Fightin' Words: Why Sarah Palin Is Hated

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On his Fightin' Words blog, Walter Scott Hudson takes a shot at explaining why Sarah Palin is hated by the Left and the Vichy Right. Excerpts follow:

"Of all political personalities, Palin is perhaps the consummate focal point around which America contends to define its identity. Palin is remarkable for sharing three traits – she is an American of average pedigree, who has audaciously pursued higher levels of civil service, and kept advancing despite volleys of arrows flung her way. This combination – average, ambitious, persistent – is terrifying to both the established political class and a willful underclass which wishes to be led by a government 'smarter' than them."

"The central precept around which this nation was formed, 'that all men are created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights,' runs contrary to a dominant aspect of human nature. People want to be led. People desire leaders greater than them. It makes them feel safe. It makes them feel cared for. It makes them feel liberated to engage in endeavors of less import than that incumbent upon genuine freemen. This statement, that many folks wish upon themselves tyranny, is politically incorrect in our ostensibly free and democratic society. But it is demonstrably true. Consider, during the 2008 presidential election, Sarah Palin had the greatest amount of executive experience of any other person listed on either ticket. Yet, the chief criticism levied against her was a lack of 'qualification.' What manner of qualification is one expected to have for an executive office, if not executive experience?"

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"The other side of the hatred coin comes from members of a political class which regard Palin as a streaker through their secret society. They trembled when she burst onto the scene in St. Paul with her folksy conviction toward principle and inexplicable desire to represent public interest. For that, she had to be shut down. If the public at large began to get the idea they could be led from someone among them, rather than by a demonstrably superior elitist, the entire political-industrial complex from which many derive a tidy stream of wealth at the expense of the taxpayer might be threatened. Thus the masters and many of their slaves found common cause. So they have worked as hammer and anvil to crush both Palin and the potential sea change she represents."

Hudson's take on this is interesting, and his full post makes for compelling reading. We highly recommend it.

- JP