Think Progress

Conservatives On Palin: She Should ‘Read A Few More Books’

Over the last several weeks, Sarah Palin has made some puzzling statements. She claimed that the recently approved Wall Street bailout would “help those who are concerned about health care reform,” could not name a single newspaper or magazine that she regularly reads, and failed to provide a single Supreme Court decision besides Roe v. Wade with which she disagrees.

Palin’s repeated false claims and revealing misstatements have several prominent members of the conservative establishment worried. On this morning’s political talk shows, they voiced their concerns:

David Brooks on CBS’s Face the Nation: “I don’t think she’s qualified to be President… I prefer someone who’s read a few more books.”

Peggy Noonan on NBC’s Meet the Press: “I think she showed that she is a women of great and natural competence about the show business of politics. … There are questions about other areas. … Would Lincoln say, ‘I represent the backwoods types?’”

Kathleen Parker on CNN’s Reliable Sources: “I do think we gave her a pass up front. And when I say ‘we,’ I’m just talking about people associated with the more conservative side.”

Watch a compilation:



73 Responses to “Conservatives On Palin: She Should ‘Read A Few More Books’”

  1. Another Joe says:

    Why is this news – the folks that proclaimed dur chimpfurher was the second-coming of ronnie raygun are now telling us palin is not well-enough read or knowledgable?

    LOL


  2. stateofthedivision says:

    Sarah said we shouldn’t second guess what Israel needs to do for its security. Does that include declaring villages as “military bases”?

    “We will wield disproportionate power against every village from which shots are fired on Israel, and cause immense damage and destruction. From our perspective, these are military bases,” he said. “This isn’t a suggestion. This is a plan that has already been authorized.”

    Major General (Res.) Giora Eiland recommends preemptive action: that Israel pass a clear message to the Lebanese government, as soon as possible, stating that in the next war, the Lebanese army will be destroyed, as will the civilian infrastructure.


  3. Zooey says:

    She should read.


  4. stateofthedivision says:

    Tying Israel’s village leveling plans to reading, pick any book on the Crusades. They should describe how they turned Jerusalem into a stinking charnel house.


  5. Above the Clouds says:

    I am impressed with the fact it will likely take more than a “few books” to bring this dullard up to speed on the world around her.


  6. paleolib says:

    If you have to give your veep candidate a reading list you picked the wrong veep candidate John. By the way, having Ms. “I was never personally a member of the Alaska Independence Party but I attended at least one of its conventions and taped a welcome for another” attack your opponent for ties with unsavory characters is evidence that you are just mailing it in.


  7. Jim Wolf359 says:

    Thats not all she should do Zooey.
    What blows me away is that this is what passes for competent leadership in the GOP now. Its just incredible that they are so intellectually bankrucpt to say nothing of political leadership.


  8. stateofthedivision says:

    As if reading could take away her pathology. This hypercompetive, incurious, law ignoring Alaskan won’t be improved by the classics.


  9. Bozo The Neoclown says:

    eskimo barbie is the child that got left behind apparently.


  10. Doc Rock says:

    I’d suggest “Where the Wild Things Are,” “Frog and Toad Together,” and “Hop on Pop” to start?


  11. Bozo The Neoclown says:

    question for sarah palin:
    if alaska is such a swingin’ modern place, couldn’t you pop in a book on tape every now and then, you dullard?


  12. barfly says:

    Are there Cliff’s Notes on foreign policy?

    How about “Realpolitic For Dummies?”


  13. pete says:

    Bible Spice, and anyone who would select her as a running mate, is dangerously stupid. Even Bushco apologists recognize it.

    Yet? They will continue to do all in their power to frighten the sheeple out of voting for their, and the country’s, best interests.

    The whole damn lot of them should be tossed in a cell until they resolve to tell the truth about the relative abilities of the two tickets. Or, at least, stop accusing Sen. Obama of being some kind of an enemy of the nation.


  14. barfly says:

    Conservatives On Palin: She Should ‘Read A Few More Books’

    If for nothing else than to get an idea of proper grammar and syntax, the poor dear.

    English teachers around the country must go crazy listening to her mangled presentations.


  15. Crusty Old Bastard says:

    “…someone who’s read a few more books…”

    Two erroneous assumptions in six words:

    1) Assumes she can read,

    2) Assumes she has read the first one (Old Chicken George WTF woundn’t let her borrow his pet pig)


  16. Bilbo Hussein Baggins says:

    She actually said in one interview that all she knows she learned in books. Apparently the trashy novels she read didn’t teach her much about governmental affairs.

    It’s nice to see that the conservatives are catching on to what a disaster Palin is for the ticket.

    Someone said on another site that if they lose, the right will groom her for 2012. Personally I think the right will be well rid of her and not want to see here in the public eye again.


  17. barfly says:

    Oh,the irony, of asking a former mayor who wanted to ban books to read more.

    She’ll get back to ya’…


  18. dfletcher says:

    Yes she should read more. Then a gaffe like “toxic mess on main street” would not be so easily made (and forgotten instantly or missed by almost everyone – I only saw one comment here Thu. night mentioning it). Seems Freudian to me.

    http://www.americablog.com/2008/10/palin-blames-toxic-mess-on-main-street.html

    My wife just told me a story about some friends of ours.

    They didn’t get bit by the primary mortgage on their home, they lost a bundle of money on a second mortgage – a loan they took to take care of some health care needs. They are losing tens of thousands of dollars because of this second loan which they thought they were getting a great rate on suddenly went bust.

    I think we’re in real trouble. The top-down economics is killing us. If it doesn’t stop soon, I believe nothing can stop the economy from collapsing like a balloon . That’s my personal, non-CPA/non-economics major opinion. But I don’t think it takes an economic genius to see that we’re spending too much money on the wrong things.


  19. katy says:

    Wall Street bailout would “help those who are concerned about health care reform,”

    well, you know, she got THAT right, actually…

    i forget who pointed that out here first, but she was being honest, in that this bailout will probably put any plans for health care reform on the back burner for some time…


  20. WATCH US EXPLODE says:

    Well… there’s still time for her to drop out! Might be a step in McCain’s “winning” strategy.


  21. Marie says:

    OT
    Frank Rich wrote of the indications that McCain’s health may be in question. Americablog.com.
    NYT
    McCain is looking increasingly shaky, whether he’s repeating his “Miss Congeniality” joke twice in the same debate or speaking from notecards even when reciting a line for (literally) the 17th time (“The fundamentals of our economy are strong”) or repeatedly confusing proper nouns that begin with S (Sunni, Shia, Sudan, Somalia, Spain). McCain’s “dismaying temperament,” as George Will labeled it, only thickens the concerns. His kamikaze mission into Washington during the bailout crisis seemed crazed. His seething, hostile debate countenance — a replay of Al Gore’s sarcastic sighing in 2000 — didn’t make the deferential Obama look weak (as many Democrats feared) but elevated him into looking like the sole presidential grown-up.

    .. While maintaining a pretty upbeat take on the candidate’s health, the doctor-journalist Sanjay Gupta, told the reporter Sam Stein that he couldn’t vouch “by any means” for the completeness of the records the campaign showed him four months ago. “The pages weren’t numbered,” Gupta said, “so I had no way of knowing what was missing.”
    It’s against this backdrop that Palin’s public pronouncements, culminating with her debate performance, have been so striking. The standard take has it that she’s either speaking utter ignorant gibberish (as to Couric) or reciting highly polished, campaign-written sound bites that she’s memorized (as at the convention and the debate). But there’s a steady unnerving undertone to Palin’s utterances, a consistent message of hubristic self-confidence and hyper-ambition. She wants to be president, she thinks she can be president, she thinks she will be president. And perhaps soon. She often sounds like someone who sees herself as half-a-heartbeat away from the presidency. Or who is seen that way by her own camp, the hard-right G.O.P. base that never liked McCain anyway and views him as, at best, a White House place holder.


  22. sacopenapa says:

    She should read books full stop! And I mean books that are not conected with the Bible os her church. Read and read and then read more! Obviously they don’t do that to often in Sarah’s househould…


  23. katy says:

    this whole short piece is great:

    Sarah, we still hardly know you

    John Diaz
    Sunday, October 5, 2008

    Say this for Sarah Palin: The Alaska governor knows how to shelter herself from public scrutiny, even when debating on national television. Early on, she turned to Sen. Joe Biden and brazenly announced: “I may not answer the questions the way you or the moderator want to hear. … I’m talking directly to the American people.”

    In case you missed it, “talking directly to the American people” meant deflecting direct questions by retreating to the comfort of talking points about Democrats raising taxes, the detachment of the Washington elite from the concerns of Joe Six-Pack and repeated reminders that she and John McCain were the true “mavericks” of this race.

    Americans should not have to wait until after election day to know more about Palin’s vision for a national energy policy – with follow-up questions – or myriad other matters in this period of economic crisis and overseas wars.

    We know what’s on the cue cards, and we know that she can deliver those points with winks and zing. Palin has said McCain never asked her to “check my opinions by the door.”

    It’s time to let them out.

    http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/10/04/IN7D137S1V.DTL


  24. Jackie says:

    Sarah should start with the US Constitution and go forward.
    I did post this on the McCain/Palin web site in hope Sarah’s staff reads it so she wont make the same mistake.

    The Constitution of the United States of America
    We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

    Yes and I followed up with a reminder to Sarah that Grand Ayatollah Khomieni is the ruler and decision maker in Iran not President Ahmadinejad.


  25. katy says:

    oops!

    should be:

    repeated reminders that she and John McCain were the true “mavericks” of this race.
    [...]
    Americans should not have to wait until after election day to know more about Palin’s


  26. Badmoodman says:

    Conservatives On Palin: She Should ‘Read A Few More Books’

    – - Sounds a bit elitist to me.


  27. Wayne says:

    Zooey Says:

    She should read.

    Just Reading something will probably not help her, without having the critical thinking skills to use the information gained by reading.

    Give and idiot an education, but neglect teaching critical thinking skills and what you end up with is still an idiot.

    An educated idiot, but still an idiot.


  28. Patty says:

    barfly Says: … English teachers around the country must go crazy listening to her mangled presentations.

    English teachers and editors and writers and — as is the case in our home — 15-year-olds and 18-year-olds, the latter of whom I’d put against Gov. Palin in a debate on any topic other than those directly Alaska-based.

    Starting with mispronouncing “verbiage” (she gave it two syllables instead of one), I knew that she’d been coached to read only the lines in front of her; she’d never used that word before.

    That’s why she called the CBS interview a “gotcha” one — she wasn’t allowed to carry notes.

    I work in a college writing center and now feel an extra measure of responsibility to assist students in the need to become adept with English, if for no other reason than to avoid becoming a national joke.

    If only this were merely a bad dream.


  29. moondancer says:

    What comes to mind was some poll this summer of self-identified solid Republicans. The question: if your candidate had to tell lies to win, would that bother you? 66 pct said no. Drill baby drill. Win baby win.


  30. Game of Life says:

    Well welcome to the 21st century repugs. Now stay here.

    HEY. Come back here Cletis. Cletis!

    Oops they went back to 1713.


  31. Roket says:

    Sarah would have plenty of time to read books if it were against the law to impersonate a VP candidate. Unfortunately, that’s obviously not against the law.


  32. sectionop92 says:

    At least Ronald Reagan could cite his specific reason for getting into politics. With Palin, she just gives us “D.) All of the above”.

    Then again, Sarah gives new meaning to the “have a beer with them” politics…as most of the guys who want that also want to bring her back to their place or a motel room.


  33. lurker says:

    Is it just me, or does it seem that “most” of the talking heads only want people to believe that she is remotely “qualified” to be VP is because if they said what is obvious to any thinking person the race would be over and they would not have anything to talk about?


  34. sectionop92 says:

    Roket Says:

    Sarah would have plenty of time to read books if it were against the law to impersonate a VP candidate. Unfortunately, that’s obviously not against the law.

    I don’t think there is a Nancy Drew book where the character has to solve a Supreme Court case that ties into the Executive powers of the Constitution.


  35. scytherius says:

    Well, in that she misquoted her Starbucks cup yesterday, I think she needs to learn how to read first.


  36. wiley says:

    Four years in the house, twenty-one in the senate–I guess Maverick means unable to form sustained, meaningful, working relationships. A quarter of a century in D.C. and a woman whom the conservatives thinks needs to read a few books is his pick for VP.

    What a loser.


  37. kasinca says:

    I can’t believe that there are people on the right who are not troglodytes. After Bush fascism and his crime family, had begun to believe they were are backward, bottom feeders. It is good to see that some see they total ineptitude of this candidate and the poor judgement on the part of the old man yelling at the clouds. It is like Johnnie Boy has lost his freaking mind.


  38. wiley says:

    scytherius, what were the odds that she would find such a quote on a Starbucks cup? That was God sending a message to shame women who don’t want to vote for her.

    God must have had quite a talk with the people who print quotes on Starbucks cups, too.

    I hope she likes Chinese. I can’t wait to hear her the oracle in her fortune cookie.



  39. McWars says:

    Chocolate Jesus

    McCain, say BUH BYE VIRGINIA!


  40. Marie says:

    Palin cannot gather in a few weeks of intense study, the information she would be required to have instilled in her in order to be VP. She may be a “quick study” but a lifetime of learning and experiences cannot be learned in a few weeks.
    She’s already prepping to run for president in the future, and McCain doesn’t even realize that the religious right who demanded her as his running mate likely have similar plans. McCain doesn’t have their allegiance; they are all using him.
    True republicans should be very worried.


  41. nofltwlt says:

    And did she “find some examples of McCain …” and “bring em” to her?


  42. lthuedk says:

    Comrade Palin is running with the wrong crowd. Her hero is a war criminal, subverter, traitor, and thief. Cheney’s policies are an assault on freedom and innocent people everywhere.. This is Palin’s hero? If he truly is, then she’s quite toxic to the Republic.

    As a GOPAC Gingrich Stepford Unit, Palin is full tilt right wing totalitarian with manipulative skills and good looks. Most already know she is not what she seems. Actually, I don’t consider Palin or McCain to be Republicans at all. Some mavericks can be tyrants, you know.

    http://www.light-to-dark.com/sarah_cheney.html


  43. DallasNE says:

    What, and confuse her with the facts? Who are they trying to kid. It will never happen.


  44. acv says:

    I heard Kathleen Parker on NPR this week. She was commenting on the negative response after her first article suggesting Palin was not qualified to be VP. Parker said she’s been on the receiving end of negative backlash before, usually from liberals but the response from conservatives was “particularly vicious.” Parker said she’s never experienced this level of hate mail before. She seemed stunned.

    No big surprise there. Why defend on the merits when you can bash someone instead. Bullies.


  45. glenjo says:

    Those darn Washington types! Expecting us normal to be readin’ and stuff!

    Gosh darn them!


  46. JaneaneTheAcerbicGoblin says:

    These are the same a**holes that told us Bush’s lack of curiosity and deliberate stupidity were good things. And when Palin first appeared at the convention, many in the MSM were like it was the 2nd coming of Bush. Now she should be smart?

    I guess they lost money in the stock market, and are pissed at Bush.


  47. wearechange says:

    yeah, but she makes a great muppet. and if she read more newspapers, she’d know that everyone from the national review to the huffington post thinks she’s nothing more than a mockery of hilary supporters and a cheap gimmick designed to garner support of the evangelical/uninformed hobbits in middle earth (red states).

    seriously, the neocons must love the hell out of her. i wouldn’t dismiss the idea of an early, first-term demise for mcstain just for the chance to put her right up front, driving the war-for-oil campaign into iran and syria.


  48. celtic cynic says:

    Inquiring minds want to know what books she read in any of the five colleges she attended or partied at. Trash novels and the Kinsey Report don’t count, neither does the bible for she apparently doesn’t understand any of it.
    Come to think of it, a list of courses taken (passed, failed or dropped) might be of interest along with GPAs, outstanding tuition balances etc.


  49. wearechange says:

    and think of it, the “normal people” will trust a soccer mom from alaska with their kids… sure beats the hell out of a draft.

    and joe six-pack neotard — as long as he’s still of fighting age — is probably good for a tour, too.

    jeez, having “a babe on the ticket” has all kinds of perks!


  50. Another Joe says:

    When I saw the video of mcinsane lusting at her ass at the repug convention, I think the last thing on his mind was that she should read more books…


  51. pete says:

    It has become apparent that Bible Spice has three sources of information. Her husband, her church, and the GOP. I have yet to hear her say anything that could not be attributed to those three sources. Nor have I heard anything that would imply independent thought or curiosity.

    Much like Chimpy, she seems to not understand the meanings of the words she uses and, when she’s caught off script she isn’t even coherent. She is not only profoundly ignorant, she’s willfully ignorant. She is devoted to rejecting information which doesn’t fit her worldview.

    Alas, it’s doubtful the campaign will give her many more opportunities to show her stuff with “live questions”. But she seems perfectly capable of saying idiotic things anyway, regardless of venue.


  52. tokin librul says:

    Next thing you know, K-Lo will be giving her beauty tips…


  53. Oval12345678 aka James K. Sayre says:

    Read a few books? Maybe SP should try writing a few books, too, to help broaden her mind and educate herself about the world. Not the world where Republicans and dinosaurs walked together six thousand years ago, but the real world that has been around for several billion years… SP has the mental outlet of a typical teenager…

    The Winkster’s attempted smear of Obama with the crack about Wm. Ayers was truly absurd, since Obama was only about eight years old when Mr. Ayers was active with the Weather Underground in resisting the US criminal war on the Vietnamese people. Some thirty or so years later, after Wm. Ayers had successfully reentered society, he served on some civic board as the same time as Mr. Obama. Big farking deal… As big Eddie Schultz says, the GOP is out of material.


  54. Another Joe says:

    Maybe SP should try writing a few books, too

    Writing doesn’t broaden your mind unless you have something to say – palin is just another political hack. Another propaganda tool ready to front the same criminal cabal that fraudulently hoisted and AWOL abusive alcoholic/cocaine addict into the WH as a “war pResident.”


  55. RUCerious says:

    She’ll have the next four years to read all the books she wants.
    From her Alaskan governor’s office.


  56. RUCerious says:

    That’s all they got folks. Smear and fear.
    Out of gas, ideas, polling data, they’re gonna go to the gutter.

    What was that Cindy said at the beginning of this? We had her word that the campaign was going to stay on the high road?

    Anybody got UTube links to that broadcast?


  57. katy says:

    Reversal in Palin Case

    By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
    Published: October 5, 2008

    ANCHORAGE (AP) — Seven Alaska state employees have reversed course and agreed to testify in an abuse-of-power investigation against Gov. Sarah Palin.

    Ms. Palin, the Republican nominee for vice president, is the focus of a legislative inquiry into whether she abused her office by firing the public safety commissioner, Walt Monegan. Mr. Monegan says he was dismissed because he would not fire the governor’s former brother-in-law.

    Lawmakers subpoenaed seven state employees to testify in the inquiry, but they challenged those subpoenas. A judge rejected that challenge last week. Because of that ruling, the Alaska attorney general, Talis Colberg, says, the employees have decided to testify.

    http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/06/us/politics/06palin.html


  58. kuvasz says:

    good god, what is wrong with these people? if a dog turd was stamped with “GOP” on its side they would exclaim it was a tootsie roll.


  59. bob hussein lablah says:

    OT, but check it out. Even Karl Rove has Obama winning at this point.


  60. Robt says:

    yes, lets just think of a man running that doesn’t know what he is talking about and says xhucks, then winks and nods?

    Think of a man called George W Bush. Then look at McCain and Palin for that matter.


  61. Iolair says:

    katy Says:

    Lawmakers subpoenaed seven state employees to testify in the inquiry, but they challenged those subpoenas. A judge rejected that challenge last week. Because of that ruling, the Alaska attorney general, Talis Colberg, says, the employees have decided to testify.

    Well gosh-darn it all! They were supposed to be loyal employees. I guess Sarah’s gonna’ have to suspend her campaign and git herself back to Alaska and send those people packin’. I’m sure she could give them an assignment keepin’ watch on ol’ Putin to make sure he doesn’t peek over the horizon into Alaska. Stickin’ them on that remote island for a month outta take care of things.


  62. the Lone Voice of Reason says:

    Those funny marks on paper hurt her head, poor thing. I mean they just keep rattling around in that big empty noggin’, clunkin’ against each other because there’s nothing in the way to stop them.


  63. 5150 says:

    The book of books is the Good Book. When asked your favorite book, consult your Bible for the RIGHT answer or be Left Behind.


  64. MCMetal says:

    5150 Says:
    ——————————————————————————–

    The book of books is the Good Book. When asked your favorite book, consult your Bible for the RIGHT answer or be Left Behind.

    October 6th, 2008 at 2:03 am

    I always use the Bible …………….For emergency camping purposes when toilet paper becomes scarce.

    BTW

    You are so aptly named after one of the shittiest Van Halen albums , you religious d-bag…………


  65. republicanSScareme says:

    Sarah Palin’s main appeal is to hillbillies who shouldn’t be voting in the first place.


  66. republicanSScareme says:

    Ask yourself one question:

    Would you vote for Sarah Palin for PTA President?


  67. hussein toasterhead says:

    republicanSScareme Says:

    Ask yourself one question:

    Would you vote for Sarah Palin for PTA President?
    October 6th, 2008 at 6:12 am

    _____

    Hell no. I don’t want no science deniers in charge of my kids’ education.


  68. the Lone Voice of Reason says:

    5150 Says:

    The book of books is the Good Book. When asked your favorite book, consult your Bible for the RIGHT answer or be Left Behind.
    ****************
    Left Behind? Once again you religious nutties can’t tell fact from fiction. I shall spell that out for you since you are obviously such a twit that you can’t reason it out for yourself. Left Behind is a work of F I C T I O N, like Harry Potter and Star Wars.

    Get a grasp of reality and get your troll tush out of here until you have something INTELLIGENT to say. And try reading the Constitution, a nonfiction work. I believe there is a part about the separation of Church and State that you should try to comprehend.


  69. barfly says:

    For some interesting reading until think fast arrives, here’s Rolling Stone’s latest story on McCain:

    http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/make_believe_maverick_the_real_john_mccain/page/1


  70. bonzo 1958 says:

    I think the whole book banning thing of hers is because she herself doesn’t read and she doesn’t want anyone else to be smarter than her.


  71. barfly says:

    And this,from page five of the Rolling Stone article:

    Soon after McCain hit the ground in Hanoi, the code went out the window. “I’ll give you military information if you will take me to the hospital,” he later admitted pleading with his captors. McCain now insists the offer was a bluff, designed to fool the enemy into giving him medical treatment. In fact, his wounds were attended to only after the North Vietnamese discovered that his father was a Navy admiral. What has never been disclosed is the manner in which they found out: McCain told them. According to Dramesi, one of the few POWs who remained silent under years of torture, McCain tried to justify his behavior while they were still prisoners. “I had to tell them,” he insisted to Dramesi, “or I would have died in bed.”


  72. calroc says:

    Here are a few utterly brilliant quotes from the eloquent Barack Obama.

    “Everybody knows that it makes no sense that you send a kid to the emergency room for a treatable illness like asthma, they end up taking up a hospital bed, it costs when, if you, they just gave, you gave em treatment early and um a breathalyzer or uh inhalator, not a breathalyzer. I haven’t had much sleep ….”

    or how about this gem……..

    “What they will say is it cost to much money but you know what it would cost about it it cost about the same as what we would spend it over the course of 10 years it would cost what it would cost us it ugh allright ok we’re going it would cost us the same….”

    You people amaze me. You make fun of Palin for her speech when Obama can’t even speak in complete sentences most of the time. Let alone get it grammatically correct. If this is elite, I am going to stick with the bitter clingers. If this is the kind of speaker you become after going to Columbia and Harvard Law, Barack should have saved some money and just went to the University of Idaho. Game set match.

    Calroc



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