Seriously? Like what? I’ve read about half of her book and it is dreadfully painful. I have nothing against the University of Idaho, but unless you graduate from there while doing something spectacular, I don’t think that in and of itself represents an academic feat or great credential. I’ve read about half of her book and it really is dreadfully painful to read, wholly lacking in any kind of intellectual argument, and truly boring. After reading it, I have come to think of her as a sweet, well-intentioned woman, but by no means brilliant. To be honest, I could not even call her a sophist because in that book, she does not present any insight into her reasonings; she merely declares that she believes in X and leaves it at that.

I agree with the point “iconic symbol of the learned person? Books”, well recently I read a blog “Life is Short – Read More Books” with beautiful context “The best way to keep your creative juices flowing and to have a Positive Mental Attitude (PMA) is to read good books” https://www.commlabuniversity.com/blog/reading-in-2010/

Regards
Rajesh
http://www.commlabuniversity.com

Top political minds… Republicans or Democrats? Elected?

I do think sinz54 is correct in saying that Obama would “cut her [Palin] to ribbons,” but for starters, I’ll point out some past and present Republican governors whom I consider to be “top minds.”

I think Romney has demonstrated a real command of the issues. He speaks to specifics, rather than just repeatedly professing a love for “the free market” or an aversion to “government as usual.” He has substantive take on the economy that is grounded in years of proven experience in difficult positions (Bain Capital, Bain & Company, 2002 Olympics, Mass.) He has also developed into a something of a foreign policy wonk as of late, often leading the charge on Iran especially.

Haley Barbour. The Miss. Governor is certainly not your stereotypical policy wonk or university professor. He’s a big guy with a strong southern accent. But if you’ve heard him talk about tort reform, then you know he knows what he is talking about. Barbour knows the ins and outs of this pretty complex issue, and he has done an impressive job of bringing about change on the subject in Miss. Barbour feels comfortable at think tanks and on the policy circuit–places SP avoids…

Bobby Jindal. Yes he won a Rhodes, but Jindal really proves himself when he talks about health care. He spent a number of years working on this issue, and listening to him, I know he is a master of the issue, and he has the capacity to expand this thoroughness to other fields.

Former Governor now Ambassador Huntsman. Perhaps I’m a bit biased on this one, but the level of specificity to which Huntsman speaks is very impressive. He could teach a course on Chinese history, and he could do it in Mandarin. Added to that, he has the business know-how to be able to talk shop with the best of them.

Ms. Palin has had more than a year in the spotlight to prove herself.

In politics, once you’ve damaged your brand, it can take many years to recover–but it can be done.

Everybody thought Richard Nixon was washed up after his 1962 loss. But six years later, he came back to win the Presidency. He had to totally change his image–discard the slash-and-burn anti-Communism and become more inclusive and less bitter. His supporters actually called it “the new Nixon.”

But that’s what Sarah Palin isn’t doing–changing her image as a cute perky housewife who just wanders into one critical job after another like Chauncey Gardner or Forrest Gump. She could change her image by doing her homework, learning all about the issues of the day, and taking positions on them that are more than just sound bites. She should talk like a wannabe Chief Executive, not like a housewife. She could learn from Hillary Clinton here.

If she doesn’t, she’ll still be the same old Sarah Palin.

Top political minds, Mr. Richer? Name a few for me. I’d be interested in what you think is “top” and “mind”.

In a one-on-one debate between Palin and Obama, he would cut her to ribbons.

Definition of Irony: Trying to refute the idea that you are not an intellectual with an autobiography that is completely ghostwritten.

Commenting on Palin posts is TOO easy!

We can make two observations about this: 1) she is exercising her American right to make money while she is at her peak;
2) it wasn’t about the ‘lawsuits’ and ‘media hounds.’ It’s about money.

And that last observation is why she can never be a ‘leader’ in good standing…Leaders don’t quit…not even for money.