Journal Press: The continuing appeal of Sarah Palin

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Columnist David Kerr of the Journal Press, which serves Virginia's King George County, takes a stab at explaining Gov. Palin's appeal:

So what is the appeal of Sarah Palin?

To borrow a couple of references Palin popularized, both the “the [lamestream] media” and, another catch-all label, the Washington “political class,” hate her with a passion. That’s part of her appeal right there. They delight in belittling her, but every time they do it seems as if her popularity with her supporters gets just that much stronger. A lot of Americans, particularly working class Americans, often feel as if many in government are talking down to them. Palin for her part is able to capture this very anxiety. She may not be elegant in her speaking style, she may drop an “ing” off of a few words, but she doesn’t bob and weave like a professional politician. What’s more there isn’t anything remotely condescending in her remarks or her style.

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Palin has a unique combination. She has become both a political force and a celebrity. But more importantly, going into 2012, whether Mitt Romney, Tim Pawlenty, and Lindsey Graham, or some of the other hopeful GOP hopefuls like it or not, she is also a player. She has a following none of them can match and a glint of star power they can only dream about. Now, the question is will she be a candidate for President? It’s not impossible, though arguably, Palin, in her role as semi-outsider, is more powerful than she would be as a candidate. But that could change. She is actually seeking advice and counsel on developing her own economic proposals and is working on developing a better understanding of foreign policy issues. And perhaps most noteworthy she is ratcheting up the quality and depth of some of her speeches and comments.

She has time, not much, but some, and for now, she is on the primary and general election trail, raising money, giving endorsements, making friends, and collecting IOUs by the dozen. The other prospective candidates in 2012 aren’t nearly in such demand.

Most of the GOP and the same goes for the Democrats, still don’t know what to make of her. They don’t fully understand her attraction, but most have gotten past the stage of dismissing her with an off hand comment. Going into the 2010 midterm elections, followed by the 2012 elections, she is a force to be reckoned with. And oh yes, she really can field dress a moose in ten minutes. I would never belittle a candidate who has that skill set in her background.

Kerr's full op-ed is here.

h/t: roy y

- JP