The Other McCain

"One should either write ruthlessly what one believes to be the truth, or else shut up." — Arthur Koestler

George Will: *sigh*

Posted on | February 19, 2010 | 29 Comments

by Smitty (h/t Power Line)

Paul at Power Line links George Will’s latest Real Clear Politics column, where he musters only the most grudging recognition for Sarah Palin.

Last night at the CPAC Presidential banquet, George Will was in top form attacking the Left, and the concept of making the American people dependent on the government. George commences at 17:17.

So it is with some dismay that one views Will tacitly perpetuating the problem of dependency. Will, for all of his erudition, knowledge of conservative history, and excellent rhetorical skill, seems to be in denial about the root causes of the current crisis.

He nearly manages to take conservatives to task for the decisions of the previous administration, but he seems to think that Sound Historical Conservative Perspective will win the day. Just usher in a few names that he has vetted for you, and all will be well.

Mr. Will, where is your attack on the Federal Reserve, sir? Where is your criticism of Republicans who’ve abetted the statist foe by perpetuating entitlements, sir? Where is your defense of the 10th Amendment?

One cannot tell whether the object to Governor Palin is the thin résumé, or the fact that she has not sat beneath the tutelage of the Correct People.

However, those Correct People have be the string section that fiddled away while the national debt grew.

Of course, the cynical possibility exists that Mr. Will and company (John Batchelor, Rick Moran) are calculating that the chief thing they can do to enhance Governor Palin’s popularity is to hammer her in print as often as possible.

No, Mr. Will is too genuine for such head-fakery. But if I could ask the gentleman just one question in his über-wisdom, it would be just exactly what sort of résumé he thinks would be ‘acceptable’, given the cratered nature of the American Treasury. Mr. Will: nobody is qualified to roll-back 100 years of Socialist and condescending elitist idiocy.

Category: CPAC, George Will

Comments

29 Responses to “George Will: *sigh*”

  1. Michael J Sheppard
    February 19th, 2010 @ 7:32 pm

    Letter below fyi not publication.

    Stacey Re; your Will entry-my technical analysis seems to have received a good resposne-please consider adding it to your article as a reference etc.
    Cordial regards,MJS
    http://recovering-liberal.blogspot.com/2010/02/george-wills-ridiculous-goldwaterpalin.html

  2. Michael J Sheppard
    February 19th, 2010 @ 2:32 pm

    Letter below fyi not publication.

    Stacey Re; your Will entry-my technical analysis seems to have received a good resposne-please consider adding it to your article as a reference etc.
    Cordial regards,MJS
    http://recovering-liberal.blogspot.com/2010/02/george-wills-ridiculous-goldwaterpalin.html

  3. newrouter
    February 19th, 2010 @ 7:43 pm

    “Mr. Will: nobody is qualified to roll-back 100 years of Socialist and condescending elitist idiocy.”

    so true

  4. newrouter
    February 19th, 2010 @ 2:43 pm

    “Mr. Will: nobody is qualified to roll-back 100 years of Socialist and condescending elitist idiocy.”

    so true

  5. richard mcenroe
    February 19th, 2010 @ 8:05 pm

    George Will wears bow ties. Never listen to nor note for anyone who wears a bow tie.

  6. richard mcenroe
    February 19th, 2010 @ 3:05 pm

    George Will wears bow ties. Never listen to nor note for anyone who wears a bow tie.

  7. Steve in TN
    February 19th, 2010 @ 8:06 pm

    Dunno about George Will, who I think at times wishes he could more on the left… But I quickly lost my ardor for a Palin campaign when she quit on the Alaska job. If she can’t stand the heat of a small, small state how will she withstand the fish bowl that is the White House?

    I like her as a person but I see things I don’t want in a leader. Perhaps if she captured the AK house of one of their Senate seats and served for a while…

  8. Steve in TN
    February 19th, 2010 @ 3:06 pm

    Dunno about George Will, who I think at times wishes he could more on the left… But I quickly lost my ardor for a Palin campaign when she quit on the Alaska job. If she can’t stand the heat of a small, small state how will she withstand the fish bowl that is the White House?

    I like her as a person but I see things I don’t want in a leader. Perhaps if she captured the AK house of one of their Senate seats and served for a while…

  9. Stinky
    February 19th, 2010 @ 8:12 pm

    I am constantly amazed by the “thin resume” attacks. Thin compared to whom? Barack “served 150 days in the Senate” Obama? John “one term Senator” Edwards? Palin held public office from 1992 to 2009. That’s 17 years.

  10. Stinky
    February 19th, 2010 @ 3:12 pm

    I am constantly amazed by the “thin resume” attacks. Thin compared to whom? Barack “served 150 days in the Senate” Obama? John “one term Senator” Edwards? Palin held public office from 1992 to 2009. That’s 17 years.

  11. TR Sterling
    February 19th, 2010 @ 9:19 pm

    Dear Smitty,
    My thoughts, precisely.
    Mr. Will has book learned knowledge of US history, but his perspective on today is sadly focused on maintaining ‘just a little arrogance’ that is enough to keep him as the keeper of knowledge. We know the emperor has no clothes but we also know that peer-to-peer, a little arrogance is just too much, unless there are some who are more equal than others?
    -TR

  12. TR Sterling
    February 19th, 2010 @ 4:19 pm

    Dear Smitty,
    My thoughts, precisely.
    Mr. Will has book learned knowledge of US history, but his perspective on today is sadly focused on maintaining ‘just a little arrogance’ that is enough to keep him as the keeper of knowledge. We know the emperor has no clothes but we also know that peer-to-peer, a little arrogance is just too much, unless there are some who are more equal than others?
    -TR

  13. Kentucky Colonel
    February 19th, 2010 @ 9:21 pm

    Steve in TN, those of you who cite Palin’s resignation as a reason to diss her, are either ignorant or dishonest. Would you have stayed in the job if the result was your personal bankruptcy? She has spelled out exactly why she resigned numerous times. If you haven’t taken the time to learn why, maybe you should before you embarrass yourself any further.

    The Dems underestimated her. Had they allowed her to go back to her job as Governor and not had their ankle biters cover her up with unfounded ethics complaints, she’d still be there looking after the state’s business. Instead, they thought that they could drive her into oblivion, and I guess they’ve figured out that that didn’t work.

  14. Kentucky Colonel
    February 19th, 2010 @ 4:21 pm

    Steve in TN, those of you who cite Palin’s resignation as a reason to diss her, are either ignorant or dishonest. Would you have stayed in the job if the result was your personal bankruptcy? She has spelled out exactly why she resigned numerous times. If you haven’t taken the time to learn why, maybe you should before you embarrass yourself any further.

    The Dems underestimated her. Had they allowed her to go back to her job as Governor and not had their ankle biters cover her up with unfounded ethics complaints, she’d still be there looking after the state’s business. Instead, they thought that they could drive her into oblivion, and I guess they’ve figured out that that didn’t work.

  15. William Henley
    February 19th, 2010 @ 5:05 pm

    Governor Sarah Palin did more for the State of Alaska than all of Alaska’s previous governors combined and did in 1/2 a term. She also did more than any lower 48 governor has ever done no matter how many terms they served. Then, being selected as VP for McCain made her the most hated person in America, but, only by the socialistic left and RINO’s. If Sarah decides to run for the President of America next year then She will be the next President of America. Sit back and watch, fight against her and lose, makes no difference.

  16. William Henley
    February 19th, 2010 @ 10:05 pm

    Governor Sarah Palin did more for the State of Alaska than all of Alaska’s previous governors combined and did in 1/2 a term. She also did more than any lower 48 governor has ever done no matter how many terms they served. Then, being selected as VP for McCain made her the most hated person in America, but, only by the socialistic left and RINO’s. If Sarah decides to run for the President of America next year then She will be the next President of America. Sit back and watch, fight against her and lose, makes no difference.

  17. Live Free Or Die
    February 19th, 2010 @ 10:22 pm

    George(Smartest-Person-In-The-Room)Will has always been an Internationalist. As such, in his guise as Media Smart Guy, he always puts down Populist sentiment. Bow ties, without a tux, are prehistoric. George Will is a fossil.

  18. Live Free Or Die
    February 19th, 2010 @ 5:22 pm

    George(Smartest-Person-In-The-Room)Will has always been an Internationalist. As such, in his guise as Media Smart Guy, he always puts down Populist sentiment. Bow ties, without a tux, are prehistoric. George Will is a fossil.

  19. Bob Belvedere
    February 19th, 2010 @ 10:42 pm

    Mr. Will: For you as for Orrin Hatch, It’s Dog Track Time

  20. Bob Belvedere
    February 19th, 2010 @ 5:42 pm

    Mr. Will: For you as for Orrin Hatch, It’s Dog Track Time

  21. Huey
    February 19th, 2010 @ 11:24 pm

    Kentucky Colonel: Right on.

    These so-called “Palin fans but for her resignation” irk me no end.

    The very reasons they give for their earlier support (that she was a “real person” and not a political hack — willing to take on the establishment — able to get things done, etc.) are the very reasons she GAVE for stepping down.

    In her coming out speech at the convention, she told us that she viewed herself as a “public servant,” elected (hired) to do the peoples’ work.

    When she resigned, she told us that, due to the constant, frivolous ethics complaints, she could no longer effectively do the peoples’ work — but that her Lt. Governor COULD, and THEREFORE, she was stepping aside so that the peoples’ work could go forward.

    This is the HONORABLE thing to do. Compare Bill Clinton who spent a great part of his presidency defending himself from the “bimbo eruptions” culminating in his impeachment. Morris says he got almost nothing done, spending all his time dealing with these issues — and he had brought THOSE upon HIMSELF (as opposed to frivolous attacks by left wing activists or loons (or both).

    She also told us that Alaska, unlike the other 56 states, required that the governor spend her OWN MONEY to defend herself. No other governor would have to do this. No President would.

    And, she knew it wouldn’t stop. So, the people were better served by her stepping down, allowing the Lt. Governor to step into the job and pursue the same agenda — WITHOUT these time-consuming and expensive and MERITLESS ethics complaints.

    And, hey! Now, the work of the people is getting DONE in Alaska.

    She also told us that she wasn’t retreating from the FIGHT — just that she wouldn’t be fighting from the Governor’s chair. And…hey! That’s just what’s she’s doing…and quite effectively.

    She didn’t “quit due to pressure,” she resigned in favor of someone else who could carry on the peoples’ work. I’m completely cool with that. In fact, I’m hugely impressed with that.

    A politician (Bill Clinton) would have hunkered down, and damn everything except his political (or post-political) career.

  22. Huey
    February 19th, 2010 @ 6:24 pm

    Kentucky Colonel: Right on.

    These so-called “Palin fans but for her resignation” irk me no end.

    The very reasons they give for their earlier support (that she was a “real person” and not a political hack — willing to take on the establishment — able to get things done, etc.) are the very reasons she GAVE for stepping down.

    In her coming out speech at the convention, she told us that she viewed herself as a “public servant,” elected (hired) to do the peoples’ work.

    When she resigned, she told us that, due to the constant, frivolous ethics complaints, she could no longer effectively do the peoples’ work — but that her Lt. Governor COULD, and THEREFORE, she was stepping aside so that the peoples’ work could go forward.

    This is the HONORABLE thing to do. Compare Bill Clinton who spent a great part of his presidency defending himself from the “bimbo eruptions” culminating in his impeachment. Morris says he got almost nothing done, spending all his time dealing with these issues — and he had brought THOSE upon HIMSELF (as opposed to frivolous attacks by left wing activists or loons (or both).

    She also told us that Alaska, unlike the other 56 states, required that the governor spend her OWN MONEY to defend herself. No other governor would have to do this. No President would.

    And, she knew it wouldn’t stop. So, the people were better served by her stepping down, allowing the Lt. Governor to step into the job and pursue the same agenda — WITHOUT these time-consuming and expensive and MERITLESS ethics complaints.

    And, hey! Now, the work of the people is getting DONE in Alaska.

    She also told us that she wasn’t retreating from the FIGHT — just that she wouldn’t be fighting from the Governor’s chair. And…hey! That’s just what’s she’s doing…and quite effectively.

    She didn’t “quit due to pressure,” she resigned in favor of someone else who could carry on the peoples’ work. I’m completely cool with that. In fact, I’m hugely impressed with that.

    A politician (Bill Clinton) would have hunkered down, and damn everything except his political (or post-political) career.

  23. Guest
    February 19th, 2010 @ 11:25 pm

    Sweet, delicious and oh, so satisfying:

    http://article.nationalreview.com/425484/palin-populism/michael-knox-beran

    Will’s Highly Educated Whites built the American Ghetto yet in the end….

  24. Guest
    February 19th, 2010 @ 6:25 pm

    Sweet, delicious and oh, so satisfying:

    http://article.nationalreview.com/425484/palin-populism/michael-knox-beran

    Will’s Highly Educated Whites built the American Ghetto yet in the end….

  25. Guest
    February 19th, 2010 @ 11:37 pm

    “But I quickly lost my ardor for a Palin campaign when she quit on the Alaska job.”

    When you finally understand the vicious nature of the progressive Left’s ‘by any means necessary indite the political opponent to death then you will acknowledge such tactic was brilliant’.

    Sarah Palin disrupted the Left’s playbook-who else has the nerve to take on the Big Brother machine?

    Conservatives must stop relying on their flaccid impotence if they are serious about rolling back ‘100 years of Socialist and condescending elitist idiocy.’

    The Left + over-population of Marxists Lawyers = Death to America.

    Pull yourselves together boys, buck and grow your gonads because the Left is not going to give up their power.

  26. Guest
    February 19th, 2010 @ 6:37 pm

    “But I quickly lost my ardor for a Palin campaign when she quit on the Alaska job.”

    When you finally understand the vicious nature of the progressive Left’s ‘by any means necessary indite the political opponent to death then you will acknowledge such tactic was brilliant’.

    Sarah Palin disrupted the Left’s playbook-who else has the nerve to take on the Big Brother machine?

    Conservatives must stop relying on their flaccid impotence if they are serious about rolling back ‘100 years of Socialist and condescending elitist idiocy.’

    The Left + over-population of Marxists Lawyers = Death to America.

    Pull yourselves together boys, buck and grow your gonads because the Left is not going to give up their power.

  27. Gordon
    February 20th, 2010 @ 11:36 am

    Perhaps the grudging bit of respect he’s now offering Palin is happening because he’s one of her “policy briefers.”

  28. Gordon
    February 20th, 2010 @ 6:36 am

    Perhaps the grudging bit of respect he’s now offering Palin is happening because he’s one of her “policy briefers.”

  29. Everything You Need to Know About CPAC 2010
    February 20th, 2010 @ 5:32 pm

    […] George Will: *sigh* […]