Palin's Star, Alas, Is Fading

As of Monday, March 28, 2011

Say it ain't so, Sarah!

A recent story in this newspaper about the Moore County Republican Convention noted that former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney "soared to the top Saturday" in the convention's "straw vote." Receiving only a "sprinkling" of votes were Mike Huckabee, Newt Gingrich, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie - and Sarah Palin.

Only a "sprinkling" for Caribou Barbie? This seemed ominous to me, as it should to anyone aspiring to commit acts of political humor.

Then it got worse. According to an ABC News/Washington Post poll released last week, St. Sarah of the Snows suffers from slipping favorability ratings. Only 58 percent of "Republicans and Republican-leaning independents" viewed her favorably.

This might not seem too bad, until you remember that right after Honorable John McCain picked the Wasilla Whiner to corral the all important drama-queen and grievance-junkie vote, those same voters had her favorability rating up to a whopping 88 percent. As recently as October, according to a story in the Christian Science Monitor, the Resigning Woman's favorability rating among those voters was 70 percent.

Most tragically, a recent front-page article on Politico.com lined up a veritable Who's Who of conservative pundits - George Will, Charles Krauthammer, Weekly Standard writer Matt Labash and others, to turn and rend the Quitta From Wasilla like a pack of wolves who've just noticed that one of their own has come up limping.

"She's becoming Al Sharpton, Alaska edition," Labash sniped, citing Palin's "frequent appeals to victimhood and group grievance."

Krauthammer piled on: "When populism becomes purely anti-intellectual, it can become unhealthy and destructive."

Asked if the GOP would remain the party of ideas if Palin captures the nomination, Will said: "The answer is emphatically no." (Somebody probably needs to tell Mr. Will: That horse left the barn a while ago.)

So is Palin's star fading in the political firmament? Are all but the most die-hard Palindrones suffering from Palin Fatigue? I sincerely hope not. That would be a disaster.

Why, you may ask, am I so unhappy about this? Don't I loathe Sarah Palin?

Nothing could be further from the truth, actually. I need Sarah Palin. I depend on her. She's an unending source of quality material.

Oh, sure, you've got your B-list wackjobs like Sharron Angle or up-and comers like Michelle "Crazy Eyes" Bachmann. But for a column that just writes itself, all I have to do is wait for Mama Grizzly to open her mouth and let the comedy ore tumble out, ready to be refined into gold.

Not only is a Palin column easy to write, I can always depend on those lovely folks in the Party of Love to whip themselves in a hate-frenzy and put those all important eyeballs on the page. As an experiment, I recently went back through some old columns on this newspaper's website and checked the reactions I got to columns that mentioned the Snowbilly Princess, as measured by comments on the column. The results were illuminating,

One on Jan. 9 entitled "Palin's Latest Weird Tangent" got 152 comments. A Jan. 16 offering called "Violent Talk in the Cross Hairs" mentioned Palin prominently. Result: 77 comments. Jan 23's "Everybody's a Drama Queen" made a passing reference to Palin's "Death Panel" lie and got 43 comments. But look at Jan. 30: "We Have Met the Enemy and He Is Us. " No Palin mention. Three comments. Even I can do the math, if it's simple enough.

Said comments, by the way, usually include at least one instance of the tired old whine: "Why are you always picking on Sarah Palin?" The answer is: Never let it be said I don't know what the people like when it comes to getting their rage on.

If Sarah Palin slips back into the obscurity from whence she came, I don't know what I'll do. I was depending on her to at least make a run for the GOP nomination. Because if she did - well, it would just be a matter of time.

Palin's the most thin-skinned politician in America. Somewhere along the campaign trail, someone will say something she deems offensive, probably to one of her kids, and the resulting meltdown will be epic. It'll make Charlie Sheen's manic orgy of self-aggrandizement look like a mild case of coffee jitters.

Well, we live in hope.

Dusty Rhoades lives, writes and practices law in Carthage. Contact him at dustyr@nc.rr.com.

More like this story

JK 2 years, 2 months ago

The title let me know I didn't need to waste my time on the column (thank you Mr. Bouser). You must be terrified that future columns will require some innovative thought instead of recycling the same old rubbish.

carlj1161 2 years, 2 months ago

And the Conservatives haven't done that to Obama? Ain't that the pot calling the kettle black.. or People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones....Both sides of the fence that act that may, make me sick..

native 2 years, 2 months ago

for true

native 2 years, 2 months ago

word

fugitiveguy 2 years, 2 months ago

The liberals voted for a completely unqualified, unknown candidate because he was black and gave good speeches. When they call someone an idiot we should not be so quick to dismiss them for I suspect they recognize one of their own when they see one.

Yukonjohn 2 years, 2 months ago

Dusty, my family is from the Carthage/West End area, and I am pretty sure you have known many of them. I am kind of the black sheep of the family and have lived in Alaska for 30 years. Having done that, I am very familiar with Sarah, having spoke to her on several occassions and have had correspondenace with her numerous times. When she first was elected Governor of our great State, I did not vote for her as I am not a Republican. I have belonged to the Alaska Independence Party for just shy of 3 decades. (Todd, her husband belongs to our party as well) I called her and told her how sorry l was not to have voted for her, as everything she was doing was right in line with the attitudes we have here in Alaska. When she went down to be the VP nominee, she absolutely changed. And not for the better. If ya'll would keep her down there, we would be a better place up here. We do not care for her any longer, nor could she get elected for anything here. When we say "GO SARAH" we mean we want her to GO!!! nice article Dusty.

native 2 years, 2 months ago

yes

bigD 2 years, 2 months ago

Dusty, if she does fall off the political map, what will your write about every other week? Obsessed! Closet fan?

Ross 2 years, 2 months ago

probably about some other dim witted republican........

leftfield 2 years, 2 months ago

Run, Sarah, Run!!

mcg2010 2 years, 2 months ago

Oh DR, as much as I love this column, I'm afraid now you've opened the flood gates for the 2nd favorite line of the "palindrones"..."If she's so unpopular then how come YOU still write about her!!" which will probably be followed with something along the lines of "if you love it so much why don't you MARRY IT!"

Jokes aside, what is most upsetting about the quick rise and painfully slow fall of Palin is the detrimental effects it has had on women in politics. If 2008 was the election to prove the power of women, then 2012 will give it right back to the men. I think the chances of us seeing a VIABLE female candidate on the ballot in '12 is slim to none. And unfortunately I don't have much more hope for '16 either. Until intelligent women who actually do work (please google Kirsten Gillibrand) are brought in to the spotlight then the dark shadow of Mama Grizzly will forever hang over females in politics. Even long after she has faded from the political limelight.

AM910 2 years, 2 months ago

Alas, it's been dim for a while. The only people who follow her are sheep and that cliff is getting closer by the day.

marathonman 2 years, 2 months ago

You know in our society anyone can condemn and riducule anyone with whom they disagree whether it be factual or not. The only good thing I can say for this thread this time is that DR has not felt compelled to jump in on anyone. Is he content to let his article stand on its own; without rhyme or reason. Sarah lost the election, she is living the American dream of capitalizing - oops, Obama's group hate that word - on her notoriety. She will fade to black just as will DR and, I hope it is sooner rather than later.

moonchild7 2 years, 2 months ago

Dusty, what STAR has she ever had shining over her head? It was obvious after her first speech to the GOP Convention in 2008 that she had "issues" with intelligence and sense. The media ran with her "newness and appeal" but that wore off way before the election. Only FOX NEWS kept her in the limelight and now she's where she needs to be.....OUT of sight and back in ALASKA.

SH59 2 years, 2 months ago

Hey, I'm with you Dusty, I can't wait for the next foot-in-mouth episode. On a slow news day I often just Google her to see what idiocy she's up to to get a laugh. I suppose I get a secret sense of validation every time she fills that expectation.....She really is an idiot and it's so gratifying that people are finally seeing that. She really has her own style and I'll miss her antics. I wonder what she's up to in India? I can't wait to find out.

coffecreme 2 years, 2 months ago

Shooting elephants

Ross 2 years, 2 months ago

hey jimmie - thats the 57th time you referenced the "57" boondoggle. But hey - who's counting if thats the best you republicans have.

SH59 2 years, 2 months ago

You Betcha!

SH59 2 years, 2 months ago

Hey James, this isn't about right or left, it's just funny watching for the next thing that comes out of her mouth.

carlj1161 2 years, 2 months ago

I'm a moderate and I can say that I would never vote for Palin for anything. Her style, her politics, her attitude just does not appeal to me. To me there is nothing she has said or done that inspires me to vote for her to lead this country. But with that being said I think she is important to the political debate. Regardless of how she says it, she still brings issues to the forefront and forces us to think about them. Even if the thought is, How would Gingrich handle that? or How would Obama handle that? I don't think Palin is as big of a wingnut as the far left would have people believe or is she the next Mary Magdalin as the far right would have us believe. But she has her place in the annals of American politics, just as Ross Peroit and George Wallace do. And the next time she speaks, I will listen to her point of view, respect at it... and yes maybe even have a good belly laugh over it. But be assured she will fade to the dark recesses of history like everyone does at some point and she will cease to be a factor in American Politics.

Ross 2 years, 2 months ago

oh shut up already..... like the bush admin never did that in iraq and the entire middle east years ago.........

Ross 2 years, 2 months ago

memory........is a terrible thing to lose jimmie!

MikeNC 2 years, 2 months ago

When Sarah gave her speech at the GOP convention, Cain's ratings for the first time, rose above Obama's ratings. The Lib news was in a state of panic. Their golden boy finally had some competition and it had to be stopped at all costs. It verged on comical hsyteria, watching CNN making Sarah's wardrobe the hot topic for like three weeks on the Stituation Room with Blitzer. I do wish DR and Moonchild would start picking on someone else, as the Sarah bashing is getting boring. Geez guys, it's on year three of it already. Stuck in the past, as usual. Diane

hotdiggity 2 years, 2 months ago

Sarah Palin brought the Republican Party back from the dead. Her record for the November 2010 mid-term election was 27 wins and 15 Losses as reported by the Christian Science Montitor on Nov. 3, 2010. Obama couldn't even get a democrat elected to his very own seat in the US Senate. Huge losses even with an almost Trillion Dollar slush, I mean, stimulus package.

CC85 2 years, 2 months ago

I read where she was looking forward to her trip to India and has been a big fan of that Country ever since she saw the movie Hoosiers.

intrepidreader 2 years, 2 months ago

Oh, ho ho ho, CC85. I read where Obama talked about people in Vienna speaking Austrian, but since Hoosiers is about sports lets have a fond moment remembering when Barry told reporters he was a big White Sox fan but then didn't know the name of a single player. He and Sarah Palin were both created by the media, and neither of them achieve expectations. I'll give Sarah this, however; when she talks she says something--whether you agree with it or not. When Obama talks, he speaks with a beautiful manly baritone but there's no content. I swear he learned all he knows about politics by listening to Dance a Little Side Step on the Best Little Bleephouse in Texas soundtrack.

coffecreme 2 years, 2 months ago

OMG she doesnt say squat. She is a vindictive mouthpiece. She has done nothing for her state and they are glad to be rid of her.

Ross 2 years, 2 months ago

LOL - yes - ol sarah does say something when she talks - but it is limited to what notes she can fit on her left hand.

To be honest - she makes Dan Quayle look like quite a smart fella!

teufelhunden 2 years, 2 months ago

DR=Bill Maher

dustyrhoades 2 years, 2 months ago

You say that like it means something.

MikeNC 2 years, 2 months ago

Right on intrepidreader, and don't forget when our president had visited 57 states and still had to get to the other while on the campaign trail. Then there was the time he stepped in it on National TV telling the world the Boston Police acted stupidly. Then there was the time just before the last electoins when he through the Democrats under the bus by stating his slush fund, oops, meant to say stimulus plan was a failure. Then there was the time when he told an audience that doctors might want to cut your feet off after they review their pay charts and see how much more money they can make doing so. Now imagine for just a moment, if Sarah or George had said any one of the above statements. Diane

tallsteve8609 2 years, 2 months ago

Just as a side note, it makes you look less ignorant if you proof read your post before allowing others to view it. There are only 50 states in the union, so it would be kind of tough to visit 57. If you are going to dig up all of the bad things the President has done, at least do it without sounding like you have a 2nd grade education and do it with some class and respect.

Bflat 2 years, 2 months ago

It is recorded that Obama did say he had visited "57 states" and that is the point being made by the other person posting.. I have proof read this before making my post.

dustyrhoades 2 years, 2 months ago

Gotta love the way all the people raving about "libs" ignore the fact that all the people I quoted about Palin are conservative Republicans.

MikeNC 2 years, 2 months ago

Tallsteve, are you serious on your comment? Do you not know our President claimed to of visited 57 states during his campaign? You may want to google it, if you're serious about the post you made. Diane

tallsteve8609 2 years, 2 months ago

Of course I'm being facetious, I've seen the video. My whole point is I get so tired of the rehashing of all the hate from BOTH sides. Whatever happened to honest, frank, substantial dialogue. Why does everything have to transcend into hate speak. Did Obama mention 57 states, yes... Did Sarah Palin say some stupid things? yes.. But jeez, give it a rest. Maybe what this country needs is a disaster of "biblical" proportions to jerk a knot into people. Shock some people into realizing whether your liberal or conservative means nothing in the whole scheme of life. Do you think the first thing on the minds of the people in Japan is what side of the fence their politicians fall on? Let alone going out of the way to point out what mistake they made in a campaign 3 years ago...

SH59 2 years, 2 months ago

Give it a break! doesn't anyone here have a sense of humor? Sometimes things are just funny!

irkim13 2 years, 2 months ago

"oh shut up already..... like the bush admin never did that in iraq and the entire middle east years ago........." From Ross earlier

I though Bush went to Congress who voted approval to attack Iraq including majority Democrats. Matter of fact campaigning Obama in 2007 stated himself using military force without Congressional approval was unconstitutional unless the USA was under direct threat.

Ross 2 years, 2 months ago

and? - its still happened. My point being that republicans love to point out and criticize all the same things that happened in most republican admins.

moonchild7 2 years, 2 months ago

Sarah Palin doesn't just say STUPID things, she BELIEVES stupid things. Big difference. President Obama made a "stupid statement" by saying he visited 57 states(he had actually vistited 47 states). He knows there are 50 states in the USA. Sarah couldn't even answer the simpilist of questions like, ":What newspapers and magazines do you read?" She couldn't answer because she probably only read FIELD&STREAM, if that. The United States has only declared WAR 5 times in it's history, the last time was WW II, and we've definately been fighting in a lot of wars since then. I guess we are just the world's policemen and we need to start sending the bill to the rest of the world to start paying up.

teufelhunden 2 years, 2 months ago

What's wrong with Field & Stream?

MikeNC 2 years, 2 months ago

TallSteve, we are dealing with a 14 Trillion Dollar Deficit of biblical proportions. Obamacare around the corner which will cause a catastrophic earthquake within our healthcare system and we'll soon be met with a tsunami of disgruntle, not to mention damage this already fragile economy,when gas reaches $4.00 plus. And how is this being dealt with by the Administration? Well, the President offered to cut budget by a whopping $4 Billion. We spend more than that in one day on paying off the interest of our debt. The Healthcare bill was ruled unconstitutional, and what does Obama do? He tells the Surpreme Court to drag it's heels on their decision. And what is the answer to $4.00 plus gas from our President? We use too much, it's our fault. Then literally lies on camera that under his administration more drilling is going on now in our waters than at any time prior. As for hate speech, try to think of any two people beside Palin and Bush who have been bashed more in your life time. Diane

coffecreme 2 years, 2 months ago

Obama

moonchild7 2 years, 2 months ago

Nothing WRONG with Field&Stream, in fact it wouldn't have been nearly as bad a "flaw" for Sarah if she had said that she read it instead of saying to Katie, "Oh, everything, I read them all." And where do I begin with the "Politics of Hate" towards a Presidential Candidate? Nixon started things off very well: McGovern, Carter, Mondale, Dukakis, Clinton, Gore? Of all of those it has to be Clinton/Gore since the Republican Congressional House IMPEACHED Clinton in 1998 for absolutely NOTHING RELEVANT to the OFFICE of the PRESIDENT. The Republican Party is the most juvenile, hateful, bunch of bullys imaginable.