Why Iowa Is Sarah Palin’s Waterloo
Sarah Palin has always been a little too smart for her own good, which is to say that she believes that she has more on the ball than anyone else when it comes to making the decisions that determine the course of her political career.
This explains why she openly resented the handlers dispatched by the people running John McCain’s 2008 campaign to help manage her end of things. This explains why she has persisted in surrounding herself with sycophants and not professionals who are not afraid to talk back to her as she has zigzagged toward deciding whether to join the 2012 fray. And this explains why she is on her way to becoming the answer to a trivia question, as one wag put it recently, as the leaders of the field of declared Republican presidential candidates steal a march on her.
There is always the possibility that in Palin’s heart of hearts, or whatever beats inside her chest, she never intended to seek the Republican nomination but would milk the speculation for all that it was worth — which is to say add to the millions she has made peddling vapid autobiographies and through television appearances. But that scenario does not take into account Palin’s Alaska-sized ego, and a more likely scenario is that she would wait in the wings as the Republican field slugged it out through the summer Iowa mini-campaign and then enter the fray as the candidate who would bring order out of chaos.
But a funny thing happened on the road to the Hawkeye State and beyond: Rick Perry threw his hat in the ring.
The Texas governor is Palin’s worst nightmare in several respects. His cred with the party’s fundamentalist base is rock solid and he doesn’t have to pander to it like Palin, unlike Palin he is not a quitter, and unlike Palin he is able to articulate policy positions no matter how extreme while not shying away from the tough questions that the mainstream occasionally throws between the softballs.
Palin, of course, has a seemingly unlimited capacity to say outrageous things while blindering herself to larger realities.
She let loose a humdinger while hanging out with the goats and folks at the Iowa State Fair last week in accusing the news media of failing to give voters a fuller picture of Barack Obama during the 2008 campaign and that is why voters chose he and Joe Biden.
The truth, of course, is that Obama was an open book while Palin hid from the news media at virtually every turn, which nevertheless fawned on her and to this day remains uncurious regarding some of the mysteries surrounding her.
Sarah Palin will be missed by her small but devoted constituency, while what passes for a Republican mainstream will breathe a huge sigh of relief that there is one less wingnut in the race. And turn their attention to sticking pins in Michele Bachmann voodoo dolls.
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Perry seems to be just another big-money corporatist candidate. It’s funny that you consider him such a solid entry.
Sarah Palin won herself an interesting place in Americana history. She’ll be remembered for a little while, but the fortunes she made in entertaining the American people will last much longer. Paraphrasing Bill Clinton, she is a “cute rascal.”
Shaun is making a good point even if likely inadvertently. Perry wipes out Palin and Bachmann. He is more than that. He obviously threatens Romney for primacy, and even for the nomination already. That is why liberals in and outside the media have him their big story and subject currently. He is already that truly strong in such a weak GOP field. It is a bonus that he is from Texas, which they hate, and already he has said wonderful things for them to exploit to their irrational best. Dirt from his past is just another bonus atop or within the bigger bonus they enjoy already. What later, especially if he wins the nomination or what I stress, the choice for VP?
What is funny or sad, Dorian, is that her fame and fortune campaign is dying arguably as fast or faster than the more serious Gingrich’s.
I like those stories where they bring an insect or an animal in to kill off some environmental pest. Then the imported one spreads and does even more damage.
dduck
Good one. Rick Perry, the Asian Carp of Republican politics.
Interesting how sometimes those who have no investment (emotional or otherwise) in a candidate can see him or her more clearly than those who do. Perry will be the GOTP guy, and I don’t think there’s much doubt about it. Whether or not he will be taken seriously by independents and moderates is the real question.
DLS, yes Gingrich is more serious than Palin, but the word, “serious” flies away the second Palin is removed from the sentence.
Dduck, I’ve never heard that scenario applied to politics before, but I love it!
Wait. JSpencer, you are claiming that you have “no investment (emotional or otherwise)” regarding a Republican?!?!?!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!
“Palin Derangement Syndrome”
Long time no see, Leonidas
Leo, please take the Alfred E. Newman Pledge of Brevity and then welcome back.
dduck:
You’re on quite a roll today, my man.
Leo, the ship remains in “moderate” attitude, as always.
Working, if it’s normally futile, to right the vessel somewhat keeps the flame lit and is always welcome. [chuckle]
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One of the things I didn’t post earlier, but was waiting for others to note it, is it that Iowa really isn’t Palin’s Waterloo, because she isn’t fighting, but it is probably Bachmann’s, Gingrich’s, and many others’. I doubt we’ll have to wait until Super Tuesday this year for most to be decided.
Logan, you completely missed the point. My reference wasn’t about me, it was about liberals seeming to realize Perry would be the new GOTP messiah before republicans did. Congrats on rushing in.
(this election year and a third-plus)
Logan:
To paraphrase Dr. E., tone it down.
“Cute Rascal”
LOL
You Gotta love Bill Clinton. Bet he could tame the shrew. Make her a Democrat for life.
Box of Havana’s please.