Peggy Noonan Misrepresents Conservatives?!?!
Given the respect I’ve shown Peggy Noonan in the past, even comparing her to the Greek goddess Athena, I decided to put aside the other posts I had planned for today and address instead her latest column. A number of readers have written me, alarmed at her misrepresentation of conservatives and her harsh criticism of Sarah Palin.
I do agree that the McCain campaign should have made the party’s vice presidential nominee more open to the press, but also fault the mainstream for using their interviews with her not as a means to learn about her record, but almost as a game, posing questions they wouldn’t pose to a Democratic candidate. Did Katie Couric ask Joe Biden to detail Barack Obama’s legislative accomplishments, bills he supported, say, promoting a “new kind of politics”?
In a similar vein, Peggy faults Palin for following the base, a criticism which could also be leveled at the Alaska Governor’s rival for the Vice Presidency. Isn’t that what a running mate does? Serve as a kind of attack dog for the ticket while appealing to the base?
Oddly, after noting how Harry S Truman came out of nowhere to be a successful president, Peggy writes that after seven weeks on the national stage, “there is little sign that [Palin] has the tools, the equipment, the knowledge or the philosophical grounding one hopes for, and expects, in a holder of high office.” If she’s referencing Palin’s campaign style, shouldn’t she look back at the Missourian’s vice presidential campaign in 1944 and not his record in the White House?
Had Truman shown the qualities which distinguished his Administration in the 1944 campaign? We don’t know. Maybe he did. But, Peggy doesn’t look there. And that campaign would be a more appropriate means to compare the two politicians who rose to sudden prominence when their party’s standard bearer tapped them to be his running mate.
It’s not just the inappropriate comparison which troubles me about the piece. It’s also that Peggy echoes a charge she made in her book, Patriotic Grace (which I, by and large, enjoyed). There, she writes that, “On the right they busied themselves attacking anyone who deviated from the [Bush] administration’s line.”
Did we? Hardly.
On conservative blogs and in conservatives publications, we have seen some amazingly stinging criticism of the president and his team. As just one example, take a gander at this this April 2007 National Review piece on Bush’s competence problem.
Yet, today Peggy writes:
I gather this week from conservative publications that those whose thoughts lead them to criticism in this area are to be shunned, and accused of the lowest motives. In one now-famous case, Christopher Buckley was shooed from the great magazine his father invented. In all this, the conservative intelligentsia are doing what they have done for five years. They bitterly attacked those who came to stand against the Bush administration. This was destructive. If they had stood for conservative principle and the full expression of views, instead of attempting to silence those who opposed mere party, their movement, and the party, would be in a better, and healthier, position.
In a post on the Corner responding to Noonan’s charges, National Review’s editor-in-chief, Rich Lowry points out that Buckley remains on NR’s board and that the magazine has published a number of pieces critical of Palin while welcoming dialogue in its various blogs on her merits as a candidate.
Peggy, it seems, has repeated the standard left-wing criticism of conservatives that we brook no dissent. There is, I repeat, much evidence to the contrary.
I don’t know why it is she chooses to smear those with whom she once traveled (and may yet travel). Alas that her dishonest critique of the right obscures some of her better point of her latest essay.
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Very good comments. I put Noonan in the elitist category - yes we have them on the right as well.
As much as she ignores the criticism on the Right of Bush and certain of his policies. In the last four years I’ve never seen her compliment President Bush on his successes - it goes both ways Peggy!
As for her hard criticism of Sarah for what she has accomplished in 7 weeks - would we be better off with someone like Joe Biden - who sure knows how to speak and handle a debate - while lying through his teeth.
Yes, Sarah has been giving sound bites, but she is connecting with the people and sending zingers Obama’s way.
Meanwhile, I don’t think we have ever seen such a character and personal assassination like we’ve seen with Sarah. Well, until Joe the plumber showed up and became the new punching bag for the left.
Comment by Leah — October 17, 2008 @ 6:18 pm - October 17, 2008
Agree with Leah, as usual. The real rift in the party isn’t between conservatives and m-o-d-e-r-a-t-e-s. It’s between country club Republicans and Joe-the-Plumber Republicans. Peggy Noonan and the country clubbers are appalled… simply appalled at Sarah Palin because she’s not part of the elite. “Real leadership comes from Hahvahd, or Yale… not Idaho Cow College. And one simply doesn’t pull over one’s campaign bus to buy diapers at Wal-Mart. That’s what the hired help is for, don’t you know?”
Comment by V the K — October 17, 2008 @ 7:18 pm - October 17, 2008
It is going to get really lonely as the only elitist left in the circle of crazy, given that the ‘elitist’ Noonan is now leaving it, too. Careful: you might find the Williams degree a liability. And graduate eduction? Oh, no. But that’s in mythology, right? Might work then…
Comment by jimmy — October 17, 2008 @ 7:51 pm - October 17, 2008
Mark Steyn has a nice rebuttal.
Comment by V the K — October 17, 2008 @ 7:56 pm - October 17, 2008
Uhm, yes we do. Truman was a well known commodity by the time he was nominated as VP. He spent TEN YEARS in the U.S. Senate! Truman spent three years years of that rooting out waste and corruption of military contractors DURING WW2. He was a surprise pick because he wasn’t being groomed for the position. Palin could develop into a Truman type candidate - in the future. Noonan is saying, and I agree, she is DEFINITELY NOT there now.
And wouldn’t it have helped conservatives now to have been able to nominate one of the Republican Senators or Reps who attempted similar waste reducing efforts during this conflict. There are a few who are trying to do that. But the Republican party is so warped by rage, that any attempt to cut cost in the military is considered unpatriotic.
No she’s appalled because some conservative are blind to the reality that Palin is simply not VP material.
Comment by sonicfrog — October 17, 2008 @ 7:57 pm - October 17, 2008
Um, sonicfrog, you cut my quote off too soon. The point is that Peggy didn’t address the issue.
Not just that, just as Truman had a record of reform (which you address), so does Palin (which Peggy doesn’t address).
Peggy specifically addresses Palina’s failure on the campaign trail to show she has the mettle to be president. My point was that Peggy didn’t deal with Truman’s vice presidential campaign. And neither do you.
My point is to wonder if vice presidential candidates flesh this out in the first national campaign.
Comment by GayPatriotWest — October 17, 2008 @ 8:18 pm - October 17, 2008
I have NEVER EVER liked Peggy Noonan. I find her to be the effite snob and she rankles me to no end and always has. When Noonan made an off microphone comment (or what she thought was off mic) showing her contempt for Palin when Palin was nominated for VP. In sum, I find Noonan to be a phoney and a snob.
I am tired of elitist conservative snobs like Peggy Noonan and David Brooks and on occasion William Kristol. Brooks and Kristol seem to be have effected by the NY Times snobbery.
and the types like Kathleen Parker…who think they are smarter then all of us….
that crowd scares me almost as much as the leftist witch hunters who drive the Leftists and scream racism every time anyone has any criticism of The Chosen One.
Comment by Rocket — October 17, 2008 @ 8:18 pm - October 17, 2008
As to Harry Truman in 1944 running as VP..he was there for several reasons (he was seen as a political hack of the bosses) and that was with the “Truman Committee” he saved billions in holding hearings on war profiteering by contractors. Plus, he wasn’t the VP at the time who was seen as too leftist/radical…and the political bosses kinda guessed that maybe FDR was in poor health and they despised VP Henry Wallace and wanted him out of the way.
Truman wasn’t seen as someone who would be President no less a great President and during his Presidency he was often reviled….so Noonan as usual has got it wrong again.
another elitist…I am not even sure I would qualify Noonan as conservative..to me she is an elitist snob.
Comment by Rocket — October 17, 2008 @ 8:29 pm - October 17, 2008
That is the point, isn’t it? They can’t. This is the Presidential candidate’s race. That’s why it’s even more important to have someone behind the front guy (or gal) who already has incredibly strong credentials. If Palin had a more robust resume, and the capability to articulate an in-depth understanding of important issues, this wouldn’t be the distraction it is now. Unlike Reagan and Thatcher, she simply is not ready for the highest office in the land.
Oh, and in case I haven’t already said so and might mistake me for an Obama fanboy, his resume isn’t much stronger than Palin’s.
Comment by sonicfrog — October 17, 2008 @ 8:50 pm - October 17, 2008
Well, sonic, fair points all. So it seems you get why I think Peggy is being unfair.
At least on the level of executive accomplishment, her resume is far more robust than Obama’s.
Comment by GayPatriotWest — October 17, 2008 @ 8:58 pm - October 17, 2008
Oh, and in case I haven’t already said so and might mistake me for an Obama fanboy, his resume isn’t much stronger than Palin’s.
No, his resume is weaker than Palin’s. Palin has run a business, a town, and a state. Obama’s never run anything but his mouth. The closest thing he’s had to executive experience is sitting on the board of the Annenberg Challenge (with Bill Ayers) handing out grants to left-wing organizations.
Furthermore, Palin has gone after the corruption in her own party. Obama used and benefited from the corruption in his.
Comment by V the K — October 17, 2008 @ 9:01 pm - October 17, 2008
Peg’s Guccis haven’t touched a blade of grass in decades - let alone anything as vulgar as grass roots. Her articles are completely self serving. I would love to see her engage in a blog-like exchange on the Opinion Page of the WSJ.
Comment by Stosh2 — October 17, 2008 @ 9:48 pm - October 17, 2008
I really have never cared all that much what Noonan, Brooks, et al think. Noonan is a good writer but, dammit, she isn’t wondering where her next paycheck will come from. She’s in no danger of having her job outsourced and having to compete with imported, low-cost workers that the WSJ thinks are so valuable to our country. I suspect she’s set for life. Myself? I’ll probably die at work… retirement being a fading point on the horizon.
None of the candidates are all that great. Palin is the most interesting of the lot because she is “one of us” (I hate to pound the populist drum but, well, there you go). I’ve had my fill of smooth talkers… people who can feed me one lie after the next in soothing, authoritative tones.
To rebut jimmy’s point (such as it is)… DC is full of Harvard and Yale grads and what have we got as a result? Tell me, jimmy, what do you see in DC that’s so bloody great?
Palin has been in the presidential race for two months; Obama has been running for two years. Sarah has more experience than Barry - at least experience that has any value in the real world.
Comment by SoCalRobert — October 17, 2008 @ 9:59 pm - October 17, 2008
What was the business? What was the growth rate? Profit? Inventory responsibilities?
Comment by sonicfrog — October 17, 2008 @ 10:04 pm - October 17, 2008
Sarah Palin helped run her husband’s commercial fishing business… around the same time Joe “Plugs” Biden, whom I am sure Palin’s critics consider eminently more qualified, was screwing over small businessmen by not paying for work done on his house.
Comment by V the K — October 17, 2008 @ 10:22 pm - October 17, 2008
V, the SonicMate is getting mad at me for bloging and not cooking some Q.
I’ll comment tomorrow.
Comment by sonicfrog — October 17, 2008 @ 10:48 pm - October 17, 2008
I think everyone has made many good points here. One of the other things that bothered me about Noonan’s column today was that she acted as though Christopher Buckley was unceremoniously kicked off the National Review because of his Obama endorsement. From what I’ve read, however, Buckley tendered his resignation, but was not asked to do so, and no one at National Review asked him to stay. But aside from that, his endorsement of Obama was one of the most poorly reasoned pieces of fluff I have read in some time. It’s one thing to voice doubts about Palin or McCain, but that’s not all he did. He endorsed Obama on the grounds that Obama’s book was well-written, and that because of that, he couldn’t possibly be the extreme leftist that his history shows him to be. That’s one of the biggest non sequiturs ever. Any freshman philosophy student ought to be able to see the holes in that argument.
McCain is far from an ideal candidate in my book, but when the alternative is giving Harry, Barry, and Nancy unfettered free reign to enact their far-left agenda, I think many of us can be forgiven for having little patience with perniciously fallacious arguments in support of “The One.”
Comment by Kurt — October 17, 2008 @ 10:59 pm - October 17, 2008
With you, Kurt. I’m not even voting for McCain, but this business of “I’m voting for the sleazy Chicago Marxist because the person who has a slight chance of becoming president under McCain is a chillbilly who doesn’t know the difference between a flotilla and a regatta” is … frankly, stupid and insulting.
Comment by V the K — October 17, 2008 @ 11:13 pm - October 17, 2008
I am all for conservatives debating conservatives. It is what separates us from the lock-step left. Has ANY liberal had the same kind of debate that we conservatives have had? No. But, here is the problem with Miss. Noonan, Mr. Brooks, et al. These people think like, well think-tankers. They do not realize that some one has to implement the policies that they promote. Gov. Palin has done a lot of that in two years as a governor. Eight years as a mayor. Two terms on her local city council. What I think bothers these think-tankers is what a lot of people have pointed out. That Gov. Palin is not a graduate of an Ivy League school. That she has not been in the East coast elite circles. Well, news flash to these people. Ronald Reagan, the only president with a degree in economics, got that at Eureka College, a tiny Disciples of Christ college in Illinois. Oh, and he sent his son, Ron, Jr. to an Ivy league school. That turned out great. But, I do not think they really like Sen. McCain because he too is not an “intellectual” like they are. Well, neither was Mr. Reagan. But, he studied and read and soaked information like a sponge. I think that is going to be the case with a Vice-President Palin, God willing. These people, the think-tankers, need to get out of the ivory tower a little bit. They would see that it is not the people leading Gov. Palin, but Gov. Palin SPEAKING to the people. That is why she is so popular. That is why she brings something different to politics. And that is what scares the left. And some think-tank conservatives that are afraid at losing their place in the cocktail circut.
Comment by Mark J. Goluskin — October 17, 2008 @ 11:16 pm - October 17, 2008
Reminds me of the scene in Gettysburg when Gen. Longstreet introduces Gen. Pickett as having graduated “dead last” at West Point. He replied “The North got all the smart ones, and look where it’s got them.”
Comment by ThatGayConservative — October 18, 2008 @ 12:43 am - October 18, 2008
Peggy Noonan should take her tripe to KOS and MSNBC where she can be appreciated. The woman is a “has been” and has no business speaking for conservatives.
Comment by rplat — October 18, 2008 @ 6:00 am - October 18, 2008
Fact is, because we are conservatives we care about the state our the Republican party and have been relentlessly critical of its incompetence over the past few years. This notion that conservatives were collectively in lock step with Bush’s every move is simply not true. His handling of post-invasion Iraq, his amnesty proposals, his port contract to Dubai proposals, and his recent bailout proposal are just to name a few.
Comment by Right Turn — October 18, 2008 @ 7:12 am - October 18, 2008
#19, you’re right. I am outnumbered by liberals in my social circles and I can’t get any of them to admit to a single problem with the present Pelosi-Reid Congress. Not one. Nothing. Nada. They are either oblivious to their incompetence or they simply don’t know that branch of the American government exists.
Comment by Right Turn — October 18, 2008 @ 7:21 am - October 18, 2008
conservatives aren’t trying to shut Noonan up. simply recognizing her for the elitist she is and viewing her comments in that light. Though with Bush she has as much bds as any lefty. I’ve seen all her critiszm, but not one word of praise in the last year.
Comment by leah — October 18, 2008 @ 10:37 am - October 18, 2008
OK V
I have permission to tidy this up and move on.
Part of my caution is that I was saying the same type of things about GW.
“He is a governor - that makes him better qualified”
“He ran several businesses, Al Gore has never run anything”
“He can work across the isle to get things done”
Etc etc.
I know Palin is not Bush. Quite frankly, I think she is a much scrappier person than he is. She is a do’er. She has taken on the establishment and fought corruption, where as Bush is a consensus type guy - go along to get along.
Unlike many politicians, she ran, or participated in businesses, while raising a family, and for some reason you don’t see many on the national stage who have lived like the rest of us. I am in the same position. I just got my California teaching credential. Unlike most who end up in the education profession, I did not go right from high school into college, major in political science or inliberal studies, and go straight into the profession. I worked after high school, worked through college, and after that, ended up running my own business before I ever decided to become a teacher. Does this give me unique experience that most teachers don’t have? HELL YES. Will it make me a BETTER teacher??? Unknown. But after being in the classroom as a teacher, I won’t subscribe to that idea.
Now quickly, on Obama and experience. We all like to deride him because he was a community organizer. I shy away from discounting that experience, because unlike most politician, who’s greatest amount of contact with his or her constituents is knocking on their doors during election time and pleading for their votes, or hanging “I Was Here, Vote For Me!” placards on their doors. Obama has done more than simply canvass the neighborhood, he has been dealing directly with his constituents. That is why, unlike most here, I will not discount his experience as a community organizer.
I’m not going to re-re-re-re-re-hash Palin’s mayoral and governorship experience yet again. However, someone mentioned her stint on the city counsel as part of her qualifications. Nu Huh! If Obama’s time as a state legislature and U.S. Senator doesn’t make him qualified, then Palin’s time on the city counsel, also a legislative position, doesn’t count either. You Rules. Live by them.
That is the last I’m going to write on this subject. I swear it!
Comment by sonicfrog — October 18, 2008 @ 12:22 pm - October 18, 2008
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Pingback by GayPatriot » Peggy’s Osmotic PDS? — October 18, 2008 @ 4:18 pm - October 18, 2008
6,000 turn out to see Sarah Palin in New Hampshire.
10,000 in Pennsylvania.
20,000 in Indiana.
Those poor stupid hicks don’t realize how unpopular she is.
Comment by V the K — October 18, 2008 @ 4:41 pm - October 18, 2008
Tomorrow Colin Powell will be on Meet the Press and probably announce that he supports Obama. I will be more upset by his support of Obama than Noonan, Brooks or Buckley.
By the way, Harry S. Truman did not have a middle name but gave himself the S ……………….. and, he put a period after the S.
Comment by Swampfox — October 18, 2008 @ 5:16 pm - October 18, 2008
PEGGY NOONAN is entitled to her opinion, but that’s all it is, her opinion. Apparently, at least 50% of America, plus Nancy Reagan, plus many others disagree with Noonan. Personally. I just see her as someone who’s a traitor to the Republican party, and who’s opinion is worthless.
Comment by Howard — October 18, 2008 @ 5:23 pm - October 18, 2008
It will be disappointing indeed if General Powell endorses Barry… I suspect the best we can hope for is that he chooses to endorse nobody.
I think it was Rush last week who mentioned a story (true? not true?) about some GOP strategist with a focus group consisting of middle-age Reagan Democrats. One guy summed it up saying that he would hate Obama starting the moment he votes for Him - but vote for Him, he will.
Only time will tell whether or not W has been a success or failure… but for now, many people have had it with Bush (some for good reason; others for silly reasons) and plan to vent their anger at the polls.
The miracle is that Congress seems immune to punishment for its complicity.
Comment by SoCalRobert — October 18, 2008 @ 8:34 pm - October 18, 2008
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Pingback by Peggy Noonan Mispresents Conservatives?!?! « Gay Reading — October 19, 2008 @ 12:24 am - October 19, 2008
Noonan writes:
If this is true, that merely makes Palin just like the rest of the modern-day political class — including McCain! Just who could’ve been chosen as the Republican VP candidate who would have been a true leader? Noonan doesn’t say.
Comment by Dave — October 19, 2008 @ 12:32 am - October 19, 2008
Noonan first went batty when Bush declared it would be the policy of the United States to promote Democracy around the world. As she says in her current column, she saw this as an “emotional” approach to foreign policy, instead of a necessary one. Frankly, I have thought for some time that she writes beautifully, is very well educated, and yet isn’t extraordinarily bright.
She has acted the jilted lover ever since. Big time BDS.
And now she slams Palin for the same reasons she abandoned Bush. Her circle despises him. Peer pressure is intense on socialites. Its simply easier.
personally, I don’t think Reagan would approve of whats become of Peggy. When Character Was King, indeed. Peggy ought to take a page from her own.
Comment by American Elephant — October 19, 2008 @ 3:35 am - October 19, 2008
I have to ask, when have 20,000 people ever waited in the hot sun for hours to hear Peggy Noonan speak?
Comment by V the K — October 19, 2008 @ 12:16 pm - October 19, 2008
I thought this article had a valid point. No matter how wonderful she may appear as an entertainer or how galvanizing she might have initially seemed as a symbol, Sarah Palin is unqualified to hold one of the highest offices in the land. Ms. Noonan has simply stated what is now obvious (many sharp conservative minds are also conceding this publicly): that while Sarah Palin may have have been able to help John McCain get elected, she was never someone who could have helped him govern. By choosing her, Mr. McCain did something he would be loathe to admit: he put himself ahead of country.
Comment by Don Carolina — October 21, 2008 @ 2:04 am - October 21, 2008
And Don, how do you know how unqualified Palin is?
Are you aware of her record in Alaska? Have you contrasted that to Barack Obama in Chicago?
No, John McCain did not put himself ahead of his country. He placed reform at the top of his agenda–and in the interest of his country.
Comment by GayPatriotWest — October 21, 2008 @ 2:21 am - October 21, 2008
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