Palin Channels Pat Nixon

The more I learn about Gov Palin, the more I hear her speak, reinterpret questions during interviews, the more I hear her open up about her "worldview" (which is a generous definition), the more I hear about her odd religious views, her quite uninformed ideas about science, the more that is revealed about what she really knows and doesn't know... then the more I worry about not just her, but the people (and thier motives) who put her into this position in the first place.

Once her definition of "elitist" is deconstructed and distilled, the easier it is to see how an essential part of the profile includes those who possess too much knowledge, or who believe in too much examination. To this extent she is a standard-bearer for lower expectations, and consequently her appeal (beyond the cynical folks who put her up to this) is stronger among those who have a more limited and perhaps troubled understanding of the modern world.

This sort of dynamic may play well to a certain provincial demographic, but on a national and world stage it starts falling apart fairly quickly. The question America needs to be asking is whether it wants to be (and be considered by others) on the forefront of progress, or lagging somewhere back in the pack. GIven our history of leadership, accomplishment, innovation, and creative problem solving we should be striving for the former, not settling for the latter.

I think Sarah does want to strive for "accomplishment, innovation, and creative problem solving." She's a reformer with desperately needed common sense, and she's a reformer who's not afraid to take on her own party if need be to fight for those common sense policies.

I could care less what her definition of elitism is - the fact is she wants to fight for hard-working Americans and wants to be fair to them.

TOMOTF: I believe all 4 of the candidates "want to fight for hard-working Americans and want to be fair to them". The problem with going with the "elitists are bad" meme is that its simply wedge politics, creating an us vs them mentality. In other words, its divisive. Call me crazy, but I think the American public is pretty well tired and worn out with divisive politics.

I will admit that I have my reservations on whether or not an Obama administration can bring the country together. I would like to see him appoint some Repubs to his cabinet, and at this point, I get the impression that he would. And he isn't out there constantly demonizing certain segments of the population. Its been an ugly campaign from both sides. But I think its safe to say that McCain/Palin seem to be telling us why we shouldn't vote for Obama/Biden as opposed to why we should vote for McCain/Palin. Certainly, Obama and Biden have travelled this road as well, but at the same time they are both actually telling us what they plan on doing.

You make some really great points. McCain/Palin have said what they're going to do though. For one, they're not going to raise taxes on small business owners with employees.

98% of the small business owners that employ people make over 250k, which means they'll be taxed higher under Obama and will probably have to let people go, bringing up unemployment and hurting the economy further. The numbers of people that work for small businesses is staggering. This is just one example of why I'm for McCain, but I think it's a really important one.

TOMOTF : "She's [Palin] a reformer with desperately needed common sense"

Common sense? As in taking part in a ritual to ward off witchcraft? As in believing the world is 6000 years old? As in believing that if a girl is raped and becomes pregnant she should be required by law to take the pregnancy to term? I could continue, but suffice to say that while calling her a reformer is very generous, suggesting she would be a champion of common sense requires a major suspension of disbelief.

She may not "reform" for the things you would like, but she's a reformer nonetheless. That's a fact that can't be disputed. Also, you may think that those who follow religion have no common sense, but I can assure you that those that do follow religion think the same thoughts about the folks that don't. I think in this case, we should definitely agree to disagree, as there is probably little you and I would agree on concerning these issues. :)

98% of the small business owners that employ people make over 250k, which means they'll be taxed higher under Obama and will probably have to let people go, bringing up unemployment and hurting the economy further.

Please include citation for your assertion that 98% of SBO carry such a burden.

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@JSpencer

"Common sense? As in taking part in a ritual to ward off witchcraft? As in believing the world is 6000 years old?"

Or believing that a kid with an IQ of 85 can comprehend anything beyond simple arithmetic or basic declaratory statements. Or believing that criminality, which is heavily influenced by genetic anti-social personality disorders, is a result of poverty. Etc, etc, etc.

Both parties contain roughly equal parts of intellectually preposterous beliefs about the world.

I have nothing but utter disdain for Sarah Paliln, and the notion that she is some champion of common sense is risible. But the exact same can be said for Joe Biden, e.g. his destructive Violence Against Women Act.

Rudi,
I wish I had a citation for you, but I heard it on TalkRadio. I did a quick internet search, however, and did find this very informative governtment study done on how many people in the U.S. are employed by small businesses: http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/nsf99322/text.htm. The percentage is very high, and it only makes sense that there must be a large percentage of small businesses making over 250K a year if that many people are employed by small businesses. I've heard it argued that by even employing "one" person, a business making under 250K would take a loss. Obviously, there is a huge percentage of small businesses earning over 250K. Obama's tax plan seems so unfair to me in this area, so if I'm perhaps not understanding the full picture, I would love to hear it..... :)