Saying that Palin has zero following among conservatives is clearly not true, but neither is it remotely true that she is the face and soul of the Republican party, which I agree with RT is indeed what a lot of people seem to suggest or even say out loud. She has a sizeable following, and every interest in making that following appear much larger than it really is, but still, it's significant.
And of course that is something that happens everywhere and has done so for as long as I can recall - it is not a brand new Palin only phenomena by any stretch of the imagination. People on both sides do it all the time which is why I find it so disingenuous of people to concentrate on complaining about the coverage she gets when really they are also singling her out.
And as you admitted, it's quite natural for the many conservatives who don't like her to want to minimize the talking about her, and to get annoyed when her influence is overstated, or when people attack the Republicans or conservatives because of things Palin (or Angle, or O'Donnell) says or does. And the Democrats and liberal media are definitely doing both of those things on a regular basis.
Well yes but it is of course more complex than that - they do have their supporters and it isn't as if there is a true leader of the right but rather various leaders of which Palin is very clearly one and a very attention hungry one at that. There is room to argue the exact amount of coverage she gets but that holds true for countless political figures... of course she is one of the more embarrassing ones so it is understandable people are more bothered about being linked to her.
So, you know, I'm not sure you two really disagree all that much in your assessment of Palin's importance or lack thereof...
*MySmiley*
Robert Graves "There is no money in poetry, but then there is no poetry in money, either."
Henning Mankell "We must defend the open society, because if we start locking our doors, if we let fear decide, the person who committed the act of terror will win"
Robert Graves "There is no money in poetry, but then there is no poetry in money, either."
Henning Mankell "We must defend the open society, because if we start locking our doors, if we let fear decide, the person who committed the act of terror will win"
John Boehner is the new Speaker of the House...
- 03/11/2010 03:55:56 AM
1872 Views
How do you say his name?
- 03/11/2010 04:26:07 AM
937 Views
bay nurr *NM*
- 03/11/2010 04:26:45 AM
507 Views
borr ing! *NM*
- 03/11/2010 04:27:56 AM
472 Views
that's ok, he's a bit of a joke even without mispronouncing his name.... *NM*
- 03/11/2010 04:28:55 AM
537 Views
Böh! Ner!
- 03/11/2010 09:59:26 PM
840 Views
Apparently not. Few things are more awkward than mispronouncing your own name. 
- 03/11/2010 10:19:08 PM
842 Views
- 03/11/2010 10:19:08 PM
842 Views
My maiden name is pronounced "de roose" (to rhyme with goose)
- 03/11/2010 10:30:56 PM
944 Views
Makes sense, yeah.
- 04/11/2010 11:22:20 AM
959 Views
Re: Makes sense, yeah.
- 04/11/2010 12:01:48 PM
876 Views
Re: Makes sense, yeah.
- 04/11/2010 03:12:49 PM
933 Views
Not too far from the u in burst *NM*
- 04/11/2010 04:33:27 PM
525 Views
? Not really close unless you're mispronouncing 'burst'
- 04/11/2010 07:44:35 PM
1031 Views
ö is a bit sharper, but that was the best English example I could think of
- 04/11/2010 08:22:14 PM
883 Views
Börst, yep. Or Börsday. I agree. *NM*
- 04/11/2010 09:52:07 PM
524 Views
That last one is only when you speak with a really bad French accent, though. *NM*
- 04/11/2010 10:34:18 PM
415 Views
*NM*
- 04/11/2010 10:34:18 PM
415 Views
Wtf are you people talking about?
- 05/11/2010 01:22:40 AM
795 Views
*NM*
Wikipedia to the rescue...
- 05/11/2010 10:05:53 AM
988 Views
screw that I am calling him boner *NM*
- 05/11/2010 12:31:30 PM
388 Views
Wait, you've actually called him Boner all along? That's hilarious. *NM*
- 05/11/2010 03:02:32 PM
551 Views
That sounds like his name is Boo - ner. No?
- 06/11/2010 12:46:53 AM
893 Views
If you say so.
- 06/11/2010 12:57:45 AM
899 Views
That is so weird.
- 06/11/2010 01:09:32 AM
721 Views
Where did I say anything about a y? I'm confused.
- 06/11/2010 02:12:46 AM
991 Views
You didn't. I was adding to the discussion.
- 06/11/2010 02:25:15 AM
965 Views
The way I was taught
- 06/11/2010 01:46:52 PM
1060 Views
ahaha, you just wanted to see me sitting here making ridiculous faces. 
- 06/11/2010 07:43:17 PM
846 Views
- 06/11/2010 07:43:17 PM
846 Views
a portion of those pickups are tea party nut jobs though...
- 03/11/2010 04:28:19 AM
976 Views
being a nutjob hasn't hurt people like Pelosi and Franks
- 03/11/2010 06:22:01 AM
888 Views
if they are nutjobs then you really aren't as moderate as you want us to believe... *NM*
- 03/11/2010 06:40:13 AM
556 Views
sorry but they are the ones with the views outside the mainstream
- 03/11/2010 01:38:38 PM
1069 Views
"the only things in the middle of the road are yellow lines and dead armadillos"
- 03/11/2010 03:09:56 PM
972 Views
You know, he does have a point - now that Angle and O'Donnell lost, how 'bout we ignore 'em? *NM*
- 03/11/2010 09:39:00 PM
546 Views
That goes both ways though, as it does with Palin but some chose to ignore
- 03/11/2010 11:42:37 PM
884 Views
True, but moondog's bringing O'Donnell up was a particularly bad non sequitur. *NM*
- 03/11/2010 11:48:31 PM
521 Views
Oh? I would have said it was a bit early to call it that - it wasn't even 24 hours since she lost
- 03/11/2010 11:59:31 PM
824 Views
The problem is she doesn't fit his argument
- 04/11/2010 02:19:26 PM
866 Views
O'Donnell seems to fit when talking about Tea Party candidates in the election. *NM*
- 04/11/2010 02:30:25 PM
503 Views
ken buck also said he did not believe in the separation of church and state
- 04/11/2010 06:14:02 AM
820 Views
it is only her distracters we see posting about her around here
- 04/11/2010 02:17:36 PM
828 Views
yes, people often post things here they find funny. This site hasn't got that much influence though
- 04/11/2010 02:25:48 PM
947 Views
I read conserative websites
- 04/11/2010 02:50:29 PM
985 Views
And yet there is clearly a market for her
- 04/11/2010 03:12:34 PM
993 Views
Both extreme positions are clearly nonsense.
- 04/11/2010 04:45:56 PM
870 Views
indeed
- 04/11/2010 05:16:58 PM
851 Views
there is a small chunck who support her but that is all
- 04/11/2010 05:09:08 PM
815 Views
Mainstream of America, maybe. Certainly not the mainstream of the civilized world in general. *NM*
- 03/11/2010 10:58:20 PM
433 Views
why because it isn't the way Europe does it?
- 04/11/2010 02:15:21 PM
916 Views
I think your progress-meter is pointing backwards. *NM*
- 04/11/2010 09:15:10 PM
523 Views
I think yours points to far to left
- 05/11/2010 04:23:17 AM
813 Views
There's a reason liberals are also known as progressives. Modern-day conservatism is regressive. *NM*
- 05/11/2010 08:01:14 PM
511 Views
the reason liberals want to be called progressive is they have tainted to word liberal
- 06/11/2010 09:52:35 PM
1027 Views
I'm glad that as a straight white Christian male, nothing will change for me. *NM*
- 03/11/2010 07:03:07 AM
552 Views
*NM*
Reid Stays, Fiorrina Loses, O Donnell Loses, Feingold Loses
- 03/11/2010 10:47:23 AM
898 Views
CNN is calling Colorado and Washington to close to call
- 03/11/2010 01:42:07 PM
865 Views
Colorado is over, and it was over when I stated this hours ago
- 03/11/2010 10:35:04 PM
1005 Views
when I posted it the analyst didn't think it was over yet
- 04/11/2010 02:26:27 PM
814 Views
Even if they're behind, maybe they can pull a Franken or a Gregoire. *NM*
- 04/11/2010 12:18:15 AM
525 Views
215 votes is not the same as 13,000
- 04/11/2010 12:24:55 AM
826 Views
Oh, I know. But who knows how many cars can be found with "missing" ballots? 
*NM*
- 04/11/2010 12:30:15 AM
496 Views
*NM*
- 04/11/2010 12:30:15 AM
496 Views
I see some interesting and hopeful results in the ballot initiatives, too.
- 03/11/2010 01:52:46 PM
910 Views
And several states passing a "Constitutional right to hunt and fish" - what's up with that? *NM*
- 03/11/2010 02:06:55 PM
467 Views
Re: And several states passing a "Constitutional right to hunt and fish" - what's up with that?
- 03/11/2010 02:32:56 PM
963 Views
It was to get rid of the "double taxation" on alcohol since there was already a sizable excise tax. *NM*
- 03/11/2010 02:20:30 PM
506 Views
Ah. That makes more sense. Basically amounts to a lowering of the excise tax, then. *NM*
- 03/11/2010 02:23:42 PM
514 Views
the dog breeding one is actually fairly awful in reality, though.
- 03/11/2010 03:10:23 PM
967 Views
My sympathies, America. *NM*
- 03/11/2010 01:58:42 PM
390 Views
The only thing that I'm sad about right now is that I'm still stuck with Boxer. I *loath* that woman *NM*
- 03/11/2010 02:45:17 PM
520 Views
tell the republicans to put up a candidate who can win
- 03/11/2010 03:13:13 PM
867 Views
The tough part is finding one...
- 03/11/2010 03:22:38 PM
994 Views
Cap and Trade and Health Care are her big things due to her committees she is on
- 03/11/2010 10:54:10 PM
899 Views
Republicans aren't that kinky, most Republicans don't like machoism *NM*
- 03/11/2010 10:38:10 PM
578 Views
*NM*
- 03/11/2010 10:38:10 PM
578 Views
She saved HP
- 04/11/2010 07:11:31 PM
613 Views
saved?? the woman shipped american jobs to h1-b visas and global outsourcing
- 05/11/2010 06:26:22 AM
819 Views
Yep. I am getting considerably worried about a future president Palin now
- 03/11/2010 10:01:33 PM
959 Views
Re: Yep. I am getting considerably worried about a future president Palin now
- 03/11/2010 10:03:12 PM
875 Views
Give me a break. *NM*
- 03/11/2010 11:33:37 PM
427 Views
I am serious.
- 03/11/2010 11:35:51 PM
857 Views
And that's is why it's offensive. It's condescending. *NM*
- 05/11/2010 04:52:48 PM
348 Views
Yes
- 05/11/2010 08:20:43 PM
1006 Views
I voted Republican (my candidate won) to tell the Democrats to stop taking us for granted.
- 03/11/2010 02:20:08 PM
985 Views
It doesn't really sound like your tactic would be very effective to achieve your stated goal.
- 03/11/2010 02:26:30 PM
880 Views
- 03/11/2010 02:26:30 PM
880 Views
Not ignoring women = giving you and your sister "free" stuff? 
*NM*
- 03/11/2010 02:27:59 PM
451 Views
*NM*
- 03/11/2010 02:27:59 PM
451 Views
access to health care = free stuff?
- 03/11/2010 02:38:49 PM
945 Views
You do realize....
- 03/11/2010 02:49:16 PM
827 Views
Edit (ignore this please)
- 03/11/2010 11:06:21 PM
840 Views
You have access to health care right now.
- 03/11/2010 02:52:30 PM
806 Views
I was curious about that too
- 03/11/2010 03:11:29 PM
920 Views
Yeah, I didn't want to get all personal with it. It just didn't make sense to me is all. *shrugs*
- 03/11/2010 03:12:43 PM
809 Views
Women are the Democrats core constituency? I've always wondered who they represent.
- 03/11/2010 05:03:18 PM
770 Views
Just about every political poll will show you women vote more Democratic than men do.
- 03/11/2010 05:13:17 PM
934 Views
That's my point. A lot of categories of people vote Democrat more often than not.
- 03/11/2010 05:24:33 PM
963 Views
Which is my thoughts as well
- 03/11/2010 08:20:32 PM
937 Views
"Core constituencies", or constituencies in general, is about averages - can't predict any one voter
- 03/11/2010 08:59:40 PM
919 Views
Yeah, it's true they don't really focus on them more than on men - how would one do that, anyway?
- 03/11/2010 09:00:31 PM
902 Views
Still registered in SI?
- 03/11/2010 05:26:02 PM
895 Views
I am sorry but this logic is stupid even when Amy Gardner (Mary Louise Parker) explained it *NM*
- 03/11/2010 11:01:29 PM
421 Views
Oh, and since nobody has commented on it yet: hurray for Chafee being back!
- 03/11/2010 09:40:30 PM
941 Views
I was pretty unhappy that our senator became our governor.
- 04/11/2010 12:06:57 AM
926 Views
Yes, well, Lincoln Chafee is rather different from Sam Brownback.
- 04/11/2010 11:24:28 AM
797 Views
- 04/11/2010 11:24:28 AM
797 Views
you're not familiar with Holland because he hasn't been in politics THAT much
- 04/11/2010 02:13:46 PM
971 Views
Does that mean you're not going to vote for him when he runs for president again? *NM*
- 04/11/2010 04:44:11 PM
468 Views
*NM*
- 04/11/2010 04:44:11 PM
468 Views
I don't think I'll still be in the US, come next election
- 04/11/2010 06:02:28 PM
805 Views
Erm, how about 2012? *NM*
- 04/11/2010 06:13:56 PM
517 Views
*NM*
- 04/11/2010 06:13:56 PM
517 Views
lol yah. math fail everyone keeps saying "two more years", so I suppose I added two to 12
- 04/11/2010 11:47:45 PM
952 Views
everyone keeps saying "two more years", so I suppose I added two to 12
- 04/11/2010 11:47:45 PM
952 Views
and boo that Reid kept his job
- 04/11/2010 06:48:14 PM
973 Views
he should at least no longer be majority leader after his bungling the last 6 years... *NM*
- 05/11/2010 06:21:13 AM
446 Views
if Feingold had been majority leader he would probably still have seat
- 05/11/2010 02:57:54 PM
798 Views
Re: if Feingold had been majority leader he would probably still have seat
- 05/11/2010 03:34:05 PM
1029 Views