When I came across this I was just going to link to it but the more I thought about it, the more I wanted to contribute to the conversation. BostonPatriot has an interesting point at ThanksToPalin.com about Sarah Palin and victim politics:
Because, Palin, like Thomas has risen to prominence while retaining her independence and her dignity. In essence, neither she nor Thomas subscribes to the first commandment of liberal orthodoxy: Thou must remain a victim. Thomas and Palin have attained their respective levels of professional success the old-fashioned way: They have earned them through hard work and healthy ambition. Both are no-nos if one seeks favor and status amongst America’s cultural,social and political elite. Fortunately, neither Thomas nor Palin appear interested, which is good for the rest of us.
The McCain camp made some major goofs in their ad campaign and squandered their lead in the polls. What’s the cause of the sudden drop? Sure we have an economic crisis going on and people are thinking that a new party in the White House might be for the better. But I don’t by it entirely. These polls started dropping before we started seeing the bailout bonanza this week. He started slipping as soon as he started playing his victim card way too many times. Whiners don’t win in politics, and when you’re out their running ads that say “Poor me” while the economy collapses, people are going to vote for the other guy.
Despite the McCain camp running these victim ads nonstop for awhile, Sarah Palin has refused to play the game. She has laughed off criticisms and said multiple times that it comes with the terrirtory and she doesn’t want to whine about. That is the way to play the game. People want to see strength in the face of critcisms – not whimpy complaints about sexism or unfair attacks.
It looks as though McCain has backed off of his vitcim ad campaign – which is good. Btu Sarah Palin has already shown herself to be the kind of politcian that doesn’t take the bait even when it seems like the perfect opportunity. The GOP has a strong, no-nonsense politician in Sarah Palin. Let’s not waste her.
