I Still Like Sarah Palin

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A review of ‘The Quotable Rogue: The Ideals of Sarah Palin in Her Own Words’.

When the media controls the narrative, faulty perceptions inevitably emerge - and prevail - including the impression that Mrs. Palin is a one-dimensional social conservative with little interest in economic issues. In fact, Mr. Lewis writes, “Palin’s pre-veep identity was as a leading reformer and fiscal conservative … a starkly different image from what most Americans now know.” 

I think Mr. Lewis also hopes to expose the media’s fabrication of a  number of “Palinisms” that were designed to put her in an unfavorable light but, in the end, were malicious distortions. One of the most famous of these, you will recall, courtesy of Tina Fey on “Saturday Night Live,” was, “I can see Russia from my house.” Mrs. Palin’s actual words were, “They’re our next-door neighbors, and you can actually see Russia from land here in Alaska, from an island in Alaska.” The truth doesn’t make her sound ridiculous, does it? Nor does it fit the liberal-media template.... 

I believe, and my hunch is that Matt Lewis believes, that much of the negative reaction to Sarah Palin is based far more on the media and liberal establishment’s systematic savaging of her character than anything she has said or done. They fear any effective, popular, influential conservative, especially those who happen to be female or black, and generally make a point - consciously or not - of trying to destroy them. 

Regardless of your feelings about Mrs. Palin, it’s undeniable that she consistently demonstrates courage and leadership; she has an uncanny knack for anticipating the next important issue and is unafraid to express her opinion without first holding her finger in the wind to assess its political popularity. In the face of relentless attacks, she doesn’t cower or retreat but fights back and demonstrates her resilience in direct proportion to the assaults against her.

I still like Sarah Palin, savage leftist/MSM ad hominem ridicule notwithstanding.