Matthew Dowd, the former Bush adviser, argues that Sarah Palin has a realistic shot at the presidency in 2012. Now, to be fair to Dowd, he's no mindless Palinista: he was one of the few Republicans to criticise McCain's choice of running mate during the campaign and he's attempting to make an objective case here, albeit a contrarian one. But even so, it's a deeply silly piece.
Dowd says that Paln's favourability ratings are the "mirror image" of Obama's, which is very misleading (he neglects to mention, for instance, that the Republican base is smaller than the Democratic base). But such statistical sophistry is besides the point anyway. The point is this: look at her! LIsten to her! This is not a person who is going to make any serious, sustained effort to turn herself into a viable candidate, even if she could! Yet Dowd - in dishing out advice to Palin - talks about her as if she's a professional, dedicated politician who acts on the advice of people like him. Here he is - bless his heart - imagining that Palin will somehow drag herself away from the celebrity whirligig and transform herself into Henry Kissinger:
You don't need to "tweet" quite so much. You don't need to be at countless rallies and photo ops. Instead, seek out substantive platforms where you can relate to people in a thoughtful, measured way. Appear on Sunday shows every now and then, sit down with Charlie Rose and editorial boards, and give serious speeches on your approach to the world in the 21st century
First reaction: I'd love to see that, just for the immense comedy value it promises. Second reaction: Not. Going. To Happen.
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