Friday, September 26, 2008

Circling the drain

I predicted here a month ago that Sarah Palin had two weeks until she cratered, using McCain's words to Letterman about the economy. Well, obviously that was wrong.

Bubblehead called me on this, and I waffled, and suggested that I hadn't anticipated that Palin would be muzzled, and that if they ever let Palin talk to the media she'd have about two weeks after that until she flamed out. Well, that second prediction is looking pretty good. Palin is now losing conservatives.

Rob Dreher at beliefnet ("Conservative Politics and Religion") writes
Couric's questions are straightforward and responsible. Palin is mediocre, again, regurgitating talking points mechanically, not thinking. Palin's just babbling. She makes George W. Bush sound like Cicero. ... New Palin excerpt up, in which she discusses why having Russia next to Alaska gives her relevant foreign policy experience. I am well and truly embarrassed for her. I think she's a good woman who might well be a great governor of Alaska. But good grief, just watch this train wreck:
Wow. Makes Bush look like Cicero. Ouch. Here's the "train wreck" Dreher refers to:



The gaffes and problems are now coming so fast that the McCain campaign is "surrounded by a swirling mass of Internet-generated rumors so thick that I expected to see Geraldo Rivera courageously standing amidst it in a rain slicker." Dave Berry. If Palin loses apologist Adam, then we know she's officially toast. Stand by.

h/t on the Dreher article to Andrew Sullivan.

Update: The Ticker is reporting
Prominent conservative columnist Kathleen Parker, an early supporter of Republican VP candidate Sarah Palin, said Friday recent interviews have shown the Alaska governor is "out of her league" and should leave the GOP presidential ticket for the good of the party.

8 comments:

Bubblehead said...

So do you believe that Gov. Palin with withdraw before Sen. Biden? To me, each seems about as likely as the other. (i.e. less than 1% chance.)

It does look to me, however, that she's not learning as quickly as they might have hoped she would; my personal opinion (not backed up by anything) is that McCain did his original "debate pull-out" hoping Sen. Obama would agree to move it back to take the place of the VP debate, which would be postponed indefinitely by the GOP for some reason ("rude moderators" or something).

fortboise said...

This is the first I heard of "politics" in the same breath as beliefnet... You quipped (?) "Conservative Politics and Religion" but a quick look at the site doesn't show that slogan, or that bias.

My previous exposure to it was solely about religion, and arguably quite liberal in that regard: promulgating the idea that you might want to know about other religions.

(Sorry for not handicapping the ticket re-dos. Biden 0%, Palin something more than that, and rising. But still low. Never underestimate cognitive dissonance.)

Anonymous said...

TVA, right at the top of the page it shows a picture of Dreher, the republican elephant, and the slogan Conservative Politics and Religion.

I don't see Biden in the same boat as Palin. He's not going to withdraw.

I guess I don't really expect Palin to withdraw, but I do think she is on the verge of, and soon will be, "combat ineffective." On the field, but unable to accomplish anything.

Anonymous said...

I think he has to play this hand, Alan. A "withdrawal" by her will just amplify his hasty decision and lack of judgment. I think he's stuck at least until after the debate. I still think its laughable to even compare Biden and Palin's experience. It strikes me that more lefties are thinking Biden was the wrong choice than are the independents. And an email sponsored rumor doesn't exactly shed any light on that subject.

Bubblehead said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Bubblehead said...

I can agree that Palin will likely become "combat ineffective" for anything other than bringing in the base, but dropping off the ticket just won't happen. McCain went "all in" with an inside straight draw, and it looks like he's not getting the fill card he needs.

(Disclaimer: Nothing in the comment above is meant in any way to infer any conclusions about any opinions held by Sisyphus.)

Anonymous said...

Meanwhile back in Anchorage.... I thought you'd enjoy this Alan. Click my name for another rally by disgruntled Alaskans on Palin. One of the best handmade signs. "Hey Sarah, I can see the end of your political career from my house."

Anonymous said...

Sis, that's pretty good. There are some great signs. I liked the one that says "Lipstick can't hide lips that lie."