Psychology Today has an interesting comparison: libel charges raised against Sarah Palin compared to Barry Goldwater.
I’ve briefly thought about this comparison after a random remark was made in a Mad Men episode about Goldwater. There are strong similarities — popularity with grassroots, going against party establishment, strong fiscal conservative values and the mobilization of new conservative supporters.
Of course there are huge differences. Goldwater would sharply oppose Palin’s social conservativism. Palin could also benefit greatly from studying Goldwater’s grassroots organization if a run for the White House is in her 2012 plans.
As we know, Goldwater lost in 1964, but his campaign and efforts largely helped Reagan win 1980. Will Palin follow a similar path? Thoughts?
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“Palin could also benefit greatly from studying Goldwater’s grassroots organization if a run for the White House is in her 2012 plans.
As we know, Goldwater lost in 1964…”
I think the elephant in the room, the one you need to study very closely if you think she’ll be the GOP nominee next time around, exists quite plainly between the above two sentences.
Hopefully it won’t be exactly the same path. I’d like to win a presidential election before 2028.
Good point. But Goldwater’s organization last for forty years. However, I don’t see Palin building the infrastructure that Goldwater did in the 60s.
Dan, I agree. However, I honestly don’t know if she will run in 2012. It’s just too early to speculate.
As you write–there are indeed huge diffences separating Palin from AuH2O, particularly in the areas of honesty and integrity.
I’m assuming that you are referencing Palin, and I’m tired of hearing these arbitrary attacks made. Please be specific. What exactly has Palin done that shows she lacks honesty and integrity? All of her ethics violations have been cleared in Alaska. Wardrobegate was cleared up. What has she done that’s so wrong?
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