Finally got around to reading the McGinnis book on Palin. Wow.

[proud2BlibKansan]

I thought I had paid attention and knew pretty much all I needed to know about her. But there is so much more in this book. Of course, she is just an image who McGinnis says engages in bumper sticker politics because she's not smart enough to go any deeper. But the thing that surprised me the most in the book was the number of people in her home town and in her inner circle who just can't stand her anymore. I think I understand why she didn't run for president this year. She would have had a hard time putting a campaign team together. She has burned far too many bridges. The GOP establishment isn't supportive of her at all, she's completely turned off her base in Alaska and even her close friends are talking about her negatives.

Good read. I'd highly recommend it.

[spanone]

1. ah, but faux news still loves sarah, the annointed one

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. I'd argue that most of our media has given her a LOT of leeway.

Way too much in fact.

One story McGinnins tells is about her book tour for Going Rogue in fall of 2010. She took her baby, who was 2 and her youngest daughter. He said she got off the bus, handed the baby to the ten year old, who dropped him down on the asphalt parking lot, where he crawled around in the trash and broken glass. Media was all over the place focusing on Sarah and had to have noticed this baby on the ground. But of course that story was never mentioned. It's always all about Sarah.

[LynneSin]

3. I can see why she gave up running for governor

I strongly suspect she wouldn't have gotten past the GOP Primaries.

Alaskans don't like being made a joke. They may have voted for her one time but that old adage 'Fool me once shame on you Fool me Twice shame on me' applies here

[HopeHoops]

5. Then there's the shrub's version of that adage.

[proud2BlibKansan]

6. I think it was an ethics investigation

Had she stayed in office, she would have been up to her eyeballs in depositions, etc. And she HAD definitely violated several laws as well as lied to investigators. So she quit to avoid being impeached.

[RadiationTherapy]

4. Nonono. She's SMART enough NOT to go any deeper. Bumper sticker politics is what many people want.

I believe the internet will make this less prominent over time because accurate, easy-to-access information will have to be deliberately avoided in order to continue with abbreviated thinking, but for now, I think we are at some sort of apex when it comes to sloganeering.

[proud2BlibKansan]

7. I used to believe that she was smart

But after reading the McGinnis book, I don't believe that anymore.

[RadiationTherapy]

9. I am not saying she is smart. I am saying she knows her audience.

She is a performer.

[HeiressofBickworth]

8. She didn't run

because if she had declared herself a candidate, she would have come under federal campaign finance laws. She counts on her "fame" to get money for speaking engagements. Money she has to declare as income, but doesn't come under federal campaign laws. She's in it for the money -- always was, always will be.

[proud2BlibKansan]

10. Exactly.