Plenty of Palin Goin' On

The mainstream media and blogosphere are agog with commentary on Alaska Governor Sarah Palin’s recent announcement. If it wasn’t for the death of Michael Jackson we might have had to absorb even more. The commentaries ranged from snarky vilification, syncophantic sympathy, and a guarded watchfulness.

I am not an apologist for Governor Palin, but I have to say that I find the reactions all across the board to be fascination. My own position is pretty much summed up by a comment made by Libertarian Leanings:

It remains to be seen what's next for Sarah. From the standpoint of future political aspirations, I would have to say her resignation is not a good move. She may yet prove to be an impact player in the political world, but I have a hard time believing it will be as a candidate for high office. Not finishing her term is not good for the resume.

From a personal standpoint her resignation may have been her only move. As Mr. Steyn says, the PC enforcers are very much OK with subjecting Palin's children to national humiliation. That humiliation will continue as long as Palin continues draw the crowds at her speaking engagements, continues to threaten to liberal dreams of achieving an American socialist utopia.

The liberal media cannot let Sarah go. This astounds me, and I think that it actually works in her favor. Some of the commentary could be viewed as nearing a foaming-at-the-mouth hysteria.

At the forefront of the pack is Andrew Sullivan, who Ace of Spades describes as “the Independent roving ad-hob obstetrician at large to Sarah Palin.” It is odd that a gay man has such an obsession with a woman’s reproductive organs, but Sullivan nonetheless has been blogging constantly about the woman. He can’t let her go.

To add to the juiciness, a caller to Al Sharpton’s radio show floated the idea that Palin may have been responsible for the death of Michael Jackson:

FEMALE CALLER (31:50): He (Michael Jackson) is truly the soundtrack of my life. I also have a theory about Sarah Palin as well and I’m going to put it out there on radio, hopefully someone can investigate.

But, I think maybe she did something to Michael Jackson. Maybe there’s a scandal there. Maybe she’s stepping down because something’s about to come out. I don’t know, but I’m gonna just put it out there on your show so we’ll see.

SHARPTON: All right, thank you for your call, Ashley. That’s interesting. I’ll put it out, we’ll see. I don’t know.

Keep it real, Sharpton.

Some of the many frivolous ethics complaints were filed by disgruntled ex-Palin supporter and Anchorage activist Andree McLeon. Anchorage Daily News gives us her esteemed bio:

Anyone around Anchorage in the mid-1990s would remember McLeod as the determined vendor who fought City Hall when it ruled she couldn't sell falafels from a sidewalk stand, even as hot-dog carts proliferated. Her efforts over some two years included a quixotic campaign for mayor in 1997.

Another loser in the witchhunt was blogger Linda Kellen Biegle, who had an issue with Governor’s apparel:

Biegle brought the ethics complaint against Palin for wearing Arctic Cat gear -- the sponsor for her husband's Iron Dog team.

Are you kidding me? It’s Alaska. What is she supposed to wear, Victoria’s Secret?

While Sarah Palin may not be the glibbest commentator, at least she is not telling Israel to have a go at Iran with a couple of nukes (but it’s ok, it’s just ‘our Joe’, nod nod, wink wink), or saying that the threat of climate change was as urgent as the threat from Hitler. This wackiness goes by the wayside. It’s all good.

In all of this so-called commentary on Governor Palin, I see no mention of any particular action as Governor that is called into question. I see no discussion of her policies or her record.

It is all snarkiness, which makes me wonder, as does Common Sense Political Thought:

Why all of the attacks on an alleged lightweight? These are coming from libs as well as GOP elitists. Palin appears to be feared as a threat to the whole establishment.

What are they afraid of?

She may crash and burn, fade into obscurity (I doubt that one), or get some smart people around her that deal with the bullshit.

I think we will be hearing more from Sarah Palin.