Sarah Palin: A Good Listener

Sarah among the people she loves -- and who love her

I wrote the following to Karen Allen, who's head of one of my favorite organizations: http://annieoakleypac.org. She and I were talking about the fact that some Sarah Supporters believe she's more conservative than she actually is.

Karen, the issue you and I are discussing is perhaps the most important one facing those of us who back Sarah Palin: It's: How do we attract more voters?

Frankly, some of them will be pro-life. Others will be on the fence, and some will be pro-choice, such as Elaine Lafferty, the former Ms. editor who wrote the piece on Sarah (whom she supporterd) that described Gov. P. as a "feminist" (correct) and a "brainiac" (also correct). The head of the LA Chapter of NOW, Shelley Mandel, famously endorsed Sarah at a rally in Carson, CA.

We must welcome such people into our movement, and we must seek out more of them. We can't just hand every large state (CA, NY, PA, OH, MI, MA) to Obama. We can't prevail with UT, ID, AL, and MS alone. Above all, we can't ask Gov. Palin to run a race that she cannot win.

One of my favorite professional football coaches has said, "In pro football, there are NO MORAL VICTORIES." I believe the same is true of high-level politics. If a candidates doesn't believe he or she can win -- and doesn't have a credible plan to do so -- then someone else should run.

In the campaign, Sen. McCain's staff basically pulled out of Michigan, the kind of state Republicans must win. Gov. Palin opposed that move. She recognized that McCain was waving a white flag.

She also understood that people in Michigan (and we could add Ohio and Pennsylvania) are HER people. They aren't the "fat cats" of the GOP past, but rather autoworkers and ordinary Americans from all walks fo life.

In the heavily unionized PA county where I live (Beaver County), Democrats outnumber Republicans by two-to-one. However, McCain-Palin carried the county by 4,000 votes. We need to understand why this county ended up loving and admiring Sarah Palin.

We have a government "of, by, and for the people." It's not the obligation of political leaders to give the people marching orders. That reverses the process the Founding Fathers had in mind.

The most imporant tool any political leader has -- and Gov. Palin possesses it in abundance -- is the ability to LISTEN. We need to believe that she will respond to what she hears.

Sarah: "I'm One of You"

I've strongly recommended that Sarah's slogan in the presidential race of 2012 should be: "I am ONE of YOU."

Sarah Palin has libertarian, conservative, and populist elements -- and particularly the latter. The Alaska Constitution is a populist document, indicating for example that the resources should be developed for the benefit of the people. Her motto in Alaska is: "Serve the People!"

Sarah has been a member of a union (broadcast journalists) and her husband currently is, as will be her son-in-law. I believe the reason she wanted to stay and campaign in Michigan -- and go into auto plants -- was because she identifies much more with autoworkers than she does with the heads of GM and Ford.

I spoke to more than 100 union members in Beaver County, PA, who were bucking the union bosses and voting for Sarah Palin. At the Palin Really in Beaver, PA, dozens of UMW people were there wearing their "Clean Coal" hard hats. She realizes those people are the new face of the Republican Party in our time. The Sarah Coalition is an extremely diverse group, more diverse in fact than Obama's.

More than 100,000 union members in PA apparently backed McCain-Palin. She wants their votes -- and their needs are critically important to her. They know she is one of them.

I've strongly recommended that Sarah's slogan in the presidential race of 2012 should be: "I am One of You." In fact, she is one of us.

She is not anti-gay. In fact, one of the first groups that endorsed her -- I asked them to -- was GayPatriotWest, the most important gay conservative group on the Web.

On abortion, she's said she doesn't believe in criminalizing it, looking at it much more as matter of conscience, education, and adoption than of legal restrictions. Most people in America agree that there should be fewer abortions and more adoptions. That should be the goal, rather than to engage in a Second Civil War.

Sarah Palin knows that a politician who disagrees strongly with public sentiment is known as . . . a loser. The people rule, and the effective politicians are very good listeners, as Sarah is.

She knows that "politics is the art of the possible." Some of my fellow conservatives, alas, seem to see it as the art of the impossible. Sarah understands that to win elections, it's critical to get many more votes than we did in November from younger people, Asians, Native Americans, women, and, especially, Hispanics. We will not get their votes by irritating them.

Older white males -- I happen to be one -- are fine, but they aren't nearly enough to prevail in a national election (or, apparently, in most statewide elections). Thus, Gov. Palin understands that politics deals with "The World as it is, not as we'd like it to be." I'm very comfortable with that view.

Sarah Palin and "Journalistic Integrity"

People like John Roberts of CNN's "American Morning" are to journalistic integrity something like Hugh Hefner is to marital fidelity.


Recently, John Roberts of CNN interviewed Joseph Wurzelbacher ("Joe the Plumber"), who has written a book on his recent experiences. The media generally doesn't like "Joe's" book, apparently because he's critical of Sen. McCain (which confuses mainstream journalists) and supportive of Gov. Palin.

Of course, Joe has also been critical of the media, which may resent the fact that Joe revealed more about Obama's tax plan in five minutes than the self-proclaimed journalists did in five months.I
n the interview, Joe criticized the MSM for coming after HIM rather than enquiring into Obama's positions. Basically, he suggested the media was a horde out to get anyone who might be critical of The Chosen One.

John Roberts was taken aback. In a major huff, he indicated that Joe, in this comments on the media, had "impugned [his] journalistic integrity."

I laughed when I heard that. John Roberts, a standard Washington/New York liberal, is to journalistic integrity as Hugh Hefner is to marital fidelity. In the campaign, he never resisted the opportunities either to fire zingers at McCain and Palin or to defend Obama and the hapless Biden. Apparently, that kind of political water-carrying is what Roberts regards as "integrity."

Joe the Plumber had penetrated the media sanctum, one reserved for human talking-points like Paul Begala, James Carville, and Donna Brazille. They all respect Robert's "journalistic integrity," although in truth they have no idea what the term means.

Joe the Plumber had seized an opportunity denied to most (of us) who would be critical of the press and their coverage of any political issue. In general, the media only wants people present who are one of them. That way they never need to answer any embarrassing questions.

When Katie Couric ("the little rodent," as Don Imus called her) asked Sarah Palin what newspapers and magazines she read, we all know the "correct" answer: "Well, Katie, I read the NY Times and the Wash Post regularly, along of course with Newsweek and Time and, from time to time, the London Economist and The Wall Street Journal."

In my case, the answer, a truthful one, I would have given Katie was: "I don't read any of them. Why should I? What would they have to tell me that I can't find out from the Internet and other sources?"

Katie Couric probably regards CBS News the way John Roberts does CNN, as an indispensable news source. However, very few people watch CBS News, they having detected that Edward R. Murrow is long gone.But if CBS and CNN are really indispensable (like the auto industry and AIG), we might soon expect a government bailout to keep them afloat in a world that increasingly wishes they would sink to the bottom of the sea.

(Tomorrow: Should Republicans in the era of Obama really seek out Black votes?)

How Palin Can Defeat Obama

Note: Scroll down to the previous column for important information about Bristol Palin and her newborn son, as well as fascinating comments by Bristol and Sarah Palin.

Sarah Palin blows a kiss to fans during a rally in Kissimmee, Fla., on October 26. (Burbank/Orlando Sentinel/MCT)

It's absolutely crucial that the Palin Campaign in 2011/2012 not be run by the usual suspects, Party hacks whose commitment to Sarah (as we saw in the McCain effort) would be limited, while their commitment to themselves (their miserable "careers") would be limitless.

There are many things that must be done. Some hard questions (how exactly do we win?) will require answers. That will be the main emphasis in this blog: outlining practical steps that will raise money and build support for Sarah Palin in her quest to become the nation's 45th President.

Also, there must be mechanisms in place to raise money and to combat the Obama-Axelrod smear machine. As we learned in 2008, "TeamObama," including its media allies, will stop at nothing in their efforts to defame Gov. Palin and her family.

I'd suggest everyone read Joe Trippi's "The Revolution Will Not be Televised." Trippi is an awful writer, but he was the driving force behind the Howard Dean Money Tree. Another book that I found really helpful was the biography of Lee Atwater (titled "Bad Boy").

My personal goal is to help create momentum that will make Sarah unstoppable in getting the nomination and an even-money choice for the presidency. One important way you can help to that end is to join TeamSarah, the biggest and most active of the Palin groups. Bloggers should join the ReadMyLipstick group.

I believe Sarah has every intention of seeking the presidency in 2012. To help her achieve that goal, we would need to have an army of supporters -- real activists -- in place by 2011. We can't do the usual Republican thing of running around at the last minute begging people for money and volunteer help. We begin the process of defeating Obama now, or we might as well not attempt it at all.

The more we look like we can win, the easier it will be to raise money and get ground-game volunteers. People love the smell of victory.

Sarah, Bristol on Bristol's Child

December 31, 2008, Anchorage, Alaska – Governor Sarah Palin has welcomed her first grandchild, Tripp Easton Mitchell Johnston, born to Bristol Palin and Levi Johnston on December 27.

“We are over the moon with the arrival of this healthy, beautiful baby,” Governor Palin said. “The road ahead for this young couple will not be easy, but nothing worthwhile is ever easy. Bristol and Levi are committed to accomplish what millions of other young parents have accomplished, to provide a loving and secure environment for their child. They are both hard workers, they’re very strong, and have faith they’ve made the right decision in setting aside their own interests to make this child their highest priority.”

Palin added, “When Bristol and Levi first told us the shocking news that she was pregnant, to be honest, we all at first looked at the situation with some fear and a bit of despair. Isn’t it just like God to turn those circumstances into such an amazing, joyful blessing when you ask Him to help you through?”

Bristol Palin said she “obviously discourages” teen pregnancy and knows that plans she previously made for herself will now forever be changed. “Teenagers need to prevent pregnancy to begin with – this isn’t ideal. But I’m fortunate to have a supportive family which is dealing with this together. Tripp is so perfectly precious; we love him with all our hearts. I can’t imagine life without him now.”

Bristol begins her final semester of high school next week where she’ll get her last credit needed to graduate. She looks forward to continuing her record of good grades and high achievement. Levi is continuing his online high school work in addition to working as an electrical apprentice on the North Slope.

Bill McAllister, the governor’s office communications director, adds: "The governor's office previously declined to comment to honor the family's wishes that the event remain as private as possible. However, the high volume of press inquiries, along with some erroneous information that was published, prompted the governor to make a statement.

http://community.adn.com/adn/node/136120

Conservatives: Listen to Sarah Palin

On November 4, 2008, the conservative movement in America suffered devastating defeats. Almost invariably, the more conservative candidates lost, and the more liberal types won.

What do the American people owe those of us in the conservative camp? A one word answer: nothing.

Instead, we owe them the responsibility not to make adherence to conservatism sound like a visit to the dentist. Conservative principles (limited government, unlimited opportunities) are fine, but we must articulate them in a way that makes them appealing to most voters.

Instead, we sometimes come across as saying, "You don't have a job or health care? Tough luck!" That's not an approach that will work anymore, if it ever did.

The world has changed in my lifetime. Robert Frost's "The Death of the Hired Man" talks about family being, in essence, the place where they have to take you in when you show up in need.

Increasingly, it seems families (and communities) don't take care of each other -- or even talk to one another. Thus, people feel more vulnerable -- and are perhaps more fearful -- than they were in my childhood. "If the economy has grown so much, why am I not happier and more secure?" As our national wealth (GDP) grew dramatically, so did the poll numbers saying people believed we were heading in the wrong direction.

McCain-adviser Phil Gramm observed that we had become "a nation of whiners." That didn't go over well, and it shouldn't have. It was conservatism at its worse.

In conservative circles, the "dirty little secret" about Sarah Palin is that she has populist tendencies. (Reagan did also.) We do have a government "of, by, and for the people," so we'd better pay attention to them.

The Alaska Constitution says the resources of the state belong not to the oil companies but to the people. How novel. How "Palinesque."

Gov. Palin's motto is "Serve the People!" It's not "Serve only the people like us." Americans, even those who don't vote for the Governor, have to know that she understands them, will listen to their concerns, and wants to serve their needs.

I've suggested Sarah's campaign slogan in 2012 should be "I'm One of You." In fact, she is, and that's why she has a good chance of becoming President.

Sarah, Todd Palin Now Grandparents

Bristol Palin with finance Levi Johnston at the Republican National Convention. Photo by: huck Kennedy / MCT / Landov

Bristol Palin sitting with baby brother Trig in her lap and next to sister Piper. Congratulations to Bristol on the birth of a healthy son, Tripp Johnston.

Bristol Palin, the 18-year-old daughter of former Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin, gave birth on Sunday to a healthy 7 lb., 4 oz., baby boy in Palmer, Alaska.

"We think it's wonderful," said Colleen Jones, the sister of Bristol's grandmother Sally Heath, who confirmed the news. "The baby is fine and Bristol is doing well. Everyone is excited."

The baby's name is Tripp Easton Mitchell Johnston, according to Jones.Baby Tripp takes his surname from his dad, Levi Johnston, an apprentice electrician and former Wasilla High School hockey player who has been dating Bristol for three years.

Bristol Palin is currently residing in Wasilla and completing her high-school diploma through correspondence courses.

Johnston is studying to become an electrician. He told the Associated Press in October that he and fiancée Bristol plan to wed in 2009 and raise the child together.

Bristol, the eldest of Sarah and Todd Palin's three daughters (the couple also have two sons), made headlines with her pregnancy last summer, shortly after Republican presidential candidate John McCain picked the Alaska governor to be his running mate on his party's ticket.

In a statement at the time, Bristol’s parents said their daughter "came to us with news that we as parents knew would make her grow up faster than we had ever planned." They added, Bristol "has our unconditional love and support."

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20245389,00.html