Is Palin an Albatross?

[Blue_In_AK]

Mudflats again http://mudflats.wordpress.com/2008/09/20/is-palin-an-albatross/

Is Sarah Palin becoming an albatross around the neck of John McCain? Two weeks ago, the thought that we would be asking this question seemed unlikely at best. Alaska’s own ’hockey mom/beauty queen’ governor had become the overnight darling of the political world. She had everything - spunk, principles, smarts, beauty, ethics, and an attitude that was just plain “maverick”. Right?

Never mind that the hearts of progressive Alaskans (and even some Republicans) were gripped with an icy fear that made breathing alone difficult, nevermind shouting, “Noooooooo!” The rest of the world loved Sarah. Lipstick became an iconic symbol of political girl power. Her recent stint as a small town mayor, and her journalism degree from the University of Idaho showed us that ”anyone can be president”. Her eyeglass frames were sold out at retail outlets around the land almost instantly. Pitbulls gained an unlikely place in our hearts. And all of a sudden John McCain didn’t have to grovel, and offer to bus people in from miles away to make his rallies look not so embarrasingly empty. It was a Disney movie - Mrs. Smith Goes to Washington, Cinderella and The Mighty Ducks all rolled into one.

But now, it’s the morning after, and America is starting to have some regrets. Sarah, it seems, has been our “rebound girl” after our escape from a disastrous and abusive long-term relationship with our soon-to-be ex, Dick Cheney. Rebound relationships are normal, but no one expects them to last.

What was it? Shooting wolves from airplanes? The pastor problem? Abuse of power? The embarrasing interview with Charlie Gibson? Charging victims for rape kits? Being for the bridge to nowhere before she was against it? Her far-right stance on reproductive rights? Todd’s membership in a secessionist political party? New Earth evangelism? Stonewalling an ethics investigation? Leaving her small town in debt? Her love of earmarks? Her hatred of polar bears? Who knows? It may be a little of all of these things, or for some people, one is enough. But, we’re starting to realize, in the light of day, that the beautiful shiny image of Sarah Palin that swept us off our political feet isn’t the whole story. I wonder sometimes if there isn’t a portrait of a hideous, wrinkled old woman hidden away in a closet of the governor’s mansion in Juneau, and we’re all living some unexplainable Arctic version of Dorian Gray.

For the rest of America in the thralls of Sarah-Mania, Alaskans have been trying to be your sensible friend. “Are you crazy? This will never work!” “At the risk of our friendship, I have to tell you she is totally wrong for you!” ”Do not, I repeat, do NOT move in with her!”

During the last few weeks of this ‘discovery period,’ Palin’s positive ratings have steadily and rapidly eroded, and according to the most recent report from the Daily Kos (excellent visual below) she can now actually be considered a ‘drag’ on the ticket. Not everyone is ‘there’ yet, but the trend is undeniable, and there are still weeks to go before election day.

<GRAPH DIDN'T COPY, BUT I'M SURE YOU'VE ALL SEEN IT>

America, on behalf of all Alaskans, and as your sensible friend, I want to thank you for hearing us out.

[fascisthunter]

1. Because of Her... many moderate Republicans have decided to vote for Obama

I know a couple... good job right wing.

[Blue_In_AK]

5. We could have warned John McCain

if he had just asked. Absolutely NO vetting done in Alaska. None. Nada, zip, zero.

[femmocrat]

2. She is definitely a turkey. n/t

[Top Cat]

20. She is a moose

[BrklynLiberal]

3. GREAT article. Thanks for posting. Love the Dorian Gray analogy!!

[Motown_Johnny]

4. She was a long shot, that missed

[underpants]

6. an ALBATROSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!???!!!

http://bp3.blogger.com/_0_ynVlwAg9U/Rzsoh2N36XI/AAAAAAAACco/2zjjQbMBd5c/s1600-h/Screenshot1+3.jpg

http://jedaniels-adventures.blogspot.com/2007/11/wish-for-wings-that-work.html

[Blue_In_AK]

7. Okay, a penquin.

:rofl:

[MrModerate]

8. As soon as I saw her acceptance speech . . .

I was convinced that McCain had blown it. While the commentariat was using such words as "spunk" and "hottie," and all the rest, what I was seeing was "mean," "arrogant," "snarling," and -- most critical of all in today's 'Presidential-Election-as-American-Idol,' -- "unlikeable."

Sarah Palin proves that John McCain can't be trusted with the big decisions.

In an earlier post I compared her to a Roman candle -- showy, but not lasting very long. And when you get to the finish line holding a cold, burned stub in your hands, you're not going to set off any more fireworks.

McCain effectively guaranteed his loss by selecting Palin.

[phrigndumass]

9. Reminds me of the Little River Band

"The albatross and the whale, they are my brothers"

♫ Time For A Cool Change! ♫

Which brings us right back to Barack Obama in the video link below, lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0z-IZybCBY

[TheCoxwain]

10. Actually she is a Mill Stone around McBush's BALLS .....Ouch (nt)

[AtomicKitten]

11. If she is, can we hunt her with AK47s?

[childslibrarian]

12. I hope you are correct

and that the lies are catching up with her.

[PBS Poll-435]

13. Nah...Just a Pig

With wings...

[muriel_volestrangler]

14. If he is, it's good makeup - I can identify Cleese and Jones

and if it's Palin, he does a good job of keeping still:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_u7VGiMO0U

[Blue_In_AK]

16. :-)

[beac]

19. Indeed, if Sarah Palin 'has a flavor' it is DEFINITELY albatross.

And she doesn't come with wafers, either! ;)

[livetohike]

15. While hanging out/volunteering at the local Dem. campaign

office, I heard the following about Palin:

Did you hear what she did? She announced her son's deployment date! What was she thinking putting our soldiers in danger?

What kind of mother is she to leave her newborn baby and hit the campaign trail like that? She's no mother.

I don't think she's very smart. McCain has put us all in danger naming her as V.P. What if something happens to him and she would be the President? She doesn't have a clue.

These were comments from people (women of all ages) coming in off the street looking for Obama stuff. Right here in rural northwestern PA.

[11 Bravo]

17. More like a pigeon, (AKA a rat with wings).

[dailykoff]

18. Hardly matters. We're being told she's a sensation and the polls are close.

Sorry, but I don't buy either premise.

[iceman66]

21. I think we would be a lot worse off right now

if McCain had chosen either Ridge (because of Pennsylvania), or one of the senators from Maine (who might actually have attracted some Hillary-leaning independents and/or put that state in play), so don't sweat Palin too much!