The Wall Street Journal’s James Taranto reviews the record and gives Palin the credit she is due for marshalling opposition to Obamacare:
Government takeover,” like “death panel,” is a true description of ObamaCare’s essence. These phrases are “inaccurate” only in that they cut through formal distinctions designed to deceive the public. (We wish we could use a barnyard vulgarity in place of the unwieldy clause “formal distinctions designed to deceive the public,” but The Wall Street Journal is a family newspaper.)
“Death panel” was especially effective at cutting through the hockey. Lots of people warned about rationing, but, as PolitiFact grudgingly acknowledged, it was Palin’s vivid language that “launched the health care debate into overdrive. The term was mentioned in news reports approximately 6,000 times in August and September, according to the Nexis database. By October, it was still being mentioned 150 to 300 times a week.”
Many of these media mentions were disparaging, “raising issues,” as PolitiFact prissily puts it, about “the bounds of acceptable political discussion.” In other words, Palin’s statement was widely propagated by journalists who thought it “unacceptable.” Americans recognized the essential truth of Palin’s words and strongly opposed ObamaCare.
Palin got the truth out with the help of journalists determined to bolster the deceptions at the heart of ObamaCare. She was instrumental in winning the political argument that looks increasingly likely to render ObamaCare’s legislative victory a Pyrrhic one. Sarah Palin outsmarted the formerly mainstream media simply by being blunt and honest. That is why they burn with a mindless rage against her.
“Sarah Palin outsmarted the formerly mainstream media simply by being blunt and honest.”
We need much, much more of bluntness and honesty, and most of the squishy men on our side of the aisle need to follow Sarah’s example.
Somehow that inconsequential, stupid, polarizing woman who doesn’t stand a chance of winning the Presidency has a greater impact on current events and our discourse than the empty suit currently holding the office.
If I didn’t know better, I’d think all that disparaging stuff written about her was just made up…
“Blood Libel” is another strong line. Brutal.
The establishment Pubs tiptoe around the Old Media. That’s why they are so mushy. They still operate on the old paradigm of the power of the press. Palin doesn’t, and so, is tremendously popular. Christie likewise. Only bold colors. No pale pastels.
This is why Palin will be the next President. The elites like “nuance”, but the folks like blunt and honest. They also like a good smackdown. Palin and Christie deliver smackdowns.
ignorant white trash