Bursting the False Palin Bubble
Everybody loves a parade. All of us want something good to happen in our lives. This is particularly true in desperate times. And these times (2008) are certainly desperate in America. The desperation has been magnified in the Republican Party. With an old bore as their nominee, facing the charm and charisma of the youthful Democratic nominee – the Republicans have been desperate for a parade, good news, hope for their party. Governor Sarah Palin delivered. But a Newsweek poll shows that the honeymoon is over – and the work of a real relationship begins.
Every parade must come to an end – that is – every parade that is all pomp and ceremony – with no substance to offer long term sustenance. Sarah Palin is a stunning charismatic politician – and she is a Governor. That is nothing to shake a stick at – more of our Presidents were Governors than Senators. She is quick on her feet and ready for moose.
A quick recap: She came, she met McCain, she was nominated, they were officially married at their convention, and now they have had their honeymoon. All Republicans were invited to the reception. It was a grand party, celebrating the new and hopeful future of their species. The honeymoon was glorious, they traveled, met new people, were invited into peoples homes. Governor Palin’s grace as the new bride of the Party was heralded by even the most ardent naysayers.
The honeymoon is now over. Everyone has to get back to work. Governor Palin is discovering that being a running mate requires work – which she is ready for – and substantial knowledge of running the government household when her running mate is away. She prepares the news supper every evening for weary Americans coming home from a hard day’s labor. The first two weeks were great – but it appears that we are now eating a lot of leftovers. Governor Palin only knows six things, and that knowledge has been freeze dried – ready for a quick microwave meal.
The Newsweek popularity poll is a little shocking – but not really surprising. Here is an excerpt from the latest article:
The polls reflected the early success of her strategy. In the three days after Palin joined Team McCain–Aug. 29-31–32 percent of voters told the pollsters at Diageo/Hotline that they had a favorable opinion of her; most (48 percent) didn’t know enough to say. (The Diageo/Hotline poll is conducted by Financial Dynamics opinion research; it’s the only daily tracking poll to regularly publish approval ratings.) By Sept. 4, however, 43 percent of Diageo/Hotline respondents approved of Palin with only 25 percent disapproving–an 18-point split. Apparently, voters were liking what they were hearing. Four days later, Palin’s approval rating had climbed to 47 percent (+17), and by Sept. 13 it had hit 52 percent. The gap at that point between her favorable and unfavorable numbers–22 percent–was larger than either McCain’s (+20) or Obama’s (+13).
But then a funny thing happened: Palin seems to have lost some of her luster. Since Sept. 13, Palin’s unfavorables have climbed from 30 percent to 36 percent. Meanwhile, her favorables have slipped from 52 percent to 48 percent. That’s a three-day net swing of -10 points, and it leaves her in the Sept. 15 Diageo/Hotline tracking poll tied for the smallest favorability split (+12) of any of the Final Four. Over the course of a single weekend, in other words, Palin went from being the most popular White House hopeful to the least.
So what are we to surmise? The Republican Party was infatuated with the date John McCain brought home. She was everything they hoped for. Gracious, intelligent, energetic, culturally perfect – loves guns, loves The One True God, hates homos, bullies subordinates, loves money, and is very ambitious. Perfect.
But this is the problem with all marriages. Honeymoons end. Work begins. There are expectations of running mates – but Governor Palin did not understand the extent – and no one asked her- we should not fault Sarah Palin for being put in this position. But we should acknowledge the facts.
The Palin bubble has burst, the wind is out of the sails, an economic hurricane is ahead, and the Captain of the Ship, Mr. McCain, is trying to change directions. It seems neither Senator McCain nor Governor Palin know what to do in troubled waters.
We never thought they were a very engaging couple – but we were not invited to the reception.
Comment by Jamie Holts on 17 September 2008:
You know, I have to tell you, I really enjoy this blog and the insight from everyone who participates. I find it to be refreshing and very informative. I wish there were more blogs like it. Anyway, I felt it was about time I posted, I?ve spent most of my time here just lurking and reading, but today for some reason I just felt compelled to say this.
Comment by Jamie Holts on 17 September 2008:
Hello.
I like your site and wanted to know if you would be interested in exchanging blogroll links.
Thanks in advance
Comment by goatboyslim on 17 September 2008:
Sarah Palin: Take away the L and what’s left? Nothing but Pain.
Comment by God on 17 September 2008:
Dear Liberals, get a f’en life. Stop crying & go to work. Silly liberals.You think we are going to elect Barrack Hussein Obama?
Comment by Helen Fields on 17 September 2008:
Let’s go Americans. Lets get our heads on straight and start acting like people who actually deserve to live here. We all know we need to elect a Democrat this time. It’s simply a fact. Why bother having a two party system if we don’t even appreciate it. Our country is based on a two party system for a reason. Let’s not destroy what makes us unique. We are so fortunate at this point in our country to have the opportunity to have a men like Barack Obama and Joe Biden run this country.
Let’s show the world that we can think beyond our parties a make the BEST choice.
Let’s Go….Let’s do it!!!!
Comment by dave on 18 September 2008:
I was surprised by the positive response to Palin. It seemed to me that since the republicans have destroyed everything America stands for in the past 8 years it would be a runaway Democratic win. Everyone knew racism would cut the lead substantially. Then when Hillary stayed in the fray after it was all but decided and had to stoop to attack strategy it cut the lead more. Hillary and Bill did an incredible job of making up for that at the convention and obviously Republicans are trying to keep that wound open and not let it heal. When McCain picked Palin I thought it was the most transparent political move of history. I knew American women would not fall for such a condescending manipulative choice. I guess I was not aware that the American people were so ignorant of the issues that flash and no substance could affect their vote. The funniest thing is this choice showed how jealous the Republicans were of Obama. They put him down as a newcomer who is charasmatic, and said he was Hollywood. They said people are only voting for him cause he is black. So they found their own charasmatic newcomer who can somehow inspire people cause she is a woman. We all know he would have loved to get a two fer and have Condoleeza Rice as VP but apparently she had too much integrity for that (which I find surprising) I hope that this still turns out as the obvious Obama win it should be cause 4 more years will bring us a depression that makes the first one look like a walk in the park
Comment by just me on 19 September 2008:
I love it when the republicans think that they can stop what is going to be, by their nasty negativity. I have one thing to say…..IN WHAT RESPECT……. CHARLIE .. The repugs should be embarresed by their pick. I mean John MClame has made you the laughing stock of the worl, and to think that you would trust him to make any other decisions. I mean this guy is falling apart at the seems, it is so funny to watch. I mean yesterday he did an interview and they asked him about the president of spain and he thought spain was in Latin America….. I guess he could ask his VP. I mean she does have a journalist degree, and an undergrad degree at that. I am sure that Obama would have remebered from his days ar Harvard that spain was not in Latin America. I mean John Mclame is suppose to be the foreign policy guru on the ticket. If she can see Russia from her house and John thinks Spain is in Latin America ….GOD HELP US ALL!!!!
This is the biggest punked being played on America, I keep waiting for Ashton Kutcher to come out and say that we are all being punked. I can’t waite until they hammer MCLAME on the Keating Five… I mean are we really going to put John in office when he was apart of the biggest S&L scandel. He is so old and it is starting to show. I really think that he can’t handel it because he is so old, he does not even remeber things anymore, he is at the point where all he does is makes mistakes on all the stuff that he is talking about. I mean his gaffes are getting to be the norm…. and I have a news flash for you REPUBLICANS AND CONSERVATIVES ARE STARTING TO TALK!!!!
Comment by Beerme on 20 September 2008:
Dave,
“I guess I was not aware that the American people were so ignorant of the issues that flash and no substance could affect their vote.”
I find that an unbelievable statement about Palin coming from an Obama supporter!
You people are so blinded by your hatreds of Republicans and conservatives that you will say and believe almost anything. The Palin interview with Gibson was heavily and stiltedly edited to make her look less knowledgeable and this was a major reason for her poll numbers changing. Gibson’s accusation that she stated the troops were on a mission from God (ala Jake and Elwood) was an intentional misquote and should result in an apology from Mr. Gibson (“exact words”? Sure, but only some of the exact words; and only those that make a false impression that Palin is a religious nutjob), if not his resignation. Here is a link to a transcript with edited portions highllighted. Find your own if you don’t like that one. There are many.
And you folks who think you know exactly what the “Bush Doctrine” is are quite mistaken. First, the entire concept is a Mainstream media invention. Second, there have been several positions described as the Bush Doctrine by the media. Maybe Gibson should have asked her if she was in favor of pre-emptive war and in what circumstances that stance would apply? Perhaps we would all have gained something valuable from such an answer. Well, those of us who make decisions based on an honest, non-emotional assessment of the candidates and their positions might have appreciated it, anyway…