Litigation

2012, Palin + Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino for the GOP Ticket!

By Angel Reyes

Several years ago, I wrote an article that sort of "mirrored" Thomas Frank's "What's the Matter with Kansas." If you haven't read the book, you should. Frank is a terrific writer and an alum - I think same year - of my college, The University of Kansas. Since then, he's gone on to be a prolific writer and champion of the left-of-center crowd. He even wrote for the Wall Street Journal, the antithesis of the left, because he was so terrific at balancing the Wall Street Journal Op-Ed page!

Anyway, as I read more and more about Sarah Palin, I can't help but hearken back to Frank's arguments about what the heck was the matter with Kansas. After all, Kansas was a "free" state that shed blood over the slavery issue in the Civil War! This was where Quantrill's Raid happened. Harpers Ferry! Holy cow, Kansas bled more for the slaves than almost any state!

When Franks asked, "What's The Matter With Kansas" he was looking back in history seeing how bloody the state could get over a liberal cause; then trying to reconcile why the state all of a sudden voted Sam Brownback into office. Talk about cognitive dissonance! Anyway, Kansas is just our prelude, not our thesis or conclusion, so that's the end of me praising Frank.

So, what's all this got to do with Palin+Sorrentino in 2012?

Let me address some of Frank Rich's positions he took in this weekend's New York Times. Rich seems actually worried that Palin and her "new" found celebrity will carry the day. This in spite of her public gaffes, multiple colleges, lack of grades or gravitas, and general down-homeness. Rich wants to know why that hasn't pulled her down. Frank, I love your columns, you're a bright man and terrific writer, but this one you missed. Americans love celebrities. However, Americans don't spend millions on celebrity campaigns, nor do they vote for them, except on Dancing with the Stars.

And when celebrities make mistakes, Americans viciously tear them down. Palin will make a mistake, if she hasn't already. So, no te preocupes.

Rich believes Palin's reality show, produced by Mark Burnett - yes of all that fame, is an eight week infomercial to stoke the fervor and loyalty of the GOP base! Mr. Rich, our country isn't as stupid as you may think it is! Indeed, political voters are very different than American Idol voters, just a hunch.

Palin is a celebrity and she is who she is. Yes, she's got supporters like Hannity, O'Reilly, and Limbaugh, but when push comes to blows in the GOP back rooms, Palin loses out for the same reasons all average people lose out - the American public is smarter than that!

So, how do you stop Palin, if that is your goal? Rich suggests manning up. Not a bad idea. Try this on for size: I will produce every transcript of mine from college, law school, and business school. If Palin has 5 grades higher than my 128 hours from college, 90 hours from law school, and 40+ hours from business school, I'll vote for her! First, we gotta open kimonos! Palin, want to "man up?"

Full post as published by Angel Reyes Blog on November 24, 2010 (boomark / email).