/20/2009 @ 1:44 pm
Rick,
Interesting take.
Seems like you are in a similar place as Frum.
I do have a question for you. Since you seem to want to shed conservatism/republicans of any ignorant fool who might see potential in Palin, Where do you get enough votes to win an election (presuming there could be 2-5 million idiots in the like/support Palin category), also remembering of course, that anyone stupid enough to think that tax cuts might be part of the solution are persona non-grata as well (maybe another 5+ million)? OR is it that you want our votes, but we are only allowed in the back of the bus and required to shut-up?
What did Obama win by? 6/7 million votes? Add 5-10 million voters who don’t qualify because either support for Palin or support of tax cuts, you begin with a deficit of 12-15 million votes, it will be interesting to see how you get anyone elected.
As best I can tell, you are several years younger than me. There are similarities between the reactions and treatment of Ronald Reagan in 1977 and Sarah Palin in 2009 by both the Republican establishment AND the press. Reagan the Cowboy/Warmonger, Sarah Palin the stupid bimbo from Alaska. I remember that period well as I started my grassroots phase in 1975 in Virginia. And, before you repeat Palin is no Reagan, I am not asserting that she is.
Regards,
Comment by the Dragon — 11/20/2009 @ 1:44 pm
I detested Regean, everything he stood for, or at least how he stood for it pretty much.
But he was governor of the largest state in the union with an economy that rivals most countries. Palin? Puh-lease.
You people are dreaming.
Comment by Richard bottoms — 11/20/2009 @ 2:29 pm
Liberty60 said:”She hasn’t framed a vision of America that doesn’t seethe with rage at the ever-shifting target of “elites”; instead of a vision of what she wants America to become, we get sniping of a vague and just-out-of focus group of evildoers, variously the media, corporations, regulators, immigrants. She is selling anger and resentment, not shared sacrifice and advancement.”
I think you are partially correct, at least at this point in time…11/20/2009. I suspect there is a lot of rage in the country currently.
I submit your take, and that of most of how one defines Sarah Palin, is when/how you were introduced to her. For most it was when she was selected as McCain’s VP choice 14 odd months ago. Which was quickly followed by a public colonoscopy, the magnitude rarely seen in my lifetime.
I had seen her previously, in several inverviews on CNBC related to Energy issues where she was upbeat/optimistic and forward thinking, IMHO of course.
I don’t see that there will be great difficulty (obviously presuming things don’t change for the better in the next year to 18 months) to pivot and channel the current rage into support for a specific comprehensive agenda. Particularly, IF, Obama does not pull a Clinton and moderate his objectives, and the ecomony, particularly unemployment does not improve. Yea, I know, a lot of caveats.
I wouldn’t be surprised IF Sarah Palin’s battle cry coupled taxes and Government spending with Social Security and Medicare reforms as a comprehensive solution to what is ailing the country. I can actually see a large segment of the public being willing to support a comprehensive solution, if things have not improved. I can also see that being a strongly bi-partisan solution, rather than a partisan one. Should my fantasy actually come to pass, I suspect some of her current supporters will be uncomfortable, yet trusting.
I see her more in the Andrew Jackson mold. AND, just for the record I am not saying she is like Andrew Jackson (before the spears fly).
IF one looks back to Sarah Palin’s track record in Alaska, she worked with whomever she needed to get the things, she believed needed to be done. In fact, she got far more done with Democrats than Republicans.
This all assumes she actually decides to run, something I am not sure will happen. I think the likelyhood increases if the economic situation does not improve.
Regards,
Comment by the Dragon — 11/20/2009 @ 2:34 pm
I look forward to buying you a beverage at CPAC sir.
Please enjoy this in the meantime.
Comment by smitty — 11/20/2009 @ 2:59 pm
Dragon-
I take Palin seriously, if for no other reason, than there is a tremendous latent pool of rage today; we are in the worst situation since 1932, and the only ones getting better are the wall Streeters who got us here to begin with.
I don’t fault the Palinites for being angry; sometimes that is a good and useful tool. I fault them for not presenting a constructive avenue.
Specifically- Rod Dreher noted that Palin is a “conflicted populist”- she writes passionately about how Exxon screwed over the people of Alaska, and postures as the people’s champion in bringing the corporation to heel.
yet on the next page, she chirpily claims that Big Business gets a bad rap in society.
Would Palin take on and break up the “too big to fail” banks on Wall Street? Doubtful.
She waxes enthusiastically about freedom, about the need for limited government; does she fear the enlargement of the Executive power, such as warrantless wiretapping, indefinite detentions, the suspension of habeas corpus?
I don’t think so.
For all her populist rhetoric, how would a Palin Administration govern any differently than the GWB Administration? She is surrounded by the same coterie of advisors, and is backed by the same supporters.
This is why I can’t support the Tea Party, because they have this same conflict; they support and are friendly with the very same corporate interests that have worked against the people’s interest; they support the very same enlargement of government power that makes a mockery of “limited government”.
Comment by Liberty60 — 11/20/2009 @ 3:21 pm
“I write what I write because I feel like writing it. My opinions are my own and not disseminated to curry favor with anyone, anywhere, anytime. Disagreeing with conservatives, making a case for a more thoughtful approach to the issues, taking those conservatives to task who deserve it in my opinion - if I were doing this to win friends and advance my career, I am doing a piss poor job of it.”
Sounds like an idealogue to me with no aim in furthering the chances of the Republican party.Put your money where your mouth is - quit your job as an editor at the American Thinker - a solid conservative company whose ideas are diametrically opposite yours.
“I am ensconced in this internet backwater where those precious few readers who discern a morsel or two of common sense from my writings come to visit.”
Stupid they are liberal trolls with a bad case of BDS who have no other aim than to take down Republicans and maintain power.
My, my Palin and Moran think bowing is a bad policy.
As I have asked many times, what are the specifics of that burr up your rear end. I suspect it is driven by the fear of Christianity but am not sure.
Comment by MooseH — 11/21/2009 @ 9:04 am
For what it’s worth, I’m a liberal who recently added you to my Google Reader because one of the liberal blogs I read said you’re a conservative who thinks and whose thought is worth considering, even if I don’t agree with you. So for all the Palinites you’ve lost from your readership, here’s at least one you’ve gained.
Comment by Roberta — 11/21/2009 @ 2:11 pm
Keep on writing Rick. Thoroughly enjoy your writings because I do have to think to get through them. You can separate the different elements of an issue very well and make your case. Wish there were more people interested in spending more than 30 seconds perusing something and claiming they have a sound opinion on the latest subject.
Comment by Brad — 11/22/2009 @ 6:56 pm
I happen to like Sarah Palin. She will learn as she goes just as Ronald Reagan did. I take her any day over Barack Obama and his left-wing liberal socialist-communists policies.
Comment by meanjoegreen59 — 11/24/2009 @ 10:56 am