What Does Peggy Noonan Think of Sarah Palin?
I’ve been a fan of Peggy Noonan (speech writer extraordinaire, respected political pundit, and author of On Speaking Well)
But we have seen Mrs. Palin on the national stage for seven weeks now, and there is little sign that she has the tools, the equipment, the knowledge or the philosophical grounding one hopes for, and expects, in a holder of high office…
She doesn’t think aloud. She just . . . says things…
No news conferences? Interviews now only with friendly journalists? You can’t be president or vice president and govern in that style, as a sequestered figure. This has been Mr. Bush’s style the past few years, and see where it got us. You must address America in its entirety, not as a sliver or a series of slivers but as a full and whole entity, a great nation trying to hold together. When you don’t, when you play only to your little piece, you contribute to its fracturing.
In the end the Palin candidacy is a symptom and expression of a new vulgarization in American politics. It’s no good, not for conservatism and not for the country. And yes, it is a mark against John McCain, against his judgment and idealism.
At this point any defender of Palin as a serious, qualified candidate should pay an immediate price in their “credibility rating.” I understand rooting for the home team and supporting one’s party. But doing so blindly could end up putting us in the dangerous position of having an under-qualified (and therefore dangerous) leader of a nuclear superpower that happens to be in the middle of two wars and facing the greatest economic crisis in a century. Do we deserve better? You betcha.
About the Author: Randall H. Miller is an American college educator/blogger. He is also a former U.S. Army officer (82nd Airborne) with a M.A. in Diplomacy (focusing on International Terrorism) and a B.A. in Criminal Justice. Use the form on the right to sign up and receive notifications of new content. The words and ideas expressed here are 100% his own and not those of his employers or affiliated organizations.
dickmill | Oct 18, 2008 | Reply
Just to be clear: if the VP nominee was TODD Palin, who was the Alaskan governor (with Sarah’s “experience” and the same total lack of openness after the nomination — i.e. no press conferences) and his wife Sarah was the Iditarod champ, I’d feel the same way about McCain’s pick.
The root of it for me (forgiving all other factors for a second) is the religious fundamentalism. Does that term sound familiar? The American evangelical fundamentalists hate the Islamic fundamentalists for their fundamentalism. What?
You might say in defense, “But it was the Islamic fundamentalists who took down the trade centers.”
I would say, “No — it was terrorists who happen to be Islamic.”
Are there American evangelical fndamentalists who have commited terrorists acts? Be honest now…
The point is — there should be no place in our government for religion-driven zealots. (Before anyone attacks that position — that doesn’t negate the positive impact of our Judeo/Christian/Islamic/Hindu/whatever principles.)
RHM | Oct 18, 2008 | Reply
Most people tolerate religious faith but when it comes down to it – the stuff in this video scares the hell out of us all. How many people do you suppose there are out there like this?
dickmill | Oct 18, 2008 | Reply
Personally, I’d brand those people in the videos as terrorists — because they terrify me. I wonder what kind of fundamentalists they are? Islamic, maybe?