Andrea Tantaros

Palin - forget 2012 and become the next Oprah

2010-02-04T12:12:00-04:00

With the exit of Oprah Winfrey now slated for 2011, is Sarah Palin, former governor of Alaska, first female GOP vice presidential candidate, mother, author, liberal hallucinogen and now television commentator, poised to fill the void left by the Queen of Talk?

You betcha.

Though many believe she's set her sights on the White House in 2012, Palin should get this through her head now: She would be far more influential as a talk show host than she would be as a presidential candidate, and she should start planning her career trajectory accordingly.

I say this not because Palin is incapable of being an impactful politician, but because she has been profoundly hindered by the left's hateful and perplexing obsession with demeaning and destroying her at all costs.

That sadly renders her a distraction to both parties - one who'd be better off stepping out of the political limelight (at least for now) and into the TV spotlight.

If you think the deep division and party gridlock is bad with President Obama, the alleged uniter, at the helm, picture what a Palin candidacy - and, if that works out, a Palin presidency - would bring. She could barely govern in Alaska with the onslaught of allegations and baseless lawsuits thrown at her daily. Life in the lower 48 would be increasingly more challenging.

Trying to become the next Oprah, on the other hand? For an ambitious and competitive spirit like Palin, that's a mammoth challenge actually worth pursuing. And once you get past the surface differences, the similarities between the two women are pretty striking.

Palin Book Tour Should Be Her Primary

2009-11-17T07:33:00-04:00

As Sarah Palin embarks on her much anticipated book tour she needs to needs to think about more than just settling scores and image rehabilitation, she needs to get serious. That means, during her promotion tour kicking off this week, she needs to discuss more than moose chili and teen pregnancy. With a leadership vacuum in the GOP more evident than ever, rising to the top and staying in the spotlight is shrewd, but only if she’s ready to talk substance.

From a political perspective, Palin is deeply threatening to the left. Classist, petit syrah swilling liberals loathe the thought of being governed by a backwater governor with five kids and a beehive. Leftist women hate her because she’s attractive and should be busy burning her bra for abortion rights (she’s also successful in her personal life, which often times aggravates liberal females and irritates certain gray—I mean, strawberry haired print columnists). Political strategists fear her because she could effectively help move the traditionally Democratic blue collar vote to the right. Think about it: who could be more unsuccessful in their outreach to this demographic: Joe Biden or Sarah Palin? Palin also has the ability to make the left appear so vile, so rude, and so disgusting by just being herself. She gets them to use the most egregious of insults and acts as a mirror to their soul whenever she appears by getting them to act so appallingly.

While these realities are potent, they aren’t the sole ingredients for a successful candidacy. They are personal, not presidential. It’s dangerous to build a cult of personality without real policy chops, no matter which side of the aisle. Just look at Barack Obama. He won because of his persona. When it comes to actually governing and making the tough policy decisions required for the job, he appears weak, winded and confused. His words, his fancy backdrops and his cultish iconography can't save him now.

The best preparation for a political candidacy is a primary. This book tour should be Palin's primary.

Politics is a game of addition. You add supporters by not just talking to head nodders, but also by winning converts. With the economy still in a chokehold and Obama’s approval rating in a freefall, Palin has an opportunity to offer creative and solid solutions our many problems. This would help her capture the imagination of a larger portion of the electorate -- not just conservatives. For most independents and moderates, controlling spending is priority number one. She could own this issue by addressing it head on during her book tour and offer a sharp contrast to the fiscal gluttony of the current administration.

In her book, Palin seeks to set the record straight when it comes to former McCain staffers who muzzled her. Many times during the campaign I argued that her handlers were operating with an outdated playbook and bunker mentality that did nothing to capitalize on her strengths, so it’s important for her to bring clarity to these misconceptions.

But once this media blitz ends, so must the soap opera. Many of these operatives view campaigns as a money making industry. They’re looking to hook their claws into other candidates in the 2012 election that's why they continue to cut her down by using a very willing liberal media looking for any excuse to assist when it comes to Republican Party infighting. She shouldn’t take the bait. She needs to ignore them and focus on moving forward. Palin is far more important and effective than they will ever be. She must act like it.

The media will be following her every move on her campaign – uh, I mean book tour across America. She should use these venues to differentiate and define herself from the rest of the bunch but also offer creative and solid solutions to the issues that ail us. With conviction, strong sense of self and passion like the GOP hasn’t seen in decades, she needs to outline what she’d do about Afghanistan, her plan to lower health care and energy costs and keep us safe at home by getting heady. Enough about death panels, what would she do?

I can understand Palin’s urge to travel to the pockets of America where people like her. But rising to the top requires facing your enemies head on. That means Sunday morning talk shows and an appearance on "60 Minutes." If the Katie Couric interviews were just a one time fluke then prove it. It’s better to deal with the tough questions now than months before a presidential primary.

One of two things is going to happen if she pursues this strategy:

She’s going to come through like Maggie Thatcher—always focused on the future, unflappable and astute. Or she’s going to come through like Geraldine Ferraro, consistently talking about the past and what could have been. If she’s not ready for a pre-primary, then she needs to rethink her priorities and take more time to prepare for that next step.

It’s gut check time. Though she says that the White House isn’t on her radar, if Sarah Palin is going to emerge as any kind of transformational leader she needs to articulate why she wants to run for higher office without actually saying it, and display why she belongs there. The journey begins today.

Palin: What's the Big Gamble?

2009-07-07T00:25:00-04:00

You can’t turn on a television set lately without seeing some commentator or pundit talking about the riskiness, harping on the hazards, or listing the potential liabilities of Palin’s symbolic in nature, Independence Day decision to bail from her position as Governor of Alaska.

Someone please tell me: what’s the big gamble?

Let’s see: she might write a book, make millions and raise even more for the GOP? She could end up giving killer speeches on issues of national importance that bring the house down and command the attention of a national media that only our current commander in chief can boast? Or wait – she might actually run for the White House and er, um, lose? (That worked out horribly for Hillary, Secretary of State, “18 million cracks” Clinton, Nobel Prize winner/filmmaker Al Gore, and icon Ronald Reagan, to name a few).

Amusing are those who attack her for abandoning her office, a novel idea in politics. If leaving a position for a “higher calling” articulates the definition of reckless abandonment, most of the Obama Administration is worthy of similar blame, including the President himself. Even more amusing are those who allege she is running away from the incessant personal assaults. This is a woman who decided not to abort a child she was told would likely have down syndrome, hardly what I'd call someone who retreats over impending adversity. Mothers of special needs children are the epitome of courage. I should know, I was raised by one.

So why is stepping down such a volatile venture?

Win, lose or draw, Palin is, and likely will remain, a wildly popular figure in the Republican Party, a movement that currently lacks a leader and is devoid of direction (besides “the opposite of whatever the tall guy with the teleprompter is saying").

Despite the Obama Administration’s many stumbles and impending economic implosion, no Republican has managed to emerge as the conductor of the constituency. The old guard of the party is over. So over. Whether Palin decides to become the conservative Oprah, a best selling author, the country’s first female President (or all of the above) she is the next generation, the new guard, and the GOP’s MVP.

From a messaging standpoint Palin is perfect. She is also the only one who can reasonably argue that she hasn't been part of either the Republican or Democratic web of Washington politics. No bailouts, big spending, or Buenos Aires lust romps.

Her fundraising potential is potent. Her support is solid from the right. She is poised to fill a leadership vacuum and there is no better time than now, when Obama’s numbers (especially with Independents) are at the precipus of plunging. The iron is scalding hot and Palin, ever the shrewd politician, knows exactly when to strike.

Remind me, where’s her exposure again? The country took a risk on a well-scripted, super smooth, inexperienced, ivy-league fancy lad junior senator. Since taking office he’s quadrupled the deficit, conceded our liabilities abroad, shoved us to the brink of a crippled, European style nanny state, all the while increasing the unemployment numbers to the cusp of double digits. See, the plainspoken, big-haired, conservative hockey mom who uses hokey animal analogies doesn’t seem like such a bad bet after all.

We don’t know precisely how Palin's wager will play out, but we do know that she pulled the political ripcord to advance her career as a Republican rock star, move conservatism forward, and harness her power to propel the problematic Grand Old Party back to greatness. Now that’s a bailout I can get behind.

Andrea Tantaros is a conservative commentator and columnist. Her commentary can be found on www.andreatantaros.com and www.foxnews.com/opinion. Follow her on Twitter: @AndreaTantaros.

Our Advice and Predictions for Palin From Last Year Still Hold True

2009-07-05T22:55:00-04:00

Because so many of you have been asking my thoughts on Palin, I've pulled an old column of mine that still offers timely insight and advice into the Alaskan's future in GOP politics. Enjoy.

WHY PALIN IS THE FUTURE OF THE GOP, November 2008

In this year's election she was the GOP's most valuable player, and like any MVP her political athletic ability is a force to be reckoned with. She has youth on her side which will make her viable for the next two decades (at least). She posesses the supernatural ability to draw tens of thousands to a rally. Her fundraising potential is boundless and her biography is politically seductive.

She is slightly damaged from the Presidential election, not by anything she did, which is why it is possible to overcome the hurdles, the naysayers and heal her two biggest bruises:

First, the one trick ponies on the McCain campaign tried to staff her as they did George W. Bush: as a propped up, stilted, artificial attack dog and full throated conservative, because McCain needed that base to succeed. But this is not the real Sarah Palin. Most Alaskans will vouch for that, especially the Republicans.

Palin is a populist powerhouse who has spent years taking on her own party's corruption. She seemingly works better with Democrats to put points on the board for the benefit of her state rather than get locked in the partisan gridlock and posturing that cripples male politicians. She is razor sharp and savvy when it comes to maneuvering. (Too bad she outmaneuvered her McCain handlers too late).

Second, Team McCain was fairly anemic when it came to assets this election cycle, but one thing they did have on their side was time. Instead of choosing Palin earlier in the summer which would have given her weeks for preparation on issues like national security and the economy, they shoved her into the fray before she spent sufficient time grappling with complex national issues. Imagine the Couric murder board taking place in early summer and not late fall?

Time is now on her side. Here's what she needs to do:

Give major policy speeches. She dazzles the audience when she addresses the energy issue. This is a logical starting point.

Campaign and fundraise on behalf of Republicans. It will be imperative for her to build an army of allies. The next RNC Chair should be her first priority.

Begin to harness the power of her grassroots support. I'm fairly certain Palin doesn't have access to the McCain fundraising and grassroots lists of this past election, which is why she needs to create her own. Palin has millions of Americans at her beck and call. She needs to start organizing this asset by collecting names, emails and phone numbers.

Write a book (on substance, not moose chili). It's time to get serious. The snowmobiling was cute for a while but the current state of our nation requires thoughtful policy and real deal solutions. We're faced with crisis of ethics. As someone who cleaned up Alaska, she should write about the lessons she learned and apply them to kitchen table concerns.

Get some ink in her passport. Obama has very little but was somehow inoculated from criticism after he took a highly publicized trip east. She should do the same, frequently.

Do a weekly radio address. The topics should be major issues of national importance. She should do the research and writing herself.

With the doom and gloom of the current economic climate and total Democratic rule set in place to govern, the ground will be seeded for a Palin comeback in 2012, though it won't be easy. She'll have the far right behind her, but she must run as herself this time, as the pragmatic, centrist reformer she is to truly be successful.

Palin Takes on the Press

2009-01-09T12:24:40-04:00

Finally, Sarah Palin speaks out against the mainstream media who slandered and slaughtered her this past election cycle to documentary filmmaker John Ziegler. Though it is absolutely unfathomable that she still must defend her reputation and her family, I'm thrilled she is on offense. I'm even more impressed that she didn't waste time fighting with the media during the campaign and waited until now as not to distract from the mission at hand. That is a recurring and flawed Republican campaign strategy: wage war on the press instead of your opponent. It's a tactic that never works and it reaffirms my past points that Palin was -- and is -- much savvier than the handlers that advised her and the press gave her credit for.

Interestingly, Palin didn't blame the double standard she faced on the fact that she's a conservative or a female. Unlike Hillary she didn't spend a minute in this interview whining about how she's a victim of sexism or on the campaign trail bawling at a town hall in a plight for pity. She held her head high, stayed on message and kept her eye on the ball. Even at her toughest moments, when the media was questioning the paternity of her son handicapped son Trig, she demonstrated with keen political shrewdness that when you acknowledge your most tactless detractors, they win.

Palin also didn't echo a common complaint in this interview: that she was vilified for being a member of the wrong party. Sure that's a huge part of the pie. The left viewed Palin as an anomaly because of her bio. The Democratic Party is a constituency that has long believed they have cornered the working mother market. In their minds a mother of five kids should be running to the government for a handout, not running for second in command. If she were a single mother, they really would have liked her. But because she was a pro-life, cultural conservative, they detested her.

Most truthful was Palin's point to Ziegler that her lashing from press came down to a simple issue: class. She couldn't be more correct. The mainstream media's full frontal assault grew out of their perception that she was a backwater politician. To them, the thought of being governed by a gun toting, winking, hunting, fishing, moose chili making rural Alaskan with a beehive was intolerable. The sight of her husband snowmobiling made the lefties wince. The outrage over her expensive wardrobe was not because the media thinks spending money on clothes is excessive. It's because they don't believe that Palin should be able to don designer duds. To the liberals, the sight of her in costly clothing is as disorienting as Kennedy in camouflage. "What is Palin doing wearing that?" they thought. So they mocked her. Because to them, a down home gal doesn't belong in Neiman Marcus.

For a group so opposed to torture, the left wing media sure knew how to use it on Palin. Until they realize elitist snobbery leaves a stench in the nose of Americans their credibility as journalists will be questioned. For now we've got to remain vigilant in tracking down blatant bias and holding their feet to the fire. I know a hunter who'd be perfect for the job.

Why Palin is the Future of the GOP

2008-11-13T07:02:00-04:00

The next generation of the Republican Party is Governor Sarah Palin, despite the political malpractice of the McCain camp, and the current rumblings of the old guard (emphasis on old) of the GOP establishment.

In this year's election she was our most valuable player, and like any MVP her political athletic ability is a force to be reckoned with. She has youth on her side which will make her viable for the next two decades (at least). She posesses the supernatural ability to draw tens of thousands to a rally. Her fundraising potential is boundless and her biography is politically seductive.

She is slightly damaged from the Presidential election, not by anything she did, which is why it is possible to overcome the hurdles, the naysayers and heal her two biggest bruises:

First, the one trick ponies on the McCain campaign tried to staff her as they did George W. Bush: as a propped up, stilted, artificial attack dog and full throated conservative, because McCain needed that base to succeed. But this is not the real Sarah Palin. Most Alaskans will vouch for that, especially the Republicans.

Palin is a populist powerhouse who has spent years taking on her own party's corruption. She seemingly works better with Democrats to put points on the board for the benefit of her state rather than get locked in the partisan gridlock and posturing that cripples male politicians. She is razor sharp and savvy when it comes to maneuvering. (Too bad she outmaneuvered her McCain handlers too late).

Second, Team McCain was fairly anemic when it came to assets this election cycle, but one thing they did have on their side was time. Instead of choosing Palin earlier in the summer which would have given her weeks for preparation on issues like national security and the economy, they shoved her into the fray before she spent sufficient time grappling with complex national issues. Imagine the Couric murder board taking place in early summer and not late fall?

Time is now on her side. Here's what she needs to do:

Give major policy speeches. She dazzles the audience when she addresses the energy issue. This is a logical starting point.

Campaign and fundraise on behalf of Republicans. It will be imperative for her to build an army of allies. The next RNC Chair should be her first priority.

Begin to harness the power of her grassroots support. I'm fairly certain Palin doesn't have access to the McCain fundraising and grassroots lists of this past election, which is why she needs to create her own. Palin has millions of Americans at her beck and call. She needs to start organizing this asset by collecting names, emails and phone numbers.

Write a book (on substance, not moose chili). It's time to get serious. The snowmobiling was cute for a while but the current state of our nation requires thoughtful policy and real deal solutions. We're faced with crisis of ethics. As someone who cleaned up Alaska, she should write about the lessons she learned and apply them to kitchen table concerns.

Get some ink in her passport. Obama has very little but was somehow inoculated from criticism after he took a highly publicized trip east. She should do the same, frequently.

Do a weekly radio address. The topics should be major issues of national importance. She should do the research and writing herself.

Appoint herself to the US Senate. If Seantor Ted Stevens is elected -- and then kicked out of the Senate by his colleagues as is widely expected, which can be accomplished with a simple majority vote -- Stevens' temporary replacement would be appointed by Governor Palin. Imagine Hillary, McCain and Palin on Capitol Hill and Obama and Biden in the White House? It would be Shakesperian! What better way for her to shake up the Senate, stay on the national stage and keep an eye on the party?

With the doom and gloom of the current economic climate and total Democratic rule set in place to govern, the ground will be seeded for a Palin comeback in 2012, though it won't be easy. She'll have the far right behind her, but she must run as herself this time, as the pragmatic, centrist reformer she is to truly be successful.

Why the McCain Camp Never Deserved Palin

2008-11-06T10:34:00-04:00

The general rule among returning Las Vegas vacationers is what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Same is true for professional political staffers returning from life on the campaign trail. Sure you re-hash certain particularly amusing or dramatic anecdotes with friends over a few beers, but you don't purposefully blab to the national media in an effort to sandbag your candidate.

Not surprisingly, the McCain campaign doesn't want to abide by the unspoken, but widely understood, rules of political protocol.

Certain campaign "insiders" are, and have been, engaged in an effort to throw Governor Sarah Palin under the bus for – in their estimation -- bringing the McCain ticket down. These Benedict Arnolds have leaked everything from alleged Palin "tantrums" to rumored "shopping sprees" and a seemingly exaggerated tall tale that tries to paint Palin as inappropriate for opening the door to her hotel room one morning in a towel. In my estimation the only thing that smacks of inappropriateness is the behavior of these staffers.

The fact that Fox's Carl Cameron ticked off a litany of these accusations, in addition to a specific list of subject areas where the offended felt Palin was less than knowledgeable, reveals their classless effort to undermine her in order to conceal their own shortcomings.

The real narrative is the long list of subject areas where they failed this campaign. We can now add loyalty and professionalism to the growing tally. This is why they didn't deserve to win.

I lost respect for many of McCain's aides during this election cycle. Now I'm left with none. Not only should this indiscretion give anyone thinking of hiring these now unemployed staffers extreme pause but it should also showcase why these "insiders" don't deserve to work in politics again. Not even races for neighborhood dogcatcher, because in politics you protect your boss--win or lose.

The good news is that when Republicans think of the future of the GOP we think of Sarah Palin, not her disgruntled staff.

Governor, when you're ready to hit the trail again, give me a call.

Pitbull in Lipstick (and Valentino)

2008-10-22T14:38:00-04:00

The mainstream media and liberals everywhere are aghast at how much the McCain camp spent on an apparent fashion overhaul for Sarah Palin.

The spending on so-called "campaign accessories" included bills totaling roughly $150,000.
An anchor at a prominent network (not Fox News) rudely sniffed that for the amount of money the campaign spent Palin should look better. (For the record I'm fairly certain this anchor does not shop at K-Mart.)

This is not taxpayer money. If the McCain camp wants to blow funds on some designer duds, that's their prerogative. Might not be the most brilliant idea when you trail in fundraising, but it's their decision as long as they haven't violated any election laws.
Women traditionally endure exponentially more scrutiny than men. Hillary has been under the fashion microscope for almost two decades—a fact, but hardly what I'd call fair.

The Los Angeles Times reported that Clinton's jackets are about $3,000, shirts run to $1,350 and pants hover around the $2,000 mark. Let's do the math. That's over $6000 a suit. And Clinton owns a lot of pants suits. And she looks great. If she didn't, she'd be vilified for looking frumpy and lacking style savvy like she was in the 1990's.

There is no question excessive primping and preening by presidential candidates is riddled with risk. John Edwards was lambasted over his $400 hair cuts in 2007 as was John McCain over his $520 Ferragamo shoes. We expect our candidates to look good, but not too good. We like a put together politician but have averse reaction when we hear the price tag. For a newcomer like Palin, it's par for the course that she's stepped up her look. Imagine if she didn't? She'd be the subject of more ridicule than she is now.

It's not just Palin who realizes the benefits of being sharp dressed on the stump.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported that friends of Obama say the biggest change in him since his recent success on the national political scene is that he's dressing better and shopping at the ultra bourgeoisie Barney's because, for the first time in his life, he can afford to. Apparently the fierce urgency of now includes killer threads.

How about Michelle Obama? The New York Times Style section published an entire article praising her new, and likely very pricey, sense of style. The purple Maria Pinto sheath she wore at a campaign rally retails for $900, and as the NYT put it is:"not the kind of garment most working-class voters can reasonably aspire to."

The current issue of Harper's Bazaar notes that the Senator's wife wears Valentino, among others. Looks like when the Obama's say spread the wealth around, they mean at top shelf department stores.

I'm not outraged at this. The pressure of being in the public eye is understandable. What's disturbing is the double standard. Michelle Obama gets hailed by the fashionistas while Palin gets crucified and mocked by the fashion police.

These same liberals who are now appalled at the Palin shopping spree are the same ones that thought it shallow and superficial to discuss Newsweek's obvious cheap shot cover of Sarah Palin because we have more important fish to fry. Where are these people now to shout that this issue is trivial and how do they manage to get so fired about Palin's appearance all of sudden?

I'm waiting for the left to condemn the insignificance of this story and I'm not holding my breath.

The Unfortunate Mishandling Of Sarah Palin

2008-09-29T14:21:00-04:00

To many political insiders it is apparent that the McCain campaign has mismanaged Sarah Palin.

The first female governor of Alaska broke onto the political scene a confident, competent contender. She was a take-no-prisoners, fearless female who cut through the bull to do what's right, no matter which corrupt politician is in her way. The evolution over the past few weeks from what the world originally witnessed until now has been staggering and paints a picture of a woman who seems quite the contrary.

With each passing day Palin appears increasingly mishandled and marginalized, two crucial characterizations that are not her fault. There is something about her disposition that signals she isn't allowed to be who she really is, or who she wants to be. Any good press staffer knows that in order to maximize the mojo of your candidate you must accentuate their assets, not hide them. And anyone with a functioning brain knows that when you've got a good thing, you use it.

Id like to point out that this problem was observed over a month ago on my website, www.andreatantaros.com, with a column that urged the McCain campaign to let Palin be Palin, long before any other outlet addressed the issue. Since then weve seen the campaign relegate her into a defensive bunker, and when she emerges, she seems unsure, and uncomfortable with the message she's been fed. Some would argue the messenger is flawed. Or perhaps the message is broken, boring and regurgitated, three things that Sarah Palin is not. My money's on the latter.

Palin was comfortable with the media until she met the McCainiacs, who have all but declared a jihad on the mainstream media. After McCain announced she was his pick for Vice President, his camp was inundated with requests from media outlets, as expected. These inquiries were rebuffed and ignored. The McCain camp has even ignored inquries from a prominent womens magazine and its millions of curious and valuable readers.

Many of the former Bush aides that now surround Governor Palin suffer from extreme paranoia. They behold an obvious insecurity that manifests itself in stubbornness and incessant bullying. Most of all they approach tough situations from a position of weakness rather than strength. Rumors swirled that many of these same staffers were worried she would get asked about abortion thus they declined every interview offer. Sarah Palin, in my opinion, is someone who is so morally grounded in her positions she doesn't shy away from tough questions. Something many beltway baffoons should learn a lesson from.

Another lesson: Sarah Palin is a force to be reckoned with. She is the antithesis to the elitism that often plagues politics. She is someone who has common sense and a cause. She deserves to speak her mind and engage with the people she hopes to represent. And she deserves a team around her that will capitalize on her strengths, not try to run from them. Let her shine McCain camp, before it's too late.

Palin: Wonder Woman or Keeping Us Wondering?

2008-09-15T22:39:00-04:00

There is a growing chorus beginning to crescendo among women. Married females with kids feel compelled to tell me they aren't sold on Palin. Not because she's a conservative, not because she hasn't been in office for the last two decades, but because she is a mother a five who is juggling some personal hurdles and running for the job of Vice President. (For the record these are Republicans). One woman said she thought having a teen daughter who was pregnant and a special needs newborn were "two-parent issues" no matter how fabulous the "First Dude" is rumored to be.

At first I was taken aback. These women used to be hard charging career gals. Some still are. Could it be Sarah Palin makes these women feel inferior? Is the task of rearing one child, let alone five, so daunting that mothers can't fathom how Palin could manage motherhood and be second in command of the free world? Why are mothers doubting her ability to do it all?

Geraldine Ferraro touched upon this same sentiment to Time magazine recently when her interviewer recalled focus group data from 1984 that showed many stay at home mothers found her candidacy for Vice President particularly threatening. "They thought it would somehow hurt them," Ferraro said. "That if I could do all these things--be a supermom or whatever--how would it look for them? If all they were doing was taking care of their children at home."

Come again? Aren't trailblazers like Ferraro and Palin supposed to inspire, not intimidate? I believe they are.

Palin has displayed a superhuman ability to multitask through her rise to Governor of Alaska. Her reputation paints her as someone who is able to take out tough competitors at work while taking out tough stains at home. Men run for office all the time, why is it any different? As Vice President she'll be a tremendous advocate for her son, and for special needs children everywhere. And she will surely have help. Her other children alone will be a huge resource. Hired staff can assist with the mundane aspects of life: laundry, cleaning, cooking. Maybe women are just jealous she won't have to do the dishes anymore?

Before the election is over Palin must connect with her skeptics by letting them know that she is human. That motherhood, marriage and campaigns are tough, but they aren't mutually exclusive. That she's so lucky to have her husband Todd, and like everyone else, gets tired at the end of the day. These are the things we aren't hearing from her. Instead we're relying on the perception that she is the modern day bionic woman, making many moms across the country feel like failures when they can't balance life's challenges as adeptly as she can.

To cement my hypothesis I called my own personal superhero: my mother. She raised four kids, the youngest being a special needs child, and helped run a number of family businesses along side my father. Not exactly the White House, but certainly a chaotic house at times.

"We're not all made the same," my mom noted humbly. "Some women have boundless energy and can handle a great deal. I didn't have her kind of energy. I had help. And she will, too. We might not know how she does it all but one thing's for sure, she is an exceptional woman."

Right as always, mom. An exceptional woman she is, indeed.

Palin's Perfection

2008-09-04T15:24:00-04:00

Last night was a tall order for national stage new comer Sarah Palin, but she seized her moment with tenacity, had the Excel Center on its feet, and St. Paul screeching. From her delivery to her diction, the speech was electrifying on all fronts and was the shot in the arm the Republican Party needed. An email I received on the heels of her oration summed up the entire evening: "I care again."

She was aggressive and authentic:

"Here's a little news flash for all those reporters and commentators: I'm not going to Washington to seek their good opinion. I'm going to Washington to serve the people of this country."

She was tough:

"This is a man who can give an entire speech about the wars America is fighting and never use the word 'victory' except when he's talking about his own campaign."

She was funny:

"You know, they say the difference between a hockey mom and a pit bull? Lipstick."

And my favorite:

"In politics, there are some candidates who use change to promote their careers. And then there are those, like John McCain, who use their careers to promote change."

It was so true, I had chills.

My email has been innundated with comments hailing her performance from friends and family to Democrats and Republicans, and aquaintences who I would consider apolitical and typically disinterested. For Hillary supporters, it had to be a tough pill to swallow. Though watching Take-No-Prisoners-Palin zing Obama so shrewdly had to be mildly fulfilling.

Most laughably, the Obama campaign's response to her speech accused her of not including enough substance. Reeaallly. If there ever was a pot/kettle situation, this was it. To the New York Times and her detractors, last night wasn't the time to outline a fifty point plan on healthcare. And on the issue that matters most to voters right now, energy, she displayed why it's her strong suit and why she's ready to lead.

Watching her from the convention floor was something I, nor anyone who witnessed history in the making, should ever forget. I felt she was speaking to me. And for me. I would never say this is the first time in my adult life I've been proud of my country, but it certainly was one of the proudest moments to date.

John McCain has tough shoes to fill tonight. Perhaps he will be able to; but it will be a challenge. They are, in fact, high heels.

Tonight She Speaks, What She Must Do

2008-09-03T18:08:00-04:00

As the newly minted candidate for Vice President, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin takes the stage tonight she will have more eyes on her than John McCain will likely have on him Thursday in St. Paul. I know it's cliche to quote Vidal Sassoon on such a big occasion, but you never really do get a second chance to make a first impression. The mainstream media and the radical left has tried to make a first impression on behalf of Palin to the voters, but she must use tonight as her introduction to America. It must be flawless. She must appear poised, personable and ready to serve. And she can accomplish that by doing these important things:

-Give America the go girl moment the Democrats couldn't. She must stress tonight is not only an historic night for Republicans, but also for every woman--and every WORKING woman, mother, daughter, wife and sister in the electorate. By doing so she will creep into Independent, undecided and Democratic territory. And for Democrats who have long thought that they own the working mother vote, hammer home the fact that Republicans are ready to do what Democrats could not: put a working mom in the White House.

- Maintain her authenticity. Though the McCain camp has added new handlers, senior advisors and speechwriters from the Bush Administration to her entourage, her style, her words and her mantra must be anything but. She must be herself: spunky, uncluttered, passionate, blunt, youthful, and free of the dull platitudes and talking points that the GOP has recycled, and like robots, regurgitated for the last decade.

-Inject piercing intellect. The left wants to stereotype her as naive, inexperienced, not serious or seasoned enough. It is imperative she show a command of the issues that the country cares most about. Not just surface spin and catch phrases, but a display of depth and understanding coupled with comprehensive policy based solutions.

-Show some humor, and teeth. This election season has gotten nasty. To be able to laugh off some of the criticism and showcase wit she can make her detractors look like fools. She must also show that though she may have a beehive, she's also got balls. That she is not going to back down from a fight with anyone who wants to attack her family or the United States of America.

With all the sass and style that got her this far in life, she must make her sales pitch to the country tonight for the first time on a national stage. The expectations are high, but my confidence in her to close the deal is even higher.

Carpe diem, sister.

If McCain Cannot be McCain, Can Palin at Least be Palin?

2008-09-03T17:30:56-04:00

There is something authentic about Governor Palin. The hair, the family, the husband. Everything seems farm fresh, and not genetically modified. It is what makes her such a spectacular Vice Presidential pick, and a future party leader.

The problem with authentic people is that they often have authentic issues. Authentic people drive, shop, drink, date, and marry. Through it all, they try to abide by their respective beliefs.

At times the authentic fall short of their values, but at other times, a select few become the embodiment of those things that we as a nation cherish. Even among these people, we still find saints who have had their share of sins; achievers who have had their share of failures; and common folk, who have shone brilliantly in the face of adversity.

Governor Palin is one of these authentic people, and we will marvel at the reality of her life even though there will be nothing completely foreign about it. She is not the first mother in our nation's history; nor is she is the first working mother; nor is she the first mother with an unwed pregnant daughter. What is unique is that she could be the first mother to be Vice President of the United States. Other issues might arise, but this is the life of Governor Palin. People will be curious and will want to know more about her.

This is why the beltway dominated McCain campaign must allow voters to see the real Palinthe good, the bad, and the potentially embarrassing. Let people meet and judge her authenticity. Let her talk to the press in large and small markets. Let us decide. The GOP might be pleasantly surprised by the results.

My fear is that the initial Palin revelations will compel the McCain staff to hide her from the press and public. I expect that they will attempt to reduce her authenticity to a series of platitudes set in 12 point Garamond bullet points, and drain from her that which makes her exciting.

Over the past four years, Republicans have been running from their fears, and not towards them, choosing to ignore the fact that the unexpected provides infinite opportunities. They prefer the pre-packaged to the homegrown. Anything requiring the slightest improvisation will close them up tighter than a frightened armadillo.

McCain does not seem like himself in this election because, as many have already observed, his campaign will not "let McCain be McCain." The campaign hides the genuine candidate as part of their mission to manufacture a more palatable public official. We see what this mission has done for Bush's popularity in his second term, and we see the consequences in this cycle: McCain for the most part is playing catch-up with a candidate whose only demonstrable skill is the ability to deliver a big speech that is heavy on hope and light on workable solutions.

The panacea for the McCain campaign's message constipation will be Palin, provided the McCain staff lets her loose and does not hide her from the nation. By preserving her authenticity, and letting her be herself, the GOP might just win this one.

Christopher Coffey is a Republican consultant who has worked on numerous campaigns at all levels of government. He is also a contributor to Andrea Tantaros.com +++

Palin: Deeply Threatening to the Left?

2008-09-01T11:18:00-04:00

The moment the McCain camp confirmed it had chosen Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as its choice for VP, conservatives, females and many mothers across the country rejoiced. She brought so many positives that I couldn't help but wonder how long it would take the left to dig for the negatives.

Shortly after the announcement a friend asked me "when do you think the weird, rural farmer's daughter rumors will start?

Apparently, not long after.

The Daily Kos (or as I like to call it, The Daily Gross) has stooped to a new low by repackaging a plot line from last season's Desperate Housewives and publishing it as a disgusting hit piece alleging Palin's special needs son is really her grandson. And that she pretended to be with child to cover up her teen daughter's underage pregnancy. Now, we've just learned Palin's teen daughter Bristol is pregnant, debunking this awful rumor, yet still igniting the attacks of angry liberal bloggers.

This could only mean there must be something about Sarah Palin that is deeply threatening to the left, a constituency that has long believed they have cornered the working mother market. Five kids? She should be at home begging Democrats for a handout. A husband in a union? He should be on the picket lines.

Liberals like to pretend they are tolerant and accepting of those who are different but when it comes to anyone not ensconced in their progressive, elitist dogma they mock and attack their lifestyle to inspire hate. But because governor Palin is endearing, authentic--and with this latest revelation--easy to identify with, she invokes panic in the left. Why else would they assail a very popular, promising lady and her children?

The key question here is: what is the extreme left trying to prove? How does this make Sarah Palin unfit to serve? And how exactly will this story look bad to voters? A mother stands behind her child. I can think of worse stories than "Palins Come Together to Support Teen Daughter." This is America. This is life. And this is private.

Ridiculing McCain's VP pick for her commitment to family, poking fun at her hobbies and pushing smear about her kids will only bite back. Remember there's a reason the naked protesters that ran up and down eighth avenue in New York City during the 2004 convention helped Republicans: they made liberals look cuckoo for cocoa puffs. Perpetuating laughable legend and assailing the American family is akin to the in the buff boycotting. It makes the lefties look desperate, unstable, paranoid and downright mean. And it will hurt the Democratic brand if it continues.

The back story here has nothing to do with Palin and her family but more to do with the extreme left. All Americans should take note: if liberals aren't going to show Governor Palin or her family any respect, voters shouldn't expect their policies to either.