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Tone it down, please
Thursday, May 13, 2010 - Posted by Rich Miller * Never let the facts get in the way of a good story…
Kirk was in DC yesterday voting on bills - which is where he said he would be and which was the reason he gave for not being able to make the Palin speech. I checked the House Clerk’s website and found a two percent absentee rate on the bill which received the most votes yesterday. Kirk’s reason was legit, aside from the amateur pseudo-psychological mumbo-jumbo quoted above. You’d think Palin was Queen or something the way this visit has been treated by some in the press. Who will go? Who will snub? Please. I doubt even her most ardent supporters will remember on election day who was and who wasn’t at that speech. * As someone who often gives speeches for a fee (and it’s a pretty hefty fee for Illinois), I would be embarrassed to go in front of an audience with such a weak presentation. Hey, I don’t begrudge the half-term ex-guv the cash. I wish I could charge $100K a speech. But you’d think she’d have some basic mechanics down by now, including refraining from speaking over applause lines and content that is at least slightly above pablum levels… Oof. * Related…
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- George - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 10:46 am:
Rich, award show banter is not pablum!
- George - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 10:48 am:
(waiting to see how long it takes Republicans to figure out that, come fall, they could have really used those millions of dollars they are paying her to be their best friend)
- heet101 - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 10:49 am:
“the America-lovin’, huntin’, fishin’ and shootin’” - eesh. talk about turning a pol into a cartoon.
Whether you agree with her “America lovin’” political style, you gotta agree that she’s just a terrible speaker. Its hard to watch sometimes.
- John Bambenek - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 10:51 am:
I’m betting the ILGOP more than broke even by bringing her to town. You name another event that could get 4000 low dollar donors into a room. This was a fundraiser, so the only metric is what the end take was, and I bet it wasn’t a bad take at the end of the day.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 10:52 am:
===You name another event that could get 4000 low dollar donors into a room.===
You’re talking about the wrong event. That 4K attendance figure was for the WIND speech. The IL GOP funder was separate.
- Small Town Liberal - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 10:53 am:
Oh come on Rich, you’re just picking on her like all of the rest of us mean liberals…
- John Bambenek - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 10:54 am:
I was under the assumption that part of the 4k event did go to the ILGOP…
And at $25k a pop for a picture, I’m sure the funder did quite well too.
- Bill - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 10:54 am:
I certainly would not describe her as “hard to watch”. Also. I think she typifies the average republican. Bush, Cheney, McConnell, Brady, Shock, Rutherford, etc.,etc.,etc.
- wordslinger - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 10:59 am:
The NBCChicago.com bit is over the top and gets even weirder when you read further. What are you trying to say, dude?
As far as Sarah goes, by all accounts the crowd was digging it. Give your audience what they want, and they’ll turn out for it. I don’t get it, but I’ve never been able to sit through ten minutes of Oprah or American Idol, either. Sarah’s now more pop culture than politician.
- WRMNPolitics - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 11:00 am:
Palin knew she was in Illinois because she could see Wisconsin from her hotel window.
- Small Town Liberal - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 11:04 am:
- Palin knew she was in Illinois because she could see Wisconsin from her hotel window. -
No, thats how she knew she was an expert on making cheese.
- Carl Nyberg - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 11:09 am:
Giannoulias’ comments on Afghanistan are painful.
Giannoulias starts by criticizing Kirk for being in Congress in the period where the federal government went from big surpluses to record deficits.
This makes sense.
Giannoulias included criticism of the war/occupation/cluster#@(% in Afghanistan.
When I saw this, I thought, wow, Giannoulias is breaking from the Obama administration on a mission with exceedingly nebulous goals.
But then Giannoulias backtracked and said he supported the whatever-we’re-doing in Afghanistan and bashed Kirk for not supporting enough money for Afghanistan.
But doesn’t that kinda negate Giannoulias’ original point?
Here’s what Giannoulias should be saying about Afghanistan.
- shore - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 11:09 am:
Not shocking considering this media told us for 3 years we were a lock to win the olympics. These journalists live in one of the most deeply democrat cities in america and probably few if any of them have dinner on saturday night or know of any true palin supporters. This is more of an innate cultural and professional bias on their behalf than any sort of out to get the sarrahcuda plan.
- wordslinger - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 11:13 am:
–These journalists live in one of the most deeply democrat cities in america and probably few if any of them have dinner on saturday night….–
That must make for a big Sunday breakfast. I hesitate to ask, but what in the world does that mean?
- And I Approved This Message - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 11:14 am:
She makes my ears bleed.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 11:27 am:
Dinner on Saturday night? What the heck are you talking about?
- South of I-80 - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 11:29 am:
Makes one wonder how much the “Gentelman’s Club” made with the Palin look-a-like contest compared to what the ILGOP brought it? I wonder if they got a piece of that action?
- Justice - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 11:38 am:
Let me get this right:Palin is making money selling books, going on speaking tours, and contributing to talk shows. And thats bad how?
I have never personally met her, don’t really pay all that much attention to her, yet she is demonized by many on the left….and the right?
Why is that?
- jonbtuba - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 11:50 am:
It’s embarrassing for Palin that no major GOP candidates showed up to back her. Consider that another red flag for anyone thinking this woman has a real shot at running for president.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 11:54 am:
===no major GOP candidates showed up to back her===
Brady was there, the state party chairman was there, plenty of others were there. Not sure what you mean.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 12:05 pm:
shore, are you referring to Jewish people? Are you really trying to say that the Chicago media is dominated by Jews? Because if you are, you’re in for a banning, dude. You need to answer these questions before commenting again here.
- VanillaMan - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 12:13 pm:
She isn’t running for president. She isn’t running for any political office. She never ran for president. She was a governor - in Alaska.
She is a popular political personality. She wrote a very popular book. She does speaking tours. Get gets a lot of money for appearing.
Now, if you believe in free markets, then you would recognize that if Palin wasn’t worth the money, she wouldn’t get the money. If you don’t believe in free markets, then you could, I guess, think there is some conspiracy out there, somewhere you can’t explain, that is keeping Palin popular. You probably don’t agree with her to the point where you would pay not to hear her speak. OK - do that. Then shut up.
We live in a free country. We are allowed to create and hoist new messiahs whenever we want. We all saw that happen over the past few years with Obama. It will happen again with someone else. If you don’t like the messiah of the year, then don’t worship them. But stop acting like your world is ruined because another messiah exists for other people.
Bottom line - Obama or Palin, whatever - they are both human, but beloved by millions. Regardless of if you love one or the other, whatever - get over it.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 12:20 pm:
VMan, this has nothing to do with the markets. I was merely marveling at how someone with such poor skills and lack of content could make that sort of dough. Take a breath and spare us the long-winded lectures.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 12:23 pm:
VM, you must not have any mirrors in your house.
It’s not a conspiracy that makes her popular. It’s the fact that she appeals to the lowest common denominator among her audience. As P.T. Barnum said, “there a sucker born every minute.” Palin is simply carrying on a great tradition of traveling freak shows and the rubes are waiting in line with their checkbooks open, eager to get in on the spectacle.
I’m neither threatened nor impressed by her celebrity.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 12:25 pm:
=== She isn’t running for president. She isn’t running for any political office. ===
What planet do you live on?
We know a duck when we see one.
Kirk’s reasons for being in D.C. may indeed be legit. Only he and his campaign really know what they’re Palin strategy is, and they’re not saying.
But he’s running for the U.S. Senate, and his views on what it takes to be a good Commander-in-Chief matter. Moreover, unless you think Steele is actually running the GOP, Palin is the figurehead of the party, and the embodiment of partisanship. The media will keep pressing the story until he either wholeheartedly embraces Palin or rejects her.
- Moving to Ojklahoma - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 12:32 pm:
I laugh everytime I see liberals go batty over a Palin Speech / event / appearance. I assume she laughs even harder, all the way to the bank. Go Sarah.
- Ghost - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 12:38 pm:
Palin may not be a good show, but fortunetly we can fall back on WWF where the wrestling is real and the drama just the conjoined part of that reality.
- CHICAGO-DEM - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 12:46 pm:
I say go Sarah! At least she is more coherent and makes more sense than some of our local Chicago/Cook county elected pols. And yes, 47th ward, there’s is sucker born every day…in Chicago…after all we elected a chicago pol to the Presidency who governs and changes his mind daily to fit his own agenda…yes P.T. Barnum was right!
- Cousin Ralph - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 12:49 pm:
“Poor skills and lack of content,” if you would insert the work accurate or scientific between the word “of” and “content” you would be talking about Al Gore. Although Al Gore has made many, many millions more than Palin.
- VanillaMan - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 12:50 pm:
I was merely marveling at how someone with such poor skills and lack of content could make that sort of dough.
I also marvel. I have no idea why she is so popular. I also never got Obama, but he is now president. This kind of thing happens.
- just sayin' - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 1:01 pm:
What I found most annoying was how the wimpy GOP officials here had an apologetic tone about the whole thing. Durkin and others almost making excuses for why they were okay with Palin being here. Mostly backhanded compliments like “she knows how to raise money.” And then a guy like Bill Brady finally, almost grudgingly it seemed, evenually deciding to attend.
Meanwhile the reality is that if a Sarah Palin was the GOP nominee in Illinois, she would get probably a million more votes than Brady and Kirk ever will. It would be like a presidential election year as far as turnout. The base would be energized and lots of new voters would come out who normally sit on their hands. Granted the Dems would also be motivated to come out too, seeking to stop her, but Palin’s 10 times the candidate of anyone on the GOP ticket in Illinois, which is entirely uninspiring and quite weak. The Dem ticket is equally uninspriring, but Dems have more room for error in a Dem state.
My guess is part of the GOP attitude comes from resentment and jealousy. There’s not one GOP official in this state who could get 1,000 people to a FREE event, much less 4,000 at 50 bucks or whatever a pop. And who knows how many Palin would attract to a larger venue. It takes a strong person to be in the shadow of a rock star, especially when some of these guys have been on the ground here for decades and have nothing close to her following.
- Vole - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 1:02 pm:
“I was merely marveling at how someone with such poor skills and lack of content could make that sort of dough.”
I marveled at how this person could have been chosen as a vice presidential candidate. And how the candidate who chose her could with completely transparent dishonesty continue to state to this day that she is qualified to be president even when now, a majority of Republicans say that she is not. Not a good sign of a healthy political system.
- Small Town Liberal - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 1:03 pm:
VanillaMan - So we can’t make fun of someone we think is an idiot? Of course she has a right to speak and people have a right to pay to see her speak, but I’ll be damned before I give up my right to ridicule her.
- wordslinger - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 1:40 pm:
Sarah in Rosemont:
“We need a restoration of freedom and a strong national defense. If America is strong, the rest of the world will be more peaceful.”
She obviously has the freedom to make a buck saying what she wants, but it drives me nuts when the tea-partiers whine about losing their freedoms. Nobody ever had so much freedom anytime, anywhere.
As far as our national defense, it seems to me the three million actives and reserves are doing a hell of a job in some pretty confused missions. She seems to think they’re not up to it.
- VanillaMan - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 1:43 pm:
Right - now tone it down, please. Your ridiculing is the reason for this posting.
- wordslinger - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 1:47 pm:
It’s what she said. You don’t speak for Rich.
- VanillaMan - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 1:47 pm:
Maybe she is reading this kind of stuff
Dispute it all you wish, but what she is saying is meeting with a lot of popularity. Go figure.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 1:57 pm:
Maybe she had the Heritage Foundation’s Freedom Index scrawled on the palm of her hand.
Snake oil was popular in its day too, VM. Go figure.
- Loop Lady - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 2:06 pm:
Saw Durkin in a clip on the tube where he lauded Palin for coming to Rosemont to raise money for the Republicans…that’s all he said out loud anyways…
- Way Way Down Here - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 2:07 pm:
Sure she’s popular. I see Dancing with the Stars in her future.
- VanillaMan - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 2:12 pm:
I guess this depends on how you view populists. If you believe that populists just fall into their political popularity, then they are just lucky. If you believe that populists plan their political popularity, then they are not to be trusted.
Perhaps it depends with which group a political personality is popular. If you have no respect for a particular group of people, then you would probably not have any respect for their leader(s).
Germans learned to be suspicious of populist leaders after WWII. Angela Merkel is not a populist, but instead represent spectacularly, the kind of political leader a post-WWII Germany will elect.
In the US, we have a long list of populist leaders, right up to today with both Obama and Palin. Cult of personality, to which, I believe it is referred. Look at our list: General Washington, General Jackson, Senator Clay, General Grant, both Roosevelts, even Herbert Hoover during the 1920s was beloved at one time.
We don’t usually dis them anymore because reality stripped away their veneer. This happens with all of them.
“It ain’t bragging if you can do it!”, is what The Great One, Jackie Gleason used to say. This holds true for our populist politicians as well. As long as Obama and Palin write million selling books, have thousands cheering them on, and millions devoted to them - we really don’t have to line up to spit at them. Reality does this better.
So the passions that arise over either Obama or Palin will subside on their own.
But when we attack popular politicians, aren’t we also attacking our neighbors? If you have no respect for your neighbors, then go ahead and insult them. Just don’t expect them to end up at your doorstep interested in your opinions on other issues, even if time proves you to be correct.
- dupage dan - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 2:15 pm:
Cousin Ralph - you got it right on Gore. Seems the comparison made by some to snake oil could apply to him more easily than Palin. The vitriol towards her seems a bit over the top but it seems people have made that a hobby.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 2:17 pm:
VM seriously dude, go buy a mirror. Go back and re-read many of your comments over the past few years and then come back and lecture us about populists, popularity and pomposity.
While you may enjoy the sound of your own voice, not all of us are so enamored.
- Small Town Liberal - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 2:22 pm:
- Right - now tone it down, please. Your ridiculing is the reason for this posting. -
Thanks for the advice, but no thanks. Rich’s post has nothing to do with ridicule, it has to do with people making a big deal out of nothing. So I’ll let Capt. Fax and his minions moderate my comments, and you’re free to ridicule them all you want.
- wordslinger - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 2:23 pm:
–But when we attack popular politicians, aren’t we also attacking our neighbors?–
LMAO, on so many levels, especially coming from you.
Are you pre-law or pre-med? That logic is straight out of Otter’s defense before the frat council in Animal House.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 2:26 pm:
“I put it to you Greg: isn’t this an indictment of our entire country? Well I, for one, am not going to stand here and listen to you bad mouth the United States of America!”
lol Word.
- downstate hack - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 2:28 pm:
Sarah Palin speaks for a growing group of Americans who are fed up with a disfunctional government that is rapidly bankrupting this country. $1.4 trillion debt last year alone. People are fed up and even if she is a horrible speaking her message resonates as quite reasonable. I for one am not ready to write a check for one American’s share ($14,000 each) for just that deficit. Demanding fiscal responsibility from our leaders is no crime even if said during an applause line. Hey demanding fiscal responsibility from Illinois legislatators is probably a good idea also.
- Way Way Down Here - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 2:33 pm:
For many reasons, I recently reread Eric Hoffer’s “The True Believer”. It was kind of academic when I first read it in the 70s. Downright scary today.
- shore - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 2:35 pm:
sorry Rich, I have a day job. What I was pointing out was that the world chicago journalists live in culturally and politically is much much different than the one palin comes from. metropolitan/rural, pro nra/anti nra, evangelical/secular ect. Going by recent chicago voting patterns they are very unlikely to hang out with palin voters or live in pro-palin areas which plays into their perspective in thinking that Kirk’s alignment or unalignment with her on this visit demonstrates what kind of senator he will be. He has a 10 year record as a centrist, those are votes he has to take home to the district to defend, not some flim flammy visit by a tv pundit.
This is no different than the reception that barack obama might get in rural working class appalachia which was the only place senator mccain did better than bush in 08.
The north shore happens to be the most jewish part of Illinois or the country for that matter outside of la, florida and new york and while not a tribesman I am proud of my jewish friends and neighbors.
- Louis G. Atsaves - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 2:35 pm:
Good comments VM.
What is the alternative? Outlaw all populists? That would empty out Washington and Springfield in a hurry, let alone County, Municipal and Township positions!
- Loop Lady - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 2:43 pm:
What Sarah Palin truly is in favor of is making money for herself from folks who think like her…period…
- Rich Miller - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 2:57 pm:
shore, that is insufficient. I believe your crack about not having dinner on Saturday night was a bigoted comment about Jewish journalists. I want an explanation of that Saturday night thing or you can forget about commenting here again.
- VanillaMan - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 3:42 pm:
What is the alternative?
An alternative seems to be unnecessary because a populist just can’t keep spinning and spinning. Eventually, they have to deliver something to prove that they are real.
Palin can’t keep on making the same arguments unless those arguments still resound with her followers. If she is really the problem so many haters claim she is, then all they have to do is resolve the problems she describes and she will lose her base. The problems don’t even have to be resolved as she defines the solution - if liberals don’t like to hear her, then they can fix the problems too.
The best way to remove power from populists is to either elect them and let them prove themselves, or resolve the issues they depend upon to keep going. If they are right, we all win - if they are wrong, then we always move on.
- Carl Nyberg - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 4:13 pm:
VanillaMan,
What if Palin’s appeal is grounded in feelings of White people that Blacks, non-Whites and non-White immigrants are getting more than they should? How should Democrats address these feelings of resentment with policy solutions?
It seems likely that the cause of the anxiety is partly that the modern world is stressful b/c of rapid changes in technology and the economy.
To some extent the economy could be made less cruel and the government could do more to make people feel comfortable with technology.
But it’s hard to build consensus around policy solutions when you have politicians like Palin nurturing racial/ethnic resentment.
Look at the debates Congress has had about health care and financial regulation. Republicans whip up opposition by lying and making cynical appeals to White resentment.
And then our media validates these concerns as legitimate because people have them, not because they are grounded in reality.
- No Comment - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 4:47 pm:
VM, Palin already had her chance to prove her “populist” bonafides as Alaska’s governor. She quit that job because she couldn’t handle it. By your theory, her base should have dried up long ago since she proved that she couldn’t even get her fairly conservative home state to go along with her far right agenda. She’s earned and deserves the lion’s share of the ridicule she receives.
Also, Palin isn’t a “populist” by any definition. She appeals to an increasingly vocal minority. This minority isn’t growing, they just yell louder, and thanks to Palin, they think they can make a difference. I truly feel sorry for the GOP. As if they didn’t have enough problems already, any incumbent or hopeful has to dance around their support for Palin because they know she’s considered a nut case by the majority - including independents and moderates.
As a Democrat, I wish her nothing but continued success on the speech circuit.
- siriusly - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 4:57 pm:
Shore? really? “The north shore happens to be the most jewish part of Illinois or the country for that matter outside of la, florida and new york”
What do you mean by that? Do you mean in terms of total number of Jewish people in a congressional district? Percentage of Jewish people in an inexactly defined group of suburbs?
Maybe you think that’s true, but your description of it seems very strange to me.
- shore - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 5:33 pm:
The mccarthyism against me today is absolutely absurd.
Out of nowhere I am accused of bigotry because I randomly chose saturday night to point out that what a shock a press corps based in one of the most liberal cities in america might go a little nuts that an actual national conservative came to chicago for the first time. I have a hard time believing that at phil ponce’s evanston cocktail parties there are lots and lots of right wing palin loving folks.
The jewish part of the equation only entered in when I was accused of something without basis or merit.
At this rate I will be sued by the aclu for using the term blackhawk to refer to name of the pro hockey team that plays in chicago.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 5:39 pm:
That’s not much of an explanation. Random, eh? I don’t buy it. There is a distinct group of people who don’t eat dinner on a Saturday night. I’m not sure what the heck you were talking about if it wasn’t about that.
- Bill - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 5:56 pm:
Vannie,
You must get paid by the word. And what’s all this Saturday night stuff? I don’t get it.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 6:05 pm:
=== Sarah Palin speaks for a growing group of Americans who are fed up with a disfunctional government that is rapidly bankrupting this country. ===
LOL.
Sarah Palin left Alaska with a budget deficit of more than $1 billion.
http://sunshinereview.org/index.php/Alaska_state_budget
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 6:15 pm:
@Shore
You’re not helping yourself out here on the whole stereotyping thing.
As far as I know, Phil Ponce and his wife Ann still live in Lincoln Square, a house they just bought in 2009. For the decade before that they lived on Chicago’s northwest side.
- Louis G. Atsaves - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 6:17 pm:
Nyberg, you trying to tell us that Democrats never lie and play the race card? Or the economic resentment card?
I know that all the “experts” thought that Palin would flame out and finish her 15 minutes of fame shortly after the November 2008 election. Maybe its time everyone focused on why she is still around basking in that 15 minutes of fame and raking in tons of cash. I don’t have any answers. I just sit back and continue to marvel at the reaction she gets, from pure adoration to pure hatred.
- No Comment - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 7:10 pm:
==Sarah Palin left Alaska with a budget deficit of more than $1 billion.==
You mean Palin didn’t practice what she preaches now?!? …stunned silence…
- CHICAGO-DEM - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 8:31 pm:
Yeah! What’s the Saturday night stuff about?
- Tom Pliura - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 9:55 pm:
I like Sarah Palin a lot. In my opinion, I like her style, her speaking skills, and I personally agree with many of the positions she has taken on various political issues.
It seems the more her opponents try to discredit her, the stronger her message becomes.
Tom Pliura
Le Roy, Illinois
- Rob N - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 11:01 pm:
Rich,
The biggest flaw in Kirk’s “alibi” of course that there were also votes the day before…
As you pointed out yesterday, he is recorded as “not voting” for roll call 257 and other votes on the evening of the 11th (Tuesday).
Moreover, all of the votes that Kirk did manage to make himself available for were overwhelmingly lopsided (roll call 262 was a 417-6 vote). Mr. Kirk’s single aye or nay on these matters was hardly a make-it-or-break-it vote.
Ye olde “but I gotta vote” line is a convenient excuse with some good spin potential but rings hollow given that Kirk skipped voting the day before his would-be endorser’s really big show and the votes he did use as an excuse were all lopsided run of the mill sausage-making votes.
- Rob N - Thursday, May 13, 10 @ 11:05 pm:
PS - If Kirk’s “reason was legit” why’d he skip similar the votes the day before but conveniently feign a sense of dire necessity regarding Wednesday’s particular votes which, aw shucks, just so happened to be at the same time as Palinpalooza.