Tea Parties

Her book is called Going Rogue and it is already a bestseller weeks ahead of appearing on the bookshelves. This is no small feat and is indicative of the fact that Sarah Palin is the most spectacular politician in the Republican party—and possibly the United States. Her book is just thin edge of the wedge, too. Not only will she make millions doing speeches and grow her profile by acting ‘mavericky’ on Facebook and other outlets, she will dominate fundraising efforts for her party in the upcoming electoral year. Should the GOP make any gains in the 2010 mid terms, she will be in a position to reap the credit and her name will leap to the top of Republican field for the presidential primaries in 2012.

Two recent articles on this site—one by Mark Steyn, the other by Luiza Ch. Savage—suggested Barack Obama is responsible for the rising tension and partisan polarization that led to the raucous Tea Parties and townhall meetings of the summer. Indeed, Obama has lost support since the late spring, particularly among independent voters and the elderly. The healthcare debate has been a factor, but it has also become increasingly clear an innate fear of big government has a lot to do with the unease since Obama’s inauguration. Still, to put the blame solely on Obama’s policies or, in the cases of Jimmy Carter and Maureen Down, on racism, is to deal in oversimplification.

Preliminary reviews would lead us to believe that President Obama will get kudos when the first 100 days are up. Not all has gone as planned for his administration, but Obama has clearly set the pace and the political agenda. On the other side of the political fence, while the Democrats are currently benefiting from the Obama effect, the Republicans seem confused, listless, and divided.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bo4sDDdS6Ns