I'm at lunch right now - have a few minutes - and am seething about what I have been reading about Sarah Palin. Great speaker, tough, strong, intelligent, sharp, visceral, etc. She is all of these things and likely more - Sarah Palin is most assuredly and certainly an immensely talented politician, communicator, orrator, and motivator. Which makes her all the more dangerous politically.
My concern is this: Sarah Palin is likely all of the above, with the noted caveat of seemingly being immensely divisive in the CONTENT of her words and the MANNER in which she delivers them. She struck me as arrogant, subversive, and presumptuous in the manner in which she tore down community organizers, Barack Obama, and basically anyone who doesn't believe in her very particular view of the world. AND, this was only our first glimpse at her. You'd think that for a politician who is being introduced to the world, and who's obviously a newcomer lacking requisite experience or a known reputation, that some attempt would be made to be more inclusive, open, inviting. That she came out and seemingly looked down (with striking, biting sarcasm) on those who do not share her view was surprising (contrast her speech to Mike Huckaby's, who came across as personable and respectful while outlining important differences).
This is not a new way of politics, and not dangerous in and of itself. George Bush, Dick Cheney, and others have used such techniques, and successfully. What is dangerous about Sarah Palin is that George Bush and Dick Cheney lack in their ability to communicate intelligently and persuasively in the manner that Palin does. Her style will appeal to those who don't really look beyond the surface, at the content of her words, or her ideology. Unfortunately, this encompasses much of the electorate; and she may, in fact, possess the skills of a Reagan, who seemingly had many voting against their own interest because they felt they could relate to his manner of speaking and personality. Sarah Palin, ideologically, seems to represent the "right wing" of the republicans in almost all of her known positions; yet there is danger that her speaking style will pull in those who only look at her intelligence and seeming tough-mindedeness. The "culture wars" may thus be reborn (as many have noted) - and this is not progress for the American people. I'm sure all at the dkos noticed a lack of substance last night, but I'm not sure the average voter cared - they liked her and she made a very favorable impression. The danger thus is REAL issues that are paramount to our current experience will be brushed aside like in past years due to visceral/emotional issues of relatively little importance. Ironically, while Sarah Palin mocked Barack Obama continuously last night for his lack of substance; it was Palin who was vacuous in her paucity of content and substantive ideas concerning "change." But in the skilled presentation she provided (including her skillful misrepresentations of the truth), few noticed, and few seemed to care. I sincerely hope that voters can see through all of this and truly vote on issues; and luckily, Barack Obama is also skilled with words and in the art of persuasion. But I fear Sarah Palin has provided republicans with a new star that will distract from the substantive issues that dilineate the two parties (rather than the emotion-laden, extraneous ones that matter little in every day life).