Sarah Palin must go, conservative columnist Kathleen Parker opines

This just in: Sarah Palin has NOT given up her spot of the Republican presidential ticket.

Nor do we expect her to.

But we broach the prospect simply because a nationally syndicated conservative columnist, Kathleen Parker, has called for Palin to do exactly that.

Parker's piece showed up at midday Friday on the National Review website (you don't get much more conservative than that) and since then has generated lots of buzz (and been picked up, not surprisingly, by lots of liberal blogs).

The columnist, who resides in South Carolina and posts regularly at Townhall.com (another conservative outlet), was high on Palin earlier this month in the immediate aftermath of her selection as John McCain's running mate.

In a commentary following Palin's boffo speech at the Republican National Convention, Parker wrote that the Alaska governor had shown "strength, conviction, determination, confidence, a willingness to rumble and fearlessness."

Now, in the wake of Palin's less-than-well-received Q & A with Katie Couric of CBS, Parker writes:

No one hates saying that more than I do. Like so many women, I’ve been pulling for Palin, wishing her the best, hoping she will perform brilliantly. I’ve also noticed that I watch her interviews with the held breath of an anxious parent, my finger poised over the mute button in case it gets too painful. Unfortunately, it often does. My cringe reflex is exhausted. Palin filibusters. She repeats words, filling space with deadwood. Cut the verbiage and there’s not much content there.

Parker, who if nothing else has increased her visibility, concludes her column with her call for Palin to "bow out [of the national race] for personal reasons, perhaps because she wants to spend more time with her newborn."

Those on the left with a conspiratorial bent may wonder if the latest developments in the Palin saga are part of a hidden effort to create an environment in which she can't help but exceed expectations in her Thursday debate with Joe Biden.

-- Don Frederick

Photo credit: Associated Press

Comments

[Anna]

I feel sorry for Sarah.

[Tex...]

Sarah PLEEEZZE don't go!
You crack me up with your shallow stupidity.

Don't BLINK! Whatever you do...just keep opening that sweet little uneducated mouth.

Your doing former beauty queens evrywhere very proud!

[AndrewP in WA]

There is no conspiracy. The Right is indeed trying to lower and lower and lower expectations for Sarah Palin's debate against Sen. Biden. Without any place to go but up, all Gov. Palin has to do is keep from setting the podium on fire, and she wins. Sen. Biden had better be ready and sharp, or he might be viscerated by her win at all costs approach. Do not underestimate her appeal. She has that Reagan-esque quality that says, "I don't care about her position on the issues, I just like her." The American public is just that gullible. Keep hope alive and watch out. We Dems have a lot of work to do.

[frieda]

I have seen her debate with Alaska's ex governor and she is completely different than what I have see so far through these interviews...

Are they intentionally coaching her to be like that? this is NOT Palin I know in Alaska

[coatesmoe]

I thought the Bush act was hard to follow. Now we have McCain and Palin as top clown act. Is there no one out there looking out for the USA.

[Jenn]

You feel sorry for Sarah Palin because she is under-educated, under-prepared, and constantly in a position to do nothing but embarrass herself? Of course, she doesn't even have an advanced degree beyond her undergraduated degree (that took five school changes to accomplish), so how could we expect her to speak particularly intelligently on such a high level? I only feel sorry for her that she was not smart enough to turn down the position.

[judithod]

Parker judges Palin too harshly. Palin has been the object of derision by the mainstream media and has been submitted to far more vetting than Obama over the course of his 20-month campaign. I believe Palin is getting her bearings in dealing with the media as well as with the national attention. After all, she's only been in the spotlight since the Republican convention. What is more concerning is Biden's stupid gaffes. For a man who's been in D.C. forever and is supposedly savvy, he's demonstrated an amazing ignorance about the Democrats' platform and Obama's positions.

[Blondshag]

What is the media's problem?

Do you really believe that Palin is going to tell you everything that she plans to talk about before her debate happens. No indeed.

When Palin has her debate ~~ America will truly see just what Palin is made of. Palin will eat Biden alive and I hope that she does.

GO----PALIN!!!!!!
GO----MCCAIN!!!!!!!!

TIME FOR MCCAIN AND PALIN TO REFORM WASHINGTON'S CORRUPT GOVERNMENT!

[Della Halper]

I wish Kathleen Parker and the rest of her ilk would just keep their opinions to themselves. It used to be that women from the South were polite. I just wish Kathleen Parker were a Democrat. Then her egotistic rude and totally unappreciated statements would be expected. You know Kathleen, it's not too late to change parties.
I mean this kindly. Sincerely, Dr. Della

[Anthony]

Will Andrew Malcolm replace her?

[palintologist]

this is the george w bush strategy. set expectations below 0 and come out semi coherent and people will applaud her because they want her to succeed. she's got a growing fansite. i even saw a website called http://www.womenwholooklikeSarahPalin.com .. she'll run for president in 2012. This is a repeat of the reagan revolution, folks.

[Jeff in Florida]

I have been thinking for a couple days now that (seriously folks) there is no way she is as stupid as she is presenting herself. She can't be! So, t his leads me to the idea that some others are starting to embrace that perhaps this has all been an act to date. What is not being said is that if this is the case, SHE could be the October surprise that may put McCain in the driver's seat come November 4th.

[Dean Smith--Palm Desert, California---USA]

Sarah Palin has betrayed feminism. She has a husband, children, and a career, and has accomplished all this without a Government Program, without crying on Oprah, and without gaining 40 pounds. No wonder feminists feel inadequate. And-oh-by-the-way, have you noticed the "Man-Glow" constantly surrounding Todd Palin.
SARAH ROCKS!!!

[Linda]

How anyone can believe that a McSame/Palin ticket will "reform" Washington must have a few screws loose. On the one hand we have a wrinkled old white man who has loooooong been a VERY PART of the corruption and on the other, an inexperienced, uneducated nitwit.

Bring intelligent leadership back to the White House - Obama/Biden!

[James]

[i]"Parker judges Palin too harshly. Palin has been the object of derision by the mainstream media and has been submitted to far more vetting than Obama over the course of his 20-month campaign."[/i]

We're in serious trouble if the average American voter sees the through the lenses that [B]judithod[/B] is wearing. To say that Palin has been subject to more vetting than Obama is, at best, wishful thinking or revisionist history. At worst, this kind of thinking is delusional and void of reasonable judgment and common sense. Sorry, but Parker is not judging Palin too harshly; I'm glad that conservative columnists and others are finally saying what is becoming painfully obvious to millions of Americans and the world community: Sarah Palin should not be a heartbeat away from the presidency.

The reckless judgment that McCain has shown by selecting Palin as his running mate may have excited his base of right-wing conservatives and evangelicals, but it is anything but "country first." This decision alone, to say nothing of his negative campaign and bizarre, erratic behavior, is reason enough for American voters to reject them on Election Day. In my wildest imagination I didn't think that any pair could be more disastrous to the United States than Bush/Cheney. Well, my friends, we're looking at it when we see McCain/Palin.

[jack]

I was on the fence before McCain selected Palin but now I am no longer on the fence. What could he possibly have been thinking? I could never vote for him now, though I am hardly an Obama supporter but after showing such poor judgement by selecting Palin I don't trust his ability to make better decisions as President. He has no chance of winning the election after his decision to select Palin as his running mate. I have nothing against a woman running and winning a Presidential election but she is out of her league. Why didn't he select Condoleeaza Rice - now that would have been a winning ticket. Palin needs to step down and NOW. She can't even hold her own in an interview with Katie Coruc.

[DoBo]

Couric: You've cited Alaska's proximity to Russia as part of your foreign policy experience. What did you mean by that?

Sarah Palin: That Alaska has a very narrow maritime border between a foreign country, Russia, and, on our other side, the land-boundary that we have with Canada. It's funny that a comment like that was kinda made to … I don't know, you know … reporters.

Couric: Mocked?

Palin: Yeah, mocked, I guess that's the word, yeah.

Couric: Well, explain to me why that enhances your foreign-policy credentials.

Palin: Well, it certainly does, because our, our next-door neighbors are foreign countries, there in the state that I am the executive of. And there…

Couric: Have you ever been involved in any negotiations, for example, with the Russians?

Palin: We have trade missions back and forth, we do. It's very important when you consider even national security issues with Russia. As Putin rears his head and comes into the air space of the United States of America, where do they go? It's Alaska. It's just right over the border. It is from Alaska that we send those out to make sure that an eye is being kept on this very powerful nation, Russia, because they are right there, they are right next to our state.

[Ann]

I was thinking the same thing for a while now. She should bow out.

But after McCain's debate, I don't want him in the White House anymore than her. Forget replacing her. I think he's deceitful and obvious in his evasiveness and overbearing. I thought he was lying too often. And he spoke over the other guy when he reminded McCain of some of his own doings. Like saying "the fundimentals of the Economy are strong" (which he previously said he ment the American Worker. Please. We are breaking our backs to keep up with things.
He didn't want that to be heard so he spoke over it.
Then He said "who would vote against clean renewable energy", after it was just said that HE did...twenty something times!
Where is there content here? Cover ups and empty lines.

so he kept a seemingly calm demeaner when he lied about the other guy. Just make things up as you go, "the great unwashed" don't know, not after all we have fallen for already-- I hope that they can see through this and wise up as I have. The country is at stake here.

[Claudette]

Shame on you, no better than your Holllywood counterparts.

Sarah is wonderful, you are not.

[gg]

I know you all want to comment on specific stories, and that’s cool. However, I just wanted to give you something to think about. In this election, I decided to seek alternative news sources to see what other people are saying. In that quest, I decided to go to Fox News. What a joke. I know, I should have known better, but seeing the whole picture is important. My experience with Fox News is that it’s a waste of time. They only publish their own viewpoint, they refuse to publish any comments to stories that oppose their own beliefs, they censor all comments, and they are completely prejudiced in their reporting. Seek alternative views on any other source than Fox News. Don’t waste your time. What a joke!! And who really cares about Palin. I have said from beginning, she is a side show, she is insignificant in this campaign. Flash, over. noone cares

[Eric Dondero]

Of course. Why should we be surprised. Sarah Palin is a libertarian Republican. Conservatives have long been suspicious of us libertarians in the GOP. Palin is one of the highest ranking elected libertarians in the entire Nation, right up there with Idaho Gov. Butch Otter, AZ Cong. Jeff Flake, and California's Tom McClintock, each one of whom make staid and stodgy Conservatives very nervous at times. Ditto for libertarian Republican Sarah Palin. Of course, some Conservatives are going to bash her.

[Kate]

Well she really does not seem qualified at all to be in the VP slot. For the republican party to want to win so bad I am really surprised at this pick. She is nice no question, good for Alaska but a step away from President during this time - No way.

[Patty Z]

The republican party is seeing that she is not ready.

[Richard]

I say Kathleen should be the one to go!

Just who is she anyway? I mean really?

Hang tough Sarah!

Take a hike Kathleen!

[richard schumacher]

Selecting Palin is part of McCain's secret plan to destroy the religious ultra-conservative wing of the Republican Party. They will follow her over a cliff. McCain doesn't actually care much whether he gets elected President.

[David]

To any thoughtful person, Palin's performance in the Couric interview was shockingly poor. Much of it was incoherent, a sign of person way over her head. Kathleen Parker's conclusion is based on a fair and reasonable appraisal of Palin. What is even more shocking to me is that anyone could come to Palin's defense.

[geek]

Governor Palin brought this upon herself. After being flattered to be asked, she should have known better than to say yes.

Senator Mc Cain showed poor judgement for asking her.

It is abundantly clear she not only is lacking the background, but cannot think on her feet. This has noting to do about her being a regular mom or from a small town. I know numerous women who are smart, can speak intelligently about the economy, national security, human rights.

Senator Mc Cain's famous shoot from the hip is a real problem and Governor Palin is just the poster child.

[jay]

Any candidate, of protected class status or not (this includes but is not limited to age and gender) who is put up as candidate, riding on one or another characteristic alone, can not be fit for the job. We've had too many miscreants from the Republican party this last quarter century and there is no sign they have a suitable candidate. Crooks, actors, drunks & puppets. Now they give us the old ring leader and his lovely assistant. Just smile honey, the camera loves ya.

[boone]

palin will destroy old joey boy

[Phil]

So here it goes... if Palin fell apart in an interview with Couric.. how well do you think she'll do against Biden.. C'mon AMERICA.. are we that ignorant to vote for this GOP ticket? Haven't we had enough with George W..aka BOZO for the last 8 years??? WAKE UP to something called "reality". The realiity of us losing our homes, losing our jobs and breaking our backs in the process? McBush & PingPONG Palin will drive the country down without even thinking twice about it. Shame on them!

I am a registered REPUBLICAN and feel so embarrassed for this McBush-Palin who are no better than a pair of clowns!

[P. Scott Cummins]

The tactics involved in presidential politics are fascinating. The fundamentalism in liberal dogma dominating the news media similarly amazes all of those not caught up in the groupthink of comradeship which marks its quaint decline. All I can say is, "you go" L.A. Times and "you go" Sarah Palin! See you in January!

[John R.]

It's Sarah Palin and her Thoughts to Nowhere!

As an Obama supporter, I hope she doesn't drop out. She's the albatross around John McCain's neck.

[Joe Shea]

Well, there's a precedent or two in dumping a VP pick before the election - Tom Eagleton, for one. But Palin, unprepared and unable to lead as she is, may be better than second choice. A lot of the right wing is touting Mitt Romney, but I wish we coul;d publicly dissect Bain Capital Mgmt. and its venture capital clients and see what has happened there in the past year or two. The right might feel differently - they might feel wrong.

[bse5150]

I am voting for Sarah because she supports what I believe in - God, Guns, American Oil, Restrictions on Abortion, Less Government, and a Strong Defense. Which is the exact opposite of Obama. Simple as that.

[Andy Bradshaw]

It looks like she wants to become this year's David Brock and broaden her readership.

Parker is in a tough business and "I was a conservative werewolf" books do sell rather well.

Look for her on the board of Media Matters this time next year.

[olive]

She had 2-3 weeks to come up with a better answer (about Russia) that everyone joked about--surely she had to have known it would come up in Katie Couric's interview. It baffles me why no one in McCain's camp gave her something intelligent to say. I used to like McCain, but by his choice of a running mate, which obviously was made for reasons other than what's best for the US, my opinion of him has plummeted. I've never voted , but the possibility of this woman running the country scares the crap out of me- I registered immediately. If they win, she won't have the executive power Cheney has created for the VP office, she'll be used like Dan Quale, sent off to visit elementary schools, teaching children how not to spell potato.

[Ward Collins]

jJealousy. Sarah Palin is above the trash of the media . Katie is a has been and Sarah is the new kid on the block. Get over it. She is getting too much attention from the ones that count and it is showing by the trash written.

[Ken Haynes]

I cannot believe those people who are supporting Sarah Palin. Not only is she an albatross around John McCain's neck, but also a disgrace to the American people. The eyes of the entire world are focused on this presidential election, God help us if the Mcain/Palin ticket is elected, and something happens to Senator McCain, leaving Palin as our President. This person is not qualified to be a Vice-Presidential candidate. WAKE UP AMERICA. We are to great of a nation for this foolishness!

[John]

I would expect nothing less than bashing on Palin from you gays there in LA. You are just a bunch of back door pokin, baby killin, illegal loving, bastards!

[jaydeeay]

I agree. I support Sarah also because she's totally in line with my beliefs as well.

#1 GOD (Obama doesn't actually believe in god, he just says so)
#2 Shooting animals with Guns (Obama wants stricter gun control) Criminals have a right to shoot animals just like anyone else. Gun control is a violation of their constitutional rights
#3 NO on abortion (killing babies is just wrong! PERIOD!)
#4 Shooting other people with guns in other countries so I can continue living my American way of life
#5 Less Government (but more patriot act please)
#6 American Oil (American oil execs don't have enough money)

Go Palin!

[Bonnie Mckee]

How can America , or the world for that matter , allow an ecological terror , to be placed in power . Wake up people , the Earth is not as big as you think .

[notbad]

Sarah Palin is not stupid. That is entirely unfair for everyone to say. She is however, inarticulate, ignorant on a number of issues, under-prepared, and over her head. For people to accuse her of being stupid is just cruel and unjustified. How many of you are qualified to be president? Does that make you stupid? Are you even qualified for a superior position in whatever line of work you're in? C'mon people.

[Middle Class American]

How can someone as vapid as Gov, Palin possibly be the tough leader able to make the tough choices we need in hard economic times like now? How patronizing to all Americans that people who know better within the GOP chose her to represent the party. The only thing worse than Palin's candidancy would be a, God forbid, Palin presidency, gasp! To all those who think we're in trouble now, the prospect of Palin as POS is chilling and possibly one of the signs of a coming apocalypse, given McCain's health issues and our current economic hard times, isn't this what Nero supposedly did. Are we witnessing our own demise as a people and country?

[steve rodriguez]

Like Barrack is always on the top of his game? He mentioned that the US had 57 states earlier, and introduced the next President as Joe Bidden. "Senator Obama you mentioned Sarah Palin, I know Sarah Palin, Sarah Plain is my friend, and no Senator Obama you're no Sarah Palin, she has much more experience than you!"

[steve rodriguez]

What's wrong with Sarah Palin? Absolutely nothing! Sarah believes in God, family and country! She is youthful and a great model for a next generation of American leaders!

[jefflz]

Can anyone honestly stand up and say that Palin is ready to be Vice President? She has made a complete fool of herself in her conversation with Couric. Her responses were garbled, at times incoherent talking points that she had tried to memorize but they were often not even relevant to the question. Palin supporters: If you are not a trained public speaker and have a poor education does that mean Palin is ready for national office because she is like you? Don't we need the best qualified people to run our country, not our next door neighbors? McCain is making a mockery of this election. His "debate is off/now its on" stunt and his choice of Palin are proof positive of McCain's shoot-from-the-hip lack of judgment. We must reject the McCain/Palin ticket as a matter of national security if nothing else.

[John Quimby]

John McCain's medical records and his history of aggressive and re-occurring cancer become relative right about now...

[Alex Olusegun]

Anyone who votes for McCain and Palin is stupid. They would vote for Bush if he could run again. These people are stupid, ignorant and gullible. They're like sheep.

[Bing]

The more I have learned about Palin, the more worried I have become. In spite of her charm, she is ill-informed and lacks intellectual quality. Meeting heads of several foreign states at UN is a silly plot to prepare her for foreign affairs. I'd rather see her tell us something about her opinion or ideas on American foreign policy. All this photo op at UN seems to make her loook shallow.

[shelly]

OMG!! I thought Sarah Pallin scared me - nothing compared to reading thru these comments!! C'mon people, wake up and smell the coffee!! You Pallin lovers do you really want a person in control that bans library books and has good state employees fired for personal vendettas??!! This is not rational - these are character flaws and lack of maturity!! Do you really want this woman with the national security codes??! Do you want someone so closed-minded that she believes her way is the Only Way and has no problem pushing that on the rest of us?? Do you really want someone who said 'yes' to her own ego and self-aggrandizement over raising her children??! Do you really think anyone, male or female, should do this job with young children at home?? This is not your normal 9 to 5 folks - even Chelsea Clinton and Amy Carter had a tough time dealing with amazingly busy parents - and they were older than Sarah Pallin's youngest two! I too believe in God, guns and babies, and yet I also believe that we all have the right to not believe if we so choose - that, folks, is what makes us Americans - and not the Taliban!!