A little-noticed private curtain call for Sarah Palin after defeat

Sarah Palin, the 44-year-old governor of Alaska who burst onto the nation's political scene Aug. 29 with her selection as the first woman on a presidential ticket in the Republican Party's 164-year history, quietly walked off the Phoenix stage with her running mate, John McCain, last night after his concession speech. (See the complete text here.)

But a little while later, the rest of the country's attention was focused on Barack Obama's speech on Chicago's lakefront (see complete text here)

Thanks to the sharp eyes of The Times' Seema Mehta, Palin and her large, extended family were spotted walking back out onto the Biltmore Hotel's expansive lawn to what would have been the victory celebration site.

There, where McCain had graciously conceded shortly before, the Palin family posed with one another in front of the large U.S. flag hanging as the backdrop. A couple of dozen people nearby began chanting, "2012, 2012, 2012."

Palin smiled and waved. Was this the start of something? Or the end?

--Andrew Malcolm

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Photo credit: Jim Watson / AFP/ Getty Images

Comments

[Richard Lyons]

Palin slides into the shadows to be a mere footnote to history. If her fans don't get it, I'll tell you, she never was,
nor ever will be Qualified to be VP, let alone President. Her cutesy winks and "you betcha" define her as a Light Weight Air Head from start to finish. Go home to Alaska & Skin A Moose. The National Stage is too small for you to stand on it. Good Bye.

[Dayahka]

Palin speaks in a way suggesting that English is not her native language; her English is terrible. When she speaks, you can find no train of thought or logic, just a jumble of words suggesting that she is illiterate and uneducated--or has no mind behind her mouth. Then what she has to say is pure nonsense, thoughtless drivel. That she is governor of Alaska shows how low their standards are there; that McCain chose her shows how low McCain's standards are; and to have selected such a bimbo for VP was an insult to Americans and people everywhere. Palin is toast, history, finished. May we never hear from her again, except maybe just before she is kicked out as governor or is about to enter jail (corrupt and self-centered woman).

[mallory jade]

Sarah Palin's wardrobe $150,000. This picture of Sarah Palin =Priceless!!!

[Trisha M]

It's reassuring that most people saw through Palin. She is the embodiment of every woman I have encountered and eschewed in my life who learned the manipulative, catty, unbecoming lessons a few misguided females posess and use for their self interest. It's the back stage of beauty pagents, yes, a training ground for Sarah. She certainly would be entertaining as a reality show host or some such genre, however. Tyra Banks has competition. Politics is no place for her. Obama has raised the bar where it should be. Lead and inspire by example; with dignity, grace and eloquence.

[mtatom]

You have to admit that she had heart. She didn't ask for the nomination and she did the best she could with what she had--unfortunately, she didn't have that much. The race would probably been closer had she not sounded so ignorant in her interviews with Katie. The fact is she simply isn't ready for such a high office. I almost feel sorry for her. McCain, on the other hand, is just a Bushy clone and only offered more of the same failed attitude toward governing.

[marie]

ah, isn't it wonderful at least for now, that we have the freedom so speak our minds including pointy headed liberals. Governor Palin's end? Ha, it's going to be change you are not gonna believe. Fools

[Adakin Valorem]

Joe says: "Palin was by far the least qualified to ever run for our second highest office..."

Okay Joe, how about looking a bit beyond your 40 years... a quick google search provides the following tidbit regarding VP 'experiance'... or lack of same...

When Coolidge was named to Warren Harding's ticket in 1920, he had been governor of Massachusetts for less than two years. According to the WSJ, aside from a largely powerless stint as lieutenant governor and other smaller legislative posts, his chief previous government experience was as mayor of Northampton, to which he was first elected in 1910 by a Wasilla-like margin of 1,597 to 1,409.

Another year-and-a-half governor to be nominated for the vice presidency was Teddy Roosevelt, although it's true that TR, as a former assistant secretary of the Navy.

Then there is Harry Truman, to whom Mrs. Palin compared herself at the Republican convention. "He had only to open his mouth and his origins were plain," wrote David McCullough in his biography of the 33rd president, in lines that might also have been written about Mrs. Palin. "It wasn't just that he came from a particular part of the country, geographically, but from a specific part of the American experience, an authentic pioneer background, and a specific place in the American imagination."

The Truman comparison seems especially to rankle Mrs. Palin's critics, perhaps because in many respects it rings true. Take vetting. John McCain may have met Mrs. Palin only once before he offered her the job, but Franklin Roosevelt admitted "I hardly know Truman" in July 1944, the same month the "Senator from Pendergast" was put on the Democratic ticket.

Or take foreign policy experience. It's fair to say that Mrs. Palin has none, and the McCain campaign should drop the transparent pretense that Alaska's proximity to Russia, or her nominal responsibility for the state's National Guard, gives her some.

Then again, what did Truman know? "Truman had no experience in relations with Britain or Russia, no firsthand knowledge of Churchill or Stalin," writes Mr. McCullough. "He didn't know his own Secretary of State, more than to say hello. . . . Roosevelt, Truman would tell [daughter] Margaret privately, 'never did talk to me confidentially about the war, or about foreign affairs or what he had in mind for peace after the war.' He was unprepared, bewildered."

[John Carpenter]

The people recklessly blinded by the glittering patina of
Barack Obama's hyperbolic and naively utopian rhetoric
could not be expected to look at Palin objectively. It took her less than a month to do what Obama had worked for almost 30 years--to become a player in national politics.

Most people on this board are probably too young to remember Nixon's enemies shovelling dirt on him after he lost a bid to be California's governor.

NOBODY gets to sit at the desk in the oval office without
making powerful enemies. We saw a flickering moment
of who Obama is behind the shrink-wrap his handlers obsessively employed to kep a leash on Obama's dark side and to insulate from the public.

It was just a flash but in that moment we saw the fangs of the wolf. There was nothing but contempt and rage directed against a citizen from Ohio who had unintentionallymade Obama look flatfooted and duplicitous.

"A dog starving at his master's gate, predicts the ruin of the state."

This is how Obama WILL attempt to neutralize those who threaten him whether it is a man playing football
with his kid or a host interviewing a staffer who plays hardball.

There is a reason why Bill Ayers, Tony Rezco, and Nahdmi Auchi courted Barack Obama.

You can look at the poll numbers until your eyes are crossed and the message seems unequivocal: Obama is a gifted politician sent to the White House by a mandate of Americans.

Shakespeare might see it differently:

"The devil hath power to assume a pleasing shape".

[KenUtah]

Sarah Pallin will slip faster into obscurity than Dan Quayle. Between her and Stevens and the Exxon Valdez, it is hard to determine the greatest Alaskan man-made disaster. Which is too bad...because I genuinely will miss Tina Fey's spot-on impersonations.

[Jeff]

No way this dummy makes it on the ticket in 2012. She has to be the most inept and ill prepared candidate in the last 50 years. Unless republicans want 8 years of Obama, then should run her butt back to Alaska and ask her to stay there.

[Jane Arnold]

The real brains in the Palin family is Todd Palin. Watch his eyes during McCain's concession speech. There was fury but great intelligence, too. I will be deliighted never to see another Palin as long as I live.

[chris sarafian]

The outcome of this election is what it is we all need to live with it and make the best of it .
Don't underestimate Palin . She gave the Republican party an injection of energy.
We will see her Again in 2012 with more power in her punch and better able to take on the Liberal Media
FOX IS WHAT I"LL WATCH!!!!!

[brother dale]

plain and simple, sarah p. IS NOT TO BE.

[Richard Lawrence]

>The Republican Party should make a quiet exit--a permanent one. We have no need for an ol' party anymore.

Are you kidding me? Oh wait, this is a socialist nation now so I guess we better get used to this kind of thinking. Thank you commeonsense for helping me see the light. My god, you people don't even understand America and what its all about...tolerance and freedom. How can that be achieved with a one party system. God save us all.

[Failin' w/ Palin]

Let's see if she really does donate the $150,000 in clothes to charity now that the campaign is over?!

[AmazedCitizen]

I have to confesss 2 things: I voted for McCain/Palin ticket due to my strong moral convictions BUT I am glad they lost.

Sound crazy???!!!! Don't answer this.

[PhlankSpeed]

Perhaps there is a nice community college in Wasilla that offers some basic courses in civics and world history. Sarah should begin her run for national office there.

[tarbubble]

I voted for Obama, but i just have to say: Poor Sarah. She just wasn't ready for this, and she had no idea that she wasn't. She was used as a tool and I hope she finally realized it. I respect how well she stood up under withering criticism. Criticism of policies and positions is fair game, but I genuinely believe she got whipped even harder because she's a conservative woman. She's got to get over her provincialism and become a little more savvy. Hopefully she can go back to Alaska and clean up her act there.

[jim]

Sarah Palin demonstrated her unworthiness for a position of national leadership with her incredibly reckless, ugly campaign. Given how unpopular and divisive she is, we can now add "delusional" to her many striking qualities.

[rural amdericans]

It will be interesting to see if the republicans in America will be like the (Bush deranged) democrats and spend the next 8 years destroying America while they try to destroy Obama.

[MM]

" I hope the Republican leaders heard the message.....give us someone conservative next time!!"

No, that is NOT the lesson. The ticket had it in the right order, moderate on top, conservative as VP. Look at the exit polls - 70% under 30 for Obama, 65% of women, 70% 1st time voters. All very open to either party, many very moderate. You give the most folks want they want - moderation. You give the far right what they want but in a less powerful, less influential position.

Obama won in part because he moved way right from where he started and had it not been for the economy crisis, you'd have seen a toss-up race I believe.

Palin will not win the presidency (unless she moves to the left) but if she becomes a strong Senator could be another great VP choice for someone a bit younger and a more dynamic in 4 or 8 years.

The message is to be moderate yet still energize you entire base.

[lj9283]

Kinda tells you what Alaska Politics is all about:

Convicted felon Ted Stevens re-elected to the Senate.
Governor Sarah Palin accused of unethical behavior by non-partisan panel for using the power of elected office to resolve family vendettas.

We'd be screaming for impeachment, and hiring Ken Starr if they were liberal democrats.

Sarah we love you, ain't gonna miss you.

[MM]

"McCain, on the other hand, is just a Bushy clone and only offered more of the same failed attitude toward governing."

Sigh, and this is simply the uniformed nonsense that many voted on (70% first time voters, 70% under 30, both for Obama).

I'm straing down the middle, pretty much was an undecided until near the end. The ecnomy swayed me but Bush-McCain-Obama were all different. Bush was cut taxes and big government, McCain was cut taxes and slash government, Obama was raise taxes (overall) and increase government. YOu can find PhDs in economics that will support and dismiss all three, but all three are distinct.

If you are curious, my vote was for McCain because I belive the overall tax increase Obama is propsing will stifle the stock market which will stifle middle and upper middle class spending which will cripple the economy. First repair the market.

[azim]

Note To Sarah:
Jesus was a community organiser(among other things)
Pontius Pilate was a governor.
Cheers and God speed to Alaska.

[all americans lose]

THE OLD SAYING "BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR"
WELL ,THE WELLS RUNNING DRY AND THE RICH ARE MOVING THEIR MONEY OFFSHORE . FOR THOSE WHO SOLD THIER VOTE FOR $1,000 BUCKS OR THE FACT HES BLACK, GOOD LUCK ,YOURE NEED IT.
EVERY PERSON WHO DIDNT VOTE FOR OBAMA SHOULD PULL THIER MONEY OUT OF ALL THE BANKS AND INVESTMENTS AND WATCH WHAT HAPPENS.
I NOT LETTING THESE DEMOCRATS PULL ANY MORE MONEY OUT OF MY POCKET! ESPECIALY SINCE I'VE WORKED 35 YEARS FOR IT, NUFF SAID.