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Victor Davis Hanson: Why the Elitist Hatred Toward Palin?
Real Clear Politics ^ | July 10, 2009 | Victor Davis Hanson

Posted on 07/19/2009 2:35:51 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet

The debate over Palin is sort of ossified.

But lost in all of this is whether she is up to national politics, or simply wishes to capitalize (an Oprah-like talk show?) on her sizable financial potential. On the one hand, Palin is obviously bright. Few could raise a family without capital in Wasilla, and within a decade end up as Governor of a large state-whose protocols hinged on an old-boy network where politicians accommodated oil and mineral interests.

On the other hand, a mother of five, knee-deep in local politics, without money and leisure, is not going to be reading Gibbon for perspective, or spending the afternoon perusing Foreign Affairs. Nor is she going to remember a quip that her Prof at the Kennedy school once offered years ago. Nor is she going to recall clever repartee at a Georgetown_dinner party from one grandee to another.

She has natural gifts-stamina, earthy grit, sensitivity to what most Americans go through raising a family on a limited budget, practicality from working with her hands in a natural world. All that is no small beer. Look at Truman's various experiences in Missouri.

No Way 2012-Maybe 2016, 2020?

But if, a big if, she decides to become a national political figure, Palin should use these next few years (in addition to making_some money to support her family) to travel and read widely in the manner that a Reagan did in his wilderness period. She has natural intelligence and is curious. I think most would like to see her do another Couric interview five years from now after she had time to size up DC insiders, meet more politicians, lecture in front of hostile audiences-and just read and reflect. At fifty-five she could become a formidable candidate, given her natural charisma and authentic middle-class persona.(continued)

(Excerpt) Read more at realclearpolitics.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Editorial; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 2012; obama; palin; palin2012; pds; sarah; sarahpac; sarahpalin; teamsarah; waronsarah
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I don't think we can afford to wait until 2016. What say you?
1 posted on 07/19/2009 2:35:51 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
I don't think we can afford to wait until 2016. What say you?

Hard to say. Waiting until 2016 may provide sufficient time to purge the party of those elements that got us into the mess.

Her appeal in 2008 was largely that her presence was like a room deodorizer masking out much of the McCain stench. Beyond that, her message to me was largely populust.

I do agree that she needs to develop more bonafides that will enable her to put more meat into her message.

2 posted on 07/19/2009 2:50:51 AM PDT by fso301
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
She has natural gifts-stamina, earthy grit, sensitivity to what most Americans go through raising a family on a limited budget, practicality from working with her hands in a natural world. All that is no small beer. Look at Truman's various experiences in Missouri

Either he's a bit elitist himself in his approach to her, or he didn't care to pay attention to what was going on before the McCain campaign mismanaged her. She had impressive grasp of the energy debate, as she displayed in a way during the Bartoromeo (sp?) interview and which certainly Biden and perhaps Obama could never display on any given subject. And no mention of the Convention Speech? Holy Cow!. I suspect that, like me, his biggest problem with her is the Levi Johnston failure in her parenting skills and performance. It's not a political-killer, but tarnishes what otherwise would be 24 carat sparkle.

3 posted on 07/19/2009 2:58:06 AM PDT by gusopol3
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Another one who doesn’t get it. “Travel the world and read...!?” Say what?

They just don’t get it. America is tired of “educated” people who think they know best and insist that the right schools give them the right to lead.


4 posted on 07/19/2009 3:00:45 AM PDT by AdaGray (uw)
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To: fso301

Mr. Obama was a part-time State Senator, beat Alan Keyes and became a US Senator, started running for the White House after 140 days in office, but GOVERNOR Sarah Palin has to “develop” her “bonafides” before running for president?! She has been a city councilwoman, mayor, chairwoman of the state energy commission, a business owner and is now governor of our largest state, but she’s less qualified than the current resident? An erstwhile ACORN community organizer cum Daley machine hack?! Huh?! Oh, that’s right ... she’s a woman!! [smacks forehead]


5 posted on 07/19/2009 3:01:49 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet (I am Jim Thompson!!)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

They hate her because she energizes the base. She isn’t even my ideal candidate but she is exciting and more important, she’s bringing conservatives out of the woodwork.


6 posted on 07/19/2009 3:03:51 AM PDT by cripplecreek (Seniors, the new shovel ready project under socialized medicine.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Excellent commentary, though I don’t believe waiting until 2016 makes any sense. She’ll never be edumicated like Algore or any of the other philosopher kings the libs grow on trees. And as he points out, she doesn’t need to be.
Seven years in the “wilderness” is too many. Seven years of Democratic handling, and this country would be in shambles.
We’ve got a conservative candidate who is exciting, popular, young, and needed NOW. It’s hard enough waiting three years.


7 posted on 07/19/2009 3:14:41 AM PDT by 668 - Neighbor of the Beast (Lady Liberty is Kitty Genovese, right outside our windows.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

I’m hoping Couric doesn’t have another five years in any media job, but I understand what the author means.


8 posted on 07/19/2009 3:20:25 AM PDT by skr (May God confound the enemy)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
No Sarah Palin thread should go without pictures!

Where is my Sarah Palin fix?

9 posted on 07/19/2009 3:21:18 AM PDT by ME-262 (We need Term Limits for the federal house and senate. We need new Bums up there.)
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To: AdaGray

I agree with him,,AMerica is tired of the eastern supercilious elites. But America needs someone who know the world and knows history and knows who they will be battling.

Wisdom comes with knowledge of the world. Reagan had it and spent time acquiring it. Sarah can.

We don’t need a person who doesn’t have a deep understanding of our country, who we are, how we got here and our enemies within and without.

Hansen is so spot on with this column and he is furious at what is going on with Palin.


10 posted on 07/19/2009 3:23:32 AM PDT by cajungirl (no)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

I am tired of Lawyers party.

Bill- Lawyer
Hillary- Lawyer
Kerry - Lawyer
Edwards- Lawyer
Obama- Lawyer
Michelle- Lawyer
Biden- Lawyer


11 posted on 07/19/2009 3:42:28 AM PDT by NoLibZone (North Korea? The only buildings in Hawaii at risk of destruction are those housing ObamaÂ’s records!)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

No, she’s gotta strike while the iron is hot and before the country is completely destroyed.


12 posted on 07/19/2009 3:49:45 AM PDT by Virginia Ridgerunner (Sarah Palin has crossed the Rubicon!)
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To: fso301

I’d say she ought to dry a lot of carabou and moose jerky, take care of her family, and plan for a lot of lower-48 refugees. But in case Obama doesn’t destroy America, she might read up a bit.


13 posted on 07/19/2009 3:56:41 AM PDT by Eleutheria5 (www.publishedauthors.net/benmaxwell/index.html. Donate to members.tripod.com/tva_israel/HOME.HTM)
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To: cripplecreek
Partly true.

Actually they hate her because they know, deep in their twisted evil hearts and minds, that Sarah Palin, so far, is still one of "us", we the people, whom they disdain. She is a "real American" and the educated elite strive to hold onto the myth that only "they" can lead us unwashed masses yearning to be free to the promised land.

They have long forgotten that "we the people" are supposed to be the ones that hold the power over our own destinies - our "prosperity" if you like.

They have been all consumed with the "party politic" ideal that George Washington so stringently warned us against adopting.

"They", the educated elite, fear us ordinary Americans. They fear the day that we might wake up and use our God given rights and return this once great Republic to what our founding fathers actually visualized.

I am not sure that is actually possible any longer for "we" have let them lead us by the nose for so long now that one, or at least this one is beginning to believe "we" don't have the will to rise up and flush their worthless hides right down the toilet.

But obviously "they" still fear us! Perhaps they days of Constitutional Conservatism isn't totally dead as "they" certainly do fear her, and us ............... so far.

14 posted on 07/19/2009 3:59:36 AM PDT by ImpBill ("America ... where are you now?" signed, a little "r" republican!)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
But if, a big if, she decides to become a national political figure,

Not a big if at all. When Palin sees an opportunity, she will jump at it. With Palin's popularity, the opportunity is there for the taking.

15 posted on 07/19/2009 4:01:44 AM PDT by Always Right (Obama: more arrogant than Bill Clinton, more naive than Jimmy Carter, and more liberal than LBJ.)
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To: Virginia Ridgerunner

I totally agree unless the GOP completely bombs in the 2010 midterms and Sarah is held the most responsible for the debacle.

Other than that scenario or a family health problem I believe Sarah should go in 2012. She will never be more popular or more youthful or full of energy.

Here time is now. And now with her time spent in the wilderness she will be able to hone her skills and work on a 24/7 to become a better politician in all various aspects.

So many factors are now in Sarah’s favor.


16 posted on 07/19/2009 4:02:33 AM PDT by techno
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

For goodness’ sake, there are hundreds of brilliant, conservatives she can surround herself with and take advice from. She is the ONLY one out there with that amazing political talent and the courage to be a real conservative. I’m sick and tired of people telling Sarah she has to go back to school before we can take her seriously. Part of being brilliant is understanding what you don’t know and finding the right staff to fill those particular needs.


17 posted on 07/19/2009 4:03:57 AM PDT by Mangia E Statti Zitto
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

see everyone trying to say, go Sarah, but not now....

then, trust me, they’ll say the same thing...

Go Sarah, right now.....you have the big Mo and everyone else loses air when you come in the room, by 2016 that nay not be true.....that would give them time.....

Go Sarah, right now.....start as soon as you can and don’t let them off the mat until you take your oath in 2013


18 posted on 07/19/2009 4:16:16 AM PDT by The Wizard (Democrat Party: a criminal enterprise)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
No Way 2012

Get lost Victor Hanson.

19 posted on 07/19/2009 4:18:37 AM PDT by NurdlyPeon (Sarah Palin: Americas last, best hope for survival.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

They hate her because to us she is already President, and we will elect her for real in 2012....that’s why they hate her....that’s why I fear for her life.


20 posted on 07/19/2009 4:20:28 AM PDT by The Wizard (Democrat Party: a criminal enterprise)
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