Not that anyone is paying attention to my simple warning to Democrats, but it seems quite clear that the Democrats are going to fall on their own sword attacking Sarah Palin, especially when it comes to Governor Palin's family.
I wonder: Are the Democratic hacks who are spreading grotesque rumors about the governor afraid for America, worried that Sarah Palin is under-qualified, or are such hacks scared for their party and its grab for power? Is Sarah Palin a threat to them?
From the Grapevine:
'It seems the selection of Sarah Palin has enraged some on the left. Congressman Robert Wexler [D-FL], who is co-chairman of Barack Obama's Florida campaign, accused Governor Palin of supporting Pat Buchanan in the 2000 Alaska primary.
"The Politico newspaper reports that Wexler then asserted that Palin had 'aligned herself with a leading anti-Israel voice in American politics.' He also invoked the name of Adolf Hitler and the phrase 'Nazi sympathizer.' [Note: Because Gov. Palin is a class act, she wore a Pat Buchanan pin when he visited her state. (And I wore a Obama sticker last year, ostensibly making me a Rev. Jeremiah Wright disciple.) I believe only an absolute partisan idiot could call Pat Buchanan a Nazi sympathizer. Mr. Wexler has now been called an "embarrassment to Jews" by Ben Graber, who is challenging Wexler's Florida congressional seat. Graber is the son of Holocaust survivors.]
"But a statement on John McCain's Web site says Palin actually worked for the Steve Forbes campaign in 2000. [Apparently this has been confirmed by other news outlets.]
"Meanwhile, a female columnist for the Baltimore Sun is lashing out at the selection of Palin, writing, 'This is what being pandered to feels like.'
"Susan Reimer suggests Palin's youngest child Trig, who suffers from Down syndrome, is a boon for the Republican Party. 'You want to look good to the evangelicals? Choose a running mate with a Down syndrome child,' Reimer said." [emphasis mine]
I honestly believe that if the Democrats continue to mount these sorts of scurrilous attacks, they're done for in November. Republicans should exploit the vitriol and vulgarity for all they're worth. And Democrats should be inundating the Baltimore Sun with mail and phone calls, denouncing Ms. Reimer's idiocy and baseness.
Let me add that this whole "scandal" (Baby-gate?!) is not remotely equivalent to rumors, let's say, that Barack Obama "is a Muslim." Not that such isn't a scurrilous attack, it's that there were certain leading Democrats who were playing with the Muslim rumor during the primary season. In the current case, the attacks on Gov. Palin's family life are coming from her foes, and not from her ostensible friends.
Peace.
©Contratimes/2008. All Rights Reserved.
11 comments:
There are certain things the hacks on both sides of aisle forget. Among those is this truth: There are about twenty-five to thirty percent of the voting on each end of the political spectrum who are the "true believers." They are those who would give a standing ovation if their designated champion stood up and did twenty minutes of armpit farts. These people most definitely do not decide elections. Rather, it is the forty to fifty percent of us in the middle -- those who look to be understanding; who desire civility in our discourse and compromise in our politics. We may have strong view about certain issues, but we also realize that in our system of self-governance, give and take is necessary to move things along. It is to those people whom Governor Palin will appeal, in my view. And because of that, these people will be deeply offended by the bru-ha-ha this weekend.
I mentioned in a comment at my friend Will's, my wife, a fairly liberal European, was in high dudgeon about the treatment afforded Governor Palin by the punditry and Democrat attack dogs. Listening to her pontificate, I thought, "Good idea ticking off successful professional women everywhere by calling into question someone's maternal abilities."
Exit question: Given the fact that Michele Obama will have substantial duties as First Lady, -- which are arguably more time-consuming than those of the Vice President and indeed, which duties have been deemed a resume builder for those seeking Senate seats and the party nomination for President -- are her qualities as a mother now fair game for discussion?
Yours in stirring the pot.
RS,
Simply another awesome comment.
Your question is astute. You have given me much to consider over the last few days. (So has Chris.)
Peace,
BG
PS to RS,
The link to Will's site is shot.
BG
I think everyone should lay off the criticism of maternal abilities. Palin has endeared many women to her, because of the vicious rumors. Going after MO would negate that progress. I think the leftist press is truly underestimating the collective maternal instinct to protect one's offspring and attack those that threaten them. If the press doesn't quit the attacks on Palin's children, they will see the emergence of a powerful political force - The Momma Bears.
Oops. Link repaired.
Sorry.
Karen, I was certainly not suggesting that Mrs. Obama's parenting skill, choices or commitment are fair game. Indeed, I would find such attacks reprehensible. Rather, I only point to the irony that these sorts of questions are posed only about Governor Palin. It truly causes me to wonder whether I've stumbled into some sort of Lewis Carroll universe.
Cheers.
Karen,
Hear! Hear!
"Momma Bears." I love it! An overlooked bloc!
BG (a papa bear)
Bill,
I accede to your greater wisdom here. Notwithstanding my previous comments about Mrs. Palin's priorities, it appears that at least strategically, the Republicans have handcuffed the Democrats on the Palin nomination. Unfortunately for the Dems, the not so subtle Howard Dean is likely to knock the entire house down thrashing about trying to get out of them.
And while he and his intemperate attack poodles yap their poll numbers into the abyss, a meaningful portion of the Clinton block, properly offended, could likely find a new home in the RNC, formerly occupied by the Reagan Dems.
Peace,
Chris
Dear Chris,
I do not pose as a wise man. I just pose. So don't defer to me at all. You, as I've said before, are one smart dude.
I heard a little while ago that major news media figures have been asking the McCain campaign to have a maternity/paternity test done on Gov. Palin's little boy, Trig (cool name). Can you imagine?
The left is going to go too far on this one, and they will not be able to help themselves. They will crush themselves.
BG
Bill,
I suspected that Jerry Springer would find his way back into the spotlight at some point. Perhaps he's now consulting with the Democrat attack machine. The paternity test has his finger prints all over it.
Peace,
Chris
Dear Chris,
Are you insinuating that Jerry Springer is the father? Now that's a scandal!
(I'd love to see the fistfight that would surely erupt during that Springer episode.)
Of course, I know you know that I am only joking. But this whole thing has a sort of Springer-esque quality to it, doesn't it?
(To my loyal readers, I promise not to stray too far from the analytical. But sometimes being goofy is irresistible.)
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