Erick Erickson at redstate.com wrote the following regarding some Sarah Palin supporters…I tend to agree with a lot of what he and Ann Coulter have said about Sarah and her “army”.
Enough
Posted by Erick Erickson
Wednesday, September 7th at 4:45AM EDTOn Fox News, Ann Coulter and Laura Ingraham had the best discussion on Sarah Palin I have seen. And Ann said something I have said. But I have not said it nearly as well as Ann did.
To paraphrase Ann, a lot of us fell in love with Sarah Palin because of her enemies and a lot of us have fallen out of love with Sarah Palin because of her fans.
For the past year, Palin fans have become an online fixture with more venom and insanity than the most rabid Ron Paul fan. They have not evangelized on behalf of Sarah Palin trying to lead people to Sarah Palin, they have freaked a lot of us out.
I am at the point of fearing that should Palin not get in the race we’re going to have a Hale Bopp moment with many of her most ardent supporters. These people have become too emotionally invested in one person to discuss that person rationally or even to address serious policy concerns.
For the longest time I wanted Sarah Palin to run.
At some point, I decided Sarah Palin could not defeat Barack Obama, but I’d rather go down fighting on Team Sarah than side with any of the guys who will just take us down the “big government conservative” path of creeping socialism.
Finally, I decided Sarah Palin was not going to run and I moved on. Ultimately, 2012 really is about beating Barack Obama, not what Sarah Palin will or will not do.
Unfortunately, as I found out and as others are starting to find out, moving on from Sarah Palin is like leaving Scientology.
To not bow at the throne of Sarah you get disowned. You get attacked. You have people drum up stories attacking your credibility. “Oh, Perry announced at his event, he must be bought and paid for,” etc. Ironically, some of the very people going after this site’s and my credibility — claiming we’re pressured to do things by higher ups at Eagle Publishing — are people who were on payrolls advocating for clients while refusing to disclose potential conflicts among other things. To add comedy to irony, it seems more and more apparent that some of those who attacked this site and me for holding editorial positions based on what our corporate parent dictates (a lie designed to undermine our lack of sufficiently pro Palin bona fides among other things) are themselves engaging in projection because it is they, not RedState nor me, who must tread carefully in who they attack because their livelihoods depend on it. It’s always the kooks who project their sins on others.
Logic, reason, and being nominally on the same side in a fight against Obama has no logic for people in the cult. In the past month RedState and I personally have been attacked for being in Romney’s camp, Perry’s camp, Bachmann’s camp, Herman Cain’s camp, and most laughably in Jon Huntsman’s camp — all by Palin fans who clearly are not paying attention.
For the past several months, I have posted a weekly horserace. Inevitably, should Palin not get mentioned the angry horde of cultists come out of the wood work offended that Sarah Palin did not get included. If I included her and dared suggest either she might not run or it might not be a sure thing, the attacks were even more unhinged.
There are many, many good people who support Sarah Palin and feel like they owe it to her to support her given what she has been through — from her shoddy treatment at the hands of Team McCain to an unrelenting press. But these people who have sat and continue to sit patiently and quietly waiting for Sarah Palin to finally make up her mind are starting to get frustrated. And some of them are getting aggravated by and drowned out by The Palin Fan Cult. The cult is full of people with little prominence outside a twitter stream, a few nominal soapboxes imagined to be bigger they they are, and possessing a lot of bile and little grace inside an echo chamber of indecision 2012 dementia. About the only thing this cult lacks are thetans.
Sarah Palin is a great person. She’s a great fighter. She draws in awesome attention and rallies a crowd. She has some terrific and loyal supporters I don’t want to lump in with the loud voices largely now disconnected from political reality. Ron Paul is the same way. But at some point, Sarah Palin has to take some responsibility for her supporters as Ron Paul must for his. Palin’s dragging out the tease on her decision has compounded the problem and we’ve reached a breaking point.
The comparisons to a late Reagan entry in 1980 and late Clinton entry in 1992 are frivolous and false comparisons. While both waited to make it official until November for Reagan and October for Clinton, it was abundantly clear to people even outside their most ardent supporters that they were running. Few outside Palin’s most ardent fans think she is running and, at this point, a sizable majority no longer care.
As Ann Coulter said, “Fish or cut bait.” Governor Palin has teased us long enough. Most of us are tired of it. She has harmed her own entry into the race and now, even if she got in, would only see a modest rise in polling.
There are many still who are ready to get involved, are sitting on the sidelines, and are growing impatient for Sarah Palin to tell us what she’s doing. There are others who are going to have to be deprogrammed.
I’m tired of the tease. But I’m even more tired of the angry cranks and Palin prophets who swear to know her every move and have shown neither ideological nor political moorings in anything other than their hopes and wishes poured into the vessel of their ambition named L. Ron Hubbard Sarah Palin. That’s exactly what many lefties did with Barack Obama. Like Barack Obama, Sarah Palin is just a mortal politician, just a human of the same sinful flesh as the rest of us passing through this place on her way to eternity just like you and me.
We should not set Palin on a pedestal so high she shatters if she falls off, but that’s what her most ardent fans have done. Thanks to Palin’s own conduct, if she does shatter by either not running or running and losing the nomination, the Palin Fan Cult gives me and many others the strong impression they’d rather shatter all the other candidates than have anyone but Palin herself win.
In the process, these people have overshadowed the efforts and desires of many reasonable Palin supporters who are just ready to either vote for Palin or be told of her decision not to run so they can go support someone else.
Enough is enough.
Tags: Sarah Palin
Dorian Grey…paging Dorian Grey…
Iron Fist wrote:
ROTFLMAO… It’s Ann Coulter, do I really need to say any more than that.
doriangrey wrote:
Yet more proof that both Coulter and Erickson are correct. Say anything negative about Palin and get marginalized and/or maligned. You’re so predictable.
I agree with the article, but find Erickson’s credibility on the subject of “unreasonable” fans of presidential candidates just as suspect as the motives of some of these same zealots.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – the worst thing that I’ve found about Rick Perry are Rick Perry supporters.
Eric Erickson is just as defensive, unyielding, and cultish when any questions about Rick Perry’s fitness as a candidate arise.
I refuse to play this game.
Isn’t Ann Coulter a “Chris Christie For President” gal, anyway?
Bumr50 wrote:
I think that is Dorian’s point in 2. She is, and I find that incomprehensible given Christie’s positions vis gun control and Islam.
Bumr50 wrote:
Just call them “Perrywinkles”. They’ll go ballistic!
Yesterday Ann Coulter said something I agreed with )paraphrasing) “I used to like Sarah Palin based on her enemies, now I am starting to dislike her based on her fans”. She also compared them to Obamabots in 2008.
@ The Osprey:
See, that’s FUNNY!!
But if I say that, I end up in a freakin’ WAR…
I’ve recently taken to viewing politicians in the same light as I view athletes that I’m picking for my fantasy team. It’s kind of hard to explain I guess, if you don’t do that sort of thing, but it’s really helped me keep some perspective.
And keep me OUT of banal, unsupportable arguments about other candidates’ fans.
The right-wing blogosphere is beginning to remind me eerily of ESPN message boards.
@ Bob in Breckenridge:
Palin fans are fanatical.
Bob in Breckenridge wrote:
Ann Coulter is a professional bomb thrower, don’t get me wrong here, I love Ann Coulter, but her stock and trade is hyperbolic rhetoric. I enjoy Ann because of her sense on humor, nor will I cease to enjoy her work because she said this.
But having read three of her books, I know what Ann is like, this kind of hyperbolic rhetoric is typical Ann Coulter. Ann has always (regardless of her assertion to the contrary) been opposed to Sarah Palin, anyone who doesn’t know this, hasn’t been paying any attention to Ann Coulter.
I’m not marginalizing or insulting Ann Coulter, these kinds of over the top incendiary statements are exactly what took Ann from being an obscure Supreme Court Clerk, to being a nationally known author.
This is exactly who she is, it’s exactly who she always was, it’s why my comment started out with “ROTFLMAO” Ann Coulter throws bombs, it’s what she does, it’s how she makes her living.
The Osprey wrote:
Or Perrykrishnas…
Rodan wrote:
Palin, not even in the race, draws
double the size crowd as Romney
Palin fans are passionate. Ron Paul fans are fanatical.
@ The Osprey:
Is Romney even human?
I think Paulians are beyond fanatisim. Tghey are in Obamabot cult/diety territory!
Horseshit! Those of us who support Perry never claim that he is infallible or a messiah. We realize he is a politician albeit a capable one and we are looking to defeat Obama. We are not looking for someone who can walk on water. Stop projecting your Palin worship onto us regarding Perry. If Perry wins in 2012 he will have a shit load of credit with me for getting rid of Obama.
@ Speranza:
I think Bushbots are just are another bunch of fanatics. No matter how much it’s proven to them Bushw as a failure, they still love the man. It’s amazing!
Speranza wrote:
You are so utterly and totally full of shit. You make the most rabid Palin supporter look like a disinterest third party bystander. Moreover you are such a fucking hypocrite you cant face reality and admit to the double stand you apply to Perry vis a vie Palin.
The day you subject Rick Perry to the same standard of criticism you apply to Palin is the day you get to open your piehole and have anything that comes out of it be given serious consideration.
Nobody worships Palin and your claims that they do stands as testimony to your hypocrisy.
@ doriangrey:
You are a jackoff and go fuck your self.
you contribute nothing on the blog and are pretty much despised all around.
By the way Dorian, you look like one of the sociopaths that should be on Criminal Minds.
@ Rodan:
We have a blithering idiot on aisle 16.
@ Rodan:
They still will cream their pants over Jeb.
@ Speranza:
@ Speranza:
@ Speranza:
And you are as intellectually dishonest as they come. You call for a reasonable polite discourse for your chosen politician then ruthlessly and dishonestly attack everyone else and their supporters. that my friend is the pinnacle of hypocrisy and intellectual dishonesty. Moreover instead manning up and admitting to what you do, you insult and attack anyone who dares to point out your hypocritical behavior.
@ doriangrey:
You are the one who gets nasty. You have to come in curse people out and make wild accusations.
On the other thread your made I called out Rove. WHat has he done for you? Do you think if you were homeless he would help you? Nope, he’s an elitist scumabg.
@ doriangrey:
Have you looked in the mirror. There are fans and there are fanatics. There are Palin Fans and Palin cultists. You classify as a cultist.
@ Rodan:
@ Rodan:
ROTFLMAO…… Look who is talking about looking into mirrors.
@ The Osprey:
@ Rodan:
That is why I call them…Ronulans .
@ doriangrey:
Shut the hell up. You called Macduff yesterday a traitor. That is despicable.
Speranza wrote:
Go fuck yourself you god damned commie loving shit for brains faggot.
Hey cut it out Dorian!
@ doriangrey:
Dude, see there you go. Calling people commies. Care to back up your statement?
mtc wrote:
Why. Somebody takes a shot at me I’m giving it right back to them. Anybody who is or ever was a member of the (CPUSA) communist party is a god damn traitor, anyone who wants to defend a traitor is a worthless sack of shit. Anyone who doesn’t like that can go fuck themselves. I’m not nice, polite or civil to anyone who tried to destroy the US Constitution nor am I nice, polite or civil to anyone who wants to defend, excuse or rationalize someone else trying to destroy the US Constitution.
doriangrey wrote:
Bwaaaahh
back it up scrounge or get lost.
I guess the stoc kmarket did lousey today.
@ doriangrey:
All you’re doing is isolating yourself. You get nasty and hostile.
What are you gaining by this?
Rodan wrote:
MacDuff admitted to being a member of CPUSA in his youth, period, end of story. Anybody who is or ever was a member of the (CPUSA) communist party is a god damn traitor. speranza and Eleina both tried to make the claim that just being a avowed communist and a member of CPUSA doesn’t make you a traitor. Anyone who wants to defend a treasonous communist bastard is a fucking commie lover.
Speranza wrote:
Fuck you you commie loving bastard.
@ doriangrey:
Wow you hurt my feelings. I guess you are still poor.
@ doriangrey:
Macduff trurned his back on Communism and served in teh US navy. He also volunteered for Reagan.
Many on the Right were once ex Communists.
You really are getting out of control here.
@ doriangrey:
Are you having a breakdown?
Seriously, define a Communist please?
@ Speranza:
I left a link to a comment DG made yesterday on the OOT to that effect. If I wasn’t posting from my phone, I’d drag it up here.
Dorian, first you say you didn’t call McDuff a traitor and then you do exactly that today.
Jeez
Hey, Cold. You were just here. I’m thinking it’s just about time for some good old fashioned 95B ruff justice. Hope MaWarrior and the chilrens are chillin.
Rodan wrote:
Maybe it hasn’t occurred to you that some people genuinely take offense at the idea of someone trying to subvert, contravene or overthrow the US Constitution. When some of us talk about what Obama and his Marxist fellow travelers are doing leading to a civil war, were not joking, not using hyperbolic rhetorical flourish, not being dramatic to drive up post counts. This is about figuring out who understand just how deadly serious this is.
You want to defend someone who tried to destroy the US Constitution then in my book, that makes you one of the enemy, not one of the good guys. So you tell me Rodan, is the US Constitution worth defending. Do you only defend it against scary Muslims? Or do you defend it against anyone who tried to destroy it.
Do you make peace with or be friends with someone who is trying to or tried to destroy it because they are polite and make good conversation? Do you make excuses for them because they tried to 30 or 40 years ago but seem to be a normal nice person today?
There is no statute of limitations on treason. So tell me Rodan, you want to be nice, to be friends with someone who committed treason? So you call it, whose side are you on, you want to defend someone who committed treason, you want to be nice, to be friends with someone who makes excuses for and defends committing treason?
This isn’t a joke, it isn’t hyperbolic, it isn’t about driving up post counts. It’s about treason, and it deadly serious, if that isolates me, if that makes people think I am a douche bag or a despicable asshole then so be it.
Everyone at least knows exactly where I stand, anyone who tries or tried to subvert, contravene or overthrow the US Constitution is my enemy and I will not be nice, kind or polite to them.
So where do you stand.
Rodan wrote:
There is no statute of limitations on treason.
@ doriangrey:
Think of the parable of the Prodigal Son. There’s a lesson there.
@ doriangrey:
In 1974 I swore an oath to uphold the Constitution, there was no expiration date on the oath.
PaladinPhil wrote:
The prodigal son didn’t try to kill his dad.
@ doriangrey:
I think you need a break. Seriously, take a few days off.
doriangrey wrote:
So, David Horowitz and Thomas Sowell and Oleg Atbashian are all tainted for eternity as a result of their youthful dabbling in Marxism?
I’m willing to give Palin a lot of goodwill because of all the cesspool negatives she has had to deal with graciously. Negatives from the insance left and the elite right. Karl Rove could grow a pair of balls and contribute to her work in the right way. He is smart enough, but does a little bit too much number crunching early on.
She might not be electable unless she can get past all the negatives being thrown at her in a positive way. She needs some more leverage into the American heart. I kind of see her supporting one of the current candidates and getting it done that way.
But as far as her supporters being rabid. It’s extremely cynical or unfair to categorize her that way. These are just supporters who have observed what I have and have a need to be protective about her. No other current candidate is being forced to face the character assassination Sarah Palin has. And no one has stood up to it better. But that doesn’t necessarily make her able to beat Obama.