Needed: a Conservative Communicator
One of the reasons we conservatives so often invoke Reagan’s name and wonder if this or that candidate is another Gipper is that Ronald Reagan, unlike so many Republicans today, was not only committed to certain principles, but could articulate them in a way the average American could understand.
Not just that. He appealed to the best in us.
That’s why we’ve so readily embraced Sarah Palin. She has the Gipper’s gift of communication. Even Saturday Night Live’s Lorne Michaels, while not sharing her politics, agrees, attributing her “huge impact” to “the way she connected with people.”
John McCain, despite his record of leadership, his courage, his fighting spirit, his deep and abiding love for this country and the sacrifices he has made because of that love, lacks the Gipper’s ability to communicate the conservative economic message in terms that resonate. He’s much better on foreign policy and defense.
If this election turned on national security, he’d be well ahead. In the current campaign, he’s been hurt by the economic downturn. It’s not that Obama’s any better. It’s that the Illinois Democrat finds himself in the fortunate position of being the candidate of the “out” party in a year when all too many blame that downturn on the party in power.
Over the course of this campaign, I’ve grown to admire John McCain. I do believe he will, should he win, put country first and apply himself to promoting policies essential to ensuring growth and reducing regulation which thwarts recovery while retaining essential safeguards.
But, in a year, where it appears conservative policies are responsible for the downturn merely because there is a Republican in the White House, we need a good communicator able to demonstrate how the incumbent’s record, at least on fiscal issues, has been far from conservative.
He need show, in terms the average citizen can understand, how government intervention helped cause the current crisis. And how free market ideas can help solve our problems and improve the financial situation.
Ronald Reagan did this. Sarah Palin has shown a similar capacity to so communicate. We need more such Republicans. And not just running for national office.
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The reason the left has to destroy Sarah Palin now is because if she is this good coming into her first national campaign, imagine how great she’s gonna be after four years of practice and polish. I just hope she doesn’t lose the common touch.
Today, the left/MSM is trashing her for the clothes the campaign bought for her, and for legally taking her kids to distant events with her. I think it’s pretty obvious that the MSM is trying to distract the electorate with faux-scandals so that no one will pay attention to Obama’s policies of domestic socialism and weakness abroad.
Comment by V the K — October 22, 2008 @ 12:40 pm - October 22, 2008
Let’s face it, McCain doesn’t resonate with the electorate because at heart he isn’t a conservative and neither is his message. That’s why we’re about to lose this election big time.
Comment by KevinQC — October 22, 2008 @ 12:46 pm - October 22, 2008
Kevin, you’re so right. Obama’s message that “America needs to change,” could have been deftly countered with a message of “America’s fine; it’s Washington that needs to change.” But McCain couldn’t go with that, because in his heart, he doesn’t believe it. He’s comfortable slamming his own party when it wins him kudos from the press. But when it comes down to it, he’s been part of establishment elite Washington for 26 years, and the senators and bureaucrats he’d have to criticize to make that message stick are his friends. That’s why he has only half-heartedly gone after Chris Dodd and Barney Frank.
The generation that’s come of age since Jimmy Carter has no experience that socialism at home and weakness abroad are bad policies. They are about to learn a hard lesson.
Comment by V the K — October 22, 2008 @ 1:08 pm - October 22, 2008
Once again, V the K you said it very well, as did KevinQC.
I believe that in 2012 that Sarah Palin should be the GOP Presidential nominee. My fear is that there will be attempts in the GOP to dismember Palin in a bloodbath fight for the nomination. I hope not.
McCain is looking like Bob Dole..there is one thing that Ronald Reagan and even George Bush in 2000 and 2004 stood for and that is you have to have a positive message and agenda and McCain is running for President by saying we should be very afraid of Nobama but without saying why we should vote for McCain for President because of his positive agenda (which Palin ironically put forth in her acceptance speech for VP at the GOP convention: cut taxes, cut down on the size of the federal government/reform government, energy independence, strong national security/fight Islamic fascist terrorism.) Had McCain stuck to that message and put that positive agenda first and then said with that positive message you know we won’t have to deal with Nobama the Marxist and have a break on the extreme liberal Democrat Congress.
Plus, McCain screwed up by taking Rev. Jeremiah Wright off the table (it goes to the lack of judgment on the part of Nobama and how that is not a quality we want in a President, etc.)
My one worry is that in the next 4 years that the Marxist One will have a good spin machine and we are stuck with him for 8 years and the likes of Sarah Palin is doomed because the GOP throws her under the bus and blames her for McCain’s loss.
I do believe in the next 4 years you will have the likes of Palin, Romney, Jindal and the younger GOP Congressmen (Mike Pence, Eric Cantor, Paul Ryan) emerge with a fresh, positive, conservative agenda on economics, strong defense/fight against terrorism and strong foreign policy views.
Unfortunately, I do not believe that George W. Bush is a conservative (he certainly is not a fiscal conservative) and his “compassionate conservative” agenda was never really “show cased” so to speak (he has done more then any previous President for helping Africa and the poorer countries of the world, more for AIDS, poverty, health care and education) and the ideas of community health clinics and putting community first here and in the people’s hands with such things as school vouchers, community based faith based initiatives, etc. that is the part of his agenda that can harnessed..
however, Bush has been the biggest spender since LBJ and instead of innovation for such things as the fiscal crisis (had he come up with such things as refinance programs (I don’t agree with the government paying full price for upside down mortgage) such as extend the balance on a mortgage to say a 40 or 50 year loan at a reasonable fixed rate and when you go to refinance or sell, then the government gets paid back and say a small percentage of the sale just as was done in the Great Depression would have been better and quit frankly let the free market do what it needed to do and the federal bail out wasn’t needed and let the Federal Reserve use tools it had to help free up liquid assets and if the government had to buy into banks etc. they had the authority to do that any way.
Bush has led us to creeping socialism with such things as prescription drug benefits but not paying for them and not allowing competitive pricing for bulk buying of the drugs and the government ownership of businesses…..instead of using free market methods to spur on competition.
Bush lost his way….we need not lose ours.
I hope we give Palin the 4 years she will need to become the combination of a modern Reagan and American Maggie Thatcher that we will need after The Marxist has led us into the Gates of Hell and a further mess of our economy and national defense/fight against Islamic fascist terrorism and foreign policy.
Comment by Rocket — October 22, 2008 @ 1:23 pm - October 22, 2008
oops..an edit needed (it is Congressman Paul Ryan of Wisconsin) I had his first name as Jim. sorry about that.
Comment by Rocket — October 22, 2008 @ 1:25 pm - October 22, 2008
Somewhat off-topic, but which would you think more relevant: A. Sarah Palin’s clothes, or B. Barack Obama’s relationship with a violent socialist thug?.
If you’re in the MSM, the answer is obviously A.
Comment by V the K — October 22, 2008 @ 1:27 pm - October 22, 2008
It certainly does not honor the memory of President Ronald Reagan to compare Sarah Palin to him. He had depth behind his ability to communicate and was respected by many who disagreed with his politics.
Where was McCain’s “Country First” when he pressured the Air Force to open bidding on the air tanker fleet to EADS(Airbus), pressured the Air Force to omit any consideration of the fact Airbus is subsidized by governments and pressured the Air Force to give the contract to EADS/Airbus — creating thousands of jobs in Europe that should have gone to Americans. Only the Government Accountability Office blocked that contract.
Comment by Jack Allen — October 22, 2008 @ 1:45 pm - October 22, 2008
Do you even read my posts, Jack, or just offer liberal talking points? I said what they had in common was an ability to connect with the average voter. I already addressed the comparison in another post. Read that first before chiming in.
It very much honors his memory to make that comparison. Reagan wasn’t at first respected by those who disagreed with him, indeed, before he became president was often reviled by his opponents.
And check the record on your second paragraph as well. McCain was reviewing the bids and found it would save taxpayers’ money to go with Airbus. It wasn’t only McCain who thought that.
So, please check your facts before chiming in. And try addressing the point of the post for a change.
Comment by GayPatriotWest — October 22, 2008 @ 1:52 pm - October 22, 2008
Where was McCain’s “Country First†when he pressured the Air Force to open bidding on the air tanker fleet to EADS(Airbus), pressured the Air Force to omit any consideration of the fact Airbus is subsidized by governments and pressured the Air Force to give the contract to EADS/Airbus — creating thousands of jobs in Europe that should have gone to Americans.
One, a major portion of the work would have been done in the United States.
Two, it would have been building a better plane for less money.
In short, it provided a good deal for the taxpayers in form of cost and value, and a good deal for American workers in terms of new jobs.
Would you have preferred to pay more for an inferior product?
Comment by North Dallas Thirty — October 22, 2008 @ 2:25 pm - October 22, 2008
As for Palin’s much lauded ability to connect to the “Average American” (whatever that means), what is the basis of this statement. It is absolutely correct that Palin’s speech at the Republican Convention won over quite a few people. Although I thought the content was fairly horrendous, it was well delivered and she did carry it off well. However like all convention speeches it was prepared and practiced beforehand. Her significant drop in popularity including with many conservatives is at least partly based on many realizing that without prepared speeches she is not much of a communicator at all. I am not saying as some are that she is stupid, she clearly is not, but she is completely uninformed on national issues and it is painfully obvious when she talks unscripted. The Katie Couric interviews were by all accounts an unmitigated disaster and even Palin is not claiming as some of the right are that this is the result of the liberal MSM editing the interviews to make her look bad. Palin’s explanation that she was annoyed at the questions, even if accepted as true, is beyond belief from someone running for VP.
Comment by brendan — October 22, 2008 @ 2:32 pm - October 22, 2008
Again, Brendan, you are expecting us to believe that people who are as deep in the tank for Obama as you are care one whit about prepared speeches.
This is merely another rationalization for your voting on the basis of skin color.
Comment by North Dallas Thirty — October 22, 2008 @ 2:45 pm - October 22, 2008
I guess I’m in the minority here on Palin’s abilities. I like her because she is a real person that isn’t tainted by Washington and she has actually governed something. That sets her miles ahead of the other three candidates. Her speeches and interviews don’t convey to me a deep sense of understanding or conviction about much of anything. I like her, but don’t get a “Presidential from her. She’s still a rookie, and I think it is way to early to see her as the candidate for 2012, and the Regan and Thatcher comparisons border on the ridiculous. Those two were molded by years of adverse experiences that taught them the true dangers of big gubbement. Maybe four years of Obama/Reid/Pelosi will season Palin in the same way, because I completely agree with V the K’s assessment that the current generation hasn’t really been exposed to combination of a weak President, a weak economy, etc. But four years of hell may not be enough.
Comment by Hunter — October 22, 2008 @ 2:55 pm - October 22, 2008
“Again, Brendan, you are expecting us to believe that people who are as deep in the tank for Obama as you are care one whit about prepared speeches.
This is merely another rationalization for your voting on the basis of skin color.”
This is typical of your nasty and thoughtless response to anybody who disagrees with you. I was not signaling out Palin because her speech was prepared–they all are. I said that beyond, she has shown little ability to communicate–this seems also demonstrably true.
As for being “deep in the tank” for Obama, what does that mean? Yes. I will gladly vote for him against McCain/Palin, but I have some concerns about him and I have not been nearly as enthralled with him as others are. As for your unfounded accusation that I must be voting for him on the basis of skin color, well that says more about your racial attitudes than mine.
Comment by brendan — October 22, 2008 @ 2:59 pm - October 22, 2008
Democrat Senator admits, Yeah, we’re totally bringing back the Fairness Doctrine.
First act of a socialist tyrant: Silence all opposition.
Comment by V the K — October 22, 2008 @ 4:17 pm - October 22, 2008
As for your unfounded accusation that I must be voting for him on the basis of skin color, well that says more about your racial attitudes than mine.
Yes it does; it says that I judge people on the basis of their actions, while you insult and attack one person for behavior that you support and endorse in another of a different skin color.
For example, if you want to talk about disasters on Katie Couric, you might want to mention Biden’s ludicrous statement that President Roosevelt was going on television and talking to the nation in 1929 — a statement that demonstrates how undeniably ignorant Biden is, which is particularly bad when you think of Biden’s standing within the Democrat Party and his regular bragging about how intelligent he is. But of course, you have to ignore that and trash Palin, because treating Biden fairly would ruin the Obama image.
Comment by North Dallas Thirty — October 22, 2008 @ 4:32 pm - October 22, 2008
PERCEPTION IS NOT NECESSARILY REALITY … DON’T BELIEVE THE POLLS …
Obama supporters act as if the polls are a true reflection of what’s going to happen on November 4th. Obama has consistently tried to win each of his elections prior to a single vote being cast, by eliminating his opponenets on technicalities, or having the DNC dump Hillary, or by giving the false impression that he already won, before the election has even taken place. When you don’t have an actual record to run on … and all you can do is point out problems, and blame others, as Obama has, you have to rely on gimmicks that have nothing to do with your actual ability to lead … like accusations of racism ad nauseam … like early voting …busing and indoctrinating homeless people on the way to the polls … photo ops with big crowds … spending 4 to 1 on advertising … having the media in the tank … having Hollywood in the tank, having Acorn in the tank … and, having 98% of all black voters in the tank. But, all of these things are nothing more than a fabricated perception. They have nothing to do with a person’s experience, or ability to lead. They just reveal a candidate who will say, or do anything to get elected. That’s why the Obamabots are so worried. That’s why Obama is telling his disciples not to get over confident. That’s why the Obama campaign tries real hard to make it look like Obama has already won … just like they did in the run against Hillary in the primaries. I happen to believe there are legions of people who are going to vote for McCain on November 4th … unlike the ‘in your face’ Obama supporters, November 4th is when the McCain supporters will express themselves. A vote for Obama is a vote for voter fraud, corrupt media, and a road to socialism. Keep America safe and strong, elect McCain/Palin on November 4th.
Comment by Howard — October 22, 2008 @ 4:46 pm - October 22, 2008
Hunter, how is the Reagan comparison ridiculous, particularly in light of my previous post?
She does connect with average voters as did the Gipper. She is genuine as was he. Study her record and while you’ll see she’s not what Ronald Reagan was when he took office in 1980, she has a lot in common with the guy who helped restore the Golden State to sanity in a turbulent time.
Yet, unlike him at that time, she still hasn’t fully worked out her worldview, but she’s young, more than a decade shy of Reagan when he took the helm of the largest state (population wise).
Comment by GayPatriotWest — October 22, 2008 @ 4:51 pm - October 22, 2008
NDT–that is b-shit. I agree that the press and all partisans make way too much of mistatements candidates make on the campaign which are often the result of being on a grueling schedule and there are inevitably going to be mangled statements. for example despite some play in the press, does anyone really think Obama thinks there are 57 states? Likewise, Biden mistakenly mention the year and TV does not change the substance of his remarks about his belief that Roosevelt better addressed the economic issues of the depression. McCain has also made some dumb remarks which people have jumped that were more likely the result of simply misstating his point and not a sign of lack of knowledge.
The difference with Palin and the Couric interviews is that these were planned interviews in which she clearly prepared for and she repeatedly was unable to respond to relevant substantive questions–it was not an issue of mangling a point here and there. It is not just those on the left who believe this. One of the reasons McCain’s campaign appears to be imploding is many on the right wing are jumping ship in part because of her clear lack of ability to be in the position as VP. Christopher Buckley, George Will, Charles Krauthamer, Peggy Noonan, Kathleen Parker, the list goes on and on. These are people who clearly on the political right and they see McCain’s gamble at Palin as being a disaster. I am not saying Palin is stupid and I certainly agree some of the left criticism of her has been quite offensive–most particularly the assholes with the “palin is a cunt t-shirts”.
I am sorry but you have no credibility–you are a right wing hack of the worse sort. You have never posted anything that shows any understanding that there are ambiguities, everything must fit in to your world of fixed ideas and anyone who disagrees with you is to be attacked.
Personally, I think Biden is at best a mixed bag and I am no fan. To my mind far worse than his occasional gaffes is his complete sellout to the credit card companies to support a reactionary bankruptcy bill.
Comment by brendan — October 22, 2008 @ 5:06 pm - October 22, 2008
The difference with Palin and the Couric interviews is that these were planned interviews in which she clearly prepared for and she repeatedly was unable to respond to relevant substantive questions
But of course, when it comes to Biden, Brendan, you insist that Biden’s stupid statements and idiotic responses during a planned interview, especially coming from a self-proclaimed super genius and thirty year Senate veteran, are perfectly OK because of the “grueling schedule”.
“Ambiguities” in your world, Brendan, is code for letting you be a hypocrite. You are namecalling and insulting Palin for behavior for which I have demonstrated, through links and examples, you make excuses and won’t hold Biden and Obama accountable.
Comment by North Dallas Thirty — October 22, 2008 @ 5:19 pm - October 22, 2008
Again, Brendan, you are expecting us to believe that people who are as deep in the tank for Obama as you are care one whit about what Christopher Buckley, George Will, Charles Krauthamer, Peggy Noonan, and Kathleen Parker think — especially since you’ve spent the last eight years namecalling them as stupid, and if they were opposing Obama, you’d STILL be calling them stupid.
Comment by North Dallas Thirty — October 22, 2008 @ 5:24 pm - October 22, 2008
GPW, like you stated in your post, she’s got a lot to live and learn to get to Regan’s level. When Regan became President, he was ready in every way. Palin may get there, but I just don’t see the same spark you do. Watching and listening to her, I just don’t get the sense that she is the hope of conservatives. Not to drive you crazy or put Palin down, but to me she comes across as politician with some bearing and skill that was thrown into the big times too soon.
Comment by Hunter — October 22, 2008 @ 6:23 pm - October 22, 2008
MSNBC joins forces with ACORN and other left-wing groups to help Obama on election day. Imagine if FoxNews did this.
Comment by V the K — October 22, 2008 @ 6:41 pm - October 22, 2008
“Again, Brendan, you are expecting us to believe that people who are as deep in the tank for Obama as you are care one whit about what Christopher Buckley, George Will, Charles Krauthamer, Peggy Noonan, and Kathleen Parker think — especially since you’ve spent the last eight years namecalling them as stupid, and if they were opposing Obama, you’d STILL be calling thm stupid.”
Putting aside the rather remarkable abilities you tout to knowing what I have thought for the last 8 years, this is another case of you being constitutionally incapable of addressing someone who disagrees with you–outside of spitting insults. My point was that contrary to the claim that Palin is a great communicator of conservative ideas, she has in fact shown herself incapable of doing so. The fact that more and more people on the right wing appear to be agreeing with assessment is irrelevant to whether I have agreed with them on not on political issues–and yes you are right. I have not.
You really do argue like an intellectual midget.
Comment by Brendan — October 22, 2008 @ 9:30 pm - October 22, 2008
Palin has the right instincts and talents, to be a Reagan. But she still needs to buckle down and do her homework in terms of educating herself on history, political and economic principles, etc. Reagan did that for several decades before he became… well… Reagan.
Oh, like you care about that, Jack.
I mean: even if your point were true, you know what honors Reagan’s memory far less? Hint: Voting for Obama.
Comment by ILoveCapitalism — October 22, 2008 @ 9:58 pm - October 22, 2008
Would you have preferred to pay more for an inferior product?
That would be the liberal way…
Comment by KevinQC — October 22, 2008 @ 11:01 pm - October 22, 2008
Some of you should read my post: http://rightviewfromtheleftcoast.blogspot.com/2008/10/lot-of-republicans-were-against-reagan.html
Many so-called conservatives HATED the Great Man. They did not like the fact that Mr. Reagan was so plain spoked. They really hated the fact that he so knew how to speak to the people that he brought into the GOP fold-HORRORS!-D E M O C R A T S! As a former Democrat, he never lost the hopes, dreams and aspirtations of those who called themselves Democrats but loved what Reagan said and did. That is why Gov. Palin is getting raked over the coals. No, she did not fight communism in the entertainment industry as Mr. Reagan did (which is what led him to the conservative side along with realizing that the more money he made, the more Uncle Sam wanted!), but she understands the proper role of government. She has the capacity to learn about other issues and to make a stronger case for conservatism. Gov. Palin is doing a better job at making the case than the THREE other candidates combined! But, let us not kid ourselves. The Great Man had his Peggy Noonans against him as Gov. Palin does now.
Comment by Mark J. Goluskin — October 22, 2008 @ 11:49 pm - October 22, 2008
BTW, I should have typed “plain SPOKEN”-not plain spoked!
Comment by Mark J. Goluskin — October 22, 2008 @ 11:50 pm - October 22, 2008
Do tell. I’d be interested if you know of any blue-blooders I give a crap about.
Comment by ThatGayConservative — October 23, 2008 @ 2:02 am - October 23, 2008
“Do tell. I’d be interested if you know of any blue-blooders I give a crap about.”
What does that mean? Does it mean anything? These are certainly well-know right wing commentators that this blog and the commentators on it have certainly lauded previously. Actually in fairness, not sure whether Parker or Will have been mentioned but Krauthamer certainly has and I suspect any google search with terms “Peggy Noonan” and “Athena” would bring up this site countless times. The fact you don’t want to admit is that after enormous excitement on the right over Palin, her demonstrable lack of knowledge of major policy issues has made her an embarrassment to many reliable conservatives–this is not the so-called liberal MSM but people who have long been counted on for towing the republican line. As I said before, I don’t think Palin is stupid and that criticism as well other more offensive remarks about her are worthy of criticism. But it seems that it is beyond dispute that she has demonstrated that she simply has shown herself to be anywhere near ready to be president.
Comment by Brendan — October 23, 2008 @ 7:42 am - October 23, 2008
Meh, I don’t really care what Peggy Noonan thinks. The Right Wing is not a cult of personality (like the Obama-worshiping left), it’s more like a cult of ideas … limited government, fiscal responsibility, national security. When someone deviates from those first principles, they’re wrong. Personalities come and go, ideas endure. Truth endures.
Comment by V the K — October 23, 2008 @ 8:13 am - October 23, 2008
Putting aside the rather remarkable abilities you tout to knowing what I have thought for the last 8 years
It’s called “reading your past comments”.
Meanwhile, as I have continued to point out, you whine and scream that Palin is “not ready to be President” based on actions that you laud, support, endorse, and make excuse after excuse for when practiced by Obama and Biden.
Or, in other words, your Democrat candidate for President and Vice President are so pathetically incompetent that they are not able to live up to the standards you require of Palin and must be given excuses and coverups.
Comment by North Dallas Thirty — October 23, 2008 @ 12:29 pm - October 23, 2008
“It’s called “reading your past commentsâ€. My I should be flattered that you have followed my comments so closely. However, I don’t comment here too often and certainly not for 8 years. Of course you provide not one of these comments over the past 8 years that demonstrate as you claim that “I am deep in the tank for Obama”. In my few comments over the last few months I have been quite open that I will vote for him, but most of these comments–not all–most likely accompanied a statement that my feelings for him are somewhat lukewarm.
Comment by Brendan — October 23, 2008 @ 4:46 pm - October 23, 2008