A History of Beltway Reformers: Sarah Palin, Jimmy Carter, and Ronald Reagan
Jimmy Carter didn't "mingle with the right people," but Ronald Reagan did
The last president who thought that he would not have to worry about his words because his actions would speak for themselves was George H. W. Bush. Look at how that turned out: His words and actions went crosswise and he was never able to explain to the electorate why.
But these historical discussions are premised on the notion that Palin's convention rhetoric reflects the reality of the McCain campaign's thinking, that their words are more than just, well, words.
On the issue of the extent to which a President McCain and Vice President Palin would shun the Washington establishment, one has to wonder how big of a chuckle rippled through the lobbyist-riddled campaign high command when she talked about going to D.C. to challenge the entrenched interests.
Regarding the power of rhetoric, the issue is less clear. Palin had the aid of Matthew Scully, one of the finer wordsmiths of his political generation (in fairness: He started writing it, according to Time, several days before she joined the campaign), and there's something amusing about a well-crafted and well-delivered speech that decries well-crafted and well-delivered speeches. But the extent to which she and McCain believe the message (fancy words don't matter) over the medium (fancy words) still remains to be seen.
Robert Schlesinger is a deputy assistant managing editor at U.S.News & World Report. He is also the author of White House Ghosts: Presidents and Their Speechwriters (Simon & Schuster, 2008).
Reader Comments
Who will Step Up Palin or McCain
No. Is it so hard?!
A good example was when she and her family went to the racist (Jewish) speaker at her church. The speaker was announced weeks in advance.
She went anyway. And sat through the whole thing. The speaker was talking about god's retribution. He said that is was ok for a Palisntain(spell) to fill a truck with bombs, drive through a check point, and explode the truck killing Jews.
Of course, McCain says she did not know that was what was to be said. But, she did not get up and quitely said that this is ok. He did not get up either.
In summary, God says it is ok to kill Jews if they are no converted.
Now, if you were in a church and the kkk started saying all sorts of stuff, would you have the guts to leave?
This is all over the web and conservative blog are not standing up either.
Pelin on Censorship
Maybe she would like to divert the attention and look as a victim for what is yet to come. Such of those thing on libary censorship when she was Mayor.
Palin is a reformer
Surprise!!! No one likes a reformer, Or even cares about what theyve done. But I am wondering What My Girl Sarah has been up to., McCain needs to let the Media Get access to his VP candidate. Thats lame to hide your VP candidate away from the Media. The Only Place you can find Info about Palin is on the Web, Here is some sites Ive been able to find.
Has anyone else read this story about a possible Affair Sarah Palin had? That is just one of the Scandals listed at this site. http://www.hotpres.com
This site has the inside scoop about the Palin Dui Secret, http://www.duihelpguide.com Why hasnt the news covered this?
This site has background info on sarah Palin Bio, Pics, Videos, Alot of Polls like how many people actually think that she is attractive? http://www.theveep.com
Despite all of this, and her lack of experiance she would probably make a much better president then McCain., Because like Obama she hasnt been corrupted by washington yet. We should probably reverse the ticket Palin/McCain.
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