This past weekend, the world was reintroduced to the political juggernaut that is Sarah Palin. At the first National Tea Party Convention in Nashville, Tenn., Palin delivered the keynote address that many consider to be her opening dance to a 2012 presidential campaign.
After listening to Palin deliver her $100,000 words, the editorial board could not help but consider what exactly she stands for. During one of the most challenging times our nation has faced, it feels right to consider why the name Sarah Palin invokes such extremes of love and hate in the eyes of Americans.
The Palin phenomenon is made possible in part by that dreadful September morning that forever changed our nation. The fear that consumed us on that day has continued to infiltrate our politics, our psyche and how we vote. In 2004, George Bush capitalized on that fear in his re-election campaign. Now, it seems, Palin hopes to do the same.
The former Alaska governor describes herself as an everyday American, but from her speech, she seems to represent the worst qualities of us as Americans. She is the side of us that we keep behind closed doors, the side of us that cringes when we walk onto an airplane and see someone or something suspicious. She is the side of us that is distrustful of everything and everyone. She is the side of us that builds walls instead of bridges.
It is for this reason that she remains such an intriguing voice in politics — she voices those deep down fears that we hate ourselves for having.
Politicians often claim to be regular folk, but never in politics have we seen a candidate so regular and shockingly average in education, success and culture. When Mitt Romney, John Kerry or Hillary Clinton tell you how normal they are, we are willing to play along because we know there are successful careers, practical experience or at least diplomas from top universities behind them.
For Palin to be a successful presidential candidate, she has to develop superior ideas, not careless criticism. One should not vote for Palin, Obama or any candidate because of how well they speak or the fear they propagate. Voters and candidates need to focus on what is best for our country and our future. We should vote for the person that has the best answers to the problems we face going forward, not the person who can incite the most fear and anger in people.
