TNR: “The Case Against The Case Against Sarah Palin”–UPDATED

by Melissa Clouthier | September 3, 2008 1:34 pm

Via Instapundit[1], Michelle Cottle and Christopher Orr[2] of The New Republic caution Democrats and the media (ah, heck, why do I even bother to separate them?):

Watching Palin operate over the past few years has been like witnessing a dramatic reading of All the King’s Men. In 2002, Murkowski had interviewed but passed over Palin in selecting a replacement for the senate seat he vacated to become governor. In a grand act of nepotism, he chose his own daughter instead. Palin was tossed a bone: She chaired the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, which oversees the production of petroleum in Alaska. When she reported conflicts of interest and other ethical violations by another commissioner, she was ignored by Murkowski’s chief of staff and ultimately resigned in frustration. One can imagine how the quick double dose of corruption–insiders having their way with the polity and its resources–sickened the young Palin. It also fired a savage competitiveness that is not, perhaps, apparent at first glance.

What the Republicans missed about Sarah Palin then–and what the Democrats seem poised to miss now–is that she is a true political savant; a candidate with a knack for identifying the key gripes of the populace and packaging herself as the solution. That keen political nose has enabled her to routinely outperform her resume. Nearly two years into her administration, she still racks up approval ratings of 80 per cent or better.

Thus far, the press-Dem complex hasn’t listened[3] and I don’t think they will, either. Like I said here earlier this week, my admiration for Sarah Palin stems from my discontent with Republicans[4]. The Republicans have squandered way too much good will by being porkers and earmarkers and typical big-government Washington DC insider big-shots, and there are plenty voters who feel they could use some time in the wilderness to clarify their perspective.

Sarah Palin offers voters a way out of that pain. If John McCain and Sarah Palin actually perform based on the reform, small government and libertarian promises, the Republicans can expect power for a good long time.

This is an important election for Republicans. If voters give them the White House in 2008, it’s a chance for redemption. If they don’t redeem themselves, expect pure socialist pain in the form of Democrats running the show for a very, very long time.

Cross-posted at MelissaClouthier.com[5] where I am also looking at how the press is now portraying Palin as a Tabloid Sl*t.[6]

UPDATE: Want to support Governor Palin? Go to ProudOfPalin.com[7]