Palin Was a Secret in Plain Sight

September 8, 2008 RSS Feed Print

I have known David Axelrod since 1981, when he was a journalist and I was a political consultant. We soon switched roles, and I have admired Axelrod's work ever since. But he didn't seem to anticipate the nomination of Sarah Palin. "I can honestly say we weren't prepared for that. I mean, her name wasn't on anybody's list," he said.

But that's not quite true. Palin was long a favorite of conservative magazines and blogs. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette columnist Jack Kelly was touting her back on June 4 and noted that A. B. Culvahouse had been to Alaska. At the Republican National Convention, McCain adviser Charlie Black told me, "You can keep a secret if you don't tell anybody." Palin was out there in plain sight, but Democrats didn't see her, presumably because they didn't anticipate that McCain would be so daring. But McCain was trained as a fighter pilot. Fighter pilots don't shoot down enemy planes by doing what the enemy anticipates. More on this, perhaps, in my next column.

Tags:
presidential election 2008,
running mates,
Sarah Palin

Reader Comments Read all comments (16)

Add Your Thoughts
Your comment will be posted immediately, unless it is spam or contains profanity. For more information, please see our Comments FAQ.

I can't help but feel the discouragement of any voter this year, and yet, it is the most important election in years. America has been squandered away by the filthy rich, rich and hell bent religious right and the voter that follows a lifestyle of 'righteous' stupidy (following a Party for their gun or abortian laws only). This country was a socialist country in the good times, but the greed got so rampant on Capital Hill, laws were made for their lifestyles, not yours.

I am saddened by every Republican, who swears they are so godlike, but take from the poor to feed thier insatiable appetite of Money. It is a form of money laundering and it is the past eight yrs that clintched their filth of money and lobbyist, brokers and foreign country's. The point is.........they all lie for the candidate, every single one of them. On talk shows, their communication specialist and their speech's. Every Republic commentator lies to you for your vote.

With Palin and McCain they have had yrs of this, their good.....but not the greatest. their lies take away your innocence, your money, your vote many times.

Alaska wants to impeach Palin. Arizona has a summary of McCain..."Although he once again's on his best behavior now, the campaigning McCain is not recognizable to Arizonans who know the real person.

Barack Obama has endured absolute hell as a candidate in the Primary's and General. All the innuendos and lies, made him stronger. There was a time he was battling three, four people in the ring...Hillary and Bill Clinton, McCain and the media on the right. It was cruel. But it made him stronger. This man is the only man that can endure pressure, fix the economy and build bridges across the isle and with the World.

nativegirl 5:02PM September 30, 2008

Hi webmaster!

Aboutugybl 2:59PM September 27, 2008

Hi!pizf! http://bhjvyntb.com vjvys ciuef http://nymfraww.com hkqcd jehas

Aboutepufv 2:59PM September 27, 2008

Michael Barone

Michael Barone

U.S. News Weekly

Subscribe Today

Order the new U.S. News Weekly digital magazine at a special low introductory price!

Michael Barone is a senior writer for U.S.News & World Report and principal coauthor of The Almanac of American Politics. He has written for many publications—including the Economist and the New York Times.

Thomas Jefferson Street Blog

Americans Deserve Political Freedom from the Catholic Church

Church leaders could not have been less gracious towards Obama's surrender on contraception.

What the Catholic Contraceptive Debate Is Really About

Today's debates about contraception and inequality are intertwined in that the bring up the question of morality.

Why the Catholic Contraception Controversy Is a Phony Battle

The Catholic Church is asking the Obama administration to do something it cannot do itself: limit birth control use.

Obama’s Contraceptive 'Compromise' Doesn't Pass the Smell Test

The so-called "accommodation" on contraceptive coverage reinforces the administration's commitment to its pro-choice agenda.

On Women in Combat, Rick Santorum Insults Military Men

To suggest that the men in our armed forces cannot control their emotions is a real slap at the professionals who wear the uniform.

To Avoid a Failed February, Mitt Romney Needs a Big Idea

Mitt Romney needs a big idea to rouse enthusiasm for his campaign.

How Mitt Romney Should Respond to the Improving Economy

Even if the economy continues to improve, Mitt Romney still can present a better plan than Barack Obama's.

The Problems With the Catholic Church and Birth Control

The Catholic Church's stance on birth control is a slippery slope, as an Obama administration ruling highlights.