Going berserk over 'Going Rogue;' Democrats' reaction to Sarah Palin book and publicity

Wow, for somebody who's supposed to be such a political joke, an Arctic ditz and eminently dismissable as a serious anything except maybe a stay-at-home hockey mom, Sarah Palin is sure drawing an awful lot of attention from Democrats and eager critics.

The launch of her "Going Rogue" interviews Monday on "Oprah," of her book today, of her on-air chat today with Rush Limbaugh at 10 a.m. Pacific and of her mid-America bus book tour Wednesday ignited a surprisingly large blizzard of derogatory Democrat dis-missives.

Every few minutes another note from Democratic National Committee operatives and others dropped into electronic mailboxes across the media-verse, helpfully passing on even the tiniest tidbit of negative news about Palin.

You know how sometimes a friend tells you how much he/she doesn't really care about....

...someone else. Really doesn't! And repeats it a sufficient number of times that you become convinced of precisely the opposite?

So maybe she does matter after all.

In ABC interviews to be aired today, Palin says a 2012 presidential bid is "not on my radar," which is Politician for, "We'll see."

One e-mail was headed "Palin's rough year," which overlooked her $1-million-plus book contract, the kind of rough patch even many Obama Democrats wouldn't mind enduring in the current job market.

It contained a quote from respected Republican strategist Mike Murphy about Palin saying: "She’ll have a muscular career as a political celebrity, and she’ll have a voice. I just don’t think that she’s a strong political candidate.”

Accidentally absent from the message was any mention that Murphy was a longtime political intimate and strategist for John McCain, whose feckless 2008 campaign staff comes in for so much criticism in Palin's book.

(BTW, as a historical aside, that bobbling of Palin was noted in this space on Oct. 2, 2008, in an item headlined: "McCain's 'Stop Sarah Palin' strategy working like a charm.")

There was another headline arriving Monday, saying Palin has no political future and attributing that to Bob Schieffer, a newsman at CBS.

That's the TV network that produced the disastrous Palin interviews of 2008 (detailed in Palin's book) and this year's late-night sex joke about an underage daughter of Palin's.

We also received word of a new survey: "Just over half of Americans in a new ABC News/Washington Post poll have an unfavorable opinion of her overall, as many say they wouldn’t consider supporting her for president and more – six in 10 – see her as unqualified for the job."

And early this morning Noel Sheppard reports on a Palin panel that got out of hand last night on CNN.

One of the more interesting but surprisingly not surprising anti-Palin bits came in news from HuffingtonPost, which published word that ex-VP Al Gore's TV channel Current has broadcast a cartoon which says Palin's real Twitter name is "Gun-Ho" and refers to Palin as a TWILF.

That's a play on a crude acronym thrown at Palin during the 2008 campaign, "VPILF." 

The Web item suggested disingenuously that TWILF stood for "Tweep I'd Like to Follow." The F actually stands for another verb we don't choose to publish here. But it is indicative of the vehemence already directed at the conservative female former Alaskan governor. As if some see her developing into a danger before she does.

Palin will have ample opportunity in coming weeks and months to rehab her image and soar into a new political life, at least as a bounteous political fundraiser, or burn out like one of the incoming space rocks in last night's Leonid meteor shower. And there's plenty of time, too, for other Republicans to emerge.

What's very interesting beyond Palin's show biz book-selling promotion is a possible developing change in the way U.S. presidential candidates emerge as new media enables newcomers to become known to voters faster than previously.

All of the last three presidents achieved the White House on their first try. Each of them held another elected office at the time -- two governors and one senator.

However, at the moment, none in the current field of potential Republican candidates -- Palin, Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, Newt Gingrich, and soon Tim Pawlenty -- holds an office, allowing them to raise the multi-millions and collect political chits full-time for a realistic 2012 campaign in which the concept of change to believe in will switch to the GOP side.

That kind of selection process would be more akin to parliamentary democracies like Canada where prominent figures can become political party leaders and then get elected to office and lead the government or opposition.

One thing is certain: The current crop of GOP leadership, both within and without Congress, makes Benadryl seem like a stimulant. Love her or hate her, that chemistry changes this week with the addition of what's-her-name.

-- Andrew Malcolm

Related items:

Sarah Palin's book tour: What to watch for

Sarah Palin's steamy passage about hubby Todd

Sarah's new Twitter account

Video clips of Sarah Palin with Oprah

What's actually in Sarah Palin's book

Palin's roguish book tour schedule details

The secret Sarah Palin speeches we never heard

Sarah Palin breaks with GOP to endorse Conservative

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Photo: Mike Segar / Reuters

Comments

[Paul F. Villarreal]

Great piece that well captures the angst of the left at the mention of Sarah Palin, Malcolm. Thanks. This is why "Top Of The Ticket" is a must-read for all serious followers of national politics.

Paul F. Villarreal
Conservative New Media

[Heather]

If there was a woman who held proper liberal views, but was otherwise identical to Sarah Palin in every way, the Democrats would tell us she was the perfect candiate for President.

They hate Palin because she is not a liberal. End of story.

[Sandra]

The retarded libs are afraid of this woman because she IS EVERYTHING WHICH THEY ARE NOT...SHE IS EVERYTHING WHICH CONSERVATIVE ARE ABOUT.
Pure and simple...they KNOW she will beat their slow witted fool in 2012....THAT IS WHY THEY HATE AND DEMONIZE HER SO MUCH!

[RHFrei]

At least a President Palin would know not to bow to foreign kings and emperors, and to have her hand over her heart during the flag ceremony at the Arlington National Cemetery on Veteran's Day.

[ALHill]

Go Cuda!
What a refreshing new face in American Politics! Talk about speaking Truth to Power! She had my vote last election and now the next!
Palin 2012!

[lipstick patriot]

you may refer to us as the, "NOT so silent majority" you have woke the sleeping Giantress and you Will hear Her ROAR!

[ctay]

Excellent article. The anti-Palin media "doth protest too much, methinks". Why?

[Mike Zarowitz]

Mr. Malcolm, congratulations. At last an opinion piece on Sarah Palin that does sound like it was written by a Palinphobe or by someone unable to look away from the shiny object.

[trespassinthru]

Ha ha, that's all you got? That she provokes a strong reaction? Great, so do beauty queen sex tapes. Your Palin puppy love shows through between the lines and reveals your true level of journalism--somewhere short of cub reporter status. She quits, lies, name-calls and dumbs down America. Hiel to the Moosiah!

[bellagrazi]

Yeah, the reaction to Sarah Palin from her critics is pretty rabid. Which means she must be doing something right. They don't get this worked up over Pawlenty.

[Richard]

And what actual reporting does Mr. Malcolm offer to prove Democrats are "Going berserk over 'Going Rogue;'"? That the DNC has sent out some emails containing links to Palin-related news stories. Wow! This isn't "Going berserk" Mr. Malcolm, it's you angling for a return to the GOP payroll. Another day, another column where Mr. Malcolm wallows in partisan spin. Does it sell LA Times?

[stevefromsacto]

"What's very interesting...is a possible developing change in the way U.S. presidential candidates emerge as new media enables newcomers to become known to voters faster than previously."

What bothers me is the growing tendency to treat political candidates like entertainment celebrities--and yes, that includes President Obama. Yesterday, at least half of Entertainment Tonight was devoted to Sarah Palin. And it wasn't the kind of objective coverage one should expect for a potential Presidential candidate. It was fawning, breathless stuff like the kind you see for a Brittney Spears or Tom Cruise.

I recall when Arnold Schwarzenegger first ran for Governor of California, Entertainment Tonight did an entire half-hour special from Arnold's campaign bus, just like a rock star. His poor opponent never had a chance. But Arnold's on-the-job training as governor hasn't gone so well.

[esb]

Wow. A fair (and funny) article about Palin that wasn't a hit piece. Nice job.

The Democrats keep trying to make Palin into a monster. But they better be careful what they wish for. That monster might turn around and eat them for lunch. Now wouldn't that be ironic...

[Bob]

"Going berserk"? The only person who is going berserk is the writer of this hysterical piece. Most Democrats like me pray that she runs for and wins the Republican presidential nomination, so she can add least -qualified and most unelectable presidential candidate to her slim resume. Bring her on!

[Jeff]

Its funny how liberals keep saying she is not qualified. She was in elected office for over 12 years. Obama for 6 before he ran. She is the same age as Obama, and has actually negotiated energy policy and ENACTED reforms- not just promised them. She also was investigated for many ethics violations and even under INTENSE scrutiny has proven that she did nothing wrong. She got rid of the governors private plane and many other perks and returned the office of Governor to the hands of the people. AND, when the liberals decided to overrun the Governors office with phony corruption and ethics charges she removed the target by resigning. Why give those desperate liberals a target? They were just going to continue to beat on Sarah until the end of her term.

Now, she is reloading, and I am proud of our country that people like Sarah care enough to take some heat for what they believe in. We need SMALLER government, lower taxes, more freedom- NOT more regulation, taxes and debt.

And yeah, if it were a liberal woman in the SAME situation and the Katie Couric asked her "I would like to know how you shape your world view.. what magazines and newspapers do you read?" we would see mass hysteria on HuffingtonPoop.

She may not ever make it to the White House, but she may be the first woman at the top of the ticket, and if she does it will be interesting to see what choice the liberal women make.

Liberal womens equality speech is just that.. a bunch of talk with no action. The first woman president WILL be a Republican!

[grannie]

I was at the Vet yesterday and the Healthcare debate came up in converstion in the lobby. My Vet stepped into the room and said this bill is junk and in 2012 I am voting for that woman that ran with McCain last year. He said I understand her and she understands me if she runs I am voting for her. Everyone in that office stood up and yelled we are too. So for all of you who think she doesn't have a chance, your nuts. She has, She will run and she will win.

[Marianne Zimmerman]

Sarah is awesome. All of you silly liberals practically have spittle running down your faces you hate her so much. Get a clue, she doesn't care. You couldn't silence Rush and you can't silence Sarah.

[unclesam]

the book is great for camp fires, thank you Palin for once you done something right.

[unclesam]

the book is great for camp fires, thank you Palin for once you done something right.

[SWLiP]

All I can say as I look around at the current situation is, thank God we dodged that Sarah Palin for VP bullet.

[John]

When someone starts taking lefty flak like Sarah Palin has, that must mean she's right over the target.

Can't wait until 2010.

[Bobbo]

"Wow, for somebody who's supposed to be such a political joke, an Arctic ditz and eminently dismissable as a serious anything except maybe a stay-at-home hockey mom."

Oh, you forgot, hugely popular governor of one of the fifty states of the union. Not quite as serious as a "writer" for the L.A. Times, eh Malcom?

[M. Bouffant]

People are so excited about Sarah Palin because focusing attention on her is like lifting a rock & revealing all the slimy, crawly things beneath.

Her divisiveness ("real" Americans) non-stop "I'm a victim, boo hoo," & apparent lack of any ideas beyond turning Alaska into a slag heap so we can all breathe more exhaust fumes are the best thing ever for the Democratic Party.

[John Thompson]

unclesam writes: "the book is great for camp fires, thank you Palin for once you done something right."

Judging from unclesam's poor grammar, it would appear that he also doesn't read, so I'm not surprised that he uses Palin's book for firewood. Hint: Nancy Pelosi's book is available for much much less at the 99 cent stores... that miight be a more economical way for you to cook your possums.

[student1776]

The Democrats MUST destroy Palin. The largest voting group that consistently favors Democrats, the group responsible for them having any chance at electoral victory is women. They cannot allow an attractive, articulate, confident woman who espouses classical American values of free enterprise, small frugal government, individualism and freedom of conscience to survive. They have to use ridicule, innuendo, attack her children - even her 14 year old daughter - to try to demoralize her, to spread lies, edit interview film creatively, to do everything they can to prevent women who are uncomfortable with the all-controlling Nanny state vision of the left from bolting the party. Democrats are just pathetic worms unable to argue ideals and hence reduced to the politics of personal vilification.

[JohnR]

IMO Palin is invaluable as a lightening rod. Let her play on the national scene and draw 99% of the Left's hysteria. If the Left focuses their hate on Palin, it will be that much less attention paid to the Republican candidates who are truly viable. IMO there's no way Palin runs for Pres.

[Jasper]

Why WOULDN'T Democrats react energetically to the publication of Palin's book? She's a grossly under-qualified, borderline national joke who came fairly close to being a heartbeat from the presidency. The publication of "Going Rogue" is a great opportunity for liberals and Democrats to remind people that, these days, conservative Republicans in general are deeply unserious about the business of governing. They'd be crazy to pass it up.

[AusDem]

I think republicans could still do better than Palin.

I mean, quitting office so that you can write a book which predominantly is a way of blaming everything bad that happened on other people isn't exactly what I'd call presidential material.

Can you imagine in the debates? "Well, while I've been running the most powerful country in the world, delivering real solutions to the American people, and making friends abroad, my opponent has written a book to make a bunch of money, and started a false rumor about death panels"

[Mike S]

For the last time, David Letterman's joke was NOT about Sarah Palin's underage daughter, it was about her legal-age daughter who got pregnant. Whether or not you found the joke funny, at least stop falsely claiming that Palin's daughter Bristol (the one Letterman is referred to in his pregnancy joke) was underage, she was NOT.

[Dee]

You go girl! During the election and shortly after I will never forget the out-of-proportion negative and emotional reaction I would get from people, mostly women, when I mentioned her name with even the slightest bit of favor. Like most women who are smart and beautiful, she is a lightening rod. Yes, she is smart, even though she blew the Couric i/v, she was a brilliant governor with a terrific record of accomplishment in Alaska. She does need more national face time and experience before she runs for a major office but that's what she's getting now, isn't it?
I tremendously admire her toughness of spirit. I and most people I know would have folded long ago. She is taking on the entire politico/media establishment all on her own! Is there anyone who's ever had the huevos to do that before? She's not only smart and beautiful, she brave and that's alot more than I can say about most of the male candidates out there.
After having said all that now I must admit...I'm not even a conservative...I just really admire who she is.

[ClaudeG]

Malcolm and others, keep right on believing the left is afraid of Palin. Go ahead. Make her the 2012 Repub nominee. I call on all Democratic supporters to aid and abet the process by voting for her (if you could) in a Republican primary. Show the right how scared you are of a Palin presidential run. The truth is this... she's ridiculed because she's ridicule-able. "Russia from my house?" Putin rearing his head..?" Down home gal running wild with an Amex Centurion at Saks? Priceless.

[MBI]

Democrats LOVE Sarah Palin. They LOVE her. Palin is all they need to win. That's why they're trying desperately to keep her career alive. She holds all sorts of beliefs that Dems hate, and she expresses them in a ridiculous manner while being a ridiculous person. She's a living, walking strawman.

This strategy is not going to work, as there is no way in hell someone as stupid as Palin is going to win a primary, or hang with other, actual qualified national-level politicans.

[shaun]

she has a following,that's for sure.but that doesn't say much for her followers.how is it to support a person based on lies and half truths,folks?sure does't say much for one's Values.so go ahead sarah.soak up your 15 min. of fame.we do enjoy a good laugh and your comedy routines going into the last election were Priceless!!!more to come,HMMMM?sarah tries to claim Christian only for the following she is trying to attract.how can Any intelligent human being go along with this anything but Moral person.the repugs are distancing themselves from this trainwreck,one of the first Wise moves,of late.faux news is all over in support of her.funny-they try to claim Christian.the christian right(as they like to call themselves) sup from the same table as fox news.fox calls itself the voice of the christian right but carries programing such as Family Guy.an animation wth the family dog,Brian the dates and sleeps with Human-females.WOW!!!!!!!!!!!and that's christian progaming at it's best??? if you want to be a FOOL'S FOOL,be my guest.sara is trying to parade this as the second coming...if so ,see LILITH-APOCOLIPSE i am Christian.i also believe in HONESTY AND MORAL DECENCY.this female' soul is bankrupt.shame on her,and shame on you sheeples that mindlessly cling to this Evil woman.BLESS YOU ALL...........

[Vince Hugh]

Just read her book. Wow! This gal is powerful and as down to earth as one can be and still be very credible. No wonder the media and Democrats are so afraid of her, she is very effective and logical which blows a big hole in liberalism and its agenda.

[Vince Hugh]

One thing about Sarah Palin....she is not dumb!! Democrats and the media have tried to portray her as that, but when you here her speak, or read her book, it's obvious she extremely sharp and aware of issues. Democrats did the same 'not smart' issue against Reagan, and he turned out to be one of our greatest presidents.

[Ardelina Artist]

Sarah Palin represents the symbol of choice for a woman, that is a woman is free to think and live as she wants and not be enslaved and dependent on Democrats, liberals and Progressives. What the men on the left fear most is that what power they have is due to a coalition which includes women who must vote for them if they are to have power. If only a mere 8% or so of women who support them change their views then they are gone, gone, gone. OH, YEAH, GO PALIN

[del]

poor liberals all ballsed up and no where to go - the second they see someone who is dangerous to their wicked agendas they attack the person - nasties!!!! but little did they think this woman would take all there typical nasties and begin to whack back - have a good day lefties I think she's going to clean your miserable clocks - oh and by the way she actually ran ALaska in the black the only thing your boy has done in the black is not make his mind up what he is - probably drank black coffee while popping up his feet at one of those community communistic meetings - you know those wicked acorn things - haters of America meetings

[Israel]

Thank God for people like Palin, who represents not a party but rather a LOUD AND CLEAR VOICE IN THE MIDST OF CHAOS!!!! What can we say about our current legislation? OUT OF CONTROL!!! She is HOT and has more of a brain then he....Hope? Change?

[Israel]

BTW...good article

[xJonx]

Sara is no more a national joke for being more and more popular than Obama is for being more and more unpopular.

[R.G.W.]

The senator may have held an elective office but out some 160 bills he voted present on 130 of them. Meaning he either didn't read them or he didn't want to anger anyone on either side of the issue being voted on. Also while in congress he authored or proposed no bills. Zero,nada,nothing. In 2006 he received $130,000 from Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, 2nd highest amount. The anomaly to natural life received the most: $160,000. McCain got $30,000

[PaulforPresident]

The Democrats and Liberals are having voters remorse for voting Obama into office. They can't admit they made a mistake by believing the campaign rhetoric and promises, so they attack anyone they percieve as a threat so as to create a diversion from Obama's failed policies.

[Irene]

Anyone who promoted or voted for Obama for President lost the right to use the "lack of experience" retort. Palin has more experience than Obama ever did.

[Antonio Bordato]

They are terrified of her.......she will be reincarnated as Margaret Thatcher in a few years and give American the kick in the ass it needs, just like the Iron Lady kicked the UK in the butt hard, and often until it got its act together.

Be afraid Democrats, be very afraid.

[Al Barrs]

What we like about Sarah Palin?

Sarah Palin has certainly had her challenges and problems as a daughter, wife and parent…just like most of us. That makes her one of us. She doesn’t hide her past or present. She is truthful and honest. What makes all the difference is that she is a lot like all of us hard working tax paying Americans. She says what she and we think. She inspires. She gives us hope. She is a breath of clear air in a world of lies and untruths. She represents real positive change. She represents what we believe. She fights political and corporate corruption. She is of the Ronald Reagan ideology. She loves America. She keeps her eye on the ball. She is a true modern day American patriot. She believes in Christmas. She believes in political and ideological neutral schools. She respects and champions our U.S. Constitution and its Bill of Rights. She believes terrorism exists. She fights for the people’s freedom. She wants what we want… She is a natural lead, follow or get out of the way leader. She wants national prosperity and our government control returned to we, the people of the United States. We want Sarah Palin in the Whitehouse!

That is why Democrat liberals, socialists, Marxists and communists in the U.S.A. are afraid of a Sarah Palin's candidacy for U.S. President in 2012.

[Rob kent]

Going Rogue is a title originally a name for an elephant run amok. Its great marketing this title as indicates this lightweight, inconsequential woman is indeed a heavyweight. I would delighted if the greed facists of the american right get their wish and she runs for president every election. By 2024 she might have learnt important information about the world. i.e central american generally doesnt refer to Kansas. keep at scared for a Nazi free america

[shaun]

sarah, are you smarter than a 5th grader????sarah doesn't have to show us how smart she is.she's doing a Real good job showing us how Dumb her fans are.i'm Christian.my dad's agnostic.my mom has appeared to dad twice since her death so there must be something after this Life.the Bible talks about Charletons.check it out, sheeple.

[shaun]

CHA-LA-TAN>seller of papal indulgences.a QUACK;IMPOSTOR