Tea Party and the "Palin Factor"

Aaron Proctor, in the Philadelphia Examiner, has an interesting take on the Palin effect in yesterday's victory by Christine O'Donnell in Delaware's Senatorial primary over Mike Castle.

GOP Senate primary 2010 winner
Christine O'Donnell
photo courtesy CBS News

While I agree, Sarah and Christine better be careful about any attempts to become the face of the Tea Party movement, I don't think either are the leaders of the movement, but examples of the influence the Tea Party concept with voters.  You can't say the endorsement of any singular entity pushed O'Donnell over the top, and Chris Christie (a Tea Party favorite) was on the other side in this battle.  It was all about voter dissatisfaction with the GOP's moderate, mainstream republican wing.

Readers know I'm a fan of the former Alaskan governor, but as a local coordinator for a Tea Party group, I want to be clear about Sarah's role in our movement - it's entirely overstated. While I like most everything about her, she's barely among the top 5 candidates I want to win the primary in 2012.  I doubt she's actually aiming for the title, but I can understand the thought process of those who do.

There are several organizations who would also like to be the face - Tea Party Express and Tea Party Nation to name a few - aggressively advertising themselves and enthusiastically endorsing candidates.  But they fail to understand one basic fundamental truth about our movement; a role I hope neither Palin nor O'Donnell are pursuing.

While they, and the has-been media, may want her to be the face of the Tea Party. As a natural course in real grassroots Tea Party organizations, once you establish yourself as the face of the movement, you no longer can be.

It's not about you, it's about us.

Restoring Honor, Get It?

Quite frankly, even some of the supporters and attendees of yesterday's Restoring Honor Rally at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, didn't quite get it.  Quite frankly, I'm not sure I do either.

view from the Washington Monument

It was partly an award show for several unsung American citizens, mixed with an American Hero version of the Emmy's or Grammy's, minus all the self-aggrandisement that comes from Hollywood.  It was sprinkled with recognition of what happened at this historic location 47 years ago.  And it was smothered with a heavy dose of God, faith (not religion), and a return to Divine Providence.

"Just who do you think you are?", Glenn Beck asked himself several times over the last several months including one visit to the steps where Dr. King inspired a generation of Americans with his dream.

Critics have asked the same question of Beck, but with a tone in their voice which seemed to indicate they were cocking their guns, ready to fire if he didn't pull off his plan to hold the rally.  He had no intention of putting Jack back in the box.  Despite threats of violence to himself and others who dared join Glenn on stage, he would not back down from this day.

Neither did the over 500 thousand who chose to stand with Beck around America's Reflecting Pool and, God forbid, reflect on His role in our lives.

Honor individual American citizens who make our country great; honor our brave soldiers; honor the legacy of Dr. King; honor God.  It was time we restored the meaning of honor and Beck provided the stage.

Though Tea Party groups from across the country provided logistical assistance (organizing over 1,400 bus loads of rally attendees), this was NOT a Tea Party.  It was NOT a political event.

Two weeks from now the political event takes place.  The 2nd annual 9-12 Taxpayer March on Washington will take place.  There will be signs, flags, and very clear messaging to our elected officials in D.C..  Beck didn't want this to be a political event and it wasn't.  Yes, Sarah Palin was there.  But not in her political persona, rather as a Mom of a soldier, honoring his service our country.

Glenn has spent the last year saying no matter what your political affiliation, if this country doesn't return to the fundamental principals which propelled it to the position as the world's guiding light, we are collectively doomed.  He has spent the last year educating his listeners about the Founders.  What inspired them?  What motivated them?

The answer:  Divine Providence.

page13news' perspective

The belief this country is destined to greatness because of the freedoms provided by a strong relationship - no matter which form it takes in your life - with the Creator.  The Creator who endows us to the rights of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.  No government agency, no politician, can provide these rights.  If you think they do, you enslave yourself to them.

As he wrapped up the event, Beck offered an observation.  He told the audience at yesterday's rally, no matter what the number officially given to the massive crowd, it would be seen as a failure if it simply ended there.  If we didn't take this opportunity to reconnect with our Creator and change the priorities in our lives, the sun will set on the shining city on the hill.

Laus Deo

At the very top of the Washington Monument are two words facing the heavens - Laus Deo - Latin for "Praise Be to God".  No visitor can see these words because it's a message to the Creator.  Laid after the Civil War, at a time when our country finally rid itself of the scourge of slavery, it symbolized the mood of a nation during a time when it need healing.

What happens now is up to us, as it always has been, God willing.

Who Exactly is Inciting Mobs?

Those of us in the Tea Party movement are purposely being labeled an angry mob by several different has-been news organizations. Their motivation for doing so can only be answered by them, but one thing is crystal clear - should a violent societal breakdown occur, in the media's mind, it will originate from the Tea Party movement.

Phone calls to several democrat lawmakers using threatening, hateful language have emerged and shared with the media. Dutifully, news organizations have tagged the callers as associates of the Tea Party movement or even the GOP. Neither the GOP, the majority of Tea Party activists, nor myself condone or support such actions. Those kinds of calls do nothing to advance debate or human dignity.


The media however seems perfectly comfortable making the accusation despite having zero evidence of who these people are or if they have any actual relationship with the Tea Party or the GOP. But why let a silly thing like that keep you from your agenda making?


This is no isolated incident; there's a storyline being presented. Take the following examples: Dr. Lamont Hill (FOX News), Chris Matthews (MSNBC), Courtland Milloy (Washington Times).


This isn't the first time they have purposely tried to associate the anti-government movement as hate-filled and racist. You may remember this video when MSNBC tried to tag those attending the health care town halls as gun-toting racists. Of course, the reality was quite different.


Now, let's contrast the Tea Party movement with the revolutionaries on the left and you tell me who exactly is the "angry mob" here? From the Obama administration: Van Jones, Ron Bloom, and Anita Dunn. From the 2008 election: ACORN members, Palin haters, and the Black Panthers.


Flash mobs aren't created by Tea Party activists either. Our movement doesn't need the element of surprise or intimidation because our agenda is transparent, unlike some in the political arena of ideas. While most of us support the 2nd amendment, we have no interest in violence; no interest in those who do. But drawing parallels between the Tea Parties and the recent string of flash mob incidents in Philadelphia, as one report did earlier this week, doesn't do anything but add fuel to the fire.


So to those of you in the news media I say: stop your incendiary rhetoric. Stop blaming the peaceful resistance of a hostile government takeover for violence which hasn't happened.

If there will be blood on any one's hands, it may well be yours.

Palin Quietly Scrubbed by CNN

When CNN included Sarah Palin in a list of politicians who fell from grace last year, Politicians who made headlines for the wrong reasons, many supporters balked. Palin's name was was included with other notorious politicians (Blago, Ted Stevens, Spitzer, John Edwards) who all fell because of scandal.

Now, CNN has seen the light and quietly removed the Alaska governor from the revised article.

It must have been a simple editorial oversight, surely.

HT Josh Painter at RedState.

Church Burning Ignored

'Cause it's just in wacky Wasilla darn it. Never mind that the arson was also attempted murder.

As Andrew Malcolm points out in an update to his December 14th article,

In the ensuing weeks since the fire, there doesn't seem to have been much media attention or outcry against the anonymous attack on a house of worship. Probably just because Wasilla is so far away. Yes, that's probably the reason.

The Hanging of Palin

Hypocrites and hate-mongers. I'm sure glad Obama's rise is bringing about real change.

A Sarah Palin mannequin was hung by a noose as a part of a "Halloween" display outside a West Hollywood home.

I wonder how many MSM outlets will cover this, as opposed to those who would lead their news broadcast if it was the Messiah in the noose.

At least it was covered by LA's local CBS station.

Mac is Back

Just when a lot of the media were busy helping Barack measure drapes, comes this little story of an AP poll showing the presidential race is much tighter than any in the MSM would like you to know.

This tightening in the race comes despite a profoundly negative tone to the majority of news stories relating to John McCain. Want proof? Here ya go.

In other news, Palin's wardrobe is the focus of some media reports, while stories of Obama's relationship with Williams Ayers continue to be buried.

More evidence of the death of journalism...

The Best of Biden

...in the words of Sarah, "say it ain't so, Joe".

Never, Ever Underestimate Sarah

When Rocky took on Apollo Creed the first time, no one thought the outcome would be a draw. OK, it's a stretch to compare the Philly classic to tonight's debate. But few people expected Sarah Palin to match Biden in this contest, let alone knock him to the canvas several times.

Biden didn't do anything to hurt himself or Barack tonight. He did a good job of, well, being Biden. He had a few flawed statements such as when he stated, "the surge concept won't work in Afghanistan" followed immediately by "we need more troops". And when he tried to weasel out of his "no coal plants in America" comments, Sarah correctly pointed out his double talk on the rope line.

It was supposed to be the McCain/Palin ticket's last stand. A lot of pundits thought the race would be over tonight. But that's why they play the games. As one commentator noted, "Welcome to the Sarah Palin show".

She was funny, witty, and relaxed. She was comfortable enough to admit that she's only been playing this game for five weeks. She spoke to middle-America, not the elitist East Coast crowd.

Joe was left to resort with class warfare, typical of Democrat candidates for as long as I can remember. He tried, again, to label McCain as just another Bush. But I suspect few voters actually buy that drivel; McCain didn't get his label as a Maverick for nothing.

All eyes were on Sarah tonight, Biden was just the side show. Of course I think she won, but I suspect so did many others watching.

The game is officially on again; the fat lady isn't singing; the obituary has not been written. Less than five weeks to go and it's about to get tight.

Unlike Rocky and Apollo, there won't be a rematch. But "Dog-gone-it" the under card sure was worth the price of admission.

Pop Go the Weasels

There's a great point being made about the questions Sarah Palin has been peppered with in her few interviews. I couldn't put my finger on it, but knew something was odd; something told me I had seen this before.

If you remember the 2000 election, Bush was asked identify the leader of Pakistan - he bumbled the answer. It was the first of many attempts to cast W as clueless on foreign affairs. Likewise, Palin is being subjected to the same style of grilling.

A topic at The Corner, leads you to an article about the Pop-Quiz style questioning intended to trip up Palin. It gives Sarah advice about how to answer the baited questions she continually gets tossed.

"...back to your question. You seem to be implying that if I don't know something you didn't learn about until you were preparing for this interview, somehow that means I'm not qualified for office. I realize you're just doing your job, but don't you think the American people want a leader, not a Jeopardy winner?

"And by the way: Did you ever ask John Edwards that question?"

That kind of a response would end the Double-Jeopardy questioning from the dimwitted Katie Couric and her comrades in a heartbeat.

The Experience of Legends

Here are a few facts about a would-be Vice President...

Under 45 years old
Loves the outdoors
Is an experienced hunter
Took on the Republican establishment
Has many children
Has 2 years of executive experience as Governor

In 2008, such a candidate is considered a political light weight. But in 1900, so was the conventional wisdom toward Teddy Roosevelt.

They mocked Teddy too, as this Wikipedia picture shows. But the leader of America's original progressive movement, is now permenently carved in Mount Rushmore's stone.

HT Ted Taylor

Palin Email Hacker - Son of a Dem

The apparent hacker of Sarah Palin's email account may be the son of Tennessee State Representative, Mike Kernell.

What a bleeping surprise - yeah, not so much. Tip to Alex at PaWaterCooler.

Krauthammer: Palin Right on 'Bush Doctrine'

HT Tony P

I'd like to see The Hammer interview Gibson. It's only fair game don't you think?

Read the entire Krauthammer piece here.

Matt Damon - Just Another Idiot Actor

Matt Damon comparing the Palin pick to a bad Disney movie.

"I wanna know if she thinks dinosaurs were here 4,000 years ago. I wanna know that, I really do, cause she's gonna have the nuclear codes..."

Uh, Matt. Barry is one of those Christians you hate too. Are you concerned about his view on creation as well?

A strong, successful, driven, no-nonsense woman...no wonder Matt is so scared.



HT JB

Bridge to Exaggeration

Another day, another Democrat/media/leftist-blogger exaggerated controversy. Who says so? The Dems in Alaska.

HT to View from the Ridge, an Alaskan blogger who has the story the MSM won't cover.

Specifically, the Democrats in Alaska credited the State of Alaska (Sarah Palin) with killing the bridge to nowhere. So said (key word) their website until yesterday. The comments were promptly pulled when they started receiving attention.

A link within their comments points out that Palin, in September of 2007, said the following,

"Ketchikan desires a better way to reach the airport, but the $398 million bridge is not the answer," Gov. Sarah Palin said in a prepared statement.

Thanks to the diligence of Ridgeliner, it's also noted that both Obama and Biden voted against an October 2005 amendment by Senator Tom Coburn that would have shifted funds from Alaska's bridge and to Katrina-ravaged New Orleans a month after the disaster. McCain did not vote on the measure.

So while Sarah may have supported her state receiving funds initially, the two Democrats actually voted to keep it. I wonder if New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin is aware of that juicy tid-bit?

The Original Mavericks

"A Star is Born"

The energy in the room (from my living room vantage point) was electric.

She started flawlessly, ended brilliantly. She's got a sense of humor and a firm grip on reality. She's got a nasty little snarl; one I'm sure her detractors will get to see a lot of in the coming years.

They thought she lacked depth, they were wrong. She's sweet, yet tough. They thought she lacked substance, they were wrong. They thought she was just a stewardess, they were ignorantly WRONG. They thought she was an uptight conservative christian...oooooooo, sorry, WRONG!!

Quotes I'll take from this classic speech...

Every woman (I add, not just Liberal Dems) can walk through the door of opportunity.

I guess a small-town mayor is sorta like a community organizer, except you have actual responsibilities.

The difference between a hockey mom and pit-bulls...lipstick!!

Al-Queda wants to inflict catastrophic harm on Americans, and he's (Obama) worried that someone won't read them their rights.

Barack Obama has had the time to write two memoirs, but no time to write meaningful legislation.

Let's be clear, there's just one man in this election who's every really fought for you.

There are some politicians who use change to promote their careers, and some who use their careers to promote change.

When the cloud of rhetoric has passed, when the roar of the crowd fades away, when the stadium lights go out, and those styrofoam Greek columns head back to Hollywood...and after he's done parting the waters and healing the planet...the answer (from Obama) is to make government bigger.

She had the audience in her hand and the MSM by the balls. I could almost hear Keith Olbermann choking.

RNC Convention First Half

Hurricane Gustav threw a curve ball at the GOP, so the first night of the convention was scaled back, leaving last night as the first opportunity for voters to hear from the right side of the aisle.

The bigger event on opening night came from "anarchists" (I put the quotes because the MSM is convinced Dems wouldn't do this) who attempted stir up a little news of their own. To their dismay, I'm sure, Gustav stole the headlines from them as well.

Night two, Fred Thompson, Presdient Bush, and former Democrat VP choice Joe Lieberman addressed the - I have to admit, unimpressive - audience.

Fred was fired up, but I can only wonder why he wasn't this energetic on the campaign trail. W called McCain "ready to lead" - an obvious link back to John's ads which portray Obama as not so ready. Lieberman's theme was to convince marginal Democrats to cross party lines because, "country is more important to me than party".
All good, not great, speeches.

However, these are clearly just the prequel to the main event - Palin.

Each one of my non-political friends still see Sarah as a lightweight. No doubt she will have a lot of attentive eyes tonight. She could make or break the entire convention, not to mention the fall election, with tonight's speech.

Palin's Daughter Expecting

Multiple sources on this one.

Sarah Pailin's 17 year old daughter is pregnant.

Bank on the usual suspects making jokes and attempting the ah-ha tactic, like one childish page13 reader did earlier today. Forget that it's a 17 year old, there's blood in the water. Never mind the personal issues the family has to deal with, the left will surely attack the Palin family for political gain.

Oh, by the way. She's keeping the baby and will marry the father. More than most of her critics would ever consider. That would be too inconvenient for them.

It's the Experience, STUPID!

Here's a more in-depth look at the comparison between the cover girl who would be one heartbeat from the presidency and the community organizer who wants the position immediately.

Sarah Palin vs. Barack Obama AUDACITY OF TRUTH

HT Yardo