In my opinion, I don't believe she's said yet why she's quitting, other than what I consider to be vague rhetorical references to stewardship, family, &c. And when/if she does say, I'm not going to just automatically believe them, or accept that they reflect the whole story, since she's a practiced, professional, competitive politician. This would only have been her first term on the statewide level, so she's not even completing that. I despise what's been done to her, especially by the traitorous and gutless McCain people (and I'll add McCain too, who, if he actually did have any honor toward her, would publicly denounce those people or privately tell them to keep their fat traps shut). But I'm not an enthusiast for her like you are, Shane; just as I was never enthused about Huckabee, unlike my good friend Byron over at No Kool-Aid Zone. I think she's got a lot of potential, but I don't see whatever it is you-all are seeing. I'm not cool with the "evangelical feminist" thing, for example; to me, that's akin to calling yourself an evangelical humanist. Bleh.
Shane Vander Hart
· 5 months ago
"evangelical feminist"... if her brand of "feminism" was like you see on the left (hate men, pro-choice, etc.), I'd agree with you. I don't see that in her. I'm complementarian when it comes to church leadership (though in my role with a parachurch organization work with female pastors), but I don't see God prescribe that necessarily in civic leadership, IMO.
Noah David Simon
· 5 months ago
guys in New York like me are rooting for a real strong woman to show the world values not Gloria Steinem lies about androgyny. Palin is about dignity. she will lead us out of the gender cultural wars of the 20th century. as I watched the wretched death of Michael Jackson and his world last week I am reminded of what Palin is fighting for and what she is up against. Sarah is a strong woman who breaks the mold. she is strong on the terms of woman and she is a leader because she understands where her strengths are. she is not creating the grand myopic androgynous lie of the blue states.
it is about the state. she has to fight for her constituents... who by the way still support her strongly. but she is strong enough to say she can't rep them right now. did Hilary do the same when she left my state New York in a financial nightmare? Palin is a better person then those that put their career first over the people. Anderson Cooper was pathetic. I don't remember exactly what he said... but it sounded dumb and bitchy. wasn't professional at all. Sam Donaldson like him or hate him... would of never asked Reagan something like that. Cooper is really flimsy... and I'm not saying that because I'm biased. I hate Rachel Maddow, but she is dangerous because she is snarky sharp. but Anderson Cooper I can only sum up as being a bimbo. Cooper said something to the effect of how is quitting leadership? then trolled Sarah's PR person on the phone form upstate NY by saying he didn't understand sports metaphors? if a person thinks they won't do a good job under circumstances for the state because they would be putting their personality in front of the state then this is the right decision. it really was a flake question. the way he said it was kind of like "oh snap", but the actual words had me scratching my head. name one accusation that hit a target concerning Palin? I heard about the SBC accusation last night. I noticed it didn't viral. perhaps people are begining to figure that it hurts credibility after "book-ban-gate" and "trooper-gate"? Even Ted Stevens turned out to be innocent. I didn't even expect that one.
I see her as being able to do what I need her to do for the country. frankly her best stuff comes out when you attack her kids. she lacked jaded conviction. it takes a whole lot of abuse to be a real Reagan. I liked what I saw of her this month, but she needs to learn to really hurt her opponent and come across confident with her battles. I think this time around it will seem a bit more dangerous then the little hockey mom. she will see the alarm bells and know she has to hurt people. she was just a bit too scripted... and perhaps that was McCain people's fault. I liked her taking on Letterman. she really killed him. on the other hand you can't be an ogre or bitch either. it is a fine line. it is taking jabs and looking like you enjoy doing it because the other guy is a shmoe... but you would still share a beer for him out of love. you fight your battles and respect the enemy. it is a man's world. she can't just smile on SNL and think everything is honky cool. she has to make the audience enjoy watching her take apart another human being.
Shane Vander Hart
· 5 months ago
Thanks for the comment, the embezzlement rumor went pretty viral on the left. The fact it made it to MSM reports is unconscionable.
Lyla Lindquist
· 5 months ago
Shane, it seems like one of the things we do -- and it happens on all sides -- is to stop thinking of politicians as people. We begin instead to see them as the incarnation of whatever it is we hate about their ideology or policy or opinion or party. And that's when we fail to show simple human decency when we attempt to have meaningful dialog about issues. I believe it's part of why nobody seems to be able to let Gov. Palin make a decision about her future -- whether it involves a future run for something or not -- and why we allow ourselves to dissect her life and decisions as though we know things we cannot know. I realize folks put themselves in the public eye and have to put up with it, but someday we need to learn to let them be people as well.
Shane Vander Hart
· 5 months ago
Great insight, and you are right this isn't just limited to one party (actually Republicans are being just about as bad in this case).
Chicagobluesgirl
· 5 months ago
Here’s my personal take on it: When I first heard that McCain had chosen Sarah Palin as his running mate, I thought he was nuts. I listened to pundits like Michael Savage saying, “He has a death wish!” or some such talk. I had to agree with them and my heart was in my stomach with fear for our country (uh…nothing like the fear I have NOW by the way!). Then I heard her speak, I listened to what she said and I saw the reaction and her incredible power. She was brilliant, she spoke about people like me and TO people like me. She understood what REAL conservatism is and what needs to STOP and what needs to START in this country to get back to basics and our great constitution. I totally did a 180. So I have to say I’m waiting to see what happens. I don’t think stepping down is that big a deal when you look at her reasons. They are not the reasons of politicians…they are the reasons of someone like Lincoln who put what was right above what was popular. That’s why I am keeping the faith. I am waiting. I am not judging. I think she’s got something there that my feeble brain can’t quite pick up yet but I do trust this woman to do the right thing for the right reasons. I trust her more than any politician in my lifetime because she has inside her what is necessary to bring this country back to its roots and values and I so want to be there. I pray we can one day be there. And no one else is driving the bus, people.
Shane Vander Hart
· 5 months ago
I had a different reaction to his pick, and actually predicted it. Glad you came around :).
I think she wants to advance conservative causes, and right now she thinks she can do that best outside elected office. I agree in the current environment she was in it was a good decision. I also take her comments about the cost to the state at face value as well.
Foxfier
· 5 months ago
I got a giggle out of someone on American Thinker Blog, who re-told a story about a king or something who got word that a famous diplomat had just died. "Zounds! Send our regrets to his country, standard, yaddida-" and when the messenger left, sat back and rubbed his chin, asking: "Now, why did he choose to do this now...."
Shane Vander Hart
· 5 months ago
That is a funny story.
HiScrivener
· 5 months ago
Lyla is on to something. People do indeed forget politicians are people - but for good reason. They are so pre-conditioned with talking points and being P.C., it's almost as if they are androids.
So, why not? Just pretend Palin was "Weekend at Bernie's" and stage her however the GOP wanted. She finally grew a backbone and split. Split the spotlight, the cameras and the tabloids.
I suppose we'll see what happens with her in 2.5 years. Although I don't think it will matter, I'm sure she will be back giving Lens Crafters all the love in the world.
Shane Vander Hart
· 5 months ago
You are right that most politicians are, but Palin has never seemed to be that way.
All Comments
it is about the state. she has to fight for her constituents... who by the way still support her strongly. but she is strong enough to say she can't rep them right now. did Hilary do the same when she left my state New York in a financial nightmare? Palin is a better person then those that put their career first over the people. Anderson Cooper was pathetic. I don't remember exactly what he said... but it sounded dumb and bitchy. wasn't professional at all. Sam Donaldson like him or hate him... would of never asked Reagan something like that. Cooper is really flimsy... and I'm not saying that because I'm biased. I hate Rachel Maddow, but she is dangerous because she is snarky sharp. but Anderson Cooper I can only sum up as being a bimbo. Cooper said something to the effect of how is quitting leadership? then trolled Sarah's PR person on the phone form upstate NY by saying he didn't understand sports metaphors? if a person thinks they won't do a good job under circumstances for the state because they would be putting their personality in front of the state then this is the right decision. it really was a flake question. the way he said it was kind of like "oh snap", but the actual words had me scratching my head. name one accusation that hit a target concerning Palin? I heard about the SBC accusation last night. I noticed it didn't viral. perhaps people are begining to figure that it hurts credibility after "book-ban-gate" and "trooper-gate"? Even Ted Stevens turned out to be innocent. I didn't even expect that one.
I see her as being able to do what I need her to do for the country. frankly her best stuff comes out when you attack her kids. she lacked jaded conviction. it takes a whole lot of abuse to be a real Reagan. I liked what I saw of her this month, but she needs to learn to really hurt her opponent and come across confident with her battles. I think this time around it will seem a bit more dangerous then the little hockey mom. she will see the alarm bells and know she has to hurt people. she was just a bit too scripted... and perhaps that was McCain people's fault. I liked her taking on Letterman. she really killed him. on the other hand you can't be an ogre or bitch either. it is a fine line. it is taking jabs and looking like you enjoy doing it because the other guy is a shmoe... but you would still share a beer for him out of love. you fight your battles and respect the enemy. it is a man's world. she can't just smile on SNL and think everything is honky cool. she has to make the audience enjoy watching her take apart another human being.
I think she wants to advance conservative causes, and right now she thinks she can do that best outside elected office. I agree in the current environment she was in it was a good decision. I also take her comments about the cost to the state at face value as well.
"Zounds! Send our regrets to his country, standard, yaddida-" and when the messenger left, sat back and rubbed his chin, asking: "Now, why did he choose to do this now...."
So, why not? Just pretend Palin was "Weekend at Bernie's" and stage her however the GOP wanted. She finally grew a backbone and split. Split the spotlight, the cameras and the tabloids.
I suppose we'll see what happens with her in 2.5 years. Although I don't think it will matter, I'm sure she will be back giving Lens Crafters all the love in the world.