M.Joseph Sheppard
Once again Governor Palin seems to be at crisis, or better yet, inflection point in her political career. And yes, she most certainly still has such a career no matter what her critics on left, and increasingly boldly (and idiotically shortsightedly) on the right, declare. That any so called journalist or pundit could ignore, for the sake of polemics, Palin’s staggering endorsement success rate in the 2014 mid-terms is taking disingenuousness to ridiculous heights-the post Brian Williams pundit fraternity really needs to brush up its act or simply decide it will be entirely partisan.
Whether Palin has a presidential candidature future is another matter however.Taking snideness, childishness and partisanship to new heights Politico’s Roger Simon, (with Palin pictured above his “The GOP Angel Of Death” headline) advises that “After her rambling (etc etc) speech in Iowa “the media will ever take her seriously again.”
That Simon decides he can speak for the entire journalistic profession speaks volumes of course as regards the level of hubris and arrogance the media has descended to.
That one poorly received (by the media, who like vultures. have been awaiting to pounce since the Biden/Palin debate) speech can somehow be determined to decide a whole future is astounding. If President Obama, sans teleprompter, or Vice-President Biden at any time, would have been judged on that basis they would have disappeared a long time ago, but of course the left media has propped them up and excused their endless gaffes right from the start.
However, and sadly, perception when it is reinforced en mass by a determined media, can become reality and once again Governor Palin will be faced with perhaps the biggest challenge to her political future since 2008. Then (as now) savaged by a media determined at all cost, no matter what lie, to destroy her after her surprise nomination for VP derailed the Obama juggernaut, Palin, in front of millions and under a pressure few people would ever experience in a lifetime, delivered the convention speech that ranked with William Jennings Bryan’s “Cross of Gold” speech for convention impact.
Then, with McCain’s campaign in the doldrums after the collapse of Lehman Brothers, Palin under massive pressure and in front of multi-millions in the theater and on TV, left the critics with the only recourse of saying “well she did OK but it’s not a game changer for McCain” after she exceeded all expectations once again which shows the perils of underestimating Palin.
With the 2016 Republican nomination field now taking some sort of shape (Rand Paul reported to declare early April) and with support committees being formed, Jeb Bush’s advisers being hired the time is fast approaching when, to be taken seriously, prospective candidates will have to make moves in those directions or be counted out by the media, and, sadly importantly, the money men. A Palin presidential campaign would be, perhaps, unique in that her access to big donors is problematical as is the availability of the sort of campaign advisers she could trust, thus her campaign would be a genuine grass roots effort.
That this is feasible is shown by the various state committees set up for Palin as well as a potential army of enthusiasts engaged and linked through social media. These possible structures and human resources will not stay engaged with the Palin presidential concept forever of course and, if alternative candidates who are seen to be actively engaged in the process have appeal, Palin’s potential supporters may drift off to them. After her 2012 late decision not to run it would be understandable if many of the people who supported her then, and are still with her now, would not wish to be in limbo for too much longer.