As to the first, if you take a look at my "about" page you will see that I make the same argument there and if you look at my motto at the foot of this reply you'll see much the same sentiment. I quite agree, we cannot permit the media to define us.
That means that when they attempt to define us, we must strike back immediately and implacably set the record straight. I am at a loss to understand how resigning the governorship in the face of multiple bogus ethics charges sets the record straight. I am at a loss to understand why Sarah Palin has never addressed the cardinal knock against her, that she lacks gravitas, by making a serious issue oriented speeches-ideally about energy-in a serious forum such as the National Press Club. For her own reasons she has chosen not to do so.
The problem is the knock on her has not been rebutted and has become barnacled and hoary with age and part of the culture of the independents who decide elections in the manner described in the posts by Dark Wolf 377 on this thread.
In sum, Sarah Palin has indeed permitted the media to define her where it counts, among the people who decide elections and she has not rebutted it.
As to the second point, that the Republicans are destined to win by such a majority that any nominee, or at least Sarah Palin, will win despite any alleged electability handicap. I think this is a dangerous attitude to take.
There are two secular forces working against us as conservatives. The first is demographics and in every election cycle the numbers against us get worse and worse. When Obama wakes up on election morning he will have 95% of African-American vote, 70 to 80% of the Jewish vote etc., etc. So when he wakes up on that morning he will have an assured tally in excess of 40% of the popular vote.
Therefore, he is aiming to find less than double digits to win. Right now, it looks a very difficult hill for him to climb but these races often tighten up towards the end before they break.
As I have repeatedly posted, I believe that this will be a dirty election because of Obama cannot run on his record and therefore he will demagogue his opponent and especially play the race card. There is no telling how the independents will react to this and that is because of a second factor:
The media will support him in this demagoguery and we simply cannot predict with confidence how that will affect the independent vote. As Rummy would say, this is a known unknown.
