Will Defeating Sarah Palin Be A Victory For "The Left?"

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Other Politics
Posted on Thu Jan 13, 2011 at 12:05:32 PM EST
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Atrios has long said, rightly in my opinion, that:

It's long been the case that what really gets the Republican base excited is anything that pisses off liberals. There are genuine policy differences, of course, but to get an audience of Republicans on their feet and cheering you need to mention something, no matter how pointless, which pisses of liberals. It's the glue that keeps them together.

For whatever reason, Sarah Palin seems to be the figure that most pisses of "The Left," to borrow Jennifer Rubin's construction. As I noted in my post below, the past 4 days have been disastrous for Sarah Palin. Does this qualify as a "victory for 'The Left'" by the Rubin metric? And a defeat for "The Right" using the Atrios metric?

Speaking for me only

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Will Defeating Sarah Palin Be A Victory For "The Left?" | 34 comments (34 topical)

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Lloyd Blankfein pisses me off more (5.00 / 2) (#1)
by Dadler on Thu Jan 13, 2011 at 12:29:46 PM EST

So does Obama, and Geithner, and on and on and on...

But they mostly stay hidden. The notion this whole thing is any "victory" for the left, again, would require that an actual "left" existed in this country. I don't think enough of one could be said to exist to make any "victory" even possible were it really plausible.

Any political import of this week, however, has already been muted and morphed by the MSM into something free Americans should not consider political in any way, so as not rock our boats of delusion and denial. So goes the press in their relentless pursuit of, uh, bigger paychecks.

Really, disasterous? (5.00 / 4) (#2)
by TeresaInSnow2 on Thu Jan 13, 2011 at 12:36:40 PM EST

Polls show that people don't believe that the right wing noise machine is responsible for the situation in Arizona. They don't believe Palin is responsible.

The "blood libel" statement was a horrifying disaster to Palin, only to Jewish people and others who already hated her. To those who liked her, they made excuses for it (e.g. the Jews for Palin group). And some of the Jewish folks even had to apologize for using the term themselves outside of its origin before they could proceed to bash Palin for it (e.g. Andrew Cohen).

Personally, I think nobody's mind was changed at all. Disasterous for Sarah Palin? Only for those who wish it was disasterous. The echo chamber certainly all agreed that this would be the end of her career. (It won't be. It only consolidates the right in her favor.) The rest went along with whatever they were doing and thinking.

Sorry (5.00 / 1) (#3)
by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Jan 13, 2011 at 12:41:19 PM EST

I can not imagine how an objective observer could not call yesterday an unmitigated disaster for Palin.


: She was never ever going to be President. (5.00 / 1) (#6)
by steviez314 on Thu Jan 13, 2011 at 01:12:41 PM EST

Not with only 30% of the country thinking favorably about her.
But she still will retain that 50% of the Republican Party base, no matter what. That's enough for a blocking action. She can't get the nomination, but she can deny it from anyone else who isn't obsequious enough to her.
And I think that's what she's wanted all along. After all, does Queen Elizabeth secretly dream of becoming Prime Minister? I doubt it.

: She already (5.00 / 2) (#7)
by Ga6thDem on Thu Jan 13, 2011 at 01:24:58 PM EST

was marginalized to the far right. I guess in the sense of that Nov was a "win" for her then I guess you could say the last four days were a "loss".
It really isn't going to change the minds of her cultists. Think about the Obama cultists in reverse when thinking about Palin and you might understand.

: You need to get out more. (5.00 / 2) (#18)
by itscookin on Thu Jan 13, 2011 at 02:30:23 PM EST

The public isn't buying what the media is selling. Palin will only be strengthened by this. The majority of Americans believe she was unfairly targeted. Oops! Wrong word, but I can't think of a better one. I know you want her gone, but it's magical thinking to believe that this has done her in. Oops! Bad words again.

Defeating Sarah Palin would be a (5.00 / 1) (#24)
by Anne on Thu Jan 13, 2011 at 02:48:53 PM EST

victory for the country in general, as near as I can tell. Relegating her to a position where both her appeal and her power are diminished would have the collateral effect, I believe, of letting much of the air out of the Tea Party balloon. And that would not be a bad thing.

Yes, there's a risk that we would then see more mainstream Republicans in the forefront, and they would be harder for the Dems to run against, but honestly, I'd like the Dems to have to break more than a little sweat on the journey to the 2012 elections. I'd like them to have to distinguish themselves and their policies from those of the GOP, and if they're running against a mainstream Republican, I have to think they wouldn't be able to do that by moving more to the right - which running against Palin would give them the leeway to do because she's just so much farther to the right than even mainstream Republicans.

Would the Tea Party anoint someone else to try to keep whatever momentum they have going? I think they'd try, but who would that be?

I truly am not looking for ways Obama can coast to another term, not when he has, in my opinion, failed to advance a true Democratic agenda, and has governed so much from the right; in my fantasy world, a credible primary challenger emerges to take Obama on, but when my little bubble bursts, I see that, even if such a challenge made Obama campaign more from the left, once elected he would doubtless go right back to being the conservative he's obviously so much more comfortable being - more of what we've had these last two years.

Ugh.

Whole thing gives me a headache.

The problem is that the other (none / 0) (#26)
by MKS on Thu Jan 13, 2011 at 04:04:44 PM EST

candidates will try to out Palin each other by serving up red meat to the base....

It is the base, and cowtowing to them, that creates much of the problem....Sister Sarah has been elevated because she says what the base feels....


: Naw (none / 0) (#36)
by Ga6thDem on Thu Jan 13, 2011 at 06:37:56 PM EST

the only one doing that right now is Gingrich and he polls as badly as Palin. I think that's wishful thinking on your part.

not to be nit picky or anything, (5.00 / 2) (#35)
by cpinva on Thu Jan 13, 2011 at 05:55:14 PM EST

but who cares about sarah palin? she isn't going to be running for office, ever again, and she appeals to a small, barking mad audience. so again, who cares?

: Because that "small, barking mad ..." (none / 0) (#38)
by Yman on Fri Jan 14, 2011 at 12:35:11 PM EST

"... audience" is base of the GOP. Garnering the most support among Republicans, she could well win the nomination. If she does, and we have another 18 months of this economy, we'll all have to get used to spitting out the words "President Palin".

Friends & Enemies (none / 0) (#4)
by ScottW714 on Thu Jan 13, 2011 at 12:53:32 PM EST

Her fans work under the the premise "The enemy of my enemy is my friend", or, "The political enemy of liberals, muslims, and mexicans is my candidate.

The details are noise, as long as she keeps hating what they hate, she can do no wrong.

First of all (none / 0) (#5)
by lilburro on Thu Jan 13, 2011 at 01:10:19 PM EST

I find it quite funny that the tweets of a bunch of people who knew this anti-social guy before he became as anti-social are being touted as "facts." I don't know that we know much about Loughner yet at all.

Secondly, as Rubin says:

Or, as I put it, rhetorical civility and mental illness are discrete problems.

Conservatives are incapable of thinking systematically about any problem. This is one of the reasons they have no ideas for the future. They don't believe in climate change, they don't believe in science, they don't believe in sociology unless it's self-defeating (a la The Bell Curve). Conservatives like to annoy liberals...I don't think liberals are satisfied by "annoying" conservatives. People are able to look beyond Palin and they don't use her in speeches the way the GOP uses the word "liberal."

Some liberals seem to live to annoy and attack Palin (John Cole for example) but I don't think that's the party in general.

I can't (5.00 / 2) (#8)
by Ga6thDem on Thu Jan 13, 2011 at 01:28:01 PM EST

understand the fascination with her that the "left" has. I mean there are tons of diaries at Kos about her and Andrew Sullivan has gone of the deep end when it comes to her. To me she's just another Ann Coulter yelling invective to try to get attention. It gives some conservatives the jollies just like Coulter did but to what end i'm not sure.


My theory is (5.00 / 3) (#13)
by Warren Terrer on Thu Jan 13, 2011 at 02:00:45 PM EST

it goes back to Ronald Reagan. I definitely recall that in the early stages of the 1980 election campaign liberals and Democrats viewed Reagan as a joke who couldn't possibly be elected president, let alone unseat an encumbent president. And yet he did, putting conservatism back in fashion and unleashing a 30 year long supply-side economic nightmare.

Everyone says Sarah Palin is a joke and should be ignored, and yet she's constantly in the media and we talk about her all the time. Why? Fear that her obvious (to liberals) stupidity and unfitness for office won't stop her in any way from becoming president, just like it didn't stop Reagan.


: I sort of agree (5.00 / 2) (#15)
by Capt Howdy on Thu Jan 13, 2011 at 02:17:02 PM EST

and while BTD is correct that the last couple of days has been pretty disastrous for Palin, none of this will have the slightest effect on her fans. I also totally agree with the part of the post that talks about what they love is what annoys us.
and nothing annoys us more than Palin. that alone is, has been, and will be the biggest thing she has going for her.
and I also think she knows it. that "blood libel" stuff was no accident. she knows well what buttons to push.

I sort of understand the fascination (none / 0) (#11)
by lilburro on Thu Jan 13, 2011 at 01:48:20 PM EST

she is the first true FoxNews-er to get close to power. Cheney and Bush were objects of worship for that world but they weren't really that world IMO. She is selling some kind of image, some kind of lifestyle, and there's no major figure on the GOP political scene doing that other than her at the moment.


I hope it doesn't dissuade her (none / 0) (#9)
by MKS on Thu Jan 13, 2011 at 01:34:19 PM EST

from running.

Defeating Palin right now is not a liberal victory. It is at best a distraction. If she bows out of the Presidential race, Democrats will face stiffer competition.....

You know what? (5.00 / 2) (#10)
by Ga6thDem on Thu Jan 13, 2011 at 01:36:44 PM EST

Even with all the outrageous things she has said and done I wouldn't count her out of winning the presidency. I know the polls show her way down but who would have thought that Obama would have caused a loss of over 60 seats in the house either.

I've seen lots of crazy things happen in politics and people that I thought could NEVER win go on to win so don't be so sure about anything.


I agree (none / 0) (#12)
by republicratitarian on Thu Jan 13, 2011 at 01:53:38 PM EST

Although I think defeating her right now is a victory at this time, but if she is beaten back enough the rest of this year then she won't (can't) run and Obama will face a more dangerous (electable) opponent. And for that reason I don't think it's a defeat for the right (just Palin and her cult). If anything, the Right might need her to be "defeated" a little more like this to help their chances next election.


Smart Republicans can't get her (5.00 / 1) (#20)
by MKS on Thu Jan 13, 2011 at 02:36:41 PM EST

off the stage soon enough....

She will not be the nominee....

Just how will it end?--it can't be pretty.....


She will eventually (none / 0) (#21)
by jbindc on Thu Jan 13, 2011 at 02:41:00 PM EST

cross a line that even most Republicans can't defend. I mean - Ann Coulter is rarely heard from anymore.


Not because the Right repudiated Coulter (5.00 / 1) (#22)
by MKS on Thu Jan 13, 2011 at 02:43:08 PM EST

for going too far....No, dear Ann just faded away, just becoming boring and being eclipsed by Sister Sarah.


I think (none / 0) (#23)
by jbindc on Thu Jan 13, 2011 at 02:47:13 PM EST

it had to do with the fact that she went too far on other networks (MSNBC, for example). She's not palatable to those independents that are so desperately needed to win.

I still think Palin implodes.


I'll bet you two dollars she (none / 0) (#25)
by MKS on Thu Jan 13, 2011 at 04:01:56 PM EST

implodes before Super Tuesday....


: I won't take that bet (none / 0) (#27)
by jbindc on Thu Jan 13, 2011 at 04:18:47 PM EST

"Super Tusday" is my drop dead date for her (if you'll pardon the choice of words). I think that's the latest she goes, but I wouldn't be surprised if she's out before that.
She would make a darn good fundraiser and excitement generator around the country from February on to the leading candidate in the primaries - and the one who kowtows to her ideas. She would be the 2012 version of Obama with respect to generating crowds and excitement.

Us against THEM (none / 0) (#14)
by kdm251 on Thu Jan 13, 2011 at 02:06:47 PM EST

Sarah Palin is all about US (white Chritians) against them. Showing her rhetoric fow what it is, namely is really a victory for everyone.

Like shooting fish in a barrel (none / 0) (#16)
by jbindc on Thu Jan 13, 2011 at 02:27:26 PM EST

It's not really a "victory" when any 5th grader could show her up in a debate.

to defeat her in a debate (5.00 / 2) (#17)
by Capt Howdy on Thu Jan 13, 2011 at 02:29:39 PM EST

one would have to first get her into a debate.

I believe she prefers the monologue.


: Who wouldn't? (none / 0) (#19)
by jbindc on Thu Jan 13, 2011 at 02:33:02 PM EST

It's easier to stand and talk about things without having someone question your comments. ALL politicians would prefer that.
But claiming oa "victory" over someone that a random person off the street could beat, is not setting the bar very high.

Waste of time and resources (none / 0) (#28)
by Robot Porter on Thu Jan 13, 2011 at 04:25:33 PM EST

Reminds me of all the time wasted on defeating Oliver North (another polarizing figure for the Left) in his '94 senate bid. Well, Dems beat North. And lost the Congress.

Palin is not that popular among Republicans. She trailed even Gingrich in a recent poll of Republicans on potential '12 candidates.

And this week proved she has lousy political instincts, and an even worse staff.

She bothers the GOP (none / 0) (#29)
by Repack Rider on Thu Jan 13, 2011 at 04:46:36 PM EST

...more than they can afford to let on. And that's fine with me.

In order to be a viable candidate she would need to do things she can't do, so it's a given that she won't be a presidential candidate.

To be one she would have to get past some people who are more serious than she about getting the nod, and they are not about to let her take the party down while they cheer her on from the sideline. Until she is out of the race however, the "Liberal Press" will breathlessly announce and analyze her every empty perturbation in the apparent belief that anyone cares, which will continue to suck the air out of the GOP Shrinking Tent, to the dismay of her marginally more qualified rivals.

Once she is out of the race however, she will bargain with the votes she believes that she controls and screw the GOP with a power trip of some sort. It's how she's built.

Hatin' on Sarah is hardly confined to The Left, but at least we get to laugh at her in public. The GOP still has to kiss her a$$ in public and hate her in private.

Then there's this (none / 0) (#30)
by jbindc on Thu Jan 13, 2011 at 05:05:05 PM EST

Palin reportedly getting tons of death threats.

I hope this isn't true, and yet, there's a cynical part of me that says this is a sick way of maybe doing a little damage control from her camp?

An aide close to Sarah Palin says death threats and security threats have increased to an unprecedented level since the shooting in Arizona, and the former Alaska governor's team has been talking to security professionals.
The shooting in Tucson, Palin has taken much heat for her "crosshairs" map that targeted 20 congressional Democrats in the 2010 mid-term election, including that of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who was the main target of Saturday's attack.
Friends say Palin, a possible 2012 contender, was galled as suggestions of her role in the tragedy have swirled.

And this was before her video.

: Which makes one (none / 0) (#37)
by CoralGables on Thu Jan 13, 2011 at 10:28:52 PM EST

wonder why anyone thinks she would ever chase the GOP nomination. If she were ever to run for anything again (unlikely) she would far more likely run as an independent, so she can go her own way and take in her own money and continue to march to the beat of her own self absorbed victimhood.