Palin

Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin was thrust onto the national spotlight with her introduction as the republican running of Sen. John McCain. Her grass roots conservative resume' ignited the republican base and vaulted the republican ticket to the same heights as the media darling democratic ticket. That very same media spent the next few months destroying the enthusiasm generated by her arrival. Even since the election the media, the democratic party, comedians and even members of her own party have exposed her to a kind of scrutiny and attack never seen in American politics. Why?

It has always been an unwritten rule that the family of politicians is off limit. Have we ever heard a story about Malia or Sasha Obama? Maybe they are not as news worthy as the Palin pregnancy but who knows? What about Biden's son's hedge fund scandal? Or how about Al Gore's son drug arrest? Ever hear anything about those juicy tidbits? Even the Bush daughters were somewhat left alone except for a drinking incident. Late night comedians regularly joke about the Palin family until Letterman stepped over the line with an off-color joke about their minor daughter. The family issues overshadow the personal attacks on her person which go beyond the normal candidate jokes. The "slutty stewardess" remarks makes you think that the only woman acceptable in American politics is an ugly one in a pants suit.

As soon as Sarah Palin was announced as VP candidate a herd of attorneys were beseeched upon the great northwest to find any incriminating evidence against the Governor. This is a typical vetting process of most candidates but they went to far and have not left. She has had to defend herself against 15 ethics charges which have all been dismissed. Have you ever heard of such a determined attempt to discredit an individual in American politics before?

I love Sarah Palin's politics. I am a true conservative and her values match my beliefs almost universally, but I am not convinced she is the right person to lead the republican resurgence. I like the idea of her using her popularity to energize the base and to help candidates fund raise and gather crowds but I do not believe she has the national appeal to win a presidential election. I do not claim to understand all the reasons for this recent move to resign but if she plans a run at the Presidency in 2012 I will support her. If resigning early plays to her advantage is yet to be seen but it certainly can be spun to her advantage and let's face it, the spin is more important thatn the truth in politics.

Here is my problem: Sarah Palin is everything the democratic party claims they represent. The democrats always champion the cause of the average Joe, the guy who did not come from a wealthy family and does not have the benefit of an Ivy League education. They are always making policy to promote the cause of the discriminated, minorities and women. Sarah Palin is exactly the type of American they say their policies are meant to protect. BUT, the difference is she did it without their help. She is proof that the policies of the left are not needed to succeed in this country, she proves that people can achieve without the help of government and that is what scares them. If people do not believe that they need the government, that "the man" is not what is holding them back then the liberals are powerless. Republicans tell the voters that the government is not the solution but is the problem while the Democrats promise to fix all their problems. If the government is not needed for an individual to ascend above their own hurdles then the government needs to get out of the way and that just does not sound good the the left.