Lastnight I stayed up later than I should have reading John Ziegler's piece where he describes what can best be described as an attempt to become a Frank Bailey-lite character. It wasn't pretty. Why would a man who so loyally defended Sarah Palin ever come around to the point where he would stab a knife in her back? That's what happened here. Oh sure, he can have a disagreement with the Governor. He can even say that he didn't support her any longer because he believes she is no longer electable. I might even be able to respect that. But what I cannot respect is the revealing of information that was given in confidence, when you, Ziegler, were thought to be a trustworthy ally. To do so is contrary to the loyalty you were entrusted with.
But the funniest thing about this article remains the fact that I can't find a single overriding reason why John Ziegler turned against Sarah Palin. I suspect that this is intentional. There must be so much occurring behind the scenes in this whole Ziegler situation that might explain his so far obscure motivations. The reason he tries to muddy the water as to what these are is simple-he doesn't want anybody to know. Yet if a single overriding theme can be found in the four page rant, it is that Mr. Ziegler seemed to be upset not just because Sarah Palin would not take his advice, but because she did not take the direction he wanted her to take.
That's right. He more than likely saw Sarah Palin as a woman with considerable potential-maybe with the ability to get back in the 2012 race (despite saying otherwise) after the media thrashing in '08-if she played her cards right. The thing is, he wanted to be the dealer. Ziegler's advice had to be followed. Apparently he only knew of the path to Palin's success. The resignation, Fox News, etc. were choices that should have been shunned. However, this ignores that fact that Palin has followed the road of her own making her whole life, and has come out, if not unscathed, at least better off for the journey. The only advisers she would have required are God and Todd, to paraphrase the Governor.
Ziegler admits as much he knows the media has unfairly labeled and smeared Sarah Palin, and acknowledged this as evidence that she can't win because the press won't allow it. What? If we allow the press to destroy and marginalize one of our best candidates then conservatism truly is finished. For let's say Palin fades away. What will happen to the next conservative candidate on the scene? Will the media run roughshod over them, too? Yes, only this time they will be even more emboldened. Republicans, if they follow this philosophy will be left with only The New York Times approved candidates. In short, RINOS. It's almost as bad as electing a Democrat, if not worse.
So why let the media win, Ziegler? Go with candidate you know in your heart to the best for the job. Go with the one you want to see win. But don't let the lamestream media dictate your decisions about who we pick or don't pick. It's a losing strategy. Don't let the fact that you overestimated how much you think Palin owes you blind what you originally believed.
Or at least I think you believe it. To imagine that maybe you used the Governor as a means to further your own ends, defending her as a method to stay in the spotlight, putting your "neck" on the line in hopes of some reward, etc. renders much of what you said moot. But such scenarios become more realistic every passing moment. Like I said, Sarah Palin owes you nothing. She granted you a big interview for you documentary, which no doubt boosted its profile quite a bit. She has single-handedly made you a much bigger media star today, either directly or indirectly. You should be thanking her, not taking cheap shots. Indeed, you seemed to benefit more from the bargain.
This isn't meant to slam Media Malpractice, your documentary about media bias in the 2008 election. It is pretty good. Not great, but pretty good. I liked it. Could it have been better? Yes, but does its job effectively in exposing the mainstream media. It helped Palin out to some degree. But any so-called debt she may have owed you was repaid by the aforementioned interview she kindly agreed to conduct with you. She didn't have to but did anyway. You know this, and even said so in your lengthy article. So why the rapid turnabout?
I know. She didn't go in the direction you wanted. That's like a lot of people. I've met those who think Palin should have done this or that if she wants to be a credible contender for Presidency. Maybe some of these suggestions are good. That is besides the point. Sarah Palin must be Sarah Palin. I support her for who she is, not what I want her to be. I support because of her record of reforming corrupt Alaskan politics and quite simply just getting things done where the good old boys have failed. She was responsible for creating the multi-billion dollar budget surplus Alaska currently enjoys. That wasn't the handiwork of Frank Murkowski. That was the result of lots of hard work on Governor Palin's part. Now Alaska is in great shape while much of the country suffers through recession.
Is she smart? Yes, even her opponents will admit that, if not in public. Is she determined? Yes. What she sets her sights on she accomplishes. Can she be elected President? Yes! She may be the only one with the guts to make the changes this nation needs to survive.
The more people learn about Palin the more they will like her. It is a difficult road to trod where we must battle the constant lies spread about her. But it is the right path to tread. We may endure many blows and cuts along the way. But lies cannot be allowed to find sanctuary. The truth must be revealed. We cannot allow ourselves to become dispirited by a few polls and talking heads. I wish you would have learned that lesson, John Ziegler.
Ever since I first heard of Ziegler - when he was a vocal Palin supporter - I was uncomfortable with the number of "me's" and "I's" he used in his writing. I would agree with his thoughts on Palin but he always seemed self-serving. When he would go on news shows where he would inevitably cause a ruckus, he would then talk for days about how HE was treated, not the issue he was supposedly defending. I've always thought - and this episode if further corroboration - Ziegler's only true cause is to make Ziegler famous. I doubt he ever fully understood Palin - who is a servant leader - and he is now just throwing a temper tantrum and hoping to become famous for being the "Palin supporter turned detractor".
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