It's the word that Palin invented. Even if she never runs for office, how many people get to say they invented a word? I think Bush's "misunderestimate" should be one too. He had an entire language of his own.
Once Bristol had made it to "Dancing with the Stars" she was an adult and made her own choices. She chose to enter the fray. Did she complain about negative press? I am not sure because, honestly, I didn't follow her rise or fall on that show. I watched the last episode only - to see what all the fuss was about.
During the election...not so much. She shouldn't have been mocked or belittled by anyone in the cyber-world or elsewhere. Or immediately after the election when she was still a minor, albeit pregnant.
I just can't imagine what any adult gets out of making fun of unwed kids. But one's mileage does vary, doesn't it?
I can't remember who it was on CC but who joked that maybe Bristol would get Oxycontin for post-childbirth pain and that she could share it with Levi's mom who had a drug problem. Just another day in cyberspace.
SLS, I agree that children should be off limits for anyone, all the time. But if an adult offspring goes on Dancing with the Stars, I don't see how comments on her performance are off limits! As moms/parents, we would all feel terrible if our children get criticized. But once they put themselves in the public eye, you can't complain anymore. I think what I object to the most is that in her constant responding, what she's really done is make it about her, not about her kids at all.
I still can't see why she spends so much of her valuable time responding to every little comment people make about her or her family. If she wants to be a serious politician, she can't waste her life tweeting after every imagined slight. Geez, if she can't deal with people being negative about her, how is she possibly capable of dealing with Putin. One trait all presidents seem to handle is the ability to smile and shake the hand of the guy who last Sunday was on Meet the Press lambasting you. I don't see Palin there yet.
To be fair - whether she deserved the scrutiny or not, she got a heap of ugly intrusions into her family life. She needs to not respond with anything other than "My family is off-limits". Move on.
Of course, this is why I can't be a politician. I would personally rip the head off of anyone who messed with my family.
On a lighter note, did you see Putin sing "Blueberry Hill" for a fundraiser?
Look, I am self-respecting and would not vote for Palin in a primary, but wouldn't she make a good VP candidate again, presuming the nominee is not as old as McCain? She would be the perfect attack dog and would have passable command of the issues by then, certainly enough to do the main job of a VP nominee- sound bites.
I would never try to predict Palin's actions. I still can't see why she spends so much of her valuable time responding to every little comment people make about her or her family. If she wants to be a serious politician, she can't waste her life tweeting after every imagined slight. Geez, if she can't deal with people being negative about her, how is she possibly capable of dealing with Putin. One trait all presidents seem to handle is the ability to smile and shake the hand of the guy who last Sunday was on Meet the Press lambasting you. I don't see Palin there yet.
Pima, as far as R candidates for 2012, I'm thinking Romney is a definite, and Pawlenty. Pawlenty just came out with a book, which is usually a sign of impending candidacy. Gingrich is doing his best to jump and down and say "look at me", but so far he seems to be met with yawns from the Republicans.
I still can't see her running, but than again I can't see any strong contenders for 12 in the R world. I bet Romney will throw his hat in and she will not run because it would be over be for it started. Remember Mitt has millions and can afford to invest his own money, which will make it impossible for her to keep up with him regarding advertisement.
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Raising a teenager is like nailing Jello to a tree
You're so right, busdriver. That's why it totally bums me out that I don't think she really wants that job.....because if she ran hard, got enough delegates early, made a respectable VP selection and persuaded key media to support her candidacy, I think she could win the nomination.
BigG, I think the "not Bush party" was the main driver of the last election.
If Palin is the candidate, I will vote for Obama. And if somebody like me is saying that, then the president will be hoping she's the competition....because he will win in a landslide.
The two separate qualities that automatically disqualify, one the one hand, Barack Obama, and the other, Sarah Palin from the presidency are 1) believing you are better than most Americans and 2) not actually being as good as most Americans.
I will vote for neither of them, given another option.
You have a much higher opinion of the average American than I do.
"My feeling is that all her tweets and trips and the TLC exposure is about making her a long-term multi-media star and a very wealthy and influential kingmaker ala Rush Limbaugh."
I certainly think zoosermom would be very excited if Bloomberg ran. She thinks he's just the best!
Sorry, zoosermom, I couldn't resist. All I can say is, if that whiny weiner gets into the fray, I think he will only be admired by those who know nothing of him.
It's funny you posted that. As I was tapping out my "no options" e-mail his name the only one that ran through my head. I don't know enough about him to know if he would be the middle-of-the-road guy that I wish for. Guess I'll have to do some reading...
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Don't make someone in your life a priority when they've made you an option!
The problem is there won't be another option if that comes to pass. I would think that if those two are the candidates it would be a golden opportunity for a middle-of-the-road, fiscally conservative, socially liberal leaning (i.e. libertarian) to run as a viable 3rd party but I really don't see anyone getting their act together to do that. Where is Ross Perot when you really need him?
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Don't make someone in your life a priority when they've made you an option!
The two separate qualities that automatically disqualify, one the one hand, Barack Obama, and the other, Sarah Palin from the presidency are 1) believing you are better than most Americans and 2) not actually being as good as most Americans.
I will vote for neither of them, given another option.
She's not very smart. I think all candidates for public office should be required to take an IQ test. The ability to reason, analyze, and process information for decision-making should be extremely important for a President. IQ tests are reasonably successful in determining which part of the spectrum someone is at.
Unfortunately we don't have similar tests for leadership ability (just past body of work, like organizing communities and such).
I am far from the ruling elite. Just the simple fact that she hasn't shown any qualities that would make me have faith in her. For the record Obama didn't either.
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Don't make someone in your life a priority when they've made you an option!
Quoting Cartera: "As smitten as some are with her, I can't believe the American people would elect a complete fool."/Quote
I don't know...Never overestimate the intelligence of the American public... SP literally walked away from her Alaska gubenatorial commentment, yet there are growing throngs of people who view her as fit for the Oval Office, a job in which much heavier lifting is called for .
Palin has a lot of media savvy, but it seems to me to be all the wrong kind for becoming a serious contender for a presidential nomination. If her ego is that huge, she may listen to the adoring fans who tell her she should run.....but I think wiser heads will prevail. My feeling is that all her tweets and trips and the TLC exposure is about making her a long-term multi-media star and a very wealthy and influential kingmaker ala Rush Limbaugh.
I honestly don't think she's about seeking the actual job of being president, which is a gruelingly hard job and a much more restricted lifestyle than what she is used to.
And I thought I saw an article in which she pointedly said she did not want the RNC job. I'll try to find it and post it.
I have trouble seeing how a person who goes on national TV and calls The GOP 'impotent and limp' ( apparently a favorite phrase of hers) would get any support from the GOP or anyone else besides the fringe. She might run for POTUS as a tea-partier but I would be shocked if she could come close to winning.
But she tends to be very unpredictable, so who knows if she will run or is just stirring up publicity for herself by saying she is considering it.
It would be interesting, to say the least, if she ran. The debates in the primary rounds can be brutal and given that she couldn't even manage to finish out her term as Governor, I would be surprised if she lasted long.
I think people underestimate her. I think she knows she needs to gain respect from the middle, by getting RNC chair, she can fold in the Tea party and get the respect needed from a national level.
I loved Michael Steel when he was LT Gov. I was thrilled when he became RNC chair. Now, I want to distance myself as far as I can because he wasted every opportunity. 4 yrs ago Steel could have been a contender, now, there is just no way.
Palin needs a position like the RNC chair to make herself a contender from a national position. Otherwise, she is a feather weight and in the end, true R's would never let her get the nom.
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Raising a teenager is like nailing Jello to a tree
I don't think she will. I think she is young enough that she is going to take another jumping stone that she will run for.
MICHAEL STEEL's job.
I think she wants to go into the arena. She needs that gravitase with the RNC to be a viable candidate.
I say this because it is rare for an incumbent president to lose re-election, especially in a war time effort. That means 16 is her best chance, not 12.
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Raising a teenager is like nailing Jello to a tree