Peggy Noonan: "What is it she {Palin} stands for?...doesn't think aloud. She just . . .says things"

[sabra]

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122419210832542317.html?mod=special_page_campaign2008_mostpop

Palin's Failin'
What is it she stands for? After seven weeks, we don't know.


By PEGGY NOONAN


<snip>

But we have seen Mrs. Palin on the national stage for seven weeks now, and there is little sign that she has the tools, the equipment, the knowledge or the philosophical grounding one hopes for, and expects, in a holder of high office. She is a person of great ambition, but the question remains: What is the purpose of the ambition? She wants to rise, but what for? For seven weeks I've listened to her, trying to understand if she is Bushian or Reaganite—a spender, to speak briefly, whose political decisions seem untethered to a political philosophy, and whose foreign policy is shaped by a certain emotionalism, or a conservative whose principles are rooted in philosophy, and whose foreign policy leans more toward what might be called romantic realism, and that is speak truth, know America, be America, move diplomatically, respect public opinion, and move within an awareness and appreciation of reality.

But it's unclear whether she is Bushian or Reaganite. She doesn't think aloud. She just . . . says things.

Her supporters accuse her critics of snobbery: Maybe she's not a big "egghead" but she has brilliant instincts and inner toughness. But what instincts? "I'm Joe Six-Pack"? She does not speak seriously but attempts to excite sensation—"palling around with terrorists." If the Ayers case is a serious issue, treat it seriously. She is not as thoughtful or persuasive as Joe the Plumber, who in an extended cable interview Thursday made a better case for the Republican ticket than the Republican ticket has made. In the past two weeks she has spent her time throwing out tinny lines to crowds she doesn't, really, understand. This is not a leader, this is a follower, and she follows what she imagines is the base, which is in fact a vast and broken-hearted thing whose pain she cannot, actually, imagine. She could reinspire and reinspirit; she chooses merely to excite. She doesn't seem to understand the implications of her own thoughts.

No news conferences? Interviews now only with friendly journalists? You can't be president or vice president and govern in that style, as a sequestered figure. This has been Mr. Bush's style the past few years, and see where it got us. You must address America in its entirety, not as a sliver or a series of slivers but as a full and whole entity, a great nation trying to hold together. When you don't, when you play only to your little piece, you contribute to its fracturing.

In the end the Palin candidacy is a symptom and expression of a new vulgarization in American politics. It's no good, not for conservatism and not for the country. And yes, it is a mark against John McCain, against his judgment and idealism.

[johnnypopulist]

1. Word.

I agree completely. I still really don't know what makes Sarah Palin tick. She must not think before she speaks because she'll throw something out there, and then the next day, or even hours later have to retract it. I don't think many conservatives want to admit it, but I think there is growing dissatisfaction with Sarah Palin in conservative circles. At first she revitalized the GOP ticket, but now she's a major drag on it. I also think she's ruining her chances in 2012 as well.
Also, I believe the potential first black President is a very delicate situation. Unfortunately, we don't live in a racism free society, so it's still hard for some people to accept an African-American President. So I think when Sarah Palin so carelessly and irresponsibly says the things she does about "palling around with terrorists," and "not seeing America the way you and I see America," etc, I think that's very dangerous. The flames of racism are still kindling, and the last thing we need is loose lipped Sarah Palin pouring a canister of gasoline on the situation.

[polichick]

2. Though I'm no fan of Noonan, I'm glad she's speaking up about this.

[alsame]

4. I still don't trust Noonan. I think this is part of a set up to blame

Palin when McCain is crushed on Nov. 4.

[ErinBerin84]

3. Noonan shouldn't have walked

back on her "political narrative bullshit" comments that she made with Mike Murphy the day after , instead, she tries to do a half assed "she's a star! But she is dumb" schitzo shit.