I might have had my Palin moment.
I was listening to people on the radio either insult the Republican political field, question Sarah Palin’s motives or generally try to spin President Jackass’ incompetence into brilliance. Usually, I know how to spin the argument the other way, but I felt the argument shifting. We really are at the point where the administration and the Congress are on the defensive.
Now, they are certainly not on the run. They have the numbers, they have the agenda. Approval numbers are still okay, but not the spectacular levels touted early on. What they do have is ownership. When the economy is criticized and the massive spending of the stimulus are questioned, there are three stages of defense. First, there’s denial. This is known as the imperceptible “green shoots” which are lacking in lagging indicators like employment or leading indicators like the stock market. The next is empty promises. The stimulus will “reach” the economy any day now or maybe another one can be passed. Finally, there is blame. They had no idea how Bush planted economic time bombs that will reverberate for months or years to come. Regardless of the excuse, they own it now.
The good news is that it’s indefensible. Don’t fight with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig enjoys it. People have eyes. They see their flat 401Ks. They see their jobless friends or they have their own pink slips. Prices on food and gas are rising and the malaise is setting in. The time has come for the positive message, the message that says the current government is irreleant and not worth debating.
Governor Palin had that moment. Being the governor was putting her on the defensive, literally. Democrats and sellout Republicans were wasting the state’s money launching investigations that led nowhere. Even though few politicians voluntarily resign office, the ones who are damaged most are the ones who try to hold onto it. Look at Arlen Specter. Sometimes the way to win is to pick another arena.
