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Sarah Palin: A Collapsed Souffle
Townhall.com ^ | July 8, 2009 | Cal Thomas

Posted on 07/08/2009 1:25:18 PM PDT by Kaslin

The soon to be former governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin, is like one of those souffles my mother sometimes made. The recipe warned against premature removal from the oven because the dish would collapse.

That is the saga of Gov. Palin. Prematurely plucked from relative obscurity by John McCain and touted as a rising star by many Republican conservatives, Palin collapsed. Though she was treated unfairly and in ways that no liberal woman would have been -- not even Hillary Clinton -- she clearly was not prepared to discuss the issues, the command of which -- or least familiarity of which -- are essential to anyone seeking national office.

Palin energized the shrinking Republican base, but could never get beyond them to connect with independents and conservative Democrats who might have taken her seriously had she displayed more seriousness. It is not enough to talk about what has been lost in America. One must speak of a vision for the future and ways to reach it.

Many commentators are speculating whether quitting as governor is good or bad political strategy. Few want to take Palin's word at face value, that she is tired of the ethics probes (all but two of the 15 ethics complaints filed against her have been dismissed with no findings of wrongdoing) and the big media's refusal to examine her accomplishments as governor and the substance of her views. Fair enough. But anyone running for national office must traverse a media gauntlet -- with the notable exception of Barack Obama and his worshipful media disciples. While conservatives can expect worse treatment than liberals, they can prevail with the right strategy.

It was unfair to Palin to have been selected as McCain's running mate so soon after the birth of her youngest child, especially one with Down syndrome, and the pregnancy of her teenage daughter. Either event would have required more motherly attention than usual, but both demand a level of emotional energy that no human being can muster while running for vice president.

If Palin is to have a future in national politics (assuming she wants one) there are several steps she must take. First, she needs a complete makeover. The big media will never admit they were wrong in their judgments, but they might write stories about the "new Sarah Palin." She should hit the books and learn as much as she can about the modern world, history and court cases. She should read newspapers so that when future interviewers hit her with questions, she can dazzle them like a "Jeopardy" champion.

What she should not do is become a cable TV pundit. That's too predictable. Instead, she might follow Ronald Reagan's example and deliver a daily radio commentary. Radio takes the focus away from outward appearance and places it on the substance of what is said. She should write these commentaries herself, as Reagan did, and the outlets ought to include mainstream stations, as well as conservative and Christian ones.

Palin should hire a speech coach and follow that person's advice. She has a pleasant enough speaking voice, but the tone needs to be adjusted, as do her word choices. "You betcha" should be banned from her vocabulary. Such slang may resonate well with some people, but national candidates should have rhetoric that soars and gets attention.

Lastly, she needs a hair, makeup and wardrobe makeover. She is a beautiful woman, but appearance should not be the first thing one reacts to when people look at her.

There aren't many second acts in politics because the media tend to gobble people up and constantly search for the "new" and exciting. Sarah Palin can be "born again" in a political sense and excite beyond her base if she allows herself to be "baked" at the proper temperature and for the right amount of time. If she does that, she may emerge again and this time she'll rise, not fall.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial
KEYWORDS: blabla; bullcrock; calthomasliberal; iquitarod; liberaldrivel; rino; rinoromney; romney; romneyantipalin
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To: Kaslin; Diogenesis; SolidWood
Hey Romneyite Cal, I guess you did not hear the news...

Palin's Popularity in GOP Soars After Quitting

41 posted on 07/08/2009 1:49:09 PM PDT by Virginia Ridgerunner (Sarah Palin has crossed the Rubicon!)
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To: messierhunter

I was being sarcastic, he just gave his opinion.


42 posted on 07/08/2009 1:49:19 PM PDT by FTJM
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To: subterfuge

“In other words, according to him, Sarah needs to just NOT be herself.”

You got that message too, eh? These guys just don’t get it - when she was giving her speech at the convention, I turned to my wife and said, “She’s US!” She got my vote - McCain just happened to be in the line of voting fire...

Colonel, USAFR


43 posted on 07/08/2009 1:51:16 PM PDT by jagusafr (Kill the red lizard, Lord! - nod to C.S. Lewis)
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To: Kaslin
hough she was treated unfairly and in ways that no liberal woman would have been -- not even Hillary Clinton -- she clearly was not prepared to discuss the issues, the command of which -- or least familiarity of which -- are essential to anyone seeking national office.

I think Hillary Clinton would rather be Sarah Palin right now.

Only 18 months ago, everyone on Planet Earth was convinced Ms. Clinton would become the 44th President of the United States. Now she is political pond scum.

Everyone is now saying Palin is finished. We shall see.

44 posted on 07/08/2009 1:54:21 PM PDT by FreepShop1
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To: Kaslin

Prematurely plucked?

When is a politician deemed ‘ripe’?

Is there a chart we can follow?


45 posted on 07/08/2009 1:56:33 PM PDT by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ... Godspeed .. Monthly Donor Onboard)
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To: Virginia Ridgerunner

Oh get off your RDS. If Romney had gotten the nomination and had been elected, you can bet our country would be in much shape then it is with that arrogant lying pos we have in the People’s House. And just to piss you off. he will get my vote if he runs in 2012 and so will Sarah if she runs


46 posted on 07/08/2009 1:58:17 PM PDT by Kaslin (Acronym for 0bama: One Big Ass Mistake America)
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To: Kaslin

However what Cal Thomas said rubs the wrong way, I think he makes this valid point: Sarah Palin needs to grow as a statesman. And she knows this. And she plans on doing just that. She was a sitting duck in the governor’s office. Now she’s a moving target. And she moves fabulously! She will now be nimbly able to simultaneously get current on all pertinent issues, become the power center in terms of influence, fundraising and campaigning that would make the RNC drool with envy and expose the legacy media for the fools that they are.

It took a bit of time to grow the Ronald Reagan that we came to know. Sarah will benefit from the process. As will we!


47 posted on 07/08/2009 1:59:32 PM PDT by Tonytitan
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To: Kaslin

Gems are created by exposing elements to intense heat and pressure.

Sarah is a gem that no pundit has a tool with which to shape her as they would, and as a result, she gets even more pressure and heat than most gems.

Bang away media.. at your own peril.


48 posted on 07/08/2009 2:00:58 PM PDT by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ... Godspeed .. Monthly Donor Onboard)
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To: Kaslin

I need to send Ole Cal there a bill for the time I wasted reading this leftist Crapola of his.


49 posted on 07/08/2009 2:02:18 PM PDT by Cheetahcat (Zero the Wright kind of Racist! We are in a state of War with Democrats)
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To: 9YearLurker
Sure, he’s being snarky, but I also think she’d be better served with a short, daily radio commentary than hosting a TV show.

You must have missed this part, this is exactly what he suggested.

Instead, she might follow Ronald Reagan's example and deliver a daily radio commentary.

50 posted on 07/08/2009 2:04:35 PM PDT by Kaslin (Acronym for 0bama: One Big Ass Mistake America)
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To: Kaslin

The assumption being, the recipe was for a souffle. But maybe it was just for a good solid omelette prepared ranch-style. And there is nothing wrong with that.

Sarah is what Sarah is, and needs make no compromise with life. For that would be the worst of mischief, that she should conform to the image that the arbitrators of taste dictate for “women of a certain age”. Sarah will NEVER be a “woman of a certain age”, even though she may be a grandmother.

May she go on big game hunts for years to come, and cheerfully gut fish freshly pulled from the sea. Skills learned on the basketball court have served her well since then, and she is still much quicker of mind and spirit than almost all of her detractors.

Think leering Dave Letterman. He STILL burns.


51 posted on 07/08/2009 2:04:36 PM PDT by alloysteel (Never let an inanimate object know that you are in a hurry.)
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To: Kaslin

Yes, I also—as in like him—think she’d be better off doing radio than tv. I agree with him on that point!


52 posted on 07/08/2009 2:05:44 PM PDT by 9YearLurker
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To: 4Speed

My opinon is that she needs to stay away from the 0bama networks


53 posted on 07/08/2009 2:06:28 PM PDT by Kaslin (Acronym for 0bama: One Big Ass Mistake America)
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To: Kaslin
And just to piss you off. he will get my vote if he runs in 2012 and so will Sarah if she runs

I don't give a flying frig how you vote, Romneyite.

54 posted on 07/08/2009 2:06:59 PM PDT by Virginia Ridgerunner (Sarah Palin has crossed the Rubicon!)
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To: Kaslin

Thank you for posting this, Kaslin.


55 posted on 07/08/2009 2:07:19 PM PDT by MaggieCarta (We're all Detroiters now.)
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To: Kaslin

Ol’ Cal. Senile, over-the-hill, useless. It must suck to be him.


56 posted on 07/08/2009 2:07:51 PM PDT by pabianice
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To: the long march

You might not agree with him but he’s been quite good


57 posted on 07/08/2009 2:08:15 PM PDT by Kaslin (Acronym for 0bama: One Big Ass Mistake America)
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To: Kaslin
but the tone needs to be adjusted, as do her word choices. "You betcha" should be banned from her vocabulary.

Cal. You're sounding like a beltway insider. I'm disappointed in you.

58 posted on 07/08/2009 2:11:20 PM PDT by McGruff (Don't explain; your friends don't need it, and your enemies won't believe you anyway)
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To: HarryCrowel

Typical Washington snobs. This was the exact same attitude towards Reagan in the 1970s. Exactly!


Truth Bump!


59 posted on 07/08/2009 2:12:09 PM PDT by chasio649 ( Palin 2012...'nuff said!)
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To: norraad
I don't think Sarah should change much of anything. She has nice crisp style that fits her What do they want? polyester paints suit a la' Hillery Clinton. The liberals talk how they aught to be free to dress this way or that away, but have designs on how someone else is clothed, especially if that do not have the same politics.
60 posted on 07/08/2009 2:13:42 PM PDT by oyez (To the extent veterans read it as an accusation -- and apology is owed(i.e. not given))
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