Palin-McCain: The Skirmishing Begins
| Sat Oct. 25, 2008 10:32 AM PDT
PALIN-McCAIN: THE SKIRMISHING BEGINS....Yesterday I mentioned that I was looking forward to the (anonymous! on background!) war that was sure to erupt after the election between Sarah Palin and John McCain. Palin, after all, is not exactly famous for standing by her mentors in their hour of need. But guess what? I don't have to wait until after the election after all! Ben Smith reports:
Palin supporters, inside the campaign and out, said Palin blames her handlers for a botched rollout and a tarnished public image — even as others in McCain's camp blame the pick of the relatively inexperienced Alaska governor, and her public performance, for McCain's decline.
"She's lost confidence in most of the people on the plane," said a senior Republican who speaks to Palin, referring to her campaign jet. He said Palin had begun to "go rogue" in some of her public pronouncements and decisions. "I think she'd like to go more rogue," he said.
...."The campaign as a whole bought completely into what the Washington media said — that she's completely inexperienced," said a close Palin ally outside the campaign who speaks regularly to the candidate.
"Her strategy was to be trustworthy and a team player during the convention and thereafter, but she felt completely mismanaged and mishandled and ill advised," the person said. "Recently, she's gone from relying on McCain advisers who were assigned to her to relying on her own instincts."
Etc. etc.
Read the whole thing, which I take as just the barest teaser of the bloodshed that's gong to erupt between McCain and Palin loyalists after the election. My prediction: they're both going to come out of it with their careers in ruins. The only difference is that Palin probably won't realize it for a while.
UPDATE: More exciting skirmishing here! "She is a diva. She takes no advice from anyone," says a McCain adviser. "She does not have any relationships of trust with any of us, her family or anyone else. Also, she is playing for her own future and sees herself as the next leader of the party. Remember: Divas trust only unto themselves, as they see themselves as the beginning and end of all wisdom."
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Comments
There simply has to be a huge break coming within the Ghastly Old Party. The Powell, Brooks, Sullivan wing, the smart guys who voted for Obama and/or against Palin, vs. the dumb guys?everyone else, in other words. I can't see the smart wing holding their tongues and letting the group that flushed the party down the toilet do it again without a huge fight. Some of my friends are bemoaning the impending end of this incredibly absorbing drama?the sense of living in the pages of history, as Eugene Robinson said?but I have a feeling the drama is just getting up a head of steam.
There simply has to be a huge break coming within the Ghastly Old Party. The Powell, Brooks, Sullivan wing, the smart guys who voted for Obama and/or against Palin, vs. the dumb guys?everyone else, in other words. I can't see the smart wing holding their tongues and letting the group that flushed the party down the toilet do it again without a huge fight. Some of my friends are bemoaning the impending end of this incredibly absorbing drama?the sense of living in the pages of history, as Eugene Robinson said?but I have a feeling the drama is just getting up a head of steam.
Submitted by Burr Deming (not verified) on Sat Oct. 25, 2008 10:31 AM PDT.
Palin's folks are right on this one. The nation should consider the real danger to a Republican win this year.
I'm astounded to be hearing "pundits" talking about Palin's bright, shiny future in American politics.
I don't see it. Not at all. Most Americans neither like nor trust her. I can't forsee any future scenario that would change that fact. She's all done.
Submitted by mg (not verified) on Sat Oct. 25, 2008 10:54 AM PDT.
What career does McCain have after this that can be ruined? The man is 72 years old, and has no use real for politics if he isn't going to get the big job.
And Palin's career in national politics is essentially over as well -- she's a freakshow, the object of late night and watercooler jokes.
Palin can make a fortune on the snake oil circuit firing up the other crazies for a few years; she might even become a senator (Alaska has demonstrated they have low standards for politicians), but as a person of genuine national influence? No way. She lacks the discipline and intellectual juice to become a true policy expert, and as her looks fade she's going to become just another crazy wingnut spouting the exact same message being spouted by dozens of other crazy wingnut politicians. Besides those looks she is in no way special -- she's Michelle Bachmann from a state with low standards, whereas Bachmann merely comes from a district with low standards.
Played out against the drama of inaugurating the nation's first black president, when the economy is reeling, this little drama will be a minor sideshow performed by bit players.
I really think the importance of this relationship for the future of the Republican Party cannot be overstated.
I feel that it is absolutely vital that people who care about the future of conservatism in America stand up for what they believe.
This isn't a battle where cowardice will be rewarded, nor defeat forgiven. The heart and soul of the movement that is heir to Ronald Reagan, and that is dedicated to American greatness, is at stake. Neither side can afford to back down an inch, nor to be silent when the other is not.
It is the DUTY of every American conservative to get involved and to stay in the fight until there's a clear winner. Any shirking is tantamount to surrendering to Liberalism and Marxism.
I thought of you as soon as I saw this in Politico this morning.
Damn... talk about a lack of class. She can't even wait 10 days before sticking a knife in the old man's back.
If I was Steve Schmidt, I'd tell her, "OK Gov Palin. We need you to go on Meet The Press in the morning at 9am."
Game. Set. Match.
Schadenfreude indeed! I'm licking my chops and getting the popcorn ready for some great entertainment after the elections. While I won't get much pleasure out of their personal suffering (well maybe just a teensy weensy), I'll be delighted for our country to see them burst into flames.
Hopefully, this will allow the Republican Party to finally divorce and rid themselves of the religious right that has hijacked their party...though I won't be holding my breath.
The fabulous thing is that Palin has a small but devoted following who will convince her that she saved McCain from an even worse defeat and that she is the only one who can save the GOP. Unless one of her scandals in AK trips her up, she will be back in 2012 --- she will inevitably lose the nomination to someone like Romney, but her aggrieved supporters will cripple his candidacy. Great stuff, can't wait.
For the foreseeable future, the Republicans will have social conservatives along for the ride. But for their own good, they need to figure out how to put them in coach class, rather than in first class within earshot of the pilot. That means defending the sensibilities of social conservatives, but not actively stoking their resentments.
some great entertainment after the elections.
I seem to remember when Clinton beat poppy in '92 that the Republicans speaking on election night just couldn't accept the fact that they lost. I think we're going to see some real fireworks about 6 minutes after the election gets called for Obama.
Submitted by Brian Schmidt (not verified) on Sat Oct. 25, 2008 12:29 PM PDT.
Palin's Alaskan political career won't be ruined by what happens on the national level; it'll depend on the Alaskan oil-driven economy and Alaskan public perception of scandals.
We may see her in the Senate or House, for years to come.
And I expect she'll make a run of it in 2012. She can't win the presidency, but she might win the nomination if Huckabee and Jindal can't take her oxygen.
The Palin pick was a savvy way to get Fundy buy in for this election which will keep them from completely dominating the post election civil war.
If you assume from the beginning that McCain is doomed, and you take the future of the Republican party as your goal, Palin is a good pick.
A Diva, yes! BTW, I am going as Sarah Palin to a Halloween party tonight. IMHO I look pretty damn good in drag. The whole effect turned out better than I expected. (Well, I did Cyndi and Madonna in the 80s, and was remarkably convincing.)
My prediction: they're both going to come out of it with their careers in ruins. The only difference is that Palin probably won't realize it for a while.
Kevin, you have obviously failed to consider the smashing new line of Sarah Palin outdoor gear that will be offered by Neiman Marcus.
Not to mention the book deal.
Palin is, in effect, a lottery winner. She did not build a political career by putting in time and energy, starting small, building coalitions, etc. She was struck by lightening, and since then has been shown to lack all substance. She'll find her own level in a very short while.
I second eeyore's caution. Don't get carried about with schadenfraude. Obama/Biden ticket has to get 270+ electoral votes before the celebrations can begin. Projecting confidence is ok, but celebrating 10 days before the election sets us up for huge disappointment if McCain somehow wins the election.
The truly juicy part of this situation is that A) there are people in the McCain camp who have done extensive background research, and B) Palin is now pissing those same people off.
Once this election is over, we're not just going to see finger pointing. We're going to see some serious dirt brought to the surface.
I'm not going to be too quick to write this woman off. People have underestimated her time and time again to their eventual regret.
Sure, she's coming off as a laughable lightweight crazy right now, but she's likely to have at least a second act in national politics.
Assuming she's not going to be our VP (insert shudder at that prospect here), how soon do you think it'll be before she's hosting a show on Fox? She'll keep herself in the public eye, she'll go out on the wingnut speech circuit and continue to build contacts....like a stubborn infection, she won't go away.
Submitted by Quiddity (not verified) on Sat Oct. 25, 2008 5:55 PM PDT.
I do not think Palin is qualified to be VP and I disagree with her policy positions. But that said, I think most of the blame for Palin's problems lie with the McCain camp. If you read the story, it's clear that she was mishandled. A VP candidate will follow the orders given, as she apparently did for five weeks, and they didn't do much besides hide her from the media and have her give fiery speeches to the faithful. They could have worked to make her the "energy candidate" and made that the total focus at the start (while in background tutoring her on other policy areas).
Palin might be ignorant on lots of things, but she does have some real political assets (especially if she tones down the 'folksy' stuff). They should have had a tighter message on reform (and shucked the Bridge to Nowhere nonsense).
Palin did have serious liabilities (limited experience with governance of small-population entities), so I'm not saying she would have been a net plus, but the McCain camp badly played the Palin card. I put most of the onus on McCain and his advisors.
Dr Randi:
I have to confess it wasn't an original observation from myself. I actually don't know much psychology. But I did see other blog comments indicating the probability of NPD. A little bit of wikipedia research, and even a fool like myself can pretend to be an expert.
Submitted by fdeblauwe (not verified) on Sat Oct. 25, 2008 8:07 PM PDT.
Ironic cartoon at the Reasons To Be Cheerful, Part 3 blog: "ItsAllPalinsFault.com."
I second eeyore's caution. Don't get carried about with schadenfraude. Obama/Biden ticket has to get 270+ electoral votes before the celebrations can begin. Projecting confidence is ok, but celebrating 10 days before the election sets us up for huge disappointment if McCain somehow wins the election.
& I third the caution. I do not want a repeat of Election Nite '00, Idi Amin's Last Meal in tears, gnashing teeth, rending garments when Bill Daly (contrary to everything his father would have taught him) announced Gore would concede. Not again.
That being said, while this is not "in the bag", I live in Wauwatosa, Wisc., an historically Republican suburb of Milwaukee, & I see many more signs touting Obama/Biden than I see Mc Cain/Palin signs. &, yes, I know it's anecdotal, but as an anecdote, it seems pretty compelling. If the white tie & tails crowd in Tosa -- from whence the Brooks Brothers suited fancy-boy Republican County Executive, here, emerged -- can go in for Obie, why, it's rather momentous. It is also a change from '88, when I previously lived in Tosa, & the Apprentice Plumbers from the Wauwatosa East Young Republicans (note: Cheney biographer Stephen Hadley is an '89 grad. of East) went about tearing down Dukakis/Bentsen yard-signs with immunity & egging some of the homes with same.
tOf course, there is still the problem of the Bitters in my other childhood hometown, The Stal (West Allis, Wisc.), not being able to countenance voting for a negro, but of late, I have finally begun to see a few Obie signs pop up. I still think The Stal will go for Mc Cain/Palin, even as Tosa will not -- & the tell is that the same Brooks Brothers fancy boy County Exec, while a lifelong Tosan always has his campaign hq & election parties in The Stal; he is playing my hometown's working-class for the motherfucking fool (to borrow from Ice Cube) -- but of late I have begun to see a few Obie signs sprout. So the white wash-out that could sink Obama/Biden should not be in the offing.
(That said, this summer upcoming '09, & even if they are the First Daughters, I would not try to get Malia & Sasha Obama into the Greenfield Park Pool. As one of my colleagues with the City of West Allis Public Works Dept explained, when I worked there between semesters Summer '01, "I tried to take my kids to Greenfield Park to use the pool, & at least half the people were black. Don't they have their own pools they can use?" From Bull Connor's mouth to The Stal's working-class's lips, it means we still have some way to go before ebony & ivory shall truly be in harmony.)
There simply has to be a huge break coming within the Ghastly Old Party. The Powell, Brooks, Sullivan wing, the smart guys who voted for Obama and/or against Palin, vs. the dumb guyseveryone else, in other words. I can't see the smart wing holding their tongues and letting the group that flushed the party down the toilet do it again without a huge fight. Some of my friends are bemoaning the impending end of this incredibly absorbing dramathe sense of living in the pages of history, as Eugene Robinson saidbut I have a feeling the drama is just getting up a head of steam.
Schadenfreude, schadenfreude, and more schadenfreude !
Time to buy into popcorn futures cause this is likely to be quite the show that runs for a while. I am soooo looking forward to all this. Might even get to see a few perp walks along the way. Maybe FOX should televise all of it since they aren`t likely to start covering any real news anytime soon & they are gonna need the ad revenue to stay afloat (or maybe the Treasury will bail them out along with everyone else they toss money to...)
I am sooo stoked for this show but of course not beginning the celebration until November 5th.
They are soooo deserving.
"Eventually, the truth will emerge. And when it does, this house of cards, built of deceit, will fall." - Robert C. Byrd
This woman's religious beliefs are that god has told that politics is the best way to rid the U.S. of the demons -- yes, that's right, demons -- that are destroying it. You know, liberals and the like. She's been told by the campaign to keep her beliefs quiet, as well as her staff to keep quiet. But she's on a mission, has been blessed against demons and witchcraft. This is the looney-tunes versions of Christianity, the so-far-out it's beyond rational consideration. She's supposed to enforce these views on everyone through political office, which means the presidency, which she said she wanted as soon as she was elected governor of Alaska.
I doubt most Alaskans are aware of this virulent off-shoot version of Pentecostalism.
Also, hasn't anyone wondered how it's hard to be the most popular governor in the U.S. when hardly anyone lives in your state?
Last, another scandal is brewing, having to do with a project that had to be bid on and of course the winning bidder has connections to Palin. Stay tuned; it should all be out in a few days.
Please, why no discussion of the obvious lack of CONTENT in Palin? The era of clever packaging of intellectual lightweights is over until our multiple crises cool.
She will be popular in the "real America" circuit only. Republicans need to find some contenders with some real content for a change -- none of the latest presidential contenders need apply.
Submitted by Jassalasca Jape (not verified) on Sun Oct. 26, 2008 5:32 PM PDT.
jb,
Sarah Palin will end up as a talk radio hostess, whose listeners will call in each Presidential election year to encourage her to throw her hat in the ring. That by itself will give her everything she desires: high income, national exposure, an obedient staff, a fawning public and distant vocal enemies to play as a foil. I don't think she really wants to be President badly enough to risk giving part of that package up.
Submitted by Alan in Elk Grove (not verified) on Sun Oct. 26, 2008 9:27 PM PDT.
I appears that John McCain has finally had some time to vet Ms. Palin.
Hey John, how's that gut feeling working out for you??
