She is considered the second-greatest British politician of the 20th Century after Sir Winston Churchill.
Posted on 08/08/2010 7:56:17 AM PDT by Bigtigermike
One of things for which Sarah Palin gets criticized, in this case often by Republicans, is her willingness to get into “pissing matches” with members of the media. This is described as either “un-presidential” by those who think nothing in life matters but presidential politics, or otherwise just bad form because of the cliche that says you can’t win an argument with people who buy ink by the barrel.
Whether it’s good political strategy or not – and I don’t think Palin cares about that as much as her critics suppose – it’s God’s work and it’s about time someone does it.
When Palin has something to say, she can instantly put it in front of a massive audience, many of whom instantly forward it to hundreds or even thousands of others.
And when Democrats or the media put out drivel, Palin quickly and effectively responds. Her latest such effort occurred over the past few days as PolitiFact, one of those “independent, nonpartisan” so-called fact-checker outfits owned by the St. Petersburg Times, did its best to label her “Liar Pants on Fire” for her recent commentary about the upcoming expiration of the Bush tax cuts.
PolitiFact took Palin to task for discussing the economic ramifications of the tax cuts’ expiration in total, which is what will happen at the end of this year if the Democrats take no action to extend them. According to PolitiFact, Palin is lying because Democrats only intend to let the tax cuts expire for those making less than $250,000 a year.
Unlike most in the political world, Palin didn’t let that charge go unanswered. She came right back with a detailed rebuttal to PolitiFact, pointing out that there is no legislation pending that would do anything at all, which means it’s perfectly reasonable to discuss what would happen if nothing at all is done.
Now, refusing to back down, PolitiFact insists the Democrats do have a plan, and points to a 2011 budget document put out by the White House. This rebuttal is hilarious for two reasons. One is that there could not be a more meaningless piece of paper than a “2011 budget document,” since congressional Democrats have no intention of even trying to pass a 2011 budget. The second reason is that, as even PolitiFact points out in this very document, Obama has already broken his promise not to raise taxes on people making less than $250,000 a year.
So then what is the value of a promise in a document about a budget that will never pass? PolitiFact gives passing credit to Palin for pointing out that no pending legislation seeks to extend the tax cuts for anyone, but then dismisses this as insignificant. This is a good example of how these “fact-checkers” often come to the job with little understanding of what constitutes a fact.
But so-called “fact-checkers” are famous for this sort of thing, especially when it comes to Obama and tax hikes. During the presidential campaign, when John McCain said Obama would raise taxes on the middle class, the propagandist “fact-checkers” at the Associated Press called this a falsehood because Obama’s “plan” said he would not do so.
But McCain had not said such an increase was in Obama’s plan. He had said that, regardless of what the plan might have said, Obama would do it anyway. And he did. The AP regarded an Obama promise as a fact. Now, PolitiFact, in the very same piece in which it admits Obama has already broken this promise, treats yet another iteration of the very same promise as a “fact.”
That is absurd, and Palin continues to call them out on it.
When Palin gets criticized by Democrats, it’s simply because they hate her guts. When she gets criticized by Republicans, it’s because conventional wisdom says you’re not supposed to go toe-to-toe with the media on things like this. This is why they call her dumb. If she were smart, they think, she would hire seasoned political consultants who would teach her conventional political behavior and see to it that she follows it.
Since the conventional thinkers have left our nation in hoc to the tune of $71 trillion, including unfunded entitlement mandates, it might be worth considering an alternative approach. Such an approach might include knocking down idiotic arguments offered under the guise of “fact-checking,” especially when you have a ready-made audience of 2 million people who can immediately receive your well-reasoned, detailed arguments the second you’re finished writing them – even if you do so from a fishing boat.
The media are not used to public figures firing back like this. The result is that they have to work overtime to defend their specious claims. And as they try in vain to do so, Palin does not let it go.
Awesome. I have no idea if this is “presidential,” and I don’t care. It needs to be done. Thank God she is doing it – and doing it well.
She’s taking the gloves off, something the Bush administration was unwilling or unable to do. Refreshing.
Nam Vet
Something that Karl Rove told the President not to engaged in....I wish somebody would challenge Rove on that Monday when he fills in for Rush
Tell it like it is, Sarah. Don’t let the obama thugs continue to LIE like their master.
Rove is already challenging himself. He regrets not fighting back more.
Totally describes the GOP in a nutshell. You see, she's supposed to have some flunky issue a bland statement that no one will remember within the hour.
Very nice well written article. Very nice.
I guess I’m guilty, as one of the repubs who sees Palin comeing across as petty...
On the other hand, I’m glad that she seems to use discretion.
The other day, on this forum, the flap about Katie Couric mocking the Palin kids was posted continuously. I watched the clip from a couple years ago, and saw NOTHING disconcerting or mocking on COuric’s part, and I said so along with many others.
On the other hand, I was worried that Palin might be drawn into this pettiness.
Unless I’m wrong, I don’t think she was lured into the malee and said nothing.
Palin, is growing day by day. She is a free thinking formidable human being. If she runs for president it will be because she truly feels she can do good and unite all of us, even the Katie Courics and Factcheckers out there.
The people who buy ink by the barrel can’t win an argument with someone who uses bandwidth.
(((((((((Palin Ping)))))))))))
One tough Mama Grizzly...keeping the lamestream media on the run.
Amen to that.
Fear of the MSM is what makes RINOs the wimps they are.
Excellent!
She is considered the second-greatest British politician of the 20th Century after Sir Winston Churchill.
That would be "more" than $250,000 I believe (although with this group, who knows).
Rove has repeatedly said that he regrets not challenging the democrats.
“Seasoned political consultants” were those who sabotaged the Palin/McCain campaign.
Following the advice of “seasoned political consultants” is a sure way of losing again.
That is one of the most clueless and ridiculous statements I've ever read or heard.
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