Althouse: "Sarah Palin’s political voice had dwindled well before she announced her decision not to run."

October 6, 2011

"Sarah Palin’s political voice had dwindled well before she announced her decision not to run."

"Now it will sink altogether into inaudibility. She will be no kind of force in future national discussions."

Sayeth David Frum.

68 comments:

Anonymous said...: Now is the perfect time!

The opening is clear!

ALTHOUSE FOR VEEP!

(You heard it here first.); 10/6/11, 11:51 PM
Scott M said...: I don't carry a whole lot of water for SP, but this strikes me as an unforced error on his part to basically say she'll never play a significant part.; 10/6/11, 11:51 PM
Synova said...: Whatever makes you feel better, David.; 10/6/11, 11:51 PM
Anonymous said...: Plus, I'd pay good money to see the Althouse/Biden debates.

Wouldn't you?; 10/6/11, 11:52 PM
Chip S. said...: Irrelevance? Finally, a subject David Frum knows something about!; 10/6/11, 11:53 PM
Chip S. said...: Jeez, Quayle. Do you like to watch rottweilers fight kittens, too?; 10/6/11, 11:54 PM
Anonymous said...: Only kittens with fur plugs.; 10/6/11, 11:56 PM
1775OGG said...: Does that kitten vs rottweiler fight involve Frum in the role of "kitten" because that might not be a fair fights since the rottweiler would not be as foul as Frum the kitten.; 10/7/11, 12:01 AM
Chip S. said...: No, it's Althouse-Biden.

Despite Biden's plugs, some kitties just ought to wear merkins.; 10/7/11, 12:04 AM
Kirk Parker said...: Chip S. has got it: Frum just wants some company.; 10/7/11, 12:07 AM
Fafhrd1 said...: That totally sounds like David Frum's own voice is fading and having no power whatsoever.

Sucks, doesn't it, Frummy boy? Next time don't force people to like your squishy politics and cheap posturing.; 10/7/11, 12:19 AM
rcocean said...: Amazing that someone still cares about David Frum. Remember when he was working at WSJ, NR or writing for President Bush?

Now he's the liberal version of a "conservative" blogger and no one pays attention except when he attacks an actual conservative.

How pathetic is that?; 10/7/11, 12:19 AM
Wince said...: I haven't been reading Frum's coverage of Palin up to this point, but I knew he was hostile.

Frum certainly didn't see the need in that piece to back up any of his assertaions about Palin's intentions, motives and results.

The piece read like it was more about Frum going through some kind of personal catharsis, than it was a cogent commentary or prognostication about Palin. Something that shouldn't've gotten past an editor, for the writer's own sake.

"Sayeth David Frum" is right.; 10/7/11, 12:22 AM
Anonymous said...: David Frum: The secret identity of America's Politico!; 10/7/11, 12:26 AM
rcocean said...: "I haven't been reading Frum's coverage of Palin up to this point, but I knew he was hostile."

Yeah, he's only been bashing her since August 2008, so I can see how you missed it.

And just so you won't be surprised - Andrew Sullivan is "hostile" too.; 10/7/11, 12:32 AM
Milwaukie guy said...: I like Sarah Palin.

I think she realized that she's better for the movement as a Sam Adams than a John Adams. More power to her. She will work the down ticket to the benefit of the TEA Party.; 10/7/11, 12:48 AM
SDN said...: Projection, thy name is Frum....; 10/7/11, 1:12 AM
crosspatch said...: Tell you what. Schedule an event in middle America somewhere (pretty much anywhere) with Sarah Palin as the speaker and one with Frum and see which one draws the larger crowd.; 10/7/11, 1:13 AM
Cedarford said...: crosspatch said...
Tell you what. Schedule an event in middle America somewhere (pretty much anywhere) with Sarah Palin as the speaker and one with Frum and see which one draws the larger crowd
================
Or instead of Palin, schedule Jesse or Al Sharpton or Michael Moore or Snooki from Jersey Shores. Same effect. People just love the celebs that can dish out the red meat the audience that shows up craves.

Palin's political voice will be heard as a paid pundit like Ann Coulter or Rachel Maddow. But not as an officeholder or appointee. Perhaps an appointee if her popularity wanes and the Chinese or the Republicans in power want to give her a job in American government.; 10/7/11, 1:20 AM
crosspatch said...: Palin can stump for candidates and reach large audiences and maybe even say some things the candidate might not be able to say. The media won't be able to invest much time in sniping at her as time and space are limited and they will be reserving that for sniping at the actual candidates.

I agree with her, she can be much more powerful as a non-candidate. She can be a great "force multiplier" for candidates.

She can stump for one candidate in one state while the candidate himself is in another.; 10/7/11, 1:33 AM
Nichevo said...: C4, I'm just going to waste my time again trying to reach you, but...one difference would be that those others you named advocate and represent evil, whereas Palin wants things that are, broadly speaking, right, good and sometimes even wise.

I daresay that if conservatism had more skillful speakers with good instincts who promoted conservative values, we would be better off.

Probably it's that you are a misanthropic cave-dweller whose dull eyes cannot abide her beauty and virtue.

Actually, your personal tone suggests that you tried to rape her once but she easily fought you off and didn't bother to report you. But that's silly, because you wouldn't have the balls. It's probably the misanthrope/troglodyte thing.; 10/7/11, 2:29 AM
james conrad said...: I'd say Frum is jealous. One thing is for sure, Palin is a talented politician. Anyone who can drive a stake through the heart of Obama's signature issue, health care, with little more than a FB/Twitter account will be back, trust me.; 10/7/11, 2:35 AM
Anonymous said...: Top 10 Potential Names for the David Frum Movie:

10. Frum Here to Obscurity: The David Frum Story

9. The Man from the Administration: No Not That One and No Not That One, the One Guy...You Know. Oh Come on!

8. From Ontario with Hackery

7. Frum!

...and that's all I got...; 10/7/11, 2:43 AM
test said...: "She will be no kind of force in future national discussions."

Maybe, but she'll still be more important than David Frum.; 10/7/11, 4:15 AM
Nora said...: "Now it will sink altogether into inaudibility. She will be no kind of force in future national discussions."

Wishful thinking. I remember same deep thoughts from 3 years ago after McCain lost.; 10/7/11, 4:21 AM
AllenS said...: Palin is positioned perfectly to be the head of the Department of Energy in the next administration. Then, watch out!; 10/7/11, 5:07 AM
Toad Trend said...: If David Frum says this, then the opposite MUST be true.

Credibility matters.; 10/7/11, 5:32 AM
edutcher said...: Any woman who can draw 30,000 people in the last month of a losing campaign commands a bigger share of the public's ear than David Frum (or Cedar) ever wants to believe.

She's going to be a major influence in this country for a long time.

Quayle said...

Now is the perfect time!

The opening is clear!

ALTHOUSE FOR VEEP!

(You heard it here first.)

No!!!!!

Now's the time to go whole hog.

Get out those Cafepress T-shirts that say, "Crusty Conservative coating, creamy hippie love chick center", and add a line, "Althouse for President".

Don't you want to see Ann deliver her, "How Obama lost me", post at the debate?

(and there'd be only one); 10/7/11, 5:55 AM
Psychedelic George said...: She should replace Barbara Walters on "The View" when she retires.

Perfect place for her.; 10/7/11, 6:10 AM
MadTownGuy said...: David who?; 10/7/11, 6:27 AM
Clyde said...: David Who? Didn't he work for Dubya once or something?

Prediction: Sarah Palin will have more impact on the 2012 elections than David Frum. You heard it here first.; 10/7/11, 6:56 AM
Issob Morocco said...: And whoeth the hell is David Frum?; 10/7/11, 6:58 AM
Issob Morocco said...: Sarah's political voice is going grass roots, working on congressional, Senate and state level races. She is building the foundation for her future.

Let's face it the 2012 election will be about getting rid of the one, taking out the trash, if you will. We aren't as concerned with who does it persay, only that it is done. The 2016 election will then target who we want.

The President at that time will either have turned the ship and made people happy with that performance or they will strike from both Left and Right to put the right person in.

If Sarah builds a network now, she could be positioned well for that run. She won't be alone as the entire GOP field of governors will be stronger and more prepared to be President.

Unlike what America did to itself in 2008.; 10/7/11, 7:04 AM
joated said...: Who's David Frum?; 10/7/11, 7:25 AM
Rumpletweezer said...: The rule is: Only listen to people who've been right about something. David Frum fails the rule.; 10/7/11, 7:28 AM
Steve Austin said...: Frum just doesn't understand Sun Tzu. Sarah is choosing her battlefield and will emerge from this more powerful than ever. Influence is not measured by how many votes one can curry in a primary but how many snowmobile trail rides one does with Greta Van Susteren.; 10/7/11, 7:31 AM
Robert Cook said...: It's sociologically quite fascinating to see the obduracy with which true believers hold on to the idee′ fixe that Palin is something more than what she is, the Kim Kardashian of the political world.

She has never said one thing of substance; she speaks in soundbites and cliches, mouthing predigested talking points bereft of ideas or thought or knowledge, and even of any indication that she has real interest in holding high office.

Except for that last point, she is not necessarily so different from at least some other politicians. It is Palin's laziness and lack of ambition that really distinguishes her from many who seek and even attain national office.

Of course, most Americans have come to recognize Palin as ersatz, and if she were to run for President, she would fail in the endeavor.; 10/7/11, 7:50 AM
damianlewis719 said...: But CNN just hired Frum as a conservative pundit.; 10/7/11, 7:51 AM
Anonymous said...: 6. A Frum of One's Own; 10/7/11, 7:53 AM
Bob Ellison said...: I admire Palin's decision not to run. She showed good judgement there, and her statements on it have been consistent and well-reasoning.

Anyway, she's very pretty, and as long as she has that (which will probably be forever), she'll continue to be a force in politics.; 10/7/11, 7:58 AM
Dear corrupt left, go F yourselves said...: Funny - I feel that way about Frum.; 10/7/11, 8:08 AM
Moose said...: Personally, I couldn't be happier. Totally unqualifed for public office other than being a great speaker. And you see where that got us...; 10/7/11, 8:11 AM
Anonymous said...: 5. Frum: The Revenge - This time it's personal.; 10/7/11, 8:15 AM
Christopher in MA said...: I'm impressed by the column. I didn't think one could write and fellate Obama at the same time, but apparently Frum can multitask.; 10/7/11, 8:24 AM
MadisonMan said...: Yeah, and Nixon was dead in 1960 too.; 10/7/11, 8:25 AM
John henry said...: I don't understand why people keep saying that Palin is not going to run for President.

She has never said that AFAIK. What she has said is that she will not seek the GOP nomination nor will she run 3rd party.

Do the math.

That leaves primarying Obama as a Demmie.

Go Sarah!

John Henry; 10/7/11, 8:25 AM
X said...: 7. My Left Frum; 10/7/11, 8:32 AM
Anonymous said...: "Sayeth David Frum."

For the 63rd time. Keep hope alive, David!; 10/7/11, 8:32 AM
sorepaw said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 10/7/11, 8:47 AM
Tarzan said...: Wow. Just reading the comments on his forum makes me wonder who the hell he's actually talking to and who's listening.

PDS all over the place. I can't really respect the man for pandering to that sort of crowd.; 10/7/11, 9:28 AM
Tarzan said...: Is Frum positioning himself to be the next Andrew Sullivan? Really sounds like he's on the verge of a 'progressive awakening'.; 10/7/11, 9:30 AM
Tarzan said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 10/7/11, 9:35 AM
Tarzan said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 10/7/11, 9:38 AM
Tarzan said...: 4. The Unbearable Lightness Of Frum; 10/7/11, 9:40 AM
Dad29 said...: Who's "David Frum"?; 10/7/11, 10:03 AM
Anonymous said...: Although not a fan of Palin, it seems to me that "experts" frequently underestimate her or write her off- only to have her make her presence felt later.

She has no reason to force herself into the narrative right now. But I have a feeling that next summer, David Frum might be writing a different article.; 10/7/11, 10:16 AM
Known Unknown said...: 4. Something Wicked This Way Frum.; 10/7/11, 12:10 PM
Jim said...: Who is this david frum fellow. I've heard of sarah palon, but david frum, I would know you from where?; 10/7/11, 12:22 PM
blake said...: 3. What Dreams May Frum; 10/7/11, 12:28 PM
deborah said...: 2. The Frum Also Despises; 10/7/11, 12:54 PM
deborah said...: Palin will remain relevant because she has the smarts to not over saturate her presence. I still think one of the most idiotic thing that Obama's supposedly brilliant team did was over-expose him from day one of his presidency.He should have remained aloof and mysterious and therefore sought after and revered.; 10/7/11, 12:58 PM
deborah said...: lol...My Left Frum.; 10/7/11, 12:59 PM
Anonymous said...: 1. Behind the Green Frum; 10/7/11, 1:05 PM
BJM said...: @Cook

She has never said one thing of substance; she speaks in soundbites and cliches, mouthing predigested talking points bereft of ideas or thought or knowledge,

Dude, Obama 2008-2011; 10/7/11, 1:20 PM
Anonymous said...: Here's one that David Frum can contemplate when he thinks he's finally written Sarah off:

"The Palin Always Rings Twice"

wv: spothell - Hmmm, I wonder where you can see that from? Probably a lot closer to Washington than Alaska.; 10/7/11, 1:50 PM
paul a'barge said...: David Frum:
- little penis
- big gas problem; 10/7/11, 2:47 PM
Ralph L said...: Frum da Dum Dum DUM

Deborah--agree about O's overexposure. Clinton did the same thing, but we heard much more about the inner non-workings of his WH.; 10/7/11, 6:15 PM
Peter Hoh said...: Synova, maybe Frum was upset because he gave a big, one-time gift to Palin's PAC, hoping that it would help her decide to run.; 10/7/11, 8:05 PM