Sarah Rallies The Small Town Conservatives
Posted on September 4, 2008 at 6:19 amKen Whitehouse reports on the national rhetorical debut of the GOP’s new conservative leader:
She painted herself as a “small-town” girl, adding that she patterned her life after many of the small-town folk she grew up with.
“They’re the ones who do some of the hardest work in America, who grow our food, and run our factories, and fight our wars,” Palin said. “They love their country in good times and bad, and they’re always proud of America.”
Like many of Wednesday’s speakers before her, the governor couldn’t resist taking a shot or two at the media as well.
“I’m not a member of the permanent political establishment. And I’ve learned quickly these last few days that, if you’re not a member in good standing of the Washington elite, then some in the media consider a candidate unqualified for that reason alone,” she said, then added:
“But, now, here’s a little newsflash for those reporters and commentators: I’m not going to Washington to seek their good opinion. I’m going to Washington to serve the people of this great country.”
Tennessee’s blogosphere and the blogosphere at large were not lacking for reaction.
Sarah Palin thinks community leaders aren’t doing real work. Too bad she can’t understand people do real work like that for no money. Too bad she can’t understand that some people have real jobs as community leaders and don’t get paid by how she measures success, which is with the almighty dollar.
Palin said she would be an advocate for special needs children, which automatically makes her newborn a national poster baby. In other words, she makes family a political issue with all her hockey momness.
And yes, I noticed that she wasn’t talking about a pregnant 17-year-old daughter when she spoke about her family’s challenges. I’m just sayin, if her family is going to be lauded as the “typical American family” and epitomizing “family values,” then it’s notable when she omits the evidence of it. But I digress.
If you want change, vote for McCain? So, don’t vote for the one guy advocating change, vote for the other guy advocating change? It’s a weird political season my friends. And I’m just not sure how that speech served her. It didn’t make me feel like she was the person who should be second in line for the Presidency. I mean, I can completely see how she’ll be a good advocate for McCain, but will undecided people watch that speech and think “Okay, she could run this country?”
Obama gained steam for being able to do something so few politicians can manage these days - give a good speech. But now he no longer has exclusive bragging rights to exceptional public speaking. With Palin, Republicans now have the advantage of a gifted public speaker with a story that legitimately connects with American voters.
The next Ronald Reagan wears heels.
The front that Palin opened in the culture war tonight was small town vs. big city America. But she did it in a way that made it seem as if the Democrats had started it.
I’ve got to say it. Sarah Palin’s speech served up so much red meat that I had to unbuckle my belt at the table. My expectations were low and I think people tuned in expecting a little bite and were served a buffet.
Forget any concerns I had about her, Governor Palin has proven herself time and time again the last few days. Not only will she make a sensational candidate, I am confident that she will make an outstanding Vice-President.
SEE ALSO:
Jackson Baker
Mark Halperin
Katherine Miller (ii)
Tennessee Free
Enclave (ii)
The Blue Collar Republican
Terry Frank
Christian Political Fiction
Truman’s Take
Sebourn
Michael Brendan Doughtery
The Transcript
Who Is The Celebrity Now?
Jim Geraghty
The Right Truth
LA Times
Crunchy Con
Vox Politics
FiveThirtyEight
The Hill
Washington Note
The Obama Response
Wall Street Journal
Comments
3 Responses to “Sarah Rallies The Small Town Conservatives”
I assume he’s talking about Giuliani?
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All I hear from the left (and they’re STILL saying it as of 9-16-08), is the same old rhetoric about “lack of experience, small town government”, etc. I also hear that her RNC speech was “so-so” and I truly wonder what planet they’re from. I was thinking to myself after that speech, which I still watch, that she’s another Ronald Reagan and darned if I’m reading those same sentiments on the internet. I see women (mostly Liberal) who abhor her, but I also see women who delight in her. Who’s right? Depends on each one’s perspective, but many more women seem to be embracing her than not. I think that the thinking that belongs to the majority is the true gauge or barometer of who she is. Many of those that don’t like her, see her as a threat to the future of the Democratic Party.