Palin: The Right begins to regret that Sarah even exists.

[denem]

Mr. Matthew E. Miller doesn't care for RINOs, nor the Republican Establishment, but a Rogue ElliePhant on the Radar is setting off an alarm or three.

The Palin Dilemma

I’m only halfway through Sarah Palin’s tome so I’m not going to write any sort of review right now- anyway, Alex has that covered. Still, internal disputes aside, Sarah Palin is the most interesting thing happening this week (we always knew the health care bill would clear this hurdle). So I figure this is as good a time as any to lay out some general thoughts/worries about Sarah Palin. Here’s the dilemma or, one of them anyway: Sarah Palin’s existence, as a potential Presidential candidate, radically diminishes the possibility that any other Republican can lay claim to grassroots conservatives. More than that, it radically diminishes the chances that grassroots conservatives will even be satisfied with anyone besides Palin.

The Sarah Palin problem is simple: as long as she exists, and her supporters can hold out hope for a glorious triumph of an earthy populistic boot stomping punch-a-Democrat-in-the-head conservatism, no one else will measure up. Tim Pawlenty’s terrific fiscal record and his sterling cultural conservatism will count for nothing. Mitt Romney’s common sense conservatism- his competence and intelligence- will be third rate qualities. Mike Huckabee’s folksy social conservatism won’t be hard hitting enough...

It’s not about issues at all where Palin’s concerned- it’s about tone, about the ability to throw off 1.21 gigawatz of cultural spark and set fire to entire institutions. Democratic elites? Skewer them or perish. Republican elites? Skewer them or perish. Big City RINOS? Skewer them…or perish. Rudy may be better at skewering, in general, than someone like Romney, but he doesn’t have the political positions or cultural background to be credible- he’s a “big city RINO” himself.

Some of this appeals to people like me. There’s a sense in which I agree with the grassroots about the inveterate hopelessness of the folks who control the Republican Party and who, increasingly it seems, try to mold it for their own gain. There’s a sense in which burning down is more appealing than building up. You don’t have to go far back in the archives to find me tearing down the Republican establishment. But, I’m more than a little leery about betting on a movement that believes this is the only way ...

http://race42008.com/2009/11/22/the-palin-dilemma/#comments

[sixmile]

1. I'm a Pathiest. I don't believe she exists...

[denem]

2. I am Putniest. I don't believe that Russia exists.

It's done with smoke and mirrors.

[tallahasseedem]

3. LOL!

I think I might have to explore becoming one! :)