Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin Show Respect Where Others Fail

- By Lisa Graas and Josh Painter
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In an interview aired yesterday, Fox News commentator Glenn Beck and former Governor Sarah Palin showed remarkable poise and thoughtfulness that is quite refreshing in light of some perplexing criticisms we've been hearing as of late regarding Sarah Palin's decision not to appear at CPAC. Beck will be speaking at CPAC this year while Palin has bowed out citing differences in principle.

At first, some conservative bloggers criticized Gov. Palin on the basis alone of not making an appearance at CPAC. Since Gov. Palin has her reasons for choosing to bypass CPAC, the arguments have expanded to also criticize the organizers of the National Tea Party Convention (NTPC), where she and Rep. Michele Bachmann, among others, will be speaking. Part of the argument depends on equating CPAC and NPTC, two quite different events which are aimed at different participants. The organizers of NTPC, Tea Party Nation, have issued the following release to state their position on the controversy.

While pundits on both sides of the aisle continue to paint both Beck and the governor as proverbial "loose cannons", during this landmark interview there was no challenge whatsoever on the question of CPAC. While Beck mentioned that he would be speaking, he left it at that. Gov. Palin did not take the opportunity to say anything critical of CPAC or anyone connected to it.

We believe this is instructive as an example of mutual respect and civility which stands in stark contrast to those who have recently taken it upon themselves to disparage Governor Palin over her decision. The respect that Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin demonstrated toward each other is a level of respect that each has earned from the other. We interpret it to be a shining example to follow for all who stand against what the radical Left is doing to our beloved country.

- Lisa and JP